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.

Looks Like Jones Got What He Wanted And I'm OK With It ....

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.