Eureka - June 2019

6-9-2019.

Saturday was First Saturday, Arts Alive, but I was too weak to go Down Town. In the morning I had gone to the library to attend a program about the lumber industry in Humboldt County.

When time came to go to the meeting room I went home instead and spent some time on the couch.

Sunday was not much different.

Monday evening, at the 8:00 PM dance break, I walked over to the lodge and talked to some of my dancing friends.

Tuesday I went to the Senior Center and had lunch there.

Wednesday I went again to the Senior Center. I cannot do much more though, I do not have the energy.

In the afternoon Pat came to the motorhome and brought me a milk shake and some of her husband’s super fruit cake. It is not a cake; it is made with dates, fruits and nuts, and it is delicious.

 I tasted it before, and unfortunately nothing tastes good now.

Thursday afternoon I went to the surgeon’s office and had the stables removed.

They also informed me that the oncology department has an opening on June 11. That made me happy. It is a lot better than June 24.

I also was told that the surgeon will install a port on my body, for chemo therapy.

So far, I have lost eighteen pounds. I force myself to eat. It feels like the food wants to come up again.

Friday and Saturday I rested.

Sunday I went to Mary Ann’s house and did my laundry. It is easier than sitting in a cold laundromat.
 

6-16-2019.

Monday morning, when I stepped out of the bed, my left leg and foot were hurting. I had not fallen or tripped and cannot explain why.

Now, I do not only look like an old man, I walk like one.

This was a summer day. The temperature was over 80 degrees F. The sun was shining all last week. The Ramblers did some wonderful walks. They walked Strawberry Hill and some others I have not walked and would have liked to do.

In the morning I went to Stables and bought McAfee Virus Protection. My present one is expiring this month. On the way home I stopped at WINCO and did some grocery shopping.

Back at the motorhome I sat outside and enjoyed the sun for a while.

Tuesday, my daughter Claudia and I saw the oncologist.

He checked my whole medical history and the history of my family.

Then he checked me out to see whether other lymph nodes are affected too.

He requested another CT scan, more blood work and that my bone marrow be checked out for cancer.

He believes that all of this can be done in two weeks, when I will see him again.

He told me if those areas show no cancer, I have nothing to worry about.

Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma is a fast growing cancer but easy to control. That is what he told me and I hope he is right.

He also requested that the surgeon install a port on my body for the applying of chemo.

Now I have to wait another two weeks.

In the evening I went to Mary Ann’s house and spent some time with her.

Wednesday was another summer day. The locals are complaining. They say it is too hot.

After eating lunch at the Senior Center I took it easy.

Thursday the foggy, cool weather was back. In the evening I went for an hour to the waterfront for the first Summer Concert.

I did not feel great, but I wanted to meet Mary Ann’s daughter who lives in Mississippi. Her other daughter who lives in Chico is here too.

Friday we celebrated Father’s Day at the Senior Center. The dining room was decorated and there was a band.

At 1:30 PM I was at the Eureka High School Stadium where Nicolette graduated. I was early and the bleachers were filling up.

The sun had come out and it was warm.

Saturday morning I picked up my mail at Claudia’s house and then went for a short time to Mary Ann’s house. I am in pain now and feel lousy.

Sunday I did not leave the motorhome. I had too much pain. Claudia and Nicolette visited me and brought me a Father’s Day card and some chocolate.
 

6-23-2019.

Monday I went to Walgreens to pick up some stool softeners.

On the way home I visited Mary Ann for a short time. The rest of the day I spent on the couch.

Tuesday morning, Claudia picked me up at 5:00 AM and dropped me off at the hospital.

At 6:00 AM I was in the operating room and Dr. Trieu installed a port for getting the chemo chemicals in my body. This was done with local sedation and very painful.

I told him about the excruciating pain I have now since my belly is large. He thought it could be liquid and ordered an ultrasound, which was done in my room.

Claudia picked me up at 12:00 Noon.

Thursday morning Claudia took me again to the hospital where they performed a biopsy of the bone marrow in my spine.

They put me in a TC Scanner and marked the spot where the surgeon, with an electric drill, removed some of the material.

I had to lay on my front, which was very painful since the mass in my abdomen was hurting. I survived though.

Monday I will have two more CT Scans and then see the oncologist again.

Friday I was in a lot of pain. Mary Ann called me and when I told her about the pain, she asked me whether I had tried Gas X. I was thinking about it. She went to the drugstore and got me some.

After I swallowed two pills the major pain disappeared.

Saturday morning I went to Claudia’s house and on the way back to the motorhome, I visited Mary Ann for a short time.

Sunday was another bad day. My legs and feet are swollen now. At different times I walked around the lodge. I need to walk more but I am too week.

Mary Ann brought me pudding and dairy free ice cream.