I did not post an update last Sunday because there was nothing knew to report about my wife's continued recovery from dealing with her blood cancer. I am posting a bit early this week because I will be leaving this morning for a college reunion, so this seemed like an appropriate time.
This is her week off from chemotherapy. Her last dose was taken Monday night. Normally Tuesday and Wednesday of the off week have been her toughest days, with a beginning to return towards a calmer situation starting on Thursday. But this week was somewhat different.
As those who follow me on Facebook or Twitter know, on Wednesday she not only worked a complete 10 hour day in her office, she worked some extra time as well. Yesterday she also worked a complete day, and was actually in her office for longer, but was able to have a leisurely lunch with a co-worker. I finally picked her up a bit after 9 PM, about 12 hours after I had dropped her off, and we celebrated a bit - she had a bowl of gazpacho at the National Democratic Club where I am a member, and since she was more than 48 hours away from chemo about 1/2 of a very stiff gin and tonic.
In the meantime her care-giver (me) has picked up part-time employment selling books at the Shirlington restaurant of the very progressive Busboys & Poets. At least for the forthcoming week, my schedule will continue to allow me to drive her to work and pick her up. My own health has been a bit uneven, as I have been diagnosed and am being treated for psoriasis which has at times made me very uncomfortable and itchy in various places. The past few days this got complicated because I developed severe case of contact dermatitis. I did not handle any poison ivy, but I did pull some climbing ivy from our walls, and apparently my skin is now so sensitive - well, I won't bore you with those details. I am on steroids and it is responding well, but as I taper down from that over the next 8 days, there is some concern that my psoriasis may "rebound." Of course, starting Tuesday, Leaves will again be taking steroids for her chemo, so at least for a while do not plan on inviting us to participate in any athletic events less we cause an entire team to be disqualified! :-) Hey, we have not lost our senses of humor.
We had hoped to have met with the neurosurgeon, but his office postponed that. We need that consultation to know the next big step - when he can operate to reinforce her back. In the meantime we continue to try to live as normally as possible, I continue to seek out possible teaching possibilities for the fall.
As ever, we remain grateful for your support, care, friendship and love.
Peace.