What's that saying from the "Godfather" movies - "Every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in."? Well, that's what Doyle seemed to refer to when we met a couple of weeks ago. It took me some time to wean myself off of using the Flasher so that now I only use it on cars, busses, and such. I'm not sure that I can go back. But I don't have time to think about it because I'm still juggling doctors' appointments and I'm now dealing with side effects from the treatments.
Tuesday, January 29th, I got a ride down to RWJ New Brunswick. I was scheduled for an Echo cardiogram, a Chest X-ray, and a Bone Density Scan. The tests were scheduled in different rooms at different times but they went quickly and my ride picked me up about 4 hours later.
Wednesday, the 30th, I met with the Radiologist at 9:15. He said everything was looking good and I brought up one of the side effects I was experiencing. My goatee fell out early in the treatment along with the hair on the back of my head. My moustache was pretty much gone by the end. Now the rest of my hair is thinning rapidly. All he could say was that it happens some times. Not a lot of help.
I drove down Jefferson and made a right on Inman. I cut through a strip mall on my way to the Oncologist.
I'm not a big fan of drivers taking up multiple spaces but this guy was parked way over on the side and I was in a hurry.
The Oncologist looked me over and said everything looked good. I discussed my side effects with him, specifically Insomnia. He gave me a prescription which I filled right away. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but at least it's something.
Monday, February 4th, I woke up with an earache. It was too early to call my ENT so I got ready for the day. Just after 9, I got a call from my Gastroenterologist that they'd have to cancel my appointment and we rescheduled. I called my ENT after 10 and got the answering machine. He's decided to take a Leave of Absence from his practice. He left a number and name for someone who'd be covering for him. I looked the referenced guy up but didn't like the reviews. I wound up getting a name from my Radiologist and made an appointment. That afternoon, I got a call from my Cardiologist's office. There were things going on that she couldn't talk about (personnel issues I think) and I agreed to move my appointment from the 6th to the 27th.
Saturday, the 9th, I went up to my appointment with the new ENT. His office was in a pretty fancy building.
He seemed like a nice guy and, after a quick examination, said that it was probably ear-wax buildup (a problem I've dealt with before). He prescribed ear drops, 3 times a day, and I scheduled a follow up for 3 weeks.
Sunday, the 10th, I woke up feeling good. I had nothing on the schedule until the end of the week so I decided to take care of some unfinished business. Back when I went through my transplant experience there were a couple of close relatives who had the keys to my apartment. When this whole cancer treatment thing came up, I checked with them and they both seem to have lost them. Under the circumstances, I decided to get replacements. I'd seen a machine in the front entrance to Walmart that would do it but I was a little leery about it. I drove to the Home Depot in Avenel.
It took a while to get someone to actually work the machine. I got 2 sets of the 3 keys needed and I picked up a couple of key chains too.
The keys to the vestibule door worked. The keys to my apartment didn't. They stuck going in and they wouldn't turn.
Monday, the 11th, I went back to the Home Depot. I thought they might try to rebuff the keys but they just refunded the money. My only option was the machine.
I made both sets and they worked perfectly.
Friday, the 15th, I had the rescheduled appointment with the Gastroenterologist.
He was a little late but he took a thorough look and liked what he saw but felt that I should leave the tube in another month. I was OK with that.
Yesterday I woke up early and irritable which, apparently, is another side effect of the cancer treatments. I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed because I had to go up to Avenel to let a friend's dog out. It's an arrangement that we've had for years. As I started out this guy decided to cross in front of me while I was stopped.
He took his time and I found myself getting annoyed. My left hand itched and I thought about what Doyle had said.
This morning I went to let the dog out again then drove to Shoprite to get my Lottery tickets and pick up a few things. On the way out I noticed this guy.
He was wearing shorts. There's salt on the ground in anticipation of snow and he's wearing shorts. I was really tempted but I drove home instead.
As I ate breakfast I realized it was only a matter of time.
