Four down - Two to go

First off, without further ado. The catapult reclining chair.












Now, that that is finally out of the way, (and only two weeks late) we can move onto today’s chemo. We were running a little late. Mom and I, at Janette’s prompting last chemo, realized that we had been sorely neglecting the chemo nursing staff. So, this week, to remedy the situation, we decided to stop at Dunkin Donuts and pick them up some goodies. We even left enough time for it. What we didn’t leave enough time for was the debate about what car we were taking.
Usually, we don’t take my car because after my chemo I am in NO shape to drive (and I don’t want mom getting used to driving my car.) However, this week, Dad decided that he needed to take the van in for maintenance. Which is fine, really. I’m all for safe vehicles. Especially if someone else is doing the work. But I know my father. He hadn’t even called for an appointment. He tends to …forget things. (What? You thought my ADD was from my mother?) So, we spent a few extra minutes trying to ascertain if he really was going to take the van in.
After insisting he was, Mom decided that we would take my car…. The car that I get to drive all of 3 times a month…. The car, that hasn’t needed gas in over a month… That car. She said there was plenty of gas, I wasn’t sure. But hey, if we got stuck on the side of the road half way to chemo, who was I to argue. As it turns out, we had plenty of gas to get there and back. (This proves nothing. The light did go on and I’m sure we were running on fumes) But that is all besides the point. I got to drive to chemo. Not much of an accomplishment to you but it’s the longest drive I’ve made in 2 months.
We stopped at Dunkin Donuts and picked up some munchkins, even though it was the consensus among Mom, Katrina and myself that you tend to eat more munchkins then if you had had one donut. But we thought the nursing staff might like to pick at them through-out the day. And it was true. So much so that Betsy (chemo nurse) yelled at us for bringing them. Fine. Next time she gets carrots and celery. Especially since our late arrival cost us the “special room”.
Much to my excitement, my port worked this week. Whatever flap or blockage that was there last chemo must have corrected itself because they were able to take blood. (I didn’t mention to Betsy that I spent the better part of the last week forceful tapping on the damn thing in the hopes of fixing it. I’m pretty sure this is not an AMA approved method.) Whatever the reason, the flush solution went in and blood came out. My counts were once again fine, and we were on to the chemo.
For once, there were absolutely NO problems with my chemo. This was about as smooth sailing as you could get. Mom and Katrina managed to hold onto their seats with out getting kicked out by chemo patients. Although Mom did have to have a chair brought over and then sat in the corner behind me. The nurses kept wandering by and asking what she did wrong, or where her dunce cap was. (Gives an evil little “Tee Hee”) In fact, there were several times that I forgot that she was there. Then, when Katrina and I would start to laugh too loud about something, she would remind us to use our “library voices”. I then had to point out that, in order for her to tell us that, she had to make herself heard over Betsy’s yelling. We were hardly the loudest ones there.
Just so you don’t all think that Mom was bored in her corner, she got to help out the nurses today. Mostly because she was sitting in front of their supply cabinet and they constantly had to ask her for certain items with in her reach. I think she got a real kick out of it.
While Mom played nurse, Katrina and I worked on our entries to the “World Domination” challenge that I posted. I think they came out well. Check back one post and see in the comments section. I also got a response from Marta, the Florida Fitz’s, Jeanette and 2 anonymous. (Although pretty sure one of them came from the Texas contingent) Ohhh. And I just checked back, there are more. Carolyn and Manny checked in. I love it! TV and movie references everywhere. You guys have been paying attention. Carolyn – after the success of this challenge, I will most likely be posting more to aid in any future procrastination you may require. And Manny – first off, I am a very good driver (stop laughing) It’s everyone else that has issues behind the wheel. Although, you make a valid point with “Generalissima”. I guess that would also require a change from “Emperor” to “Empress” in the options. I was honestly half asleep when I wrote it, so it kind of just got copied out of the book, as was.
Ohhh! One cool new thing happened in chemo today. Can you say “Peripheral Neuropathy” – a temporary numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes. It’s actually a kind of cool side effect, once you realize that’s what’s going on. Until that point I had tried to figure out exactly how one’s toes fall asleep. Another new side effect, which made a small appearance last time, and a much more pronounced appearance this time, is a tingling and pressure in my nose and sinus cavity. Imagine feeling like you have to sneeze, except ten time worse and sneezing doesn’t help. Yeah. That one’s not so fun. That really was it, as far as chemo reactions. I’m a little weak, now. (Katrina had to drive the car home) But besides that and the Chemo hangover, I’m fine.
It was really fun having Katrina with me, today. She kept trying to be all grown up and correct papers (She’s a teacher. Remember?) but in the end, my evil Will overtook her and she and I spent several hours perfecting our plans for my world domination. Then we started flipping through the book for new ideas.
Because Mom and I were semi-Okay with this round of chemo, Kat sort of took everything in stride. She only jumped a little at the beeping. Have I told you guys about the beeping?
(Think, think, think) Sorry, I was channeling Pooh Bear.
I don’t think I have. The IV stands have a box on them that allows them to regulate my doses while giving my up to 5 different medicines at once. I never have more than 3 running at a time, but it’s still a pretty cool contraption. Anyway, when the dose needs to be changed or a bag is empty, the machine “beeps”. Not that this is startling in and of itself, but now picture a room with 15 to 20 chemo patients. It’s confusing enough trying to find the right beep when just one goes off,… but two… or even three at a time? The nurses have their hands full. Katrina and I joked about the nurse swapping out the wrong bags because she couldn’t tell who was beeping. Or even worse, giving someone the wrong shot. (Those needles are scary enough. Don’t need any extras.) So, after we got home and Kat and I posted our “World Domination” scenarios, I spent the rest of the day working on the new picture stemming from this concept. You can see it tomorrow.
That’s pretty much it, and the meds are kicking in. It is, most definitely, bed time.
I’ll remind you all again about the Relay For Life link on the blog.
And if you have any more submissions for the challenge, they are due Friday. You can submit two if you like. Also would the anonymous entries identify themselves. I can’t give you kudos if I don’t know who you are. I’ll be looking them over this weekend, then posting the results and a new challenge on Sunday or Monday.
That’s it. -Elizabeth