Chemotherapy # 8

Sunday
John fit some vacation time in between my CT scan on August 12 and the doctor's appointment this past Friday (and continued on a bit). On our second vacation Sunday, we visited the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham. Good service and interesting-sounding programs. James and Sarah went with us. Then we all went to the zoo.

Monday
Whenever we move to a new place, we make an effort to try out the local activities. So Monday, John (still a vacation day) and I went down Woodward Avenue to the Michigan State Fair. (We had been there once before we were married.) My favorite part was the Miracle of Life building, where we saw lots of baby animals and a video of a calf being born. Had we arrived earlier, we might have seen a pig giving birth. Or if we had stayed later, we might have seen a ewe giving birth. Some of the animals were available to pet, and they were so adorable, but I refrained from touching. Although there were hand-washing stations, for me they signaled a warning more than permission. I figure the end of chemotherapy and my compromised immune system are in sight. I try to minimize risks (such as not shaking hands.) As for food, John and I spilt an "Elephant Ear", and it was plenty. And that leads me to my second favorite part: chocolate milk! If you go to the Dairy Barn, you can get a "bottomless" cup of chocolate milk for fifty cents! (We also got plenty of walking in both of these days.)

Tuesday
8:00 a.m. chemotherapy appointment.
The monitor machine kept beeping, even more than usual, which can happen if there is some problem that stops the flow of the IV liquid. It is likely because I move my arm, and the needle's position in the vein changes. So I read some and I ate left-handed, as the IV was in my right arm. I did not even try the cross-stich needleework I packed. At first I just tried to move minimally. But then I tried to keep my arm perfectly still after one of the nurses tried changing the tape configuation, then finally said she was just going to take it out and start all over, because every time it beeped, the medicine had stopped, and it would take too long to complete. Really? Another hole? I do not mind basically, but sometimes it might take more than one try. So I figured as long as we had one that would work if I would just keep still, it would be worth it to just keep perfectly (almost) still. I was feeling pretty sleepy anyway from the medicine they give to help not have an allergic reaction (Benadryl). We were done around 1:30 p.m. John brougth his computer, and got some work done. (Back to work!)

John's "boss" comes over
Almost as soon as we got home, John had his annual "one-on-one" appointment with his District Superintendent, who was having all his meetings in the parsonages this year.

Disciple Orientation
Then, because we scheduled this when my chemo day was Wednesday, and today would have been the day BEFORE chemo, John and I had our Orientation meeting at church for our Disciple Bible Study class. It is a lot of information all at once, but once we get into the class, it will click!

Exercise
Thanks for your exercise ball suggestion, Elizabeth! I do have one (bought in an earlier ambitious hopeful moment), but I have not used it. I would be glad to hear your ideas.

Also, I contacted someone I expected to point me in a good direction: classmate Jim C.. And he did! He suggested starting off with something less ambitious than leg lifts, and to work progressively, rather than to start right out with something quite difficult (and perhaps not even the best exercise for me). He said to excercise different muscles together, such as both the stomach and the back, as they need each other. He also recommended a book called the YMCA Healthy Back Book (which I actually ordered on Amazon.com, along with its video to try to make sure I do the exercise right! -I don't want to make things worse.) So I am looking forward the arrival of my package!

Wednesday
Tomorrow afternoon, I go back to the office for my Neulasta shot. It helps me to fend off infections, even though my white blood cells get destoyed as collateral damage. I am so grateful, as that lets me be out and about, even though I take still take precautions (hand-washing and hand-sanitizer; no shaking hands, althought I do hug; and no petting the State Fair animals - this year).

Thanks for reading, commenting, and praying!
Love,
Laura