One Day At A Time

Thursday, June 14, 2012


I went to Walgreen's to pick up his prescriptions. The pharmacy clerk already knew his name before I spoke. I have been there often lately.
       We went to Walmart to pick up other medicine. We went to the library to pick up two books by Ira Byock. Traffic on 436 was horrible. Be patient, I reminded myself, and be thankful that we are still together.
       Last Friday he walked only one floor at the mall. Saturday he walked both floors. Sunday he walked only one floor and had to sit down a couple of times to rest. Monday two floors. Tuesday only one.
       Tuesday we went to see Dr. Z at Florida Hospital. Wednesday we went to see Dr. T at MD Anderson downtown. Both are medical oncologists. Both recommended some form of palliative chemo treatments with (possible) terrible side effects.
       Today Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, MD Anderson, and the hospice called. Drumming up business, I suppose, by asking if they can offer help. MDA set up two appointments in the next two weeks.
       Today Pam sent her cleaning lady over to clean our house. Her treat.
       At three in the afternoon heavy thunderstorms knocked out electricity. We went to grocery shopping. After coming home we sat in the newly cleaned sun room with windows open. John read a bit and took a nap. Later he lit candles and I played music from iPad. Power came back on around 6:30. We made dinner (chicken salad for me and paper-thin sliced ham and cottage cheese for him) and watched an episode of the rerun of In The Heat Of The Night.
       This could go on forever, a day like this with its ups and downs (they are not that bad), for the two of us. It should, really.