Clinic update

I had my regular clinic appointment last Monday, and all was well. The wrap:

• New needles for port access; mom got it on the first go when she accessed me a few weeks ago with the 1" needle. Apparently port likes 1" needle now, the 3/4" needle is a bit wishy-washy. Besides the fact that the 1" needle looks super-scary when being inserted, it actually lays under the dressing quite nicely and goes in very well. So that's a plus.
• CXR looks excellent.
• PFTs also excellent. 62/57, if you're a number person. If not, um...I can't explain what they mean. I think they mean this: the 62% is how much volume I blow out in 1 second, and the 57% is my lung capacity. Course they could be reversed. Either way, much better than pre-tx!
• Some med changes: I asked for my celexa to be knocked back to 10 mg. We upped it in 2006/2007, when I was in and out of the hospital and we thought it would be better at 20 mg. Which was fine then, but we never knocked it back down. Now I'm back to 10, and liking it so far. Drs. A &K also want to knock down the vfend from 200 mg to 100 mg. Vfend is a strange little drug that very few people take--I get a lot of 'huhs?' when I put it on med lists. It's a pre-tx antibiotic (meaning, I've been on it since, oh 2002? God prescribed it.). I guess since I"m about to hit 5 years, the chance of the bug coming back to cause problems is lessened, so we can knock it down to 100 mg. This makes me happy--the fewer drugs I'm on, the more I like--but it also can affect my tac level, so on the 14th I need to have a blood draw to check all that. Obviously we do not want the tac (one of the anti-rejection meds) messed with. I can't imagine it going any lower, since I'm only on 0.5 mg now, but I guess it could go up. Or maybe nothing will happen and my body parts and systems will all get along!
• Nothing special planned for the five year, just the normal testing. So sometime in June I get to spend 1 1/2-2 days at Children's being a guinea pig. :) It's not so bad. I get to catch up on my reading and my children's television.

I know, I know...

I say no more, BUT the triduum hasn't started yet (technically!) so I can still blog.
I had some testing today at children's--a thyroid ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound was fine, at least fine in the sense of 'the tech didn't see anything large and scary that warranted immediate attention' fine.
The bloodwork went easier than usual--only two sticks--but now I'm going to have matching bruises in the crooks of my arms for about a week. Beautiful.

Radioactivity

So besides awesome Olympic watching last week, I got to spend two days at Riverside Hospital on the northwest side for an iodine scan.
As we recall--in October I had a thyroid biospy after a CT scan revealed a nodule on my thyroid. Prior to this, I wasn't even sure where my thyroid gland was. The biopsy was benign, so no thyroid cancer (which is fairly common for women my age, apparently), but I was sent to an endocrinologist at Riverside to investigate other thyroid issues that may be occuring. Part of that was the scheduling of an iodine scan, to see how my thryoid reacted to it. Apparently this will tell if I have an underactive or overactive thyroid, each with its own set of problems.
So, on Wednesday I went to Riverside's Nuclear Medicine Department at 7:30. Riverside is a very nice hospital, very clean and quite pretty. There are lounges scattered about with couches and tables and such, so you can read or work. There's also WiFi, but I didn't bring my laptop to take advantage.
After doing the registration paperwork at the desk (and forking over a $100 fee, wasn't expecting that), I sat down to wait. I didn't have to wait long. The tech, Lisa, came back for me and took me to the exam room. We went over my meds, and then she explained the procedure. I had to swallow two capsules, which contained a tracer so that when we took the pictures later, we'd be able to see certain things more clearly. I took those. 90 minutes later, I could eat, and 4 hours later (around 11:30), I was to come back to the exam room so we could take three sets of pictures and take some measurements.
After I swallowed the pills, I went to one of the lounges to read, write in my journal, things like that. This one had a fireplace, which was super nice.
At 9:30 (I was STARVING), I headed to the cafeteria to get a snack. It was Ash Wednesday, so fasting was involved--no meat, no snacks--but I hadn't eaten yet so I needed some sort of food. I bought a snack pack of cheese and crackers, and a USA Today. I did the crossword puzzle in an half hour and watched some of the Olympics on the television. The cafeteria was a  nice departure from the usual sterile, institutional atmosphere most places have (yes, Children's, your cafeteria counts. Sorry.).
After that, I returned to my lounge to read Signs of Life, the Scott Hahn book I'd be wanting for finish for months, and to write some more in my journal (I was so behind). I also bought a Better Homes and Gardens from the gift shop.
At 11:30 I headed back to the exam room and hopped up on the table. Lisa inserted the table into the scanner. It was sort of like a VQ scan, where the plate comes very close to the part it's scanning, so that the radiation doesn't just fly all over the room. Since it was my neck, and not my chest, I wasn't as claustrophobic as usual. I actually fell asleep during the second and third sets.
Then the tech took some measurements of my leg (no idea why, I guess some sort of baseline thing) and then my thyroid. These took two minutes each. After that, I was free to go, but not free to hang out with people. Gotta love being radioactive.
The next day I headed back around 9:30, did the two-minutes-each measurements again, and was gone. The instructions said to take two days off of work, so I did, but I wish they would've told me WHY for the second day. I guess timing had something to do with it. Oh well.
I should get the results sometime next week. We'll see what craziness my thyroid is up to (if any) then.

Clinic Update

Today I spent the morning of my day off with the kids at the Resort. It was a normal visit, nothing too special, and I had scheduled it for my day off so that if they wanted to do testing beyond the normal, they'd have time to do it.
First stop, as usual, was the infusion clinic, where, once again, the new port needle failed to work in my port. Thank God the rumor mill says the hospital will soon be switching back to the old huber needles that work. Mom has a stash at home for when we do port access, but at the hospital they do the new needles first. When the nurse asked me if it was OK to use the old ones, I gave an enthusiastic yes. My annual labs were drawn today, so that meant lots of blood for the lab to play with during the day.
After the blood letting, I went down to radiology where I had a CXR and a CT scan of my sinuses. We still keep tabs on those. Lately I've felt them draining so I figured this was excellent timing for some investigation.
Then up to clinic for full PFTs--which were stable--a visit from the new social worker, and then Julie and Dr. Kirkby. There were lots of bronchs going on today, so they were busy. I was unexciting. Dr. K said my sinus scan looked changed "but not terrible." So they are going to send it to Dr. Willet and see what he thinks. They will also set up an appointment for me to see him, since if I try to do it, I get stuck with a four month wait. It might be time for sinus draining surgery again, since I haven't had that done in 5+ years.
I left around 11:30, and headed to Katzinger's in German Village for lunch. I hadn't eaten yet today, and was hungry, so the huge Katzinger's sandwiches and French Onion soup were perfect. I had a book (Loot) that I"d bought at CMA yesterday, so I read that in the cozy deli and scoped out the artisan chocolate when I was done. It wasn't too crowded--civil servants (such as moi) had the day off, so I imagine that impacted the lunch crowd. But the roads were very clear, so that made me happy.
Dr. K said they would probably see me again in three months, which means post-birthday. I did see Dr. A and asked him if there were plans for a five year par-tay. He asked if I was paying. "Sure," I said. But I guess we'll work out the details of all the normal annual testing, etc., at my next appointment.

Biopsy results

OK here's the news from the biopsy:
The samples were benign, so YAY, nothing huge to worry about, like cancer.
Julie wants a thyroid panel blood draw, so I am going tomorrow after work to the Children's Lab, where this will be drawn. This will give us more information about what the Crazy Gland is up to.
Dr. W, my ENT, also wants a thyroid ultrasound every six months, for monitoring purposes. This is A-OK, because the ultrasounds are 1) easy and 2) the waiting room has good magazines.
So, all in all, not bad. Let's keep it that way.

Updates

Or, rather, no updates...
When I had the biopsy last week, the initial thought was that the bumps/lumps/whatever they weres were just cysts and benign ones at that.
I have not received any updated pathology information. Just wanted y'all to know so you weren't wondering. :)

Biopsy 101

So, today was thyroid biopsy day (oh, rejoice!).
Mom arrived at the apartment around 8:25, and we reached children's around 9:00. My appointment was at 9:30.
Of course, once we got there I found out there were other tests I had to do--namely, an ultrasound of the gland. So we trooped down to ultrasound (where the receptionist must be a ventriloquist in another life, because she hardly moved her lips), where I changed into a gown, got scanned, and then sent back to intervention.
Mom had gone to the bathroom and I was sitting there, watching another episode of Dora the Explorer (involving sticky tape that solves All Problems), when one of the nurses came out.
"Hey, did you stop in the lab and get a pregnancy test?"
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. No, I had not. "I just went to my OB/GYN," I said. "There's no chance I'm pregnant."
The nurse nodded. "I know. But we have to check all girls over 12." She slipped me a script for the test, and I went to the other side of the hospital to go pee in a cup. It took longer to get my name called in the lab than to actually do the test. So I did it, dropped it off, and headed back to intervention.
I dropped my purse and coat on the chair next to mom, who was back. "Where did you go?" She asked, after I told the receptionist that I was back (again).
"Pregnancy test."
"Oh, please."
So finally, I was called back to the prep room. My mom was hanging out in the lobby while the nurse took my history (including fun questions like "How much did I weigh when I was born?") , took my vitals, and assembled materials for port access.
As she was taking my blood pressure, I asked exactly what was going to happen.

Tomorrow

Sorry I've been a bit AWOL, so here's your update:
my biopsy is tomorrow in Children's Interventional Radiology Department. According to Dr. A's office, I could get results as quickly as late Friday afternoon, or not until Monday or Tuesday. So I either know and am relaxed/ frantic all weekend, or I don't know and get to be....relaxed/frantic all weekend.
It helps that Swan Lake is on Friday night--an excellent distraction.
Anyway, the biopsy's at 9:30 tomorrow, I'm  NPO after midnight, and...that's about it, update wise.
I'll have a wrap-up tomorrow.

New adventure

Sorry for the AWOL-ness this week--things have been...unsettled.
I missed my alarm TWICE this week, making me super-late for work. So on Thursday morning, when I actually got up at the appropriate time, I thought, today has to be better than the last two days. 
Eh...not so much.
If you've been reading this blog for the past month or so, you know my body's been doing it's "I hate you" dance, which drives me up a wall, especially when there seems to be no reason for this activity.
There might be a reason, after all. Found totally accidentially, during this ER run-in.
(read that, if you haven't, then come back, or the rest of this won't make sense. I'll wait.)

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XIV (medical exploits edition)

I.

So, let's talk about the insanity of my week, which kicked off with this.

II.

Medical insanity continued with oral surgery today, which basically consisted of taking tissue from my hard palette on the left side of my mouth and moving it to four teeth on my lower jaw. After all those aerosol treatments, my gums had receeded, and this needed to be done so I didn't, you know, lose teeth. Which is just not a good look for anyone. The upside of this is that my diet consists of milkshakes, soup and ice cream for the next week.

III.

I also get to emulate Dr. House, because I have vicodin for painkillers, which I seriously need. I didn't think this would hurt so much!

IV.

Book update: Re-reading my Isabel Dalhousie books, and am reading Traveling With Pomegranates, but Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter, Ann. It's a great read so far, and also has a lot of great tidbits about the writing of The Secret Lives of Bees, so if you're a fan of hers, or memoirs, or travel memoirs, go pick this up.

V.

Another big highlight of my week--The Wizard of Oz. I love, love, love this movie; it was the first movie my parents ever bought, way back in the 1980s when VHS tapes cost $80+. (Can you believe that?) I would watch it over and over, transfixed, and the only sound I would make would be at the end, where I would cry, thereby telling my mom to rewind the movie. "OVer the Rainbow" is one of my favorite songs,a nd at any family wedding my grandpa always asks the band to play it for me. (This was somewhat embarrassing in my teens but I like it now.)

So, naturally, I bought the super duper special set on Tuesday, and let me tell you--it is gorgeous. Those ruby slippers! The yellow brick road! It's amazing. Do yourself a favor and go pick it up. The set also includes a watch (!), a collector's book, original marketing materials, and, of course, the movie, in a four disk set crammed with extras. I can't wait to watch the movie with the Sing-a-long track.

VI.

In the world of voice--Robin is very pleased with my progress. She said my interpretation and expression are excellent, especially in "He Was Despised", so I was really happy. This is something I get complimented on a lot, but it's also something that I am always working on fine-tuning.

The other great thing about lessons with Robin is how much we talk about! We talk about different singers, who we like and who we don't. She gave me a great piece of advice--"find the best recording of a piece and listen to that." As in, listen to different interpretations, and then find the one you like the best. I've been doing this with "Storybook". I have three recordings of it: Linda Eder; Christine Andreas (in the original cast), and Rachel York (in the second Broadway cast). Ms. Andreas' recording is, in my opinion, the best, and it's her interpretation that I like to emulate when I sing it. We also talked about favorite singers--we both love Renee Fleming. :) Yay!

VII.

I'm at my parents' house this weekend, so it's sort of Mac heaven. I enjoy that.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Tales of the ER, Part II

So "ask me about my day," will ya?
The day started out normally, nay, well. I had on a good outfit, the drive in was fine, the papers were moderately full of stories. I was motivated to work and get things done.
This all came to a screeching halt around 9:00.
As I was clipping the Dayton DAily News, I started to fell...odd. Massive amounts of sudden-onset chest pain, along with shortness of breath.
Now, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and we thought I might have a virus. But I had never felt this way before, and I didn't think viruses did things like that.
I tried to take a few deep breaths and calm myself. Getting upset would only make whatever this was worse. So I continued cutting, continued deep breathing, drank some water.
Stabbing pain invaded my chest.
I finished Dayton, moved onto Cincinnati. Still pain. Deep breathing getting a bit difficult now.
As I was working on Cleveland, I knew this wasn't something I could just write off. I had never felt this way before, and I knew that shortness of breath + chest pain was not a recipe for good things. So I went up to my boss's office and told her I was going to the ER to get checked out.
She shooed me out the door and I drove to The Resort.

Some health care bits

First--doctor's round-up:
PFTs down a bit, but X-ray was clear. So Dr. K says virus is probably the deal, but to call if anything interesting develops. Will do. Saw my buddy Josh while waiting for X-ray, which is always good times. I like hanging with people I know.
Oh, and port access? Val got it perfectly. She rules.

Also, on the National Health Care front, here's a list of 20 things from NRO.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--September 27, 2009

Outside My Window ...

It's dark now, but it was a beautiful fall day.

***

I am listening to...
L'Angelus, since it's Sunday.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Rosary, Magnificat, Bible reading, classes

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym tomorrow, ballet class on W.

***

I am thankful for...
Being healthy
***

I am pondering ...

How I can trick my body into letting me sleep tonight!
***

From the kitchen ...
This is what I made last night. And here's this week's schedule. 

I am wearing ...

A pink camisole, Pitt sweatpants.

***

I am creating ...
My memoir. It's going really well so far!

***
On my iPod...
(Isn't this the same as the above question? Oh well)

Stuff for my voice lessons--"Messiah", "Scarlet Pimpernel"

***

I am thinking...

that it was a good weekend.
***

Around the House

Not too much! The place is relatively clean!

.***

I am reading ...

"Home" by Marilyne Robinson

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For friends I know with cancer; for a good appointment tomorrow, and good oral surgery this week. 

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

And MORE candles: these are what I'm burning right now.

*yeah, I really like candles*

***
One of my favorite things ...

This jam. 

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Monday: Gym

Tuesday: House!

Wednesday: Ballet, Glee

Thursday: Voice, Bones, going to parents'

Friday: Oral surgery--oh yay. 

***

If you like reading my daybook, you can find many more over at Peggy's!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XIII (Early Bird edition)

I.

You're probably looking at this thinking, "whoa, it's really early for her!" And you would be right.

II.

Last night I couldn't sleep. I went to bed around 9:30 and got up at 2:00 a.m., wide awake. I've decided not to fight this, so I got up and wrote a few more pages in my memoir, "A few=twenty. Go me! After writing, I still wasn't tired, so I decided to clean. Yes, you read that right. I cleaned my mirrors, dusted pictures and bookshelves, ran a load of dishes in the dishwasher, cleaned out my closet, put shoes away, and put books back in their correct bookshelf places. This took me until about 5:00, at which time I decided, "hey, let's try sleep again!" Got up about 18 minutes ago.

III.

So, my Friday is off to a roaring start, which is good, given that this week I've been fairly catatonic. Throat bugging me, nose bugging me, chest bugging me. Hopefully my body has gotten the memo to quit it. 

IV.

Looking forward to a weekend of nothing. I like weekends of nothing. Parish picnic and Faith Sharing group on Sunday, but that's not something difficult, that's something fun!

V.

Some book takes: Cookbooks this week--The Amish Cook at Home, which I am continuing to love, and Relaxed Cooking With Curtis Stone. Some of these recipes look really delish, so I can't wait to try them.

VI.

MEdical stuff: Next week is busy! Dr. A appointment on Monday, and then oral surgery on Friday to repair the gums on my lower teeth. Apparently all my aerosol treatments and stuff like that makes the plaque on my teeth really hard to remove, which has lead to gum erosion over the years. So now I"m getting this fixed. Surgery on Friday, recovery at parents' over weekend. There may or may not be blogging.  In addition to all this, there is the Saga of the Port. Apparently, Children's decided to get rid of the old system (Huber needles) and go for a new system, which removes the needle entirely once you are accessed. The only problem with this is you can't wiggle the needle around to get the access to take. With my port (it's a "floater"), you have to jiggle it. It's the only way it works.

So last Saturday a home care nurse came out to show us the new thing. We tried to access it three times. No go. My mom used the old needle after the nurse left, and we got it. The port site is now a lovely shade of bruised flesh, so I'm hoping the infusion gals can get it on Monday. If not, it could be a long day.

VII.

And finally...my friend Val is a grandma! Her daughter, Sara, gave birth to a daughter this week.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Four Year Report

So, I had my own clinic on Monday (where I saw the Little Guy mentioned in the post immediately before this one), where I had the normal blood draw, CXR and and PFTs (although the main PFT machine was broken so we had to use another one. Boo.). PFTs were really great-highest they've been since November of '06. Yay! Blood work, CXR, and tests from last Thursday were also excellent. Dr. A is really pleased and doesn't want to see me again until the fall.

In the radiology waiting room, I ran into my friend Amber,the second transplant kid at Children's. She wrote a book (I'm in it too! Marginally) and we've talked a lot--before, during, and post-tx. So it was nice to see her in person and catch-up. Her anniversary is in September (Sept. 25), but she was coming down for a CT to check some things out, and to receive an infusion in the infusion clinic. Fun times.

So anyway, I am clear for the time being--the lungs like me, all is well with the world.

And yes, I have been hitting the gym pretty regularly, 3-4 times a week. Still looking for 5. Things have been so busy lately, so I am trying to dig out the apartment, keep up with school, go to the gym....whew. But busy is good.

The years roll by...

Time again for....the annual post-TX testing!

(Can you BELIEVE it's been four years?! Well, not yet. But close.)

Anyway.

We started at 8:30 in the cardiology clinic, where we did the ECHO and the EKG. The ECHO isn't hard, it's just super-uncomfortable for me. The tech has to press the transducer down pretty hard and these are sensitive areas--like, on bone. So it's not the most fun ever. The EKG takes longer to set up than it does to actually read!

After that it was ultrasound time. Fox and the Hound was on the TV, which was awesome, because I haven't seen that movie since I was about 8. I always mix up the names of the Fox and the Hound.

After that I had the bone density scan, which tells us if my bones are dense enough or if I need more calcium treatments. I take boniva right now to help with calcium absorption. So we'll see what Dr. A says about it on Monday.

After this I had a break for lunch, which was Subway in the outpatient center food court. It was recently remodeled and this was my first time down there since then. Very nice! I read The Red Tent while I ate.

Around 12:30 I headed back over to radiology for the CT scan and the VQ scan. Both of these are pretty easy. Teh CT scan just involves laying there and inhaling/exhaling appropriately. The VQ scan is a little more complicated. First you breath in a nebulizer treatment, then lay on the table for two different scans. The second one is a pain, because you have to keep your arms above your head. Ow.

Then comes the needles (only one of the day), when some sort of radioactive isotope is injected. Then you do the arms above head thing again for 14 minutes. (The VQ scan, due to the fun drugs, takes place in nuclear medicine. I always loved that name for a department.) I finished around 2, which was way ahead of schedule.

On Monday I see Dr. Astor and I'm sure he'll break all these down for me. I also get blood work, chest XR, and full PFTs. Most of this data gets sent to UNOS for their records (Yes, I have a record in Richmond. Go me!)

So that was my exciting day. Bet none of the rest of you were injected with radioactive things today!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--March 16, 2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook
For MONDAY, March 16, 2009

Outside my window...
It's dark now, but it was a lovely spring day today.

I am thinking...
that there's some tidying up to do!

I am thankful for...
Parade.

From the kitchen...
I'm going through Nigella Lawson's cookbooks to find ideas. A Victoria Sponge Cake is definitely on there.

To live the liturgy...
Bible, rosary, Magnificat, and Lent and Easter with JPII

I am wearing...
A raspberry-colored camisole (for bed)

I am creating...
updating my journal, which has been neglected!

I am going to breathe deeply ...
and enjoy the wonderful weather.

Bringing beauty to my home ...
flowers are everywhere! (still!)

I am going...
to be thankful for the great experiences I have had.

I am reading...
The Iliad; Team of Rivals; The Pillow Book (early Japanese lit); The Two Towers

I am hoping...
for another show soon!

I am hearing...
"How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days" soundtrack

Around the house...
Weekly Home blessing hour

One of my favorite things...
my Tiffany-blue pencils that are here on my desk.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Tomorrow: Port access (argh!)
Wednesday: Stations of the Cross at church, lunch w/ Dad
Friday: Nordstrom make up class
Saturday: My friend Anna's senior piano recital; GAME NIGHT!!

A Picture Thought I am Sharing:

Spring is coming! Spring is coming!

Weekend update (thus far)

ACCOMPLISHED:

**two loaves of brioche baked
**Cleaning (for the most part)
** A Pair of Blue Eyes finished (Bookshelf coming)
**One Rehearsal (ugh "Where Will You Stand?")
**Two movies watched ("The Dark Knight", "We Were Soliders")
**One Pitt victory accomplished
**16 bars of ballad selected for audition

STILL TO DO
**lunch with Karen
**Develop May/June '08 pictures
**copy audition music
**Rehearse Act II
**access port
**vacuum

I'm still here!

Yes, all, I am till with you!

So, the saga of my day:
I got up at 5:15. A.M. After ot falling asleep until after midnight (OK, part of that was watching Steelers/Redskins on TV, but still!).
I got to my polling place, with my coffee thermos, at 6:00. There were about 50 people in line. By the time I went into vote, (polls in OH open at 6:30), there were probably about 120-150. The sunrise was beautiful, and so were the stars! So I spent most of my time finding costallations. It wasn't a cold morning, which was good.
Once we got in, I waited for about 25 minutes before I cast my ballot. I have to say, there is a huge thrill in selecting your Presidential candidate. That's why I don't vote absentee--I just get a thrill out of it. And I love seeing everyone all lined up, voting peacefully.
I got out of there around 7:03 and listened to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" all the way to the Resort. Traffic, thankfully, was pretty light and I was in infusion at 7:30 a.m.
Blood draw was OK, then it was off to CXR. The movie on in the waiting room was Enchanted, so that was good. I also had Wuthering Heights to read (that's a very good fall/winter book). IN the waiting room there were two kids with Down Snydrome, and of course I couldn't help but think of Trig.
As usual, the CXR was quick. I do these in a coma at this point. It was maybe 8:15 by now. I headed up to the clinic, where we did NiOx and PFTs and all that good stuff.
These were not as great as normal. All of them (except for maybe one test) were down, by about 5 points or so. So, in Todd-speak, not "Good" but "OK." He thinks it might be a virus, bu we really won't know until the cultures (nasal wash and sputum) come back. Julie says we should have prelim results tomorrow.
If it is a virus, a bronch might not do us much good. I am supposed to call tomorrow 1) if my symptoms are worse, but, in any case, 2) I an to call and get prelim lab results.
So I went home (well, to my parents') and slept the rest of the day, until we had dinner. Now I am at home, with my brother's laptop and the TV on Fox (of course!). Ohio is not expected to be called until the wee hours.
Work tomorrow will be a zoo--we will have the people for the 128th General Assembly (to be sworn in at the beginning of January), and possibly a president. Regardless, the clips will be Monstrous.
Probably more updates as we go along but my health, right now, is holding.

Movie with Mom

My mom and I have been spending a lot of time at the movies together lately. It's nice to spend time with mom (and parents in general) that don't involve medical madness.

Well, the first one did. 

On Tuesday I went over to the house for dinner--mom and I were going to see The Secret Life of Bees (one of the few books both of us have actually read). But first, we had to access The Port. 

Now the Port being mine, it has a mind of its own. Sometimes, it cooperates. Sometimes--not. 

Today was a "not" day. 

The House Rule is that we give it two tries before we call Polly at clinic and have her set something up with the Infusion Pros. 

First time--no go. It bled a lot, upon removal of the needle (which is not helpful). 

Second time (post dinner)--it finally worked, although it hurt like you-know-what. It was not a Happy Port. But we got a blood return, and that's all we need.

Anyway, after that, Mom and I went to the movie and had soda and Milk Duds. 

The movie itself was good (the book, of course is better), but I think you'll enjoy it more if you haven't read the book. Dakota Fanning is stellar as Lily--I actually cried during her scene with August in the bedroom. I never cry at movies. Never.  Paul Bettany, as Lily's dad T-Ray, is also wonderful (but he's wonderful in everything, the DaVinci Code excepted, of course). 

Last night, it was a cold, rainy, windy fall evening. Mom came over for pizza and we watched Signs, which neither of us had seen in awhile. That's one of my favorite movies, and now I want to watch Walk the Line and The Village and all sorts of other Joaquin Phoenix movies. 

(And watch Charlotte's Web and War of the Worlds for a Dakota Fanning fix)

We had to stop Signs at 7:00 for Jeopardy! though--of course! 

Fall and Winter are great times for these things--movies, games, pizza dinners. Indulge.