The Weather ; the Health

       

Friday was another day of interesting SD weather. On Wednesday it was lovely, sunny, and 70º.  Rain, sleet, freezing rain, zero sunshine were on the menu today.  Pick one, we had them all.  Thursday seemedto put all nature in her place once again.  

The speciality pharmacy called to find out how things were going.  I complained about the anti-nausea drugs not working. She suggested that she would have the doctor call.  Instead she gave an appointment for today and I went through my litany about how the chemo or the anti-nausea medication doesn’t do much except make me sick.  He did offer the option of next time having an infusion instead of the pills.  That way the drugs go right into the blood stream through the port and not through the digestive system. I’m going to opt for that I believe.  The downside is one must go to the Center five days in a row. I’ve done three days before so this is not daunting.  It’s at least a trip out of the house.

One of my concerns now is a funny vision thing I have dealt with in the last week.  As one reads there appears an image at the end of the line repeating the last couple of words (e.g. Aaron and Moses went to see Pharaoh. to see Pharaoh.)It is fairly consistent once it begins. It’s most prevalent in the late afternoon and evening, in other words, when one is tired.  I think I’m learning to cope with it. One of the few things people can do in this pandemic is read and when that becomes difficult  it’s one more thing.

When a person used to enjoy computer technology and discovering new things, and then one looses skills, I have to admit it’s frustrating. When one finds the patience is strained. I keep telling myself I used to teach this stuff, but I still don’t understand what is going on.

Monday the chemo arrived, two huge boxes. One was a “welcome kit” containing an ice pack in case I want to pack a lunch. That was about 6 cubic inches. Also it had various creams, a thermometer, rubber gloves.

It was recommend I take the meds at night, which I did and slept very little. Tuesday I took the drugs, slept well, got sick in the morning right after I declared “I really feel good!” Wednesday I took the anti-nausea drugs, got sick, took the chemo and slept like a baby.  I believe I had all the drugs except for the chemo in the infusion so that will eliminate a few meds tonight. Also had a bottle of steroids so that will mean little sleep!

I have a new decoration, one of little patches behind the ear one encounters on passengers on cruises and long haul flights.

Other news. The nausea has disappeared, but the dizziness is worse.  The chemo may cause dizziness also the anti-nausea medication, several kinds now.  When I got up this morning I literally staggered across the bedroom floor.  That passed.  Then I fell two times hitting my head on the wall once. I have called the stairway lift company for an estimate, don’t worry.  Turns out they are out of stock right now but will get back to me next week.  I’m already planning how  tonight and tomorrow will be.

Being a professional fretter one must do that. I know I have to be more careful on the stairs!

Recieved two care packages of food this Friday afternoon. Looks like I am all set for the week end. And I don’t have to cook! 

I’m grateful for all your prayers and good thoughts.  I keep thinking about how blessed I am.

Today was another not too great day.  I slept through the night which I thought to be great.  I wasn’t  that terrific it turns out. One trip upstairs and at “the bend in the road at the top” I look a tumble.  I did find out one thing, that my Apple Watch really knows that I fell and asked if needed help. I came upstairs to haul the laundry down, for a most kindly friend who has volunteered to do that chore for me whilst waiting for a part.  The appliance repair mecca has part on order. That should arrive at the beginning of May.  Until then the laundry is collected and returned all neatly folded.

This was the task I tried to do. I say tried, for in the accomplishment of this process I fell once again and after many struggles finally managed get up. From then on the day went smoothly until I was unable to find my glasses. I accused blessed Sophia of stealing for a toy. I looked everywhere but nothing. I called Colleen to help look for them. After the 3rd pass through the joint by both of us we gave up. After Colleen left I returned to the bedroom and I sat down the recliner, looked down to my right and there they were! 

To my faithful readers.  Please forgive any errors you find.  I have one of those head things going on.  It has taken me most of the hour to write the last three paragraphs. I know I’ve been struggling for the last week. Another problem to investigate! The brain thing is one of the problems that sent me to the doctor last August. 

I look back on what I’ve written and there will be missing words which I thought about but didn’t type. Proofreading is a valuable skill and I need to practice it so this struggle has it’s merits.  In the meantime I’ll depend upon you to notify me of anything that is not understandable, Please.

I share with you a prayer of St. Julian of Norwich which I commend to my community.  You might wish to use it yourself during these months of strange waiting. God be with you,  et omnia.

.

 In you, Father all-mighty, we have 

our preservation and our bliss.

In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving.

You are our mother, brother, and Saviour. 

In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace.

You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us.

You are our maker, our lover, our keeper.

Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well,

And all manner of

things shall be well.

Amen

A prayer of St. Julia of Norwich