More of the same

The better I feel, the more I chafe at this restricted lifestyle. I have lots of energy (relatively) feel good, and feel isolated. Which of course I am.

I learned at the clinic today that they won't be stopping the Ambizone any time soon. I'll be making daily clinic visits for much longer. Ambizone treatments until the pneumonia resolves either into scar tissue (and the docs deem it scar tissue) or leaves my lung completely clear. I love the people at the clinic, I really do.

Today the clinic was an absolute zoo. I was there for an hour before I got into a room and then it was way down the hall in the exam area of the BMT area. Altogether I was there for 6 hours getting Ambizone and platelets. I got platelets yesterday also. And I got blood yesterday. I got blood and platelets both on Friday.

So I think that even if I wasn't getting Ambizone, I would be visiting the clinic often. Or perhaps the reason for the hemoglobin and platelet counts bobbling around is the Ambizone and if I wasn't getting it I wouldn't need blood products so often.

As long as I am halfway cheerful when I get to the clinic, it's usually a pleasant experience. (If I am bumming, the nurses tend to bum with me.) The nurses are kind enough to laugh at my jokes. Some of them talk to me and we have become friends. According to their scale, I require a lot of attention. Several changes of stuff hanging from the IV pole. They don't count my frequent requests for ice water as attention. The doctors stop and talk to me in the hall as do the nurse practitioners. They are all excited about me being in Lisa's wedding May 23rd.

Today Dr. Aljitawi stopped in the hall and said "so you're coming by yourself to the clinic these days?" I told him yes, even though I got scolded one time, I told them he had given me permission to drive. He gave a thumbs up sign and said "this is a good thing. I like it." I like it too.

I had a lovely mothers day yesterday. A fast visit to the clinic (4 hours for Ambizone, blood and platelets!), a tasty dinner grilled by my sister, Janice, and a satisfying webcam visit with my grandson. Harrison is old enough now to attend to the screen when I talk and we play little baby games like peekaboo and pat-a-cake. Conor sent some new photos and I will try to figure out how to upload one this week.

Graduation announcements are arriving in my mailbox. My favorite children are growing up so suddenly. I am sending folks out for cards and gifts and wishing I could be at the celebration parties. But I feel good and for this I am grateful. I will just keep doing the next thing that's indicated. All signs point to an ultimately positive outcome, we just don't know when it will be.

Cathi