Monday 6.30.2008

Well, I worked today. Boy, did we. Deb W. and I, on West. We are a strong team, and got through a challenging day. Thank-yous go to Kim M. who came over in the afternoon, and Beth who finally stepped in and got orders taken care of. Deb was glad to be done, and so was I.

I called the therapy place to schedule another lymph treatment. Ike called me back and said she had discharged me, and that it's a "chronic condition", and unless I have a major flare up, I don't need to come in. Hm. I told her I needed to pick up my disc of the MRI of the shoulder, and I'm going to stop by tomorrow to pick it up.

I wanted an appointment because that breast is full and swollen, with both of the incisions "dimpling". My shoulder aches--not horrible, but annoying--and I know that if that fluid could be moved away I'd be more comfortable. And my hand tingles a little. I'm disappointed that she feels that monthly treatments are not an option. I think that I would benefit. And, yes, I told her that.

Anyway, I got home ok. Daniel was home, frustrated that he didn't play well today. Tomorrow's another day...

I took pictures tonight of my hair. I'll try to get them posted tomorrow. Still itching and peeling.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 6.29.2008

I slept really well this morning, waking about 0930. While I was in the bathroom my phone rang; I missed it. Checking it, it was the hospital, wanting help. I thought about it for a bit, called back, and told them I could come in around noon, if that would help. Yep, thanks.

I thought I'd do a "Rachel Ray"--see if I could put something together in 30 minutes. I searched the cupboards, and decided I could do a macaroni salad, with canned chicken instead of tuna. I finished that, and got to Jackson about 12:15. (Daniel had left to golf while I was getting ready.) I found a parking place a block away.

The units were busy, and the help they had started with on West had gotten pulled back to their own units. One of the girls from South had gone over to help until I arrived. They were glad to see me. They had not had lunch yet, either, and the salad was welcome.

I jumped in and did what I could to get us back on track, and the other two nurses finally got a bite to eat. Then it was time for my lunch. The rest of the afternoon was busy, but we got finished up as the night shift came in.

I had a safe drive home. Daniel was home, too. We visited a bit, I wrote here, and I need to shower before bed. Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Have a great day. Hugs.

Saturday 6.28.2008

This morning I woke feeling mostly rested. I enjoyed the morning, then got ready for the day.

I went to Michigan Center for my haircut. Lauretta was surprised again at how thick my hair is coming back, and wavy, too, she says. We talked about the waves, and the "wings" that had developed along the sides. She cut the sides pretty good and trimmed the tips of the top. It feels ok, and she usually does a good job. I'll take pictures tomorrow.

After scheduling my next appointment, I went over to Frank's and John's house. John had surgery again this week. As far as I can understand the story, somehow both the arm and leg casts were removed, and he was told to shower. It was the first full shower he had had since the accident in April. He said he was in there for about an hour. He was smiling the whole time he was telling me. Then he had surgery, maybe Tuesday, where they did a bone graft to his lower leg. The suprapubic catheter was also removed. He was discharged after proving that "all systems were go", and that he could use crutches with toe-touching allowed. His physical therapy includes exercises to get his knee to flex, and something about his thumb.

Amber's cast is off, too, and she has regained almost all of the mobility of her fingers, with little pain.

I hugged each of them, and Frank and I visited for a bit in his room. He showed me his 3-D computer game with the glasses. I have to say, it is pretty cool. Frank said he was hungry, so we went out to eat. We enjoyed each other's company. I took him back home to get on with his afternoon, and I went on home myself.

Daniel and I visited a bit, and Daniel was hungry, and waiting for me to get home to go to dinner. (Oops--good thing I only had a salad, and I didn't eat it much of it.) He was kind enough to wait a little before we went out. I had a small soup and felt like I had had enough to eat.

Back home, I checked the computer, then went out on the balcony. There were dark clouds overhead and the wind started blowing. It only rained enough to make the dust stick, so I went back out and watered the plants. While I was outside, the most incredible rainbow developed. The rainbow developed into an entire arc from south to north in the eastern sky, almost right before my eyes. I do believe God and the angels were sending a message, of peace and wellness.

I came inside and wrote here.

Tomorrow, Daniel wants to golf, and I don't have plans as yet.

My breast is still itchy and peeling, and although the hot flashes are somewhat reduced in intensity and frequency, they still happen often enough to be annoying and disruptive. I also think that in this 4 weeks without "big" medicine, today I feel more like my "normal self, the first time since November 2007. July 1, though, I start the Tamoxifen, which I will take daily for the next 5 years. I hope the side effects are minimal to none.

I'm off to bed. Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 6.27.08

I was sound asleep when the radio came on this morning; in fact, it had been on several minutes before I surfaced. I got up and got ready for work.

An uneventful drive, and I found a parking place just a block away (!) and walked over. (The phantom shuttle only goes to two designated lots.) The workday was good, manageably busy, and by the time the night shift came in, we were still just as busy as we were throughout the day. And we were tying up loose ends after they were done with report and out on the floor. Whew.

Another safe drive home (thank you God). Daniel is home after his golf game today. We visit some--the dress I ordered for Bre's wedding arrived. It's really cute, and looks very good on me. Woo Hoo! Always a chance when ordering online without trying anything on....

I put my things away, and wrote here.

Tomorrow is a haircut for me. Get those "wings" trimmed up.

Thank you for reading, and responding to the Party Poll. Hugs.

Thursday 6.26.2008

Another day. I slept pretty good this morning. Worked on the computer getting the party poll thing located and set up and placed on the blog. It's not quite what I wanted, but it will do. It lets you know that YOU are invited to come celebrate with us!!

This afternoon was hot, but windy here, and I had to get outdoors. I went for a walk in the complex where it's not built yet, so the wind was blowing. It felt good to be out in the sun, but I'm not sure how long I can be out safely with all the drugs I've had. I decided I'd just go out until I felt like I had to go back in. I ended up being out about 45 minutes. It was lovely.

After I cooled off, I fixed my supper. (Daniel had made something for himself, and it didn't sound good to me) I ate, then sat outdoors on the balcony. I did a couple of sudoku puzzles--I'm trying to keep my brain active--and read for a while. It's hard to concentrate, and sometimes hard to follow my own train of thought. I suppose that will clear after a while. I hope so, anyway.

I went in and checked email, took a shower, and wrote here. Daniel is off to bed.

My breast is peeling still/again and is very itchy on the inside. I tried to do a bit of fluid movement myself. I might have done a little good.

Tomorrow is a workday. Be good to each other. Hugs.