Yogurt Push Ups

Tuesday January 5, 1993

Up at 7:45 I start the wash. I feel pretty good. I eat some cereal. For lunch I eat my leftover salad. Later I eat a couple of cookies and at 3:30 some pistachio nuts. I feel nausea about dinnertime and continue to feel yucky until bedtime. I can't eat dinner. I do eat 2 yogurt pushups. I go to bed at 11 feeling yucky still.

Unfortunately, nausea is the main side effect of the chemicals being pumped through Mom's bloodstream by the chemo pump. Now that medical marijuana is legal in California, I can't help wondering if it would have helped Mom's nausea.

Smaller Than Marbles

Sunday November 29, 1992

Up at 7:30 feeling a little better today. After getting cleaned up and washing my hair Frank and I go to Raley's Market. We buy cutlets to fix for dinner. I buy some stool softeners to begin taking daily. I'm worried I might get constipated and have to have surgery. My bowels are so squeezed by tumors now that I only eliminate stools smaller than marbles. Maybe 1/2 that size.

After lunch I lie down to rest. Frank and Justin go for a 4-mile walk to Raley's. Frank buys Justin a taco at Taco Bell and a yogurt at the yogurt store. Later we play board games with Justin.

Frank makes a great cutlet dinner plus more leftovers. We watch some TV and retire at 11 p.m.

Ah sweet Frank! You were such a wonderful grandpa, first taking Justin on a long walk, thus teaching him the value of exercise, and then taking him for out for a treat. Then he fixes dinner for everyone. Not too many men like Frank! So thoughtful.

I'll bet the game we played with Justin was SEQUENCE. Frank made the game for Justin and we still play it occasionally. It's one of my favorite card games.

It must have been terribly uncomfortable being so constipated. I injured my back 3 days ago and have been taking Vicodin for back pain. It does take the edge off my pain, but it gives me a horrible headache and basically shuts down my intestines, even when I take stool softeners with the medication. I have to balance which is worse, the back pain or the constipation?

First New Kemo

Monday November 4, 1991

Up early fixing a great breakfast for Jen and Ron. They leave about 8 a.m. By the time we leave for Kaiser about 11:30 I'm feeling nauseated and tired. Maybe the greasy breakfast? We stop for a yogurt. It makes me feel better.

I am nervous about my new kemo. Fear of the unknown. We arrive at 12:45 and leave about 3 p.m. First the blood tests, then the kemo drug is given in the vein with a syringe. It takes about 10 minutes. She gives me a pill to swallow first to ward off nausea. My old kemo took an hour or more. I have to wait an hour to see Dr. Bix.

I feel fine the rest of the day except I'm tired. We dress and go square dancing but I can't stay. I go home to bed. Kathy brings Frank home.

Wow, do you think that was a bit overly optimistic to plan to go square dancing the same day she was given toxic chemicals in the vein? There is a fine line between being the eternal optimist and allowing for down time.