Patty's epic adventure

  9/20/22 I checked this morning and there were no test results on my chart, so I figured that I’d have to go back to town again today and donate more blood. However, about 20 minutes ago, I got a notice that I had test results. Yay! They must have been able to run the bloodwork yesterday and it just didn’t get posted until today. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful. However, the results weren’t exactly what I wished for. Several things are high, several things are low. My red and white blood counts are still flagged too low.  Both of my cancer antigen tests were still too high, also. Poop.  Well, at least that leaves room for improvement. I will raise my grades for next time. 

  9/19/22 It's Monday, and no, I didn't have to look it up.  Memorable day, unfortunately.  I went for a flu shot this morning.  Super dose, cause I'm over 65.  That went well - no issues. Next was the oncologist.  Just as I gave my name at the front desk, the computer system went down.  And stayed down.  The entire building.  Good grief.  They rely so heavily on that, that the place turned into a freaking zoo.  They wouldn't send me for labs, so when the doctor saw me, she had nothing to go on.  She did the best she could with what she had.  I had a complete exam and I'm having a bit of trouble retaining fluid.  I've gained 7 lbs. in the last 6 days.  My torso is swollen, and even my legs.  The remaining lymph nodes just cannot seem to keep up, so that's gonna be an issue soon unless they perk up a bit.  My torso is a bit painful.  Ok, more than a bit.  It's annoyingly painful.  We discu...

  9/14/22 Today is Wednesday.  And, yes, I had to look it up.  Being retired is great.  I had a lung scan yesterday.  I'd never had one of those before and it was interesting.  They said there would be no IV and it would be quick.  Well, they were wrong.  Apparently the chick scheduling this stuff doesn't know squat about this procedure.  I'm not saying she was ignorant, she just had really bad luck when it came to thinking.  I'm always a bit disappointed when liar's pants don't actually catch on fire.  I showed up at the hospital and the first thing they did was start an IV.  The guy said usually I'd already have one in because he does mostly in-patients.  I'm the odd one.  He was the best person I ever had to start one.  I hardly felt a thing, but the blood thinners are functioning at the top of their game.  I squirted blood everywhere.  After he got the IV in, he said he needed to 'clean up the crime...

  9/9/22 Today is Friday.  I had to look it up.  I hardly ever know what day it is anymore.  I've been a bit under the weather the past few days.  I am contributing all my ailments to lack of sleep.  I cannot get my brain to settle down, but perhaps tonight will be better.  I think I've got my head in a 'good-enough' spot to get some rest. I've made a decision to not start the last medication in the cancer-combating-arsenal yet, if at all.  Several factors affected my decision and one of them is my upcoming trip to Idaho/Oregon.  We are leaving soon for the coast and will be gone for 12 days, returning on 10/4.  I want to enjoy this trip with my little brother and his wife and show David where I grew up part of my life.  I've taken this medication before and had side effects, but now I'm on blood thinners and am re-thinking my options.  My symptoms included: bone pain, hot flashes, dizziness, hair loss, stomach cramps, constipa...

  9/5/22 Today is Sunday. Tomorrow is Labor Day and Courtney‘s birthday. I haven’t posted since August 23, which I am now aware of because people have been texting. They’re wondering how I’m doing. We went camping last week in Oklahoma at Broken Bow state park. We were there all week. There was no phone service, no Wi-Fi, and no television. It was wonderful. I think David suffered some withdrawal symptoms for the first couple of days, but then he learned how to read again. I loved it. We were camped right beside the river and the view was wonderful. I walked some, but not too much. It made my foot hurt, but I could ride my bicycle all day long and it didn’t hurt a bit. We both rode our bikes, went fishing, played cards, drank wine beside our campfires, etc. It was a wonderful week. We got back late Friday afternoon, and Courtney and family showed up about two hours after we got home. They spent the weekend with us and left about 1:30 PM this afternoon. We had just barely unpacked t...