No, crabby. No, wait, whiney. Crabby. Whiney. Crabby. Whiney. Crabby. Whiney. Forget it, I will be both whiney and crabby. Why be decisive too early in the day? I am entitled anyway. Why? Well, let's see, my side and stomach hurt, my incision hurts, my rash won't leave, my tattoo faded away, I didn't get a good night's sleep, and as soon as the cat saw I was awake, he walked on top of my and kneaded his claws into my shoulder. (We are trimming his claws this weekend.) Maybe he was getting even for the picture I took of him. Maybe his food dish was empty. Needless to say, I am crabby and whiney. Walter just read this and left for work. Hmmm... I wonder why?
Yesterday I was productive. I worked at home and went to work. I also got my nails done (which is VERY important). Today, I am going for a walk before the rain starts (even if I walk in the rain a little that's okay because I'll take a shower as soon as I get home). Then I have a phone interview and have to do some work from home. I might also have an in person interview this afternoon.
I need to watch this week's episode of Top Chef (another not so secret addiction). It is the highlight of my week. Its on every Wednesday night at 10 pm which is way past my bed time so I usually tape it. Due to my highly skilled use of the VCR, the tape did not come out this week so I tried to tape it again last night. Anyhow, I need to watch it before I accidentally find out who lost. I hate it when that happens. That might make me even crabbier.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Doctor and patient confusion
The other day I was trying to clear up my mysteriously multiplying doctor appointments. At first I was told, just go to the first one and then ask about canceling the others but then they sent me a letter saying one would be cancelled and replaced by another one. so I called. They were just as confused as I was. Now I only have one appointment with that doctor. And I feel better knowing I was not the only one confused.We finally broke down and canceled our vacation plans completely. We will go for a long weekend next weekend after Walter's trip next week. He'll be gone for three days!
WAH!In the meantime, I supposed I can do things like work, look for a job, fold laundry, and clean the house. I actually have lots of laundry to fold. I thought we had a big plumbing leak in the basement somehow related to the laundry machine and its draining into the basement sink which has a pump on it to push the water up to street level.
I did a load of laundry on Monday and went back down stairs to a big flood. This had happened a couple of times recently but when you are doing laundry and its raining really hard outside, you have to figure out is it the roof or
the plumbing? Anyway, I called the plumber who was going to come yesterday morning. Before he arrived, I thought I should recreate this so he could see what happens. It turned out that we had put a lint trap on the end of the hose that comes out of the washer and drains into the sink. It lets the water spray into the sink, and over the side of the sink onto the basement floor. Well I fixed that and canceled the plumber. I am very happy we don't need a new pump or expensive pipes! (I was informed by my very intelligent husband that I probably should have tried to run the washer and wait to see the leak before calling the plumber in the first place.) Now I hav
e six loads of laundry to fold. Grrr.Yesterday I also worked a lot at home, did some gardening (which are baby weeds and which are baby plants - that is the question). Then I went to work for a few hours. I also made us quite a yummy dinner. Relatively fat free but not completely. I made veal and prosciutto rolled up with sage and butternut squash and brown rice pilaf. Tonight I am disguising (a/k/a marinating) boneless skinless chicken (again) in garlic, capers, and lemon juice. This fat free thing is really boring. I keep on having to disguise boneless skinless chicken as it is relatively fat free. And not make it fattening which means no oils, cheeses, or nuts with it.
Today I am working from home after I go for a walk after the rain showers stop. Then I am going to work. No wait, first I am going to pick up my co-worker on the way to work. I can't forget that part! Then after work I get to go get a very important pedicure and manicure. What colors to get? Very
important for a pedicure as it sticks around for quite a while.Now this is the time of year where every time we leave the house, I have to stop and look at the garden. For some reason, Walter gives me a hard time about this. Anyway, I wanted to share what I have blooming out there which is kind of a lot which is why there are all these pictures.
Now, this is what 'sick' cancer patients due with their spare time when they are feeling better and growing out there hair.
Yes, he has forgiven me for this. I gave him some kitty treats!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
So how am I doing these days anyway?
Well, lets see. I am mostly getting back to normal. My energy is returning but not completely. I am wiped out at the end of the day usually. Still. Blah! I want to get my energy back.
On the other hand, my surgical incisions (3 including the one they cut into TWICE just to make sure I really have a scar there) are all healed up. But the one where the original tumor was and they crisped up so well, still hurts from time to time. I mean its not bad but then it feels like someone is grabbing it and pinching. What fun!
The chemo side effects are going away. I had some tingling in my hands and feet that is mostly gone but not quite completely. My fingernails have recovered completely but my big toe nails are still growing out. My chemo brain has memory lapses but they are better. I now have a good excuse for being a spaceshot. Here's a weird chemo side effect. I used to love capers and put them on everything. During chemo, I couldn't eat them. Now I don't want to eat them. Bummer. They used to be yummy.
My skin has recovered from radiation but I have been outside more in the sun recently and noticed that even though I am covered up, the radiated area turns red, like a mild sunburn. Something to ask the doctor about. (I keep a running list of questions to ask doctors because I am incapable of remembering anything.)
Where my port was is healing up. There are two little parallel scars but a big lump of scar tissue under the skin that is slowly going away. The scar on my neck where they put in the catheter into the artery doesn't look like it will ever fade away.
I still am concerned about potential lymphedema in my arm (remember that's when your lymph system is compromised due to the node removal surgery and I can develop and problem with drainage in my arm at any time for the rest of my life???). Anyhow, I slept on my arm funny last week or maybe I carried something I shouldn't have, and my arm felt weird and bloated for a few days but it went away. I also have this on my list to ask the doctor.
Otherwise my rash has returned and is worse than it ever was. My gallstone keeps making me eat right and causes moderate pain. I now get regular heartburn from my hiatal hernia - even though I take Prilosec every day. Is there anything else? I can't remember at this point (see chemo brain in action). I am sure you all wanted o be filled in on such great detail as to how I am doing.
Then I am taking Tamoxifen, which I will take for another 4 years and 8 months (but who is counting). This seems to be okay but I have developed some achy joints - not much just my shoulders, right knee, ankles sometimes, and other places that seem to move around - which is kind of a standard side effect from it. After all the other side effects from the other medication I had, this seems to be reasonable.
It has almost been a year. Actually, the mammogram that went bad and started this whole thing I think was on May 10 of last year. What a fun year its been (NOT)! Am I going to have a big party and celebrate a year? I don't think so. I really just want the rolllercoaster ride to stop so I can get on with my life.
On the other hand, my surgical incisions (3 including the one they cut into TWICE just to make sure I really have a scar there) are all healed up. But the one where the original tumor was and they crisped up so well, still hurts from time to time. I mean its not bad but then it feels like someone is grabbing it and pinching. What fun!
The chemo side effects are going away. I had some tingling in my hands and feet that is mostly gone but not quite completely. My fingernails have recovered completely but my big toe nails are still growing out. My chemo brain has memory lapses but they are better. I now have a good excuse for being a spaceshot. Here's a weird chemo side effect. I used to love capers and put them on everything. During chemo, I couldn't eat them. Now I don't want to eat them. Bummer. They used to be yummy.
My skin has recovered from radiation but I have been outside more in the sun recently and noticed that even though I am covered up, the radiated area turns red, like a mild sunburn. Something to ask the doctor about. (I keep a running list of questions to ask doctors because I am incapable of remembering anything.)
Where my port was is healing up. There are two little parallel scars but a big lump of scar tissue under the skin that is slowly going away. The scar on my neck where they put in the catheter into the artery doesn't look like it will ever fade away.
I still am concerned about potential lymphedema in my arm (remember that's when your lymph system is compromised due to the node removal surgery and I can develop and problem with drainage in my arm at any time for the rest of my life???). Anyhow, I slept on my arm funny last week or maybe I carried something I shouldn't have, and my arm felt weird and bloated for a few days but it went away. I also have this on my list to ask the doctor.
Otherwise my rash has returned and is worse than it ever was. My gallstone keeps making me eat right and causes moderate pain. I now get regular heartburn from my hiatal hernia - even though I take Prilosec every day. Is there anything else? I can't remember at this point (see chemo brain in action). I am sure you all wanted o be filled in on such great detail as to how I am doing.
Then I am taking Tamoxifen, which I will take for another 4 years and 8 months (but who is counting). This seems to be okay but I have developed some achy joints - not much just my shoulders, right knee, ankles sometimes, and other places that seem to move around - which is kind of a standard side effect from it. After all the other side effects from the other medication I had, this seems to be reasonable.
It has almost been a year. Actually, the mammogram that went bad and started this whole thing I think was on May 10 of last year. What a fun year its been (NOT)! Am I going to have a big party and celebrate a year? I don't think so. I really just want the rolllercoaster ride to stop so I can get on with my life.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
I'm running out of topics
Perhaps it is because I am feeling better that I am running out of topics. Well, I am mostly feeling better. I don't have ANY surgery planned, or significant tests. Well, some tests. I am having a bone density test to check for osteoporosis issues and then a mammogram to find out if they 'missed' anything in all the other ones I have had. However I only have a paltry five doctor appointments scheduled in the next three months, and any one of these could lead to more 'adventures' (read that as fun with needles and yucky preparation tests). I shall have to just be patient.
Speaking of doctor appointments, I called yesterday to cancel some of my multiple surgeon follow up appointments that seem to be growing spontaneously. I was advised not to cancel them and to go to the first one and ask if I am supposed to have additional ones. Then in the mail, I received a notice stating that the doctor is unavailable for my scheduled appointment so it has been rescheduled for another date. Unfortunately, they did not say which of the appointments was cancelled. Very interesting. Today I will make another attempt to clarify the situation. The art of perfecting patient confusion!
Yesterday's big adventure was that I went to do a load of laundry and ended up with a big puddle on the basement floor. I believe we have a drainage problem relating to our basement sink into which the washer drains... A plumber is due tomorrow morning. Just how expensive our plumbers? Well, I think they all live in nice houses. Hopefully, it wont be too bad and he can fix it asap.
One little battle I keep losing is the cat and my pillow. This weekend I took my favorite pillow away with me (I like it, its very comfy). On Sunday night, I left it in my car because I was lazy (there is no other reason) and suffered greatly with an extra pillow to go with my paltry little pile of three pillows (okay, I like lots of pillows). Last night my special favorite pillow was returned to our bed and I was very comfy when I went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night sleeping on a little teeny corner of it because the CAT had hogged the whole thing! Most unfair! Is it possible to educate a cat?
Today, I am doing some work and then a volunteer meeting and then finally my support group. I also have reschedule our vacation. Walter has to go on a business trip next week so we can't go to the Shenandoah valley as planned. Instead, we will go for a long weekend in NH some place. Grrr..... Yes, I am being crabby about this.
Speaking of doctor appointments, I called yesterday to cancel some of my multiple surgeon follow up appointments that seem to be growing spontaneously. I was advised not to cancel them and to go to the first one and ask if I am supposed to have additional ones. Then in the mail, I received a notice stating that the doctor is unavailable for my scheduled appointment so it has been rescheduled for another date. Unfortunately, they did not say which of the appointments was cancelled. Very interesting. Today I will make another attempt to clarify the situation. The art of perfecting patient confusion!
Yesterday's big adventure was that I went to do a load of laundry and ended up with a big puddle on the basement floor. I believe we have a drainage problem relating to our basement sink into which the washer drains... A plumber is due tomorrow morning. Just how expensive our plumbers? Well, I think they all live in nice houses. Hopefully, it wont be too bad and he can fix it asap.
One little battle I keep losing is the cat and my pillow. This weekend I took my favorite pillow away with me (I like it, its very comfy). On Sunday night, I left it in my car because I was lazy (there is no other reason) and suffered greatly with an extra pillow to go with my paltry little pile of three pillows (okay, I like lots of pillows). Last night my special favorite pillow was returned to our bed and I was very comfy when I went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night sleeping on a little teeny corner of it because the CAT had hogged the whole thing! Most unfair! Is it possible to educate a cat?
Today, I am doing some work and then a volunteer meeting and then finally my support group. I also have reschedule our vacation. Walter has to go on a business trip next week so we can't go to the Shenandoah valley as planned. Instead, we will go for a long weekend in NH some place. Grrr..... Yes, I am being crabby about this.
Monday, May 5, 2008
It was a fun weekend
I went away for the weekend. I stayed up too late, ate lots of bad food, got a tattoo, watched the Kentucky Derby, didn't get enough sleep, but otherwise had a fun time. That was the first time I went away for a weekend in over a year so it was well deserved. (That was a test to see if you were awake. Yes, we all got temporary tattoos. It has already started to fade. No needles for us!)
Walter stayed home and had drill. He had to get a shot in preparation for his trip (that has since been canceled) to Honduras. If you were a nurse who had contracted out to the army to provide inoculations for soldiers, can you think of anything more appropriate than Hello Kitty and Sponge Bob band aids? I mean, what is more coordinated with a uniform than kids bandaids?
Last night I went to bed early to recover from my fun filled weekend. today I feel somewhat more human. I have lots of work to do and then have to go to work. I also have to figure out my mysteriously multiplying appointments. I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon at the end of May. Then another appointment showed up for June 16 and then another for June 30. I have to call and find out if there is something going on here that I don't know about. More patient confusion. They are getting very good about it.
Also, yesterday when I got home, I got to deal with another rocket scientist at Symantec. A few weeks ago, I switched to Walter's three computer subscription for antivirus after dealing with a rocket scientist in online chat for an hour and 45 minutes. Yesterday I got an email from Symantec that my original subscription had been automatically renewed and I was charged $52.49. This was something the original rocket scientist was supposed to prevent so I picked up the phone and called and after several press 1 for this program, press 3 for this issue, I got a life form (and I use the term loosely). We shall just say that English was clearly a second language, she was reading from a script, and didn't have a clue. After two tries to communicate, where she asked 'what is the issue you are calling about?' and I responded 'an issue with automated renewal that wasn't supposed to happen' and then she asked the same question again because she either lost her place in her script or didn't understand what I said, I asked to be transferred to her supervisor to handle the transaction. It took her 10 minutes to transfer me because she had to 'document the issue' (which was now escalated to a problem with automated renewal and issues with telephone staff), I was transferred to her supervisor. His English was better and
the transaction was resolved in about 2 minutes. So 10 minutes of waiting to get a 2 minute resolution.
What I find interesting is that after I posted previously about my issues with Symantec, I received a message from someone who said they worked at Symantec and would be happy to help resolve any outstanding issues. I chose not to respond to them as they only provided a gmail email address. I think a real employee would be able to provide a Symantec email address. I put this in the phishing category. Its interesting what is on the internet and where it ends up.
Okay, no more typing. Off to do some work! (Eek!)
Walter stayed home and had drill. He had to get a shot in preparation for his trip (that has since been canceled) to Honduras. If you were a nurse who had contracted out to the army to provide inoculations for soldiers, can you think of anything more appropriate than Hello Kitty and Sponge Bob band aids? I mean, what is more coordinated with a uniform than kids bandaids?
Last night I went to bed early to recover from my fun filled weekend. today I feel somewhat more human. I have lots of work to do and then have to go to work. I also have to figure out my mysteriously multiplying appointments. I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon at the end of May. Then another appointment showed up for June 16 and then another for June 30. I have to call and find out if there is something going on here that I don't know about. More patient confusion. They are getting very good about it.
Also, yesterday when I got home, I got to deal with another rocket scientist at Symantec. A few weeks ago, I switched to Walter's three computer subscription for antivirus after dealing with a rocket scientist in online chat for an hour and 45 minutes. Yesterday I got an email from Symantec that my original subscription had been automatically renewed and I was charged $52.49. This was something the original rocket scientist was supposed to prevent so I picked up the phone and called and after several press 1 for this program, press 3 for this issue, I got a life form (and I use the term loosely). We shall just say that English was clearly a second language, she was reading from a script, and didn't have a clue. After two tries to communicate, where she asked 'what is the issue you are calling about?' and I responded 'an issue with automated renewal that wasn't supposed to happen' and then she asked the same question again because she either lost her place in her script or didn't understand what I said, I asked to be transferred to her supervisor to handle the transaction. It took her 10 minutes to transfer me because she had to 'document the issue' (which was now escalated to a problem with automated renewal and issues with telephone staff), I was transferred to her supervisor. His English was better and
the transaction was resolved in about 2 minutes. So 10 minutes of waiting to get a 2 minute resolution.
What I find interesting is that after I posted previously about my issues with Symantec, I received a message from someone who said they worked at Symantec and would be happy to help resolve any outstanding issues. I chose not to respond to them as they only provided a gmail email address. I think a real employee would be able to provide a Symantec email address. I put this in the phishing category. Its interesting what is on the internet and where it ends up.
Okay, no more typing. Off to do some work! (Eek!)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Fred Flinstone would have been proud
We went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Walter got his normal choice of prime rib. (He is very consistent. If its not prime rib, its filet. A definite carnivore. Always ceasar salad too.) There it was served on the bone. It looked like a Fred Flinstone meal. He exercised great restraint and brought home half of it. I, on the other hand, ate my entire meal. But it wasn't very big. I had politically incorrect veal madeira topped with shrimp and lobster. It was very yummy. They made the sauce lighter for me. However my gall bladder today is saying 'why did you do that?' Because it was our anniversary and I am sick of boring food!
I enjoyed the second day of the conference yesterday but by 3 pm I felt I was running out of steam and came home. I did learn a lot. The newest things on line in marketing are all about blogs, microblogs, social media, and changing around your traditional mind set. You are very luck it is too early in the day for a marketing lecture as I am on my first cup of coffee.
Today's big plans include packing for the weekend - I am going away to a friends cabin up north. Walter has drill so he gets to stay home with the cat. This is a girls weekend. We will do all sorts of incredibly lazy things like get in our pajamas early, stay up late, go shopping, and just sit around eating lots of different kinds of food. Somehow I will use restraint and not eat fattening food but we do have a dilemma. Normally we eat lots of fattening and yummy things. Not this time. I will be good. 45 minutes from the nearest hospital, which is down the mountain, is not a good place to start playing gall bladder games. I am driving up this afternoon with a friend and it will be nice to have company for the drive.
Before I go, I need to do all kinds of things. Some work, cancel the GI doctor, call my primary care and see if she can refer me to a different GI doctor, pack, laundry, feed the cat, etc. The cat has been eating amazing amounts of food this week. We aren't sure why. (We know he's not eating for two!) All of a sudden, its like there is a vacuum cleaner inhaling his entire bowl of food that used to take him a day or two to eat the whole thing. The only problem with this is when his food dish gets too low, he comes and sits on me in the middle of the night so I will get up and feed him (fat chance).
Otherwise my garden has more tulips in bloom as well as an early primrose. The dogwood and lilac are about to bloom and my peonies finally have buds!
I enjoyed the second day of the conference yesterday but by 3 pm I felt I was running out of steam and came home. I did learn a lot. The newest things on line in marketing are all about blogs, microblogs, social media, and changing around your traditional mind set. You are very luck it is too early in the day for a marketing lecture as I am on my first cup of coffee.
Today's big plans include packing for the weekend - I am going away to a friends cabin up north. Walter has drill so he gets to stay home with the cat. This is a girls weekend. We will do all sorts of incredibly lazy things like get in our pajamas early, stay up late, go shopping, and just sit around eating lots of different kinds of food. Somehow I will use restraint and not eat fattening food but we do have a dilemma. Normally we eat lots of fattening and yummy things. Not this time. I will be good. 45 minutes from the nearest hospital, which is down the mountain, is not a good place to start playing gall bladder games. I am driving up this afternoon with a friend and it will be nice to have company for the drive.
Before I go, I need to do all kinds of things. Some work, cancel the GI doctor, call my primary care and see if she can refer me to a different GI doctor, pack, laundry, feed the cat, etc. The cat has been eating amazing amounts of food this week. We aren't sure why. (We know he's not eating for two!) All of a sudden, its like there is a vacuum cleaner inhaling his entire bowl of food that used to take him a day or two to eat the whole thing. The only problem with this is when his food dish gets too low, he comes and sits on me in the middle of the night so I will get up and feed him (fat chance).
Otherwise my garden has more tulips in bloom as well as an early primrose. The dogwood and lilac are about to bloom and my peonies finally have buds!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
On being tired
Okay, I admit it. I am tired. I left the conference yesterday and thought I was okay but when I got to my car and sat down I realized I was exhausted. So perhaps I overdid it a tiny bit. But today I need to be there from about 730 am - at least 4pm and maybe later. Hmmm... We shall see how it goes. However it was very interesting. I saw people I hadn't seen in quite a while and I met a bunch of new people too. Today I get to attend sessions as well which will be educational.
Today is our anniversary too so we are going out to a fancy dinner where I will rip apart the menu and find something low fat to eat. How boring. I can be a challenge to the chef.
On a more positive note, the rain recently has helped blend the compost into my garden and now more things are starting to flower. I have more tulips and the dogwood and lilac are full of buds. I have a little field of lilies of the valley which are about to bloom as well.
Today is our anniversary too so we are going out to a fancy dinner where I will rip apart the menu and find something low fat to eat. How boring. I can be a challenge to the chef.
On a more positive note, the rain recently has helped blend the compost into my garden and now more things are starting to flower. I have more tulips and the dogwood and lilac are full of buds. I have a little field of lilies of the valley which are about to bloom as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)