Home Alone .............

As I mentioned before, I was released from the Rehab Facility on Thursday June 18th. Today is Saturday July 18th. One month. I spent a month recuperating at my ex-wife's house. Looking back on that time, it doesn't seem that long. Of course, there was a lot going on which kept things moving.

Friday, June 19th, I had an early morning phone conference with my Oncologist. He was just checking in. That was the first day that I found out that my ex and her husband liked to eat their meals on the deck out back.

It was a comfortable spot as long as I was covered by the umbrella.

Tuesday the 23rd I had an appointment with my Primary Physician at 9:00 who ragged on me for not telling her I was hospitalized. Oh well, you can't please everyone. That afternoon I had a telephone conference with my Visiting Nurse. We discussed what would need to be done and set up a schedule. She would come by 1 day a week and the Physical Therapist would come by 3 days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Thursday June 25th I was finally able to get my haircut. I had a 9AM appointment at the Main Street Barber Shop and was seen by Daisy, who did a great job of covering up the amateur attempt I did in the Rehab place. That afternoon, I had a follow-up appointment at 3:45 with the doctor who'd been handling me during my Hospital/Rehab stay. On the way back, I suggested that we hit McDonald's for dinner (so my ex wouldn't have to cook). I paid and we ate on the deck. I had a McNuggets Happy Meal and wound up with this.

A Minion! My Granddaughter will get a kick out of this.

Monday the 29th, we drove down to RWJ in New Brunswick for Blood Work at 8AM.

Thursday July 2nd, I had a 9:45 appointment with my Urologist. My Prostate has shrunk and they drew blood for a PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen). I'd get the results in a few days.

Monday the 6th, I had a 1:30 appointment with my ENT. Turned out I have an ear infection and he gave me a scrip for antibiotics and a nasal spray. That afternoon after the Physical Therapist left I decided to add something to my routine.

I started going up and down the stairs to the attic. I could handle them pretty well but it was really hot up there.

Thursday the 9th, we were back in New Brunswick for Blood Work at 8AM and a visit with the Cardiologist at 9. Everything seems to going well.

Friday the 10th was a big day for me. P. C. Richard's delivered the Mattress Set and Recliner that we bought on the 4th (they were over 35 years old so it was time). The Mattress/Box Spring set is excellent and the chair ....

isn't just a Recliner, it's a Rocker too! I have to tell you that it's great!

I had a tele-conference that afternoon with my Dermatologist and showed him a growth on my right jaw-line. We agreed that I'd go to see him on the 28th to have it removed. I called about my PSA and was told it was down to 0.03. Excellent!

Monday the 13th was a tele-conference with the Oncologist to discuss my Hemoglobin Levels. It's good - going up slowly but good.

Tuesday the 14th I was at RWJ Rahway at 9 AM for a CAT scan of my chest.

Wednesday the 15th, I had a 9 AM follow-up with the Radiologist. Again, all good. We swung by my apartment and cleaned around to prepare for my return.

I stopped to check out my car and she started right up again. The Visiting Nurse said I can't drive until they sign-off. Hopefully, that will be soon.

Thursday the 16th, we had breakfast outdoors at our local Perkin's.

It was a bit breezy but enjoyable. The food, the service, and the company were great. We stopped at Shoprite to pick up some stuff for my refrigerator. Then, we went to my place.

I was home.

Friday the 17th my ex and her husband took me to Miller's for lunch. Afterwards, they came to my place with a new TV and stand for my Living Room. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the stand put together so they took it to their house.

Today I'm alone in my own house. I went in to the hospital on May the 13th so, except for a few short visits, I haven't been here in over 2 months. I slept better last night then I have in a while. I ate on my own schedule and I did my exercises sitting in my new chair.

I love my family but nothing compares to being ....

home alone.

One Last Stop Before Home ............

As I posted last time, I've been moved into a Rehab Facility for some Physical Therapy. My first room was 242 and my Roommate's name was Keith. He was a quiet guy, on the large side, and he'd been there for about a week and a half already. Now the 1st rule to sharing a room in a Rehab place is that you don't ask what your Roomie's there for. Keith's problem was pretty obvious - his legs were very swollen.

When I first got there, I noticed that there wasn't a menu so I just accepted whatever they sent up. Keith gave me the number for the kitchen so I was able to order what I wanted, which I will be forever grateful for.

Because we were all quarantined, my ex-wife would stop by every other day or so and drop off "care packages" of goodies and the newspapers. She was doing this when I was in the hospital but we now had something extra - she could walk over and we could talk through the window.

You can't know how important person-to-person contact is - even with a window pane still between you.

My Physical Therapy was done in-room at first because they were concerned about my ability to walk in the hallways. But today that changed - today I got a walker and I could now go anywhere as long as I had a Trainer with me.

That night I got a text from Doyle. He let me know that he'd been monitoring my situation since I was first admitted and assured me that I was in good hands.

I slept well that night.

The Facility changed their Covid Protocol on Monday, June 1st. They decided to separate those who'd only had 1 Covid Positive Test from the other patients. As a result, I was relocated to the "Yellow Zone" (a wing they could close off) and I would up in Room 204 with a new Roomie, Bruce. He was an older, quiet guy but friendly. I told him how to call in to the kitchen to order his meals which he seemed to be happy about. In fact, I started to copy his Breakfast order - 2 eggs over easy with French Toast and syrup. Delicious! Of course, I usually added some oatmeal and a yogurt and I always ordered coffee.

My ex-wife continued to drop off "care packages" and we continued to "talk" through the window.

I had a second Covid Test done.The PT sessions continued. Doyle kept in touch - texting every other day or so.

My test results came back after a few days and it was Negative again. It was now time to move me from the Yellow Zone to the Green Zone. I wound up in Room 129 on Wednesday June 10th. This was when I realized that I was in a mixed-use facility. Because of the current Covid situation, they had to mix in long-term care patients with those of us who were there strictly for Rehab. My new Roomie, Joe, was one of those and he definitely needed constant attention. He'd sleep most of the time but would wake whenever and yell out for people who weren't there; scream for help from the nurses; and sing as loudly as possible.

Thankfully, my ex-wife was still able to swing by and we were still able to "talk".

Now my PT sessions were held in 1 of 2 recreation rooms that were on either end of the wing. I would walk there using my walker and then do whatever exercise the Trainer chose. These were tough then before and tired me out but I could definitely feel an improvement.

I continued to call in for my meals but I didn't share how to do it with Joe because he was on a special diet.

I found out something interesting about the rooms in this wing. The audio for the individual TV's was actually on the hand-held control.

I could keep mine down to a level where it wouldn't bother Joe but his volume was off. His TV was on but he didn't watch it, just slept or cried out whenever the mood hit him. What could I do?

Doyle continued to touch base and I appreciated it.

Monday the 15th I had a visitor - Wells, Mr.. Jones representative. I don't know how he got in considering the quarantine but those kinds of people usually do whatever they want to. He told me that Jones was monitoring my recovery and was hoping for a rapid recovery (which I know meant he wanted me back on the hunt). Wells also asked if I'd heard from Doyle and, of course, I denied it. He looked skeptical but he left.

The next few days were carbon-copies of each other. Meals, PT, TV, reading, crossword puzzles, and Joe capping things off.

I was discharged on Thursday the 18th and my ex-wife picked me up. We had agreed that I'd stay with her for a week or 2 until she thought I was strong enough to be by myself.

A Visiting Nurse came by on Friday the 19th and discussed how things were and what I could expect going forward - visits from PT Trainers and calls from a Social Worker and a Nutritionist. Since Medicare covers these, I didn't object.

Today is Father's Day and the immediate family got together.

After all this time apart it was great to be able to interact with my Daughter and Granddaughter.

There's a lot more ahead including visits to several doctors but I think I've passed the halfway mark. This should be it the -

one last stop before Home.

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.