Wednesday morning I got up at five to eat breakfast so that I could get to my CT scan by 8:30. I stopped off at the fancy yarn shop after the scan and the requisite blood sucking. I got two more sock pattern books and extra needles--socks take a lot of needles. The message light was flashing when I got home, so I checked it--my favorite niece calling to let me know that as of her birthday, the previous day, her boy friend became her fiance! How terribly exciting. Her engagement ring was our Great Aunt Jessie's ring--appropriate because Aunt Jessie died shortly after she heard that Gretchen was going to have a baby--who turned out to be Miss Victoria Gabrielle. It is a lovely diamond in an old fashioned setting and Victoria loves it. I couldn't be happier for her, I love weddings. Not that they are in a rush, but chances are I will be around for it.
Which brings the other piece of good news. Because I'm still in a great deal of abdominal pain, I was worried about the scan. Worried to the point that I really didn't want to go to this appointment by myself. Glenn, who has been so good about taking me to my various appointments, had to work swing and my appointment was at 3:30. Dory had a 4 PM appointment, so she couldn't go. This morning, I called Elaine to see if she could go with me. She had a little rearranging to do, but yes, she could come over. I picked her up at the BART station just after 2. We stopped at CVS to pick up a prescription then came home so I could pick up my knitting and Elaine could see the pictures Victoria had posted to Facebook--which should now be renamed Fingerbook. Elaine knows that Victoria is six years younger than she is, but still likes to think Victoria is 16. She was, however, properly excited and thrilled over the ring.
We grabbed our stuff and headed to San Mateo. in the one storey elevator on the way up to the office, Elaine gave me a hug and said "I love you, Mom." She knew I was scared. I didn't need to be. The scan was good, compared with May and January scans. There is still the collection of fluid. Dr. Chee thinks that's what's causing the pain and is a leftover from surgery. It is something that only time will take care of. But everything is stable. My blood counts are all down--to be expected from the chemo. If I want a transfusion, I can have one, but I think I'm OK. Red count is 9.6 and she usually transfuses when it goes below 9. It was 8.2 for the last transfusion last month. White count is low--stay away from sick people. Platelets are low--be careful of sharp objects. All of that should come out as I get through this chemo cycle and don't replace it with another one. I made an appointment to have my port flushed in a month and to see Dr. Chee in seven weeks. She wanted it to be six, but she's going to London. I want to go with her.
So we were happy girls leaving the office. We went grocery shopping so that I could take advantage of Elaine to tote them upstairs. She stayed for dinner and we had a good time, buoyed by the news that I'm not dying tomorrow. We laughed as silly stuff and said that I'm good a lot. I took her to the BART station and was home in time to watch most of the Giants game. I'm not inviting Cliff Lee to the next party. He wasn't nice to my team. I have faith in them and will love them no matter what.
So that's the good newses and no bad news--unless you count the Giants game. They will turn it around for me--it's their job. My job right now is to rest and make all sorts of blood cells. Their job is to win and keep me happy. What's so hard about that?
xxooxx
Friday, August 5, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Chemo 3.DONE
Finished--with this round. Platelets were 170 something, so I was good to go this afternoon. I finished Rachel's socks this morning and tossed them to her when Mark brought Elaine over to keep me company at chemo. I finished Elaine's pair at chemo. She loves them. On to the next few projects.
My appointment was at 2:30. I usually just settle in. This time, I waited till after the blood count to make sure I was good to go--then I got comfortable. Elaine went on a lunch run. I knit and let them infuse poison.
When we got home, I watched the rebroadcast of the Giants at the White House today and then a repeat of Willie Mays 80th birthday party. And then the TV went out. And the phone. And the Internet. Called tech support and yelled at them. Have a tech coming out between 8 and noon tomorrow. I'm not a technically happy person just now. I'm really glad that I kept the air card for the laptop. I've got a cell phone for emergencies, so I'm not totally in the stone age. This is the second time in a month that the service has gone down. No--not a happy girl at all just now. Glad that the chemo's over--well, that the infusion is over. The rest of it takes a month or so.
I think I'll knit some socks.
xxooxx
My appointment was at 2:30. I usually just settle in. This time, I waited till after the blood count to make sure I was good to go--then I got comfortable. Elaine went on a lunch run. I knit and let them infuse poison.
When we got home, I watched the rebroadcast of the Giants at the White House today and then a repeat of Willie Mays 80th birthday party. And then the TV went out. And the phone. And the Internet. Called tech support and yelled at them. Have a tech coming out between 8 and noon tomorrow. I'm not a technically happy person just now. I'm really glad that I kept the air card for the laptop. I've got a cell phone for emergencies, so I'm not totally in the stone age. This is the second time in a month that the service has gone down. No--not a happy girl at all just now. Glad that the chemo's over--well, that the infusion is over. The rest of it takes a month or so.
I think I'll knit some socks.
xxooxx
Monday, July 18, 2011
Chemo 3.not
Well, after being prepared for my last chemo, I flunked the blood test. Red count was 10, which isn't perfect but better. Platelet count was 84--they don't do chemo under 100. So I got sent home with an appointment for next week. There's lots of goods--my daughter is here and we can just hang out for a few hours. I'll have a week of not feeling crappy. I do have to be careful about cuts since platelets are what makes your blood clot. I kept this week free because I thought I would be feeling dreadful. So now my bone marrow has to do its job,
That's all for now
xxooxx
That's all for now
xxooxx
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Birthday and the first half of July
Now this is really annoying--I had most of the last two weeks summarized, was just about and the end of yesterday--and it disappeared! Now I have to remember what I posted and if it was all that earth shattering that it needs to be posted. Here goes.
The month has gone by quickly-probably because it has included much resting. My red blood count has been dragging. I had another transfusion on Wednesday, and that has helped some. Much of my time has been spent knitting. I've been ordering really pretty yarns and it is so exciting to see how they knit up. Everyone will get socks, hats, and/or gloves this year--that is if I can stand to part with my little works of art.
Transfusion Wednesday. Special Eastern Star meeting on Thursday for the purpose of initiation. We took in three new members and have two more waiting in the wings. I was very proud of my Officers. Friday was a quick trip downtown for a haircut that was comped as a birthday present. That was exciting. I've been going to the same stylist for about 10 years. Last year, I knit matching sweaters for her children.
Yesterday was the birthday. I got up around 10, read the paper and ate breakfast. I knit until it was time to get dressed for THE PARTY. I share the day with a friend who was having a milestone birthday--one of those that ends in a zero. Her younger daughter planned a dinner party for both of us. I think there were around 50 people there. My table included Glenn, Elaine, Mark, Rebecca, Rachel, Ryan, and Dory. Monica had other plans. There was dinner, wonderful entertainment, presents, and cake! It was a perfect day. I was sad to miss open mic night at church--one of those times that you want to be two places at once. It was a delightful party. I made the right choice for me.
Church today. It was our Interim Pastor's last Sunday. We had a little reception for him and his wife. I wasn't feeling particularly good, so I was just as pleased when that was over and I could come home and veg. Tomorrow is my last round of this chemo. I'll have a scan the beginning of August then find out what's next.
That's it for now. I had a great birthday. I'll be smiling for a good long time because of that. Even if I don't feel my best. I can still smile.
xxooxx
The month has gone by quickly-probably because it has included much resting. My red blood count has been dragging. I had another transfusion on Wednesday, and that has helped some. Much of my time has been spent knitting. I've been ordering really pretty yarns and it is so exciting to see how they knit up. Everyone will get socks, hats, and/or gloves this year--that is if I can stand to part with my little works of art.
Transfusion Wednesday. Special Eastern Star meeting on Thursday for the purpose of initiation. We took in three new members and have two more waiting in the wings. I was very proud of my Officers. Friday was a quick trip downtown for a haircut that was comped as a birthday present. That was exciting. I've been going to the same stylist for about 10 years. Last year, I knit matching sweaters for her children.
Yesterday was the birthday. I got up around 10, read the paper and ate breakfast. I knit until it was time to get dressed for THE PARTY. I share the day with a friend who was having a milestone birthday--one of those that ends in a zero. Her younger daughter planned a dinner party for both of us. I think there were around 50 people there. My table included Glenn, Elaine, Mark, Rebecca, Rachel, Ryan, and Dory. Monica had other plans. There was dinner, wonderful entertainment, presents, and cake! It was a perfect day. I was sad to miss open mic night at church--one of those times that you want to be two places at once. It was a delightful party. I made the right choice for me.
Church today. It was our Interim Pastor's last Sunday. We had a little reception for him and his wife. I wasn't feeling particularly good, so I was just as pleased when that was over and I could come home and veg. Tomorrow is my last round of this chemo. I'll have a scan the beginning of August then find out what's next.
That's it for now. I had a great birthday. I'll be smiling for a good long time because of that. Even if I don't feel my best. I can still smile.
xxooxx
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Keeping Medicare Happy
I haven't blogged because I've been feeling poorly, so I haven't done anything. Last night was my sleep study, so that was a change of pace. I've been sleeping with a CPAP since Feb 1996. Users of CPAPs are entitled to new supplies every six months. I haven't taken full advantage of this, about a year ago, my mask and headgear were getting a little ratty, so when the automatic caller asked if I wanted new stuff, I pressed the button for "yes." Ms Automatic Caller also wanted to know if there had been a change to my insurance. Well, yes, I went on Medicare August 1 and it became my primary coverage. Oh. Medicare didn't care that I'd been using the thing, successfully, since shortly after Noah got off the ark, they needed me to see my primary care provider who needed to let my supplier know that I still used the CPAP and was benefiting from it. The wording had to be very exact. So in August, I saw my doctor and told her what Medicare needed. Not a problem and we moved on to my left heel--see last year if you are really interested in that. I didn't think too much about it. Then came September and the fire and I had other things on my mind. When I got around to remembering that I needed new stuff, I guess it was November. Called the supplier who said they hadn't gotten the correct wording form my doctor. I called the office, told the girls what I needed, and waited for supplies. Another month went by and no new stuff, so I called them back. By now, I was on a first name basis with the supplier. She said she would call the doctor's office and tell them exactly what I needed. Then came December and the bowel obstructions. When I finally saw my PCP again, maybe even after my surgery, I asked who I had to sleep with to get the correct wording for my CPAP supplies. She promised she would take care of it. She must have sent the magic words, because eventually, I got my new supplies.
You would think that would be the end of it. But no. I got a call from my supplier saying that they needed a copy of my sleep study. That was three doctors ago and in the end of 95. 95? Oh, they are only good for 10 years. Could I have a new one to make Medicare happy? So last PCP appointment I mentioned it. Doctor said no problem, she'd arrange it. I got a call from Mr. Sleep Study guy a few days later and we set up an appointment for last night. At least it was close to home. The one in 95 was at a hospital about 20 miles from home. This would be in a clinic near my yarn shop.
I got there just before 9 last night. There was a receptionist and two technicians. I was shown to my room, got into my jammies, and was wired up for everything. The whole process took about 45 minutes. Now relax and go to sleep. I settled down to read and get sleepy. The surprising thing is that I did go to sleep eventually. After two hours, the technician came in and connected me up to a CPAP. Relax and go back to sleep. Sure. It took longer and for some bizarre reason the theme song from Lambert the Sheepish Lion was running through my brain--that was a cartoon from the late 50's or early 60's and I'm pretty sure that the only other person who still knows it is my friend, Roz--and I only knew she knew it was that we saw a play with a character named Lambert when we were in Jr or Sr High School and we both started humming the song. Anyway, I finally got back to sleep, only to be waken at the ungodly hour of 5 AM and they started disconnecting me. I still have sleep apnea and still need the CPAP. They will send a report to my PCP who will send a copy to my supplier, who will have it on file for Medicare, and supplied will once again be available every six months. Medicare gets to pay the bill for the unnecessary process. Medicare would have saved themselves money if they had just taken my word and the fact that I've been sleeping with this thing for over 15 years. It is almost as though the government thinks that the earth only just started rotating when I went on Medicare and so we'll need to reinvent the wheel for a while.
I got home at 5:45 and went back to sleep till 10.
xxooxx
You would think that would be the end of it. But no. I got a call from my supplier saying that they needed a copy of my sleep study. That was three doctors ago and in the end of 95. 95? Oh, they are only good for 10 years. Could I have a new one to make Medicare happy? So last PCP appointment I mentioned it. Doctor said no problem, she'd arrange it. I got a call from Mr. Sleep Study guy a few days later and we set up an appointment for last night. At least it was close to home. The one in 95 was at a hospital about 20 miles from home. This would be in a clinic near my yarn shop.
I got there just before 9 last night. There was a receptionist and two technicians. I was shown to my room, got into my jammies, and was wired up for everything. The whole process took about 45 minutes. Now relax and go to sleep. I settled down to read and get sleepy. The surprising thing is that I did go to sleep eventually. After two hours, the technician came in and connected me up to a CPAP. Relax and go back to sleep. Sure. It took longer and for some bizarre reason the theme song from Lambert the Sheepish Lion was running through my brain--that was a cartoon from the late 50's or early 60's and I'm pretty sure that the only other person who still knows it is my friend, Roz--and I only knew she knew it was that we saw a play with a character named Lambert when we were in Jr or Sr High School and we both started humming the song. Anyway, I finally got back to sleep, only to be waken at the ungodly hour of 5 AM and they started disconnecting me. I still have sleep apnea and still need the CPAP. They will send a report to my PCP who will send a copy to my supplier, who will have it on file for Medicare, and supplied will once again be available every six months. Medicare gets to pay the bill for the unnecessary process. Medicare would have saved themselves money if they had just taken my word and the fact that I've been sleeping with this thing for over 15 years. It is almost as though the government thinks that the earth only just started rotating when I went on Medicare and so we'll need to reinvent the wheel for a while.
I got home at 5:45 and went back to sleep till 10.
xxooxx
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Chemo 3.5
The wedding dress is my age, having been worn by Abby's Mother and Grandmother. It has been a joy to watch this young woman grow up.
Other than this bright spot, my time has been filled with doctor appointments and knitting. I have discovered sock yarn. Sock yarn comes in amazing colors. You can make socks, but you don't have to. Here are two of the latest:
Chemo 3.5 was not without drama, but I'd rather not dwell on it. It's done and now I'm recovering. I have felt worse, but I have also felt better. Glenn has been on vacation this week, so I've been all by myself--probably a good thing. I don't have to be charming. The Giants remembered that they are part of my therapy and gave me a good game last night--what more could I ask for. Today is a day game, so I'd best get to it. They do require my presence to have a prayer of winning, after all. And I get to knit while I'm rooting them on! What could be more perfect.
xxooxx
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Catching up yet again
I was reminded tonight that I haven't blogged in a while. That usually means that not much has been going on. This last chemo wasn't too bad, though my counts were still descending. I had another transfusion of two units last Monday and I'm starting to feel peppier. I've had my mammogram--negative as i expected, saw my cardiologist--everything good there It's hard to remember, when I have this big cancer thing going on, that I have other parts of my body that are in great shape. The cardiologist was very good news, since congestive heart failure can be a side effect of the Doxil I'm on.
The living room TV spent a week in the TV hospital and came home today good as ever and only $165. I don't think I could have gotten a new TV for that, so I'm happy. I never thought I'd get tired of watching TV in the bedroom, but I did. It's nice to have it there, but I like my Queen Anne chair.
I can't remember if I've talked about Charles. I think I have. Charles was the security guard at my therapist's office. Charles is one of those people who make your life better by being in it. Charles would say "Good morning, Beautiful," and I would feel beautiful. I'm not beautiful, but I felt beautiful. Charles was an excellent hugger. I got a hug on my way in and on my way out. When I got to my appointment two weeks ago--no Charles. His place was filled by some other man. I pointed out the obvious, that he wasn't Charles. Charles was moved to another building. My heart broke. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing now, Charles, I miss you and will always love you. I still get to see my therapist, and that is a very good thing, but Charles was a blessing.
I think that catches things up. We had Eastern Star tonight and elected four new members. I'm very excited. The first time I was Worthy Matron, we had four initiations--I don't want to make that record--meeting once a month as we do now, we don't have time.
I think I have NOTHING to do tomorrow. Saturday is a wedding. I have to keep reminding myself. I'm looking forward to it, even though I've known the bride all her life--and she's old enough to get married! I love weddings--the ceremony itself. Receptions are OK, but I love weddings.
That's it for now.
xxooxx
The living room TV spent a week in the TV hospital and came home today good as ever and only $165. I don't think I could have gotten a new TV for that, so I'm happy. I never thought I'd get tired of watching TV in the bedroom, but I did. It's nice to have it there, but I like my Queen Anne chair.
I can't remember if I've talked about Charles. I think I have. Charles was the security guard at my therapist's office. Charles is one of those people who make your life better by being in it. Charles would say "Good morning, Beautiful," and I would feel beautiful. I'm not beautiful, but I felt beautiful. Charles was an excellent hugger. I got a hug on my way in and on my way out. When I got to my appointment two weeks ago--no Charles. His place was filled by some other man. I pointed out the obvious, that he wasn't Charles. Charles was moved to another building. My heart broke. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing now, Charles, I miss you and will always love you. I still get to see my therapist, and that is a very good thing, but Charles was a blessing.
I think that catches things up. We had Eastern Star tonight and elected four new members. I'm very excited. The first time I was Worthy Matron, we had four initiations--I don't want to make that record--meeting once a month as we do now, we don't have time.
I think I have NOTHING to do tomorrow. Saturday is a wedding. I have to keep reminding myself. I'm looking forward to it, even though I've known the bride all her life--and she's old enough to get married! I love weddings--the ceremony itself. Receptions are OK, but I love weddings.
That's it for now.
xxooxx
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