Whose life is this that I have walked into? There are pill bottles, PRESCRIPTION pill bottles, all over the kitchen counter. And a heating pad. There is medical body piercing in my arm. There are stacks of ornamental sleeves in the closet with which to cover the medical body piercing. There is a shower sleeve longer than my leg in the bathroom for the medical body piercing. There are four 3-ring binders entitled EOBs, Research, Medical Records, and Resources that are filling up fast.
There are wigs in the closet.
This is like some bizarre science fiction movie. (Twilight Zone Music please). I'm getting to be on a facial recognition basis with the pharmacy tech at Wal-Mart. I get snail mails and emails and PHONE CALLS from support groups. I haven't seen the inside of my office in days, and I haven't been on a kayak in a month. And as final proof that this cannot possibly be my life:
wine no longer tastes good.
Where is the woman who owns this life and would she please come retrieve it so that I can get back to mine?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
I have tank tops that say Cancer Sucks, and Eff Cancer, and, thanks to my niece Kelly, I Fight Like a Girl. I've seen tank tops that say Chemo Sucks. But chemo doesn't really suck. Chemo saves lives. Since I'm interpreting the negative side effects of chemo as evidence of it destroying cancer molecules, I would say chemo and I had an extremely triumphant weekend. Saturday was probably my worst day. I hope its all on the upswing from there.
My parents, satisfied that I am going to be able to ambulate and ingest food and liquid, drove back to Atlanta on Saturday. It was a great comfort to have them here. Now Bjorn is Caregiver in Chief all over again.
Today I get to see Dr. Bashore and maybe get my stitches out. Tomorrow I have lab work at Dr. Levine's office. When these are the highlights of my days you get an idea of how ready I am to go back to work. I am more likely to die from boredom, not cancer. Thank goodness most of all for Bjorn, friends, and family who keep in touch. Without that, Netflix, and good books, I think my mind would turn to mush. Finished reading The Lion by Nelson DeMille.
My parents, satisfied that I am going to be able to ambulate and ingest food and liquid, drove back to Atlanta on Saturday. It was a great comfort to have them here. Now Bjorn is Caregiver in Chief all over again.
Today I get to see Dr. Bashore and maybe get my stitches out. Tomorrow I have lab work at Dr. Levine's office. When these are the highlights of my days you get an idea of how ready I am to go back to work. I am more likely to die from boredom, not cancer. Thank goodness most of all for Bjorn, friends, and family who keep in touch. Without that, Netflix, and good books, I think my mind would turn to mush. Finished reading The Lion by Nelson DeMille.
Friday, July 23, 2010
I'm still observing the effects of my treatment. Every negative effect, and there have been blessed few, I interpret as a sign of the drugs and my body teaming up to kick cancer's ass.
Yesterday I walked three miles, ran some errands in the morning. Tired, and the pain set in around noon but was better after a nap. The pain has been mostly mild, just some aching. In the evening I was barely able to prop my eyelids open through dinner and had no appetite.
Today I walked two miles. I felt like I could walk three but then I thought what if I use up all my energy on this walk and then have nothing left at the end of the day. Probably just as well. I fell asleep after breakfast and again after lunch.
My most productive effort today has been to sort out the refrigerator. For three weeks my fabulous caregivers have been in charge of the fridge: Bjorn or my sisters or my parents. Mom and Dad got groceries for me today so I have enough yogurt and cantaloupe to get through another week. I hope that tomorrow is better, or at least no worse, than today. I would like to spend a little more time awake in the next 24 hour period, but whatever the body needs to heal, the body is going to get.
Yesterday I walked three miles, ran some errands in the morning. Tired, and the pain set in around noon but was better after a nap. The pain has been mostly mild, just some aching. In the evening I was barely able to prop my eyelids open through dinner and had no appetite.
Today I walked two miles. I felt like I could walk three but then I thought what if I use up all my energy on this walk and then have nothing left at the end of the day. Probably just as well. I fell asleep after breakfast and again after lunch.
My most productive effort today has been to sort out the refrigerator. For three weeks my fabulous caregivers have been in charge of the fridge: Bjorn or my sisters or my parents. Mom and Dad got groceries for me today so I have enough yogurt and cantaloupe to get through another week. I hope that tomorrow is better, or at least no worse, than today. I would like to spend a little more time awake in the next 24 hour period, but whatever the body needs to heal, the body is going to get.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I wanted to have my picture taken for my first day of chemo, like when I went into the first grade. I think I did a lot better going to chemo than I did with the first grade. It helped a lot to have been to chemo with Judy a few times last year, so I knew what to expect.
I took my very expensive anti-nausea drug as directed before chemo. They also give me a version of Decadron and an anti-nausea drug in the many bags I am hooked up to. I am on a regimen of Taxotere and Cytoxin to kill any residual cancer molecules. I read and watched what was going on. My parents and Bjorn tag-teamed to hold my hand in the next chair, I was wrapped in a warm hug of a prayer shawl donated by Verna. Hooked up by 9AM, out of there by 12. Had homemade gazpacho and toasted asiago bread at home, a good nap, a mile beach walk, and Italian Courtyard for dinner.
Today I was in a Decadron euphoric manic state. Day two of the very expensive anti-nausea drug. Walked a little less than four miles this AM. It takes longer to do things like get clean and to clean my condo. Mom went wig shopping with me and we had a great time with that. Hair scheduled to fall out right about 8/3. Then we went back to the chemo place for the Neulasta shot that is supposed to keep my white blood cell count from plummeting. I wore my new wig, and I swear to God, this woman sitting next to me said "where do you go to get your hair done?" And I said "wig" and she was so positive about how she'd never guess. And then the rest of the people in the waiting room gave me some props too. That was a great boost to morale.
The Neulasta is supposed to bring on some pretty bad bone pain. We shall see. So far so good, mostly just fatigue.
One day at a time.
I took my very expensive anti-nausea drug as directed before chemo. They also give me a version of Decadron and an anti-nausea drug in the many bags I am hooked up to. I am on a regimen of Taxotere and Cytoxin to kill any residual cancer molecules. I read and watched what was going on. My parents and Bjorn tag-teamed to hold my hand in the next chair, I was wrapped in a warm hug of a prayer shawl donated by Verna. Hooked up by 9AM, out of there by 12. Had homemade gazpacho and toasted asiago bread at home, a good nap, a mile beach walk, and Italian Courtyard for dinner.
Today I was in a Decadron euphoric manic state. Day two of the very expensive anti-nausea drug. Walked a little less than four miles this AM. It takes longer to do things like get clean and to clean my condo. Mom went wig shopping with me and we had a great time with that. Hair scheduled to fall out right about 8/3. Then we went back to the chemo place for the Neulasta shot that is supposed to keep my white blood cell count from plummeting. I wore my new wig, and I swear to God, this woman sitting next to me said "where do you go to get your hair done?" And I said "wig" and she was so positive about how she'd never guess. And then the rest of the people in the waiting room gave me some props too. That was a great boost to morale.
The Neulasta is supposed to bring on some pretty bad bone pain. We shall see. So far so good, mostly just fatigue.
One day at a time.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Current caregiver props to my parents, who were supposed to drive half way from Atlanta on Saturday and arrive on Sunday but Surprise Again, there they were at dinnertime Saturday. They are preparing tons and tons of food for me to eat now and later, whether I want to or not.
The Drains Out aka Bongo Voyage party was terrific and a real morale boost for me pre-chemo. Thanx to ALL of you who came by, whether it was just for a few minutes to Show The Luv or to enjoy a full meal.
I have been walking at dawn outside for two to four miles daily, and doing my post-surgery stretches like a good girl, to avoid frozen shoulder and so on. I am a very compliant patient. As a clinician, I tell my people "if you do this this and this you will feel better". And then they don't do it and they don't feel better, go figure. When my docs tell me what to do, I do it, and guess what, it works.
Today I saw the oncologist in the AM. He had more statistical, study based, and not really uplifting information on survival rates regarding my trifecta of cancers. On the other hand, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and this would all be moot. Dr. L says my PICC looks fine. He wrote me a prescription for "replacement hair" x 2.
I saw Dr. Bashore for a post-drain-out check this evening. He says next week I may get my stitches out.
Chemo round one tomorrow. I have been hydrating like a maniac since last night. Its supposed to help. I have lab work at 8:45 and chemo at 9:30 at the Merritt Island office. It's supposed to take three hours. I have a very powerful anti-nausea med, Emend. While my insurance pays for most stuff, it does not have a good drug plan. Prescriptions are mostly out of pocket, even after meeting the deductible. If the Emend is going to enhance my quality of life for the duration, its worth its weight in gold. Altho I believe it cost me more than its weight in gold.
Then Wednesday afternoon I go back to the MI infusion lab to get a shot of Neulasta to rebuild the white blood cell count that the chemo will wipe out.
This all definitely seems to call for retail therapy. For every dollar spent on medication and treatment I should be entitled to spend one dollar on something fun and frivolous. At this point matching my out-of-pocket expenses could provide me with a week along the French Riviera.
More blogging post chemo.
The Drains Out aka Bongo Voyage party was terrific and a real morale boost for me pre-chemo. Thanx to ALL of you who came by, whether it was just for a few minutes to Show The Luv or to enjoy a full meal.
I have been walking at dawn outside for two to four miles daily, and doing my post-surgery stretches like a good girl, to avoid frozen shoulder and so on. I am a very compliant patient. As a clinician, I tell my people "if you do this this and this you will feel better". And then they don't do it and they don't feel better, go figure. When my docs tell me what to do, I do it, and guess what, it works.
Today I saw the oncologist in the AM. He had more statistical, study based, and not really uplifting information on survival rates regarding my trifecta of cancers. On the other hand, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and this would all be moot. Dr. L says my PICC looks fine. He wrote me a prescription for "replacement hair" x 2.
I saw Dr. Bashore for a post-drain-out check this evening. He says next week I may get my stitches out.
Chemo round one tomorrow. I have been hydrating like a maniac since last night. Its supposed to help. I have lab work at 8:45 and chemo at 9:30 at the Merritt Island office. It's supposed to take three hours. I have a very powerful anti-nausea med, Emend. While my insurance pays for most stuff, it does not have a good drug plan. Prescriptions are mostly out of pocket, even after meeting the deductible. If the Emend is going to enhance my quality of life for the duration, its worth its weight in gold. Altho I believe it cost me more than its weight in gold.
Then Wednesday afternoon I go back to the MI infusion lab to get a shot of Neulasta to rebuild the white blood cell count that the chemo will wipe out.
This all definitely seems to call for retail therapy. For every dollar spent on medication and treatment I should be entitled to spend one dollar on something fun and frivolous. At this point matching my out-of-pocket expenses could provide me with a week along the French Riviera.
More blogging post chemo.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Drain Free!
PICC line is in! Exchanged one piece of body art for another. The nurse at the cancer center told me I do not have to hassle with the PICC line daily. They will flush it once a week with Heparin, and I got my first flush yesterday. Another nurse suggested that I cover it with the top part of an old sock I could cut up. This has inspired me to plan a sock shopping spree so that my PICC line cover can be color coordinated to match any outfit. Kind of like the Hello Kitty handgun stock.
Judy left on Monday, my parents are arriving Sunday.
Hope to see some of you Friday at Izzy's Bistro 6615 N. A1A Cape Canaveral. We'll just be hanging in the lounge. The food is good there too if you stay to eat.
Television aka MNTS is useless. So far I have seen one really good Hitchcock movie starring Gregory Peck, and one really bad (is there any other kind) Elvis movie. But I'm liking John Stewart and the Colbert Report. I finished reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult.
PICC line is in! Exchanged one piece of body art for another. The nurse at the cancer center told me I do not have to hassle with the PICC line daily. They will flush it once a week with Heparin, and I got my first flush yesterday. Another nurse suggested that I cover it with the top part of an old sock I could cut up. This has inspired me to plan a sock shopping spree so that my PICC line cover can be color coordinated to match any outfit. Kind of like the Hello Kitty handgun stock.
Judy left on Monday, my parents are arriving Sunday.
Hope to see some of you Friday at Izzy's Bistro 6615 N. A1A Cape Canaveral. We'll just be hanging in the lounge. The food is good there too if you stay to eat.
Television aka MNTS is useless. So far I have seen one really good Hitchcock movie starring Gregory Peck, and one really bad (is there any other kind) Elvis movie. But I'm liking John Stewart and the Colbert Report. I finished reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
BEWARE: DRAINS OUT PARTY!!!
For those of you who have expressed your deep concern over the fate of Bongo, Dr. B says my drain is OUT OF HERE at tomorrow afternoon's appt. I can't tell you what a thrill it will be to be drain free. I'm planning to have a highly informal Drains Out celebration 7/16 this Friday evening in the lounge area of Izzy's restaurant in Cape Canaveral. If you are within the sound of this blog, come by and see me. I'll be there about 6 to about 8.
It will also be a pre-chemo party. I'm getting my first round at the infusion lab in Merritt Island on 7/20. I am overjoyed to be able to tell you that I am indeed getting the Chemo Lite package of four rounds in three months (every 21 days) instead of the giant industrial strength chemo package of eight rounds in six months. That means that this little blip in my life, and probably this blog, will largely be over by the end of September.
Tomorrow AM bright and early my friend Rose is taking me to CCH to have a PICC line put in. I had never heard of a PICC line before my oncology appt yesterday. It's a tube implanted through a vein in my arm, and chemo can be administered through it. Getting the PICC line is going to be done under local anesthesia and the procedure itself shouldn't take more than 25 minutes. Good to avoid a port and that pesky one percent chance of collapsed lung due to port placement, but I hear that upkeep on a PICC is a daily hassle.
Ok, so I can soon trade the daily hassle of shampooing, conditioning, and trying to style my hair for the daily hassle of dealing with the PICC line. I bet hair takes more time.
For those of you who have expressed your deep concern over the fate of Bongo, Dr. B says my drain is OUT OF HERE at tomorrow afternoon's appt. I can't tell you what a thrill it will be to be drain free. I'm planning to have a highly informal Drains Out celebration 7/16 this Friday evening in the lounge area of Izzy's restaurant in Cape Canaveral. If you are within the sound of this blog, come by and see me. I'll be there about 6 to about 8.
It will also be a pre-chemo party. I'm getting my first round at the infusion lab in Merritt Island on 7/20. I am overjoyed to be able to tell you that I am indeed getting the Chemo Lite package of four rounds in three months (every 21 days) instead of the giant industrial strength chemo package of eight rounds in six months. That means that this little blip in my life, and probably this blog, will largely be over by the end of September.
Tomorrow AM bright and early my friend Rose is taking me to CCH to have a PICC line put in. I had never heard of a PICC line before my oncology appt yesterday. It's a tube implanted through a vein in my arm, and chemo can be administered through it. Getting the PICC line is going to be done under local anesthesia and the procedure itself shouldn't take more than 25 minutes. Good to avoid a port and that pesky one percent chance of collapsed lung due to port placement, but I hear that upkeep on a PICC is a daily hassle.
Ok, so I can soon trade the daily hassle of shampooing, conditioning, and trying to style my hair for the daily hassle of dealing with the PICC line. I bet hair takes more time.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Today's photo is of the four of us at brunch yesterday at the Dove: Judy, Bjorn, myself, and my drain Bongo. I have given Bongo a name because we have now been connected longer than Brittany Spears and some of her husbands. Honestly, if I had known a week and a half ago that Bongo and I would have such a long-standing relationship, or that Bongo would become my inseparable fashion accessory du jour, de la semaine, I would have brought out the paint, the glitter, the indelible magic marker, and created for Bongo a really trendy and versatile Project Runway facade.
Here's a phenomenon that bears study. Not so long ago I was working about 40 hours a week at the office and several more hours at home, maintaining a great balance with a very active and satisfying social life, walking maybe six or seven hours a week, kayaking every time the wind blew right, plus the usual: grocery shopping, dry cleaning, bills, library, bank deposits, incidentals. Now all I do is sit around and heal, and somehow just that takes all my time and energy. Whats up with that?
Today Judy is taking Bongo and me to see the oncologist. I would like to pin Dr. Levine down on a date for starting chemo, find out which particular chemo cocktail I will be taking, and also have his office staff find out if my insurance company considers chemo to be a treatment that will be paid for, or if they consider it "medications" that will be an out of pocket expense to me. Then Judy will take us to see Dr. Bashore where I will appeal for an amicable separation from Bongo but again, I'm not optimistic. We may have to stop for paint, glitter, and indelible magic marker on the way home.
Lovely weekend, and Sarah, thank you so much for all the books you dropped off.
Here's a phenomenon that bears study. Not so long ago I was working about 40 hours a week at the office and several more hours at home, maintaining a great balance with a very active and satisfying social life, walking maybe six or seven hours a week, kayaking every time the wind blew right, plus the usual: grocery shopping, dry cleaning, bills, library, bank deposits, incidentals. Now all I do is sit around and heal, and somehow just that takes all my time and energy. Whats up with that?
Today Judy is taking Bongo and me to see the oncologist. I would like to pin Dr. Levine down on a date for starting chemo, find out which particular chemo cocktail I will be taking, and also have his office staff find out if my insurance company considers chemo to be a treatment that will be paid for, or if they consider it "medications" that will be an out of pocket expense to me. Then Judy will take us to see Dr. Bashore where I will appeal for an amicable separation from Bongo but again, I'm not optimistic. We may have to stop for paint, glitter, and indelible magic marker on the way home.
Lovely weekend, and Sarah, thank you so much for all the books you dropped off.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Judy arrived last night and is slaving away as chauffeur, housekeeper, chef, shrink, and comic relief.
Dr. Korey says my recovery is "spectacular" and he does not have to see me again until he does the surgery to place my chemo port. My pathology report indicates previously undetected ductal carcinoma in situ, as well as the invasive lobular and the lobular in situ that we already knew about. Isn't that special. The path report also indicates "atypical hyperplasia" in both breasts, which some doctors consider to be an indicator of a pre-cancerous condition. SO, don't have to worry about that ever again, huh?
Dr. Bashore says I get to keep my drain over the weekend. Oh Joy. Well one is better than three, for sure. Otherwise he says I'm fine and can do a few stretching exercises. No kayaking. No even sitting on a kayak while someone else paddles because, he says, I could fall in the river and my incisions could get nasty old river water in them. Number of years I have kayaked, four. Or maybe five. Number of times I have fallen in the river, zero. But I am being a compliant patient.
I see the oncologist and Dr. Bashore again on Monday. Ya'll have a good weekend; I'm planning on having a great one.
Dr. Korey says my recovery is "spectacular" and he does not have to see me again until he does the surgery to place my chemo port. My pathology report indicates previously undetected ductal carcinoma in situ, as well as the invasive lobular and the lobular in situ that we already knew about. Isn't that special. The path report also indicates "atypical hyperplasia" in both breasts, which some doctors consider to be an indicator of a pre-cancerous condition. SO, don't have to worry about that ever again, huh?
Dr. Bashore says I get to keep my drain over the weekend. Oh Joy. Well one is better than three, for sure. Otherwise he says I'm fine and can do a few stretching exercises. No kayaking. No even sitting on a kayak while someone else paddles because, he says, I could fall in the river and my incisions could get nasty old river water in them. Number of years I have kayaked, four. Or maybe five. Number of times I have fallen in the river, zero. But I am being a compliant patient.
I see the oncologist and Dr. Bashore again on Monday. Ya'll have a good weekend; I'm planning on having a great one.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Yessss! Got two drains out Tuesday at Dr. Bashore's office. Immediately left the office feeling more humanoid, if not quite human, and less marsupial. Bjorn took me for my daily mile to two mile mall walk. Wish we had a better mall.
I started some stretching exercises to make sure I retain as much mobility as possible in both arms.
One of my oldest friends Fred came over yesterday morning to visit and took me grocery shopping. He was very helpful reaching things on high shelves and low shelves and heavy things and carrying bags and of course driving. At his age, 78, seems ironic that he is the one helping me out instead of vice-versa. I came home from simple grocery shopping feeling like I had expended the energy of my former morning routine: walking four miles and kayaking two. It makes me feel angry to be so easily tired out, and everything takes longer than it should.
My sister Judy is driving down today from Atlanta and will stay probably until Monday or Tuesday. Tomorrow I have an 8 AM post-op appt with Dr. K and a 9:15 with Dr. B and I am really hoping to get rid of this last drain. I am planning to spend part of today baking, to bring gourmet goodies to both offices.
All is going very well.
I started some stretching exercises to make sure I retain as much mobility as possible in both arms.
One of my oldest friends Fred came over yesterday morning to visit and took me grocery shopping. He was very helpful reaching things on high shelves and low shelves and heavy things and carrying bags and of course driving. At his age, 78, seems ironic that he is the one helping me out instead of vice-versa. I came home from simple grocery shopping feeling like I had expended the energy of my former morning routine: walking four miles and kayaking two. It makes me feel angry to be so easily tired out, and everything takes longer than it should.
My sister Judy is driving down today from Atlanta and will stay probably until Monday or Tuesday. Tomorrow I have an 8 AM post-op appt with Dr. K and a 9:15 with Dr. B and I am really hoping to get rid of this last drain. I am planning to spend part of today baking, to bring gourmet goodies to both offices.
All is going very well.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Dr. K called this AM with the good news. Eighteen lymph nodes removed, ZERO involved. Time to throw that party! Puts me squarely in Stage One rather than Stage Two, with all the benefits that go along with that.
Sunday I engaged in a new activity that I believe is called "resting". As in "to rest", "you rested", "she is resting". It involves a lot of lying down with the remote in one hand, See Spot Run in the other hand, the Mind Numbing Time Suck of cable TV in the background, and the eyes closed a lot of the time. I was trying to save energy to go see fireworks but it was raining by then and I couldn't summon the enthusiasm. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, a body at Rest tends to stay on the Couch.
Monday I went with Donna to RonJons to buy some clothing that will accommodate my three drains without making me look like a refugee from America's Biggest Loser. In the afternoon Bjorn and I did a mile mall walk.
Donna left this AM and Judy is arriving Thursday evening. Bjorn is taking me to see Dr. Bashore this afternoon and I hope to leave two of those drains at his office.
Feeling good.
Sunday I engaged in a new activity that I believe is called "resting". As in "to rest", "you rested", "she is resting". It involves a lot of lying down with the remote in one hand, See Spot Run in the other hand, the Mind Numbing Time Suck of cable TV in the background, and the eyes closed a lot of the time. I was trying to save energy to go see fireworks but it was raining by then and I couldn't summon the enthusiasm. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, a body at Rest tends to stay on the Couch.
Monday I went with Donna to RonJons to buy some clothing that will accommodate my three drains without making me look like a refugee from America's Biggest Loser. In the afternoon Bjorn and I did a mile mall walk.
Donna left this AM and Judy is arriving Thursday evening. Bjorn is taking me to see Dr. Bashore this afternoon and I hope to leave two of those drains at his office.
Feeling good.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Independence Day!
This is also Day 4 post op and I'm doing well.
Day 1 got discharged. My parents, satisfied that I am okay and in good hands, packed up and drove back to Atlanta, Donna walked me to the mailbox and then up and down another street. Big accomplishments for Discharge Day, don't you think?
Day 2 saw Dr. Bashore and he said everything appears to be healing normally. From a surgeon's standpoint my body is a work of art. I'm afraid he might be referring to Picasso's cubism period.
I am keeping all three drains at least until I see Dr. B this coming Tue afternoon. So far no complications.
Donna and I walked the entire mall, which my Droid assures me is .98 miles. Bjorn cooked gourmet Scottish salmon with alfredo sauce. I am going to bed pretty early these days and dozing in front of my newly installed cable TV.
Day 3, yesterday, I started cutting back on the pain meds, substituting Tylenol when possible. Bjorn and I walked the mall twice. Thats almost two miles, folks, I want kudos. Donna prepared an amazing veggie lasagna, with salad, appetizer and dessert.
Zida and Greg brought over a fragrant, ample container of very special soup. Nothing like the healing power of home cooked meals.
On the subject of newly installed cable: What a mind numbing time-suck television is. Truly the opiate of the masses. Exactly what I need during this time of healing. All those riveting books I have been saving to savor: too complex. I keep reading and re-reading the same sentences. I need something fluffy with three characters and a predictable plot. I hear that See Spot Run has some pretty good plot twists.
Thank you most of all for checking up on me and taking the time to send your positive energy. Thank you also for the plants (which I will try not to kill) and the flowers and food and other tangible signs that you care. I am getting better every day. My big goal for the day is to get out to the beach to see fireworks tonight.
This is also Day 4 post op and I'm doing well.
Day 1 got discharged. My parents, satisfied that I am okay and in good hands, packed up and drove back to Atlanta, Donna walked me to the mailbox and then up and down another street. Big accomplishments for Discharge Day, don't you think?
Day 2 saw Dr. Bashore and he said everything appears to be healing normally. From a surgeon's standpoint my body is a work of art. I'm afraid he might be referring to Picasso's cubism period.
I am keeping all three drains at least until I see Dr. B this coming Tue afternoon. So far no complications.
Donna and I walked the entire mall, which my Droid assures me is .98 miles. Bjorn cooked gourmet Scottish salmon with alfredo sauce. I am going to bed pretty early these days and dozing in front of my newly installed cable TV.
Day 3, yesterday, I started cutting back on the pain meds, substituting Tylenol when possible. Bjorn and I walked the mall twice. Thats almost two miles, folks, I want kudos. Donna prepared an amazing veggie lasagna, with salad, appetizer and dessert.
Zida and Greg brought over a fragrant, ample container of very special soup. Nothing like the healing power of home cooked meals.
On the subject of newly installed cable: What a mind numbing time-suck television is. Truly the opiate of the masses. Exactly what I need during this time of healing. All those riveting books I have been saving to savor: too complex. I keep reading and re-reading the same sentences. I need something fluffy with three characters and a predictable plot. I hear that See Spot Run has some pretty good plot twists.
Thank you most of all for checking up on me and taking the time to send your positive energy. Thank you also for the plants (which I will try not to kill) and the flowers and food and other tangible signs that you care. I am getting better every day. My big goal for the day is to get out to the beach to see fireworks tonight.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The photo, if you can get it, is of my current caregiving team, Bjorn and my sister Donna. If the photos are not coming through please let me know. Seems like some people are getting them and some people are not.
Surgery went well. I saw Dr. Korey this AM and got discharged. Lauren you told me hospitals are not a place to try to rest, and this was true. It was a long long night. Despite having a room with a view. Happy to be home. So far no complications that we know of. I have a post-op with Dr. Bashore about 11 tomorrow AM. I have three drains but I am hoping to get one or two out. Modest expectations again.
This is the first time that I have ever understood the allure of pain pills.
The three of us are trying to find a working balance. I need to actually ASK for help, which is pretty hard for me to do, and I think Donna and Bjorn are trying to anticipate what I want/need so I don't have to ask.
Last night I walked all around the seventh floor at CCH. Tonight when it gets cooler I plan to get out to the mailbox, or even beyond. Now its time for me to ask one of my caregivers to take the computer off my lap.
It has been lovely to hear from so many of you via phone calls, emails, texts and even a few visitors with flowers. Thank you.
Surgery went well. I saw Dr. Korey this AM and got discharged. Lauren you told me hospitals are not a place to try to rest, and this was true. It was a long long night. Despite having a room with a view. Happy to be home. So far no complications that we know of. I have a post-op with Dr. Bashore about 11 tomorrow AM. I have three drains but I am hoping to get one or two out. Modest expectations again.
This is the first time that I have ever understood the allure of pain pills.
The three of us are trying to find a working balance. I need to actually ASK for help, which is pretty hard for me to do, and I think Donna and Bjorn are trying to anticipate what I want/need so I don't have to ask.
Last night I walked all around the seventh floor at CCH. Tonight when it gets cooler I plan to get out to the mailbox, or even beyond. Now its time for me to ask one of my caregivers to take the computer off my lap.
It has been lovely to hear from so many of you via phone calls, emails, texts and even a few visitors with flowers. Thank you.
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