Everything Fred – Part 203

12 January 2024

It seems like another good day! Instead of sleeping until 8:30 am I was up at 5 but feeling good. Perhaps, just perhaps, I’m getting over the effects of Taxol and adjusting to Herceptin.

I opted out of my first dose of insulin this morning. I have to remove the continuous glucose monitor (cgm) for the MRI this afternoon and I wanted to make sure I had a monitor available all day to check my glucose. Last night as I was about to go to bed, the phone alerted me to a low glucose level and I quickly popped a few Tootsie Roll miniatures into my mouth. I’m nervous about injecting insulin when my glucose was low last night. I’ll inject my first dose on Saturday morning when I have a new cgm in place.

I managed to remember my wrist splints last night. So far, I remember to put them on one night and not the next. I’m not sure they are working but I do seem to have a little more feeling in my hands and feet but that could be due to the Gabapentin. In either case, splints or medication, I appreciate the ability to feel a little more with my fingers. I still have a lot less strength in my right hand than my left.

True to their word, Hollywood Chrysler Jeep called me back yesterday – at 5:58 pm. They did not leave a message so I don’t know if my jeep is ready or not. Perhaps the colds got worse.

According to MyChart, my MRI procedure should take 45 minutes. They want me there 30 minutes early and that’s with pre-registering on MyChart. I should be done about the time 5 pm traffic snarls start.

It’s so strange to feel well. It gives me hope even if the neuropathy never goes away. I may try a short walk this morning. It rained most of yesterday so maybe it’s worth a try. I’m sure people will wonder who the new person in the neighborhood is.

My thoughts are with my cousin Charles. He’s due for a PET scan next Thursday and I hope everything comes back clean and clear. Charles is a few years older than I and therefore I was naturally closer with his younger sister Jean while growing up. I remember as a kid he was a member of the Mississippi National Guard which was a big deal back then – at least to me. To me he was always the quiet and kind relative. I don’t remember him talking too much back then but when he did talk, you listened to his opinion. Over the years we’ve had too infrequent contact – sadly, mostly funerals of our parents. What I do know is he’s always willing to help someone out. He’s done so several times for me – both with my parents and me. Thanks to his wife Minnie Jean for keeping me informed. He’s in good hands with her support and care. Here’s hoping for a good medical report from the scan on Thursday!

Stay tuned!