Wednesday, October 3, 2018

My Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Week

I usually try to blog every few weeks, but recently, I have not felt much like blogging. While my last chemo treatment was relatively unremarkable, my port once again decided that it didn’t want to function properly. Accordingly, my nurses had me go through the usual drill: raise my arms over my head, lean to the left, lean to the right--the only thing that was missing was being asked to stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight....and maybe a trapeze. When those moves did not work, my nurse administered what is called a “clot buster,” and then after an hour or so, the chemo proceeded as usual.

The extra added attraction for this more powerful round of chemo is that I have a whole new set of side effects. My skin has become so dry that I now have what looks like paper cuts on my thumbs and fingers, limiting my manual dexterity. The only thing that seems to help is to put medicated lotion on my hands and to wear gloves to bed, making me look pretty much like Mickey Mouse when I get ready for bed.

Adding to the stress of the week, our super happy, energetic and spirited dog, MacGyver, ended up at the Emergency Vet for several days. We finally were able to bring her home on Friday, and she is slowly getting back to her old self.

Unfortunately, layered on top of all of this, I have been watching this sad spectacle of the Kavanaugh hearings, and I have been dispirited by the responses that I have been hearing and reading.  Many  have chosen sides,  but I am astounded by the level of acrimony and vitriol being used to defend their positions. I am disappointed by the false narratives and by the shaming and blaming and by the us v. them  herd mentality that seems to be omnipresent. I am left to wonder what has happened to compassion and empathy?

Despite the vile words of some on social media, I wonder how we have allowed ourselves to be complicit in this ugliness? During my two year odyssey with cancer, most of the people that I have encountered have been kind and decent, and I am left with the same hope that Anne Frank expressed:
“Despite everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart."





12 comments:

  1. Cancer just plain sucks! And why it hurts my most favorite people is beyond me. I continue sending my prayers and love ... some mornings on my drive to work, I have extended talks with God, asking him to watch over you. Maybe I need to change my communication with him. I love you to the moon and back, my friend. ❤️❤️❤️

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  2. Jen and I enjoyed visiting with you and Donna. It's therapeutic when four like-minded people get in a room together! Wishing you and MacGyver strength.

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    1. Thanks, Jeff. It was great seeing both of you as well.

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  3. I really appreciate your blogs, always brutally honest, always with a hint of fun, always resolute to do this thing the best way you can. But why do I always think of Phyllis Diller when the title pops up? Here's to a good day for you and Donna...

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  4. I was alerted to your blog on Diane Rativichs site. Now you are among my heroes. That thing about stand up sit down fight is no longer in the cheering reprotoire. I am still laughing. If humor can beat cancer, those cells are doomed.

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    1. Since cancer is the gift that keeps on giving, I am trying my hardest to laugh in its face.

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  5. :( Sorry you have to endure so many things just now. I too feel like, on a one-on-one level, most are still good people and will to help out others. I just hope we can get it sorted soon. Also, get some Lanolin ointment (for sore nipples during breastfeeding) for your fingers. It's glorious stuff.

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  6. This post makes me chuckle and cry at the same time. Your wisdom always shines through when you talk about current events. Take care, and I think of you often.

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