September ended on an up note. We drove into my sister's house in The Bronx for a family get-together. Like the old saying goes, a grand time was had by all. My October calendar showed that I had a few doctor's appointments and a Stress Test scheduled. I have to admit I was stressing over the test since I had a bad reaction last time.
The weather started to change which meant that I was wiping down my car windows almost every morning. Of course, my Squeegee broke and I was using cloths but those don't always help. I hit the usual stores - Walmart, Target, Kmart, Odd Lots - but they didn't have one.
Friday the 4th, I decided to try the local auto parts places. The Auto Zone on St. George didn't have any and I really don't like their service. I next went to Advanced Auto further up in Avenel.
They had one for about $6 and I wound up buying a new set of windshield wipers which were on sale.
Monday the 7th, I did my wash.
I like this place because it's local, works on a card system that I add money to every month, and it's right by my Shoprite. Since it usually takes about 1/2 an hour, I get my shopping done. Plus, Shoprite has a Dunkin's outlet so I can pick up breakfast.
Wednesday the 9th was my Stress Test. It was scheduled for 8:30 AM and I had to be there by 8. A friend volunteered to drive me down then come back when it was over. The whole process takes close to 4 hours and a lot of that is spent sitting around waiting for the isotope to infuse then waiting for it to clear. I spent that time in a prep room.
They finished earlier then I thought and my ride came quickly. I was glad it went off without a hitch and was feeling good about things until I got the phone call from my Cardiologist. The Stress Test showed some spots in my lungs. I already had an appointment scheduled with my Oncologist so they agreed to send him what they had and we'd wait till then. I thought that I was doing good, still dealing with the side effects from the last round of radiation and chemo but doing good. Now I have something else to worry about.
Tuesday the 15th, I drove to the Oncologist in Edison.
I was scheduled for 8:45 AM but I got there early and he saw me early. We discussed the results he had. He didn't think it was anything serious but a CT Scan wouldn't hurt. He also suggested that I make an appointment with an ENT to check out my mouth and throat, the two areas I had treatment done over the last 4 years. I scheduled them as soon as I got home.
Wednesday the 16th I had an appointment with my eye doctor. I'd been having a slight problem with my left eye and wound up getting new glasses. I wear graduated lenses and I like them glare-coated. I got a good deal and they said 7 to 10 business days so they should be ready by the end of the month.
Monday the 21st I drove up to RWJ Rahway for the CT scan. It was scheduled for 9:30 and, as usual, I got there early. Surprisingly, they took me early and it went quickly.
Tuesday the 22nd, after spending some time with my Granddaughter, I decided to get a haircut. I go to Main St. Barbers on - of course - Main Street in Woodbridge.
There are several young guys who work there and I was taken right away. Unfortunately, I wasn't happy with the results but this is one of those situations that you have to live with.
I still had 2 doctor's appointments coming up and I wasn't looking forward to either of them. I was pretty sure the ENT was gonna shove that scope up my nose then inch it down to my throat to get a look around. Then I was pretty sure my Urologist was gonna want to physically check me out. That's a probe in another area.
This morning I got up early so I could get ready for my ENT appointment. I went out to the kitchen and found my cat stretched out on the floor, dead. She'd been sneezing a lot lately and she hadn't been eating well but she's was still running around. This was totally unexpected and something else I'll have to deal with.
I was not in a good mood on my way to the doctor's office and things got worse when this clown came zipping out from a driveway and continued riding in the middle of the road.
There was no other vehicles around. I drove up until I was beside him and slowed to keep pace with him. I waited until he looked at me then ….
Point, press, Flash.
I drove on.
As I usually do, I arrived early. They took me early and, just as I thought, he did the scope-up-my-nose things. The good news is that he didn't see any signs of cancer and that the lung spots were probably due to aspiration.
I stopped at a Subway's and picked up a Pastrami Melt with mustard and sweet peppers.
I still had the Urologist next Wednesday but we'll see how that goes. I am feeling better about things.
Looks like Jones got what he wanted and I'm OK with it.
