I'm Working On It …………….

The last time I posted I'd just finished a round of Radiation dealing with Prostate Cancer and resolved a problem I had with unauthorized debits to my Checking Account. I was actually looking forward to staying home for a while and Social Isolating.

Things don't always work out the way you think they will.

I started the month of May feeling pretty good but over a 2 1/2 week period I just got weaker and weaker. I even lost my appetite which caused me to lose a lot of weight. My immediate family kept telling me to see a doctor but I kept putting it off. Ultimately, I had to give in.

Wednesday, May 13th, a friend drove me to the Emergency Room at Robert Wood Johnson in Rahway. I was surprised to see that there was no one waiting when we got there but we figured that people were staying away from fear of the Corvid 19 Virus. I only had to wait about 10 minutes.

Once inside, I was put through a quick Q&A then put in a room for a series of tests. They took my vitals, Blood Work, an EKG, a couple of CT Scans (neck and head), and an Ultrasound of my heart.  I met with a bunch of doctors including several that I've consulted in the past. The consensus was that I either had a stomach virus or a UTI. I was admitted but, due to the Corvid situation, there was no room in the Hospital for me and I spent the night in the Emergency Room watching people walk back and forth by the door. If that wasn't bad enough, they managed to put together a meal for me that consisted of Crusted Pompano and String Beans.

I was not a happy camper.

Thursday, May 14th, they moved me to a room in the Hospital but not before I was given the Corvid Nasal test. It's uncomfortable but important. The room was a single and I was told not to leave it until my results were back. At least the food was better and I was able to pick out what I wanted.

Monday, the 18th, my results came back negative and I was moved to a double room. Turned out I didn't have a Roommate because they wouldn't mix negative and positive cases. My Blood Pressure dropped and I developed a problem with my Electrolytes.

More Blood Work, more, tests, and now they added several meds that had to be injected.

I hate needles.

Tuesday the 19th, my friend brought me my laptop. I'd been off-line for almost a week and it took me several hours to clean up my emails and catch up on Facebook. It also gave me a chance to indulge in one of favorite pastimes - ordering books. This time, I ordered "classics" by Capote, Wilde, Wells, Burroughs, and Swift. I tend to follow up on the orders until they ship and all but the Burroughs books shipped right away.

Over the next couple of days, the doctors reviewed the results and determined that I would need a Transfusion followed by a short stay in a Physical Rehab place since I'd been on my back for weeks without any exercise.

The Transfusion was late on Thursday the 21st, and my numbers were up significantly.

I was moved to a Rehab place on Friday the 22nd. This time, I had a Roommate - a large, quiet guy named Keith. We hit it off pretty well.

Since it was the Memorial Day Weekend, my Rehab work didn't really start until Monday the 25th. I do the upper body in the morning and my legs (including walking) in the afternoon. It's more work then I'm used to but it needs to be done. Again, the food's been pretty good.

This morning when I checked my emails, I found a notice that the Burroughs books have shipped. It was going to be a good day.

Now if I could only get a haircut it would be a better one and I have some ideas in that regard.

Some of this is easy, some of it isn't, but ….

I'm working on it.

Looking Forward To The New Normal Again ……….

We're all practicing social distancing and self-isolation now. Actually, I don't mind doing either of these. At my age, I'm not a big fan of people. That being said, I had things I still had to do.

Wednesday March 18th, it was rainy and raw as I drove up Amboy Avenue for my Radiation Treatment. On the way, I was struck by 2 things.

The streets were completely deserted but there was this 1 bike rider. I figured he was an "essential" worker on his way to his job. I saluted him as I passed.

Monday March 23rd was a warm, sunny day. I was in the Treatment parking lot when I saw this guy.

He's walking around in a short-sleeved shirt while I was sitting in my car with the heat on. If he wasn't so far away I might've done something. I shrugged him off and went inside.

Tuesday March 24th, on my way home, I came across a new Quick Check on Avenel and Routes 1 and 9.

I drove around the block and went in. I bought a Philly Cheese Steak with caramelized onions. Pretty good.

For the next week or so, The weather was pretty decent with a lot of sun and an occasional walker.
Thursday April 2nd, I took a different way home and wound up at the Food Market on Inman avenue.

Not too crowded and I was in and out quickly. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but I did get some stuff at the Deli Counter. Plus, they had Toilet Paper!

Then things started to go downhill.

I check my bank account every morning and on Wednesday the 8th there was a fraudulent charge. I went to the bank after my treatment but they only do business through the drive-through and that wouldn't open until 9:30. I drove around for a while and went back at 9. I wasn't the only one who was early.

I had no choice. It took me about 2 1/2 hours but they agreed to reverse the charge and block that vendor. I got the money back 2 days later.

Thursday April 9th, my Radiologist gave me a mask to wear.

I really appreciated it considering my last day would be Friday April 10th.

I was just getting used to a quiet existence when there was more fraud on my account this time for over $1900. I drove back to the bank on Thursday April 16th.

I found out that these weren't misuse of my Debit Card. Someone had my checking account and bank routing numbers and were passing direct debits. I had the account closed and replaced. I have a new Debit Card but only 3 temp checks although they said they'd place an order for me.

I spent the rest of the day changing my account number with Social Security (a real hassle) and updating several preauthorized deductions. I received the refunded charge on Friday April 17th but I can't move it over for at least 30 days.

Today is Saturday the 18th. I spent several hours straightening out my checking account(s) and figuring out how to pay a few bills online.

That was another hassle but it's done. I have 1 more bill to pay. It's for a doctor but they don't have a site. I'll have to call on Monday.

After all this, I'm looking forward to the New Normal again.

I'm Good For Now ……..

I'm still going through the Radiation Treatments and I just passed the half-way point. 

My scheduled appointment is for 8 AM every weekday morning. I get up around 6, check some stuff out online, and leave around 7. I usually take the long way because I don't like to deal with a lot of traffic especially school buses. 

I go up Rahway and make the left on Freeman. Sometimes I see people but most of the time I don't.

I take this to Amboy and drive north. Then I make a right onto New Brunswick. I take this up to Hazelwood and turn left. Then I turn right on St. George and, in a few minutes, a left onto Stone and a quick right on to Jefferson. The Treatment Center is on the left. The treatments take about 10 maybe 20 minutes depending on how long it takes them to position me. I did get the OK early on to get a picture of the equipment from the prone position.

Afterwards I usually drive back down, stop at ShopRite for whatever I need, and go home.

 I admit I was in a rut. Then ….

Corona Virus.

Everything changed.

I've stopped at ShopRite every day this week but the lines are so bad that I just left. I wasn't getting desperate but I hate it when my routine gets interrupted. 

By Friday the 13th I was out of yogurt for breakfast so stopped at McDonald's for a Breakfast Burrito and Hash Browns. I was resigning myself to waiting on long lines when I got a Text from an unknown number.

"Hang in there. I got your 6. Change what you have to. D."

Doyle.

I spent last night thinking about this. If I couldn't get what I wanted because the Big Box Stores were crowded I'd tried smaller outlets.

This morning, I went to my local Walgreen's.

They didn't have Toilet Paper so I improvised.

Better to be safe then sorry.

Then I went to the QuickChek on Main Street.

I bought some yogurt and an ice cream sundae for Breakfast. I also picked up a Philly Cheese Steak sub for supper.

I stopped at the local Post Office to mail a bill. We've had some "mail fishing" incidents so I always go inside. I then stopped at my local Dunkin's for a large, iced, decaf, French Vanilla, black.

I drove through the ShopRite lot but it was really crowded.

I headed back to Rahway Avenue and stopped at a local Deli.

I picked up some Boar's Head Bologna (in my opinion the best) and headed home. I have whole wheat bread at home so lunch is covered.

I figure I'm good for the weekend.

I live in a good location. I can walk to the Walgreen's, a QuickChek, a local Domino's, and a Chicken place that makes a pretty good gyro if I have to. I actually have a face mask that my Primary Physician gave me at the start of the flu season.

I'm good for now.

Down That Road Again …….

As I mentioned the last time, I underwent a Prostate Biopsy on January 2nd. Well, I had to wait a couple of weeks to get the results. I wasn't too optimistic.
I went back to my Urologist on Monday the 13th at 11:30 to get them.

Kinda what I expected. The Cancer we've been watching for the last few years has finally gotten bigger. We talked about what to do about it and decided on Radiation Treatments. Before I can do that, I have to take some pills and then come back for a Hormone Shot in 2 weeks.
While I dealt with that, I went back to my usual routine and tried to forget about it,
Wednesday the 15th, I had an 8:30 appointment with my Oncologist.

He checked me out and was happy with the results but he asked me to get a CT Scan because he still had some concerns about my lungs. I had it done on Monday the 20th. He called me Tuesday the 21st. There's some "spots" there but it's probably from aspiration. I can't worry about that now.
I went back to my Urologist on Monday the 27th for the Hormone shot I was given it in my rear which is the first time that's happened since I was a baby. Then I made the appointment with the Oncology Radiologist, the same guy I've been to twice before.
I drove up on Wednesday the 29th for my 9:00 appointment. It had rained the night before but it was sunny now. On the way, I saw this woman out for her morning walk.

The Doc and I discussed what we'd do - including the "Think Five" process but he explained that it was very intense with higher doses and a higher degree of danger. We agreed on a daily radiation treatment, 10 minutes a day for 45 days. I didn't really have a choice.
I went back the next day, the 30th, for the prep work. They laid me out on the table and poked, prodded, marked, and tattooed me. Uncomfortable and annoying but they said they won't have to do it again.
Before we could start the treatments, they wanted x-rays so I went back on Wednesday the 4th at 1:30. I don't like afternoon appointments but I had no choice.
On the way home I stopped at Shoprite to pick up a few things. I got what I wanted and went back to my car. It had started to rain. When I got in and turned her on this happened.

He flashed his lights on and off for a couple of minutes and then the passenger side door opened and a big guy got out.
Wells.
He walked over to me and I lowered my window.
"Hey, Wells, What's up?"
"Mr. Jones would like to speak to you."
"How nice. Tell him to call me. I'm sure he has my number."
Wells lowered his head for a minute then looked up with a scowl on his face.
"" He wants to see you now, Mr. O'Neill and he's in the car I just got out of."
"But it's raining out there."
"I have an umbrella for you."
"If you have an umbrella why aren't you using it?"
"I don't mind the rain, Mr. O'Neill. Are you going to come with me now or do I have to "insist"? "
I got out of my car and Wells held the umbrella over me. We walked to the van. Jones lowered his window.
"Hello. Mr. O'Neill. I just wanted to let you know that I'm aware of your current health situation and that I've kept a close eye on it. You're prognosis looks good. Be that as it may, I do expect you to do your job. Take care now."
He rolled up the window, Wells gave me the umbrella, got in the van, and they drove away.
I started my treatments at 8 AM on Thursday The 3rd. It took a bit longer then I thought because they had to position me on the table. Still, I was out in less then 20 minutes.
I walked back to my car in the rain. When I got in, my phone chimed. I had a text message from an unknown number. I won't answer an unknown phone call but a text piqued my interest. I looked at it.
It was from Doyle.
"Just so you know, I'm still keeping tabs on you. Hang in there, Denny."
Good to know.
I went for my 8th treatment this morning with 37 left. Here I go ….
Down that road again.

I'll Have To Wait ………….

I was all ready for Christmas so all I had to do for the next couple of days was to run some errands.

Monday, December 23rd, I drove up to Main Street to mail a few bills in the Post Office. I admit to being a bit paranoid about this but there's been a few cases of people "fishing" mail out of the PO street boxes looking for checks and financial information so I don't take chances. When I came out, I saw these guys working on the United Methodist Church across the street.

I thought it was a little late to be putting up decorations but what do I know, I'm a Catholic.

Tuesday the 24th - Christmas Eve - I went out later then usual. I'd slept in which was a good thing. I was warming up my car when I noticed this guy.

There's a lot of construction going on in the area but it's mostly across the street so I watched him for a while. He kept his back to me the whole time and what struck me was that he was alone. I've seen these surveyor guys and there's usually two of them. Curious, but I couldn't do anything about it. I drove away.

Wednesday was Christmas and I spent the day with the Family, enjoying the company and the meal my Son-in-law made.

Monday, the 30th, was my Daughter's 35th Birthday and we all got together at a local restaurant for dinner. Again, the company was great but I didn't care for the food.

January 1st - New Year's Day - I was out and stopped at my local Dunkin's. The lot was pretty empty but there's always someone who thinks they're better then others.

This time there was two. I parked, went in, picked up what I wanted, and came back out. There are two entrances/exits here and I usually take the right-hand one but I chose the left. It took me past those cars.

Point, press, Flash.

I don't know if I got both but at least I got one.

Thursday the 2nd, I had a 7 AM appointment for an MRI Prostate Biopsy. To be honest, I didn't want to do it but my PSA Level jumped up to 41 from 14, which is not a good thing.

I was told that I couldn't drive myself because they'd be using anesthesia so I had to impose on a friend to get me there and back. Things went smoothly and it took less time then I thought. I bought breakfast at Denny's for both of us as a sort of payback.

Yesterday, the 4th, started out very foggy but cleared up pretty quickly. I drove up to Walmart to pick up a prescription they had ready for me then swung by ShopRite to check some things out. I was sitting in the car when this guy pulled in next to me.

I didn't pay him any attention, just went inside. I picked up a few things and a scratch-off Lottery ticket and went back to my car.

He was still there.

I sat in my car for a while, thinking. I've been through some stuff over the last few years but now there's something else and I won't get the results until the 13th.

I'm frustrated and annoyed and I began thinking about the guy in the car next to me and the surveyor from the other day.

Jones? Could be. I didn't care.

Point, press, Flash.

If he had an implant, he'd be OK. Worst case, I took out the car.

I stayed in today. I'm guessing that I won't get any results until I go to the Urologist. Until then I'll have to wait.

I'm Gonna Wait Until Next Year ….

I didn't sleep well the night of the 21st but that's not new. Still dealing with Insomnia, a side effect of the Chemo. Add that to the news that my PSA Level is up big time, throw in the service problem I'm having with Verizon, then shake on the text message I got from "D" (Doyle?") and you get the magic elixir for sleep prevention.

These didn't go away on Friday the 22nd. I couldn't do anything about the PSA Level or the text message but I could about the service issues. I took a drive up to the Verizon office at the Woodbridge Centre Mall. Along the way, I passed this guy.

As much as I don't like bike riders I had other things to do.

I got to Verizon just as they opened and spoke to a rep. Long story short, they were dropping the 3G network and I needed a new phone. Unfortunately, I'm on my Daughter's plan and she has to be with me when I get one.

Saturday the 23rd, I met up with her and my Granddaughter at the outlet on St. George Avenue.

We were there when they opened at 10 and wound up staying until almost 3. We dealt with the Manager and a very nice young lady. To be honest, most of the time was spent waiting while they transferred about 800 pictures from my old phone. I did go home with a Motorola Smart phone that took me a couple of days to figure out. (The manual was useless.)

I spent the next week just doing routine stuff. Food shopping, babysitting, etc. Of course, I'd stop in at Dunkin's for breakfast every other day. On the 29th, I pulled into their lot and saw this.

Seriously?

I went in and got my coffee and sandwich. I saw 2 guys eating at a table - probably the guys from the badly parked truck outside. I went back to my car and pulled out towards the left so that I was between Dunkin's and the truck.

Point, press, Flash.

I took a left onto Amboy, a right onto Main, and went to Wegman's. Their store-brand yogurt is 3 for $.99 and they have a pretty good variety.

I was feeling so good when I got home that I wrapped, tagged, and bagged all of the presents I'll be handing out at Christmas.

December started quietly. I didn't have any appointments for the first 2 weeks so I, again, fell back on routine and tried not to think too much about what might lie ahead.

On the 18th, I drove up to my Urologist for Blood Work and to get information on the biopsy which was scheduled for January 2nd. I got that done but they wanted a chest X-ray too so I drove to the University Radiology in nearby Edison. In and out in 30 minutes.

I took Oak Tree Road home which passes through what is referred to around here as Little India.

You have to be careful driving through here because the locals tend to cross the street whenever and wherever they choose.

On the 19th, I drove down to New Brunswick for more Blood Work and an office visit with my Cardiologist. Actually, I wound up meeting with one of the Nurse-Practitioners which was OK with me. It's the nurses that know what's going on. I agreed to increase my Potassium dose and she agreed to lower my Amlodopine. I took 27 home and, while going through the train underpass, I saw this guy.

There was enough sunlight to help.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove home.

Yesterday, the 21st, I drove over to my Daughter's to drop off some of the presents ahead of time. It was cold, and I passed this guy.

I felt bad for him, so I pulled over and asked if he could use a ride.
 He waved me off.
I tried.
 I bought breakfast for the kids and spent a nice time with them.

Today, for the first time in a while, I stayed home. I had Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and Swiss Mocha Coffee for breakfast. I had Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup by Progresso for lunch. I snacked on Everything Ritz Crackers with Vegetable Cream Cheese from Wegman's. I'm now trying to decide on what to have for dinner.

I know there are some things I need to be thinking about but there's only a few days left so ….

I'm gonna wait until next year.

A Series Of Ups And Downs ......

I had an appointment with my Urologist on Wednesday, October30th which I wasn't looking forward to because I dreaded the physical exam.

Turned out he didn't think it was necessary based on my last PSA test results so he just had another blood test done and we scheduled a follow-up appointment for next February. I was feeling good and drove around for a while before heading home.

Friday, November 1st, I stopped at Walgreen's for my yearly flue shot. I.'ve been doing this every year since the transplant. They have my medical history on file and Medicare covers it. This year, it was quick and painless. Again, something I was happy about.

Tuesday the 5th was Election Day. I was up and voted early at City Hall.

I was Number 3 in my District. My candidate wound up losing but you cant complain if you don't vote.

Friday the 8th, I had an appointment with my Primary Physician. She's given me a hard time about my weight since my treatments at the end of last year so I was dreading it. Turned out that she just shrugged it off, did my physical, and told me to come back in 4 months. I left feeling good about that.

Then I got a phone call from my Urologists Office. My PSA Level shot up big time. We went back and forth a bit but I agreed to an MRI Biopsy which we scheduled for January 2nd. I thought I wasn' t gonna have to worry about this but now I am.

I woke up early on Sunday the 10th and, under the circumstances, thought I would go to Mass. I live in St. James' Parish in Woodbridge and headed up for the 7:30.

Turns out they changed their schedule and the early Mass has been rescheduled for 8. I wasn't going to sit around for another 45 minutes so I said a few prayers and left disappointed.

Things were pretty uneventful until Monday the 18th when I had a follow-up with my Radiologist. 

I wasn't expecting anything other then a quick exam, a "looks good , come back in 3 months"kind of thing. I got that but he also gave me flack about my weight. I left there annoyed.

Yesterday was quiet. I ran a few errands, checked out some prices for some family Christmas presents, and got home early. After I read the paper, I had lunch. I went to text my Daughter about something and I didn't have any service .I  tried contacting Verizon using my laptop but I couldn't get through because I couldn't remember my password. They were willing to help by surface mailing me a new one (which would take at least 3 days) or texting me (which is the problem in the first place). Thankfully, it cleared up after about an hour but I was still annoyed.

This morning I was up early. I hadn't slept well and I got up with a cramp in my neck. When I went out, my windows were fogged but the defroster took care of that. I have to admit that I was still annoyed as I was heading home on Avenel Avenue when I saw this guy just before I passed under the North Jersey train track overpass.

There was a lot of glare which worked to my advantage.

Point, press, Flash.

I dove home feeling better. Around Noon, I tried texting some family members about the Thanksgiving arrangements and found out that the Verizon system is down again. I've mentioned that I can't contact them so I emailed a few family members to see if they can check into this for me. 

10 minutes ago I got a text message from a number I don't know. I was surprised because it looks like I still don't have service.  I won't answer a phone call from a number I don't know but a text message is different. 

I opened it.

"Jones was never a field agent. D."

D? Could that be Doyle?  

I tried responding but the system is still down. What does it mean?  Did Doyle have something to do with crashing the system to send this?

That's when I got it. Jones was never a field agent so he doesn't have a tracker implant. Which means that he's not resistant to the Flasher,

The month started on an up note then turned down. Now, there may be another upturn. I'll have to think about this.

 Seems that life is a constant series of ups and downs.