Catching up--yet again

I haven't blogged for a while, but I've been busy--or not feeling good.  Mother's Day Eve I ran a temp of 100 and my lungs hurt, so off we were to the ER--after the Giants won their game.  I do have my priorities.  Everything was tested.  Once again, it wasn't a heart attack, wasn't a clot, wasn't pneumonia or asthma.  It wasn't anything that was going to kill me, so we were sent home around midnight, after blood tests, chest x-ray, and CT scan.  Apparently the cancer makes my blood tests look like I have a clot, hence the scan.  The fever went away on its own.  I was only worried about the reservation at the Ahwahnee for Monday.  The ER doctor wanted me to check with my cardiologist before I went to the mountains.
Mother's Day was quiet.  Elaine had an infection in her jaw andMark wouldn't let her leave the house--good call.  Monica and Rebecca came over and we hung out for the afternoon.  I made Tomato Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches--serious comfort food.  Dory and I kept checking on our packing status.  I was going to Yosemite.  I did check with Dr. Zipkin Monday morning and got the OK before we were on the San Mateo Bridge.  I was still restricted from driving.  Bless Dory, she was happy to drive and I got a lot of knitting done.

We had lunch about half-way to Yosemite--good resting point.  Then it was "Are we there yet?"  It was a beautiful drive.  Weather was perfect.  I never put on a coat the whole time we were gone.  We FINALLY got to the hotel, and waiting to greet us was Steve, my very favorite Bellman.  I like most of the guys there, but Steve has been my favorite for over 20 years.  Steve made sure that the General Manager welcomed us--that was pretty cool.  He didn't think much of our room, so told us not too unpack too much--he'd see what he could do about moving us the next day.  I sure love being taken care of.  We got a room with a better view

We could see the falls and Steve's favorite Dogwood Tree was right outside out window.

Tuesday was a rest-all-day day.  My lungs still hurt.  We rode the Shuttle and did some shopping.

This was always Lee's favorite tree, in front of the Village Store.

We had dinner at the Ahwahnee Dining Room because we didn't want to take the bus to the Lodge and we got a reservation at a reasonable time.

Wednesday we were ready for some exercise.  We went to Happy Isles--Dory's favorite walk.

I try to go to Yosemite in Mid May because school is still in session, there's usually lots of water in the falls, and the Dogwood is in blossom.  Here's lots of Dogwood.

After Happy Isles, we took the Shuttle to Lower Yosemite Falls.  Dory wasn't sure two walks was a good idea, but I was pretty sure we could do it.  We were planning on dinner at the Lodge, and it just didn't make sense to go back to the room for about five minutes and then take the bus to dinner.  We rested lots on the trail.  It's a pretty walk and not at all strenuous--well, not for normal people.  It got colder and louder and windier as we got to the falls.  There was LOTS of water.

And some wildlife:

I sort of gave Dory the option of walking back to the Lower Falls stop or just crossing the road and walking to the Mountain Room--it was probably the same distance...sort of...  We were ready to stop when we got to the restaurant.  Prime Rib--yum.
Thursday, we were a little stiff.  Decided that the two mile walk to and from Mirror Lake was not a good idea.  So we took the bus to Sentinel Bridge and walked to the Chapel.  Dory had never been there, and I really wanted to Thank God for keeping me alive to visit His house.  God is everywhere, but his voting address in in Yosemite.  So here are the pictures from the bus stop and the necessary :I don't need another picture of Half Dome" pictures:

We ate at the Ahwahnee Dining Room again--just too tired to go back to the Lodge, and we did have a reservation. 
Friday was get away day.  It was a beautiful drive, up 120 and over Tioga Pass.  I should have taken pictures, but didn't, to show how little snow there was the middle of May.  This was one of the earliest times the pass has been open for the summer.  It was our gain, because that meant we got to go home by way of Reno--it is kind of like Yosemite is on the way home from Fresno--you take 41 and run smack into it.  If you take Tioga and turn left on 395--same thing--you run smack into Reno.  It wasn't as profitable as our last trip, but we had fun.  Dory is a great traveling buddy.  She's so easy to get along with and the same things strike us funny.  We spent three nights at the Silver Legacy, then, as is our custom, we leave before breakfast and go to Boomtown for breakfast and slots.  We figured how long it would take go get home, missing commute traffic in both Sacramento and the Bay Area.  I called Glenn about 3:30 as we were getting gas, to let him know we'd be home around 9--he said he'd be home around 11--he was working on his day off.  WELL, that settled that--we didn't have to be home until 11, back to the casino and the slots and more fun.  We stopped at Burger King for a chicken sandwich and a shake and pulled into the driveway just, and I do mean just, ahead of Glenn.  Bless my beast of burden.  He carried everything upstairs when he was really tired from working all day.
Tuesday was Mark, and driving on my own.  Once again, down to BART and downtown.  I had a little PTSD getting off the train.  There were lots of people and trains were going each direction, but I made it.  One escalator was out of service, so I had to take an alternate route, but that was doable.  Mark's schedule is changing, so I will change to Wednesdays--that's actually more convenient for my hair appointments.  Josie doesn't work on Tuesdays.  Now all I have to do is change my appointment for June 20 and life will be grand.
Tuesday afternoon was back to my chemo schedule.  That was not without entertainment.  Their blood count machine broke and they were having to send people to the hospital for their lab work.  I didn't get the message, but I haven't had chemo for over a month and my count was good two weeks ago, so we just went for it--after keeping me waiting about half an hour.  Then it took forever to access my port.  I think they had to use five or six needles till they got blood return and I finally got my pre-meds and the Gemzar.  Haven't felt really good since then, but this will pass.  I had my teeth cleaning appointment on Thursday--checked with the oncologist--light cleaning and don't go below the gum line--cancer effects everything.  No cavities, so maybe there is something to this brushing and flossing.
I've been knitting, working on things for my niece, whose baby is due in July.  I won't post pictures till after her shower to keep it a surprise.  I'm almost ready to go back to socks--and I used one skein from the Yarn Cave!  Of course, I am lusting after new stuff, but I'm trying to get the stuff that needs doing finished.
I have chemo again on Tuesday.  It will be the first time I've had the full cycle since February.  Maybe I shouldn't jinx it.
That's my news.
xxooxx

Houseful of Visitors

I had outing number 2 on Monday--a quick trip to my Dentist's office to pick up my new bite splint.  Not a problem, no anxiety.  Had nothing scheduled for Tuesday.  Glenn went to see his friend in Berkeley--only fair since he's been taking care of me for a week.  I get lonely when I'm by myself (this is new since the pacemaker), so Dory came over for a while.  Today I had lots of company.  The Visiting Nurse came in the morning.  Elaine, Monica, and Becca came over in the early afternoon, just before Glenn left for work.  The Home Health Aide.  She washed my hair and gave me a bath.  Clean hair is wonderful, especially when you have one wing under house arrest and no one has told you whether or not you can take a shower.
After I got all sweet and pure (family joke, my Mother is laughing at that), the physical therapist came to assess me and give me exercises to do.  And yes, Gretchen, I'll do them.

Around and about all this, Elaine and the girls and I went through some family papers.  I tried my hand at scanning and did pretty well--here's the first attempt:

This is the generations picture.  The fine looking gentleman is my Great Grandfather, Edward Lee Hall.  Seated next to Grandpa Hall is Grandma Hall,, Ida May Curns.  Gretchen Gabrielle Clark is sitting on Grandpa Hall's lap and Grandma Hall has me.  Behind Grandpa Hall is my Gay, my grandmother, full name Gabrielle Lee Hall Kant, who, at the time this picture was taken was about seven or eight years younger than I am now.  The remaining beautiful lady is our Mother.  When I feel better, that is, when I can drive again, I'm going to have to see about a frame for this.  It is too precious to leave lying about.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my primary care physician.  Dr. Kubin would have seen me in the hospital--every day--and maybe he was looking down from heaven, keeping me alive.  I know there were a ton of angels doing that very thing.  I'm healing.  The incision still hurts a lot--if you touch it, if you look at it.  Best get to sleep.  Granddaughter Monica is picking me up in the morning.

xxooxx

First Outing

I had a ride arranged for church (thank you, Deacon Donna), so I got up, had breakfast, figured out how to get into clothes--pantyhose didn't happen, but I had my compression hose on.  The God I believe in didn't care if I had on pantyhose or not.  I have to select clothes carefully, since I can't raise my left arm above my shoulder.  I'm used to throwing my dresses over my head and pulling them down--take them off the same way.  Not going to happen for the next few weeks.
Just noticed this didn't get finished (started on Sunday, it's now 11:30 Monday night).  I'll try to remember what I wrote last night.  Ally helped me get dressed for church.  I got a little nervous--did the incision look red?  Was it hot?  I've been through wound infections before and I don't want to do that again.  Donna picked me up on time.  She said I was shaking--wondered if I wanted to go to the hospital.  No, I did not.  We got to church and Donna did her Head Usher duties.  I took deep breaths, practicing what Laura taught me.  I did have one of the church nurses check my pulse, which she declared fine.  She got me seated and asked Roxane to sit next to me and keep an eye on me.  Bless her, Rox took care of me like a mother hen.  In retrospect, I think it was just anxiety over the first outing.  I made it through most of the service.  Our custom is to wait and listen to the postlude--HAD to use the restroom, so that's when we left early.  I was pretty calm by the end of the service.  Had outing number two today, to the dentist to pick up my new bite splint--not a problem.  Of course, that meant that I had to get dressed.  I don't have anything scheduled till Thursday--think I'll stay in my jammies till then.
I'm still a little anxious, but from everything I've read and heard, that is completely normal.  The incision still hurts, but the rest of me feels pretty good.  I'm breathing easier than I have in a long time.  One day at a time, as they say, one day at a time--or even one minute at a time.
There, I think I'm caught up--probably not as good as what I wrote last night, but there you are.
xxooxx

That's Something I Didn't Expect

I will be very happy to go back to my boring little life, thank you.  I've had an overly exciting few days and my life has changed again.
So here's the story.  I had a transfusion a few weeks ago.  Transfusions usually give me more energy, but this one didn't.  My numbers were good when I had chemo, but I was still terribly tired.  This last Tuesday, I was tireder than usual, and short of breath in a different way than usual.  But it was a Mark day, so I got dressed, drove to the BART station, and went downtown.  When I got off the train at Montgomery, the escalator looked like it was miles away.  I got there, but it took a while, and I had to stop and lean on a few pillars.  Walked the half block to Mark's office, sometimes leaning on the buildings for support.  When Mark came out to get me, he said "What are you doing here?"  I said it was a Mark day.  When I got settled in the office, he asked if I wanted to go home--"not for 50 minutes," I said.  He asked how I was going to get home, and I said BART.  He said that wasn't a really good idea--was there anyone who could pick me up?  I caved and called Glenn, who said of course.  So we talked, which is what we do.  At the end of our session, I collected my hug.  Mark asked if I would be all right going downstairs--of course I would--then proceeded to gasp in a whole new way.  Glenn and I took a little time finding each other, but we did and he drove home.  I started gasping again, and he asked if he should just take me to emergency.  I really, really had to use the bathroom, so I had him call the Cancer center--it was a chemo afternoon.  They told him to get me to the hospital.  Now the fun begins.  I got into my coat and started out.  At the top of the stairs, I knew that wasn't going to happen, and dropped to my knees--at least that was the plan.  Ally will have to tell you what happened next--she was right behind me.  I passed out.  I came to with her telling me she needed me to take some deep breaths while I heard Glenn on the phone calling 911.  I heard him say dire emergency.  He hung up and we heard the sirens--they being two blocks away.  There followed a house full of paramedics, eventually getting me out of the house and into the ambulance.  It seemed a long and involved process.  I thought I could get myself out of the house, and they said "not with what your heart is doing."  Did I mention I was scared.
Anyway, they got me to emergency, trying their darnedest to get an IV going.  I have tiny veins and they roll.  I now have several bruises from the tourniquets and attempts to start the IV.  I think they finally succeeded.  I don't honestly remember too much of the time in emergency.  I met a new cardiologist (for me, that is) and a new Hospitalist.  I was admitted and taken to the ICU.  I think this whole process took two hours--but as I said, I really don't remember.  Glenn, Ally, and Dory were there.  The reason for admission, according to my discharge papers, was "3 degree AV Block."  My heart rate was jumping all over the map, but mostly in the 30's.  They put me on a medicine that was supposed to speed up my heart rate.  I didn't like it.  It made me nauseous and made my heart pound.  I kept hearing people say "pacemaker."
Fast forward to Wednesday.  I had a nurse who wasn't a regular ICU nurse.  I didn't realize that was a problem.  I needed to use the restroom, once again.  She got a bedside camode, because that was all the further my wires and tubes would let me go.  I proceeded to take care of business then tried to pass out again.  There were suddenly about 10 regular ICU nurses in the room.  I got back into bed myself (for which I'm sure they were all grateful), then went in and out of consciousness.  I DID hear someone say "We're losing her!" and hear them talking about crash carts and paddles.  Fortunately, I converted to a sinus rhythm on my own.  The cardiologist has now been summoned.  He determines that it was a bad reaction to the medication, which they stopped, and put me on an external pacemaker.  We then had a discussion about how much I needed one, immediately.  Fortunately, it was already scheduled--for 10 o'clock and it was by now about 9:15.  I figured I could wait that long, but not much longer.
It was actually 12:15 when they took me to the Cath Lab for the procedure.  By then I had talked to the doctor who was going to do the procedure and one of the oncologists from my group--and my Pastor.
Getting ready for the procedure took forever.  It was done with a local and light sedation--which because of the meds I take for the cancer--meant I was awake for the whole thing.  I could feel pushing and pulling as the wires were fed through my vein into my heart.  It was uncomfortable, but the worst was my back.  I was lying on a frozen slab with my legs and back flat against it.  The procedure took about two hours and my back was screaming.  I was taken to a room in the TCU, or ICU Step-Down.  Now here's the miracle.  Except for my back, which took a long time to calm down, I felt better.  Much better.  I spent Wednesday night and most of Thursday in the TCU.  Elaine badgered all my doctors to keep me another night.  I was transferred to a regular Medsurg room. and came home after Glenn got off work this afternoon.  I am feeling much better.  I have some restrictions while the incision heals, like not using my left arm--it's in a sling to keep my from doing anything foolish.
That's the gist of it, and it is past my bedtime, but I wanted to get this done while it is fresh in my mind.  I am grateful to have survived.  God has blessed me with amazing friends and excellent health care providers.  It was not how I'd planned on spending the week, but there you are.  I'm good for a while longer, and I'm glad.
xxooxx

Oops

Gretchen and Kris have both reminded me that I haven't blogged in a while.  That usually means that nothing much has been going on.  When I left off last month, Ally had just come home--from her first hospital visit--she had two more before Easter.  She was one sick little girl, but is now, finally, on the mend.  She has a job and things are looking up for her.
I'm doing all right.  My legs were wrapped for about a month.  My custom made compression stockings came in last week.  I've been wearing them since Monday and they seem to be working--enough so that I ordered two more pair so that I can wash them and still have something to wear.
The cellulitis finally cleared up and I got back on my chemo schedule.  I never seem to react to this one the same way, so it is always a surprise.  I got a transfusion a week ago Wednesday--that would explain why I had been very tired.  I didn't come out of this one as peppy as on previous times, but my blood count was good enough for my last chemo that I didn't need a Procrit shot.  That was a good thing.  They hurt.
So I really haven't done much the in the last month.  I finished some knitting projects--good thing since one of Glenn's do-workers just became a grandfather and another one became an uncle.  Two little girl gifts were delivered.
It is baseball season again, so my television viewing schedule once again includes as many Giants games as possible.  They do like to keep my blood pressure jumping. 
I told you things had been boring.  I'm looking forward to a Yosemite trip next month--maybe I can squeeze in a paragraph or two before then.  Otherwise, I'm still above ground and doing reasonably well--unless you count the not feeling too well after last Tuesday's chemo...
xxooxx

Lots more catching up

March 2, my chest was still hurting and it was hard to breath.  Because no one felt like cooking, we decided to order Chinese.  Glenn went to the store to get me milk and cereal.  I didn't get around to ordering.  What I did get was chills.  Ally said my hands were like ice and my lips were blue.  She asked if I wanted to go to the hospital before or after we had our Chinese dinner.  I was shaking, so I crawled under the duvet.  Ally called the Visiting Nurses for advice.  It was after hours, so they had to page someone who had to call back.  They were going to call my doctor for instructions.  Swell.  My PCP and Oncologist were both out of town.  Meanwhile, I was hurting more--pain had moved to my neck and there was no getting comfortable, and I was running a temperature.  Now this is a BIG DEAL, because the last time I had a fever was October of 1985.  I rarely run a fever.  Glenn called 911.  We heard the sirens before he'd hung up the phone.  They took me back to Peninsula Emergency.  They get you right in the doors and into a room, but it doesn't mean you will be seen any quicker.  Glenn got there shortly after I did, followed by Ally and Aaron.  Ally knows her way around the health care system.  Bless her heart, she was putting cold compresses on my face and legs.  Elaine got there in record time, having freaked out when Glenn told her about the fever.  I think the highest it hit was 100.9--high for me, I generally run subnormal.  Ally and Aaron left, Glenn and Elaine stayed till I was in a room and my fever broke.  No one ever figured out what was causing the chest pain.
It is not such a good idea to be admitted to a hospital on a weekend.  I mean, they take care of you, but nothing really happens till Monday.  By Monday, I had four different doctors looking in on me.  I had the Hospitalist, my Oncologist's partners, a Vascular Surgeon, and an Infectious Disease specialist.  I was on two different IV antibiotics that I had every 8 hours, and another one that I had once a day--at 2 AM.  I was in a great deal of pain in the beginning.  I expected to see flames shooting up from my shins.
As time dragged by, I got to worrying about things that weren't getting done.  Our monthly Eastern Star meeting was coming up.  I hadn't done the minutes from February or the Worthy Grand Matron's Official Visit.  I had dues receipts to make out and other things to prepare for the meeting--none of which I could do in the hospital--and none of which got done.  I felt dreadful about missing the meeting, but I couldn't see myself walking down El Camino Real in my hospital gown, hanging on to my IV pole.  Glenn brought the mail that had stacked up, so at least I could pay the bills.  I was also starting to worry about the Ceili.  I knew it would happen, even if I was still in hospital robes, but we needed to practice together.
By the end of the week, I was pretty much out of pain, but still getting all those antibiotics.  They ruled out home infusion because there were so many of them (I think I could have handled it).  I didn't need acute care, so the next step was a Skilled Nursing Facility, not so fondly referred to as a SNF.  I moved there on Sunday and hated it instantly.  I had a private room, for which I was very thankful, but it was loud and just not as nice as my brand new hospital.  I did get an OK for Glenn to bring my violin and music so that I could practice, and made arrangements for the band to practice with me on Tuesday evening.  That made things better.
When the original decision was made to transfer me to the SNF, I asked how long I'd be there.  My doctor (one of them) said about a week, and I freaked.  That just couldn't happen.  Plans had been made some time ago from my girlhood friend Kris to come for a visit from the 13th to the 15th.  My sister was coming to town on the 16th for the Ceili, then there was the Ceili itself.  I couldn't be tied up to an IV pole for a week.  Dr. Infections Diseases asked me when I'd like to go home (other than the day before) and I said Wednesday would work.  So Wednesday it would be.
Kris flew up on the 13th as planned--I had filled her in on my status.  She came to the SNF from the airport and we had a nice visit.  She looked beautiful and it was wonderful to see her.  She left in the early afternoon to get something to eat and check into her motel.  The plan was for her to come back in the evening for the Ceili practice.  Didn't happen.  She got cramps in her legs from our cold, wet weather that wouldn't go away.  The pain kept her up all night with no let up.  She changed her flight and went home Wednesday.  At least we got a little visit.
I had my last antibiotics Wednesday morning.  The Vascular Surgeon came by to wrap my legs, to aid in circulation and to keep the swelling down.  I was to make an appointment for the following week to get the wrappings off.  Glenn says I look like half a mummy.  Of course I couldn't get an appointment for the next week, so I'm still wrapped.  The paper work was completed Tuesday afternoon, still it took forever to discharge me.  Part of the forever was finding a nurse to disconnect my port access.  The needle had been changed once a week, but my port had been accessed since the 21st of February--three weeks and a day.  I was ready to be disconnected, way ready..
Glenn got me home around noon-time enough for him to get ready for work.  I just wanted to rest.  Somehow, the house was full of people--reminded me of the end of the first act of You Can't Take it With You.  Eventually, things quieted down and I was able to rest under the duvet again.  Up at 6:30 to eat some breakfast, because I had a CT scan at 10.  Home to rest some more.
Friday, my Ally wasn't feeling at all well.  When she came to stay with us, I'd told her that Gretchen was coming on the 16th and that when Gretchen came, she got Glenn's room and Glenn moved to the couch.  We found room for Ally with our Deacon, so I knew she would be taken care of.  Gretchen arrived in good time.  We had dinner and were off to the final Ceili practice.
Saturday morning, I had a phone call from our Deacon, telling me that Ally was in the hospital with gall stones.  That would explain the pain.
The Ceili happened as planned and was wonderful.  We had a good crowd and a good time was had be all.  I truly think the Ceili is the most fun I have all year.  We had our somewhat belated Chinese dinner after the festivities.
Sunday was another great day.  After church, Gretchen and I went to Marin County, where we spent a wonderful afternoon with our first cousin, once removed, Evelyn, and her daughter, our second cousin, Cami.  We haven't seen Cami since Gretchen's wedding in 1969.  Evelyn is full on wonderful family stories.
Gretchen headed home Monday morning.  I had an appointment with my primary care.  She would like me to have a bone scan--that can be done.  She also took me completely off Metformin--I'd scaled down from two to one a day the beginning of the year--and my low dose aspirin.  The afternoon was a visit with my dentist.  my bite splint broke, so he took impressions for a new one.  If it isn't one thing, it is another.  After that, I went to Seton Hospital to see Ally.  To top things off, I had a Trustees meeting at church in the evening.  Tuesday was my oncologist.  No chemo yet, just to be on the safe side.  My CT scan was good but my CA 125 was 46--the highest it has even been, but not high in the grand scheme of things.  The afternoon was my follow up with Dr. Shen.  He did my surgery in 2008.  I see him every 4 months.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I spent several hours with Ally.  She has been one sick little girl.  She wanted to come home, but she couldn't keep food down, and that was the deal breaker.
Yesterday we had a monsoon.  We need the rain, but really?  It rained all day and all night.  I went to a memorial service for one of our charter members at church.  It was a testament to a life well lived and I was honored to be able to go to it.
Church this morning, then settled down with my feet up for an afternoon on knitting.  Best part of the afternoon was when Ally came home.  She probably could have used another day or so in the hospital, but she looks better and sounds better, and is very happy to be out.  It will be a struggle not to mother hen her too much.
I'll get my legs unwrapped tomorrow.  I was ready to tear them off the first night, but I've gotten used to them.  I'll get a prescription for support stockings.  I've tried them before and they were never comfortable, so we'll see.  Tuesday is my therapist (finally) and chemo.  Wednesday's a haircut and Friday is taxes.
I'll try not to let so much time pass before the next blog.  Not that I really did anything exciting.  I have gotten a lot of rest, and that is a good thing.
xxooxx

Lots of catching up to do

It has been a while.  Let's go back to February 18.  It was the Worthy Grand Matron's Official Visit.  I was not feeling good.  In spite of 10 days of antibiotics the beginning of the month, and another course started the previous Tuesday, my legs were not doing well.  They were burning up and peeling.  On Tuesday, Dr. Chee said if they didn't get better, I'd need to get IV antibiotics in the hospital.  I kept my legs elevated as much as I could and left shortly after the meeting was over.  I called Dr. Chee's office and left a message.  The on call doctor  changed my antibiotic.  I saw Dr. Chee on the 21st.  She said for me to get to the hospital.  Since we'd waited this long, I figured a few more hours wouldn't hurt.  It was band practice, after all, and the Ceili is coming up.  And we only had an hour to practice.
I packed up all my toys, Glenn and I went to practice, and then he took me to emergency.  We got there about 7:10.  It was very crowded.  It would have been so easy just to get admitted, but it doesn't work like that.  It was about 10:30 when we were finally taken to a room in emergency.  After the hospitalist heard my little song and dance, he outlined the redness on each leg and agreed to admit me and started me on antibiotics.  I sent Glenn home then--trusting him with my car and my violin.  I think I made it to a room on the ward around 1:30 Wednesday morning.  God bless them, they brought me a turkey sandwich, so starvation was averted.  My legs hurt--I expected them to burst into flames.  I got to sleep somewhere around 4.  I woke up around 9 when food services called to see if I wanted breakfast--they think they are a hotel and have instituted Room Service where you order your meals whenever you want them.  The nurses don't care for it very much--I didn't either.  Someone talked me into a pneumonia shot.  Her technique wasn't the best in the world, but at least the pain in my arm took my mind off the pain in my legs and the usual pain in my abdomen,  It still hurts a little, more than a week later.  They sent me home on Sunday, the 26th, with a week's worth of IV antibiotics left to take and Visiting Nurses coming on Monday to teach us how to infuse me.
I've had Visiting Nurses a couple of times, so I know how they work.  The pharmacy delivered my meds and supplies on Sunday night.  I expected to hear from the Nurse Monday morning with a time they would be out.  Nine to ten, no call.  At 10:30, I called, was connected to the scheduler and left a voice mail.  No call back by 11, I called them again.  I told the receptionist that I was supposed to get the antibiotic around 1:30.  She went off to find the scheduler--who was on the phone, but world call me right back.  This time, she did--and told me that the nurse would call and let me know when she would be here.  I almost said, "Aren't you the scheduler?  Don't you know?" but thought better of it.  The nurse called in five or ten minutes and admitted that they had forgotten about me.  Not to worry, she was in Pacifica and would be here in about fifteen minutes.  She was.  Things have been fine since then.  Until today. 
I woke up around 5, with pain in my upper chest, difficulty taking a deep breath, and pressure.  Naturally, I thought it would go away, and went back to sleep.  Woke up again around 7:30, still in pain.  I had breakfast, still hurting, and considered my options.  i finally called the Visiting Nurses, who suggested I check with my oncologist's office.  I called them and spoke with the nurse practitioner, who said it needed to be evaluated.  Go to Peninsula emergency.  Do not pass go, do not collect $200.  I called Dory to see if she could take me--yes, of course.  Once again, I got my toys together, left a message for Glenn, and waited for Dory.  Once at emergency, I said the magic words, "chest pains," and was whisked into a room.  Of course, there was no one in the waiting room this time.  We were there till about 3:30, during which time they determined I did not have a heart attack and I did not have a blood clot.  I did have an EKG, chest x-ray, CT scan, and many blood tests.  I'm still uncomfortable, but I'm home.  I have a doctor appointment for Monday.  Tuesday I'll start chemo again.  Dr. Chee didn't want to be whacking at my bone marrow until the infection in my legs was under control.  It did throw off my schedule a bit.  I should have had chemo on the 28th and the 6th.  That way, the Ceili would be at the end of a chemo-free week.  Guess I'll have to rely on adrenaline getting me through.
That's it, you are now up to date.
xxooxx