Zombie Day

I pretty much just phoned it in today.


The phone rang at 3:30 this morning.  Caller ID said "blocked call".  I answered and nobody was there.  Hung up, and it promptly rang again.  Same thing.  I let it go to the answering machine next time - same thing.  So I just left the phone off the hook and we went back to bed.  John got to sleep, but I never did.


John went to radiation, saw the radiologist, and had his consultation with the dietician.  I went to the post office to mail the tax stuff and then to the grocery stores.


I thought for sure I'd be taking a killer nap, but got only a short one.  So I think I'll go to bed early tonight.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Panic

After the usual Monday stuff (now including John’s 7 a.m. radiation appointment), we came home to find the TV not working.

NOT WORKING?!?!? How can this be on a day when the Lady Vols are playing in the Elite Eight? I got on the phone with our cable provider. We tried lots of ons and offs and do-this and do-the-other. Nothing worked. Finally he set up an appointment with a tech house call tomorrow afternoon.

TOMORROW?!?!? OMG! Having to watch the game on the little non-HD television in the room without comfortable chairs. ARGHH!

John went to take a nap to rest up for the game, and I watched the news on the little TV. After UConn had annihilated Dayton, I woke him up. The first thing he did was try to do something with the TV. As an old electrical engineer, the first thing he tried was a total reboot, i.e., unplug the cable box from the wall and then turn it back on.

Well, damn! After some “whirring” and “thunking”, the stupid machine popped up a picture, with the Lady Vols and Maryland going at it. The old man still has “it”! Unfortunately the Lady Vols didn’t - and Maryland is going to the Final Four. I hope they give UConn a good game.

RIP L'Empress

One of my favorite blogs has been "A Place of My Own".   L'Empress was a lovely Connecticut lady.  I met her online, but never had the joy of meeting her in person.  We found an immediate connection over our passion for women's college basketball.  Unfortunately our two favorite teams were mortal enemies.  She was a graduate of and obvious fan of the University of Connecticut - the arch-enemy of our Tennessee Lady Vols.  We never let that stand in the way of our virtual friendship.  She had just moved into a retirement community and was hoping for many more years of life.
I wish she had been able to see her beloved UConn Lady Huskies win a 10th national championship (as it's looking likely they will do).  I'm sure she will be cheering for them from her new vantage point overlooking the basketball court.
RIP, L'Empress

Sunday Stealing

The Dirty Dozen Meme


Stolen from: The Archives

1. This weather is really..... changeable - just like Spring

2. You think you've seen it all, you should see me.... dance

3. I'm sure you would still love me even if... you knew me better.

4. I think I have finally realized... that life isn’t perfect.

5. Since the last time we linked up... a week has gone by.

6. I get super embarrassed... at my birthday party last week.

7. I really thought by now... I’d have learned more than I have.

8. If I thought no one would read it, I would write about... a few secrets.

9. I knew I was in the wrong place... when I woke up in a high-fashion, high-dollar store in my dream.

10. I am so not above... doing dumb things.

11. Let's pretend... was a children’s program I used to listen to on the radio on Saturday mornings. (DAMN, but I’m old!)

12. Just you wait...  "‘Enry ‘Iggins, just you wait!" (What else could I say)

Simply Saturday

We had a lovely day, albeit cool. John's still doing well. He did have some problems with his a-fib when he tried to exercise today, and will have to check with his docs on Monday about that.

Tina and Carol fixed dinner for us, Stephen, Missy & John (7 in all) - pasta and meat sauce, caprese salad, bread, green beans dessert. What special friends! And delicious food!

Almost forgot to mention the nail-biter ballgame. While dinner prep and post-dinner cleanup was going on the Lady Vols were doing very poorly against Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen ballgame. And then they managed to come from 17 points behind to send the game into overtime, and finally pull out the win. Now on to Maryland in the Elite Eight on Monday.

Five for Friday

1. Radiation treatment #3.
2. He took donuts for the techs and nurses.
3. I got my delayed massage this morning.
4. John’s a-fib kicked in when he exercises this afternoon. He doesn’t need this, too.
5. Women’s Sweet Sixteen started tonight.

First chemo

We got up before 6, and got to the cancer center just in time for his 7 a.m. radiation appointment. He was finished with that at 7:20. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the Oncology office to open, and then got started with signing in, taking vital signs, and a little more waiting.

Once into the treatment area, he picked out a chair and we settled in for the duration. This appointment was longer because there's extra stuff with the first session. The nurse had to get signatures and give instructions and information, etc. She finally started the drips about 9. I think he wound up getting five bags of stuff (saline, anti-nausea, benedryl, and the two medicines), and was finally unhooked and dismissed about 12:30. The nurse said the subsequent sessions would not take that long.

These folks do everything they can to make the patients as comfortable as possible. In the treatment room, the chairs are recliners; there are blankets, coffee, water, snacks, bathrooms, and no overhead music or TV.

But then we were home for some lunch and naps. Tomorrow he'll go by himself, just for the radiation treatment. So far, no side effects. We'll see what the next few days brings.

It begins

We had another gorgeous day today, with sunshine and highs in the high 70s. It's all-day rain tomorrow and then back to below freezing over the weekend. We are enjoying all the gorgeous trees in bloom, though (and the pollen and sneezing that go along with them).
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We went to the cancer center this afternoon for the set-up and first radiation treatment. They hade a mold for his body to rest in on the table, and gave him three tattoos. He's currently set up for 7 a.m. appointments. We're both morning people, so that's not a problem. His first chemo is tomorrow and will follow the radiation treatment. I’ll drive him on the days he has chemo, but he’ll probably go to the radiation by himself (unless he starts feeling bad towards the end).

So it's started.

It goes on...

Last night, all my parts decided to ache at the same time, so I took a muscle relaxant and a pain pill. I went to bed (and to sleep) at 9:30, and slept until after 7 this morning (with only a few potty breaks). Obviously I really needed that.
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We went to the oncologist this morning, and John’s treatments will start tomorrow. He will be having 7 weeks of chemo and radiation simultaneously. The radiation will be every day and the chemo once a week. He has his radiation “dress rehearsal”, which will include the first treatment Wednesday, and then the first chemo treatment will be on Thursday.

The doc says some people have almost no side effects, a few might have to be hospitalized, and all points in between. Whatever, John was definitely ready to get started, so we’re off to the races. Stay tuned.

"Normal" Monday

Today was just a “normal” Monday - Y, Panera, home, bridge. Tomorrow we have what we hope will be the planning and schedule-setting appointment with the oncologist.

The Lady Vols are headed to the Sweet Sixteen.

I’m achy and am having a hard time staying awake. I hope to get to 10 pm before heading to bed.

Weekend visits

Jean went to visit with Margaret and Bobby Saturday morning. She and Sue overlapped there, so got to visit with each other. Sue came here Saturday afternoon. She left here midmorning, heading back to SC. It was great to have visits with them - just don't see them often enough. Next time will probably be at the beach the end of June.

John has borrowed a recumbent bicycle and an erg (rowing machine) so he can get some exercise here at home. To my surprise (but not his), they both fit in our living room without moving too much stuff. I wouldn't want them there permanently, but it'll work for the duration.

Accomplishing that, plus laundry is about all we got done today.

Sunday Stealing

The I Meme


Stolen from: The Archives

I am... Mary

I want... to be healthy as long as possible

I have... the best family and friends

I wish... people would just be nice to each other

I hate... hatred and prejudice

I fear... that Congress will never be able to accomplish anything

I hear... birds outside in the morning

I search... for information on Google

I wonder... if people will ever learn to get along

I regret... I don’t regret - it’s a waste of time

I love... my family and friends

I never... say “never”

I ache... all over sometimes

I always... try never to say “always”

I usually... try to make peace

I am not... ready to stop traveling and seeing new things and learning

I dance... never

I sing... when I’m alone in the car

I sometimes... like to be alone

I cry... much too often

I am not always... as calm as I look

I lose... my temper over stupid things

I am confused... about why people do the things they do

I need... more time

I should...lose weight, exercise more, otherwise take better care of myself

Good friends, good food, good times.

I had the greatest morning. The swim class had a post-class party (covered dish goodies and coffee) for my birthday. Just getting together is special. But the hostess had everybody tell some tidbit about me. So unexpected and so emotional for me and something I'll keep with me forever.
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I think John has had enough of doctors for a few days. He cancelled this afternoon’s appointment for a second opinion. His cancer is not something unusual, and he is happy with his team. Now the next appointment is on Tuesday with the oncologist - the quarterback of the team. We’re hoping that the treatment schedule will be set up then.
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This special day ended with a special dinner. Missy, Tina, Carol & Stephen joined Jean, John, and me for a carry-out Chinese dinner. Great company, great food, and just the right amount (i.e., no leftovers).

Life is good!

Music

Today was a lovely quiet day. It rained off and on all day, but no doctors’ appointments.

Jean came - first time we’ve seen her in several months, so it’s special to have her here.

We went to String Theory tonight. It was an unusual program - all percussion. Neither of us particularly likes drum solos, so we were apprehensive about the music. But this was not what you normally think of when you say “drum solo”. It was SO much more.

The three musicians played a variety of percussion instruments, as a group and solo. There were six or seven pieces in the program, none more than about 5-8 minutes long.

Far and away, our favorite piece was Musique de Tables by Thierry de May. It’s about 6 minutes long and is not like anything we’d heard before. Click here to listen. Please listen to at least a few minutes of it - it’s amazing. The sounds are very subtle, so turn the volume up on your speakers (I promise it’s not one of those things that will jump out with a loud noise). Just remember to turn it back down later. I’d love to hear your comments about the piece.

Tough day

We were gone for nearly 12 hours today - starting at the Y and finishing up at the hospital.

In the morning, John had the CT scan for the set-up for his radiation treatments. Then we killed about an hour until nearly noon, waiting for time to go back to the hospital for his biopsy.

The preliminary pathology didn't show any abnormality, but the doc is waiting for the final report in five or so days. John is not happy about this procedure or the doctor. He had a really bad coughing spell in the recovery room and feels like he got no help at all for it. By the time I got called back to the post-op area, he was still doing some hard coughing, but not like he said he had been doing before that. In any case, we finally got home about 5:30, and his coughing has been minimal.

He got some coffee and some ramen noodle soup, and was feeling better by bedtime.

Tomorrow Jean comes and we go to the String Theory concert. Should be a better day.

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Remember a couple of months ago when I so highly recommended the book, Being Mortal? Please click here for an short exceptional article on the question every doctor should ask.

Ten Things Tuesday

1. Tuesday is for the grocery stores. My time at Aldi and Walmart keeps getting shorter, though.

2. John went for pretesting for the laryngeal biopsy tomorrow, then did some exercise time.

3. John had to do some phone calls about tax questions.

4. I called to the repair service about the dishwasher that wouldn’t start last Sunday. They set up an appointment for Thursday.

5. The repair service called to say they’d had a cancellation and was it okay if the repair guy came today. Well, duh!

6. The dishwasher was working an hour later!

7. I had gotten a box of leftovers out of the freezer to thaw for supper. It was unidentifiable, so went down the disposal.

8. I tried another package of freezer leftovers, plus an Idahoan mix. This one was a winner.

9. John is npo after midnight.

10. It looks like Sue and Jean will be here at various times over the weekend. Yea!

Birthday miscellany

We met with the radiologist this morning, and finally met with the Nurse Navigator. These are all such nice people. They really do everything they can to make this difficult journey as easy as possible. He scheduled one more appointment this week. John will come in before his laryngeal biopsy on Wednesday for the specialized CT scan to set up the radiation treatments.

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We finally got to play bridge this afternoon. Not that the cards were all that good, but it was still good to get out. We went straight from there to Bonefish Grill for my birthday dinner. John always has the same thing - the appetizer of mussels for his dinner. I had grilled scallops and shrimp this time. Whatever - it's all good.

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Then home to watch the women's basketball selection show. The Lady Vols are(is) a #2 seed, and the Lady Mocs are (is?) a #7. They're in the same bracket and play the first two games in Knoxville. This means that, assuming both of them win their first games, they will play each other in the second game. Not our favorite scenario, but …

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We talked to Margaret tonight. She’s having a tough time. I wish we could help her more. Mostly all we can do is listen. Love you, Babe!

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Happy Birthday to me!

Sunday Stealing

The One Thing Meme

Stolen from: Survey Haven

One Thing .....

that makes you smile: seeing family, puns (oops, that’s two)

that makes you cry: I never know - crying is usually a surprise

that you love to do on the weekends: get together with friends and/or family

that you do for only yourself: get a massage

that you have in your underwear drawer that's NOT underwear: actually, there’s just underwear there

that you do before going to sleep: put eye drops in my eyes

that you do within the first 15 minutes after waking: turn on the coffee

that's in your purse: wallet


that you actually LIKE to clean: nothing

that you DETEST cleaning: everything

that other people would find odd about you: that I like going to a movie by myself

that you would buy if I handed you a $100 bill: yarn


that you feel you HAVE to do before you die: live every day to the fullest.

Birthdays

This is birthday time

For us. Alison, Sarah,

And me. Wish us well!

A pretty good day

A plan might be coming together.

John was getting very frustrated about a lack of movement in various events that needed to happen before he could start his treatment. While not sleeping last night, he decided that he would go to the Cancer Center this morning and talk to some folks “face to face”.

His pulmonary function test was scheduled at 8 a.m., so that was first. After that, we went next door to the Cancer Center to see what we could accomplish.

It was amazing. John talked to the scheduler (twice) and to the doctor’s nurses. They agreed that Dr. A would want to have the laryngeal biopsy done before setting a treatment plan. While those folks were talking and planning, I got on the phone to Dr. L’s office and through several phone calls, got the biopsy set up for next Wednesday. John will see the radiologist on Monday, and see Dr. S for the second opinion on Friday.

All of this is to be followed by an appointment with Dr. A the following Tuesday to review all the findings and to set up the treatment schedule. Hooray!

And all this was done before 9 a.m. So we had time to get to coffee with the swimmers and get much-needed haircuts. We were definitely not great at duplicate this afternoon. But we get to have Kate and Wayne here and had lasagna for dinner.

All in all - a pretty good day!