Learning and understanding

Another lovely day where it was cool and comfortable with a lot of sunshine, and a few clouds with some strong, cool breezes.  People are already complaining that “summer isn’t here yet” and to them I say “quit whining.  You’ll be griping soon enough about week-long heatwaves and not being able to go out because of poor air quality.  Enjoy the moment!”  Some humans, I tell you!  Jerry just got up off my lap after a 2-hour nap (I was watching some Star Trek Strange New Worlds  so I was sitting in my chair) and complained that there were no snacks!  I wasn’t snacking on anything — although I probably should spend every awake moment eating something small.  Like pastry… Don was fast asleep during my TV watching, which was good, since he likes to interrupt my shows with irrelevant questions just to break my concentration.  He says it’s as a result of me talking during sports broadcasts (in fairness, those go on all day long, and he’s not missing a thing when I ask something like, “what do

It was a beautiful, sunny day today, lots cooler than it has been for a while.  In the sun it was comfortable, but in the shade it was sweater weather.  It was fun for the little dog to go run around the park for a while, and he used up some of his extra energy and climbed into my lap to snooze when we got back home.  He has discovered a fondness for ripe strawberries, which is not a good sign for me!  I’ll have to share them along with clementines, apples, blueberries and several other fruits.  Sneaky little thing!  Don is perkier today than he has been, I think in part because of the cooler weather and breeze, so it’s easier for him to breathe.  He almost got yelled at today as I saw that one of my episodes had disappeared off the PVR, but then I realized that it had been automatically deleted by the system, so he’s safe.   Don paid for my birthday lobster dinner, and I opted for a lobster pasta (in photo) which is smaller than my usual, mostly because it was delivery and not dine-in

It’s an absolutely beautiful day - sunshine, little puffy clouds, not too hot or humid and rain setting up for the evening as required!  Birthday on order, thank you very much!  Jerry greeted me this morning by jumping onto my lap even before I could sit (don’t ask.  He manages somehow and makes himself very comfortable regardless of how I contort myself!) Then he lay on his back and waved his little imperious paw to let me know that his tummy was being neglected… he complained that he was left behind when I went out to lunch, but I’ve been forgiven since.  Don is running out of games, as his main sport is over, his team in the other sport is about to be eliminated, his other summer sport is just getting started, and there aren’t that many matches yet.  Meanwhile, I’ve got a long list of sci-fi, fantasy and British shows to watch when I can wrangle time with the TV. So my nurse had arranged to come early this morning as I said that I had an appointment at 11 (which is closer to our usu

Here’s a silly joke for your amusement (or as my uncle said, “Ugh”) I thought it was worth a grin.  It was a lovely day today, comfortable, breezy and not too humid.  We were watching a flyover from the Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds and the Italian Air Force; sadly I didn’t get photos, and I must grumble at the addition of the new high rises on the next block which cut off a chunk of my view towards Parliament Hill.  Jerry has been playing with his ball and throwing it at me all afternoon.  Don is down, but unsurprised at the results of last night’s game, and I was sufficiently disinterested that I’d gone to bed before it started! I’m feeling tired today, with some pain… that  I attribute to radiation side effects as it’s in the area they treated.  I slept a lot, which is probably my body’s way of letting me know that it’s working on healing, but I would also appreciate it if it did that during regular sleeping hours and not during the day.  I had some rice, lentils and chicken today,

Thunderstorms in progress!  I love watching the lightning arcing across the sky, although I do avoid getting wet from blowing rain.  Some loud booms to punctuate the storm, and I’m happy to be indoors and dry instead of getting drenched.  Jerry does not approve of getting wet, and had parked himself on my lap to get cuddles (block my view of the TV and sit on my iPad for good measure)  He spent most of the morning there while I watched the Mass, and then complained that I didn’t have snacks for him to share.  He’s now crashed on the sofa with Don, who is “watching” the endless, boring game that fills summer.  How anyone could call cricket boring after watching that stuff boggles my mind!  At least in cricket you know a test match is a maximum of 5 days, and that’s it… this game, they play over and over for about 15 games and score maybe twice?  Lots of discussion about statistics, and nothing actually happening on the field… Boring! My appetite has gone into hiding again.  It annoys me

It’s warm, overcast but comfortable.  The kind of weather where you think that it’s safe to leave off your SPF-moisturizer and then wind up with a sunburn… Jerry is trying to play catch, and is throwing his ball at me and butting me with his nose so I have to toss it for him.  I made the error of throwing the wrong ball, and he looked at me with a quizzical expression, ran over to where his original ball was and tossed it at me!  Silly little puppy.  Then he pushed the iPad off my lap (I caught it before it fell) and jumped onto my lap and lay on his back, leaning on my tummy, and stuck a paw in my face to get me to start massaging… Don is watching one of those endless sports things that amuse him.  I say “watching” but I’m hearing snores from the sofa, so who knows? I slept until almost noon today.  While that sounds excessive, I’d drifted off on myself around 7, woke up and went to bed around 8, and then lay awake until after midnight, because apparently moving from uncomfortable pos

Presented for your consideration… one tiny schnoodle who would have you believe that he’s a neglected, starved, abandoned puppy that nobody loves.  I challenge this claim, and point out that he has a full bowl of food, of water, access to treats and toys, but he’s complaining that he has to go minutes at a time without having his tummy rubbed, and therefore he’s being abused.  He has let his displeasure be known to me, and as a punishment, I’ve got a dog on my toes!  (Not really a punishment)  It’s so much cooler today that I feel comfortable; I hope it stays like this (even with the cloud cover) for a while!  Don is gearing up for ‘his’ game tonight, which may end the series or prolong it for another game.  I hope it keeps him happy! The cooler air has made it more comfortable to do things today, and I definitely slept better last night as the temperature dropped below the mid-20s.  My pharmacist called me yesterday to check up on me as she said that she hasn’t seen me for a long whil

It is sooooo hot!!  I’m craving an ice cold cider or spiked lemonade, which is not a good thing, as they both contain alcohol, which is on my “restricted” list.  Pity, because a frosty pineapple cider is so cooling on a boiling day (I know, I know, a hot cup of tea is better for managing body temperature, but the ice is so refreshing!)  Jerry is not happy with the heat, and has had to stop rushing around chasing his ball — which we’ve been refusing to throw for him.  He’s drunk a lot of water today, which I had put in the freezer for a while to chill.  He spent more time sucking up the air from the fan than sitting on me, which lets you know how hot it is!  Don’s been sitting around less than half dressed because he said it’s too hot to wear clothes… I’m so not commenting!  I’m not copying him, I find it hotter when I’m not dressed. I didn’t sleep well last night, probably because it was very muggy, even with the AC.  I finally dozed off around 4am, and got up just before 10 to take my

It’s muggy, soupy, sticky and HOT here.  The temperature was “34C feeling like 44C” so very humid, and there’s no relief in the forecast for several days.  It just means that my energy is low but otherwise I’m ok.  Jerry was also lethargic until he and Don went into the bedroom with the AC, and he got a boost of pep!  He then ate quite a bit and settled down for a nap.  Don is also sluggish (we all are) and is content that his team has struggled to get another win.   The hospital called me to follow up after my discharge; that was a surprise.  The nurse was very pleasant, and wanted to confirm that I would be talking with my family doctor for any needed follow up.  We all agree that I don’t want to go back in to the hospital anytime soon, so I’m happy with the checks!  For the last couple of months, my regular worker has been calling in sick on a Wednesday, which is my “long” day (2 hours) so either I have no coverage or I have someone who has a long list of reasons why she can’t do wh

It’s a sauna outside!  Holy hot weather, Batman!  It’s apparently in the upper 30s, and there are threats of it crossing the 40C mark this week.  This is the time of year when Ottawa is hotter than Trinidad, and I am not thrilled by that in the slightest.  I’m ok with the warm weather, but the heat plus humidity is hard to manage!  Jerry is conflicted.  He’s been up on my lap for cuddles and tummy rubs, then he remembers that he’s upset with me and tries to turn his back on me but then he wants cuddles again!  It’s hilarious I must admit.   He’s on my feet now, and not moving.  Spoiled puppy!  Don is good and is seemingly happy I’m back at home, he’s had a quiet smile since I arrived. I developed a bad headache last night, which interfered with my sleep.  It’s still around today, and my head feels like it might break… Tylenol has helped with the pain, although I’ve been taking them practically every 5 hours.  It still feels tender, though.  My appetite is not great, which I attribute t

It’s almost 2 weeks since I’ve been here, and I’m getting quite used to being here.  I admit that my view has a lot to do with that, because it’s healing to be able to look out and see natural light and all the trees in the area.  Green is so refreshing to the eyes, isn’t it?  Jerry is at the stage where he’s pretending that I don’t exist.  He doesn’t react to my voice, actively turns away if Don shows him the screen and tries to get him off the phone quickly.  He will be very confused when I get home, as he’ll try to simultaneously hug and ignore me 😆  Don’s team made a huge comeback to win last night, 8-1.  It was a great score, but ultimately it’s futile as the odds of them winning the next 3 game in a row are lower than winning mega millions in a lottery!  Baseball is also done, leaving football for the next few months. 😔  I saw the doctor this morning, and he said that he really doesn’t have anything to discuss.  My readings are all stable and (while still low) have improved a l

I know, I know, I missed a few days.  My explanation (not excuse) is that I’m in hospital, not on a rest cure, so sometimes my body declines to participate in activities!  That’s all I’ll say on that!  Jerry has not yet chosen to forgive me for being away, and works diligently to knock the phone away from Don when we’re talking and to communicate his ongoing displeasure by not responding to me when I talk to him.  He simply pretends that I’m not there, and doesn’t show even the tiniest reaction to my voice, except to be more affectionate to Don (who pretends to be annoyed but secretly loves it.)  His team has performed abysmally in the playoffs; they have a “mathematical chance” for a comeback, but it’s not one any betting person would take, nor is it one that has any historical precedent of ever working.  So he’s now onto the CFL… So I had a little drama in the past couple of days.  Most notable was when I suddenly started to cough and couldn’t catch my breath, so I was temporarily ho

It was apparently a nippy 11C this morning, warming up to 13, although the forecast calls for warmer later.  This is a beach in Tobago, and frankly I’d like to be there!  I’m looking out at a cloudy sky and from my chair I can see the towers of downtown — I can’t see my condo, as it’s blocked by other high-rise buildings, but I know where it is.  On our calls today Jerry reverted to ignoring me, not even flicking an ear when I talked to him.  Don is very disappointed with the playoffs at the moment; his team has lost 2 games and needs to win 4 of the remaining 5 if they want to lift the Cup, but it seems highly unlikely.  Pity. I have a grumble about the nurses in this area… they have largely been ignoring me, until today when I complained to the day nurse, who has checked up on me at least once an hour.  I didn’t sleep until about 4am because I was hungry, and having waited over an hour for a cup of water, I didn’t feel like battling for toast.  The night nurse was supposed to come ta

It’s almost a week since I’ve been admitted.  I’m getting used to having meals delivered three times a day, and having housekeeping and being woken up at 4am to have my blood pressure checked and all those hospital things… Jerry was excited to see me today when I was talking to them… he came up to the screen to kiss me, and his little stump was a blur!  Don is fine; he’s taking advantage of my absence to order his favourite Chinese meals in quantities sufficient to feed a family of 6 — or provide him with 3 meals!  He’s got a decent appetite, thankfully. Late yesterday I reported to the nurse that I had a sore throat and was feeling feverish… so as a reward I was swabbed for covid (negative!) and moved into isolation.  I did develop a fever and runny nose, so I’m better kept away from other patients.  I’m now in room 6231, further along the hall from the ward; it’s private and has the same stunning view, although I can watch the MedEvac helicopters landing easily.  I had the best sleep

A nighttime view of the cranes from my window.  Not great because of the glare of the indoor light, but the crane is all lit up in blue and red.  It’s been a rainy weekend, and it’s cloudy again today.  Jerry is sulking at me, and when I talk to Don, he inserts himself between Don and the phone, turns his back to me, and tries to push the phone out of his hand!  He also turns his back when I call him… I’ll have to pay for being away eventually!  Don was watching the start of the playoffs — I said I’d call when the game got interesting and distract him.  He turned off the phone until his team was behind 2-0, then he called me 😆  You’d think that being here would mean I’ve got all the time in the world to blog, but yesterday I got a transfusion of 2 more units of blood, and had a long visit from a friend, so when they left I was tired.  My sleep was interrupted by my inconsiderate neighbour (he’s rude to all the staff, and has been told that he can’t speak to them like that several time

I just liked this photo and it cheered me up.  Thought you’d like it also.  Another day where I was able to look out at the clouds and rain as they darkened the skies and wet everything.  I made a mental note to try a night photo tonight as it’s an interesting scene… I video called my boys today.  One was very happy to see and talk with me, while the other pretended that I was not there, turned his back and blocked the screen as much as he could.  Little precious.  Apparently tonight begins another set of games as it’s the opening night of the CFL… and there are rituals to go with that.  Speaking of games, I heard this joke in a waiting room today:  Toronto will have to change the name of its hockey team to something less offensive… apparently Leafs means “Losers Even After Fifty Seasons” and that’s just too cruel for a team! I had another broken night, because of the preparation for the colonoscopy today.  I did sulk at the nurses and doctors and whined that they were being needlessly

It’s been a rainy day today; we’re still under a thunderstorm watch and I see from the news that there was some flooding.  My boys are still at home, Don said that he was having a lot of trouble breathing until after the rain when it cooled down a bit.  He’s more chatty this evening than he was during the day, which is not surprising.  Jerry is not talking to me, as he does when I’m not there, and I miss my boys.  Would be nicer if they were here — or I was at home! I had a broken night last night.  The ward where I am turns off the lights around 9:45pm, which is great, as it’s dark and quiet.  But then just as you’re falling asleep, the nurses come around to take vitals/blood samples and that ends the sleep for a bit!  I’ve asked for a sleep aid as needed so I can take it and hopefully get some rest.  I fell into a proper sleep around 4, but was woken up for blood work at 6… then I dozed off and on today. It was a busy day today.  I saw the priest for the Sacrament of the Sick; he rem

This is the view from my hospital room.  I’m in 6E, gym 2, bed 2 — yes, it’s the gym for physiotherapy as the hospital is FULL. I spent last night in the emergency area, and didn’t sleep well due to the noise and lights — and the fight that broke out, resulting in the arrest of about 10 people in one family — plus the screamer a few beds down… this morning the nurse coming on shift was able to find me some ear plugs so I slept for a few hours.  Marvellous sleep! Quick update on the boys… it’s super hot, 37C and humid, and Don has been texting that he can’t breathe or move around easily.  Jerry is surprisingly energetic for this heat, although they’re both drinking a lot.  I’m worried about him, as his breathing gets really bad in the humidity and he tends to not eat… but I can’t do much from here. As for what’s happening… Yesterday I went in for my routine clinic appointment before chemo (which was scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday)  I did my usual blood work and went to the waiting are

Short one today.  It’s hot and breathless today, and I spent most of the day in bed because I felt so… off.  My blood pressure is in the 90s again, which is nice, but it feels like I’m trying to breathe through a small reed underwater… My support worker made me a small supper, because I otherwise probably would not have eaten anything today; it’s too hot to even contemplate cooking!  Jerry is on my feet, generating lots of heat, but it’s fine.  Oddly enough, I feel cold although it’s 30C.  Don is also struggling to move (pain in his legs) and to breathe… I’m honestly starting to worry about getting through the summer if it’s going to be much hotter than this! At this point, I’m asking for special prayers for Aunt Peggy who was rushed off to the hospital this morning.  Here’s hoping that it’s not serious and that she’s back home again soon, and up to her normal self. Last night I watched an Elton John concert, which I enjoyed.  His voice has changed over the years and he can’t quite man

The weather is warming up and the humidity is getting worse… Jerry has been in cuddle mode and is currently curled into a ball on Don, after leaving me a few minutes ago so I could type!  He’s been trying to persuade everyone that he’s a starving, neglected puppy who is unloved by all… Don is all caught up on his many games, and true crime documentaries, so he’s trying to work through my shows and about to get into a lot  of trouble if he continues!  He’s been very good, and went to get his eyes checked yesterday, and had the most remarkable act of kindness shown to him at the garage on Friday.  I’m therefore encouraging everyone in Ottawa to visit Scotty’s Garage for wonderful service!! I had a few days where my blood pressure was ridiculously low; it was averaging 82/50, which is scarily bad.  It meant that I felt weak, shaky, breathless and no appetite.  I could barely walk from the bedroom to the bathroom, let alone anywhere else; as for eating, it was a chore and even Ensure was h