Yesterday was the 3rd of 8 bi-weekly chemo treatments.... 5 to go.
The Chemo: So far, I seem to be tolerating the chemo pretty well once it's in my body. In this round, though, the trick was getting the needle in... and pushing the Adriamycin. For the first 2 rounds I had R* - she is great and she can thread a vein like nobody's business. And, she pushes the Adria smoothly and consistently. Not so lucky this time - the 3rd time was *not* the charm.
*[Venting alert!]*This time I had someone else with apparenly less experience. She couldn't find a vein anywhere, then when she chose one she kept trying to get in with no luck, then when she got in she couldn't thread it ( ie push the flexible needle deeper into the vein and following the curves of the vein). Finally she called a co-worker over to hook me up. The second person did find the usual vein and threaded it but it was a painful experience. Then through the whole experience, the needle wasn't fastened to my hand as securely as it should have been so now I have a bruise. And to top it off she pushed the Adria in spurts which also didn't feel too great. I am a bit worried that the vein we used has collapsed but I'll have to wait a few days to see if it comes back. And, I intend to put in a request for the more experienced folks next round! *[ End of venting alert]*
The new Fridge: I love my new refrigerator! This is the only major purchase that I have justified using the "C-card" - ie "I have Cancer so I deserve to have a new refrigerator to help me through this!" It's so great and I was so right in buying it! It has a French door, Bottom freezer, with filtered water ( internal) and an ice-maker. I have never had an ice-maker in my whole life - I'm really looking forward to it! Plus I get to put the old fridge in the garage for food posse deliveries - works so much better than the cooler!
There was a small mystery when it was delivered. When I asked the delivery guys to hook up the water line, one of them was holding the copper tubing and brushed against the bare metal back of the fridge and completed a circuit! He got a full 110 shock. Wisely(!) , he declined to hook up the waterline! But there was still the mystery.
Luckily my friend Peter stopped by with his electical meter and after a little while narrowed it down to a plug that was making the metallic surfaces on the fridge hot/live. A peek under the hood revealed vintage 1947 knob/tube wiring attached to a modern 3-prong plug. Since the old wire had no ground wire, a previous owner had attempted to jumper neutral to ground. Turns out hot and neutral were reversed and he jumpered hot to ground! I never noticed this in 12 years while my old fridge was plugged in there. Anyway, it's now all sorted out and my handyman will hook up the waterline tomorrow. Yay!
New clothes - So, in the silver lining department, I have lost 20 lbs during this ride on the C-train. Who knew what not drinking, eating healthy and still exercising would do? I shoulda tried this more earnestly before... without the big C :) Anyway, I've lost weight and my clothes have been getting looser but I haven't really had the motivation to get new clothes yet. That is, until my friend from work, Jill -"The Voice of Reason", called me over to her desk and said, " I could pants you right now and your moons would be hanging out for all to see... I think it's time for you to get some new clothes... I'm gonna come over to your house and drive you to the store... and you're going to get some new jeans, at least!.. What time is good for you?" I cracked up laughing and then thought... Hmm maybe she's right. Well, she came and we conquered - and more importantly, she stayed and gave the thumbs up/thumbs down on a whole bunch of my old clothes. Two large black garbage bags of clothes left my house and I got to wear some new clothes this week! Thanks Jill!
Walks - This weekend I am going to try out a longer walk than the Dish and see if I'm up for it! I hope so....!
Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and support! It's a long journey and I really appreciate it!
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