Everything Fred – Part 139

14 October 2023

A much better sleep last night. I was ready for bed around 8:30 and got out of bed around 6:30. There were a couple of trips to the bathroom but otherwise, pretty normal. I don’t feel particularly hung over from the Xanax so maybe that’s the answer. I also don’t feel nearly so energetic today, so no walk. I think that’s due to the cumulative effects of the Taxol. I look forward to my last Taxol treatment on Tuesday but don’t look forward to the few days afterwards.

Out of all the side effects from chemo, I think the one that bothers me most is the numbness of toes and fingers. I didn’t have a whole lot of hair to lose anyway and what’s left makes shaving easier. The fatigue has been minimal so far. The numbness makes picking up objects very difficult and it does affect my walk. It also makes my fingers and toes feel as though they were freezing all the time. I walk around the house in long pants, shirt and woolen socks.

I transferred the data from my old iPhone to the new one. It was relatively painless except when I was asked to upgrade the iOS so the new phone doesn’t overheat and it asked me to restart the transfer process again. That would never have happened under Steve Jobs. He demanded everything work correctly the first time.

I suspect it’ll take me a few weeks to figure out some of the features on the new phone. I’ve watched a couple of YouTube videos on the new phone and this device is really simply a computer that makes phone calls. Just the new features with the camera has a steep learning curve.

Today I need to figure out what to do to decommission my old phone and send it back to Apple for a rebate. I think I’m due $420 from the rebate so that will help offset a small portion of the cost of the phone.

Below are two photos of firebush (Hamelia patens). The first was taken with the old iPhone. The second was with the new iPhone.

iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max

The differences are subtle but there is better resolution (at least to me) in the second photograph. Even more significant, I can change the “lens” from 24 mm, to 28 mm to 35 mm with just as touch of the finger.

Today is wash clothes and clean house. I suspect the house cleaning will be minimal. I just don’t have the energy and since that’s been true all week, I haven’t made too much of a mess of the house – until this morning when I spilled half a box of Honey Nut O’s all over the floor. Not a good way to start the morning.

John is bringing a BOGO from Honey Baked Ham over for dinner tonight. I haven’t liked the taste of the ham since chemo began so I opted for the Classic Smoked Turkey.

Stay tuned!

Author: searcyf@mac.com

After 34 years in the classroom and lab teaching biology, I'm ready to get back to traveling and camping and hiking. It's been too long of a break. I miss the outdoors and you can follow my wanderings on this blog.

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