Treatment Day 16 of 28 Dreaded Hormone Shot

 The 2nd of 8 dreaded days has come.

But first: I got up and fed the birds had a light breakfast and headed out for my appointments.

They took my blood pressure, weighed me, then I went in for my radiation treatment.

I came out and was told to wait in the waiting room for the doctor. After a few minutes I was called into his office. We talked about my BP, which was high, I told him about the hormone injection due today. He then asked how the treatment was going, I said; I should be asking you that. He then told me, I was one of the best patients he had, they lined me up easily each time and that my CT scans very clearly showed everything they needed to direct the treatment. He feels at this point they should be able to eradicate it. Good News!!!!

I then went to Sam's Club to get a few items, filled up my gas tank while there.

Considering I had time to kill before getting lunch, I went to Kitchenality, a shop that features gently used kitchen items and supports the Food Depot. Didn't find anything there, so off to lunch.

I had heard about Anthony's Grill, which does Asia Style Food, I have been wanting to try it. You order the proteins you want, vegetables, sauce and choice of noodles or rice. They cook to order and you can watch them as the space is open to the kitchen. I sat at table, Anthony, came over and asked about my photography. He hooked me up to his internet and I showed him my website. We chatted for awhile, he is going to call and meet me at the gallery, he would like some posters for his restaurant. 

I then went to Smith's to get a few staples, apples, potatoes, etc. As I passed the fish counter, there sat a huge, Dungeness Crab, I figured a treat was called for after my injection. Being from the Bay Area I have to have at least one per year, would be more, wow, are they expensive. (skipping ahead, it was delicious).

It is TIME, for the dreaded appointment. I head to the office and go to the reception desk. As I am being check in, I am approached by one of the staff about my camera, I show them my work and they asked for my card.

They moved to a new office and a different affiliation, which means refilling out the paperwork. When that is completed, I am taken in and weighed, BP, again. Though they did explain that the weight and height are important for determining the dosage. The doctor came in and we chatted about the effects since the first injection. He then takes me to the area where they give the injections.......I think they forgot about me. the receptionist goes back to tell them I am still waiting. They came and got me, put me in another room and said they were preparing the injection.......They finally came with my injection. "J" who gave me the injection was very nice and very good. I didn't feel a thing. Much better than the last time. I told her I was going to make sure my next appointment would be on a day she is working. Turns out she moved here from the Bay Area 3 1/2 years ago.

I had half the crab for dinner, as I said before, Delicious!!

This evening, just a bit of soreness at the injection site, nothing like the last time which felt like I got kicked by multiple mules for 3 days after the injection.

Tonight I will see if I can get any pictures of the comet.

Treatment Day 15 of 28

 Usual day, get up do chores have breakfast, then off to my appointment. No surprises, everything went smoothly. They reminded me that I meet with the doctor tomorrow.

Stopped by my sister's house to check the mail and start her car. She was out of propane, since there is no phone reception at her house. I called her when I got home.

She then called the propane company for an emergency fill. Then she called me to tell me they would be calling, which they did while I was on the phone with her. They were at her gate, I am 23 minutes away, I did it in 18. Got that all squared away.

Drove home a bit more sanely.

Checked the batteries on one of my solar systems, topped up the water.

Tomorrow is the dreaded hormone shot.

Treatment Day 14 of 28

 49ers lost.😢

Monday, the start of a new week of treatments and driving into town for the next five days.

I arrived on time, they were on time and I was in and out very quickly. I was telling them about my friend who is an EMT helicopter pilot and he had flown over my house on Sunday. I didn't know he was going to, though I knew he was flying somewhere. So I posted a few pictures of his helicopter. Today he and his wife told me they would fly over today and would give me advance notice so I could get some pictures.

On my way home I was going up Goldmine Road, I came to the old windmill and saw a hawk sitting on one of the vanes. I pulled over to get a few pictures.

I received a call from the hormone doctor's office confirming my appointment for Wednesday. It turns out they moved their office, I would have gone to the wrong place. Not that I want to go to the right place. It is time for my second injection, I am not looking forward to it.

The last place I worked, I walked out of, not on the best of terms. I was tired of the BS. That was over 7 years ago, I have not heard from the owner since. He just liked my hawk pictures on Facebook, weird. 

Saturday

 Started the day by emptying the refrigerator and defrosting it. While doing that, I mixed up a batch of breakfast sausage and made some hash browns. That was breakfast, along with an English muffin and juice.

The birds were looking hungry so I went to feed them. The raven's received two rats and six mice.

After cleaning and putting away the dishes, I then cleaned the stove top and the oven door.

Having finished defrosting the refrigerator, I threw all the dish towels into the washing machine.

Walking into the bedroom I found I had neglected to make the bed.

It was 2 o’clock and past time for lunch, I grilled a hamburger and threw some chips on a plate.

That was my day.

Treatment Day 13 of 28

 Friday, last day I have to drive in this week.

A little warmer today, 1 or 2 degrees, I'll take it. Filled the bird feeders, then headed to my appointment.

Arrived 15 minutes before my appointed time, I have to have a full bladder, which I had. Maybe, too full, as I waited beyond my appointed time. At a quarter after they called me, I was very uncomfortable then, though I held on.

I was told they were taking pictures of the radiation room, the people had a scheduled time and were late. That threw everyone off, it happens. Then "E" said they should have had me take the pictures, I love my techs. I was in and quickly, as usual. We talked about our respective plans for the weekend, we both are defrosting our refrigerators. I will be watching football on Sunday, GO 49ERS.

I then went to the store for suet for the birds and headed for home. On the way my sister called to officially cancel her need for me to housesit in Homer Alaska, this April. 

I was watching for the UPS truck, as I knew I had a delivery coming. I turned onto the dirt road leading to my property and spotted the UPS truck up ahead. I followed him flashing my lights, he pulled over. As he came over he said he had just texted me, saved him a trip over 2 miles of rough dirt road.

My friends know me well, last weekend, Sakara, brought me a box of Harry and David's milk chocolate truffles. Today's package was a box of Lindt milk chocolate truffles from my friend, Pam, in California. 

I messaged, Pam to thank her. I told her they will cure me of cancer, though, I will probably acquire diabetes.

I get the weekend off from treatment, yeah. I will be watching the Warriors play tonight and eating chocolate.

Treatment Day 12 of 28

Another day of driving into town for a 15 minute radiation treatment. the drive and having to interact with people is draining me.

I had my treatment, no problems. 

I then decide to decompress a bit and drove into the Cerrillos Hills State Park. I drove up as far I as I could go. The day was beautiful, but very cold. I hung out for awhile seeking some birds and animals to photograph, gave up and went home.

I don't know what I ate, whatever it was I had horrible stomach cramps, took quite awhile to get rid of them. Which is why this post is late.

Tomorrow is Friday, so I will have two days of not having to drive into town.

Treatment Day 11 of 28

 It was cold again this morning, a very light snow, during the night, dusted the ground.

I am working at the gallery today, so I had to pack a lunch, retrieve my water bottles from the refrigerator and gather everything I would need for the day.

I then left for my appointment. Today is, Wednesday, which is meet with the doctor day. I was called and they took my BP, much lower, though still high. Then check my weight, maybe a bit lower than last week.

I then met with the doctor. I showed him the BP reading, I had been taking, we decided to wait and see what happens after the treatment is finished. Hopefully, it will drop back to normal.

I was taken back to my usual room with my original techs. They were quick and efficient as always.

I left and headed to Madrid and the gallery. I opened at about 11:15am, took a tour, to see what had changed during my two week absence. We lost a potter, I found out later we are getting back one of former artists. The owner is also going to move a few of the artist's location in the gallery. It won't affect the placement of my work.

Very slow day, nobody was out on this chilly day, it may have hit 32°. We had some light snow in the afternoon. I did sell a picture by one of the artists, as well as, one of my books.

I closed up at five and send the sales figures to the owner. Her response was "at least it wasn't zero, we get a lot of those in January".

Now, I am home, had my dinner and am watching the Warriors play. Curry just hit 21,000 career points.