I'll Take This Every Time ......
I started the month with a positive attitude but it hasn't been easy trying to get back to some semblance of normal. It's bad enough that we're all still coping with the Pandemic but then Mother Nature decided to bless us with a massive snow storm.
I had an appointment with my Radiologist on Monday, February 1st which they cancelled. Then I had an appointment at the Dermatologist in Clark on the 2nd which also got cancelled. All I could do was keep looking out the window and shaking my head.
By the 3rd, the streets had been plowed and the sidewalk had been cleared. I grabbed my shovel and went to dig out/clean off my car.
One look and I knew that wasn't going to happen.
I went back inside, logged into my laptop and checked out a local Woodbridge page on Facebook. I found a guy who would take care of my car. He came around 6 PM with 2 other guys and had me taken care of in 20 minutes.
The best $50 I've ever spent.
Every day since then has been cold and cloudy with snow, rain, or a mixture of both. I was reluctant to move the car because I didn't want to lose the spot but I really needed to pick up some stuff.
I went out on Friday the 5th and gingerly drove through the back streets until I got to Rahway which was much clearer. I stopped at Dunkin's for a hot coffee and noticed this guy.
It was very cold but he didn't seem to mind. He was just sitting there checking his phone without a mask on. Unfortunately, we were out in the open. I went in, got my coffee, and left.
Tuesday the 9th, a friend drove me up to Clark for the Mohs process. It's a way of dealing with a carcinoma on the side of my face that my regular Dermatologist couldn't handle. I found out that it would take 4 to 6 hours with repeated injections of a local anesthetic and might still require surgery and a plastic surgeon. After that, I'd have to have radiation. I decided to postpone the treatment and wait and see what my Radiologist had to say.
Another stretch of bad weather kept me home more often then not for the next week or so. I did take quick trips to pick up food but I was never out long. All the parking lots were bracketed by large walls of snow...
and there were very few people out walking, jogging, etc., except for a few annoyed looking individuals I saw walking their dogs. I spent a lot of the time reading, doing crossword puzzles, snacking, and napping.
Wednesday the 17th I went to the Radiologist. He agreed that his was the best course of action but wanted me to get a CT scan of my face and neck first. We scheduled it for the upcoming Monday at RWJ in Rahway.
The next day, Friday the 18th, I stopped at Dunkin's again and noticed this red car.
This time it was a couple of guys just having their breakfast but inside like normal people. I bought my coffee and a Blueberry Muffin, toasted, with butter.
Sunday the 20th was different. the sun was shining and it felt warmer. I couldn't wait to get outside. I drove around slowly, listening to the radio and just enjoying the day. I still didn't come across anyone but I did notice that some people still hadn't dug out their cars since the beginning of the month.
I'm guessing they're gonna have some real problems when the cars are finally clear.
That Monday, the 22, I drove up to Rahway for my 12:30 CT Scan. It wasn't as sunny but it was still warm. On the way up I noticed this guy.
I had to smile. Here was another guy who couldn't wait to get out of the house.
Tuesday the 23rd I drove over to the Convention Center in Edison to get my 1st Covid shot.
There was a long line but it moved quickly and I was out in just under an hour including the mandatory 15 minute wait period. It had rained a little while I was inside but it was nicer now.
Wednesday the 24th I was back at the radiologist. He said that the CT scan was clean which meant the carcinoma was localized and we agreed that I'd come back the following Wednesday to start the process.
Thursday the 25th was another beautiful, sunny day and I started seeing others out and about.
Today is another crisp, clear, sunny day. I was going to do my wash but put it off until tomorrow. Instead, I decided to hit a few supermarkets to stock up on a few items. I took my time, heading down Main Street to Wegman's for their yogurt special. Up ahead I saw this guy crossing the street.
He didn't seem to be in any hurry. He wasn't wearing a mask but he was too far away for me to do anything. I dropped the yogurt off at my place then headed up Rahway towards ShopRite. I saw this guy heading towards me.
Another no-masker but this time I could act.
Point, press, Flash.
I continued on my way thinking "Was this how it's gonna be? I know that most people found masks have been helpful during the cold weather we had but will they stop now that it's getting warmer?" I hope not. I picked up some sale items and went home.
Sure, I'm looking at about 8 weeks of radiation treatment, my 2nd Covid shot, and some blood work coming up. Nothing I haven't done before and nothing that starts for at least 5 more days.
None of that matters.
The sun is out, the air is warm, the snow is melting, the radio station is playing some great tunes from back in the day, and people are outside again - including me.
I'll take this every time.
