Actually, there really wasn't anything wacky....except for the dreams I had last night. I got up early in the AM and remembered to write them down. I don't know if I mentioned, but I'm going to be keeping a journal of my dreams for some study they are doing at the Cancer Ctr. They can have fun with the weirdness that goes on in my head every night! Last night the themes were HAIR and the color red. Strange.
Got up late and went down for my bloodwork. Still no pleases and thank yous from the receptionist...but it is the same person now every week, she recognizes me and doesn't make me go through the 20 questions....some small progress. The phlebotomist was a guy today...in fact both of them were guys---they told me that they are the only guys in the dept. Well...I know the other guy and he is great and this guy was even gentler! Not a mark on me...and no blood on the cotton when I took the dressing off tonight! That's GOOD!
Then we ran over to sign our income tax returns and then to Town Hall to get the marriage license paperwork. The lady is one of those who starts out with an attitude, but turns it around as she "gets to know you" and it was a pleasant experience in the end.
Came home and went to bed...I was pooped. Lynne showed up shortly thereafter, came up and sat with me...I in bed and Lynne on the chaise. We had a nice talk and then she told me to sleep....which I did. She went downstairs and had a nice chat with Sandy. They figured out the wedding details for next week. Lynne will come up here to do the ceremony if I am tired and then we will go out for our lobster dinner. Or, we will have the dinner at another time...the important thing in all of this is to have that dinner!
Heard from ANOTHER old friend through Facebook...Bruce Wallen. We used to work together at Weiss' Market back when I was in college and he was in high school. Bruce was a young pilot and took me up in his family's plane a few times...I've never forgotten it. He has his own plane now and ended up as a state employee too! It must have been something in the water up there in Putnam.
Tomorrow Sandy has a couple of appointments and I'm going to just rest. I'll be heading into my "period of confinement" Friday through Tuesday, when I have to avoid germs. I avoid them all the time, but this is when I have to be extra careful.
I'm enjoying listening to the March wind. I dunno why, but wind and rain always helps me fall asleep.
Asleep...to have those strange dreams. Tonight it will probably be about flying....we'll see.
Nighty night.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday-Big East Semis
That's the biggest thing I did all day.....watch the Huskies beat Nova in the Big East semi final game. I'm now doing the second biggest thing...watching Louisville and Pitt in their semi final game.
Got up from bed after 1pm...so tired. Stayed up for a few hours and went back to bed around 4pm..slept until 6:30. Got up, had supper and watched the game.
I have to be in bed before Sandy leaves for work and I have promised that I will NOT get out of bed, no matter how much the dogs might beg. "Let them poop or pee on the floor," Sandy says, "I'll clean it up when I get home." As bad as that sounds, I will have to do as she says...I can't take another tongue lashing like I took the other day.
Got a call from Bill Taveres at the Sun today. The Sun are going to have a media event for draft day next month. If I get my chemo as scheduled, I should be "good to go" for that. I love going to the Sun for draft day....they have a high-roller suite reserved for us....we get to sit there in the lap of luxury (and trust me...it IS luxurious!), looking out over the river, with all the snacks and drinks we could ask for....a great time! I love using the bathroom...all granite and glass. Beautiful!
Someday we'll go and stay in one of those rooms. Someday. Now I sound like my father "someday we'll go to New York...." How many years did we hear that one, bless his heart! He did take us to NYC finally, just before Maria and I went into the Army. Better late than never, I guess.
I'm hoping Pitt wins this one, but I don't think it's going to happen. As soon as it's over, I'm hitting the hay. Have to catch up on my sleep!
Oh, I keep forgetting to mention here about how quickly I'm losing my eyelashes and eye brows. The brows don't bother me, most folks never noticed my brows anyway. But the lashes disappearing do create problems. In the morning I wake up and have to really make an effort to open my eyes...they are STUCK TOGETHER! It's pretty funny, really. I rinse them out with saline every morning now. That helps.
My hair is growing back faster and faster, I think. It feels that way anyhow. I will probably have Sandy 'buzz it" one more time, to get rid of the weak, dry hair that has grown in. Then I'll just let it flourish on it's own. I'm really curious to see what color it will be and if it will be curly.
Ooops...Pitt has the ball and the lead with under two minutes to go...I better watch this!
Nighty night.
Got up from bed after 1pm...so tired. Stayed up for a few hours and went back to bed around 4pm..slept until 6:30. Got up, had supper and watched the game.
I have to be in bed before Sandy leaves for work and I have promised that I will NOT get out of bed, no matter how much the dogs might beg. "Let them poop or pee on the floor," Sandy says, "I'll clean it up when I get home." As bad as that sounds, I will have to do as she says...I can't take another tongue lashing like I took the other day.
Got a call from Bill Taveres at the Sun today. The Sun are going to have a media event for draft day next month. If I get my chemo as scheduled, I should be "good to go" for that. I love going to the Sun for draft day....they have a high-roller suite reserved for us....we get to sit there in the lap of luxury (and trust me...it IS luxurious!), looking out over the river, with all the snacks and drinks we could ask for....a great time! I love using the bathroom...all granite and glass. Beautiful!
Someday we'll go and stay in one of those rooms. Someday. Now I sound like my father "someday we'll go to New York...." How many years did we hear that one, bless his heart! He did take us to NYC finally, just before Maria and I went into the Army. Better late than never, I guess.
I'm hoping Pitt wins this one, but I don't think it's going to happen. As soon as it's over, I'm hitting the hay. Have to catch up on my sleep!
Oh, I keep forgetting to mention here about how quickly I'm losing my eyelashes and eye brows. The brows don't bother me, most folks never noticed my brows anyway. But the lashes disappearing do create problems. In the morning I wake up and have to really make an effort to open my eyes...they are STUCK TOGETHER! It's pretty funny, really. I rinse them out with saline every morning now. That helps.
My hair is growing back faster and faster, I think. It feels that way anyhow. I will probably have Sandy 'buzz it" one more time, to get rid of the weak, dry hair that has grown in. Then I'll just let it flourish on it's own. I'm really curious to see what color it will be and if it will be curly.
Ooops...Pitt has the ball and the lead with under two minutes to go...I better watch this!
Nighty night.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, Big East
First of all...my new atomic watch changed the time all by itself last night while I was sleeping! I'm so proud of it's ability to do that without any assistance from me.
Watched the Huskies decimate USF...unbelievable performance by our women. Maya Moore was awesome as usual...there was play between her and Kaili McLaren that was Sports Center material.
After the game I crashed fast. I was hoping that the exhaustion I felt after the last chemo was a "after-the-fourth-chemo-abberation"...but I guess I was wrong. It's probably going to happen until I finish all the "big chemos" and I'm just going to have to accept it. DONE.
Facebook is amazing. Today I became "friends with" someone I knew from our old neighborhood in Putnam, Gordon Jandro. I haven't seen him since he graduated high school and headed off to California. This AM there's a message from Facebook in my email, saying that he wants to add me as a friend....of course I accepted. Now I will help him reconnect with Wiz and with other Putnam folks. He's living in Arizona now.
I have been reunited with old Army pals, found relatives (Birgitta and Lilian) in Sweden that I didn't know I had; reestablished relationships with the Schultzbergs--who I had lost contact with; keep in better contact with my siblings; found old high school pals; made friends with fellow Husky fans--strangers I would NEVER have met---all through the internet.
Now Facebook comes along and it makes it so much easier to find people; keep in touch and help them to find other "lost friends." It's fun too!
C Viv Stringer has just removed all of her starters and put her bench in...she's so creative...that's the ONLY thing she can think of to do when her team falls behind by 12 points. She's almost a washed-up, has-been.
Oh...and the Lady Voles lost last night. Life is very good!
So, now my job is to eat, sleep, relax. Eat, sleep, relax. Tough, eh?
So, why am I so envious when I see all these people around me with so much energy? I long for the day when I have that kind of energy back again.
Until then I'll work hard at my current job.
Nighty night!
Watched the Huskies decimate USF...unbelievable performance by our women. Maya Moore was awesome as usual...there was play between her and Kaili McLaren that was Sports Center material.
After the game I crashed fast. I was hoping that the exhaustion I felt after the last chemo was a "after-the-fourth-chemo-abberation"...but I guess I was wrong. It's probably going to happen until I finish all the "big chemos" and I'm just going to have to accept it. DONE.
Facebook is amazing. Today I became "friends with" someone I knew from our old neighborhood in Putnam, Gordon Jandro. I haven't seen him since he graduated high school and headed off to California. This AM there's a message from Facebook in my email, saying that he wants to add me as a friend....of course I accepted. Now I will help him reconnect with Wiz and with other Putnam folks. He's living in Arizona now.
I have been reunited with old Army pals, found relatives (Birgitta and Lilian) in Sweden that I didn't know I had; reestablished relationships with the Schultzbergs--who I had lost contact with; keep in better contact with my siblings; found old high school pals; made friends with fellow Husky fans--strangers I would NEVER have met---all through the internet.
Now Facebook comes along and it makes it so much easier to find people; keep in touch and help them to find other "lost friends." It's fun too!
C Viv Stringer has just removed all of her starters and put her bench in...she's so creative...that's the ONLY thing she can think of to do when her team falls behind by 12 points. She's almost a washed-up, has-been.
Oh...and the Lady Voles lost last night. Life is very good!
So, now my job is to eat, sleep, relax. Eat, sleep, relax. Tough, eh?
So, why am I so envious when I see all these people around me with so much energy? I long for the day when I have that kind of energy back again.
Until then I'll work hard at my current job.
Nighty night!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
I Got in Trouble...I Got in Trouble!
This morning I heard the sound of Sandy's footsteps coming up the stairs....only this time they were very heavy sounding...like she was stomping up the stairs....which, in fact, she was!
She spoke in a very low, but very firm voice. Reprimanding me for getting up at midnight to let Bubbles out to go poop....and not turning on the stairway light went I went down the stairs.
"But I used the flashlight," I said, feebly.
"Why is my mother bothering to spend the night with you if you are going to get up by yourself?"
I was confused. I didn't say anything.
"You need to have someone stay with you for the first three or four nights after you chemo."
"But I sat by the side of the bed to make sure I wasn't woozy," I said, in my defense.
"Why didn't you turn on the light?"
"I didn't want to wake your mother (the woman sleeps with the door open!), she had not been sleeping long and I didn't want to bother her." I thought I sounded noble.
"That's the last thing we need, for you to fall down the stairs and break something or cut something and get an infection. Your platelets are way down, your immunity is way down. We are so close to finishing this thing and you can't afford to have anything happen now," the nurse I live with said.
"But I don't break bones, like your family does." I was feeling a bit defensive.
"Well, you can't afford to get a cut either."
"Okay, I understand."
Now I understand. I thought I had to avoid sneezes and coughs and those kind of infections.
So, I will be a little WUSS and let Jean let the dogs out if they get up in the middle of the night, even if I don't feel woozy, exhausted, weak...even if I feel PERFECTLY FINE. She can drag her ass out of that nice warm bed and shuffle down the stairs, with her bad hip to let my dogs out into the cold, while she stands there freezing....waiting for them to pee or poop. Then she can limp back up the stairs, while I just lie there, snuggled under the covers.
Feeling guilty about the whole damned thing!
Soon it will be over.
I'm not going to get in trouble with Sandy about this subject again.
She spoke in a very low, but very firm voice. Reprimanding me for getting up at midnight to let Bubbles out to go poop....and not turning on the stairway light went I went down the stairs.
"But I used the flashlight," I said, feebly.
"Why is my mother bothering to spend the night with you if you are going to get up by yourself?"
I was confused. I didn't say anything.
"You need to have someone stay with you for the first three or four nights after you chemo."
"But I sat by the side of the bed to make sure I wasn't woozy," I said, in my defense.
"Why didn't you turn on the light?"
"I didn't want to wake your mother (the woman sleeps with the door open!), she had not been sleeping long and I didn't want to bother her." I thought I sounded noble.
"That's the last thing we need, for you to fall down the stairs and break something or cut something and get an infection. Your platelets are way down, your immunity is way down. We are so close to finishing this thing and you can't afford to have anything happen now," the nurse I live with said.
"But I don't break bones, like your family does." I was feeling a bit defensive.
"Well, you can't afford to get a cut either."
"Okay, I understand."
Now I understand. I thought I had to avoid sneezes and coughs and those kind of infections.
So, I will be a little WUSS and let Jean let the dogs out if they get up in the middle of the night, even if I don't feel woozy, exhausted, weak...even if I feel PERFECTLY FINE. She can drag her ass out of that nice warm bed and shuffle down the stairs, with her bad hip to let my dogs out into the cold, while she stands there freezing....waiting for them to pee or poop. Then she can limp back up the stairs, while I just lie there, snuggled under the covers.
Feeling guilty about the whole damned thing!
Soon it will be over.
I'm not going to get in trouble with Sandy about this subject again.
Friday, March 6, 2009
In the chemo chair
My fanny made it into the chemo chair. I almost didn't make it as I found out yesterday that they forgot to order a urine test. So we had to go to Providence an hour early to get that job done. My blood counts were up and my pee passed the test.
I had a companion in the room with me, all day. She had ovarian cancer and her counts are dropping fast too. We had a nice chat about how lucky we are, how we are having trouble accepting the fact that we are now chronic cancer patients and how we are dealing with that.
Ran into Dr. Lachance and Dr. DiSivestro as we were leaving, they were just coming in from New London. Dr. Lachance asked me about participating in a study about dreams of cancer patients. It involves keeping a journal--you know how I feel about that---I immediately said I would do it. I have been having strange dreams (and a lot of them) lately. Many of them center on me having hair---oddly enough.
Jean was waiting at the house for us when we got home. She couldn't come with us as she had to take Nami to Ocean State Veterinery Center for a consult for her knee. It turns out Nami tore her cruciate ligament--she stayed there over night and will have surgery tomorrow AM. We're sending good thoughts her way----she's a 10 year old, Staffordshire terrier, a big sweetheart and one of my all time favorite dogs.
An update on some news I posted last week. Maria's friend Larry's Dad who had lung cancer and was going into hospice, passed away last weekend. Larry's Mom is still struggling with breast cancer. Keep those good thoughts going their way.
On a happier note, Jim Donovan got word that he doesn't need any more treatments AT ALL! No more chemo--that he was fearing, and no radiation--which he was expecting to have! They are going to be taking out his trach tube later in the month. So allis going great down there in Tennessee!
I found out today that there is an outside chance I may have to have two more chemo sessions. I thought I was done after the next one, but Dr. Lachance (gratutitous remention of his name) said that there will be another discussion with the "powers-that-be" (my words, not his) about whether or not I need to have a seventh session---as they don't know what "MY normal" CA 125 level is. I feel pretty confident that a score of five will put me in the ball park and I won't have another session after the next one. Especially if the last CA125 test shows that I've dropped below five.
Dr. DiSilvestro told me that they have had someone who dropped to one....which would be a great score to aspire to! I'm hoping I make it!
I was upstairs in bed earlier tonight...right after supper---very tired. Now I'm back downstairs and full of pep---because of the cortisone I'll bet. My knees are hurting from the chemo...but that and being wide-awake are the only side effects thus far.
I am prepared that I will probably be really wiped out again after this session. I can handle it. Tomorrow I'll lounge in my recliner and watch the Huskies play Pitt....then catch as much of the Big East Women's tourney as I can. As I reminded Sandy, it's MARCH MADNESS time, I have plenty of games to keep me occupied if I have to be a "shut-in" this month!!
It's a wonderful time to be a Husky fan! Both teams back at #1!! GO HUSKIES!!
Nighty night...although you may be asleep LONG before I'm able to!
I had a companion in the room with me, all day. She had ovarian cancer and her counts are dropping fast too. We had a nice chat about how lucky we are, how we are having trouble accepting the fact that we are now chronic cancer patients and how we are dealing with that.
Ran into Dr. Lachance and Dr. DiSivestro as we were leaving, they were just coming in from New London. Dr. Lachance asked me about participating in a study about dreams of cancer patients. It involves keeping a journal--you know how I feel about that---I immediately said I would do it. I have been having strange dreams (and a lot of them) lately. Many of them center on me having hair---oddly enough.
Jean was waiting at the house for us when we got home. She couldn't come with us as she had to take Nami to Ocean State Veterinery Center for a consult for her knee. It turns out Nami tore her cruciate ligament--she stayed there over night and will have surgery tomorrow AM. We're sending good thoughts her way----she's a 10 year old, Staffordshire terrier, a big sweetheart and one of my all time favorite dogs.
An update on some news I posted last week. Maria's friend Larry's Dad who had lung cancer and was going into hospice, passed away last weekend. Larry's Mom is still struggling with breast cancer. Keep those good thoughts going their way.
On a happier note, Jim Donovan got word that he doesn't need any more treatments AT ALL! No more chemo--that he was fearing, and no radiation--which he was expecting to have! They are going to be taking out his trach tube later in the month. So allis going great down there in Tennessee!
I found out today that there is an outside chance I may have to have two more chemo sessions. I thought I was done after the next one, but Dr. Lachance (gratutitous remention of his name) said that there will be another discussion with the "powers-that-be" (my words, not his) about whether or not I need to have a seventh session---as they don't know what "MY normal" CA 125 level is. I feel pretty confident that a score of five will put me in the ball park and I won't have another session after the next one. Especially if the last CA125 test shows that I've dropped below five.
Dr. DiSilvestro told me that they have had someone who dropped to one....which would be a great score to aspire to! I'm hoping I make it!
I was upstairs in bed earlier tonight...right after supper---very tired. Now I'm back downstairs and full of pep---because of the cortisone I'll bet. My knees are hurting from the chemo...but that and being wide-awake are the only side effects thus far.
I am prepared that I will probably be really wiped out again after this session. I can handle it. Tomorrow I'll lounge in my recliner and watch the Huskies play Pitt....then catch as much of the Big East Women's tourney as I can. As I reminded Sandy, it's MARCH MADNESS time, I have plenty of games to keep me occupied if I have to be a "shut-in" this month!!
It's a wonderful time to be a Husky fan! Both teams back at #1!! GO HUSKIES!!
Nighty night...although you may be asleep LONG before I'm able to!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Busy Day
I went to Backus for my bloodwork this morning....still no greeting, no please or thank you....but she did use my name and didn't make me stand there answering all the questions they usually ask. The phlebotomist again commented about my "poor veins taking a beating" and then the blood wouldn't come out. He had to wiggle the needle around a bit (probably scar tissue) to get the blood to flow.
After that I swung by Olympia's office to see her. She and the nurse were happy to see me, hugs all around. I shared my good news about my CA 125 level and they were excited.
Then I went to Agway and got thistle and thistle bags. They now have the long, heavy duty bags in white. The birds would never come to the black bags of thistle I bought before. They do like the white bags, so hopefully these will work.
On my way home I swung by Kohls to look for dress pants. I need a pair for the Aging conference at least. I was able to buy two pairs of black slacks, one with a faint stripe...in Size 12 Petite...that fit me nicely. I also got a coral colored light weight jacket type thing--pullover with half zip....I figured that would be good for the cruise.
And I got a nice Chaps brand shirt, in a great pink and blue and some other colors stripe. I used the gift certificate Roxie gave me for Christmas (thanks Roxie!) and my Kohls card...got another 15% off and all I had to pay was $34!! The price of the Chaps shirt alone was $36! Great buys!
Then I came home, reheated the last of the chili, had lunch and collapsed in the recliner. Now I don't feel so hot...I think it's from being tired...haven't taken a nap today--nor did I take one yesterday either--so I think it's all catching up to me.
Will go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow we have to see the tax guy; go grocery shopping (I'll stay in the car) and then we will go out to eat....maybe at The 99 Restaurant. Those fish tacos are calling to me. Some kind of fish anyway....that's what I'm thinking!
I'm hoping my blood counts came up enough that they let me have my scheduled chemo session on Friday. Maybe I should call THEM to double check before I head out there....who knows who they will be calling this time?
Nighty night!
After that I swung by Olympia's office to see her. She and the nurse were happy to see me, hugs all around. I shared my good news about my CA 125 level and they were excited.
Then I went to Agway and got thistle and thistle bags. They now have the long, heavy duty bags in white. The birds would never come to the black bags of thistle I bought before. They do like the white bags, so hopefully these will work.
On my way home I swung by Kohls to look for dress pants. I need a pair for the Aging conference at least. I was able to buy two pairs of black slacks, one with a faint stripe...in Size 12 Petite...that fit me nicely. I also got a coral colored light weight jacket type thing--pullover with half zip....I figured that would be good for the cruise.
And I got a nice Chaps brand shirt, in a great pink and blue and some other colors stripe. I used the gift certificate Roxie gave me for Christmas (thanks Roxie!) and my Kohls card...got another 15% off and all I had to pay was $34!! The price of the Chaps shirt alone was $36! Great buys!
Then I came home, reheated the last of the chili, had lunch and collapsed in the recliner. Now I don't feel so hot...I think it's from being tired...haven't taken a nap today--nor did I take one yesterday either--so I think it's all catching up to me.
Will go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow we have to see the tax guy; go grocery shopping (I'll stay in the car) and then we will go out to eat....maybe at The 99 Restaurant. Those fish tacos are calling to me. Some kind of fish anyway....that's what I'm thinking!
I'm hoping my blood counts came up enough that they let me have my scheduled chemo session on Friday. Maybe I should call THEM to double check before I head out there....who knows who they will be calling this time?
Nighty night!
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