Days are screwed up

 Sunday I went to the Mardi Gras Pajama party, what fun, loads of people, good food and live music.

Vance on Bass

Our Hostess Barb

Sunset

Host and Hostess

Les and Barb

I brought a Chocolate Tart, which got rave reviews and was devoured. Barb made a delicious Gumbo and Red Beans with rice.

That was on Sunday afternoon, which screwed up my days. I am through with my treatments and so I did not have to drive in on Monday. I thought, Monday, was Sunday, confused all day.

Tuesday, I worked in the Gallery, sold a number of items including one of my books, yeah! When I got home I pop the hood on my car in an effort to keep the critters out. It seems a rabbit hopped in while I was at work, as it was sitting in the engine compartment.

Wednesday, the temperature dropped, the wind picked up and the snow fell. I went out to feed the birds and startled a Hawk, the Ravens ignored me and kept wandering about, dozens of other birds flocked around the feeders. I emptied the traps and the Ravens received a few mice. I believe the Hawk left empty handed, as I didn't spot any feathers scattered about.

I will leave you with a shot of the sunset on the Ortiz Mountains on the 20th of February.

Link to Website

Treatment Day 28 of 28

 This is the end, the last day of treatment. No more driving into town five days a week.

I brought the Chocolate Tart to the staff as a thank you.

I brought "J" a vegan/GF chocolate mint, Oreo, brownie from the Revolution Bakery. I gave it to her a I was entering the treatment room, when I came out 10 minutes later, she said it was wonderful, she ate the whole brownie while giving me my treatment. I told her where the bakery was, she didn't know about it.

After my treatment all of the staff presented me with my Diploma, and gave me hugs.

Then off to the Gallery in Madrid for the day. Many people came through, not much buying. I did sell a few items including an expensive bracelet, so that made the day.

Tomorrow, I will make another tart for a Mardi Gras Pajama Party some friends are throwing on Sunday. Since, I sleep naked, the costume will be easy.

Treatment Day 27 of 28

Almost done, one more day to go. YEAH!!

-6 degrees at 6am, it got up to about 24 by the time I left. Beautiful, clear, sunny day, just bitter cold.

Snow on the dirt road as I left, none on the paved roads. Easy fast drive into town. Arrived early and chatted with a few of the others in the waiting room. 

I was called in and "J" took some pictures of me "setup" to receive my treatment. She had talked about it the other day and then we both forgot about it. Here I am ready to get zapped.

I checked on my sister's house on the way home. Everything is ok.

After arriving home I started making the chocolate tart. It is now in the refrigerator setting up. I will take a photo tomorrow.

I made lunch and prepared some food for tomorrow, I will be at the gallery after my, LAST, session. YEAH.

No more driving into town, at least, not every day.
 

Treatment Day 26 of 28 Meet with the Doctor day

 Wednesday, weekly meeting with the doctor day.

But First, It snowed again last night. 

Had to go out and get the snow off of my solar panels and my car.

This is my driveway as I was leaving this morning.

Slow drive into town, at least people weren't driving crazy.

The doctor came and got me as I was waiting, in the, waiting room. He said might as well start with me while waiting for my treatment.

We went into his office and had a nice chat. He did everything was progressing well and Friday would be my last treatment. I thanked him for his care, he thanked me for being a positive and involved patient.

For follow up he wants me to get a PSA test when I get my next hormone injection, May 1st. He believes that I should be below 10 at that point and it will continue to go down to 2 or 1, maybe even 0. I will have to watch it once it levels out, if it ever goes up 2 points beyond the lowest level, then we will have a problem.

I found a treat for "J" on my last day, she being Gluten-Free and Vegan she can't eat the chocolate tart I will be bringing.

I continues to snow throughout the day, bits of sun shining every so often.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains this afternoon

Treatment Day 25 of 28 Happy Valentine's Day

 Single digits, snow with a strong winds blowing, delightful. Left a few minutes early, I knew it was pretty clear on HWY14, but I25 and St. Francis were reported to be in bad shape, they were right. Though it really wasn't too bad. 

 Gave a box of chocolate to the receptionist, and went into the radiation waiting room.

"J" came to get me, a bit late, I gave her the chocolate. I told her I was still looking for something vegan/GF for her.

After the "code" I entered the radiation room. I got lined up, was in and out.

I left there went to the Albertson, next door, to get the final ingredients for the tarts.

Tomorrow I will met with the doctor, I'll find out what comes next.

Only three more treatments.

Treatment Day 24 of 28

 Monday and it is time to drive into town for my appointment.

It was actually in the 40's when I left the house. That will not last for long, as the temp is supposed to drop into single digits with snow.

I arrived and was taken right in, they asked for the "code", my birth date, then onto the table. Lined up easily, radiated and done. "J" handed me a bundle of flowers, I love these people.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day I have two boxes of chocolate for them, one for the receptionists and the other for the nurses/techs.

Met with my UPS driver to get my package, that was delayed from Friday. It has the chocolate I ordered for the "Chocolate Tart" I making them for my last day. I was also invited to a "Pajama Party", this Sunday, so I will be making two tarts.

Here are a few photos from last week. Prints are available at: https://steven-natanson.pixels.com/

Treatment Day 23 of 28

 Bitter cold this morning. Downed a couple of blueberry muffins for breakfast, fed the birds and off to my appointment.

Started a few minutes later than usual, the roads were clear and traffic was light so I made good time. 

At the reception desk there were only a couple of mints, I commented "no chocolate today". We laughed, I went around the corner headed to the radiation room. The "outgoing" receptionist stopped me and gave me two chocolate kisses. Have I told you how much I love the people and the care that I am getting here. 

Went in and waited, as there were a few people ahead of me. I was called, treated and then left.

I went to get birdseed and gas at Sam's Club.

I texted my UPS driver to meet with him. He told me my package was delayed due to Ice Storms in Texass. They won't be coming until Monday. I ordered some special chocolate to make a treat for my care team. I am going to give it to them on my last day, next Friday.

Yesterday, as I was unloading my car, I slipped on some ice, I didn't think anything of it at the time. I slipped off the top of three steps, I didn't fall, but landed hard on my right foot. It seem I strained my thigh as it started to ache later in the evening. By morning I was having difficulty walking and it seems to be getting worse. I will see what tomorrow brings.

It is Friday no trips into town for a couple of days.

Treatment Day 22 of 28

 The sun was out, though, the weather report called for snow starting a 11am. I should get to my appointment and back before the snow.

Looking out the window my resident coyote was wandering across the yard. grabbed my camera and took a few pictures.

Should have checked the weather in Santa Fe, halfway through my journey whiteout, snow blowing across the road. Heavy traffic on I25 moving about 10 miles below the speed limit. Getting into town was even worse. Made it with no problem and was taken in as soon as I got there, early again. My morning chocolate at the reception counter.

It was snowing harder when I left. Stopped by to check on my sister's house and then continued home.

The higher in the mountain I climbed the heavier the snow. The storm had arrived in the Ortiz Mountains before 11am.

Light snow most of the day, very dry melting as soon as it hit.  

Some nice clouds to photograph today.

Friday coming up, last trip into town for the week, then only one week to go.

Treatment Day 21 of 28

 More snow last night went out and brushed off the car and solar panels. Fed the birds and packed a lunch. 

Off to my appointment, down the mountain, through the snow. I was very early, but they took me right in, I was ready.

After weight and BP, it was down.

Met with the doctor, he said everything looks good and right on schedule. We will see another week to go. At some point there will be another PSA test to see if it has gone down to where it is suppose to be.

I left there and set off for the gallery. We have some new artists and the art has been moved around. It is looking really good.

Ate the lunch I brought.

Had a few sales though it was pretty slow. Had some good conversations with the people who came in.

Hump Day, the weekend and no driving to town are coming up. For a couple of days at least, then the final week.

Treatment Day 19 and 20 of 28

 Monday, I went to my Monday appointment, really disliking this drive. 

They were a bit behind, so it started to get a bit uncomfortable. I attempt to time my bladder to be full a bit before my time. The majority of the time they have called me in early. The few times they have been late, I make a beeline for the bathroom after.

I went by Trader Joe's for some salad and other groceries. Weight gain, especially, belly fat is very common with the hormone shots and I have gained some. I am now on a diet to lose the 15lbs, plus more. Hence, the switch to more weight loss friendly foods, fruits and vegetables. Less red meat, more fish, less chocolate.

Chocolate, more arrived on Monday. I received a late Christmas present from friends in Rhode Island. Including a large box of chocolate from, Jennifer's Chocolate in Narragansett, my favorite east coast chocolate store. Which means in the past two week I have received about 6lbs of chocolate. Not great for weight loss.

Awoke to snow on Tuesday, left early in order to make my appointment on time. Once I got off the dirt road, it was clear sailing into town. Stopped by the gallery on the way home, thought I might have entered the wrong day on my calendar. I didn't. 

Tomorrow is check in with the doctor day and then off to the Gallery.

Treatment Day 17 and 18 of 28

 I am combining two days, as Wednesday night the pain from the shot started, as the night progressed it continued to increase. By morning I was in full excruciating pain.

I managed to bump down two miles of rocky, rutted dirt road to the paved road. Arrived at my appointment and proceeded to lie on the table. I felt like I had an overinflated butt cheek and was listing to one side.

I then went home and attempted to loosen up my butt by walking and moving around.

Felt somewhat better on Friday, bumped down the road and back again. I, again, returned home and did housework.

Pretty uneventful couple of days.

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.