My Chemo and Bandit’s Urinalysis

My chemo appointment was at 10:30 so that could wait.  The first order of the day was to take a used plastic container with a snap on lid, the creamed cheese size, and get a urine sample from Bandit.

At 6:30, after a no puddles night, I was sure I could get it.  I was in slippers and robe.  It worked well for a very short time.  As soon as he realized I was there he stopped but I thought I had enough.

I started for the house carefully holding my container level – I hadn’t thought to bring the lid.

Everything was fine until I caught the edge of the door jamb with the toe of my right foot.  Slooowly I went down to my right knee, then my right elbow, then my butt.

I probably could have caught my balance if I hadn’t been determined to keep that plastic container level. 

Not a drop was spilled.  Cussing, then laughing didn’t help me get up so I sat there a moment thinking how this would make a good comedy routine.  Maybe I could sell the idea to Tim Conway.

By 8:30 the sample was at the vet’s.  To make a long story short, Bandit has an infection.  I picked up the pills this afternoon.  He is to have 2 pills every 12 hours.  He gobbles them down when I put them inside hollowed out pieces of hotdog.  Of course, Teddy also has to have tiny pieces of hotdog too.

I had 2 mashed boiled eggs for breakfast, took my shower, mailed some packages, and made it to my appointment 10 minutes early.  My blood was good and I got my chemo on schedule. 

My next stop was Barnes & Noble to talk to them about their different models of the Nook. 

There is a new one coming out next week that they say is simpler to operate.  I put my name down for one but I’m not obligated to buy it.  It’s black & white touch screen.  It can surf the web and download books from Barnes & Noble or the library if WIFI is available.  It’s a bit smaller than the others and the battery life is longer.  We will see.

Later…. 

 

 

Memorial Day

Finally after going to several sites and downloading different programs and making notes about what to do first and second and third – I was able to take Adobe Flash Player off my computer and then put it back on.

Now things are working okay.  I don’t know if this was a trick played on Adobe or if they made the mess themselves.  There were plenty of sites with suggestions on how to fix it which means lots of people had the problem.

I am running the air conditioning and the ceiling fan this week-end.  The heat was on last week.

There was a small parade this afternoon.  It woke me from my nap.   I had forgotten that the Memorial Day parade is always very quiet. 

The band’s drum beat woke me.  There were several tow trucks and fire trucks.  There was one very nice SUV that said “confiscated by drug enforcement” on the side.  There were even some baby’s in strollers in the parade. 

I didn’t get any pictures this year.  Yesterday I dug out some bunting and put it on the front porch rail.  Had to iron it first, I don’t iron very often.

 

Relaxing Saturday and Electronic Problems

The Nook is going back to Barnes & Noble.  I called today and after waiting for 15 minutes to speak to a person I finally just kept pushing the “0”.  That finally got a real person, then that person handed me to another person whose second language was English. 

According to ebay I had 14 days after receiving it to send it back.  They kept asking when I ordered it and I kept telling them when I got it. 

I eventually won.  I now have an address to send it to and a number to put on the outside of the package.  It will be 2 to 3 weeks before I get the money back.  I was supposed to pay for it right away when I ordered it.

Oh well.

I will probably go to a store and look at all the models and buy a new one.  This one did not work properly.  It wouldn’t turn pages. 

The other problem is with this laptop.  It was turned off last night and shut itself down normally.  This morning it said it had shut down under abnormal conditions and needed to reset itself.  I let it do that.  Then it wouldn’t do some things, kept telling me I needed to download Adobe Flash Player.  I tried that and it didn’t work.

I know this laptop gets too hot at times.  Maybe I need to set a fan on it. 

The relaxing part of today is a couple of beasts who share this house.

Bandit is still in trouble with 2 puddles today.  Maybe he has a bladder infection.  Of course, that didn’t occur to me until today.  It will be Tuesday before I can see a vet.  Collecting a sample is always fun.  You follow the dog around with a pie pan and slip it under him at just the right moment.

RIGHT – and his legs are about 4 inches long.

I thought Teddy was asleep when I took this but I see his eyes were open.  I also see that he is overweight.  I don’t take them for walks anymore and he doesn’t like to stay outside very long so he gets very little exercise. 

The stubble of hair on the sides of my head seems to have stopped falling out.  The doctor thought the Navobine wouldn’t make my hair fall out so much as the Taxol. 

It’s just taken it a while to make a difference.  I still have a stripe of hair down the middle of my head that hasn’t fallen out at all.  Of course, it’s only been growing since I had my head shaved in Dec.

Aches and pains come and go.  The weather makes a difference.  I have all kinds of drugs for every possible problem, even drugs for side effects of drugs.  Lucky me.

The rugs on the clothes line have worked, no rain today!

Later….

Tricking the Weather

Can washing your car make it rain? 

Can hanging rugs on the clothes line, hoping the rain will wash them, make it stop raining?  It’s worth a try.

Actually I don’t think you can fool Mother Nature.

I spent about 15 minutes in the cellar the other night because of storms and sirens warning of tornadoes.  I escaped with no damage but many people had their property or cars damaged by hail and wind.

There was tornado damage south of here and some northeast also.

My damage is coming from a dog that has forgotten he is housebroken.  This dog is rather short and very long.  Even outside he has decided the patio is his bathroom.   He will be spending a lot of time in his kennel.

He and I had a staring contest after the last puddle.  I met a dog trainer who had never heard of that.  If  a dog looks you right in the eyes you have to be the last one to look away.  It’s a dominance thing.

Then a little later he tried to keep little Teddy from coming into the house so we had another run in.  Maybe it’s the pecking order of things.

Right now he is confined to the kitchen and the mud room.  He can hold it all night in his kennel so there is no excuse for him.  I let him out and in at least 6 times a day.

My favorite Aunt Ellen’s services were yesterday and I’ve had 2 phone calls giving the details.  It sounds like it was a very nice service.  She never drove a car but never lacked a ride, people lined up to take her wherever she needed to go. 

Later….

 

 

 

A Safe Place, Chemo, and Aunt Ellen

We had a thunder storm in the night which means Bandit spent the night in his safe place, the bathtub. 
I got him outside and back in.  It seemed that the storms had passed.  I got in the shower since my doctor appointment was at 9:30.  It wasn’t long until I had company.  It must have thundered again.
I told him it was raining in here, too, but he didn’t seem to mind.  After all it was warm water.  So I showered with a dog.  He got a bath, too.  He’s been needing a bath.

I dried me first which seemed like a good idea.  It’s good to start the day off with a belly laugh.
Chemo was normal.  The doctor said my blood markers were stable which is good.
The last of her generation, my Aunt Ellen, passed away yesterday.  She was 102 years old, her 103rd birthday would have been next month.

This picture was taken on her 100th birthday.  We love you Aunt Ellen, rest in peace.
later….

Salman Patties

My effort to eat a diet where a given meal does not include both protein and starch has gone to new heights.   Vegetables can be included with either one.

The problem arises when I make meat loaf or salmon patties.  Both those have always included protein, meat, and starch, bread crumbs.  I went to the health food store looking for a bread crumb substitute. 

My sister suggested dried mushrooms.  The store was out of those but I found some dried peas.  The salesman also suggested Agar Agar.  I had never heard of it but I bought some anyway.

Turns out it thickens things and is made of algae.  I put the dried peas and the agar agar in the blender and ended up with the mixture pictured below.

The patties looked a bit odd with green specks in them.

But the finished product looked and tasted fine.  Problem solved!

The only thing I would change next time would be to let the mixture set longer so the pieces of dried peas could absorb more liquid and soften more.

Stuff was taken to the garage sale site this evening.  Tomorrow will be a very busy day.

later….

Nook Learning Curve

Lucky me, I have people helping out all the time.  John mowed my lawn last night even though the grass was still wet.

I continue to play with the Nook a bit each day.  I had to drive to Barnes and Noble to learn that the cable for the charger also works as a connection between the computer and the Nook.

They also informed me that books have to be downloaded to the computer then transferred to the Nook.

I have downloaded software and tried to get a library book but couldn’t find it on the computer.

The next move is a trip to the library in the hope that someone there can explain why I can’t find the book I tried to download.  Also someone to tell me how to move it from the computer to the Nook.

Today about noontime I was slopping around in my nightshirt and a pair of corduroys when I got company.  Lesson learned – get dressed in the morning.  No real problem as old friends don’t mind that stuff.

The group of dealers at the antique barn are setting up at a citywide garage sale on Sat.  It will be fun.  The weather is supposed to be nice, in the 70’s. 

Lory is selling some of her things and has been helping get my stuff ready also.

Friday evening Lory and John and I are going to take the stuff over and get ready for Sat. 

I probably won’t stay all day, maybe take a break in the middle.   I’ll be tired plus the dogs aren’t used to be left all day.

later….

Before and After & Nook

Sorry about the hazy “before” picture.  The camera had been in the cold car and was steamed up in the warmth.  You can still see that he was just a pile of hair.  Believe it or not I cut an inch or so off him a month ago.

I wondered how I would get Teddy out of the house without bringing Bandit along but it worked out fine.  Bandit was sleeping when we left and he was still asleep when I got back home.

When I  brought Teddy home Bandit wasn’t sure who he was and is still chasing him around the house trying to check him out.  Bandit even did a barking “Bandit 500” thru the house just now.

Lory called today to tell me it is raining.  I told her “thank goodness the draught is over”.  I think we are all a little goofy from all the rain.  I think I have moss growing between my toes instead of athletes foot.  There are mushrooms growing in the lawn.

I think the Cymbalta is starting to have some affect.  I feel pretty cheerful lately.  Nothing like being a happy cancer patient.

I played with the Nook some today.  I didn’t want to go asking questions before I even knew what questions to ask. 

I now know what format I want to download the books.  I don’t see why I need to put the software to do that on my laptop when the Nook can get on the internet the same as the laptop.

I do have a problem with my big fingers and the tiny print on the Nook.  I can make it bigger, that’s one thing I figured out.  

When I am on the library’s website and it asks what device I want to download to, Nook is not one of the choices.  I think I need to investigate Barnes & Nobles website for advice.

If I figure it out for myself I’ll remember it better.  I’ve been told I’m cussed independent.

Later….

 

Blood, Shopping, & Nook

My appointment to get my blood checked was at 9:30 today.  Everything was fine so I went on to do some errands. 

Dog food and health food store were at the top of the list.  I even had enough energy to check out the thrift store that is close to the health food store.

I found 2 velour sweat suits that fit.  They were very nice but the 2 of them were still less than the price of 1 new one.

I still had energy left so Walmart was next on the list.  It was 12:30 before I got home.  My Nook ereader was on the front porch.

Since then I have been reading about it and getting it charged up.  I registered it on the Barnes & Noble website but did not give them a credit card number.

I plan to download books for free from the library.  I’ve been on the library site looking at the FAQ about what software I need to download. 

I may have to go there to talk to them about what I need to do.  I can get on the internet with the Nook if there is a WIFI connection available.  It has a touch screen and a tiny touch keyboard that came up when I registered it. 

I apparently need to download a special version of Adobe eBooks to both my computer and the Nook.  This will take a while to figure out. 

Tomorrow Teddy is going to the groomer, I’ll try to get before and after pictures.

later….

Suddenly Summer

There has been a strange light in the sky the last 3 days.  It is ominously quiet.  I look out the window and there is no rain.  We are having a 3 day draught.  It’s been in the 80’s.

It should be over this afternoon.

I went shopping on the internet yesterday.  I ordered a Nook ereader.  First I called the local library and they explained that I can go to their website and download books onto a Nook or a Sony reader. 

They said they did not support the Kindle, it just works with Amazon.

Then I checked out both Sony and Nook readers and decided I wanted the one with the most gadgets.  So I ordered a refurbished Nook from Barnes & Noble.

I have bought refurbished items before and never had a problem.  It’s a little bit of savings.  Sometimes it is just a cable that got left out of the package.  I figure it just got an extra inspection.

When I go to the library I sneeze and my eyes water.  Something about all those books in one place gets me. 

My hair continues to fall out.  It grows a bit then falls out again except for the very top which still grows.  I have some nausea the day after chemo so I take a pill for that. 

I’m taking my blood pressure every day and writing it down.  It varies widely.  Today I go have them take it at the doctors office. 

My tomato plants seem to have grown overnight.  I’ll enjoy watching them on the back deck.

later….

 

Mother’s Day + One

While I was writing yesterdays blog John was mowing the lawn and Lory was outside.  She had told me to stay inside so I did.

When she came to get me to come outside I was wary of what she might have done. 

Background info:  last fall when my granddaughter moved she couldn’t take all her furniture and boxes so they were stored under my carport.  The carport is actually kind of a patio with a picnic table.  The picnic table had not been seen all winter.

When I went outside the carport/patio was all cleaned off and a plastic table cloth was on the picnic table with clips holding it down.  WOW!

Where did all that stuff go?  I’m afraid to look in the garage.

Went for chemo this morning then stopped at Home Depot and bought 2 tomato plants.  I planted one in a large pot.  I have a 5 gallon plastic bucket that I have cut holes in the bottom.  I will pick up some good dirt to put in it for the other plant.

I bought heritage plants, not hybrid.  The seeds from these tomatoes should grow into a duplicate of the plants.  You can also take a branch from a tomato plant and put it in water and it will grow roots.

This has been a beautiful sunny day, I got my hands in the dirt – that’s about as good as it gets.

I want to refer you to my brother-in-law’s blog.  When her son-in-law posts something like this you know she was a good person.  http://www.because-we-can.net/Because_We_Can/Journals/journal.html

later….

 

Mother’s Day

Since I really don’t need anything my kids did work for me for Mother’s Day. 

Susan, Tim & Willie cleaned out the weeds from the area at the front of the house and put away stuff on the front porch, like the snow shovel. 

They arranged rocks and bowling balls and sea shells.  Tim hung up a wind chime that had been down for a year.

As I write this Lory and John are mowing my back lawn.  They also brought me chocolate which is always welcome.  Lory gave me a hand made card.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

But then the memories start to intrude.  Sixteen years ago my Mother slipped away the night after Mother’s day.   She had been in a nursing home for 6 weeks after breaking her hip.

I guess when you get old there are always memories, good and bad, that can intrude.  I just have to look at the good ones and push the bad ones out.

later….

Sunshine and Poke Greens

Having complained extensively about the rain I now have to compliment the sunshine.  I even went out and pulled a few weeds. 

I also found several small poke weeds growing.  I fight them every year.  I picked some as I remember eating them as a kid.  Then I looked poke greens up on the internet and decided not to eat them. 

The website I chose –>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokeweed said if you want to eat the young leaves you should boil them three times and throw out the water each time.  They are toxic.  

I know my Mother didn’t do that when we ate them.  I remember them as tasting strong and a bit bitter but edible with a little vinegar added. 

I guess I don’t need to add any toxins to the chemo treatments I’m getting.  So I will throw out the poke greens I picked.

Maybe I’ll pick some dandelion greens next. 

later….

 

Blood Pressure & Rain

Kept the appointment with my general practice dr. today.  She changed the anti-depressant I am taking.  She said the other one caused high blood pressure.

The list of side effects are scary.  I may get irritable etc.  It’s one I see on TV – Cymbalta. 

I also bought a regular blood pressure, on the arm kind.  The old one I had just had a finger hole and didn’t measure the same as the one at the dr’s office.

It may have something to do with the fact that I am supposed to use my right arm for blood pressure tests, since I have had a mastectomy on the left side. 

I just checked the weather predictions – rain tomorrow, but Thursday is supposed to be sunny. 

The sun did shine for a few minutes today but not enough to dry anything out.

The farmers haven’t been able to get in the fields to plant crops.  Some of the fields are under water.

Lory wants to plant some garden but it’s just too wet.

Maybe things will dry out….

later….

 

B-Bye Osama and Chemo Day

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Osama Bin Ladin is dead!!  YEAH!!  The song from “The Wizard of Oz” keeps running through my head “The wicked witch is dead”.  Maybe it should be "warlock”but it doesn’t flow with that word.

Rain – the normal condition around here – is still falling and falling and falling.   The Iris are struggling to bloom.

They were fully open yesterday between rain storms but today they have tried to close up.  Poor things.

I talked with the doctor today.  I asked for a handicapped parking thing.  She wrote me a prescription for one.  It is good for 5 years.   Is there a message there? 

I took it to the license bureau and got the thing you hang on your mirror for $3.50.  It seemed strange to take a prescription to the license bureau.

When I told my daughters that I was going to get the handicapped thing they both offered to go shopping with me.  Such thoughtful children.

I stopped at a Wendy’s on the way home and got some of their fries with sea salt on them. It was wasted on me as they didn’t taste good at all.

This chemo is much quicker than the other drug I was getting.  

After I got home I got a call from the nurse.  The doctor wants me to go to my general practitioner about my blood pressure.  I have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.  It is always high when I go to the oncologist.  180/90 today.   When I check it at home it is fine.  I think they call that white coat syndrome.

I will take my blood pressure meter with me tomorrow and check it against theirs.  Mine is one of those that you just stick your finger in.  We will see.

Later….