Too much culture?

Can there ever be such a thing as too much culture? Today might be the day to answer that question. I’m addicted to the Live in HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The performances are spectacular and the broadcasts feature backstage views that are real eye openers. Today’s broadcast was G. F. Handel’s “Agrippina.”

What a marvelous performance! The contemporary setting and costumes for an opera by Handel proved to be a fortuitous choice. I was thoroughly entertained.

Then, as it happens so frequently, the evening concert by the South Dakota Symphony occurs on the same day. 

Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev were on the program. The orchestra played very well and the cello soloist was excellent. Total seat-time for the afternoon and evening was 7 hours!

One could not complain about the weather this week. One could complain that there was not enough sunshine, but at least there was some. One could complain that the temperatures could be warmer but they were not bitterly cold.

After some of my friends urged me on I made an appointment to visit with the doctor. It is not that the doctor is never seen. How my usual appointment works is this: I arrive early in the morning for “labs” which usually means accessing my port and drawing some blood. Then there is about an hour of waiting while the blood reports are being prepared. Then I check in at the doctor’s office and wait for a visit with him which usually takes 15 minutes. Then I’m off to the infusion center for my “cocktail.”

I do see the doctor but he has to tell me about the blood work report and show me any films and discuss my general well-being. It’s quite a bit to absorb in a few minutes and one really doesn’t have time to receive the information and ask any intelligent questions before it’s all over. 

I did have some questions after I had studied the latest report and some friends also had questions. I scheduled another appointment which occurred on Tuesday. We had plenty of time to ask questions and ask for clarifications. He presented some options for treatment and agreed to order scans every two months. His concern and mine right now is the sodium level dropping. He prescribed salt tablets and asked that my fluid intake be as minimal as possible. My appetite has not been good. Between not being particularly hungry and not intaking very much fluid I’ve lost a little over ten pounds since my last infusion. It’s not that I couldn’t stand to lose the  weight but it probably indicates everything is not quite right. I guess low sodium can affect the appetite. 

On Friday one of the doctor’s nurses called and explained that the doctor had sent in a portion of my liver biopsy to a lab in Boston. They will do genome sequencing. When the results are ready a team of oncologists, genome experts, pharmacists and who knows how many others will exam the reports and recommend a treatment plan for my particular cancers which may turn out to be the one currently being used or something different which will attack the lesions specifically. 

This kind of cancer treatment is really on the forefront. The hospitals here have been in on the ground floor and are using what they’ve learned with great results. I’m really looking forward to what they might find. 

I’ve been trying to think about what might have inspired the doctor to begin this testing. During our discussion on Tuesday I mentioned that I thought my cancers were the gift of the males on my father’s side of the family. He asked what I meant and I told him about my father’s cancer and the cancers that affected all his brothers. It might have piqued his interest in investigating this further.

I’ve also been troubled by some of the aches and pains that have afflicted me lately so I checked the website and found a whole list of side effects amongst which are: fatigue, decreased appetite, back or neck pain, joint pain, itching, shortness of breath and cough all of which I am experiencing. So I guess it might not all be in my head.

I received my new spectacles on Tuesday so everything is very clear now. The choir sang for the evening Ash Wednesday liturgy and then we had rehearsal. By the conclusion I thought I might have to take a nap before driving home. I was exhausted.

I try to walk at least two miles everyday and that is sometimes quite painful but I’m too stubborn to give up. I’ve been a night owl since babyhood and now I really look forward to an early bed time. 

Wednesday night a Domino’s Pizza delivery man was shot to death a few blocks west of my house. It’s an interesting neighborhood!

It has been mentioned that Miss Sophia’s picture has been lacking of late. If you’ve missed her here she is helping peruse the catalog!

The longest month!

February is our shortest month and this year one day longer than usual because of leap year.  Still it has seemed very long this year for some unknown reason. Even longer perhaps because I had it stuck in my head that this was the last week and then discovered there was one more week to go. There were a number of things occurring on the last Saturday which was expected to be today. Thus today seemed like one of those snow days which is totally free because nothing else could happen in the midst of the storm!

No storm today and the temperature reached 45. Very pleasant day after frigid temps in the middle of the week. The fitness center did receive a visit today and Thursday and Friday. I still feel creaky when getting up but have been doing it when my watch orders me to do so, although reluctantly. My recollection upon each rising up is the ease with which I accomplished that in my earlier days.

In my music teaching days I preferred to teach in a room with no furniture so that the children could move easily when we needed to. For seated activities we sat cross-legged on the floor (teacher included). In those days I could rise from that position without any assistance from my hands or a nearby stable object.  The struggle to come to a standing position reminds me that I’m no longer a “spring chicken,” as it were, but not quite ready for the stew-pot.

There was not a lot going on  this week which probably made the month seem longer. It’s always good to be with my Benedictine group on Tuesday. Our crowd at Dow Rummel Village for the monthly Eucharist there seems to be growing with a few more people from the churches in town attending. It is so nice for the residents to see those familiar faces they were used to encountering every Sunday and are no longer able to experience that.

Tuesday was my day for blood work and infusion of immunotherapy. All went very smoothly and the nurse was able access my port this time. The redness seems to be some skin irritation. It feels very rough. The nurse said it looked like her daughter’s eczema. The efficient robot delivered my medication in good time and I was finished by noon, having been there about 2.5 hours.

Upon examining the report on the blood work, I saw that my sodium had dropped to the low range. It had been steadily remaining in the normal range for several months. Since I didn’t see the oncologist this time I pointed this reading out to his receptionist. His nurse called a bit later and told me to heavily salt my food and drink very little, only enough to keep my mouth moist. The reason for concern is the sodium level indicates whether the medicine is at work fighting the cancer. It had dropped a little when checked at the last appointment and then more this time. Also, as was mentioned when the scan results came through at my previous appointment, they showed one of the lesions in my lung had returned the the size shown on my very first scan before this whole pilgrimage began.

Needless to say I am concerned and some of my friends as well who have encouraged me to the call the doctor and visit with him. So I promised to do that on Monday.

I continue to feel fine except for the aforementioned creaks and groans. Thanks for reading, praying for and thinking about me.

A better week!

I realize last week’s blog was kind of a downer. This week has been much better.

We’ve had quite a lot of sunshine which helps me tremendously. We’ve had temperatures up and down. Wednesday night the windchill was something like -40! I think all were grateful that choir rehearsal was cancelled that night. I know I was.  Friday was much warmer and much windier.  Today we reached +35. Next week looks like much the same pattern with warm (for us) days at the beginning and end and bitterly cold nights in the middle.

I lapsed into my semi-retired mode again this week. It was the annual pre-lenten clergy retreat in the Black Hills. Therefore, the active clergy were all there. I covered the Eucharists at the Cathedral on Wednesday and Good Shepherd on Thursday as well as our weekly Benedictine celebration on Tuesday. I made it through three different venues, each with slightly different customs, with three sets of readings upon which to comment, at three different times of day. Some weeks turn out like that. This coming week I’ll have two celebrations, again in two different places, with two sets of readings.  I am pleased that I am able to help out. Being at the altar is one thing this priest really misses.

There was lots of home time this week although most of my exercise goals were met. I find that sitting around makes me quite creaky. I need to pay attention to my watch which tells me when to stand and move around.  Some days the warning sounds and I’m way too comfortable so I just forget it.

I’ve just returned from a wonderful organ recital at Our Savior’s Lutheran. It was played by a young man who is working on his doctorate at the University of Kansas.  His nimble fingers and feet played a lot of notes!  He is quite short of stature which surprised me. From the university students I’ve observed recently being under 6’3” would be considered as below the norm in my estimation.  This observation is based on those encountered mostly at the gym so it may be somewhat skewed.  

Nothing new and exciting to report health-wise.  My thermostat sent me a text to let me know that my filter needed changing. I switched to using one especially for asthma and allergy sufferers.  It has made a difference perhaps psychologically or maybe scientifically provable.  The price is horrendous but I do feel better, especially when cooped up a lot.

Again, thanks for your thoughts, prayers, messages and constant support. Next week is blood work and an infusion so we’ll find out how things are going.

Time does not fly

I know the saying is “time flies,” but for some reason this week hasn’t seem to fly by. Perhaps it might be the continuation of winter that creates this illusion. There are a few glimmers of hope. Each morning the sun comes up a little earlier. Each evening it sets a bit later. The wide swing of temperatures which we’ve experienced this year remind us of coming spring one day and the depths of winter the next.

The constant melting and freezing given the snow we’ve had has produced a myriad of miniature skating rinks on the streets of the city. Every low place has a puddle one day and ice the next. We were blessed by missing the massive winter storm which has affected parts of the nation. Being without power is something that might irritate for a few minutes or even and hour, but the thought of powerlessness for a day or more is hard to imagine. 

I keep all those areas and friends in my thoughts and prayers as they struggle.  I am so sad for the people of Puerto Rico and the troubles they have had through hurricanes and earthquakes. Also the people near some of the Great Lakes who see the water rising, the shores washing away, and fear their houses may end up falling into the deep.

It is probably all this plus the spectacle that is our government at the present time has brought about a slight bit of depression. Or it could be the side effects of the antibiotic that was prescribed for the infection around my port. The infection has cleared up nicely. However, all week except for a bit on Thursday and Friday, I’ve felt very slightly nauseous, have had little appetite, felt tired and run down, and haven’t been motivated to do much of anything except binge watch something on the tube. The sun has appeared for some time each day and even that has not motivated me to accomplish great things. The fitness center did not enjoy my presence for a couple of days this week because the motivation to get there was not present. My fear is that laziness has set in.

Yesterday a wonderful friend whose family I’ve known since my earliest days here invited me out for lunch and a catch-up conversation.  It was so good to have that time with her and hear about her family.

Today was a lovey day. I went to a concert this afternoon at Augustana University presented by the Sioux Falls Chamber Music Collective and the Artitänzer Project at the University. The program was “Moving” Music and it involved violin, piano, clarinets, percussion and dance. It was very creatively programmed with music from several genres and half the numbers involving dance. In the first selection the violinist danced while playing. Methinks that is not the easiest thing to accomplish. The overall goal of the Collective is to make music and art more accessible in the community.

I’m so pleased with the way this community has grown in its appreciation and support of the arts. A good friend commented recently on the diversity of offerings in Sioux Falls.

Other than the above mentioned ennui the week has gone well health-wise. I continue to give thanks for all the little blessings that have been bestowed on me. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts that continue to support me. I hope and pray that you have a good week. 

Forgot to mention that the groundhog failed to see his shadow! Now we know for sure that spring is not far away.

This is Sophia’s favorite time of the day when she purrs loudly and receives neck scratches and tummy rubs.

Patience is a virtue

I keep telling myself that patience is a virtue. I wonder who said that. It’s a saying I’ve heard all of my life. This week has required a good deal of that virtue.

It wasn’t particularly trying. It was just one of those weeks when one seems to spend more time in the waiting room than in doing anything else more or less important.

Monday began with the journey to the Imaging Center. It is, as you may imagine from the name, the place where all those weird machines reside and they slide you in and out, lock you in place and continually ask how you are doing. What can one say? “I’m really having a good time,” or “it would be wonderful if I could spend a day here every week.” Snippy remarks like that come to mind. 

First they hand you two bottles of water they have spiked with some substance that I find tasteless. This is supposed to be downed in a few minutes. Most of it disappeared within me when I was fetched by a tech to have my port accessed.  This was news. No one told me my port would be accessed so I had not availed myself of the numbing cream to be used before they drive the spike into your chest. I felt the stab really well and continued to be uncomfortable for the rest of the morning.

The MRI was next on the schedule. The object was my cranium. Therefore ear plugs were inserted and my head locked in something that resembled that piece of attire familiar to anyone who has viewed the movie “Friday the thirteenth.”  Then the inevitable question, “Are you comfortable?” As you are being inserted into the machine the tech says “Don’t worry it only takes 20 minutes.” 

Part of the time therein consists of sounds not unlike a jack hammer working on the pavement. There are other otherworldly sounds but I’ve forgotten those because the jack hammer is so memorable. At last they pull you out and relief floods over one. Now the tech says “I’m putting something in your port which will made you feel warm. Only six minutes more until we’re finished.” More of the above mentioned sounds are inflicted upon the patient.  I keep telling myself, “self, it’s better than having them crack open your skull and look around in there!”

Next on the menu was the CT scan which is a piece of cake. The only weird thing is the man’s voice that says “Breathe in. Hold your breath. Breathe.” One gets another injection of the stuff that causes the hot flash, another pass through the machine and it’s over. 

When the dressing was removed and the port deaccessed it felt like my skin was being ripped off. Upon arriving at home a look in the mirror revealed a lot of redness around the port and some really dry skin. Oh well.

Tuesday I arrived at the Prairie Center for labs. They access the port there and draw the blood and then leave the port in for the infusion. As a laid bare my chest the nurse took one look and proclaimed “I’m not touching that!” Extreme care is exercised when accessing the port because a catheter runs from there right into the heart. Special gloves, a mask and other precautions are taken. So, the nurse had to draw blood from my arm. There is more waiting while the blood is being processed.

The wait for the doctor’s appointment then commences. One is supposed to check in a half hour early and the doctor was about forty-five minutes late. He brought the news that the blood work was fine. He also had the results of the scans. The brain shows no sign of cancer. The two liver lesions are smaller than the last time. One of the lung lesions has returned to nearly its original size as when I was diagnosed. So there was good news and not so good news. Treatment will continue as it has until the next set of scans which seems to be about every three months.

An antibiotic was prescribed for the possible infection around the port including capsules from the pharmacy and an addition to my infusion cocktail. The medicine for the infusion was delivered rather rapidly, the robots being very efficient and not distracted by others who would like to chat.  Another jab in the arm was necessary because of the port issue. 

Wednesday involved my usual activities. No time spent in the waiting room!

Thursday was my appointment with the optometrist who checked on my eyes to make sure they were healing as they are supposed to.  He pronounced that all was well and please come back in three weeks for the determination of my new prescription. Good news!

The weather has been decent temperature-wise for January. Today the high was 40! Because the temps have been in the high twenties and low thirties we have had fog, freezing fog and freezing drizzle at times which makes travel a little treacherous.

The port situation is vastly improved with the antibiotic treatment. I feel mostly good about the reports. 

Thanks once more for all your concerns, prayers, and thoughts. They are a blessing to me.