Farber Delayed

Last week, Paul and Muriel sent me home without my Zometa infusion and put a hold on my Revlimid because of my cold, and they scheduled me to come back today to resume my treatment.  I'm glad they did, because I felt like shit for the next few days after that.  I was really tired and all I wanted to do was sleep.  That's what I mostly did from Monday afternoon until Friday morning.  I was told we had a snow storm during that time.  Maybe so...I could have cared less.  I did get up Thursday morning to shovel the front walk before heading back to bed, though.

Anyway, by Friday I felt better, so I went to get my second golf lesson (courtesy of Secret Santa Pam).  I took my first lesson two weeks ago.  My lessons involve hitting balls from a partly heated shed (I really want to emphasize the word 'partly') onto an actual driving range.  During my first lesson, the outside temperature was 15 degrees, and the so-called heater didn't help much at all.  This time, it was a balmy 29 degrees outside, so it was somewhat better.  I actually had some feeling in my fingers this time.  I think I'm learning something, but the proof of the pudding will be on the golf course when I head down to Ocean Isle Beach on Feb. 22.  I'll have to see what it's like to hit the ball without being all bundled up in winter clothes.  I felt like Ralphie's little brother in "A Christmas Story".  If I had fallen down, all I could have done would be to make snow angels among the golf balls. 

Today's visit to the Farber went well, although everything was behind schedule today for some reason.  That's OK.  I just put aside the time and go with the flow when I go there.  I noticed today that some people were getting all worked up because things were behind schedule, but you know what?  Just chill!  Shit happens, and I long ago got used to just taking things as they come, especially as a patient of Paul Richardson.  Usually, everything is pretty smooth, but if not, so what?  They're doing the best they can.

Maybe my attitude was influenced by the fact that Gretchen and I attended a workshop at the Insight Meditation Center in West Newbury this past Saturday.  It was 3 1/2 hour workshop combining meditation and yoga.  It was really cool and I enjoyed it a lot.  I was actually surprised that I could spend time meditating and concentrating on my breathing for quite a while without my mind wandering a lot or getting bored.  That's a first for me.  Also, I haven't done any yoga for quite a while, so I really enjoyed getting back a little into that practice. 

My pathology results from last week's blood test were good again, so I'm still on a roll with this remission thing.  Yay!  The only fly in the ointment may be my iron level.  They didn't test that today, because they want at least 6-8 weeks to see if the iron pills are having an effect.  However, Mary seemed a bit concerned that I might have some unexplained internal bleeding.  She gave me a package for me to test whether there is any blood in my stool.  I got what she called a "hat" to use to collect the stool sample.  Now I know what it means to go shit in your hat.  Anyway, I will get that back to her sometime soon to see if there is any other diagnostic procedure that needs to be done.

I haven't heard yet from my dermatologist about scheduling surgery for my two squamous cell carcinomas.  I don't think there is any urgency on this, but I hope to try to get these done some time in early March, after I get back from screwing up my golf game in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.  I have to say, with all the snow we've had lately, I can't wait to get to a nice warm sunny place where I can get some more skin cancer.  Just kidding!