Had a weepy morning--anticipation or tired or just because. Kirsty, today's nurse told me stories about her puppies to get me going and lunch helped. After 7 visits I finally discovered warm water in the lobby so I can still drink after the cold sensitivity chemo, that is a big help. We started late today. I guess on regular days I am too tired to be upset and just sleep walk into getting going on the chemo. The day of chemo is not so bad, one of the drugs starts making me feel that something is coming into my body but not in the same way that the take home chemo does. I think the anticipation is more about that part of the chemo then the in clinic time. It is a two day out of body experience in your body, steady and constant and you just have to wait it out. Thursday night we are going to a Janis Joplin play at the Ordway. Distractions are good.
Last week was hard-our friend Kim Koeppen's husband, Steve, passed away. Kim was my rock at Hamline and was always good for conversation, good perspective, great ideas and a good laugh every now and again. We still get together for coffee on a semi regular basis and I look forward to those times. She stopped by on Monday and we talked about Steve, cancer, which took Steve, futures, teaching, Salli, her 13 year old, and things that can make you laugh. Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair. It was nice to connect with several Hamline colleagues at the funeral--it is a good group of people.
So many of you have probably noticed that there is no hair color yet, Sue is sure about the idea and I have not gone to any shops with the advice I received from many of you. My hairs are choosing to grow at different speeds, so I do have one hair that is about 2 inches long. Some have suggested a bow and I have considered a haircut, but to date no action has been taken.
Scott and I finished a puzzle before he went and I have not done any since. We have pulled out all our boxes with travel souvenirs, itineraries, postcards, money and have been sorting out the things to toss and things to save. Fun memories, and once sorted we will look through each trip and enjoy the memories more thoroughly. The kitchen counter is covered....Our other house project was to go through books, at least 10 boxes have made their way out the door so far with more yet to come.
After chemo--so I get attached to my ball and we collect our supplies which make it look like we planned to stay a month. We closed the place down so the clinic gates were down and we had to find the back entrance. I decide to walk to the car instead of getting picked up...unprepared, mittens are in my pocket so not on my hands so that I can cover my face. Cold sensitivity on the nose--feels like I walked through a spider web, just on my nose and it does not rub off. Hand warmer and mittens on my nose in the car bring things back to normal. Home to the couch with Jessie, mac and cheese for dinner, watch a few tv shows and off to bed. Rousing evening at the Albrecht-Desmond household. Fitbit showed 729 steps at home after chemo, did not think to walk in the morning with my extra time.
We kept busy over the last two weeks. Zootopia was fun and a good distraction from last chemo, another women's bball game, unfortunately they lost, but Rachel Banham made first team all american, took several walks outside on warmer days, tried to see My Name Is Doris but it was sold out so we went shopping at fleet farm and Costco. After wearing the same two pairs of jeans for 7 months I added a new pair of levis to my collection of jeans that fit and found a pair of capris and a nice t-shirt.
On the social scene I unfortunately missed a lunch with Tamara since I was not feeling well. Sue went to the restaurant to let her know and they had a nice visit. I am glad they finally got to meet and next time Tamara will come here so we can share travel stories--our travels and hers to Japan where she goes often. We got together with Lois, Jan, Betty and Kathleen, folks we have known for 30+ years. I taught with Betty at Burnsville and would not have survived those early years with out her guidance, smile and encouragement that we were on the right path. It was wonderful to catch up and just chat and eat the evening away. I met Anne Bartel for lunch, one of my first practicum teachers when I was studying at the U--so another 30+ year connection--another good time of eating and chatting, we wave at basketball games but don't get to talk often. We went with Barbara Brooks to dinner and then to "They called her Captain" a one woman show about her mother's history in the Army, here and abroad. Her mom is now 95 and sat in front of us at the show, a very sweet story and show. And for Easter we went to Darin and Mark's, with Kim and Lin, Pat, and Dan and Pat. Nice gathering of friends and family and delicious food with the ham provided by a pig from Darin's sister.s farm.
Gift highlights: a minion ball that laughs when you bounce it and digital singing birds that can sing solo or in a trio and have songs that can be downloaded--there is an app for that.
Backyard turkey doing a bit of a mating dance, a sure sign of spring.
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