No, you can’t sir!

Two wins in two weeks: my game is getting easier, or perhaps my ability of right timing is improving.  Last Wednesday was the second in a row, and much less uncomfortably so, of winning my trip-to-the-loo-less infusion.  My goal is a hat trick this week on my first A/C infusion (if I get to have treatment at all, I just received word that T.O. Central is closed today, under extreme winter conditions, and will know by 4pm if tomorrow's planned schedule is a go).  It may be too lofty a goal, as on the introduction of new medication they purposely slow down the infusion process to decrease the chance of adverse reactions. Last Wednesday's round was super easy and delightful.  I was placed in a corner spot next to the windows again and it was a lovely, sunny day.  Kara, my attending nurse, known for her ability to bullseye the vein first time and to whisper even the most quick-to-faint patients, had me hooked up promptly after my doctor visit and I dreamily meditate...

Up until last week, since the diagnosis I have never actually felt like a cancer patient.  Sure the procedures and clinic visits have all been new territory, but the new normal seemed to be something I've been able to take in stride while still leading my very normal, cancer-free life.  It all became a little more 'real' and disruptive, on Wednesday last week. My trusty cancer-survivor (3 different types and times) buddy picked me up at oh-dark-thirty and by the rising of the sun I was already anesthetized and getting my fancy new port installed.  Not without a little stress among the medical team over miscommunication about the surgery start time.  My small but mighty surgeon cleared it all up and by ten a.m. I was out of the hospital and en route to Texas Oncology for the next-to-last Taxol infusion.   Trixie the pixie picked me up and escorted me back to Monkey and Willie's for some much needed R&R.  We sat outside in the backyard, deliciously s...

Encountered a few bumps in the road this week that were not so pleasant.   Tuesday evening my port began to bleed.  Just a tiny little pin prick of a hole that when pressure was placed around or below it, caused a little rivulet of blood to seep out.  I covered it with a big band aid and went to bed, hoping it would be ok in the morning.  It hadn't bled more overnight, but when I put my numbing cream on the port about an hour before chemo was to start, it began bleeding again.  Hells bells.   On my way to chemo, with Mom in tow, I edged into a low cement bike lane barrier that caused my front passenger tire to go flat.  Lucky for us there were two good Samaritan's close by that were happy to help put on the spare.  While Robert and Bobby secured the tire, trusty Angel Francine was able to come out as well, and once my car was ready, she and Mom followed me over to our friends, once again, at Casis Village Shell Station.  (I've since...

Last Thursday my Momma Mary Ann and Sister Theresa drove down from Kansas, arriving a bit later than anticipated due to a tire blowout 11 miles outside of Austin.  The Texas State Highway Roadside Assistance on Loop 1 helped them out with the spare and around one o'clock in the morning, I woke to see Theresa's face hovering above me exclaiming, "I love your bald head!"  We had an unseasonably warm and welcoming weekend for these two to thaw out and get acquainted with the Life of Moe.  My friend's at Casis Village Shell Station quickly and kindly helped us fit the Cadillac with 4 new tires early Saturday morning, knowing that it was due back in Kansas on Monday morning. Saturday afternoon found us laughing with old and new friends around the table, cutting out inspirational words, images and quotes as we made our 2023 "vision" boards and Mary Ann received beautiful roses and a gorgeous begonia plant from friends. Sunday Mom was escorted by the lovely Me...

Helped me find my good head space.   Read on the back of a tee-shirt in the waiting room, "Don't trip over what's behind you."   Yesterday's chemo session was yet again easy and unproblematic.  It took much longer, as it was my day to check in with Dr. Patt's nurse, but once back in the treatment room all went well, and I nearly won my game, but did have to roll to the loo one time. My friend Mary, a former fitness client from my days at BodyBusiness, came to visit and we had much to catch up on as it had been years since we last laid eyes on one another.  It was an inspiring and uplifting reconnection and so good to see my friend still fit, joyful, living her best life with she and her husband loving retirement and gearing up to spend a month in Australia with their son, daughter-in-law and teenage grandchild.   Which got me to thinking about all things Australian and that it is on the bucket list of travel destinations one day.  I love some...