If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been making weekly visits to the Cleveland Clinic for IVs every Friday to try to help with the symptoms of a blood disorder. Well, I am done! My final scheduled IV was last Friday. It took 4 1/2 hours, which was typical but after I was disconnected, the nurse wheeled me down the hall to a big bell, gathered all the available nurses around us and instructed me to read aloud a plaque on the wall and ring the bell three times. I can't remember what the plaque said, something about finishing a tough time in my life and persevering and hoping to never come back and do this again. Then I rang the bell.....

It was touching. I really didn't want to do it, though. It felt embarrassing to me for some reason. But I decided to do it. I believe in the power of ritual and positive thinking. So I made myself ring the damn bell and recite the quote on the plaque. I am glad that I did.

My blood levels on the final day of therapy had dropped, which was disappointing. I was hoping that the drugs were going to start working by now. But for some people the drugs don't start to show a change for 4-9 months. In the meantime I have to take a lot of medicine, with horrible side effects to keep my platelets at a safe level. I was hoping to taper off of the drugs soon. But that is not going to happen until my blood levels start to rise.

So, I just have to wait, eat well and not get sick. I have no immune system right now so getting a virus could set me back.

Great news though... About a month ago, one Friday as I was connected to the IV at the Clinic, I decided I needed a vacation.

So at the end of the month I am going to the beach for a week. I want to sit in a beach chair, under an umbrella and feel the ocean breeze on my skin. My husband, 3 children and spouses are coming too. It will be a lovely family vacation.....

I can hardly wait. It certainly has to be warmer in Myrtle Beach, SC than it is here in Cleveland, Ohio... at the end of May....