Saturday, March 14, 2020

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.





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