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.