Today was the end-of-chemo pyjama party for BOnnie, CHristine, & Nancy -- though Nancy's chemo ends next week -- and Barb's is ongoing. I went up there after my appt with the radiation oncologist and was pointed immediately to the far corner, where they were curtained off! They WERE wearing PJs! Bonnie wore mismatched flannel pjs (which she'd worn to her doctor visit beforehand -- and you guys think i'm shameless!) Barb wore baby blue ones and a cap, CHristine wore something slinky and revealing (as BOnnie had predicted) and Nancy wore shimmery pink pjs with a matching pink wig!
Kelly didn't have pjs on and I didn't either. I couldn't wear jammies to bike there in the morning (too cold) and my backpack was full with the scans I needed to bring the RadOncs, the fruit for the party, and a dry top to ride home in ..... but actually I don't wear pjs. I wear a favorite old comfy oversized shirt and torn long undies to bed. They aren't pretty but they feel yummy. That's when it's cold -- and then in the middle of the night I get a hot flash and off they all come!
I don't see how anyone could wear pjs with tops that button, to bed. I like to sleep on my tummy and the buttons would get in the way. (I know, I know -- I am worried about how I'm going to sleep after the mastectomy with the scar and the drains in my chest....... I still have the body pillow I used when I was pregnant -- maybe I could use pillows for this somehow? I should just go to bed now and get a head start on all the sleep I'll have trouble getting later.... yeah right.
I took pictures of the party -- soon as some talented kid helps me upload them I'll share them.
I've now seen both RadOncs in the same dept and will have some trouble choosing between them -- it didn't help that they work well together so they kinda tag teamed..... He answered all my questions last Monday and she agreed with his answers so we didn't do that again, and she did the physical exam so he didn't need to. I mean it was great, but it seems I should see both of them, since they work so well together! But it would be just one, and they would cover for one another -- so I have to choose, tomorrow.
Also tomorrow I'm going on my last bikeride before surgery. I'm leading it. I figure it's neat to go out with a bit of a bang, and anyway I owe the Babes for all the support -- they got me through my chemo on my bike!!! Especially Joan. It's her birthday tomorrow but she can't come on the ride. Luckily I've had lots of rides with her, including Wednesday's. No time to get anyone presents for any reason now -- birthday, end of chemo..... it will have to be later -- maybe at that little artesan shop by the mayo..... if I feel well enough after surgery. At least I'm not celebrating my own birthday, so it shouldn't feel too personal...... (My birthday is on Wed 10/29, the day after my surgery.) Of course you could argue that I AM celebrating my birthday, but getting the cancer cut out once and for all! (we hope.) I did mean to celebrate this week with the kids (I was so overdue when I was supposed to be born that I figure it's my birthday almost all month) but of course the # of things to do multiplied and I have hardly been home in the afernoons. (I got both kids flu vaccines, brought Matthew to PT for his baseball shins, and tomorrow I take Em to the orthodontist. Alan has to get the flu shot at the Mayo, as do I, if I am allowed to -- jury's still out on that.)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
last weekend and getting ready for surgery
The driving was fine last weekend (I was surprised!) and the wedding was well worth it. And the water tasted good! I knew it would -- and brought empty jugs and filled them -- marvelling at the fact that the water from the bathroom sink in the Catskills is better than the stuff from our expensive filter here. It was nice to be able to drink lots of water and be able to trust it.
Joan loaned me electronics for the car, which helped with the kids in the car -- and that may be what tires me more than the driving, actually. They only used them on the way out, not back -- but still they helped.
Today instead of biking I voted, went to three grocery stores (ugh, but we were out of so much food, and I need to leave the house stocked for my kids and Barry, who will be staying with them.) I also went to the bank and went swimming. (I got a mile and 2 lengths in in 42 mins, so I'm speeding up again -- or at least I'm once again able to speed up when I'm late.) Now I can ride tomorrow, and Friday. ON Thursday I have to go to G-town to see the 2nd radiation oncologist (saw the first on MOnday) and afterwards I go upstairs to the chemo party -- it's BOnnie and Christine's last chemo day, and Nancy's 2nd last. I will bring the fruit, but I don't know what to do about the pyjamas. Maybe they will give me a pass -- I wouldn't be able to fit them in my backpack on top of my scans and slides (for the Rad Onc) and fruit salad. That oughtta get me out of it.... in fact the real problem is that I don't really wear pyjamas; I usually wear old comfortable tops and long undies and socks to bed, when it's cold -- and nothing, when it's warm. (Birthday suit is not always the same as party clothes....)
I still have lists of things to do before I leave for Minnesota -- flu vaccines, take Matthew to physical therapy, Emily to the orthodontist, make copious lists for Barry, who has known them since forever but never taken care of them. (My in laws would have been easier that way, but Kathy is still not well enough to travel after her surgery on 10/1.) I am already making lists for after we get back, because I won't get it all done.... Maybe after I get there I will get nervous about the surgery itself -- at the moment I can't get past the thought of leaving the kids for a week. I find myself hoping it has something to do with her tylenol-only pain management, because I don't think I'm going to have time to be laid up for anything like that long....
Meanwhile, the trip is coming together. We will fly on Sunday, Mom will come on Monday, and we get a bonus -- Zack and Lynn will come from Chicago!
And now I should probably sleep..... this IS recovery month, after all. Sleep is my weak link, I know..... I did a good job at dinner, though -- I had venison. (I had all month to work on boosting my iron, so in typical Nadine fashion I'm cramming it in in the last week......)
:-D
Joan loaned me electronics for the car, which helped with the kids in the car -- and that may be what tires me more than the driving, actually. They only used them on the way out, not back -- but still they helped.
Today instead of biking I voted, went to three grocery stores (ugh, but we were out of so much food, and I need to leave the house stocked for my kids and Barry, who will be staying with them.) I also went to the bank and went swimming. (I got a mile and 2 lengths in in 42 mins, so I'm speeding up again -- or at least I'm once again able to speed up when I'm late.) Now I can ride tomorrow, and Friday. ON Thursday I have to go to G-town to see the 2nd radiation oncologist (saw the first on MOnday) and afterwards I go upstairs to the chemo party -- it's BOnnie and Christine's last chemo day, and Nancy's 2nd last. I will bring the fruit, but I don't know what to do about the pyjamas. Maybe they will give me a pass -- I wouldn't be able to fit them in my backpack on top of my scans and slides (for the Rad Onc) and fruit salad. That oughtta get me out of it.... in fact the real problem is that I don't really wear pyjamas; I usually wear old comfortable tops and long undies and socks to bed, when it's cold -- and nothing, when it's warm. (Birthday suit is not always the same as party clothes....)
I still have lists of things to do before I leave for Minnesota -- flu vaccines, take Matthew to physical therapy, Emily to the orthodontist, make copious lists for Barry, who has known them since forever but never taken care of them. (My in laws would have been easier that way, but Kathy is still not well enough to travel after her surgery on 10/1.) I am already making lists for after we get back, because I won't get it all done.... Maybe after I get there I will get nervous about the surgery itself -- at the moment I can't get past the thought of leaving the kids for a week. I find myself hoping it has something to do with her tylenol-only pain management, because I don't think I'm going to have time to be laid up for anything like that long....
Meanwhile, the trip is coming together. We will fly on Sunday, Mom will come on Monday, and we get a bonus -- Zack and Lynn will come from Chicago!
And now I should probably sleep..... this IS recovery month, after all. Sleep is my weak link, I know..... I did a good job at dinner, though -- I had venison. (I had all month to work on boosting my iron, so in typical Nadine fashion I'm cramming it in in the last week......)
:-D
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