July 30, 2017
Weekend update folks. Fairly calm before the storm right now- radiation starts in earnest tomorrow, followed by first doses of her chemo cocktail Tuesday. Just found out a few hours ago that we are being sent home Tuesday, right from MGH/Danvers after her radiation and chemo. Supposedly a home care person will be bringing by all the equipment and supplies - happening way too fast, but of course it'sSunday so there's no one that I can call at Aetna. And, if Abby is still in rehab on Tuesday they will not cover her chemo. Sounds so reasonable and thoughtful. The nurses here think it will be ok, and I am assuring Abby we will be fine and get the training we need before we are catapulted out into the black hole. BTW, I left out the black hole part when I was doing all that reassuring stuff with her. So lots to figure out - have made arrangements w/friends and family for the next couple of weeks for driving/MGH/radiation coverage for treatments as I need to be back at work Wednesday in earnest. Have to say for the most part, every curve we've been thrown we've handled- a few foul balls but mostly solid hits back at 'em.
"We will figure it out"- that's pretty much been our family motto for along time now, so no sense changing it now.
Yesterday we decided to take a stroll around the halls and byways of the rehab center. Abby and I arm in arm, along with one of our pups, Ginger. Quite the fun activity- dogs are truly revered at rehab- everyone has a story about their dog, or a dog they had, or a dog their kids have, their grand kids have, etc. Pooch wisdom all around. It was about noontime or so, and what we didn't realize was that lunch was just ending in the common area(s) and TV room. Boston-like rush hour traffic ensued, except replace the cars with wheelchairs and walkers, about four deep. All trying to merge into two lanes for the lonely two elevators on the floor. Banging of wheelchair bumpers, walkers getting tangled up, major rugby like scrum. We stood there watching the carnage unfold; Abby and I just giving each other furtive glances, sly smiles and raised eyebrows; Ginger trying to make doggie sense of the scene unfolding in front of her. We literally couldn't pass- nurses were trying to corral the more rogue ones of the group, pointing and trying to coerce them to better behave. I could imagine a sky-copter buzzing overhead advising residents who could walk to take the stairs or alternate routes. "Tilly, you know you need help getting into the elevator", "Martin, you need to sit back in your wheelchair right now". A lost scene from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? Quite possibly. Rip-roaring funny-as-hell? Absolutely. Loved their spirit- felt bad for the nurse wranglers, but secretly wanted them all to succeed in their chosen journeys. They "Ratched" it up- I think Louise Fletcher would agree.
So lots of moving parts, and parts unknown in the next couple of days. Just not sure how things are going to unfold- like a badly-packed twisted sail that was carelessly stowed, or maybe like a beautiful piece of origami that you try and see how the heck they did that. I am Zenning with the origami. And making up words in the process. Enjoy the rest of what's left of your Sunday night- I am dutifully trying to finish Season 6 of GOT so I can stop covering my ears and live freely amongst the people again.
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