I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I heard a sliding closet door open. I couldn't figure that out because the only sliding closet door we have is in the basement and our bedroom is on the other side of the house, two floors up. Then I realized it was the cat SNORING. He is so subtle. Now that winter is approaching, he likes to sleep on the bed with his head on the pillows, between us, under the blankets. Then he starts to snore. Or do his weird purr/snore combination. But he's comfy so I guess its supposed to be okay.
Yes, the weather is now clearly leaning more towards winter. Today its a tropical 29 degrees or something. They claim that it will warm up to mid to upper fifties later on and that all the little trick or treaters will be able to enjoy the warm temperatures. I will believe that when I see it. Right now, its too cold to go for a walk. And I plan on walking later with a friend. (So I don't have to go out until it warms up.)
I think it was Mark Twain who wrote 'if you don't like the weather in New England, wait a few minutes'. Generally I do think that is true. We can have some very changeable weather. Therefore around here we can always talk about the weather. But I don't find that much to say about it this morning. So maybe its a lame avoidance topic. I'll try to be more interesting tomorrow.
Yesterday I worked from home and went to work. I also snuck in my little walk. (I have a separate winter walking wardrobe of many layers - mostly polartec). Today I am working from home and either will meet a friend for a walk or just go by myself. My big project today is to get ready for trick or treaters.
I really have to get some work done today. I feel a little behind. So maybe you can just call me a little slow...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Avoidance Day #6
Today's topic is movies. I admit I am not much of a movie fan in that I don't actually get to the movie theater very much. But I do watch movies on TV and on DVD. We have Netflix and use it regularly. Okay. I admit sometimes we are actually paying rent on the discs if they sit here for a few weeks. But we do eventually watch them and send them back. At some point I am sure we will get a DVR as well. (I don't mind the idea of a DVR, I just can't see paying a monthly fee for the service too. Call me cheap.)
The problem with going to the movie theater if you are used to watching from home - where are the bathroom and snack breaks at the theater? There aren't any. You are supposed to sit there the entire time without leaving your seat. I am spoiled. I watch from home and usually there is a commercial or you can press the pause button and come back. At the theater, if you leave and come back, everyone around you gets mad at you and gives you that 'angry glare' when the lights come back on at the end.
Another problem with going to the movies is the price. What is it now for a movie ticket - usually somewhere around $10 per person. Then add in two giant size beverages and a popcorn (whats a movie without popcorn?) and you are at $30 minimum for two. So much for a cheap date. (And why do movie theater beverages and food have to be in such giant size containers?) Then if you get your beverage at the beginning, you eventually need a bathroom break. And, blah, blah, blah as I already said.
However it is worth seeing some movies on the big screen. Jurassic Park when it first came out definitely needed to be seen in a theater for the full effects. It actually played in a local theater for about a year and a half, long after it was out on video. I always plan to go to the movie theater and end up adding my movies to my Netflix queue and watch them much later.
Yesterday I was relatively busy and over-scheduled. I did go into Boston for a good meeting and then got home around 630pm. for some reason I wasn't tired and stayed up a little late for me but this morning I slept in. Today I am less over-scheduled but still busy. I have to get my nails done and go to work in addition to going for a walk and working from home. Maybe next week I won't over schedule myself as much.
moar funny pictures
This is the same picture as before but now it is new and improved with a quote from a friend.
The problem with going to the movie theater if you are used to watching from home - where are the bathroom and snack breaks at the theater? There aren't any. You are supposed to sit there the entire time without leaving your seat. I am spoiled. I watch from home and usually there is a commercial or you can press the pause button and come back. At the theater, if you leave and come back, everyone around you gets mad at you and gives you that 'angry glare' when the lights come back on at the end.
Another problem with going to the movies is the price. What is it now for a movie ticket - usually somewhere around $10 per person. Then add in two giant size beverages and a popcorn (whats a movie without popcorn?) and you are at $30 minimum for two. So much for a cheap date. (And why do movie theater beverages and food have to be in such giant size containers?) Then if you get your beverage at the beginning, you eventually need a bathroom break. And, blah, blah, blah as I already said.
However it is worth seeing some movies on the big screen. Jurassic Park when it first came out definitely needed to be seen in a theater for the full effects. It actually played in a local theater for about a year and a half, long after it was out on video. I always plan to go to the movie theater and end up adding my movies to my Netflix queue and watch them much later.
Yesterday I was relatively busy and over-scheduled. I did go into Boston for a good meeting and then got home around 630pm. for some reason I wasn't tired and stayed up a little late for me but this morning I slept in. Today I am less over-scheduled but still busy. I have to get my nails done and go to work in addition to going for a walk and working from home. Maybe next week I won't over schedule myself as much.
moar funny pictures
This is the same picture as before but now it is new and improved with a quote from a friend.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Avoidance Day #7
Yes, today is day seven of avoidance days. So far its working. Today's topic is television. Do you watch too much television? I think this is one of those things like do you floss enough? Is your house clean enough. Honestly, has the dentist ever said 'You floss plenty enough. Don't worry about flossing anymore than you are.' No, they always say 'your teeth are fine but floss more.' Its the same thing with how clean your house is. People always say 'don't mind the mess'. they never say 'my house is too clean'. Even if it is super clean, find a bunch of children and turn them loose in it for 30 seconds, and they will fix that.
I think its the same with TV watching. I just watched the news for 30 minutes. So that would add up to 3.5 hours/week. We also watch Jeopardy 5 nights a week for another 2.5 hours. Then there are a couple shows we like to watch for another 3 hours. Plus a movie or two on Netflix and voila, we are up to 12-14 hours/week. And then maybe a cooking show or two. What about other screen time - on computers for example?
I don't know how much adults are supposed to be limited to but children should get no more than an hour or two of total screen time. We definitely get more than that but we are not children. We also get to watch the cat's share - he snores through it (so we turn up the volume as well).
Because Americans watch so much television, they invented TV Turn Off Week in April each year. This is when we are not supposed to watch any television. I think this should be revised to include all screen time outside of work or homework. Recently, on tv, I noticed all the networks pushing turn on your tv week or something. I was confused by this. Turn off the tv, turn on the tv. Will they make up their minds?
Yesterday, I had a very busy day which was compounded by the fact that I left my cell phone at home so I couldn't call when I was running late or to check messages at home while I was out all day. I even made it to the gym yesterday (and am not too sore today.) Today I will take my phone with me. I have lots to do including a walk, Costco, farmers market, and go into Boston for work. I think that's it but probably not. I made a list - if I could remember where I put it, that would be extremely helpful.
I think its the same with TV watching. I just watched the news for 30 minutes. So that would add up to 3.5 hours/week. We also watch Jeopardy 5 nights a week for another 2.5 hours. Then there are a couple shows we like to watch for another 3 hours. Plus a movie or two on Netflix and voila, we are up to 12-14 hours/week. And then maybe a cooking show or two. What about other screen time - on computers for example?
I don't know how much adults are supposed to be limited to but children should get no more than an hour or two of total screen time. We definitely get more than that but we are not children. We also get to watch the cat's share - he snores through it (so we turn up the volume as well).
Because Americans watch so much television, they invented TV Turn Off Week in April each year. This is when we are not supposed to watch any television. I think this should be revised to include all screen time outside of work or homework. Recently, on tv, I noticed all the networks pushing turn on your tv week or something. I was confused by this. Turn off the tv, turn on the tv. Will they make up their minds?
Yesterday, I had a very busy day which was compounded by the fact that I left my cell phone at home so I couldn't call when I was running late or to check messages at home while I was out all day. I even made it to the gym yesterday (and am not too sore today.) Today I will take my phone with me. I have lots to do including a walk, Costco, farmers market, and go into Boston for work. I think that's it but probably not. I made a list - if I could remember where I put it, that would be extremely helpful.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Avoidance Day #8
First of all for those of you who think my math is wrong because the election is in a week, I am counting election day as day #1. The day after we can resume our normal programming and normal lives.Today's avoidance topic is books. I admit I am book worm. I have been all my life. I was the kid who was always reading in bed after lights out. I have worn glasses since junior high. I can always spend time (and lots of money) in a book store. I am a member of Barnes & Nobles discount program as well as Borders (B&N gives better discounts but Borders is a free membership). I regularly patronize the library as well as the local used bookstore.
Any vacation or trip must include a selection of books to read. I can handle going some place with no TV or internet but I must have a book with me at all time. Once I was on vacation in the south and ran out of books to read. We went to the local mall to find a bookstore. There were no bookstores in the mall. There was a drug store with a small book selection. Does nobody read in that town? Then I was saved because we found a used bookstore. I have found you can always find bookstores. You sometimes have to look harder than others.
I also have one bookcase of books for my reading. This is a self imposed limitation. I can only have one bookcase so my book collection does not get out of control. It is six shelves high and filled with a double layer of books, with a few extras stacked on top. We have other book cases but they are filled with things like cook books, travel books, marketing books, financial books, and other stuff that you don't really read but refer to. They don't count in my book obsession (well maybe the cook books should but they don't) because they aren't for pleasure reading, but for reference.
Perhaps my husband would say my cookbook collection is out of control. I don't think it is. I like having lots of resources for making the yummy food that he continues to eat. If I got rid of my cookbooks, would he eat as many different things? Maybe, because I can get recipes off the internet. (But don't tell him that or he will think I should clean those out too.)
Currently I am only reading one book. Recently I have been too busy and have gotten behind on my reading. Most distressing. I will have to work on this. I think I can fit in a little book time tonight. Very important to fit this in.
Yesterday I was good and went for my walk and went to work. I did some work from home as well. I was very tired at the end of the day and falling asleep in front of the TV so I went to bed. Then I couldn't sleep once I was in bed. How aggravating! Should I have stayed in the comfy armchair and slept there until I woke up with neck in a crick and then be unable to fall asleep because I had already slept for a few hours? Or was I better off to go to bed early and then not sleep? I don't know but tonight I will go to bed early again (but not after reading my book).
Today I have lots to do. I have to pay bills, work from home, go for a walk, visit my aunt (who lives on the beach), and go to my support group. Perhaps I am overscheduled today. Actually I think I am overscheduled all week but that will make it easier to continue my avoidance activities.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Avoidance Day #9
First of all, yesterday I met up with some friends who I know online. Left to right its Bunkys Mom, Diane J, me, Kathy Ann, Cindy D, and Lavender4ever. It was great to meet people in person who I only know online.
Anyhow, today is avoidance day #9 and the topic is pets. I was going to write about how having a pet is a good thing. They have been shown to do all kinds of things like lower blood pressure, reduce stress, help with social skills, etc. And then there is our cat - or commonly, Walter's cat. He is not good for stress reduction. He increases stress. He is an indoor cat. But he wants to be outdoors. Yesterday afternoon he was outdoors, heading for a busy road. I had to go into our neighbors back yard (with the usual kitty treat bribe) to get him and bring him home. Then five minutes later he snuck out again! So much for reducing my stress. Our neighbors told me they dont need a cat because all the local cats come visit them.
This morning I was lying in bed reading the paper and felt like I was on a desert island with the sharks circling. He was walking around the bed and all I could see was the tip of his tail, like a shark fin, circling away. (Insert Jaws theme music here). He wasn't very restful. He wanted treats. And to get outside.
Then there are the favorite 'gifts' he leaves us. Usually on the white dining room rug. Sometimes at the bottom of the stairs where we can't see them until too late. He is just sharing but it is not stress reducing!
Okay, enough about pets. They do have their good points. But this morning I did feel like shark bait.
So yesterday I did get together with friends. I also ran some errands and dragged Walter out on a death march (as he likes to call my daily walks). Maybe I over did things a little bit but not too much. Today I am working from home and going to work. Not exciting but who ever said my life is exciting in the first place?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Avoidance Day #10
Okay, I decided to start a count down of avoidance days. After 10 days we will have a new president (barring any more 'hanging chad' incidents) and the financial crisis should be settled down. Call me optimistic but I think once the election happens, there will be a little more direction in the markets and we will all be able to open our financial statements without collapsing. In the meantime, there is nothing we can do but wait. So for ten days, no blogging on the financial crisis or politics. In addition, no blogging on medical issues because I think I have bored you all with that for long enough.
Today's topic will be food instead. If you think about it, you are what you eat. So if you eat bad stuff, your body will react badly. But if you eat good stuff, your body will be happier and healthier. In the past year and a half (yes it has just about been that long), I have taken the opportunity to stop eating bad stuff and eat more good stuff. I have tried to cut down or eliminate chemical food - this is anything with an ingredient you cannot spell or pronounce. I try to only eat unprocessed foods. This means I don't even open a can of soup much any more. I make my own.
I also try to buy local/eat local. I have become the queen of farmers markets and farm stands. A lot of produce there is organic. At the local markets, I can get meat as well - this is organic, grass fed lean meat. It isn't necessarily cheap so I buy less of it - so we eat more fish and chicken. I do admit to buying meat in a grocery store sometimes but I am picky there too.
In terms of buying organic, here is the list: Apples, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Raspberries, Strawberries, Bell peppers, Celery, Potatoes, Spinach. I think if you can just buy organic of these twelve things you can avoid something like 80% of the pesticides you would normally get. I try to buy these organic, but don't always - it comes down to price. Actually this summer I grew my own peppers. I try to grow strawberries but while I have seen flowers and some green berries I have never had the opportunity to eat a single one - the squirrels beat me every time.
So here I go, blah, blah, blah, eat healthy, live longer, go to the doctor less (now there's a goal in itself.) Now after all this talk about food I am hungry. I need to go eat my strawberries, blueberries and banana with cottage cheese.
Yesterday I do admit to overdoing it a tiny bit. I went for a walk and then we did lots of cleaning up the gardens for winter. The frost finally killed off most of my outdoor plants. I ended up having to take a nap in the afternoon and Walter helped cook dinner. He only does this when I am very tired. Today I am not going to over do it. We went for a walk (hence the late post today) and after breakfast I am going to meet some women I met online who are also breast cancer people... Then I promise to come home and be lazy for a while.
Today's topic will be food instead. If you think about it, you are what you eat. So if you eat bad stuff, your body will react badly. But if you eat good stuff, your body will be happier and healthier. In the past year and a half (yes it has just about been that long), I have taken the opportunity to stop eating bad stuff and eat more good stuff. I have tried to cut down or eliminate chemical food - this is anything with an ingredient you cannot spell or pronounce. I try to only eat unprocessed foods. This means I don't even open a can of soup much any more. I make my own.
I also try to buy local/eat local. I have become the queen of farmers markets and farm stands. A lot of produce there is organic. At the local markets, I can get meat as well - this is organic, grass fed lean meat. It isn't necessarily cheap so I buy less of it - so we eat more fish and chicken. I do admit to buying meat in a grocery store sometimes but I am picky there too.
In terms of buying organic, here is the list: Apples, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Raspberries, Strawberries, Bell peppers, Celery, Potatoes, Spinach. I think if you can just buy organic of these twelve things you can avoid something like 80% of the pesticides you would normally get. I try to buy these organic, but don't always - it comes down to price. Actually this summer I grew my own peppers. I try to grow strawberries but while I have seen flowers and some green berries I have never had the opportunity to eat a single one - the squirrels beat me every time.
So here I go, blah, blah, blah, eat healthy, live longer, go to the doctor less (now there's a goal in itself.) Now after all this talk about food I am hungry. I need to go eat my strawberries, blueberries and banana with cottage cheese.
Yesterday I do admit to overdoing it a tiny bit. I went for a walk and then we did lots of cleaning up the gardens for winter. The frost finally killed off most of my outdoor plants. I ended up having to take a nap in the afternoon and Walter helped cook dinner. He only does this when I am very tired. Today I am not going to over do it. We went for a walk (hence the late post today) and after breakfast I am going to meet some women I met online who are also breast cancer people... Then I promise to come home and be lazy for a while.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Let the countdown begin
This is very important. There finally, only ten days until the election. This means no more commercials, news blitz, etc. Yesterday I was watching the Weather Channel (I wanted to know when it would warm up so I could go for a walk) and there was a political ad on the Weather Channel. I am so sick of these.
I was pleased to note in today's paper that both McCain and Obama are running out of money. This is a good thing. It means that they will have to run fewer ads. We live in the bluest state. No republicans campaign here because they know they won't win so we are spared the worst of the ads. Unfortunately a neighboring state has a hotly contested gubernatorial race so we get to see all of their ads instead. I will work on suffering in silence for the next ten days.
In the meantime, it is important that we all do our best to help the economy, and the lobster industry. Apparently due to the economy, the demand, and therefore the price, of lobsters is at an all time low. Lobstermen are in very bad shape. Therefore, it is important that we all eat lobster. I think we will have lobster the is week to help. I saw lobster for $4.99/lb around here recently. Also, you can send a lobstergram, currently on sale for 50% off, to help this. And a portion of the sale goes to research to increase the sustainability of the lobster industry. So if we all eat lobster between now and the election, we can ignore all the pesky political ads and mud slinging with nicely filled stomachs.
Speaking of stomachs, about 25 miles from here, there was a news story about this guy who went to pick up some road kill, a domesticated farm pig that was hit by a vehicle on a local highway. Well it wasn't a pig, it was a 200 lb. wild Russian Boar. This guy now has lots of ribs, sausage, and pork.
I am attempting to provide distractions here from the political crap.
Anyhow, yesterday morning I woke up and decided the Yertle the Tertle/Lorax look was driving me up a wall. I called and got an appointment. I now no longer have curls sticking out sideways from my head. It is nice a straight. And the light brown color is returning (naturally - no chemicals for me) to my hair as well. This is very exciting. I just have to learn how to style it like the stylist did... There's always a catch to everything.
Also yesterday, the nice RCN man (as compared to the rocket scientist in their office), arrived early for his scheduled upgrade of our phone system so I had time to meet a friend for a walk. Mental note to self - if you haven't been there for a walk in a long time, take a few minutes to find a map and bring it. Also, look at the trails when you are walking so you don't end up walking away from the parking lot when you think you are walking back. No we didn't really get lost. We just went on a creative route.
Today I am going for a walk and then we plan on doing something fun. I am not sure what that will be but I am determined to have fun today.
I was pleased to note in today's paper that both McCain and Obama are running out of money. This is a good thing. It means that they will have to run fewer ads. We live in the bluest state. No republicans campaign here because they know they won't win so we are spared the worst of the ads. Unfortunately a neighboring state has a hotly contested gubernatorial race so we get to see all of their ads instead. I will work on suffering in silence for the next ten days.
In the meantime, it is important that we all do our best to help the economy, and the lobster industry. Apparently due to the economy, the demand, and therefore the price, of lobsters is at an all time low. Lobstermen are in very bad shape. Therefore, it is important that we all eat lobster. I think we will have lobster the is week to help. I saw lobster for $4.99/lb around here recently. Also, you can send a lobstergram, currently on sale for 50% off, to help this. And a portion of the sale goes to research to increase the sustainability of the lobster industry. So if we all eat lobster between now and the election, we can ignore all the pesky political ads and mud slinging with nicely filled stomachs.
Speaking of stomachs, about 25 miles from here, there was a news story about this guy who went to pick up some road kill, a domesticated farm pig that was hit by a vehicle on a local highway. Well it wasn't a pig, it was a 200 lb. wild Russian Boar. This guy now has lots of ribs, sausage, and pork.
I am attempting to provide distractions here from the political crap.
Anyhow, yesterday morning I woke up and decided the Yertle the Tertle/Lorax look was driving me up a wall. I called and got an appointment. I now no longer have curls sticking out sideways from my head. It is nice a straight. And the light brown color is returning (naturally - no chemicals for me) to my hair as well. This is very exciting. I just have to learn how to style it like the stylist did... There's always a catch to everything.
Also yesterday, the nice RCN man (as compared to the rocket scientist in their office), arrived early for his scheduled upgrade of our phone system so I had time to meet a friend for a walk. Mental note to self - if you haven't been there for a walk in a long time, take a few minutes to find a map and bring it. Also, look at the trails when you are walking so you don't end up walking away from the parking lot when you think you are walking back. No we didn't really get lost. We just went on a creative route.
Today I am going for a walk and then we plan on doing something fun. I am not sure what that will be but I am determined to have fun today.
Friday, October 24, 2008
They do this just to confuse us
First of all today is only 12 days from election day. 12 days until the political ads, mud slinging, photo ops, media blitz, and non-stop barrage onto us John Q Voting Public of the election. It will be over. To help ease this barrage, I suggest these two videos:
No they are not as humorous as the previous one by Paris but they are a nice distraction from everything else. Also, I love the wigs...
So we are now confused. We bought a new car in August. We based our decision on several factors including Consumer Reports and other references. And the fact that we liked the way it drove and could afford it. Then in today's paper, there is an article on best and worst new cars. The Nissan Versa sedan is the worst small car. Now we have the hatchback model but still. How did this happen?
Well I just did some research and found this on the CR website: "Nissan's entry-level car is available as a hatchback or sedan. It packs an impressively roomy rear seat, and the tall roofline allows easy access. ... blah, blah, blah... Reliability of the hatchback has been average, but the sedan is well below average."
Hmmm... now I am confused. Wouldn't you think if a car is made in a couple different shapes - hatchback and sedan - they would basically be the same car with a different body stuck on them? Well, I would think so but obviously in car manufacturing land, they may be totally different. Now you can see how I get confused so easily. Maybe blame chemo brain. (See I always can use this out.)
Yesterday was okay. I walked, worked, and came home. Going out plans were postponed. Today I have to work. Of all things - work from home. Yes real work. Flyer design and layout. And, then the lovely man is coming from the company of rocket scientists to install our new digital phone service. I am sure it will be a wonderful experience. He is due between 11 and 2. My bets is he will arrive at 1030 (and I will be just out of the shower or something) or he will show up at 4 pm. They do this and then they wonder why people are crabby to them. I also plan on returning to the gym this morning because my muscles aren't quite sore enough.
I also have made a decision (drum roll please)I am sick of waiting for my hair to get longer. I am going to get the curly crap on the ends cut off. I woke up looking like Yertle the Tertle again and my husband wants to take pictures of me like this so 'some day I can look back on this and laugh'. As soon as the salon opens this morning, I will call and beg for an appointment.
My new goal is to lose 15 lbs before my next annual physical with my doctor in April. This means changing eating habits so that I can lose approximately 2.5 lbs per month. This should allow me to fit into the entire closetfuls of clothes that I have in sizes which are a single digit. Then I can forget about shopping for more clothes. See there is another benefit here...
See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die
See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die
No they are not as humorous as the previous one by Paris but they are a nice distraction from everything else. Also, I love the wigs...
So we are now confused. We bought a new car in August. We based our decision on several factors including Consumer Reports and other references. And the fact that we liked the way it drove and could afford it. Then in today's paper, there is an article on best and worst new cars. The Nissan Versa sedan is the worst small car. Now we have the hatchback model but still. How did this happen?
Well I just did some research and found this on the CR website: "Nissan's entry-level car is available as a hatchback or sedan. It packs an impressively roomy rear seat, and the tall roofline allows easy access. ... blah, blah, blah... Reliability of the hatchback has been average, but the sedan is well below average."
Hmmm... now I am confused. Wouldn't you think if a car is made in a couple different shapes - hatchback and sedan - they would basically be the same car with a different body stuck on them? Well, I would think so but obviously in car manufacturing land, they may be totally different. Now you can see how I get confused so easily. Maybe blame chemo brain. (See I always can use this out.)
Yesterday was okay. I walked, worked, and came home. Going out plans were postponed. Today I have to work. Of all things - work from home. Yes real work. Flyer design and layout. And, then the lovely man is coming from the company of rocket scientists to install our new digital phone service. I am sure it will be a wonderful experience. He is due between 11 and 2. My bets is he will arrive at 1030 (and I will be just out of the shower or something) or he will show up at 4 pm. They do this and then they wonder why people are crabby to them. I also plan on returning to the gym this morning because my muscles aren't quite sore enough.
I also have made a decision (drum roll please)I am sick of waiting for my hair to get longer. I am going to get the curly crap on the ends cut off. I woke up looking like Yertle the Tertle again and my husband wants to take pictures of me like this so 'some day I can look back on this and laugh'. As soon as the salon opens this morning, I will call and beg for an appointment.
My new goal is to lose 15 lbs before my next annual physical with my doctor in April. This means changing eating habits so that I can lose approximately 2.5 lbs per month. This should allow me to fit into the entire closetfuls of clothes that I have in sizes which are a single digit. Then I can forget about shopping for more clothes. See there is another benefit here...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Another rocket scientist
There are more rocket scientists out there than you might think. Yesterday I had the 'pleasure' of speaking with one. RCN, our cable, internet, and phone provider sent us a letter telling us taht our phone service would be disconnected on December 1 if we don't upgrade to their digital phone service and we need to call to schedule a technician to come upgrade the modem thingy. So I called, they didn't answer so I left a message. How smart - send out a letter, tell people to call, and don't answer the phone?
So I called their national 800 number. The RS who answered told me there was no disconnect order on my phone and he didn't understand. So I read him my letter. Then he put me on hold, had to ask someone else, transferred me to someone else, who put me on hold twice, and then finally scheduled an appointment for a technician to come out and upgrade the modem.
We also were supposed to have a home inspector stop by from the town to do a once in ten year visual inspection as required by law. During this 35 minute interval, the home inspector got lost, called twice, arrived safely, did the inspection, I signed the form, he left, and then finally RCN was resolved. How is that for multi tasking???
Otherwise all I did yesterday was go to the gym - I really went and didn't just talk about it and today I am sore - and to the farmer's market and worked from home. Today I am crabby. My previous issues my butt have returned and now I get to call the doctor again. This may mean more not so fun doctor appointments. I can't wait. Its not going away by itself. Grr, grr, grr. Then I am going for a walk, to work, and out with an old friend.
This is a friend who I have known since we were in junior high. We will go out and have the same thing we have every time we go out - wine and chicken nachos, no jalapenos. In fact if the restaurant does not have chicken nachos on the menu, we ask them to make them specially for us. They usually do. We have been going to the same restaurant, well its in the same place but on its third management, for about 20 years. (In some ways this makes us feel old but we aren't.) Now I know this is not what we call a nutritionally balanced meal but I haven't been able to eat nachos since last spring so this is an important stage in the healing process. (I just want to be clear that I will return to eating veggies and fruits tomorrow.) It also is something fun to look forward to instead of thinking of butt issues.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Is this progress?
During Monday's big adventuresome trip back to see my oncologist, I was thinking about how long it had been since I was last down in the new 'cancer' wing. They built a new wing on the hospital a couple of years ago and all us cancer people are now stuck downstairs from urology (not sure if this is a good or bad thing) with a cushy waiting room and snack ladies. I am also not sure if I understand their logic by sticking some of the sickest people down a really long hall but maybe they are trying to make sure we get our exercise. Its also a good thing they have snack ladies because we are really far from the gift shop and the cafeteria.
As I pulled into the parking garage, I realized that no, all the OMWAHs have not disappeared. They are alive and well in the garage, waiting for parking spaces to open up magically as they sit idling in their two tone Cadillac Sevilles and Lincoln Town Cars. That is not progress. They are still there blocking up the aisles or just backing out of spaces without looking.
Apparently there is progress down in the cushy waiting room. They have added a giant flat screen television set so we could all watch the Bonnie Hut show. I've watched her a few times. She's not bad. But the show we were all forced to watch was (and I am not making this up, you can't make up stuff like this) on Halloween costumes for your dogs. She had everyone on her staff with a dog bring it in with a Halloween costume. Some were purchased and some were home made. I need to be clear the people weren't in costume, the dogs were. There are even dog wigs with little ear holes so they stay on. All of us cancer people got to watch this. I could hear a lot of 'you've got to be kidding me's from the room. But maybe we all forgot about oncologists and blood tests an chemo therapy as we looked at a weimaraner in a bleached blond wig.
Otherwise my week is going well. Yesterday I had a job interview. I should know in a few days if I get it. It would be a great job 3 miles from home and I could continue my other work and have some flexibility in my life as well. My exciting life continues as in addition to going on a job interview, I worked from home, went for a walk with a friend, and went to the grocery store. How exciting is that?
Today, the town has hired assessors to come out and visit every house in town to see if our house is the same as they think it is or do they get to raise our taxes. I will make it very clear to him that housekeeping levels are not part of the equation as I didn't dust before he showed up. (I save that for really special occasions - when one occurs and I actually do dust, I'll be sure to tell you.)
I will also go to the gym today because the weather forecast is for a high of 48 and winds and rain and I will work from home. How exciting is that? Its not but you are still reading...
As I pulled into the parking garage, I realized that no, all the OMWAHs have not disappeared. They are alive and well in the garage, waiting for parking spaces to open up magically as they sit idling in their two tone Cadillac Sevilles and Lincoln Town Cars. That is not progress. They are still there blocking up the aisles or just backing out of spaces without looking.
Apparently there is progress down in the cushy waiting room. They have added a giant flat screen television set so we could all watch the Bonnie Hut show. I've watched her a few times. She's not bad. But the show we were all forced to watch was (and I am not making this up, you can't make up stuff like this) on Halloween costumes for your dogs. She had everyone on her staff with a dog bring it in with a Halloween costume. Some were purchased and some were home made. I need to be clear the people weren't in costume, the dogs were. There are even dog wigs with little ear holes so they stay on. All of us cancer people got to watch this. I could hear a lot of 'you've got to be kidding me's from the room. But maybe we all forgot about oncologists and blood tests an chemo therapy as we looked at a weimaraner in a bleached blond wig.
Otherwise my week is going well. Yesterday I had a job interview. I should know in a few days if I get it. It would be a great job 3 miles from home and I could continue my other work and have some flexibility in my life as well. My exciting life continues as in addition to going on a job interview, I worked from home, went for a walk with a friend, and went to the grocery store. How exciting is that?
Today, the town has hired assessors to come out and visit every house in town to see if our house is the same as they think it is or do they get to raise our taxes. I will make it very clear to him that housekeeping levels are not part of the equation as I didn't dust before he showed up. (I save that for really special occasions - when one occurs and I actually do dust, I'll be sure to tell you.)
I will also go to the gym today because the weather forecast is for a high of 48 and winds and rain and I will work from home. How exciting is that? Its not but you are still reading...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Think before you pink
This is October which is breast cancer awareness month... Also known as sound bite taken out of context month. It doesn't seem to be quite as bad this year because there is lots of news from the political campaigns and those pesky little problems in the financial markets so the media isn't looking for sound bites as much. They don't need to make up news because there is plenty of news out there.
However it is sell all sorts of pink stuff in the name of breast cancer month. Haven't you always wondered how much of what you pay actually goes to whatever the cause is? Sometimes they advertise it and sometimes they don't. I just found this website www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org.
It raises some very good points about buying pink products and criticizes 'pink washers'. An example is cosmetic companies which encourage you to buy their products so they can raise money for breast cancer research. But some of their cosmetics contain ingredients which have shown to cause breast cancer. Hmmm... Maybe they should encourage people to buy other non-carcinogen containing products. Another interesting on they raise is 'click for free mammograms'. How about 5 MILLION clicks for 129 free mammograms? Something wrong with this math? Anyhow, it does contain a list of questions you should ask before donating, buying or clicking which I found to be very helpful.
I think I am finally recovering from my social life. It helped that I got in bed yesterday at 830pm. I was tired. I see no shame in going to bed at a little kids time frame. I will swipe the cancer card here if I need to but I am not going to. I feel better today which is good because I have another over-scheduled busy day. I have a therapist appointment, scheduled phone call, work from home, job interview, and support group. I also have to figure out what to where to the interview, what questions to ask, and maybe go to the grocery store.
Yesterday, I was at Radio Shack for a watch battery (complicated story but the watch store didn't have a battery so they sent me to RS to get one) but they tried to sell me a $350 Acer laptop. It was tiny. I might buy one. I need to do more research. They do not have a DVD drive so you have to put all your software on flash drives to install. Anyhow, it was very cool and if I get a little more work I can justify buying one.
Oh, about the doctor visit yesterday. That's the whole reason I was near the mall. I am sure you were only reading this far to find out what the doctor said. This was a follow up with my oncologist. He said I am doing well and healing. He originally said he would see me in three months but since I am seeing the surgeon in a month, he can wait four months. What's wrong with six month and annual follow ups? But there is a chance I can go three whole months without going to the doctor. That has not happened since April 2007.
I did also ask him so what's my prognosis, what's the follow up deal? He said that he doesn't believe in doing lots of tests and stuff unless there are symptoms to test for. Which I agree with - they cause stress and lots of additional anxiety (which I don't need) and drive up medical costs. But because of my medical history, I will get lots and lots of follow up visits to see how I am doing.
I also asked specifically since I have now had cancer in my lymph system twice, whats my prognosis. These are considered two separate occurrences and basically I lost the crap shoot of life on that issue. No real cancer history in the family so I was just 'special' and got the medical issues. Its interesting that if you ask your doctors point blank questions like this they will give you answers. But if you don't ask, they don't tell you. Basically they consider me to be recovering well. No guarantees made but I am okay for now.
Wow, I am blabbing on and on today. Maybe I should quit now before you all nod off.
However it is sell all sorts of pink stuff in the name of breast cancer month. Haven't you always wondered how much of what you pay actually goes to whatever the cause is? Sometimes they advertise it and sometimes they don't. I just found this website www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org.
It raises some very good points about buying pink products and criticizes 'pink washers'. An example is cosmetic companies which encourage you to buy their products so they can raise money for breast cancer research. But some of their cosmetics contain ingredients which have shown to cause breast cancer. Hmmm... Maybe they should encourage people to buy other non-carcinogen containing products. Another interesting on they raise is 'click for free mammograms'. How about 5 MILLION clicks for 129 free mammograms? Something wrong with this math? Anyhow, it does contain a list of questions you should ask before donating, buying or clicking which I found to be very helpful.
I think I am finally recovering from my social life. It helped that I got in bed yesterday at 830pm. I was tired. I see no shame in going to bed at a little kids time frame. I will swipe the cancer card here if I need to but I am not going to. I feel better today which is good because I have another over-scheduled busy day. I have a therapist appointment, scheduled phone call, work from home, job interview, and support group. I also have to figure out what to where to the interview, what questions to ask, and maybe go to the grocery store.
Yesterday, I was at Radio Shack for a watch battery (complicated story but the watch store didn't have a battery so they sent me to RS to get one) but they tried to sell me a $350 Acer laptop. It was tiny. I might buy one. I need to do more research. They do not have a DVD drive so you have to put all your software on flash drives to install. Anyhow, it was very cool and if I get a little more work I can justify buying one.
Oh, about the doctor visit yesterday. That's the whole reason I was near the mall. I am sure you were only reading this far to find out what the doctor said. This was a follow up with my oncologist. He said I am doing well and healing. He originally said he would see me in three months but since I am seeing the surgeon in a month, he can wait four months. What's wrong with six month and annual follow ups? But there is a chance I can go three whole months without going to the doctor. That has not happened since April 2007.
I did also ask him so what's my prognosis, what's the follow up deal? He said that he doesn't believe in doing lots of tests and stuff unless there are symptoms to test for. Which I agree with - they cause stress and lots of additional anxiety (which I don't need) and drive up medical costs. But because of my medical history, I will get lots and lots of follow up visits to see how I am doing.
I also asked specifically since I have now had cancer in my lymph system twice, whats my prognosis. These are considered two separate occurrences and basically I lost the crap shoot of life on that issue. No real cancer history in the family so I was just 'special' and got the medical issues. Its interesting that if you ask your doctors point blank questions like this they will give you answers. But if you don't ask, they don't tell you. Basically they consider me to be recovering well. No guarantees made but I am okay for now.
Wow, I am blabbing on and on today. Maybe I should quit now before you all nod off.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Now recovery mode
In the past four days,I have been out each night. I also was running around all day every day. Yesterday I mostly stayed home but I cooked and did six loads of laundry. I am tired today. Gee, I wonder why?
Today I am waiting for it to warm up a tiny bit (a tropical 27 degrees) and go for a walk and then the doctors office (yes I feel fine, just running around too much) and then work. Tonight, we are eating left overs, staying home and going to bed early to recover from too much fun.
The cat will appreciate this. He is mad at us because we haven't been home enough for him recently. He expects a lap all day, every day. He is also mad because we have instituted the kitty containment device (a/k/a a new working front door latch)
so he can no longer be an out door cat when he wants. I used tools and my visiting friend and I figured out how to install it over the weekend. He'll get over it eventually - he hates snow and cold.
Actually it was nice to be able to go out four nights in a row. I haven't done that in a couple of years - too busy with pesky surgery and treatment and all that crap. Now I will recover so I can go out again on Thursday night. Is too much social life bad for your health? I don't know and I don't care.
Today I am waiting for it to warm up a tiny bit (a tropical 27 degrees) and go for a walk and then the doctors office (yes I feel fine, just running around too much) and then work. Tonight, we are eating left overs, staying home and going to bed early to recover from too much fun.
The cat will appreciate this. He is mad at us because we haven't been home enough for him recently. He expects a lap all day, every day. He is also mad because we have instituted the kitty containment device (a/k/a a new working front door latch)
so he can no longer be an out door cat when he wants. I used tools and my visiting friend and I figured out how to install it over the weekend. He'll get over it eventually - he hates snow and cold.Actually it was nice to be able to go out four nights in a row. I haven't done that in a couple of years - too busy with pesky surgery and treatment and all that crap. Now I will recover so I can go out again on Thursday night. Is too much social life bad for your health? I don't know and I don't care.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
They keep nagging
They keep nagging 'dont over do it'! Nag, nag, nag. This would be my husband and my friend. They both nagged me yesterday and gave me a hard time. But all we did was go into Boston, go out for breakfast, walk all over the place, visit historic stuff, visit the italian pastry shop (I had ONE cookie), and go out to dinner. And we did a little shopping. And we stopped in Cheers. And I can't remember what else but they kept saying 'why don't we sit down' and 'dont over do it'.
Okay, so may be they were right. I was tired last night and am still a tiny little bit tired today. I will take it easy and do my six (eek!) loads of laundry. And go to the farm stand. And maybe take a little walk. That is all before we are going out tonight to see Colin Moquerie and Brad Sherwood - which was a birthday present for Walter. Unfortunately it means we are going out for the fourth night in a row. Could that be why I am a little bit tired too??? Hmmmm....
Anyhow, that's all I am doing today except maybe watching TV with the cat. He misses me since I haven't been home enough.
Okay, so may be they were right. I was tired last night and am still a tiny little bit tired today. I will take it easy and do my six (eek!) loads of laundry. And go to the farm stand. And maybe take a little walk. That is all before we are going out tonight to see Colin Moquerie and Brad Sherwood - which was a birthday present for Walter. Unfortunately it means we are going out for the fourth night in a row. Could that be why I am a little bit tired too??? Hmmmm....
Anyhow, that's all I am doing today except maybe watching TV with the cat. He misses me since I haven't been home enough.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
More yummy food
Yesterday was a day of changing plans. Plan A was go for a walk, take pictures of foliage, go into Boston, see friend's son, have him join us in suburbs for dinner. Then son's class schedule was changed.
So Plan B was created: go for a walk, take pictures of foliage, go into Boston, see friend's son and have lunch, and then go back to suburbs for dinner. This quickly morphed when college student couldn't meet us during the day because of not enough time between classes.
Which lead to Plan C of go for a walk, take pictures of the foliage, go to the beach, go to farm stand, skip seeing friend's son, and dinner in suburbs. But then his class was cancelled which lead to Plan D of go for a walk, take pictures of the foliage, go to the beach, go to the farm stand, my friend went into Boston to meet her son while I fed the cat. Then we retrieved the friend and went out to dinner in the suburbs.
I think we only changed plans four times. There could have been more changes. I can't remember. I do know that we got up and went for a nice long walk and took lots of pictures. Then when we got to the beach we didn't walk as much because we had already walked (and might have been a tiny bit tired) and it was high tide so there was very little beach available for walking that wasn't under water. We did more sitting and watching the waves.
Today I think we only have plan A. We meet friend's son, go out to breakfast, go to all the historical stuff in Boston and walk all over the place doing this. We aren't going for a walk first (in case I over did it yesterday and am still tired - nothing like bossy people to tell me when I am tired...). We will walk all over Boston and then Walter,who had to work today, will meet us for dinner in town.
My goals today are not to get the out of town visitors too lost in Boston, to eat somewhat healthier than yesterday's fried clams, and not to over do it... Is this possible?
So Plan B was created: go for a walk, take pictures of foliage, go into Boston, see friend's son and have lunch, and then go back to suburbs for dinner. This quickly morphed when college student couldn't meet us during the day because of not enough time between classes.
Which lead to Plan C of go for a walk, take pictures of the foliage, go to the beach, go to farm stand, skip seeing friend's son, and dinner in suburbs. But then his class was cancelled which lead to Plan D of go for a walk, take pictures of the foliage, go to the beach, go to the farm stand, my friend went into Boston to meet her son while I fed the cat. Then we retrieved the friend and went out to dinner in the suburbs.
I think we only changed plans four times. There could have been more changes. I can't remember. I do know that we got up and went for a nice long walk and took lots of pictures. Then when we got to the beach we didn't walk as much because we had already walked (and might have been a tiny bit tired) and it was high tide so there was very little beach available for walking that wasn't under water. We did more sitting and watching the waves.
Today I think we only have plan A. We meet friend's son, go out to breakfast, go to all the historical stuff in Boston and walk all over the place doing this. We aren't going for a walk first (in case I over did it yesterday and am still tired - nothing like bossy people to tell me when I am tired...). We will walk all over Boston and then Walter,who had to work today, will meet us for dinner in town.
My goals today are not to get the out of town visitors too lost in Boston, to eat somewhat healthier than yesterday's fried clams, and not to over do it... Is this possible?
Friday, October 17, 2008
Guacamole
Last night, we used the excuse of a friend visiting from a Mexican food deprived portion of the country to go out to dinner. They have the best homemade guacamole. Its yummy! I haven't had any Mexican food or guacamole since last spring some time. Yum, yum, yum. I also had a quesadilla which was way better than the ones I make.
I suppose I should keep you informed. Four weeks from surgery and I am not in pain unless I pick up something heavy, squish my stomach, or the cat stands on my incisions. (I am working on this but he likes to sit on my lap with his delicate 15 lbs...) I am sometimes uncomfortable - but only when I try to lie on my right side (my former gall bladder speaks up), my stomach (ditto), and my left side (my hip).
Otherwise, I am fine and comfy but that means I am sleeping on my back mostly which I hate. If I wake up in the middle of the night, it can be hard to get back to sleep. (Like last night I was up at 2:30 and stayed awake because I couldn't get comfy. Maybe today I will be crabby. But that's a bad idea because I am supposed to go be social today.
Lots of plans for today and tomorrow. This morning we will go for a walk (visiting friend also likes big walks) but we will bring cameras and take pictures of the foliage because it is very good this year. Then we will both do work, go into Boston to visit her son so she can be a good mother, back out here for dinner out, and then deliver her son back into Boston. Somewhere in there we will walk all over the place and take the subway everywhere we don't walk.
Tomorrow, we get to go to the beach. I haven't been in over a month. I am having withdrawal. I may also get to have fried clams. Some day soon I will stop eating all this crap and return to my normal healthy ways. Its sort of rebound from the fat free gall bladder life style for now.
I suppose I should keep you informed. Four weeks from surgery and I am not in pain unless I pick up something heavy, squish my stomach, or the cat stands on my incisions. (I am working on this but he likes to sit on my lap with his delicate 15 lbs...) I am sometimes uncomfortable - but only when I try to lie on my right side (my former gall bladder speaks up), my stomach (ditto), and my left side (my hip).
Otherwise, I am fine and comfy but that means I am sleeping on my back mostly which I hate. If I wake up in the middle of the night, it can be hard to get back to sleep. (Like last night I was up at 2:30 and stayed awake because I couldn't get comfy. Maybe today I will be crabby. But that's a bad idea because I am supposed to go be social today.
Lots of plans for today and tomorrow. This morning we will go for a walk (visiting friend also likes big walks) but we will bring cameras and take pictures of the foliage because it is very good this year. Then we will both do work, go into Boston to visit her son so she can be a good mother, back out here for dinner out, and then deliver her son back into Boston. Somewhere in there we will walk all over the place and take the subway everywhere we don't walk.
Tomorrow, we get to go to the beach. I haven't been in over a month. I am having withdrawal. I may also get to have fried clams. Some day soon I will stop eating all this crap and return to my normal healthy ways. Its sort of rebound from the fat free gall bladder life style for now.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Maybe I am finally getting this
Call me slow but perhaps I am finally getting this. When you have surgery, you need to take it easy to recover. If you over do things, you get weird little pains from where they poked around inside you that don't necessarily coincide with your incisions. (This can also happen if the cat walks on the area of your surgery.)
Yesterday morning I was very tired but I went to an interview for a walk, the grocery story, and got my nails done. I also managed to do a lot of nothing (translated to wasting time on the internet) between all that. Then I even went to bed early. Well, I was tired and I was going to watch the debate in bed. They started talking about the economy so it was time to put cotton in my ears and listen to the blah, blah, blah. Then I fell asleep. That was restful until the cat invaded and decided to stretch out with his paws in my ear...
Today I feel a little better, not as tired but once again I have a busy day - but at least I have light pink fingernails and dark brown toe nails - so I can be tired in style. No I am not obsessing about a manicure/pedicure. It is my one indulgence these days. I don't buy clothes and make up. I don't get my hair cut (because of the Lorax issue) but I do get my nails done because I want to. That's enough of a reason.
This morning I am working from home (and wasting time on line) until I go to work early. Then a friend is coming in from out of town, we will go for a walk and out for Mexican food. I haven't had Mexican food since last spring either. I can't wait. They have the BEST guacamole (and no I am not going to tell you where this restaurant is because its tiny and is really good and really cheap and I don't want to have it end up being crowded).
A busy weekend of fun things is planned but we really don't have a schedule - just call us unorganized. But we will have fun which is the most important thing.
In the meantime, here is another inconclusive sound bite. Nicotine spurs breast cancer growth. Hmmm... Well if you read the article you will learn that at least they plainly state that this is what happened in a lab dish but they don't know what this means for humans. So why publish this so it can be picked up, taken out of context, and distorted if it only proves that it has any effect in a lab dish. Perhaps they should wait until they can say it has an effect on humans.
The other day I mentioned something about an article on there being no breast cancer/caffeine link. Well, then yesterday someone pointed out a different article on drinking four or more cups of coffee daily and its impact on developing breast cancer. I think they publish these things regularly just to keep us all confused.
Yesterday morning I was very tired but I went to an interview for a walk, the grocery story, and got my nails done. I also managed to do a lot of nothing (translated to wasting time on the internet) between all that. Then I even went to bed early. Well, I was tired and I was going to watch the debate in bed. They started talking about the economy so it was time to put cotton in my ears and listen to the blah, blah, blah. Then I fell asleep. That was restful until the cat invaded and decided to stretch out with his paws in my ear...
Today I feel a little better, not as tired but once again I have a busy day - but at least I have light pink fingernails and dark brown toe nails - so I can be tired in style. No I am not obsessing about a manicure/pedicure. It is my one indulgence these days. I don't buy clothes and make up. I don't get my hair cut (because of the Lorax issue) but I do get my nails done because I want to. That's enough of a reason.
This morning I am working from home (and wasting time on line) until I go to work early. Then a friend is coming in from out of town, we will go for a walk and out for Mexican food. I haven't had Mexican food since last spring either. I can't wait. They have the BEST guacamole (and no I am not going to tell you where this restaurant is because its tiny and is really good and really cheap and I don't want to have it end up being crowded).
A busy weekend of fun things is planned but we really don't have a schedule - just call us unorganized. But we will have fun which is the most important thing.
In the meantime, here is another inconclusive sound bite. Nicotine spurs breast cancer growth. Hmmm... Well if you read the article you will learn that at least they plainly state that this is what happened in a lab dish but they don't know what this means for humans. So why publish this so it can be picked up, taken out of context, and distorted if it only proves that it has any effect in a lab dish. Perhaps they should wait until they can say it has an effect on humans.
The other day I mentioned something about an article on there being no breast cancer/caffeine link. Well, then yesterday someone pointed out a different article on drinking four or more cups of coffee daily and its impact on developing breast cancer. I think they publish these things regularly just to keep us all confused.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day: Poverty
Today is Blog Action Day. The organizers want all bloggers to blog about poverty. People in need often do not get the medical attention they need. I personally know people who have said to my 'I dont have insurance to cover these treatments' and skip recommended treatments for their cancer. This is very unfortunate to hear. I have also heard the social workers at the hospital I go to tell these patients that there are special arrangements that can be made for people who's insurance will not cover their cancer treatments.
While I am all for health insurance for all, I also am not sure we would be better off with a national health care system. I used to travel to the UK on business frequently. I was not a patient in the health care system I heard about it from many. Everyone I knew paid for a private dentist because the national health care ones were awful. It took a long time to get an appointment in the national system.
One time, there was a major flu epidemic going on to the point that hospitals were overloaded. People's regularly scheduled surgeries were postponed because of lack of hospital beds. One woman was in the news because her cancer surgery was postponed four times due to lack of beds. When they could finally get her in, it was too late and there was nothing they could do. She was given only a few months to live.
I do think there needs to be a safety net so that those in need can receive regular checkups and can get the medical care they need. Poverty should not make people choose between food and medical care. This could mean life or death. The system needs to be changed.
Yesterday I had a long day and worked until 9 pm. Very late for me. Today I am tired. Partly because it took me a while to fall asleep and partly because I didn't sleep very well. This morning I have an interview where I need to be perky and wide awake. I think I will indulge in extra caffeine to get me through it.
While I am all for health insurance for all, I also am not sure we would be better off with a national health care system. I used to travel to the UK on business frequently. I was not a patient in the health care system I heard about it from many. Everyone I knew paid for a private dentist because the national health care ones were awful. It took a long time to get an appointment in the national system.
One time, there was a major flu epidemic going on to the point that hospitals were overloaded. People's regularly scheduled surgeries were postponed because of lack of hospital beds. One woman was in the news because her cancer surgery was postponed four times due to lack of beds. When they could finally get her in, it was too late and there was nothing they could do. She was given only a few months to live.
I do think there needs to be a safety net so that those in need can receive regular checkups and can get the medical care they need. Poverty should not make people choose between food and medical care. This could mean life or death. The system needs to be changed.
Yesterday I had a long day and worked until 9 pm. Very late for me. Today I am tired. Partly because it took me a while to fall asleep and partly because I didn't sleep very well. This morning I have an interview where I need to be perky and wide awake. I think I will indulge in extra caffeine to get me through it.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Another tiny possibility
Okay, there is a tiny possibility I overdid it yesterday according to the rumor mongers around here. But first, here is the latest video of the day. John Cleese on Sarah Palin's ability to run the United States. I do wish to say I don't agree with his labelling of McCain as a cancer survivor. John McCain's medical history has no impact on his ability to be a senator or US president.
Also in the news this morning is a story about how caffeine intake is not shown to cause breast cancer. So we can all now drink our morning coffee in peace.
Yesterday, I went for a walk, planted bulbs, got Walter to dig holes for the last 35 bulbs, and worked from home. I was informed that once again I had Dr Seuss character hair - possibly Yertle the Turtle hair. Today I am working then meeting a friend for a walk and then going to work. I am actually going to work this evening - which means I need to stay awake. I plan to actually focus on doing something to my hair to prevent the Yertle look.
But back to my tiny possibility (I needed to build some suspense), that I might have overdone things yesterday. When my incisions hurt, this is a sign that I have overdone things. But when you over do it, you do sleep very well at night and sleep late in the morning.
Also in the news this morning is a story about how caffeine intake is not shown to cause breast cancer. So we can all now drink our morning coffee in peace.
Yesterday, I went for a walk, planted bulbs, got Walter to dig holes for the last 35 bulbs, and worked from home. I was informed that once again I had Dr Seuss character hair - possibly Yertle the Turtle hair. Today I am working then meeting a friend for a walk and then going to work. I am actually going to work this evening - which means I need to stay awake. I plan to actually focus on doing something to my hair to prevent the Yertle look.
But back to my tiny possibility (I needed to build some suspense), that I might have overdone things yesterday. When my incisions hurt, this is a sign that I have overdone things. But when you over do it, you do sleep very well at night and sleep late in the morning.
Monday, October 13, 2008
More hair issues
Yesterday, my husband said to me 'you look like a Dr Seuss character!' because the hair on my head was standing up straight, just like the Lorax or Cindy Lou Who or Sam (as in Green Eggs) or any number of other Dr Seuss characters. These days it is definitely uncooperative.
It finally is appearing like it might return to its normal color but has some curl on the end which means it does its own thing - no matter what I do. And its too short. The next cut will probably remove all the remaining curl, but will, obviously, make it shorter. So my dilemma is how long do I fight with the stupid Dr Seuss prone hair so it is longer before getting what I hope are the last of the curls cut off? This will be a test for me. I will continue to suffer in silence.
Now to continue our key numbers from yesterday - there are now less than 100 days of George Bush in the White House. What ever your leanings, I think most Americans will be glad to see the end of him. Another key number 22 days until the election and counting. This means 22 days until we stop hearing about political ads and campaigns and can return to worrying about the economy, the war, and all the other issues we are all avoiding these days.
Yesterday I did survive our bike ride. I think I will be going again in the next week or so. It did give me some pains and cause me to take a nap yesterday but otherwise went well. I probably went 10-12 miles tops at a speed that was not breaking any records - Walter pointed out that he was coasting most of the way... I also dug holes for more bulbs but have many more to dig... what was I thinking when we bought so many? Oh I know, that Walter would dig the holes. I will have to work on that.
Speaking of exercise, in today's newspaper, there was actually an article I agree with for once (this does happen occasionally). Exercise helps prevent fatigue, especially for people who are sick with things like cancer, in addition to the common cold. I could gloat but I won't. I will just go for a walk today.
It finally is appearing like it might return to its normal color but has some curl on the end which means it does its own thing - no matter what I do. And its too short. The next cut will probably remove all the remaining curl, but will, obviously, make it shorter. So my dilemma is how long do I fight with the stupid Dr Seuss prone hair so it is longer before getting what I hope are the last of the curls cut off? This will be a test for me. I will continue to suffer in silence.
Now to continue our key numbers from yesterday - there are now less than 100 days of George Bush in the White House. What ever your leanings, I think most Americans will be glad to see the end of him. Another key number 22 days until the election and counting. This means 22 days until we stop hearing about political ads and campaigns and can return to worrying about the economy, the war, and all the other issues we are all avoiding these days.
Yesterday I did survive our bike ride. I think I will be going again in the next week or so. It did give me some pains and cause me to take a nap yesterday but otherwise went well. I probably went 10-12 miles tops at a speed that was not breaking any records - Walter pointed out that he was coasting most of the way... I also dug holes for more bulbs but have many more to dig... what was I thinking when we bought so many? Oh I know, that Walter would dig the holes. I will have to work on that.
Speaking of exercise, in today's newspaper, there was actually an article I agree with for once (this does happen occasionally). Exercise helps prevent fatigue, especially for people who are sick with things like cancer, in addition to the common cold. I could gloat but I won't. I will just go for a walk today.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The numbers are adding up
The numbers are definitely adding up. I didn't realize it but yesterday was my 500th blog post! Wow! And there are still people reading it.
Another milestone, earlier this month I reached over 1000 miles in driving to my 73 doctor appointments to date this year. I keep track of this as it is deductible in our taxes (I don't know all the details, I just give the information to our tax guy and he figures it out for me...) considering its a 13.5 mile round trip to the doctors I usually go to, that's a lot of trips.
But the real number of the day is that there are now pop tarts which are whole grain and give you 20% of your daily fiber in a serving. I didn't think pop tarts had any nutritional value outside of the sugar food group. (I just want to clarify, I don't think I have eaten a pop tart since college and have no plans to try to eat these nutritional ones. I am sure they now taste like cardboard with sugar on top.)What next? Will they add fiber to twinkies? How mouthwatering.
Yesterday I attempted to plant bulbs. Unfortunately I only got about 25 planted before I got tired. Later today Walter can do the digging. I think I have about 100 to go. I also went for a walk and went out to lunch for a friend and did a little shopping.
Today our big adventure is a bike ride. We are going to attempt to ride our bikes out the bike path. We live right near the bike path. We never ride on it. We walk on it. But for a change, we think we should actually use it as a bike path. Actually, we had fun biking in Maine so we want to go again. Then because we will have burned up so many calories, we will get to go to the diner for breakfast. This is all assuming that biking is not a bad thing to do after surgery.
Another milestone, earlier this month I reached over 1000 miles in driving to my 73 doctor appointments to date this year. I keep track of this as it is deductible in our taxes (I don't know all the details, I just give the information to our tax guy and he figures it out for me...) considering its a 13.5 mile round trip to the doctors I usually go to, that's a lot of trips.
But the real number of the day is that there are now pop tarts which are whole grain and give you 20% of your daily fiber in a serving. I didn't think pop tarts had any nutritional value outside of the sugar food group. (I just want to clarify, I don't think I have eaten a pop tart since college and have no plans to try to eat these nutritional ones. I am sure they now taste like cardboard with sugar on top.)What next? Will they add fiber to twinkies? How mouthwatering.
Yesterday I attempted to plant bulbs. Unfortunately I only got about 25 planted before I got tired. Later today Walter can do the digging. I think I have about 100 to go. I also went for a walk and went out to lunch for a friend and did a little shopping.
Today our big adventure is a bike ride. We are going to attempt to ride our bikes out the bike path. We live right near the bike path. We never ride on it. We walk on it. But for a change, we think we should actually use it as a bike path. Actually, we had fun biking in Maine so we want to go again. Then because we will have burned up so many calories, we will get to go to the diner for breakfast. This is all assuming that biking is not a bad thing to do after surgery.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Avoidance
If you ignore and avoid the icky things in life, they will go away. Well, sometimes. This is the very mature route to handling stressful things. The stock market is having a 'bad time'. I'll just leave it at that because all the other words that are floating around (crash, depression, meltdown, etc) are just too nasty. Therefore, I recommend avoiding and ignoring it. Stop watching the news or mute it when they talk about the markets. Skip the business section of the paper. Don't open your IRA and investment statements, leave them in a nice tidy little pile where they can sit until the market turns around. Then when you open them, you will know they are already on their way back up. (If you insist on opening them, I recommend a stiff drink to accompany them.)
Another thing to ignore/avoid is the election. There are only 24 days to go unless you believe the evil rumors that the White House is going to impose martial law and delay them so Obama wont get in. (I am not making this up, it was in today's newspaper.) I really dont think they should postpone it because it ha been dragging on for so long already, we all just want it to be over. We all just want to vote and get it over with so we can get back to our lives and stop having our favorite TV shows cancelled because of debates and other political chit chat.
Instead of these two headline grabbing situations, I recommend focusing on more fun things like fall foliage, computer games, cooking shows on TV, Netflix DVDs, shopping (that's helping the economy), gardening, sports (the Red Sox are in the play offs, hockey and basketball are starting, and foot ball is going on too), home improvement projects (also good for the economy), and vacations. Just think a three week vacation would be great about now. If the economy isn't better by then, we may all be on a permanent vacation and the election will finally be over.
One last thing to ignore is the fact that yesterday I made a clear violation of the do not lift more than 10 lbs rule while recovering from abdominal surgery. I tried to open a window that I didn't realize was locked. So it caused a little pain. Not too much and I plan on ignoring it until it goes away.
Today I am going for a walk (for a change, Walter might go with me), then a friend is coming over and we are going out to lunch and consignment store shopping. I need to plant bulbs (meaning Walter needs to dig me a million little holes so I can fill them back up.) A busy day while I ignore icky things.
Another thing to ignore/avoid is the election. There are only 24 days to go unless you believe the evil rumors that the White House is going to impose martial law and delay them so Obama wont get in. (I am not making this up, it was in today's newspaper.) I really dont think they should postpone it because it ha been dragging on for so long already, we all just want it to be over. We all just want to vote and get it over with so we can get back to our lives and stop having our favorite TV shows cancelled because of debates and other political chit chat.
Instead of these two headline grabbing situations, I recommend focusing on more fun things like fall foliage, computer games, cooking shows on TV, Netflix DVDs, shopping (that's helping the economy), gardening, sports (the Red Sox are in the play offs, hockey and basketball are starting, and foot ball is going on too), home improvement projects (also good for the economy), and vacations. Just think a three week vacation would be great about now. If the economy isn't better by then, we may all be on a permanent vacation and the election will finally be over.
One last thing to ignore is the fact that yesterday I made a clear violation of the do not lift more than 10 lbs rule while recovering from abdominal surgery. I tried to open a window that I didn't realize was locked. So it caused a little pain. Not too much and I plan on ignoring it until it goes away.
Today I am going for a walk (for a change, Walter might go with me), then a friend is coming over and we are going out to lunch and consignment store shopping. I need to plant bulbs (meaning Walter needs to dig me a million little holes so I can fill them back up.) A busy day while I ignore icky things.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Avoidance
A year ago I was avoiding dealing with my health issues. I felt like crap, had no hair, and was in chemo. Today I am avoiding the economy. Actually I think everyone should avoid thinking about the economy and listening to news about the economy. Its very depressing. We should all take the responsible way out and avoid thinking about it - maybe it will go away. Well it definitely will since there will be a presidential address on the economy today. I am sure that will solve all the problems the $700,000,000,000 (too many zeroes) bill didn't solve. I am not sure why the politicians think a speech can solve the problems of the world. On to avoidance.
Yesterday, because I could, I stayed in my pajamas until 11 am. I also watched four episodes of Sex in the City - these were the ones where Samantha is diagnosed with breast cancer. I actually think they handled it rather well. She says she can't go visit Miranda in Brooklyn because she has cancer. Their depiction of chemo is pretty good too. I now have to watch the rest of the sixth season to see how it goes.
I actually got some work done yesterday too. I didn't watch TV all day. I waited until it was warm enough to go for a walk in shorts and then got motivated. Also, I was talking on the phone to a friend yesterday and guess who got out. There he was la-di-dah sitting on the stone wall waiting for furry things to destroy. (Just call him the 'Enforcer' - no one is getting near his house.) This actually happened three times. I can't wait for snow to end all this.
Today I am meeting a friend for a walk and then another friend is coming over and then I need to get some work done too. Maybe I should motivate this morning and work? That would be a good concept but it requires motivation and not procrastination.
Yesterday, because I could, I stayed in my pajamas until 11 am. I also watched four episodes of Sex in the City - these were the ones where Samantha is diagnosed with breast cancer. I actually think they handled it rather well. She says she can't go visit Miranda in Brooklyn because she has cancer. Their depiction of chemo is pretty good too. I now have to watch the rest of the sixth season to see how it goes.
I actually got some work done yesterday too. I didn't watch TV all day. I waited until it was warm enough to go for a walk in shorts and then got motivated. Also, I was talking on the phone to a friend yesterday and guess who got out. There he was la-di-dah sitting on the stone wall waiting for furry things to destroy. (Just call him the 'Enforcer' - no one is getting near his house.) This actually happened three times. I can't wait for snow to end all this.
Today I am meeting a friend for a walk and then another friend is coming over and then I need to get some work done too. Maybe I should motivate this morning and work? That would be a good concept but it requires motivation and not procrastination.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
And this is helpful?
More sound bites from the October crazed media.There were two new articles on the news this morning: 'Blood test may detect breast cancer' and 'Aspirin and ibuprofen may lower risk of breast cancer'. I am not sure how helpful these two articles are.
The first one - the key word in the title is 'may'. Also, the second subtitle is - Does not replace mammograms. So what's the point? Its not a sure thing. You still need mammograms. And patients need to ask their doctors for it. Since when are patients educated enough to tell their doctors which tests they need? Do I need this test (or is it too late)? Maybe my insurance will cover it but that's not the point. Okay perhaps for high risk women - BRCA positive or family history - it would be a good idea but I really don't think we should all run out and get this new test that may be helpful.
The second article says a daily aspirin or ibuprofen may reduce breast cancer risk - but they aren't sure why. Also, this article was released on line in April of this, or probably even earlier. But its breast cancer month and they found a new sound bite to push in their daily hunt to find ways to undermine the confidence of people in treatment.
Okay, call me crabby and oversensitive but I am trying to find some logic besides the need for October appropriate sound bites for publishing both articles at this time. Is crabbiness a long term side effect of chemo? Did they take out my 'nice' with my gall bladder? Only time will tell. In the meantime, I will save up all my crabbiness and vent here.
Yesterday was sort of a long day for me. I worked from home and went for a walk. Then I went to work for five whole hours and then out to dinner. At 8pm I was sitting in the restaurant completely exhausted. When I got home, my husband insinuated that possibly I overdid it yesterday, hence the fatigue. Maybe I am pushing myself but I am sick of being sick and tired all the time. This has been going on since my first surgery on June 19, 2007 - that's 1 year, 2 months, and 20 days (but who's counting) of being tired and recovering from something. Its really getting old. (Or maybe its the cause of my crabbiness??? There's a point to ponder.)
Today, I have a much lighter schedule. I have to work from home and go for a walk, which will happen later on when it gets above 70 degrees and I can wear shorts. I have lots of other things I could do - gardening, planting bulbs, moving around potted plants (but wait I can't lift heavy things yet), cleaning the house (but I did mop the kitchen floor yesterday but don't tell Walter), vacuuming, and organizing my clothes. Or I could just sit around and watch DVD's again... Hmmm... big decision.
The first one - the key word in the title is 'may'. Also, the second subtitle is - Does not replace mammograms. So what's the point? Its not a sure thing. You still need mammograms. And patients need to ask their doctors for it. Since when are patients educated enough to tell their doctors which tests they need? Do I need this test (or is it too late)? Maybe my insurance will cover it but that's not the point. Okay perhaps for high risk women - BRCA positive or family history - it would be a good idea but I really don't think we should all run out and get this new test that may be helpful.
The second article says a daily aspirin or ibuprofen may reduce breast cancer risk - but they aren't sure why. Also, this article was released on line in April of this, or probably even earlier. But its breast cancer month and they found a new sound bite to push in their daily hunt to find ways to undermine the confidence of people in treatment.
Okay, call me crabby and oversensitive but I am trying to find some logic besides the need for October appropriate sound bites for publishing both articles at this time. Is crabbiness a long term side effect of chemo? Did they take out my 'nice' with my gall bladder? Only time will tell. In the meantime, I will save up all my crabbiness and vent here.
Yesterday was sort of a long day for me. I worked from home and went for a walk. Then I went to work for five whole hours and then out to dinner. At 8pm I was sitting in the restaurant completely exhausted. When I got home, my husband insinuated that possibly I overdid it yesterday, hence the fatigue. Maybe I am pushing myself but I am sick of being sick and tired all the time. This has been going on since my first surgery on June 19, 2007 - that's 1 year, 2 months, and 20 days (but who's counting) of being tired and recovering from something. Its really getting old. (Or maybe its the cause of my crabbiness??? There's a point to ponder.)
Today, I have a much lighter schedule. I have to work from home and go for a walk, which will happen later on when it gets above 70 degrees and I can wear shorts. I have lots of other things I could do - gardening, planting bulbs, moving around potted plants (but wait I can't lift heavy things yet), cleaning the house (but I did mop the kitchen floor yesterday but don't tell Walter), vacuuming, and organizing my clothes. Or I could just sit around and watch DVD's again... Hmmm... big decision.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Its not the steri strips
Its the damn adhesive that is itchy. So the doctor took the steri strips off on Monday (but you knew that already if you had been reading along). They left behind little rings around them of adhesive - just like when you pull off a bandaid. When I showered yesterday (which I do daily) I tried to get the adhesive off. It didn't work.
So then I tried dissolving it with alcohol (which works by the way and doesn't sting because the incisions are healed - what did you think I would put alcohol on an open incision? Even I am not that dumb.) The stupid adhesive left behind nice little rectangular red itchy areas - the exact shape and size as the damn steri strips. they itch. I can't scratch them because in the middle of each one is an incision with a scab. So once again I am sitting here working on that suffering in silence business (that I do so well) and ignoring the itchy steri strip residue.
Last evening, our friend, the cat, once again decided he wanted to be an outdoor cat. We thought we had cured him of this by fixing the front door so he couldn't push it open. We were wrong. He got out. I thought he might have gotten out but wanted to eat dinner first (actually enjoy my food without his nose at the edge of my plate). Then I thought I heard a 'really pissed off cat outside' noise and went to investigate (shaking a box of kitty treats - he always comes for treats). Lo and behold, he was outside and his tail had somehow inflated to about 3 times its normal size. Yes, he was pissed off. There was someone invading 'his' backyard. I think this winter we will cure him of this outdoor business because it will be cold and his itty bitty little paws might get cold or snowy or, God forbid, wet!
Anyhow, I am also suffering in silence through this political season. I tried watching last night's debate but decided it was better to go to sleep. I did find this video on CNN yesterday - are all the spoofs of Sarah Palin actually hurting or helping her? Interesting question to ponder.
Let's see today, in addition to this suffering in silence business, I am going to go for a walk (or maybe the gym if its too cold), then work from home and then go to work. I am meeting friends for dinner - yes the social life thing is finally returning. These are the women who were in a newly diagnosed support group last year - we still get together monthly for our check in to see how everyone is doing. This means I need to stop playing on the internet and get moving so that I can get everything done that I need to do.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
News flash
Now here's a newsflash from the doctor yesterday - my incisions are healing normally and my bruise will fade and go away with time. Gee. I never would have thought my bruise would go away. I feel so relieved!
Actually I wasn't expecting to hear anything exciting at the surgeon yesterday. I am not having issues and feel like I am still healing. I will say I did have another speedy visit - 26 minutes to enter the parking garage, wait for stupid lady to brush her hair before she backed out of her parking space, walk to the main building, wait for the elevator, check in, wait for the nurse, wait for the doctor, hear the newsflash, walk down two flights of stairs, and pay for parking. I barely had time to do my crossword puzzle! (The secret is I was prepared to wait for a really long time and brought a book and a bottle of water too. If you aren't prepared, you are doomed for a very long wait.)
Otherwise, I did get some work done and did go to work. Today I get to go for a walk and then work from home all day. Tonight we are having vegetable lasagna - yummy - so I have to make that as well. My life is so tough. All this stress. Hmmm... think about work and cooking or think about the economy? Which would you prefer? I'm sticking with work and cooking.
Or we could move on to politics - NOT! Only 28 days to go of 'he's a liar', 'he's a terrorist'. If you feel any need to discuss politics, please watch this instead:
Actually I wasn't expecting to hear anything exciting at the surgeon yesterday. I am not having issues and feel like I am still healing. I will say I did have another speedy visit - 26 minutes to enter the parking garage, wait for stupid lady to brush her hair before she backed out of her parking space, walk to the main building, wait for the elevator, check in, wait for the nurse, wait for the doctor, hear the newsflash, walk down two flights of stairs, and pay for parking. I barely had time to do my crossword puzzle! (The secret is I was prepared to wait for a really long time and brought a book and a bottle of water too. If you aren't prepared, you are doomed for a very long wait.)
Otherwise, I did get some work done and did go to work. Today I get to go for a walk and then work from home all day. Tonight we are having vegetable lasagna - yummy - so I have to make that as well. My life is so tough. All this stress. Hmmm... think about work and cooking or think about the economy? Which would you prefer? I'm sticking with work and cooking.
Or we could move on to politics - NOT! Only 28 days to go of 'he's a liar', 'he's a terrorist'. If you feel any need to discuss politics, please watch this instead:
Monday, October 6, 2008
Is there no justice in the world?
I just went a way for the weekend up to the mountains to see the foliage with a bunch of friends. (And there is snow in them thar hills too!)I was thinking Monday will be a good day because I get to go get my damn steri strips off at the surgeon's office.
Then, I get home yesterday, and read a little bit of the paper. I usually glance at Parade Magazine and what is on the cover? An article about scarless surgery. As my body is getting that patchwork quilt effect - enhanced my surgeries with multiple incisions - I was intrigued. Guess what? There is a new surgical technique being developed for gall bladder surgery where they use existing bodily openings for surgery instead of making incisions. It is still under development but looks very promising. Why couldn't my gall bladder have cooperated for another few years while this is finalized and then I wouldn't have my latest set of steri strips??? Why, why, why? And, why did they choose to publish this AFTER my surgery when it is too late for me!
I would like to point out that this is just another reason not to believe anything the media picks up on for medical issues and techniques. For all I know, this technique may not be appropriate for me. Blah, blah, blah. I am not a doctor. I dont know. Wah! Life is so unfair! Okay, enough whining.
While I did have a really fun weekend away (what happens at the cabin, stays at the cabin), now its back to reality. I have so much work to do this week. I will be very busy. Fall is now here. How do I know this? Because it is something like 48 degrees this morning which means my walk will be cold. Actually there are frost warnings for not too far from here as well. This means time to take apart the garden, etc. So in addition to work (where I get paid) I have to do gardening stuff and I have to do it and not lift over 10 lbs. Hmmmm... This could be interesting as my container garden plants are kind of big and heavy. I'll worry about that later this week I think.
Friday, October 3, 2008
We survived
We survived watching the vice presidential debate - no arguments, no yelling at the tv - but if you are sick of hearing about politics, read this instead. In addition to politics season, its Ig Nobel awards season.
Once again as the healing progresses, I get to go have fun. But first I have to get through my over planned day, work for four different organizations, run two errands, meet a friend for a walk, finish packing, and be ready to leave about 115 pm. Can I do it? (As the cat slows me down by sitting on my lap while I am trying to type.)
This weekend is girls weekend and I am off to the mountains. We will eat too much, stay up too late (but the Red Sox game doesn't start until 937 pm (Why 7 minutes after? Why not 930? I never understood that part.) so at least we have an excuse for staying up late - not that we need one, but we do have an excuse. We will also be in the land of no computers, no cell phones but also with peak fall foliage. We will also fit in a little shopping and a picnic I think.
In the meantime, I need to get moving because I have so much to do!
Once again as the healing progresses, I get to go have fun. But first I have to get through my over planned day, work for four different organizations, run two errands, meet a friend for a walk, finish packing, and be ready to leave about 115 pm. Can I do it? (As the cat slows me down by sitting on my lap while I am trying to type.)
This weekend is girls weekend and I am off to the mountains. We will eat too much, stay up too late (but the Red Sox game doesn't start until 937 pm (Why 7 minutes after? Why not 930? I never understood that part.) so at least we have an excuse for staying up late - not that we need one, but we do have an excuse. We will also be in the land of no computers, no cell phones but also with peak fall foliage. We will also fit in a little shopping and a picnic I think.
In the meantime, I need to get moving because I have so much to do!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The things you learn by reading the newspaper
I read the paper this morning, just like I do every day. I learned that the Senate passed the bail out bill - not sure how much I agree with that. Wall street messed up, overpaid its executives, and banks lent money to people who couldn't pay it back and we bail them out. We managed to mess it up so much that without a bailout we would be in worse shape. Politics is all about voting for least worst - that's how you decide on candidates and how politicians decide on legislation - which one is the lesser of the evils.
But apparently there are some breakthroughs in detecting breast cancer using x-rays. Hmmm... But its only an additional set of eyes to confirm what the radiologist reads. Is this significant? Maybe it replaces a person with a machine - I believe that is called 'progress'.
I find this story rather humorous - a former notorious gang hang out - where Whitey Bulger would figure out who to bump off next - is going to become a Pentacostal ministry. The new minister said he would take donations from the former tenants as well.
Otherwise, yesterday I went to the eye doctor and got my eyes checked. They are fine but now I have a new prescription and can get new glasses to replace the ones that broke a few weeks ago (that lovely Krazy Glue repair). I also got a lot of work done from home. Isn't it Murphy's law that the one time you need to leave the house during the day, is the only torrential downpour of the week?
Yesterday I was bad. I was very bad. I ate pizza. You have to understand I have been on this stupid low fat diet since last spring. I have been very restricted in what I could eat. This has meant no pizza. We maybe eat pizza every month or so, its not like we eat it every night. Its nice to eat it when you get the craving for it. But if you are told you can't have something, then you really, really want it. Now my gall bladder is gone and I can eat what I want. So I had pizza. Just a Neapolitan pizza with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and a little grilled chicken. Yum, yum, yum.
Today I have lots of work to do. Actually, let me rephrase that I have lots and lots of work to do. And I have to go to work. Eek! I am not motivated. Actually, today I have a dilemma: watch the real vice presidential debate or wait for SNL to do a skit on it and watch that version.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Now its time to get a life
Yesterday my doctor pointed out that I seem to be running out of things wrong with me - for a change. Its about time - DO YA' THINK? She said I can go back to annual physicals instead of 3 month follow ups with her. So I should come back in April. Well, the way I count April is six months from now, not 12 months or one year. But I guess you learn new ways to count when you go to medical school so annual can mean six months. Once again, I am the mere patient.
I do have one little pesky issue that seems to have resurfaced that will require a call to the doctors office (just think of it as the one where my butt hurts and the nasty doctors look where you don't want them to). But this should be minor and not related to nasty diagnoses.
Anyhow, that means today I have an eye doctor apt, next week the surgeon, three weeks from now the oncologist and then I dont have a doctors appointment until DECEMBER! I mean now I dont have to go to the doctor for about six weeks. What to do with my time? I could work more - but that's not really fun. I guess it means I will have to get a life of all things.
In the meantime, today I am very busy (but not sure if I have a life). Walk, work, eye doctor, work, manicure, work, meeting, and out for dinner. We are having pizza for dinner. I have not had pizza since sometime last spring. I am having withdrawal. We are going to a local place and I am going to order my own small pizza with the toppings I like. Walter can get his own too. Then I get left overs for lunch tomorrow as well. Yummy.
I do have one little pesky issue that seems to have resurfaced that will require a call to the doctors office (just think of it as the one where my butt hurts and the nasty doctors look where you don't want them to). But this should be minor and not related to nasty diagnoses.
Anyhow, that means today I have an eye doctor apt, next week the surgeon, three weeks from now the oncologist and then I dont have a doctors appointment until DECEMBER! I mean now I dont have to go to the doctor for about six weeks. What to do with my time? I could work more - but that's not really fun. I guess it means I will have to get a life of all things.
In the meantime, today I am very busy (but not sure if I have a life). Walk, work, eye doctor, work, manicure, work, meeting, and out for dinner. We are having pizza for dinner. I have not had pizza since sometime last spring. I am having withdrawal. We are going to a local place and I am going to order my own small pizza with the toppings I like. Walter can get his own too. Then I get left overs for lunch tomorrow as well. Yummy.
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