Snowmegeddon: What the What?

On Tuesday Joanne came over for a visit, packing Thai and a new BB Ipad -type thingy and we had a wonderful evening and visit. As we were sitting in my newly re-furbished living room, I noticed someone trying to park at the intersection of Rosedale and Woodbine - essentially the end of my driveway. The saga continues - still no sign of a sign!

I went onto my front porch and shouted out, "Sorry lady. You can't park there. You're too close to the intersection." She looks up, "What intersection?" Oh, so many phrases running through my poor brain. "The one that your car is parked in. See the street signs?" I inquire, as politely as I possibly can, while explaining the simple rules regarding how far one must park from an intersection. "Well, but if I back up any further I'll be blocking the road!"

It tends to be at about this point in my conversations with others that I drop the ball. At this point, in my innocence, I think she's actually starting to get it. Yes! I'm thinking, we've come full circle to "You can't park there". Eureka! I have just engaged in effective communication with another human. One of life's little triumphs.

I am almost invariably disappointed however - in conversations in general and this one in particular - because the next thing out of the woman's mouth is generally what I've come to expect of the world, "But this is the house that I am going to" she declares, pointing to my neighbour's abode as if this excuses her from compliance with mere parking by-laws and anything else that's inconvenient at the moment. I persevere. "That's a shame. There may be parking on Sunnyside or Aylmer," I suggest in what I hope is a helpful but no bullshit tone. At this the woman puffs out her considerable bosom and declares, "I live on Glebe Avenue. And on Glebe Avenue they remove the snowbanks!"

And that just does me in! How can one possibly argue with such precise and pointed logic? That explains everything! I retreat inside quickly before I pee my pants laughing on the front porch. CLOR: zip; Bosomy Glebe Avenue: 1.

CLOR - tentative victory??

Here is the latest exchange in the on-going drama of Snowmegeddon (thanks SE).


----- Original Message -----
From: Donna
To: Coghill, Kenneth ; Sadik, Pierre
Cc: Mohr, Kerry-Lynn
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: Rosedale Ave


Thanks to you all. I am hopeful that the installation of this sign will ensure sufficient access to my property at all times, assuming that I understand exactly where the sign is to be located.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mr Sadik, the 311 operators who have been taking my calls as well as the by-law officers who have been responding. Everyone has been courteous and professional throughout and I look forward to easier driving and parking on Rosedale in general.

Donna Blois
----- Original Message -----
From: Coghill, Kenneth
To: Sadik, Pierre
Cc: 'blois_d@sympatico.ca' ; Mohr, Kerry-Lynn
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:47 AM
Subject: Rosedale Ave


2012-01-24

Hi,



This is in response to a request to look into the parking regulations on the west side of Rosedale Ave between Aylmer Ave and Woodbine Pl, which is recorded as: TIS53271.



To verify existing signs as well as completing an assessment of regulations in place the Department has undertaken a site investigation. As a result we have the following comments:



The width of the road is over 6.0 m which is adequate for Permissive Parking on the west side of Rosedale Ave between Aylmer Ave and Woodbine Pl.



Work order MS12291 has been issued.

1. Install “Rb-51” (No Parking Anytime) with a left, south arrow sign on the west side of Rosedale Ave at a point 14.9 m north of Woodbine Pl., between no. 64 and no.66 Rosedale Ave.

This sign is to indicate the corner restriction.



If parking regulations are not observed this is an enforcement issue and By-Law Enforcement Services should be contacted at 311.



In consideration of the above and in order to ensure consistency citywide the Department feels that modifying the existing regulations are not required.



Feel free to call me should you have any questions.



Regards,



Kenneth Coghill,

Traffic Assessment Technologist
Operations, Public Works

Traffic, Safety and Mobility Unit
Telephone: (613) 580-2424 Ext. 14003
Facsimile: (613) 560-6069
kenneth.coghill@ottawa.ca

Post Chemo 3

I understand that I will soon be getting the video of Lynne eating the hat as I was able to go to the BSI for the Honeyman concert after round 1. Stay tuned for that.

My meds have been changed slightly this go around to see if we can address the headaches I've been having. Not sure whether it's working out. I was able to go for a walk on Saturday with Laurie and then a snow shoe trek around Dow's Lake on Sunday with Laurie and another friend, Tulay. Both times it felt great to be getting out in the fresh air and actually moving.

Monday was crash day however. I had intended to walk again in the morning before the rain came, but it was soon apparent that I was going nowhere except back to bed! I awoke from a sound sleep at 15:30 and only just managed to get up before Syd came home looking for a snack before swimming! Phew!

Today it is too icy out for me to venture forth. While the scars seem to be healing well (what do I know??), I don't relish the thought of falling on either arm (one with no nodes and scars and the other side with the PICC). I may just do a quiet Yin video in the t.v. room (and then head back to bed:)).

Peanut (the cat) is missing Misty (another cat) very much. Misty comes home around supper time this evening and hopefully that will relax Peanut who has been dragging various objects up out of the basement (something Misty alone does regularly) I think in his loneliness. It's too funny!

I am finding that I am so comfortable giving myself the shots in the tummy now that I keep forgetting to do it! Instead of 16:30 I'm now up to 19:30 for them. Alas!

Counting down until Syd's birthday - or rather she is:)

Chemo round three (and CLOR might have scored something)

The neupogen is doing its job and my white count is up to 2. I still have to do the 10 injections this round (Clemons is loving this) to be sure. Actually, Clemons told me it was Hazel that was pushing for me to continue with ten to be sure that I don't drop back again b/c the drop after round 1 was so fast and dramatic. Sometimes the cold hearted bitch who is really on your side delivers bad news. (Take note clients!)

I'm really rocking the bald "thang". I'm getting more and more comfortable with it and the hats and scarves I use only for warmth. Mother and I made a run to Ogedensberg to pick up a parcel on Thursday. (Doesn't it burn you that companies that sell products all over Canada, in this case SimpleHuman, don't ship replacement parts to Canada? I couldn't even order it on-line to ship to Canada b/c I don't have a billing State) Anyway, as neither mom nor I had any commitments in the afternoon, we went to a pub in Ogdensberg for lunch. I was wearing one of the quite beautiful head scarves that I got at Kelly's so that I would be warm enough in the car without sweating a few pounds off mom with added heat on the drive. When I went in, everyone took a good long look at it. The thing about the head scarves is that everyone knows - there is a person with cancer who is bald. So, why not just be bald? Apparently I have an awesome head. It's kinda small (who knew?) and nicely shaped. And if I don't have a scarf I get to sit and play with the little bits of stubble that are still left.

As I was sitting in the waiting room yesterday, playing Text Twist on my phone (I'm totally addicted), I felt a tap on my knee. I looked up to see a woman in leaning over in front of me. "I just wanted to let you know," she whispered, "that you look beautiful. I saw you as soon as I came into the reception and I thought you were stunning. I wanted to tell you." Oh my gosh (or "OMG" for all of you who know who you are). I almost started to tear up. "Thanks so much for telling me that. That's really wonderful." Her name is Paule and she was there with a daughter who looked about 17 and this was her first treatment and she was nervous. Not to worry. I reassured her about all the wonderful care she would be receiving and to ask any questions she had and with the baldness, to go with it, have a little fun with it, and wear whatever she wanted to. She had no head scarves so I pointed her to Kelly's where their selection is extraordinary. I wanted to find her when chemo was done just to say goodbye but things took all morning for me and I had to meet LT for lunch so I left in a hurry. I hope she is feeling okay.

The chemo nurses were wonderful as usual. The sun was bright and warm shining in the windows and as I was the second in that pod I got to pick a bed at the end with full sunshine. It was toasty.

I had to put on my earphones and plug myself in for the first time as a rather cranky lady eventually took the bed beside mine. Good thing I like my music rather loud. I didn't even know it when the nurse came at the end to pinch the tube to make the last of the poison enter my PICC.

I have a pharmacology student assigned to me. She is very cute but I cannot remember her name. She checks on me everytime I'm in the pod and then phones to follow up. She is very concerned about my continuuing headaches. I spoke with Clemons about them when we met b/c my Ibuprofen intake is high. He said he was okay with the amount I was taking. He also said that I could take pot to see if that helped. Then he asked, "Are you a habitual marijuana user?" I'm putting that question down to the bald head and the tatt! He warned me, as I am not a habitual user, to be careful as too much can actually make you feel quite sick. Sort of like a booze hangover I take it. I told Clemons that my preferred ingestion method would be via cookie - and he seemed to think that was a good idea! Does anyone have a good marijuana macaroon recipe they could share?

They had nursing students on the pod observing and taking vitals. Because of my PICC they have to do my blood pressure manually and the poor student that was doing mine had a heck of a time with the cuff. I think they spend most of their time with the autmoated ones! I had to help her a little. Glad to report that I had good pressure, and they even found my heart.

Renee had a lovely lunch with LT. It was the first time that Renee has been out since the day she came home with us. Sydny made the reservations for us and she asked me who would be going and when I told her that Renee was that's whose name she used:) LT delivered a bag full of books that I'm already working my way through.

In my continuing bid for unimpeded access to my driveway, I have found a by-law that prohibits parking on city streets less than six metres in width. Logan and I measured Rosedale and came up with less than six metres - but it is very difficult with all the snow - so it just might turn out to meet the threshold. This week I have worn him down to the point where he sent me a brief message: "What resolution would you like to see?" That's when I hit him with the six metre by-law and asked him to check it out. I don't want to prohibit parking the length of the street. A no parking sign at the end of my drive to the laneway (which might add about three feet to the no parking near the laneway by-law) is all that I really want - but I do want something. I have been bugging the lovely operators at 311 all week - sometimes mulitple times a day to have cars parked at the end of the drive ticketed for being too close to the laneway. The parking by-law officers come, albeit hours later, and have been ticketing - so hopefully people are getting the message that parking there is not cool. I'll start again Monday:)

Granny and Grandpa took four grandkids, including Sydny, skiing on Friday for the PD day. They had such a great time that they came back hours after aniticipated. Brother Bill and I joined them for grandpa's birthday supper. We only put decade candles on the cake though in a prudent fire prevention move.

Heading back to bed now for a little nap before Logan and I head off to chiro. This will be my first chiro adjustment since before the surgery and I've been spending so much time on my back that I am in desperate need of it. Maybe they can even help with the headaches. Bye for now.

Meeting with Dr Genest

These days it seems like even the simplest of things is a huge task. My moon sign must be out of orbit or something similar because I just can't seem to get things going right. The bright light is that I'm getting more comfortable with the baldness and took my hat off in the store today:) Other than my new-found elfin ears, I'm kinda diggin' the bald thing. I went to my hairdresser and had her take off the remaining patches. She said I looked more like an inner-city squirrel than a mutt - so there ya go!

I went to the cancer institute this morning to meet with Dr. Genest. The receptionist took my health card and hospital card and noticed that they didn't match! I've only been using them for months without anyone saying anything. Off I trot to get a new card and then back to reception. She takes both cards again and now there is no file for me. This is strike two. These things come in threes - what will be next? "We'll fix it", she assures me and off I go to complete the ISAAC form on the computer. I go through all the questions and press print and nothing happens. I manage to locate one of the hospital volunteers (who are really great there) and tell him my problem. "Oh, this printer hasn't worked all week." [Note that I didn't point out that it was 08:50 Monday morning - so I'm working on the assumption that it didn't work all of last week] "You can't do it again b/c the system will tell you that you've already completed the questionaire and won't let you do it again. At some point this printer will probably print a hundred sheets. Don't worry, we'll shred them." Okay, so how about putting up a sign indicating that the printer isn't working? I wonder what the lag time is for something like that. Anyway, off I trundle to wait for the doc - more relaxed now that all three things have happened and I'm still unscathed! I'm rocking the bald thing these days - just trying it out and enjoying it. Even at the cancer clinic I'm getting alot of stares however.

So I sit, eat my apple and get an awesome joke (posted at the top of the blog). I'm sitting giggling and getting more stares. Apparently my giggle is rather loud! I start reading my book. Time passes. I'm thinking this Genest is really off his game if he's this late for his first appointment. About quarter after the RPN comes out and calls my name. "Did you have difficulty getting here this morning?" "Nope, I was here at 08:45" "Oh, no one told me you were here. I just got your file now!" Ah, they couldn't find my file when I arrived. So, we forgive each other and slag the receptionist:) It must all be her fault. All good now.

The RPN, Debbie, is a hoot. We sit in the examination room and chat until the doc comes in. He's very French and has difficulty believing me when I tell him how to pronounce my name. During the exam I ask him if he's not going to tell me what a wonderful job the surgeon did. Everyone else says it's awesome, I explain. He starts to laugh. Remember - tres francais. He tells me, "I once told a woman that she had very nice breasts - meaning this same thing - but her reaction was quite shocked so now I never say anything!" Poor bastard! I can just imagine! Now I can't sit still because I'm laughing too hard.

We had a brief chat about my white cells and the Neupogen that I take to try to increase bone marrow production. He told me that when Neupogen first came on the market it was very expensive. Now, my Neupogen, over the course of chemo will cost $20,000. He told me that was nothing - it used to be about $10,000 per treatement - or about 4 times the price! Some nurses calculated that it was cheaper to let the patient get infected and then bring them into the hospital and treat them for a week than put them on Neupogen. I just stared at him and replied, "Sure, if patients' well-being has no cost."

This is how radiation will work. I won't start until a month after chemo is finished. (yay) So, if all the chemo stays on track then I will start radiation in early May. It will be every day for four weeks straight, but each session takes only about 30 minutes. I will become even more tired. He poo-pooed my concerns about burning, saying that if I use the creams and everything that it won't be too bad. I like the every day thing. I can walk there and back and get some exercise. The doc asks how far away from the hospital I am and when I tell him he tells me I can't walk that far. Huh? Sure I can. It's only about 45 minutes each way - it'll be perfect and not minus 20. Anyway, you know that I'm going to do it every day come rain or shine just because he said I couldn't.

I bought some new make-up on my way home and then had a nice nap on the sofa. I pretended to read. Mom dropped off a big casserole of homemade mac and cheese (yum!). This was Syd's request but sadly she's not having any. She got sick at swimming tonight - actually threw up so she's come down with something. She called me from the pool hysterical, thinking she couldn't come back home b/c she might give it to me. The poor babe. I told her she could come home and I would come and pick her up. I have masks and we can both wear one so that I don't catch what she's got. When I told them not to sick or I would toss them out - apparently she took that to heart:)

Anyway, not easy - but all is well at the homefront. We are eating comfort food through masks but we are all still living at home:)

City hall 1: CLOR 0

Alas, no lucky with the city. Here is a photo of a car actually blocking the road. You can see she's parked in the ruts the cars are using. City by-law came, saw and issued no ticket. (CROC=Crazy Lady of Rosedale)

My Conversation with City Hall staffer Pierre Sadik

Full disclosure at the outset: Mr Sadik was very reasonable and we had a great chat. He has his own constraints imposed by his job that I fully understand. He seemed to understand my position as well. I am sending him a link to this blog in case he wants to comment on anything I've put forward here. Here is how things went today:

1. I sent this message to my City Councillor


Dear Mr Chernushenko,

I have been an OOS resident for eight years. I love that I can walk, skate or cycle to work. I love the community involvement of OOS residents. I love my street and my neighbours. I am, however, increasingly dismayed by the fact that City Council seems to have all but forgotten my little street. I am writing to solicit your support in having the city enforce the current by-laws and to examine our situation to determine whether further parking restrictions or signs are required in order to maintain the safety of our street.

You will be familiar with Rosedale Avenue as it is in your own neighbourhood. It is a mere two blocks long, from Colonel By to Sunnyside. It is probably the most narrow street in OOS. Despite its lack of width, parking is permitted along its length, making it a one lane road all year round - despite its two-way designation. During the winter, parking continues to be permitted, despite the fact that we are among the last to be plowed and the snow banks reduce our tiny street even further. By-law does not issue tickets on Rosedale Ave. The three hour parking restrictions are not enforced. Cars park on Rosedale for days without moving. The distance from laneway restrictions for parking are not enforced, nor is the distance from the stop sign at Sunnyside - cars park right up to the stop line, forcing south bound traffic to arrive at the stop sign in the on-coming lane. Many a time I have been in the unenviable position of almost being hit by traffic turning onto Rosedale. All of this creates an unsafe street and I think it is time for City Council to take notice.

While I too enjoy parking occasionally on the street, the winter parking in particular is causing me increasing problems with my own driveway. All houses on Rosedale, with the exception of an apartment block on the corner of Sunnyside, have on-property parking either in front, beside or behind the residence. However, three houses near Woodbine have special difficulties with narrow entrances and unenforced parking by-laws that make it extremely difficult - and at times even impossible - to access our laneways. In addition, I have a hydro pole directly at the end of my driveway.

It would be possible for me to ensure access to my property by removing the snow bank from the front of my neighbor's property and moving it across the street. By doing this, I would be able to access the street even when cars are parked across from my driveway even if parked well out from the curb as they are all year round. However, in recent discussions I had with by-law on the matter, this is apparently a violation of the by-law - even if none of the snow involved is from my property but is all snow that is left on the road. I am sure that there is a solution that ensures me access to my property without being in violation of any by-laws.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit us on Rosedale and speak with my neighbours and with me to discuss possible solutions to address our concerns. I would be pleased to host a short tea and discussion followed by a walk around our area if you are amenable.

Donna Blois
69 Rosedale Ave
613-612-9901

2. I received this in response (I have no idea what 9 Rosedale has to do with my parking issues - it's a party house however):
Hello Donna- Thank you for writing to Councillor Chernushenko about this matter.

We are thoroughly familiar with Rosedale Avenue (being frequent visitors to the street due to the situation at 9 Rosedale) and so an on-site meeting is probably unnecessary.

We will speak to City staff about the problems you have described.

Do you mind if we share your name with staff?

Regards,
Pierre
Capital Ward Office

3. I responded:

I don't mind the sharing of my name but i would appreciate being kept apprised of steps being taken. As of this afternoon with the current snowfall I may not be able to access my property this afternoon:). Cheers

4. Mr Sadik responded:

Thanks Donna, will do. I imagine it will take some time before we get to the implementation of some of the solutions.

Regards,
Pierre

5. My final volley:

Understood. However I may need to take on the role of the crazy lady of Rosedale in the interim to ensure attention doesn't wane. I know that you'll appreciate my position. Enjoy the weekend.

That earned me a phone call from Mr Sadik!

When he identified himself on the call I burst out laughing! I had his attention apparently. He indicated that the city could not change the parking on the street without causing strife amongst the neighbours and I can empathize with that. However, I am firm in my belief that the City could easily make a small section across from my driveway no parking to ensure I can access my property. The stree would lose one space at most and all our problems would be solved. Failing taking that step, I would be happy if the city actually took steps to enforce the current by-laws, especially those regarding parking too far from the curb. I understand winter in Ottawa can suck, but seriously, how can the city take no action while I'm locked in? My only option to get out of my home is to break a by-law - REEDONKULOUS! That cannot be the answer - it is not reasonable. We seriously had a good chat and I have every confidence that Mr Sadik will continue to help me with this matter. I told him that ultimately I would be forced to bring some type of suit against the city if the matter couldn't be resolved. Mr Sadik pointed out that it was basically futile to sue the City. Ah, but one thing that I have learned, media attention can make all the difference in the world. Imagine if I miss chemo b/c I can't get out after the next snow fall? If I played that card, would Dr S call me a "cancer survivor"? That is a risk that may have to be run!

What a beautiful winter day. I feel a little better. Let's take on City Hall:)

I love non-chemo Fridays. It is the first day in my chemo cycle that I don't feel like I have the flu. I know I can stand long enough to have a nice shower, I can probably run some errands, I am turning the corner and feeling better for the next round. The problem with non-chemo Friday is that I am beginning to feel well enough to feel bored with my current life. I need to get to that growing pile of "things to do". On this glorious first snow storm of the winter, where should my priority be? Easy. Parking on my little street.

Anyone who has come to visit me at home will know that "Rosedale Avenue" is a misnomer. It is really little more than a lane. One street over is very wide and has easy access to Colonel By Drive with a four way stop on Aylmer and on Sunnyside and timely snow removal. My little lane is reduced to one lane due to parking on the street and even in summer drivers have no idea who needs to yield to whom. Drivers speed up my little street paying no heed to the small children who play on the sidewalk due to the almost total lack of front lawns. In the winter my street is barely passable. Lillian can attest to this as she has had to collect me from home on occasion just to make sure that I make it into the office. The lengths some clients will go to!

The City does not enforce parking by-laws on Rosedale - ever! People park for days and weeks without getting ticketed - so much for the three hour rule. People park right at laneways, driveways and stop signs, causing safety issues for pedestrians and drivers. And my personal favourite, people park feet away from the curb, taking up an entire lane and, in the winter, blocking me in my driveway.

It is, hypothetically speaking, possible for me to get out of the driveway by removing the snowbank in front of my neighbour's house and putting it across the street. Hypothetically, this has never been a problem, with everyone on the street pulling together as we become gradually snow bound every winter. However, a tenant across the street has a problem with this hypothetical solution. For some reason, she sees this solution as actually removing her ability to park on the street, instead of facilitating it. She and her partner constantly harangue my children when they are out shovelling. Both children have invited them to come into the house to speak to me, but they refuse to do so. Last weekend they called by-law to complain. However, as the solution is merely hypothetical and they never see anyone actually moving the snow, by-law was unable to issue a ticket.

The lovely officer, Mr Christopher Maalouli, took the time to pay me a courtesy call to let me know about the complaint. He was extremely helpful, patient and understanding. Unfortunately, however, he was clear that my hypothetical solution ran contrary to by-laws (even if the snow is already on the city street, apparently you cannot move it from one side of the street to the other). Furthermore, he indicated that the parking too far from the curb by-law, as written, is pretty difficult to enforce during the winter because the curb has to be "clear and visible" in order for a "good ticket" to be issues. Awesome - because it never snows in Ottawa and we certainly don't need any parking control during the winter:) Officer Maalouli was surprised that our lane was actually designated as a two-way street, and suggested my best course of action was to write to my city councillor, who would in turn write to his boss, who would ensure that some by-law officers monitor Rosedale. Why, when there is apparently nothing they can do, I'm not sure - but I figure it was worth a try. His other suggestion was to phone 3-1-1 daily, to report traffic infractions. Awesome! I get to be the new crazy lady of Rosedale Ave. I think I need a new wig for that one!

RECAP: My options are as follows: I can move snow from one side of the street to the other to ensure as much parking as physically possible on my lane and get ticketed by the city following complaints from my across the street neighbour; I can risk being blocked in my own driveway with no way out to go to the hospital or pick up the kids or buy groceries because the city has inadequate parking restrictions or do not enforce the ones currently in place; or, I can become the crazy lady of Rosedale Avenue and try to get the city's attention that way. Does this type of reedonkulous thing happen elsewhere?

Here are some snaps (I have hundreds) of my winter street and the wretched parking attempts of my complaining neighbours. Next post will be my conversation with City Hall. (tee hee)

CAN YOU SEE THE CURB? I CAN!

THE WORST OFFENDOR IS THE COMPLAINING NEIGHBOUR

ROSEDALE IN THE SNOW

MY DRIVE. NOTE THAT SOMEONE HYPOTHETICALLY CLEARED FIVE FEET OF MY NEIGHBOUR'S SNOW BANK TO WIDEN MY DRIVE ENOUGH TO MAKE A CLEAN ESCAPE POSSIBLE!

Thankfulness - all a matter of perspective

Every day we have something to be thankful for.

Today we can be thankful that the photographer was not standing on the other side:)

I am doing well. Sleeping much and laughing as often as possible.

Bald (almost) photos

There goes the HAIR!

So, Laurie and I have been on a wig hunt for a couple of weeks. You've seen the photos of some of them. On Saturday I had an appointment to go back and see one that I had put aside. That morning the hair started falling out in earnest in the shower. My scalp was red and irritated. Sydny came with Laurie and I to the salon.

I tried on two wigs - one a short, sassy red and the other closer to my own hair that I had laid away. I went with the more conservative one. I think the colour just suited me better. Syd was disappointed but promised she'd get over it. The woman who was helping us, Genevieve, then offered to shave my head! She said that it would be less irritated and that the shorter hair falling down the drain was easier to deal with too. Sure, what the heck, go for it.

Syd snapped away some photos to share with you. Surprisingly, the only one she didn't get was with me wearing the wig! We'll correct that soon. With the week my new name is "Renee". With the brush cut/soon to be bald pate and a tank top on with the tat, I'm Biff. Otherwise I'll stay just boring old me:) Enjoy the photos!

Chemo round two was a go!

Hi folks. Sorry for the delay in posting about Friday. My internet was down most of the weekend and I've spent two days almost entirely in bed. I'm beat.

My white cell count was up to 0.8 by Friday afternoon. Technically still too low for chemo but Clemons gave the all-clear but upped my dose of neupogen to ten shots. I think he did it only because he thought I was a total baby to not be able to give myself the shots. Sadly, he was right. I really couldn't count on the generous offers of my sister in law (and the overly keen offers of mom and Bill) to stick me with a needle almost every day. Time to grow up and take it on myself. Shar came over on Saturday to give me the first shot this round. In discussing my woosiness with cousin Kadriye, she suggested that we try with me holding the needle and Shar taking my hand and doing the injection, just so I could get a sense of the pressure needed adn how it feels. It was a great idea.

Once Shar finally got me to relax my arm and hand enough that she could inject me, it went swimmingly. I plunged the dope in. Unfortunately, I was so tense that I was squeezing my tummy very hard and when I removed the needle I made myself bleed just from the pressure of squeezing! Ack! It wasn't too bad and when Shar finished laughing at me, she suggested that I let go of myself before removing the needle:) I have only a small bruise. Shar returned on Sunday to oversee my first solo attempt - AND I DID IT!!!! I've done it on my own on Sunday - and Shar doesn't even have to chaperone the event any more.

I'm very tired this round - and I realized that I am this round - and was last round too - more nauseous than I thought. When I was pregnant I gained over 80 pounds because I tried to eat my way through the nauseau. (Good thing I'm so cute b/c I'm not too smart!) Anyway, I realized yesteray that I've been doing the same thing with the post-chemo nausea. I've gained 7 pounds! There was one last nausea pill that was prescribed "as needed" and I've decided that I need. The nausea has been much better since yesterday.

That leaves the fatigue. I was hoping to start a walking regime on Monday. Hah! I was out of bed for 90 minutes in the morning and then back to bed until dad came over to help put a few things up around the house - around 14:00! Today I only got out of bed to have tea with Debby. Tomorrow morning I have to be up and out for PICC maintenance and to let the housekeeper clean without me underfoot. Wednesday is chore day. Wednesday afternoon will be a definite sleep afternoon I think. Walking can perhaps wait until Thursday - or even next week???.....

Round Two Chemo

Yesterday I had a follow up with Dr Clemons and the indominatable Hazel. The good doctor was actually on time with his appointments (!) and basically we had a lovely visit. The good news is that, although the chemicals will accumulate, the first treatment tends to have the worst side effects re: nausea. As I really only felt hung over, Clemons figures I'll sail through the next three without major problems. After that the chemo switches to "T" and so all bets are off again.

The bad news however is that my white cells are so low they may not be able to give me the chemo tomorrow. The problem with that is that they really don't want to delay the treatment b/c they really want to knock the shit out of the cancer. Clemons said that they've already knocked me on my ass - and he was tickled pink by that thought. What a delicate balancing game. So, my job today and tomorrow is to grow white blood cells. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm currently at 0.4 and they won't treat me unless I get it up to 1.0.

To add insult to injury, in order to boost my white cells after my next chemo, they have increased the injections that I'm supposed to be giving myself from 5 to 7 and Clemons said not to be surprised if they boost that to 10 following the next round. If I have to do 10 of 14 days, I am going to have to learn to give myself the shot. Clemons is surprised that I couldn't do it. "Kids give themselves shots all the time!" he said looking at me like I was dirt on his shoes. "Kids are pliant to authority" was my response and Clemons burst out laughing: "You don't bend to authority at all I bet." Man! Am I that comletely easy to read? I have no mystery to me at all, do I?

Also, Clemons told me that my CT scan shows some abnormalities in my lungs and my liver. He thinks they are perfectly normal abnormalities (chew on that one Jane) and wouldn't have been caught even a few years ago on a scan. Apparently he had to convince Diane to let me into the D-sab trials! Hm. I'll have to explore that with him once all this junk is out of the way.

On a much lighter note I bought three different head coverings yesterday. There will again be no surprise when I tell you that one is turquoise, one teal and one purple:) They're cute enough.

My last bit of news is that the lymphadema has begun. All of a sudden on Monday I looked down and my right had was hugesly swollen and it's stayed that way since. Just one more thing to get on top of. Oh, and I almost forgot, I only gained 4 pounds over the holidays! Not bad for someone who tried to see how many spice cookies one had to consume before puking:) (The answer is more than it takes to give on heartburn).

Love to everyone.

First Post of 2012

You know that feeling that you get after you've been sick for a while and you begin to feel better? It's sort of as if you could run a marathon. YOU CAN'T. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. So, after throwing away my sneakers, I went to the gates of hell (a.k.a. IKEA). The place was mobbed. However, with the invaluable assistance and patience of Saint Laurie, I got what I needed and got out all in one piece.

I'm not sure that Laurie went willingly. However, since she left her car at my place and I drove her home after the wonderful fete chez Charlene on New Year's Day (many thanks Charlene, it was awesome), she was at my mercy and so off we went.

The day ended with my "to do" list the length of my arm and hours spent pouring over the most excrutiating puzzle (thanks mom). The cats have absconded with a large part of the border, but we're soldiering on. We could be missing 100 pieces for all we know.....If you were a kitten, where would you hide 100 puzzle pieces? I'll have the kids check the litter box carefully:)