Today was supposed to be a fairly routine day for Sam - blood tests prior to the Xgeva injection tomorrow, support group, and then maybe even oncology rehab. Needless to say...it didn't go that way. He arrived at Providence to get the blood tests and discovered that the prescription for the tests were expired. Of course, I did not see his text telling me all this and asking for the truck because I am thoroughly enjoying my lunch out with a girlfriend and we've got tons of catching up to do. Checking my phone is the last thing on my mind. Luckily, he has learned patience, plus the support group was getting started, so he had something to do until I could get there to give him the truck. He could have taken the bus but in order to get to his doctor's office and back to Providence, the bus truly was not an option. That all would not have been so bad if we were not still trying to get all the insurance straightened out since he had gone on my insurance at the beginning of the year and also FINALLY signed up with the VA. My company is self-insured so that requires additional pre-authorizations which he has not had to obtain before. Luckily the doctor's office was aware of it due to my lengthy phone calls with the office a month or so ago, trying to get it all straightened out. After he did all that running around and got the blood tests completed, he then had to get the truck back to me for my very important appointment at 5:00. He was pretty darn tired, to say the least; however, he was still in a good mood by the time I got home. How great is that! Today was a good example of how he spent his days when he was first diagnosed with lung cancer. We are both very grateful this doesn't happen very often anymore. Sam wouldn't be able to do it on a continuing basis and I don't have time for it. We'd be in a jam!
For those of you thinking, "I thought he wasn't supposed to be driving anymore," he is now ok to drive very short distances since he is no longer in chemo or radiation. Even being able to drive the short distances has given him back a sense of independence and has made a tremendous impact on his spirits.
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Chopping wood at Nancy Lake Public Use Cabin #2
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Sam has been feeling kind of cruddy the past few days and this morning he did tell me he thinks his glands are swollen because his neck is sore. When he tells me things like this, I try not to react too much because that drives him crazy. So, instead, I worry silently, wondering if once again, it is the lymph nodes which are causing the pain, or if it is just a cold or sinus infection he is trying to fend off. No matter what it is, his body's immune system is definitely not what it used to be which means I need to pay close attention to what it is he is telling me and how he is telling me. Luckily, he also has an appointment with Dr. Rabinowitz on Friday.
Those Korean shows have finally gotten to Sam. HA. He just told me that he probably won't be watching them again for awhile because the series he has been watching became "just too intense." Wonder what he will find to watch on Netflix now...
It was a beautiful spring day in Anchorage, bright blue skies, warm and the snow is rapidly (relatively speaking) melting. All day I was wondering...is this it? Or, is there another big one coming? I want us to break the record, yet at the same time, I want the snow to be gone gone gone! Plus, the snow is so very dirty during breakup. Speaking of breakup, I need to remind Sam to buy our Nenana Ice Classic tickets. Gambling is not allowed in Alaska, so we make do with contests like betting when the tripod is going to break through the ice at Nenana. It is pretty darn exciting!
http://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/ Check it out.
Tomorrow is a new day and, I am sure, full of new opportunities. Sam has his Xgeva injection in the morning, then will probably go to the shelter. As for me, a couple meetings in the morning and then volunteering with other CIRI employees at the Elders Food Bank in the afternoon.
Ciao!
