Day 253 - Like A Wet Noodle.

Yup. That pretty much sums it up. I am officially feelin' the 'chemo fatigue'. I feel like I'm either 2 or 92, but either way, I can't make it through the day without a nap. Guess I'll be getting used to taking it easy!


I woke up at 0400, took another pill. Then again at 1000. Decided I was tired of taking these pills every 6 hours, so I called the hospital & asked when I could quit. I never did feel nausea, but I was afraid to stop the pills in case I did! It's now late & I haven't had any nausea whatsoever! Yay! 


I have drank 3L of water & my lips are still chapped. The plumbing still ain't workin' properly & I'm not sure what to do next! I feel a little like I've been dragged behind a stagecoach by my ankles, but in all honesty, the day was pretty slack. 


Dieter surprised us with a visit, accompanied by Hubertus & Victoria, 2 Germans en route to Oregon, San Francisco & Las Vegas. I have met Hubertus previously - he's a cutie... Like a young Brad Pitt. Sorry, no photos of him!


Mom dashed off for a whirlwind of southern Alberta stops for the day & I was left at home to fend for myself with the dogs. I spent most of the day trying to figure out the firmware update for my camera. I apparently needed the cd that I NEVER NEED, so it took me awhile to find it. Luckily I don't often throw things out! :oP I have finally figured out (sort of) how to record video on my SLR! Yippee!!! I formatted a hard drive to give to Mike & Jenn - we made a trade, I'll edit their wedding photos in exchange for some TV shows to watch while I'm stuck at home. Works for me! 


I finished sorting through the pile of papers sitting on my desk. They are all hole-punched & tabbed in binders, neatly organized! I programmed the MagicJack to send to Africa with Jaco & attempted at organizing mine so I can actually use it! If it weren't for the plethora of cables stemming from Mom's desk & the frequent power outages this evening, I might have had a bit more success! Oh well, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time ahead of me. It feels so weird not to have plans to go anywhere. I feel like I'm grounded by my own will. I NEVER stay home. Any bets on how many days until I get cabin fever???? :o)


The Burnett's arrived about 1700. They are camping in the yard for the weekend. They acquired a travel trailer & wanted to test it out, so I suggested they bring it this weekend. They have a house nearby if need be & they're not stuck in the back 40 somewhere! Harrison had a hay day. He ran & ran & ran, chasing 'Tina' & 'Nana', playing with a toy helicopter I found for him. He was still ready to run come 2230 - LONG past his bedtime! It will be interesting to see how he feels tomorrow! Every child needs wide open spaces. I am so grateful for the freedom I had as a child. I feel sorry for kids that grow up in cities & towns, without the opportunity to run wild & free. 


Anyhow, before I get too carried away, Laura phoned! She's alive! I was beginning to wonder! She's been crazy busy, poor girl! We had a great chat & I'm hoping it will work to get together this summer! I miss her & her family!


Okidoki, I'm signing off for tonight. I'm so exhausted, it's not even funny! I hope you had a great Canada Day & here's to a great weekend! xxxxx Maria & Valentina p.s. - today is my last full day with hair! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

'Nana'

Cheese!

Giochiamo?

What intensity!

Oh to be young again!

'Tina' & 'Nana'

Day 2 post chemo - symptoms included:
-Chills
-Low grade fever
-Muscle aches
-Dehydration
-Plumbing problems
-Little to no appetite
-Absentmindedness (but perhaps this was a condition pre-chemo!)

Day 243 - Another Hmpf Day.

Righty ho then. I had originally titled this post 'Not my favourite day', although when it actually came time to remember WHY it wasn't my favourite day, I couldn't really remember anything too terrible! Isn't is funny how life works? That whole saying of 'in 5 years time, today won't even be a memory' - well, I guess it's true! It only took a week & I've already forgot why it was such a crappy day! Imagine that! Hope the same happens for you!


I do remember sleeping in. I remember making some phone calls. I had decided it was high time to have my teeth cleaned before I started chemo. They had told me not to have any dental work done once we started treatment, as some of the chemo is blood thinning & also wounds would be slow/difficult to heal. (I guess learning how to rollerblade on gravel is out of the question?) 


I phoned Bragg Creek, Okotoks & Black Diamond. Surprisingly there was a lot of difference in the cost of a cleaning! Black Diamond won out as the most cost effective, so I booked myself an appointment for this afternoon! I was the last opening (ha ha) they had. I had just hung up the phone when Dieter & Jim pulled into the yard. Poor Dieter. He bottomed out on our terrible road & the oil pan went. For the 3rd time! He called AMA & it took forever for them to show up!!! We had a cup of tea & some toast while we waited. Eventually I had to get in the shower & get ready for my dental appointment. I left Dieter at the house & took Jim to his house on my way to Black Diamond.


Oh dear. My teeth were in pretty rough shape. I hadn't had a cleaning for 3, yes, three years. My gums are receding from aggressive brushing, so it is VERY painful to have a cleaning done. Much to my horror, the Hygienist told me I had gingivitis & pre-periodontal disease. Great! She was only able to clean the bottom teeth since she had to do it all by hand & couldn't use the ultrasonic cleaner with water. She put heaps of numbing gel on, but it wasn't enough! Looks like I'll be back Thursday morning to finish up. 


At least the Hygienist was a riot! Her name is Lois & she was a total sweetheart. She asked me heaps of questions & by the end of the cleaning, I felt like I'd known her all my life! Don't ask me how she could learn so much about me with her hands in my mouth, but hey, she did! She's that good! :o)


I had taken the back way to Black Diamond, but thought I would head home through Turner Valley & stop by Scott & Shauna's place. I couldn't exactly remember where it was, but I drove around long enough - I eventually found it! Shauna & I went to pick up Scott at YWAM. They gave me a quick tour & then we drove back to their house for a visit. Shauna's parents were on their way to stay for a few days, so I didn't want to stay too long - I'm sure there was plenty to do. They were going on a 4 day backpacking trip into Kananaskis tomorrow morning! Shauna told me later, she carried a 40 lb pack & Scott carried a 50 lb pack! Crazy! That's like lugging 5 Valentina's up a mountain! 


As soon as I hit the highway, I knew something wasn't quite right. My car was making a click, click sound & my steering wheel was giving a tug, tug simultaneously. It became worse as I increased my speed. I pulled over several times to check my tires & they looked fine. No flats. I kept it at 80 km/h the whole way home. Mom & I drove it to EVIC & back & it did the same thing for her. Sure enough, when we got out of the car at home, there was a hefty bulge in the tire. I knew the tread was wearing down, but I had no clue it was THAT bad!! Great. Now what!? Mom was supposed to be leaving for SK on Thursday & tomorrow is surgery. 


Mom decided to drive it slowly to Cochrane tomorrow at 0800 & have the front tires changed. She would be back by 1130 when I had to leave for surgery. When it rains it pours.


Here's to a successful surgery & fantastic tire change!
xxxx
Maria & Valentina

No wonder my neck has been getting cranky! It's nearly a full moon!

What a pretty sight! Wild ponies outside the door!

I've missed them!