15 October 2024
Whew! I was really worried my cancer had returned when I noticed a tenderness in the same region that alerted me to the cancer in the first place. I called the surgeon and she worked me in at 9:30 this morning. It seems, like usual, I always catch her on her way out of town.
As I walked into the Cancer Center, they had all kinds of goodies for sell in a fundraiser. As I looked around, I saw Lorraine, my original nurse with the surgeon who has since retired. She gave me a great big hug and told me she didn’t always like all her patients but she liked me. After a quick chat, I headed to Dr. Burgers’ office.
The receptionist remembered my name and we chatted a bit before I was taken back, weighed, checked temperature, dissolved oxygen and blood pressure. My weight was 171, down from 180 and my diastolic pressure was 68. I assume I’m dehydrated from the diarrhea.
After the vitals, the nurse showed me to a room where I waited for 30 minutes. One difference from my last visit was I was given a pink gown that opened in the front. It was really nice and I started to take it with me. I was then shifted to a room that had an ultrasound device. Dr. Burgers came in shortly after and after I pinpointed the region on the left breast, she did a physical examination and then did an ultrasound. Everything was A-OK. In her opinion, the nerves from the surgery were acting up. She suggested diclofenac gel which I already have on hand. It’s a topical ointment that I already use on my fingers for arthritis.
Upon leaving, I headed back to the “fair” in the lobby and got another hug from Lorraine. We talked a good bit and Dr. Burgers joined in for a while. She’s all business and is not one for small talk or jokes. I like that in a physician. Lorraine complained she didn’t have enough time in the day since retirement. I observed that when we worked, we often had to be more organized to get things done while working. She said she filled some of the time with two new pups. Dr. Burgers said if she had that much time on her hands, she should come back to work. You can tell Lorraine is a good nurse when the doctors want you back.
On my way out, I purchased one of their pink tee shirts for $10.
The also good news is that I haven’t had an episode of diarrhea today. Keep your fingers crossed!
I made it home in time to meet with AJ Staps who is going to purchase an artificial tree for me with decorations, and also install it in the house. He will then, in January, take it down so I can store it in the house. He’s one of the main decorators for The Christmas Place in Fort Lauderdale. That place has been open for business ever since I came down here. John once worked for the original owner.
I haven’t put up a tree in a very long time and had actually gotten rid of all my Christmas ornaments collected over the years (some were gifts and were quite expensive). That meant I had to buy some more. AJ will be purchasing the ornaments he wants to use and I’ll also have some fancy ribbons, bows, artificial flowers and something he calls pick. We’re set for 8:30 on December 11 for installation. Sadly, he’ll send everything over this month and I’ll have to store it until installation.
You might wonder what the price is. I’m embarrassed to tell you so I won’t. Suffice to say my savings took a hit. At least, next year, all I’ll pay is for installation and removal.
I was very particular about the tree. Most artificial trees I see at Lowes and Home Depot look cheap. I asked AJ to show me the boughs of his planned tree and it definitely looked realistic. He says trees have improved on their appearance over the years. He suggested his favorite tree, the Belgium Fir. He showed me pictures of the boughs and I agreed it look realistic.
To make it more realistic, I purchased some Frasier Fir spray to give the right atmosphere when you walk into the house. That and my very potent egg nog.
I loved Christmas as a kid. Once when I was very young, I swore I could hear sleigh bells on the roof of my Grandmother’s house telling me Santa had arrived. My favorite thing on the tree was the bubble lights she had on her Christmas tree.
Later, Christmas took on a more sad meaning. Family arguments, sadness on my Grandmother’s part since she married on Christmas Day, and at times me being the one to celebrate instead of my parents.
When I moved to Fort Lauderdale, I started putting up live trees and I loved the smell but not so much the mess.
This is Rocky looking guilty – like he had been watering the tree. He never bother it but he didn’t care for it because it blocked his view out of the window.
Finally putting up and taking down got to be too much and I gave away all the ornaments, lights, bubble lights, etc. to a neighbor. She much appreciated it and had me come in and see how my ornaments looked on her tree.
This year, I’m putting up the tree for Wade (and me). As I get older, I get more morose and thinking more about my lost youth. Wade always liked my trees and he would help decorate when he came. I hope he’ll feel at home and have the Christmas spirit when he sees the tree in December.
I no longer attach a religious significance to Christmas but I do like the carols, the lights, and the smell of real Christmas trees.
Stay tuned!
