quam bene non quantum

 

I'm waiting for my treatment at the moment. Every week (in my case, Tuesday afternoon) I'm checked by my radiation oncologist to ensure that I'm doing well and that there isn't anything that needs extra attention. I had to come in an hour early, as my appointment is the last of the day, and 30 minutes after the end of the doctor's shift. At least the chair is comfy and it reclines, so I'm in serious danger of falling asleep while I wait! My doctor is very French, Parisian, and we only talk in French. I've learned vocabulary for all sorts of terms that I don't know well in English, either. Learning experiences are always to be encouraged! But he, like most of the other cancer centre staff, has been caring for me for 8 + years.

Jerry and Don are waiting for me in the parkette, where Jerry can run around and bark at squirrels. He will be happy to climb in my lap when I'm done. (Spoiler:  he was and he did!)

My niece and I were having a discussion on what her plans are after she finishes school in 2 years. The immediate plan is University, but she's not sure of her path, or pretty much anything. I understand that! at her age (16) I wanted to be a doctor, I thought. It wasn't long before I admitted out loud that my interest was more about research, not treating. I really had no interest in doing things that involved blood/body fluids or dissection. One afternoon with our GP and I was very clear in my mind that I wasn't intended for medicine. I switched to computer science and chemistry, because they fascinated me. My jobs were more computer networks, which was initially great. then I found the nascent field of systems analysis and then project management, and I never looked back. I might, had I been able to work longer, have made another switch, but I don't know.

We agreed that our first step will be to identify the things that most excite her, then we'd begin to look at what options there were. we discussed creating jobs, but agreed that we'd first need a BIG IDEA, so she'll be keeping track of her ideas. In some ways, this is more challenging than when I was choosing university courses 34 years ago. In others, it's easier. But we'll work through the kinks and develop game plans! I'm trying to help her find a route to where she'd like to go! All good, ent?

Tomorrow's appointment is early; sigh. I hope that I can get some rest tomorrow. I'm really wiped, so I will take a break.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cloyd

Image
I don’t know how to write this today.  Just yesterday I wrote that my dad was improving and strong; today he passed out, could not be resuscitated and died shortly before 12:30 ECT/EDT.  We are all reeling in shock.  It seems that this morning he woke as usual, had his breakfast, followed his morning routine and then just… stopped.  My sister called for an ambulance which arrived quickly (We’re essentially across the street from the hospital) and they tried reviving him; he was rushed straight in on arrival, where they continued to work on him for over half an hour, but he never revived.  My siblings who were there were texting throughout so that we (in Canada) were kept updated.  They showed us his body after everything was over, and he looks peaceful.  Thankfully, he experienced no pain or discomfort, just fell into unconsciousness.  He’s been moved from the hospital morgue to the funeral home while we try to settle on his final arrangements.  It’s so surreal; he was arguing and prot
Read more

Chemo

Image
First of all, happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating.  I wish your families peace and light in this season of miracles!  The first menorah candles were lit at sunset in City Hall today, and on the Hill, so I add my wishes to all of those.  It was bitterly cold today again, all of -18 when I had to head off to my appointment.  It’s also a record-setting day in Ottawa; we’ve had 59 consecutive hours of snowfall this week and it looks like it wants to try to break that record already.  It was the little fine, driving snow, which blows hard but doesn’t accumulate quickly; it’s dry enough to be brushed off, but the wind makes up for that!  Jerry curled up in my lap, shivering, and wouldn’t move on the way home.  Don was a superstar, taking me to the hospital and waiting… they told me it would be about an hour, but the chemo unit was running a bit late, plus there was all the fun of them saying that they didn’t have my blood work, so lots of excitement.  It worked out well, and I was about
Read more

The surprise!

Image
Gee, I look like my mom in this photo.  Although I suppose that I look like her anyway, but it stands out more here.  I’ll get more into this in a minute, I need to fill you in on other stuff.  First off, the weather is busy being Ottawa winter grey and gloomy, so it’s not encouraging in the slightest.  Dark when you wake up, overcast during the day, dark early… no wonder Jerry doesn’t want to be away from people and cuddles!  He’s perfectly happy to sit on a lap and be stroked when he’s not rampaging around playing with his toy!  Don didn’t sleep too well last night; according to him, he ‘missed his cue’ to go to bed and was awake for hours watching… yes, you guessed it!  He napped a little this morning, but I hope he’ll get a better rest tonight.  Although it’s Saturday, and that means… 🏒 and tomorrow is 🏈 so I’ll just dive into a book somewhere. Yesterday I went in to the hospital to do my blood transfusion.  There was a mixup… I got there and called for a porter and a wheelchair,
Read more