9-26 return of fall
The hospital discharge went fine. I got out Saturday morning as expected. I had some great visitors while in the hospital which made it a much nicer stay. Zach, Rahn, Ben, and Dan came by on Friday afternoon and we played “Bang,” a fun dice game. Briana soon followed that. And then post dinner, Louis and Kevin came by for a chat. All the attention made the time fly and thankfully I was feeling good enough to enjoy it. Surprisingly I slept pretty well too, despite the stress and the steroids. My many nights have taught me that a good eye-mask is a hospital essential. Then on Saturday morning, Spencer, my oldest friend, popped over with Jackson, his 1 year-old, again proving that a hospital room is not a great place for a curious waddler. Great to see him and his kid tho, despite having to make an early exit.
Later on Saturday, we went to a solstice party of one of Briana’s co-workers in West Seattle. Alpen went up to Edmonds to stay with my mom, allowing us the freedom to both be present at the party. The party was good fun with home brew and lots of people our age without kids. We vowed to make more adults-only events part of our lives
Rained drizzled all-day Sunday and Zach and Erin hosted a soup party. It paired well with the solstice party: fall had arrived.. I brought Alpen and we even got a picture of all the little ones looking at the camera (a small miracle, see pic below).
Things were running pretty smoothly until Monday night when I felt the results from the Chemo. Cytarabine, being non-selective, kills and inflames any place in the body that has rapidly dividing cells. Therefore, the gut is hit pretty hard. It is advised to take it easy for the first 4-5 days following cytarabine by eating easily digestible foods, and not too much. But I only remembered this after waking up with abdominal pain in the middle of the night Monday after a dinner of lentils (basically the worst thing you can eat). I therefore had to take it easy for a couple days and eat toast and applesauce--and not eat very much at all to perform self-medicated “bowl rest.” It worked, and now on Thursday, the pain is almost all gone.
It was a reminder though, that while over the last 7 years, my brain and at times, physical ability has remained intact, there are parts of my body which maybe haven’t recovered as well. God knows how my kidneys and liver have faired. The lab results show everything is ok. But is that really the case? Is there a lifetime limit of stress that I’m about to tip the balance? Just add that to the list of worries. Tuesday was also rough because I had to be immobile. Like everyone, I have a list of things I would like to get done. But my illness increases the urgency and when you can’t do them, it increases the frustration.
Going forward, we’re gonna check to see what the Cytarabine did in two weeks time. I’m pretty nervous for the scan, and a little scared. Really hope the chemo worked. I want to find out sooner, but Dr. Cassaday says 3 weeks wait, then I’ll wait. He’s the expert.
I’ve noticed the juncos and robins are returning to our yard so I’ll stay busy prepping the feeders, and getting the yard ready for fall. If I’m feeling well enough, I hope to pop a few plants in the ground too.
Later on Saturday, we went to a solstice party of one of Briana’s co-workers in West Seattle. Alpen went up to Edmonds to stay with my mom, allowing us the freedom to both be present at the party. The party was good fun with home brew and lots of people our age without kids. We vowed to make more adults-only events part of our lives
Rained drizzled all-day Sunday and Zach and Erin hosted a soup party. It paired well with the solstice party: fall had arrived.. I brought Alpen and we even got a picture of all the little ones looking at the camera (a small miracle, see pic below).
Things were running pretty smoothly until Monday night when I felt the results from the Chemo. Cytarabine, being non-selective, kills and inflames any place in the body that has rapidly dividing cells. Therefore, the gut is hit pretty hard. It is advised to take it easy for the first 4-5 days following cytarabine by eating easily digestible foods, and not too much. But I only remembered this after waking up with abdominal pain in the middle of the night Monday after a dinner of lentils (basically the worst thing you can eat). I therefore had to take it easy for a couple days and eat toast and applesauce--and not eat very much at all to perform self-medicated “bowl rest.” It worked, and now on Thursday, the pain is almost all gone.
It was a reminder though, that while over the last 7 years, my brain and at times, physical ability has remained intact, there are parts of my body which maybe haven’t recovered as well. God knows how my kidneys and liver have faired. The lab results show everything is ok. But is that really the case? Is there a lifetime limit of stress that I’m about to tip the balance? Just add that to the list of worries. Tuesday was also rough because I had to be immobile. Like everyone, I have a list of things I would like to get done. But my illness increases the urgency and when you can’t do them, it increases the frustration.
Going forward, we’re gonna check to see what the Cytarabine did in two weeks time. I’m pretty nervous for the scan, and a little scared. Really hope the chemo worked. I want to find out sooner, but Dr. Cassaday says 3 weeks wait, then I’ll wait. He’s the expert.
I’ve noticed the juncos and robins are returning to our yard so I’ll stay busy prepping the feeders, and getting the yard ready for fall. If I’m feeling well enough, I hope to pop a few plants in the ground too.
L-R Sasha, Alpen, Avi, Emil, and Sadie (standing)
Yeah for bird feeders and fall. Solstice party sounds fun! And the photo of the kids is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and pic. A miracle indeed to get the kids lined up for one second. Great friends you have and so many good cooks!
ReplyDeleteThinking about you guys and hoping you're getting some of this good October sun.
ReplyDelete