7 September 2023
So far, it’s been a productive day: morning walk, yoga stretches, laps in pool. Of course, the day started at 3:30 am. I was out of bed by 4, and breakfast, computer stuff, and all the exercising done by 9.
I headed to Walgreens to pick up a prescription of Lomotil and while there got my flu shot. In talking with the pharmacist, I asked about the Filgrastim used to boost my white blood cell count and how that might work with/against the flu vaccine. He said it was perfectly safe but might degrade the overall effectiveness of the flu vaccine to about 50%. I know I’ll be on Filgrastim for quite a while and decided 50% protection from the flu was better than no protection. I’ll be back for the new Covid vaccine later this month.
While at Walgreens, I cruised the anti-diarrhea isle and found buy one Imodium at full price, get 50% off the second so I stocked up and purchased 6. With 24 in a package and now alternating with Lomotil, it should last me a while. Still no word on whether or not my insurance will pay for it so I’ll keep the receipts just in case I can file with Medicare.
From Walgreens, it was breakfast/brunch with Joel and John at Peter Pan Diner. That’s the second time I’ve eaten there this year. It was voted the best diner in the state not too long ago but if that’s the case, other diners must be in real bad shape. The food is OK but nothing to write about so I’ll stop.
Yesterday, Barb stopped by for a visit. I hadn’t seen her since her trip and wanted to catch up. She brought rice pudding from Publix and I made some cheese/turkey/ham wraps and we had those and coffee and caught up on each other’s lives. If you remember, she’s the one who stayed the night with me after my second surgery. She left me with the rice pudding. I have to admit, Publix does a great job with the rice pudding. Just add a dusting of cinnamon and you are good to go.
Barb is so easy to talk with. We’ve been friends for years and every time we get together we have great conversations. I really appreciated the company – and the rice pudding!
Later today I’ll drive to the cancer center and get my second Filgrastim injection. I’ll have a third on Friday and when they do my blood work on Tuesday before my chemo infusion, I’ll find out if it’s working to get the white cell count up. As it is, I now visit the cancer center four of the seven days of the week. Then, this afternoon, I had a call from central scheduling about another echocardiogram (Herceptin can cause heart problems). They, so far, have not scheduled a hydration infusion this week but anything is possible.
The best news of the day seems to be that Hurricane Lee will veer northward before getting to the Florida coast. I have no desire to go through a Category 5 hurricane. Hopefully, it’ll stay out to sea and dissipate. I did fill the jeep up with diesel just in case it changes its mind.
Stay tuned!