Now I feel like a Vampire!

I spent ALL yesterday afternoon at the Scripps Mercy Infusion Room getting TWO big bags of blood. Since I didn't get home until 6:45P and in an exhausted condition, I don't know if it helped or not. Though I seem to have a little more energy today.

Maybe I'll even get enough energy to write somethin INTERESTING here...

Here's to all those blood donor's out there!

Anemic

For the first time on Chemo, I am anemic. So much so that I have to go Monday and get two bags of blood! No wonder I've felt so bad lately; I have little or no energy to do anything. Therefore, I'm behind on everything...



This will kinda ruin my Monday, as I will have to spend 6 or so hours at the Scripps Mercy Infusion Center (room 831), almost as long as a 'long' Chemo day.

As with everything new, this is causing me much anxiety, even though I know it will make me feel much better.

Then the following week, back to the Chemo schedule. (I think I have two rounds left in this 'set')

Grandson Visits

Michael stopped by late afternoon today. It was so good to see him! He's looking good, too.

A man now, I look at him and still see that sweet little boy. But now he's a full grown man, with a girlfriend and adult problems.

We now have adult conversations.

He is going to be moving closer to me in April, so hopefully I will get to see him more often now.

Big Boy's Day

Big Boy spent almost all day inside today. It's a rarity, but sometimes it happens. He stays close to Ethel, who does interact with him. He plays with his favorite toy, a plastic circle with a tennis ball in it, it's so funny, he'll even doze off laying beside it, and reach out to hit that tenis ball every once in awhile. And he eats. He went back outside when I went to bed. So a fun day was had by all...

It Must be Nice Department

The sister of a friend of mine has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (It is really extensive).

They live 2,000 miles apart. The sister that lives here (retired), is going back east in April, and staying for the duration, to provide her sibling with love, support, and whatever help she can...

I guess I'm feeling envious, and sorry for myself .

It's Parrot Season Again!

For the past couple of weeks, I've seen the big flocks of wild green parrots flying over in the evenings.

Ahh, but this morning, at dawn, as I was sitting at my patio door, as I frequently do to say my morning prayers, I heard a few of them 'waking & squawking'. Though many of my neighbors hate them; I find them such a joy!

It won't be long now before the whole flock roosts in the local trees and will fill the air with joyful noise at sunrise and sunset...

Listen to the parrots!

A Good Day

And they are too few and far between! Either I'm ill from one thing or another, OR my time is consumed with making/going to doc appointments, arranging transportation, refilling prescriptions, applying for grants for uncovered medical expenses, etc. (the paperwork, paperwork, paperwork of being poor!)

Then too, a real 'time eater' is trying to find a qualified 'roomie' to help me out at night. Ads, phone interviews, face to face interviews, checking references, and criminal checks, all takes a great deal of time.

I'm telling you, all this 'junk', indispensable as it is fills my days.

Today though was rare and different! I crocheted for about an hour. And I spent time on my outside plants. I did some bible study, and read a mystery novel. Not to mention, a friend bought me home-made Lasagna for dinner!

The only cloud on my horizon today (and it's always there), is missing my adult children and grandchildren...

Pneumonia

I seem to 'get' something awful after every round of Chemo! It's getting to the point that the Chemo side effects are much less dreaded than some weird infection that follows.

This time it was pneumonia, and I just missed getting hospitalized for it. But they sent me home with prescriptions for two antibiotics. Sure was sick for awhile though...

Saw my Oncologist last Friday, and he said no Chemo for at least two weeks. Almost made me glad that I'd gotten the pneumonia!

Two whole weeks of feeling half-way decent! Perhaps I can get caught up on some stuff, it sure piles up fast.

Busy day today, that's for sure. Getting a new bedside table (changed out by friends), it's much larger and has three drawers. My care giver will be here shortly. The Eucharistic Minister of Sacred Heart parish will be here at 1P. And I have still another interview for a 'roomie' at 5P.

Am unbelievably grateful that I'll be out of bed and have the energy to do all of the above!

More Chemo

This last week M-W-F.

And I'm so weak that I can hardly get in and out of bed (spending a lot of time in bed). I know this will gradually get better, but...

For the past 3 nights, I've had people stay over in the spare bedroom. I pay them $20 cash for the night. It's an absolute necessity. And very hard to do on my $869 per month SSD.

I have a couple of friends that help me out here and there w/a $20 bill for my night 'help', and they aren't even relatives.

It would be so very great to just call an agency and get some help in here, but of course, THAT costs a LOT of money...

(If anyone out there can help, in any way, please do!)

And I have two more 'rounds' of this specific Chemo to go; one in 3 wks, and another in 6 wks, at which point I will be reevaluated.

I am trying to find a full time 'live in' for just room/board. And to find the current regulations regarding this from HUD.

Here are the current ads:

Backpage
http://sandiego.backpage.com/DomesticJobs/care_giver_companion_room_mate_live_in/classifieds/ViewAd?oid=3749832

Craigs
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/dmg/1056134353.html