Yes, it is that time again. Blood counts are still down, in spite of the new blood two weeks ago. Down to the point that they actually debated about giving me chemo today. I'd have been really annoyed to go down there and be sent home without being pumped full of poison. Give her the chemo won out. Elaine made a lunch run and I had plenty of knitting, so life was grand. When we got home, Monica came over to drive her mother to BART. The girls are all sticking to their diet--I almost didn't recognize Elaine when I picked her up at the BART last night. She's looking GOOD. Monica's clothes are hanging on her. I'm so very proud of all of them. I know how hard it is to lose a pound. I got a little choked up when they left as Monica got into the driver's side of the car. That sweet little baby is growing up so fast. She has two more days of this term, then she will be a Sophomore! Growing up--a miracle to watch, but do they have to do it so fast?
I'm feeling ok--tired, but ok. The TV in the living room finally died--it has been on the sick list for quite a while. It might be repairable, but it will probably be cheaper to replace it. Glenn and I each have sets i our rooms, so it isn't like we're wandering in the desert.
That's it for now. Waiting for the orcs on Wednesday.
xxooxx
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
New Blood to Yosemite
Oh my gosh, my faithful non-Facebook readers must think I'm still in the hospital. They never quite figured out what the pain was from, but it got better, thanks to good drugs. My blood counts were way low, so after much conversation, decided that a transfusion was the perfect thing to do. After I sucked up two units of blood I could go home. Unfortunately, they didn't make this decision till after 3 in the afternoon and the first unit didn't start flowing till around six and the second about 10. I called Glenn and told him to go to sleep because I was spending another night and could get a ride home in the morning. I didn't find that this transfusion gave me as much pep as the first one, but I did feel better. I had to cancel my therapist Tuesday morning and my dentist appointment for Wednesday--that chemo and blood count thing again. I saw my oncology nurse practitioner on Thursday. She increased my MS Contin and that has helped.
Friday was great fun. I polished up the silver and had tea for our Pastoral Candidate, our church secretary, and their husbands. We had tea (of course), crumpets, scones with devonshire cream, and petite fours. I used the good silver and china and entertained like a grown-up--of maybe like a little kid having a tea party. It was quite fun. Saturday we had a luncheon for the congregation to meet our candidate. The Brawlers played for entertainment. The hardest part was picking out just a few tunes.
Sunday, our candidate, Kathryn Pike, preached, we had a congregational meeting, and extended a call. Kathryn will start in August. I shall miss the PNC. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun.
After the meeting, I picked up my friend, Dory, and we were off to Yosemite. I decided to show her a different way into the park and took 120. Things were grand until we was the "Chains required" signs just before we came to Highway 49. OK, then, took 49 south to Mariposa and went in on 140. It took longer than I'd planned, but we didn't have a bus to catch. The Merced River was full and furious. We finally got to the park, showed my "old fart" card, and headed into the valley. Just after we passed the turn off to Bridalveil Falls, it started snowing lightly...at first. The snow wasn't sticking, but it was coming down pretty fast by the time we got to the hotel. What the heck? This was my Spring trip to Yosemite. I'd packed for cold but not for snow. We were in Yosemite at the Ahwahnee. Who cared about the weather? We didn't.
We watched it snow from our room until it stopped--still didn't stick. We had soup and sandwiches in the bar for dinner.
Monday morning after breakfast, we went out for a little walk down to the river. As per instructions from the oncologists office, I used hiking poles for all my walks. I didn't feel unsteady, but those were my instructions and I followed them. And so the pictures begin:
This is a view of the hotel and the snow from Sunday night.
This is a view from our window Wednesday morning. Wednesday became walking day. First stop was Yosemite Falls. Dory's back and hips were giving her a lot of trouble, but she was a gamer. We stopped and rested several times on the walk to the Falls, but it gave us time to enjoy the views.
The Royal Arches from the Falls bus stop
Here is a very tiny us in front of the falls. The lady who took our picture didn't get it that we wanted a picture of US, not so much the view.
Care for a rest on a nice bench?
More Dogwood. Did I mention that I go to Yosemite in May for the Dogwood?
And water in the Falls--we don't usually get that in October
We went back to the hotel for a rest--and my soap opera. We thought about napping, but I figured I could nap at home and took the bus to Happy Isles.
We had a late dinner at the Ahwahnee--should have made the reservations on Sunday when we got there instead of Tuesday when we thought about it. After dinner, we packed and organized for the trip home. I don't usually stop and take pictures on the way out, but it was just too gorgeous.
The drive home was uneventful. After four days in the snow, it was interesting to watch the external temperature going up into the 80's as we went through the Central Valley.
Friday morning, I had an echocardiagram and blood work--in the new hospital. I didn't take time to explore, but I did check out the oncology ward to see how my friends were doing. I saw Sheri and Dr. Adler. There isn't a central nurses station, so they are more spread out. I took a peek at one of the rooms. I'm not in a rush to spend time there, but I expect I will some day.
We had a lovely trip. The good thing about the wet weather was that I wasn't tempted to do more than I was capable of doing. I have more energy after this transfusion, but not as much as I did after the first one--but then, my blood count was lower before the second transfusion than the first. I have chemo on Monday, so the cycle will start all over again.
xxooxx
Friday was great fun. I polished up the silver and had tea for our Pastoral Candidate, our church secretary, and their husbands. We had tea (of course), crumpets, scones with devonshire cream, and petite fours. I used the good silver and china and entertained like a grown-up--of maybe like a little kid having a tea party. It was quite fun. Saturday we had a luncheon for the congregation to meet our candidate. The Brawlers played for entertainment. The hardest part was picking out just a few tunes.
Sunday, our candidate, Kathryn Pike, preached, we had a congregational meeting, and extended a call. Kathryn will start in August. I shall miss the PNC. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun.
After the meeting, I picked up my friend, Dory, and we were off to Yosemite. I decided to show her a different way into the park and took 120. Things were grand until we was the "Chains required" signs just before we came to Highway 49. OK, then, took 49 south to Mariposa and went in on 140. It took longer than I'd planned, but we didn't have a bus to catch. The Merced River was full and furious. We finally got to the park, showed my "old fart" card, and headed into the valley. Just after we passed the turn off to Bridalveil Falls, it started snowing lightly...at first. The snow wasn't sticking, but it was coming down pretty fast by the time we got to the hotel. What the heck? This was my Spring trip to Yosemite. I'd packed for cold but not for snow. We were in Yosemite at the Ahwahnee. Who cared about the weather? We didn't.
We watched it snow from our room until it stopped--still didn't stick. We had soup and sandwiches in the bar for dinner.
Monday morning after breakfast, we went out for a little walk down to the river. As per instructions from the oncologists office, I used hiking poles for all my walks. I didn't feel unsteady, but those were my instructions and I followed them. And so the pictures begin:
Dogwood Season
More Dogwood and Yosemite Falls
An obligatory picture of Half Dome
It rained on and off on Monday. I had soup and hot chocolate with Gretchen and Jim. They had come up to cross country ski, but the Badger Pass/Glacier Point road was closed. They did some snow shoeing, but didn't have the trip they'd planned. Dory and I napped in the afternoon then took the bus to the Lodge for dinner.
Tuesday was rainy off and on, so we napped off and on. We did some souvenir shopping and a great deal of lounging--our sort of day. I took Leroy the Lavender Pig with me on this trip. He usually goes to the hospital with me, so I thought he deserved a pleasure trip. Housekeeping enjoyed Leroy.
I woke up around 2 on Wednesday morning. Dory was up and sitting by the window--watching it snow. We went back to sleep and it went on snowing. Wednesday was a glorious day.
The Royal Arches from the Falls bus stop
More Dogwood. Did I mention that I go to Yosemite in May for the Dogwood?
Friday morning, I had an echocardiagram and blood work--in the new hospital. I didn't take time to explore, but I did check out the oncology ward to see how my friends were doing. I saw Sheri and Dr. Adler. There isn't a central nurses station, so they are more spread out. I took a peek at one of the rooms. I'm not in a rush to spend time there, but I expect I will some day.
We had a lovely trip. The good thing about the wet weather was that I wasn't tempted to do more than I was capable of doing. I have more energy after this transfusion, but not as much as I did after the first one--but then, my blood count was lower before the second transfusion than the first. I have chemo on Monday, so the cycle will start all over again.
xxooxx
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day--WTF???
Yesterday was the Bethany Spring Tea--and a delightful event it was. Everything looked good. Everything tasted good. The joint was packed. I had a good time. There was a little blip when for just a minute it felt like my insides were ripping apart--but that went away. A good time was had by all.
I put in some physical labor before the tea--Glenn and I weeded. I pulled out a whole bagful of weeds--worked for maybe 15 minutes. After the tea, I was exhausted, so I came home and napped for a good two hours. I woke up during the third or fourth inning of the Giants game. It was tremendously exciting. I took a deep breath during the game and was blindsided by abdominal pain. After the game (it was THAT exciting), I told Glenn I was thinking about having him take me to emergency. I've had some pain for the last several months, but this was different. Glenn asked how long it had been since my last scan. I said pre surgery--he said "We're going." I gathered stuff together and around 9:30, we were off to the hospital. It seemed a little early for us and I wasn't in my jammies yet.
Emergency was very busy, but I was taken care of. In due time, I had a CT scan. It isn't a bowel obstruction (I didn't think so, it didn't feel the same). The scan showed a collection of fluid, which hasn't been there before, and a lot of stool--which has. Haven't I always said that the secret of life is managing poop? Still, that seemed odd to me, because I've been staying on top of that. At 2ish in the morning, I was given my choice of checking in, where they could keep an eye on things and manage the pain, or going home and checking with doctors (take your pick, there are several to choose from.) We chose check in. So, here I am getting lots of pain meds and being observed. The doctors are discussing it. I'm expecting to go home tomorrow after the doctors finish discussing things.
Remember the left heel? Acting up again. I went almost a week without shoes irritating it and it has gotten worse each day. Guess it's time to call the dermatologist again. AND I had a gout flare-up--also left foot. So there we are, sharp abdominal pains and painful left foot. My hair continues to come out, two or three strands at a time The crown is really starting to look thin. Decisions, decisions--let it go or get it over with--buzz cut it and wear the cranial prostheses that have been waiting patiently for me.
Oh, and for the "you've GOT go be kidding me" news of the week. I have an echocardiogram scheduled for 9 tomorrow morning, here at the hospital. I scheduled it three months ago. You would think it would be really convenient. I'm already here--just a wheelchair ride from my lovely room on the second floor. You would be wrong. I have to reschedule. Insurance won't cover an outpatient procedure that they would normally pay for when I'm an inpatient because it has nothing to do with the reason I'm hospitalized. What?
Elaine is recovering from her dog bites. I can't remember--did I know about that when I blogged last week. I found our from Monica's Facebook status update. Of course, she found out I was here when Becca read MY Facebook update.
OK. I've gone on long enough. Thank goodness for good drugs.
xxooxx
I put in some physical labor before the tea--Glenn and I weeded. I pulled out a whole bagful of weeds--worked for maybe 15 minutes. After the tea, I was exhausted, so I came home and napped for a good two hours. I woke up during the third or fourth inning of the Giants game. It was tremendously exciting. I took a deep breath during the game and was blindsided by abdominal pain. After the game (it was THAT exciting), I told Glenn I was thinking about having him take me to emergency. I've had some pain for the last several months, but this was different. Glenn asked how long it had been since my last scan. I said pre surgery--he said "We're going." I gathered stuff together and around 9:30, we were off to the hospital. It seemed a little early for us and I wasn't in my jammies yet.
Emergency was very busy, but I was taken care of. In due time, I had a CT scan. It isn't a bowel obstruction (I didn't think so, it didn't feel the same). The scan showed a collection of fluid, which hasn't been there before, and a lot of stool--which has. Haven't I always said that the secret of life is managing poop? Still, that seemed odd to me, because I've been staying on top of that. At 2ish in the morning, I was given my choice of checking in, where they could keep an eye on things and manage the pain, or going home and checking with doctors (take your pick, there are several to choose from.) We chose check in. So, here I am getting lots of pain meds and being observed. The doctors are discussing it. I'm expecting to go home tomorrow after the doctors finish discussing things.
Remember the left heel? Acting up again. I went almost a week without shoes irritating it and it has gotten worse each day. Guess it's time to call the dermatologist again. AND I had a gout flare-up--also left foot. So there we are, sharp abdominal pains and painful left foot. My hair continues to come out, two or three strands at a time The crown is really starting to look thin. Decisions, decisions--let it go or get it over with--buzz cut it and wear the cranial prostheses that have been waiting patiently for me.
Oh, and for the "you've GOT go be kidding me" news of the week. I have an echocardiogram scheduled for 9 tomorrow morning, here at the hospital. I scheduled it three months ago. You would think it would be really convenient. I'm already here--just a wheelchair ride from my lovely room on the second floor. You would be wrong. I have to reschedule. Insurance won't cover an outpatient procedure that they would normally pay for when I'm an inpatient because it has nothing to do with the reason I'm hospitalized. What?
Elaine is recovering from her dog bites. I can't remember--did I know about that when I blogged last week. I found our from Monica's Facebook status update. Of course, she found out I was here when Becca read MY Facebook update.
OK. I've gone on long enough. Thank goodness for good drugs.
xxooxx
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Running away, Easter, Chemo 3.3, and a Royal Wedding
So it has been a while. Not a terribly exciting while, but a while.
Catching up quickly--
April 14 was our Worthy Grand Matron's Official Visit. Because most of the planning was done when I was really sick, my Associate Matron took over (God Bless You, Marti). All I had to do was show up, look cute, and be witty. Check, check, and check.
The 19th was a big treat. My friend Karen (of more years than I will admit to--I was younger than three of my grandchildren when I met her) works at the Opera House and got me two tickets for the Ballet. I took Monica. It took somewhat longer than I expected for us to get into town, park, and be seated at Max's, so we gulped down salads and were off to the Opera House. The tickets were amazing. Row J, dead center. Parts one and two were all right. Part three was lovely to look at, lovely to listen to, just lovely all the was around, so we left truly feeling that everything is beautiful at the ballet.
Wednesday morning, I threw stuff in a suitcase and drove to Dory's for our little run away from home time. I'd been planning it, sort of, for quite some time, figuring on chemo schedules, weather, and various obligations. We were off to Reno for two days. Dory doesn't like to drive in snow, so I drove. There was no snow or ice on the road. We made good time, stopping for a snack in Auburn. There was lots of snow on the mountains. We arrived, safe and sound, at the Silver Legacy around 3. We were really traveling light--for us--because we didn't need a bellman. We got up to our room, arranged our nest, then set off to invest. While we were arranging, there was some caterwauling in the hallway--ill mannered children, we thought--but as we were heading to the elevators, we saw three security officers and a few guests with the room door open. We did not stop to check out the action but were very curious.
We shrewdly invested--winning enough to be entertained. Dory finds a machine she likes and stays there. I play a little here, a little there. I mostly want to see the crazy things the machines do. I miss the coins. I miss your hands turning black. I don't miss waiting for someone to pay you off when you really need to go to the bathroom. We left Friday morning--had breakfast at Boomtown and played till around noon. I had a six o'clock meeting to get home to. Lunch at Fenton's in Vacaville and home in time for my very successful meeting. I must have been really tired, because I slept till after noon.
Easter was quiet. I fixed roast leg of garlic--er--lamb, salad, veggies, and mashed potatoes. Elaine and the girls have been following Dr. Phil's 17 day diet and doing very well, so I didn't want to sabotage their efforts.
Elaine spent the night here and went with me to chemo on Monday. I could go by myself, but it is really nice to have someone with me. Neither of us felt like lunch, but Elaine did go on a water run about halfway through--"Mom, weren't you supposed to bring a bottle of water?" I took Elaine to the BART after my soap. I felt pretty awful that night and Tuesday morning, but no orc attack like the first round.
I napped as much as I could on Thursday and watched the Royal Wedding from one Friday morning till about 4:30. I haven't missed a Royal Wedding since Princess Margaret's.
Now I'm settling in. There are exciting things coming up this month--the church will vote on the terms of call for a new pastor, Dory and I will go to Yosemite for our spring visit. My hair is coming out--not is chunks like it did the first time, but enough that I'm noticing it. I leave a trail wherever I go. I suppose I could just have a buzz cut and be done with it, but I can't bring myself to do that.
Sad note--my friend Betty died today. Betty had the same kind of cancer I have--hers was diagnosed about 8 months before mine. I don't think I'm ready to go in another 8 months. Betty was sicker than I've been. She was a wonderful resource when I first got sick. I'll miss comparing notes with her. My heart goes out to her children. Bless you, Betty. Now you don't hurt.
xxooxx
Catching up quickly--
April 14 was our Worthy Grand Matron's Official Visit. Because most of the planning was done when I was really sick, my Associate Matron took over (God Bless You, Marti). All I had to do was show up, look cute, and be witty. Check, check, and check.
The 19th was a big treat. My friend Karen (of more years than I will admit to--I was younger than three of my grandchildren when I met her) works at the Opera House and got me two tickets for the Ballet. I took Monica. It took somewhat longer than I expected for us to get into town, park, and be seated at Max's, so we gulped down salads and were off to the Opera House. The tickets were amazing. Row J, dead center. Parts one and two were all right. Part three was lovely to look at, lovely to listen to, just lovely all the was around, so we left truly feeling that everything is beautiful at the ballet.
Wednesday morning, I threw stuff in a suitcase and drove to Dory's for our little run away from home time. I'd been planning it, sort of, for quite some time, figuring on chemo schedules, weather, and various obligations. We were off to Reno for two days. Dory doesn't like to drive in snow, so I drove. There was no snow or ice on the road. We made good time, stopping for a snack in Auburn. There was lots of snow on the mountains. We arrived, safe and sound, at the Silver Legacy around 3. We were really traveling light--for us--because we didn't need a bellman. We got up to our room, arranged our nest, then set off to invest. While we were arranging, there was some caterwauling in the hallway--ill mannered children, we thought--but as we were heading to the elevators, we saw three security officers and a few guests with the room door open. We did not stop to check out the action but were very curious.
We shrewdly invested--winning enough to be entertained. Dory finds a machine she likes and stays there. I play a little here, a little there. I mostly want to see the crazy things the machines do. I miss the coins. I miss your hands turning black. I don't miss waiting for someone to pay you off when you really need to go to the bathroom. We left Friday morning--had breakfast at Boomtown and played till around noon. I had a six o'clock meeting to get home to. Lunch at Fenton's in Vacaville and home in time for my very successful meeting. I must have been really tired, because I slept till after noon.
Easter was quiet. I fixed roast leg of garlic--er--lamb, salad, veggies, and mashed potatoes. Elaine and the girls have been following Dr. Phil's 17 day diet and doing very well, so I didn't want to sabotage their efforts.
Elaine spent the night here and went with me to chemo on Monday. I could go by myself, but it is really nice to have someone with me. Neither of us felt like lunch, but Elaine did go on a water run about halfway through--"Mom, weren't you supposed to bring a bottle of water?" I took Elaine to the BART after my soap. I felt pretty awful that night and Tuesday morning, but no orc attack like the first round.
I napped as much as I could on Thursday and watched the Royal Wedding from one Friday morning till about 4:30. I haven't missed a Royal Wedding since Princess Margaret's.
Now I'm settling in. There are exciting things coming up this month--the church will vote on the terms of call for a new pastor, Dory and I will go to Yosemite for our spring visit. My hair is coming out--not is chunks like it did the first time, but enough that I'm noticing it. I leave a trail wherever I go. I suppose I could just have a buzz cut and be done with it, but I can't bring myself to do that.
Sad note--my friend Betty died today. Betty had the same kind of cancer I have--hers was diagnosed about 8 months before mine. I don't think I'm ready to go in another 8 months. Betty was sicker than I've been. She was a wonderful resource when I first got sick. I'll miss comparing notes with her. My heart goes out to her children. Bless you, Betty. Now you don't hurt.
xxooxx
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