Haute Times in the City

Day 23

2010-03-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday I took my second dose of my new medicine Cimzia. It has now been 23 days in and I am starting to see a slight improvement. My pain level has gone down tremendously and it has helped me to become a lot less dependent on pain meds. I have attached a pic of one of my injections. Alien-like, right?

Day 5

2010-03-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

Today has been a pretty normal day. I had a bit of pain to deal with this morning but my friend Mr. Vicodin a.k.a. "Mr. V" took care of that. The weather is all kinds of crazy, like usual. Today my window decided to not go all the way up when I was out running errands so I came back to a slightly damp passengers seat. It was bright and sunny when I left my car and then I come back to rain and a cold front. My car is at the stage where it is kind of getting old and everything is not going as smoothly as before. So now anytime I go anywhere I am going to have to do a window check.

Last night I got to go out for awhile. I had dinner at the new Ra in the Town and Country City Center with a friend. I usually like to go to Ra in Highland Village but on Sunday night it gets super ghetto. Sounds strange considering Highland Village is an upscale area but take my word for it, you don't want to be there on a Sunday night. The City Center location was fun and we had a great time and will be going out again this weekend. So maybe things are starting to look up after all.

Day 3

2010-02-27T12:19:00.001-08:00

It has now been three days since I got my first series of injections and life is pretty much the same. I am happy to report that I am not experiencing any side effects from the Cimzia. I am still having random body aches. Right now I am laying flat on my back on top of a heating pad. I am hoping to get out of the house a bit later today. Marisa is in town for the Cookoff so hopefully I will get to spend a bit of time with her. Yesterday I spoke to some reps for Cimzia and I found out that may be able to get the drug for free because they have some kind of reimbursement program. I will keep everyone updated on that. If they pay for the remainder of the co-pay on the drug it will save over $1000 a year. Awesome, I know.

I am feeling a lot better about the break up situation. Some days are a bit harder than others but overall I think I am just ready to move on. It helps that I have shut off all contact. 2010 has been off to a difficult start for me. I'm hoping for things to turn around for me in the next quarter.

Cimzia

2010-02-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

Today was my first injection of my new medicine called Cimzia. It came in a two pack of injections and I injected both into my left hip. Surprising enough the shots didn't hurt at all. They were huge and awkward looking. I will post a pic tomorrow. The drug can start to work as soon as two weeks but it may take up to six weeks. So far I have not experienced any side effects which is also a plus. One time I took a medicine called Remicade and it made me throat start to close up while I was getting the infusion and I wasn't able to breathe. Horrible, I know. It was like I was drowning above water. I know I am completely out of remission because I am starting to experience things happening to my body that occurred a few years back when I was really sick. Like right now my arms and legs are cramping up. Imagine the way you would feel after a crazy workout session. That is what I am feeling coupled with never ending lower back pain. Oh, and on top of it all I'm dealing with the fallout from a messy relationship. Right now Vicodin is my best friend.

Tough Times

2010-02-18T22:05:00.000-08:00

OMG, things are so difficult for me right now. I feel so alone right now and it is the worst feeling. I feel like I am all alone and no one is there to stand with me. Being sick again has been so hard. I feel like it has overtaken my life. I never know how I will feel when I wake up. Some days I feel okay and I go on about my life and other days I can't get out of bed. I try to explain it to the ones around me but I just don't think they get it. I had forgotten was it was like to be so broken. I got a few years where I was feeling better and was really living life to the fullest. I was able to graduate college, travel to Europe and get a part time job. All things I wouldn't have been able to do a few years ago. It was awesome. I have been trying to get a new drug approved for the last three weeks and have had zero luck. I spoke to a lady today and she asked me when I needed the drug and when I told her that I needed it three weeks ago. She quickly told me she flagged my case and put on it that I was in severe pain and told me to call back tomorrow. So frustrating!!!! I will keep you updated on the new drug progress. So for now I am going to take a deep breath, count to ten and try to get some sleep.

Spring Cleaning

2010-02-06T17:51:00.000-08:00

Today I took on the daunting task of cleaning my closets and drawers. I was honest with myself and gave away everything that I no longer wore. Usually when i clean through things I give away the bare minimum, leaving stuff that I really don't wear. This time I got rid of anything that I hadn't worn in the past year. I actually went through each garment in my closet and tried things on that I was unsure about. I made two piles. One pile will be donated to the Salvation Army or Red Cross and the other pile are dresses that will be given to one of my cousins who is still in high school. In cleaning out my closets and drawers I expected to uncover things that I was missing. Especially a specific Alexander McQueen skull scarf. Unfortunately it was not uncovered. Boo! I did find some great dresses that I had forgotten about a brand new Versace tie. Random, I know. So the search continues... (as well as the cleaning)

Test Results

2010-02-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Biopsy results came back normal! At least I don't have colon cancer. I guess that is one major plus. Negative part of it all is that it means my drugs aren't working again and I will have to switch biological drugs. New medicines are always so tricky. You never know how your body is going to react. It is definitely scary. I'm still having some pain but at least it is manageable.

On a happier note, I did get some really good news this morning. I found out one of my best friends is moving back from Colorado. It will be nice to have her back in the mix. She won't be moving back until late April but I know it will be so much fun when she gets here.

Rough Weekend

2010-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

I had a very rough weekend. I am still feeling bad. Friday I was very tired and had to miss out on a charity event that I was really looking forward to. I even had a new dress to wear. Boo! Saturday was worse because I was in severe pain for most of the day and night. I tried everything to make the pain go away but was unsuccessful until I took an anti-nausea medicine. after taking that medicine I was finally able to get some relief and I slept the entire night through. This was the first time in a number of months that I slept the whole night through. I had forgotten what it was like to sleep the entire night through. Today I felt a bit better and was able to venture out and run a few errands. Tuesday is procedure day for me. I will be sedated and will have a few biopys' taken. I'm hoping it won't be too bad. At least I will be out of it and will not have any memory of it. I want to say that I am not scared but I am. I just really want it all to be over asap so I can move on with my life and start to feel better.

2010 is officially here

2010-01-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

The start of a new year is officially upon on and I am in full recovery mode. My body has decided to revolt against me. For the last two weeks I have been feeling like crap. I've been in a lot of pain and therefore downing pain meds as needed. I tried to just power through the pain but that didn't work out so well for me. I've done everything in my power to fight back against this little flare. I under no circumstances want to go to the hospital. I mean, does anyone really want to go to the hospital? No, of course not. I've been staying in my bed for the last few days and I think it has made a difference. The only time I have been out of the house in the last two days had been to go to the Redbox to either get a movie or return a movie. I love the Redbox. How can you beat $1 per movie? Last night I watched the GI JOE movie, which was horrible, and The Taking of Pelham 123. The Taking of Pleham 123 was full of very talented actors but the storyline was predictable and boring. What a waste of talent. I am going back to resting now.

December Madness

2009-12-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas is rapidly approaching and I am so caught up in it all. I thought I would be busy working but my schedule changed a few weeks ago when I found out all of my hours had been cut almost to a point of nonexistence. Luckily I quickly put a call into my temp agency and I now have a one day job every week for the next 3 weeks. I was smart enough to get all of my Christmas shopping done way ahead of time so I am completely done and I even have most of my gifts wrapped. It also seems like everyone I know has a birthday this month. Last night was one of my BBF's birthday parties. Holly decided to have her birthday at the Gallant Knight. They usually have really great bands playing but last night a very average band played but it was still fun. Pics to come as soon as my camera battery decides to finish charging.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I've had a great day with delicious turkey. It was great. Hope everyone is having a good day and enjoyed their time with family or friends.

New Blog You Should Check Out!

2009-11-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Check out the new blog for Elaine Turner at www.elaineturner.com/blog! It just launched.

Lucky Strikes Houston

2009-11-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

If you like to bowl you will have mixed emotions about Lucky Strikes Bowling Lanes in Houston. I really enjoy bowling with friends so I was excited to see what Lucky Strikes had to offer. There are a few pros to this establishment. I really enjoyed the environment. It was way more upscale than your typical bowling alley and there were no children. Its definitely an adult place. Its kind of a mix between a bar and a bowling alley. The worst part of the experience has to be the service. It seemed like no one knew what they were doing. There wasn't enough waitstaff so you had to wait a good while before you were able to get a drink. The food wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. I think that if they hired better employees then it would make a huge difference.

Big Brother's/Big Sister's Toy Drive

2009-11-16T18:47:00.000-08:00

Thursday, November 19th the Young Professionals Group for Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS)of the Greater Houston Area will be having a toy drive at the bar Sawyer Park. If you can attend please bring an unwrapped gift for a kid in need. The event starts at 6pm and will last for a few hours. Its a fun group to be a part of and it's a great chance to meet new people or just hang out with your friends.

Straits

2009-11-01T18:31:00.001-08:00

I have found a great new restaurant on the West side of town and it is called Straits. I have now been to it twice and have had a great time on both visits. The first time I visited was on a date. We actually sat outside in their cabana area, which was nice and private. You can even close them for more privacy. I tasted a number of dishes and was pleasantly surprised by all of them. I like small dishes so most of what I chose was on the appetizer menu. My favorite two appetizers are the spring rolls and chicken skewers. On the second time I went with a group of my girlfriends and we decided to sit in the bar/lounge area. The lounge boasts a D.J. every Thursday through Saturday night. They played a great mix of music, mostly dance, pop and a little hip hop. I was lucky enough to catch the owner and he was a blast to talk to. His name is Chris Yeo and he is based out of California. So thank you Chris for being so generous. I will definitely come back to this restaurant/lounge very soon.

Envelope Stuffing Party for the CCFA

2009-10-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Tomorrow I will be stuffing all the envelopes for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Winter Ball at my home at 4pm. I thought it would be a great idea to turn it into a small party. So all I need are a few extra hands and I will provide the wine. It should be a fun, low key event. So please let me know if you are interested.

Thanks,
Vita

P.S. Do be scared when you come to my door b/c this is what you will see. Its Chloe, my vicious attack dog. She is the protector at my home so use caution when entering. You may get licked to death.

First Step in Making a True Difference

2009-10-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first meeting for Cocktails for a Cure (a working title) and it went extremely well. It looks like we are going to have a group of people who are truly committed to make a real difference. Also, it so nice to be among people who know how what it feels like to deal with this stupid disease on an everyday basis. It was just a very positive group. There was no mopping around feeling sorry for each other. We were all there and everyone had something great to add. I used the analogy that we have to plant a seed and let it grow. And on top of everything I am have made a few new friends. What a great day.

Cocktails for a Cure Benefitting the CCFA

2009-10-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my first meeting for the new organization I am helping to start benefiting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCFA). I am super excited because this is the first step in building a fantastic group that will bring more awareness to a condition that isn't widely talked about. Everyone knows about cancer and heart disease but not everyone knows Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. People with Crohn's and Colitis have a condition that last forever. There is no cure for Crohn's or Colitis but there are treatments. Hopefully this will be all of us one step closer to answer for all those who suffer.

Invite Media

2009-10-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
My brother Michael's company, Invite Media, has helped him get noticed as one of the best entrepreneurs under 25 according to Business Week. Please follow the link and vote for his company. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/oct2009/sb2009106_810168.htm

Friends and Family Event at Saks

2009-10-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of the Friends and Family Event at Saks in the Houston Galleria. They are offering 25% off some of the merchandise. Unfortunately this doesn't include many of the high end brands, which is what you really need a discount on. It also applies to their online site. Email me if you need any more details and happy shopping.

Adriana Grace De La Cruz

2009-10-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to meet the newest addition to the De La Cruz clan baby Adriana. I went to visit Lillian and Juan at the hospital, hoping that I would at least get a glimpse of the baby but little did I know I was able to spend a few hours with her. She was already in the room when I got there, laying across Lillian's lap. It was awesome. Lillian looked great. Juan was the proud Papa ready to show her off. Adriana was such a doll. She had a full head of hair and beautiful dark eyes. I was lucky enough to be able to hold her for awhile. She was squirming around in my arms the whole time. It was awesome. I even got her to smile. There is something otherworldly about holding someone so new to the world so close to you. Someone who has no baggage, no pain, no unhappiness in her heart. Just a perfect little heart, beating in my arms. It made me forget about all of my worries for a few minutes. Who knew holding a baby could have such a profound effect.

First Day on the Job

2009-10-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day at my new job. It went really well. Everyone I work with is friendly and very easy to get along with. I am really happy I decided to take the chance on a new experience. After breakup #2 with Paul I really need something to keep me occupied. I don't want to think about it and I am definitely over crying about it. I have wasted so much energy on someone who will never be the person I need him to be that I am utterly exhausted. I just want to put the whole situation in my past and focus on the future. This next year is a big year for me. I am moving into a new decade and I have to get rid of all of my baggage. So now the only baggage I will be dealing with are my Gucci ones. Haha.

New Job

2009-10-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am starting a new part-time job. I wish I could give more details but for safety reasons I can't. I'm just really happy to have found something that is steady instead of depending upon random temp jobs. I have a good feeling about the job so I'm sure it will be a productive day. Wish me luck everyone!

Britney Spears Concert

2009-09-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Britney concert was absolutely incredible. I was able to score 8th row seats in a great section in the Toyota Center. We were so close that I could see how bad Britney's hair extensions were. Ha! I've never been that close to the stage at a concert. Jordan Sparks opened for Britney and I was pretty amazed at how great her voice sounded live. I'd seen her on American Idol but she was so young and raw back then. Her voice has really matured and it is incredible. Her stage was kind of boring. She just had 4 backup singers that barely moved. But lets be honest, I could have cared less who opened up the concert. I had been dying to see Britney ever since her first tour. The theme of Britney's concert was "The Circus". Before she came on stage there were circus acts performing. They had a girl with no legs doing tricks on a trampoline, people hanging from the roof, and other various performers. It was part Cirque de Solei and part freak show. Finally Britney came out in a flash of lights and pyrotechnics. She lip synched the entire concert but danced her ass off while doing it. Lets be real, no one wants to hear Britney sing live. You are there to see her perform. She had great dance routines with tons of backup dancers. She changed costumes more times than I could count and looked great doing it. I am surprised to say that she was much skinnier in person. She looked to be in great shape for a mom of two. People give her such a hard time about her being lazy about her figure but you have to remember she isn't 18 anymore. Its got to be hard looking back on all those pics of her pre- K- Fed. Overall the performance was great. Reema and I were on our feet most of the concert and I was exhausted by the time it ended. I will definitely see her in concert again.

Britney Tickets

2009-09-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

Today I picked up my Britney tickets for tomorrow. She is playing at the Toyota Center and I cannot wait to see her. I wanted to go last time she was in town but didn't get tickets. This time I made sure to get tickets ASAP so I could get really decent seats. Its going to be great.