It’s Almost April

Not my garden but I wish

As the day for disposing of another page of the calendar nears, the daffodils in the garden are in a concerted effort to make it look like spring as they push their leaves up through the ground.  Actually they are about five inches tall. Brave souls they are.  Having had rain all afternoon and now snow you know what I mean. The snowflakes are huge! They appear to be about the size of quarters if not larger. The wind has been whipping around so it’s hard to tell from which direction the moisture comes. We have flash flood warnings. The ground is so saturated from all of last fall’s rain, there is no place for more to go.

This week was my first encounter with the enhanced protection due to the COVID 19 virus at the hospital or clinic.  No visitors or companions are allowed in the facilities. One is screened when entering the hospital, questions asked and temperature taken. 

Wednesday I checked in at the hospital for my labs, CT scan and MRI. Funny but I can remember the day (long ago) when there was one MRI machine on a semi that traveled between the three hospitals. This was my fourth MRI at the third location in the same hospital complex! The price of the equipment must have dropped considerably, or not. My considered opinion is that the manufacturer of the MRI “thing” had John Cage compose the sounds which emanate therefrom.

Thursday I was off to see the doctor to find out the results of the previous day. My sodium is down again in the low range. Last test showed I was near the top. Doctor surmised that my normal sodium reading might be in the low category and that the previous test was a kind of fluke. It is one of the readings the helps determine whether the medication is working or not.

The CT scan showed that the liver lesions had become somewhat smaller but the lung lesions had grown slightly again. The conclusion was that the immunotherapy is not working as it should and we need to try something else. So he has ordered Topotecan. Topotecan is a type of chemotherapy drug called a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor. It works by blocking a chemical called topoisomerase 1. This chemical helps to separate and repair the DNA in cells when they divide. Cancer cells need to make and repair DNA in order to grow and multiply.This medication can be given as an infusion or orally and needs to be taken for a week every three weeks. He didn’t want to order infusions because of the necessity of going to the Center and possible exposure to the COVID 19 virus. It has some of the same side effects as the chemo treatments I was taking before.  It looks like I’m about to lose my curls!  Six tablets per day is the dosage along with anti-nausea medication.

The patient advocate came to see me and I learned that Medicare Part B might pay for the medication. If it were considered an ordinary prescription she would have the financial aid person come and visit with me! She called after I returned home and said it would be covered under Part B with no co-pay! I knew that what I had been taking was $40,000 an infusion. If this compares in price it would put me in the poor house shortly. It has to be dispensed though the Specialized Pharmacy and there are numerous instructions about how it should be handled. They will deliver it on Monday. Another step on the pilgrimage.

Sophia and her master spent most of the afternoon in front of the living room fireplace. I with a book and she enjoying a nap.  I’ve not had much appetite this week feeling nauseous from time to time. This evening I do believe that I’m hungry.  Friend Ed brought over a couple of caramel rolls his wife baked today.  I’ve not indulged yet but I’m sure they will serve as my dessert. Discretion will  most likely cause me to save one for tomorrow.

Kindnesses come in various guises.  I received a couple of cards from friends I do not see very often. A good friend came to pick up my laundry and returned it all neatly folded. What a blessing! My laundry does not usually get sent out but my washer died a couple of weeks ago and the needed part is back ordered until May. I’m so blessed and so grateful. 

Thanks for your prayers and good wishes and for all the love showered upon me.

A Strange World

It is indeed a strange world that has been thrust upon us these last few days. Social distancing is a new thing for many of us.  I can remember back in the days before the Salk vaccine we were warned about with whom we should play. We were warned that we shouldn’t run through the sprinkler hose because we might “catch” polio. One of our neighbors ended up in an iron lung. We had to travel to Hot Springs to visit him because only the Crippled Children’s Hospital had the necessary equipment to keep him alive.

Now, as then, the rumors are rampant.  The fear of not having enough testing chemicals or even swabs is proclaimed daily by the news media, and not just once or twice but endlessly during the day. 

Currently in Sioux Falls we are sort of in a state of suspended animation (the closest description I can use). What is open, what is not? So many things have been cancelled. We look for things about which to laugh. Anything to break the somber mood. The organist at the cathedral church when asked about his teaching position at a local university told me that Spring Break would be extended for an extra week and then all instruction would go on-line. He concluded by remarking that he currently had no idea about how to conduct band rehearsals on-line.

It is an act of kindness that several cultural institutions have provided material to keep our minds occupied lest we go stir-crazy during our social distancing. The Metropolitan Opera has provided an opera each night from their catalog of works previously presented in theaters in HD format. So far I’ve enjoyed  Carmen, La Bohème (sad to say that Mimi died again), Il Trovatore, La Traviata, La Fille du Régiment, and tonight I’m looking forward to Lucia di Lammermoor. I see they are extending the kindness (or maybe not) by offering a full week of Wagner following this.

I’ve watched church services, penguins, fish in aquaria, in addition to reading a great deal. So far it’s been rather relaxing. I’ve only made a couple of trips outside the house. I was surprised by the empty shelves and the number of people in the supermarket. Then I realized it’s one of the few places open where one can see other people out and about and walking around.  A pleasant reminder that I am not alone in the city.

A couple of days were nice enough to walk outside but I did not. After the first day of Spring snow storm there were ice and unshoveled walks again. The we had the famous winter storm which stormed across the nation.  Not so much snow fell, but  it was heavy and wet. When out the absence of traffic is noticeable and somewhat shocking.

I’ve been feeling better this week. I’ve been hungry and have cooked a little. The oncologist reduced the medication which I complained about last week to once per day which seems to have helped. Wednesday is the day for MRI and CT scans and then an appointment with the oncologist on Thursday to see how things are going. 

The little kindnesses have been amazing. One of my Benedictine sisters gifted me with some Moroccan stew which provided three meals. Another couple brought over corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, which tasted so good.  Friends in Arizona sent a novel set in this part of the world about a Norwegian musician which will be read shortly. All the prayers and messages are wonderful. Thank you so very much. You have no idea what you mean to me.

There is no question about who is in charge here!

Another South Dakota Season

According to long standing, perhaps even scientific evidence, or at least astronomic lore, there are four seasons. We do have the solstices (2), and the equinoxes (2). We have a myriad of other seasons in this fair state.  They happen whenever they happen and may last for longer or shorter periods of time depending on their mood. Most assuredly they do affect the moods of those of us who choose to live here and at times cause us to question why we do (live here that is).

A recent example, as recently as this morning (March 14) is this photo taken out my front entrance. No further explanation necessary. 

You don’t read this blog to commiserate on the weather.  I’m supposed to tell you about my health or lack thereof. Mention was made last week of my exceeding tiredness. I continued to go downhill. On Sunday I did sing in the choir but I was hesitant to walk down the center alley whilst singing so my position was taken before the first hymn along with the rest of the infirm. The remainder of the day and Monday were mostly spent lazing about. My knees hurt. My hips hurt. I had headaches all of which I blamed on a new expensive med which is so rare it has to be ordered.  I had zero appetite but could, at times, muster up the energy to have half an English muffin for the day’s sustenance. Then for the first time since this whole cancer treatment thing began I had to start taking anti-nausea medication. 

I knew that, come Tuesday, I would have my blood work and meet with the doctor, so if one could continue living until then one might receive some answers.  Preparation for the appointment consisted of underlining all the side effects that might be expected from this new medication. 

Anxiety played a big part in the equation. Way back at the beginning of this escapade, it was discovered that I had cancer because my sodium had fallen into the critical range. The time in the hospital, along with a multitude of other things, was spent on raising my sodium to an acceptable level.  My sodium level has been monitored ever since as an indication of whether the chemotherapy is working or not. For the last months the sodium had been falling which made me increasingly anxious that nothing was working. So with some side-effects of the new medication and no increase in the sodium I was becoming a little more than tense. It was a great relief to find out my sodium had returned to the high normal reading. It also meant that I could drink more fluids.  One has no idea what it means to look at a whole glass of water and know that one cannot have it.

It has taken a couple of days and I’m happy to say I’m almost back to normal. Some of my friends would say, “What does that mean? The implication being that those who know me best probably have never considered me “normal!”

I’m grateful for all your prayers and thoughts. Those who stand by me are such wonderful friends. Love to all of you.

The first week of March.

This being the second of my weeks-off between treatments full advantage of the time was taken. 

Monday was spent driving to Omaha and back with a second driver so I didn’t have to drive the whole distance. The cathedral church was out of altar wine, not short, out! They borrowed a couple of bottles from the Benedictine cellar. Just like in the local cafe tastes vary.  They would rather have their own brand. So one of the tasks was to pick up wine for the aforementioned. 

Then a stop at the Mediterranean Bistro was in order.  Always good food and usually very friendly people to be found there. Our next stop being Whole Foods we were not hunger driven during our shopping time there. 

Off to Koley’s with the paschal candle stand from the cathedral which was sorely in need of tender loving care. A couple of spots of corrosion needed attention plus lacquer dating into the previous century needed removal, then polishing and relacquering at the hands of the craftspeople there. When it returns I suspect people will think a new one has been acquired.

On the road again to return to Sioux Falls.

Tuesday was my first OLLI class of this semester. Osher Life-Long Learning Institute for those not in the loop. This class was on “5G” cell phone networks.  Sioux Falls is one of the few cities to be ready for 5G in the downtown area. It was interesting to hear about the speed with which future cell phones will be able to operate. One does need to purchase a 5G ready cell phone and then be in the downtown area where 5G is available. Nothing I do requires the tremendous speed, so I’ll wait until it is more available.  There were the usual questions about the safety of walking around downtown with all of these “waves” bombarding one’s brain and body. The worry warts were reassured that they would suffer no ill effects from perambulating the area.

The monthly docent meeting at the Pavilion began at 9 on Wednesday. Following that I visited the tonsorial parlor and had a multitude of my curls cut off. My hairstylist of many years predicted the the curls would be all gone in a couple more months. After a visit to the Area Community Foundation to sign a document I attended the noon Mass at the cathedral and then took up my post at the Pavilion. I did require a nap and then went back to the cathedral for the Lenten Program followed by choir rehearsal.

Thursday mornings involve a session with my trainer and aqua chi class and then a trip across town to the 1:00 Mass at Good Shepherd.

Then I crashed for Thursday afternoon, all day Friday, and all day Saturday. Such fatigue has not descended up me ever before.  It is one of the side effects of the immunotherapy I receive every three weeks but I don’t remember being this tired before. 

There has been lots of sunshine and wind so the snow piles are retreating at a rapid rate. That is a pleasant sight to behold. Could it possibly be that the last snow plowing bill for the season has been paid?

Tonight I’m off to the symphony again. The program is “Wagner Without Words.” One can deduce from the title that there will be no singing involved. It remains to be heard!