Today flew by for me. Told Sam 'see ya later' about 8:30am and it was non-stop until about 20 minutes ago...just before 8pm! Did I accomplish anything? Absolutely. What was it? That I was able to get away from the cancer ride. I am able to do that each and every day I go to work, or book club, or the gym, or whatever and wherever. Most of the time I am not even aware that I am pushing "reality" into the background and focusing on other things which require my immediate attention. But then, there are moments throughout the day when it hits me full force, and interestingly enough, it's usually not something major which creates the reminder, it's something very minute - like standing in the cereal aisle at Fred Meyer looking at Cheerios. Yes, that was me, the sobbing hysterical woman for a few seconds. No, it didn't happen this trip, but it has happened before. The thing is, Sam never gets a reprieve. He lives with it each and every minute of each and every day. Even those times when we are snowshoeing or hiking or just walking along Chester Creek, he is constantly aware of his situation. I just can't imagine.
Sam spent a couple hours at the animal shelter today. He always comes back in good humor. When I've been with him around animals, they all just gravitate to him. Last summer we visited the Reindeer Farm in Palmer where there is a bison named Dolly. The staff warned everyone to stay away from her because her horns alone could hurt someone. Well, Sam stepped up to the fence, and Dolly stepped up to the other side of the fence, and she fell in love with him. It was hilarious! Sam scratched her back and she just rubbed up against the fence loving every minute of it. The staff was amazed. I wasn't, although I did get a good laugh out of this huge bison named Dolly trying to get as close as possible to my husband. Luckily the fence was there otherwise who knows what would have happened! Anyway, my point is, I think it is as therapeutic for Sam as it is for the animals who all seem to understand that Sam is sick and needs extra love and attention from them. It is truly a wonderful thing to watch.
Tomorrow Sam has blood tests in preparation for the Xgeva infusion which is for the bone metastases. The actual infusion is set for Wednesday. At about the 10 day mark, Sam sometimes starts to have side effects, chills, fever, chills, fever, which last anywhere from 24-48 hours. Each time I hope and pray it doesn't happen, but it's always a guessing game. Another of those, "we just take it when it comes because there's just not much else we can do about it" scenarios.
Today is also the last day of winter. Thank goodness! However, Anchorage still needs another 3.2 inches of snow to break the record. I hope we get it because I do not want to go through another snowy winter like this for a very long time to come. Sam and I both love the snow, yet...this year, we've both had enough of it already! Here's to a wonderful spring!
Just an FYI, several people have asked if they can send me checks for the 2012 Alaska Clean Air Bike Challenge. Absolutely. The check needs to be made out to American Lung Association and can be given to me. If you need our mailing address, send me a quick email and I will send it to you. Thank you to all of you who have already donated. Each day I am getting more and more excited about it!
Ciao!
