Christmas, Chemo 4.3A, Company, and Blood

There's something really nice about a Christmas that doesn't focus on shopping.  It's peaceful.  I did actually go to the mall on Christmas Eve--zipped right into a close but not handicapped parking place.  Went into Nordstrom's and Williams-Sonoma, got what I wanted, and came home.  The only line I faced was at Willie-Sonora (at least that's what Lee and I called it).  We had a nice service on Christmas Eve--I still had traces of the Christmas Cold, so carols were difficult.  Christmas morning we had lessons and carols.  I had a reading from Isaiah and two from Luke, which I rebelliously read from the King James Version.
Elaine, Mark, and the kids came over around noon.  We had a nice visit.  We made some Christmas Cookies to make the season official, and exchanged gifts.  The girls had to leave late afternoon to have Christmas dinner with the Other Grandparents and uncle's family.  I'm not sure, but I'm willing to bet that I've never had Christmas dinner with the girls.  I don't think that's terribly fair, but as we all know, life isn't fair.
I fixed the Christmas roast, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, and Waldorf salad.  The five of us were joined by Ally and Danny, a brother and sister form church who lost their mother this year.  I snatched resting times when I could during the afternoon.  While the vegetables were cooking, Elaine massaged my feet--it was heavenly.
So all in all, it was a wonderful Christmas.  Not like the Christmas where the gifts almost forced us out of the living room, but a good time with family and friends.
Monday afternoon, my friend and Eastern Star Sister Jorie came over and we got the chapter newsletter ready to mail.  Jorie is a hard worker and a very efficient one.  There were lots of pieces that had to be co-ordinated.  It sure helped having a buddy.  We worked for over four hours solid, stuffing, chatting, drinking spiced cider.
Tuesday morning was back to chemo.  They ran some tests to see if I would be compatible with Procrit and made an appointment for me to have a transfusion--yeah.  My red count was 8.4.  Chemo was quick.  My sister, Gretchen, got to the house shortly after I got home.  We went to see War Horse in the afternoon.  Neither of us go to many movies, but the ones we see together are usually really good.  For a special treat, I had a visit from the daughters of an old friend.  I've known their Mother for over 40 years.  I watched them grow up.  Both of them are amazing women.  I still remember Kathleen's 21st birthday--I gave her a bottle of Champagne.  I think that was before I got married.
We watched the Kennedy Center Honors concert--a must for me each year.
Tuesday night the chemo kicked in.  It wasn't as bad as the orc wars, but I was uncomfortable  I woke up about 2 in the morning and for the first time experienced the side effect I'd dreaded from the beginning--serious nausea.  I think I offered up everything I'd eaten that day.
Wednesday, Gretchen went for a run--I felt like crap and rested.  The must for Wednesday was watching Cal play in the Holiday Bowl against Texas.  It was really dreadful.  Much as I love my Bears, neither team was good enough to be playing in a Bowl game.
Gretchen went home Thursday.  Guess what I did--you got it, I rested.  The blood transfusion came Friday morning.  I had to be there at 9 and left just after two.  I took lots of knitting with me and slept through most of the procedure.  You usually feel the benefits of a transfusion right away, and I do have a little more pep.  Still, after I got home, I slept for a few more hours.  Glenn and I went to a dessert party in the evening given by a couple from church.  It was a lovely gathering.  I propped myself up in a couch corner and let the party happen around me.
This has been a particularly rough chemo--and I get it again on Wednesday.  Yippee!
So that catches me up.  We have another church gathering we can attend this evening, but I'm thinking that resting is going to win out.  Happy New Year wherever you are.  I don't need to stay up til midnight.  The new year will come whether I'm there to see it in or not.
xxooxx

2011 Christmas Tree

So here's the tree

The girls did a really nice job on it.  Now my taks is to clear the mantle and put up the nativity.  I suppose I can do that sometime in the next two days.  I'm just happy I found the camera.  Things tend to hide.  The Christmas cold has almost gone away.  Life is grand.

xxooxx

Check, check, and check

Lest you think something really dreadful happened at the wedding, it was lovely.  Cold, but lovely.  I don't think I played my best, but it is hard to play the violin in a coat and fingerless mitts.  There were no disasters.  I didn't break a string this time.  There were no inquisitive bees hiding on the music staffs.  Just before we started the pre-wedding prelude, there was a warm puff of air.  I'm pretty sure it was the breath of God, promising to keep me going throughout the afternoon.  When you play for a wedding, you miss some of the details.  The compensatory joy is providing a service.  I'm so glad Kelsy asked me all those years ago to play for her wedding.
The reception was warm and spent with dear friends.  One of the very special benefits of attending a Hollenbeck function is watching North, Ky, and assorted partners swing dance.  It is exhausting and wonderful to watch.  The joy is mutual.  We stayed till cake was served, then Glenn took his very tired mother back to the Bide-a-Wee.  We had breakfast with the Bethany Gang, then hit the road for home.  We got here between 2 and 3.
I went to work on the Christmas cards, Glenn single-handedly rearranged the living room to make room for the tree.  Monica and Becca came over Monday and trimmed it while I was still working on the cards.  The tree is really beautiful.  I will try to think like a camera in a bit and see if I can find where I put the good one and include a picture--just not right now.
My niece was my driver to see my oncologist yesterday.  It was delightful to see her.  Victoria is at a very happy place in her life and she radiates it for the world.  Doctor appointment was neither good or bad.  I'm doing ok for now.  If the cold goes away I'll have chemo as scheduled on Tuesday.  I expect that will happen, because I'm feeling much better today.
I got the cards mailed this morning, so there is another big job completed.  Of course it usually follows that just after you get them mailed, you get a dozen or so cards from people you didn't send them to.  I was over-bought cards this year, so that will not present a problem.
The next Christmas task is to clear the mantle and bring out the Nativity sets--which may, or may not, live on said mantle for the year.
Life is good.
xxooxx

Wedding Eve

Glenn and I arrived safely at the Bide-a-Wee in Pacific Grove.  We checked in, unloaded, and went off to find the wedding rehearsal.  I managed to come without a music stand--and almost forgot my violin, but grabbed that at the last minute.  We set up in the frosty air for the practice--and I couldn't find the one piece the bride wanted.  Oh no!  I grabbed the piano accompaniment on the way out of the house.  It has the violin part, but it is little teeny print and there is a page turn.  Well, let's see, I'm sure the motel will have a copier and I can copy it and cut out my part.  The wedding isn't until 3 tomorrow, there's lots of time to fix things.  After the rehearsal, I remembered what I'd done with the music--had it all along, safely tucked into the music case on my violin case--just where I put it last night after I practiced with the quartet--also found the number I'm playing with them.  It was very cold at the practice.  Rumor is that it may warm up a bit tomorrow.  I'm still praying for rain and we can go to plan B--inside.  I've got a cold--raw throat and cough.  I called the Cancer Care center yesterday and talked with my nurse practitioner.  She called in a prescription for antibiotics, just so I'd have them.  If I felt better today, fine, don't take them.  I didn't.  I felt worse.  So I'm on antibiotics, just to keep this from turning into something else.
There was a meet and greet with the happy couple tonight.  We went for a bit to put in an appearance, but came back to the Bide-a-Wee.  I'm about to hop into my jammies and hope to feel better tomorrow.  I'll do just about anything for a wedding and I had no intention of missing this one.  I'm very glad Glenn took the day off and came down with me.  He drove.  I rarely give up that much control.  That's how crappy I felt.
Here's to a better day tomorrow.
xxooxx

Music Music Music

I'm playing for a friend's daughter's wedding on Saturday--a gig I booked several years ago.  The friend and her brother-in-law, who's accompanying on guitar stopped by to practice this evening.  No matter how bad I feel, music brightens things up.  I have to put in some practice time between now and Saturday, but I feel good right now, after the practice.  I may be a little old to have found my passion, but fiddling is right around the top.  Right there along with sock yarn.  I finished a hat and a mitten today.  I also did a little vacuuming (yes, Gretchen, I know how to do that) and got a start on the Christmas cards.  I should be exhausted.
xxooxx

Chemo 4-2A & B

Last Monday, after praying for platelets, I got my chemo.  They changed my schedule somewhat.  Instead of getting 4.1B (my name for it), I got 4.2A, platelets just squeaking thorough.  Tuesday was Therapist Mark and my Cardiologist--heart and lungs in great shape.  I walked from his office to Nine Rubies yarn shop. got some yarn I didn't need, got some needles I needed, and met a lady who needs wool mittens.  I told her I'd be happy to make them for her and got her name and address--she lives in Connecticut.  I actually found some pure wool yarn when I got home and a pattern that I liked.  I mailed them off to her on Saturday.  Hope she likes them.
Side effects weren't too bad.  There was another mouth sore and pain, but I have drugs for both, so things were under control.  We had the month's Eastern Star meeting preceded by a great turkey dinner.  Glenn is turkeyed out--I don't get tired of it.  I fixed ham for Friday and we've had it every day since.  Eastern Star meeting was good. I'm getting the secretary's stuff organized.  I was in a lot of pain, but I got through.
Saturday, Glenn and I got our Christmas tree. It's still living in the garage, waiting to come up stairs and be trimmed.  That will happen by Christmas.  Same with the Christmas cards.  I thought I'd lost my address list, but I'm turning into a geek, and I found it.
I had Chemo 4.2B this morning.  We'll see how the side effects go for this one.  Next infusion of poison is Dec 27.
That's it for now--I have much work to do.
xxooxx