March 5, 2013

DAY +4 – HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

 

Not so good a morning but evening now and all is OK.  The UTI as it turned out is just the effects of chemo and is going to be around at least a couple more days.  That means more pain meds and, unfortunately, the cost of pain relief includes not feeling well for a while.  But I am shaved, showered and ready for bed and feeling good.

Speaking of shaving; my first bit of hair came out this morning so longtime friend and hair guy Mr. G is coming here tomorrow to do that which I knew was to come. Cut off all my hair.  Like it hasn’t been since I was born, except the beard stays.  This is going to be ugly.  Pictures tomorrow to prove it.

Well, Nurse B just came in with the evening’s drug course so I’ll turn this over to Pauline.

 

Boone

 

Pauline here.

Today was better than yesterday.  No crying pain today, just a lot of grunting and groaning.  I gave him a massage that probably hurt more than helped…I don’t have a light touch apparently.   (Not true.  It did help.  B)

After a fairly good nap in the midafternoon Boonie took his shower and changed into clean pajamas.  It takes 3 people to change the shirt.  Bags have to go through, then all the hoses, and oh crap, put them in backwards, have to undo and start over.  I guess I need to start paying better attention. 

Even though this will be my second round doing caregiving, me thinks this is not going to be “as easy” as it was with my demented parent.  No sloughing off allowed.  Just thinking about it makes me crazy.  I’m an outdoor person, I love fresh air and sunshine. I want to dig in the dirt, I want to see all my flowers bloom.  I drive a convertible.  

Being cooped up in the condo to keep an eye on Boone may be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. 

Coming to the hospital for 5-6 hours a day is no big deal.  At least I get to get out and about and on good days go to the farm to play in the dirt, maybe even have a fire.  I love sitting out at night with a fire.  Occasionally wild animals will pass by, and always the coyotes are howling.  The condo is just a big bird cage.  Great view, but 15 floors up doesn’t allow for much of a connection with the outdoors.

Ok, so I’m whining.  It’s all pretty damn scary.  I’d hate to have to depend on me for care; especially with all the meds I take just to not freak out these days. 

Tonight friends from Costa Rica Skyped in and another friend Skyped as soon as their call was over.  He had movies of the Pink concert from the night before.  We would have been there, for sure.  She puts on a great show.

Later.

Pauline