Yesterday, the last day of 2012, Val had her last radiation treatment. The staff signed a certificate for her and did a little clapping song like they do at certain restaurants on your birthday.
Yesterday, Val had her last appointment with Dr. T, her Kaiser oncologist. Except that the substitute radiation oncologist talked to her too long, so she was late for Dr. T, so she missed the appointment. No tears were shed. Val and Trina and Kyla went out for brunch.
Liz came over and put together a new and handy shelf.
Yesterday Val felt mostly cruddy: nauseated, in pain (trouble with her hip and back in particular), and super super tired. Trina brought us Thai food and gave her a healing back rub. Tuley sat on her legs. I’ve been reading Moomintroll stories to her. She managed to stay awake until 9:20. She slept through the night without coughing.
Today Val’s tired but a bit more alert. Her hip and back still hurt, and her “throat bucket” feels swollen and sore, which interfered with her first attempt at food, even after applying the numbing oncology mouthwash. After that, though, she was able to swallow down some jello and then some chilaquiles. Her breathing is still good and she’s barely coughing. I took the excellent Trina to the airport and bid her a fond farewell. It’s a rare and glorious sunny day.
We meet with the OHSU oncologist, Dr. S, on Thursday morning. We’ve been trying to lay the groundwork to get the most out of this bewilderingly new insurance system and new hospital. We’ve got an appointment with an OHSU social worker on Thursday, too, and I hope she can help us connect with helpful resources. Here’s to luck, love and excellent health support inĀ 2013.
D
I’ll toast to that! Hoping you enjoyed today’s sun from the cozy warmth of your home. Sending love!
Hey Deborah! Thanks so much for the update. I wish I could write like you do. You definitely have a knack. I have two questions: 1) What are chilaquiles? and 2) What is a “throat bucket”? Thank you in advance for your response. We are sending nothing but good thoughts your way along with lots of prayers.
Hi Jane and company! (And thanks, Jane.:)
Answers: 1) Chilaquiles is a Mexican-style breakfast dish, basically strips of tortilla fried up with other stuff like eggs and black beans and salsa and cheese and avocado. Yum. 2) A “throat bucket” is a Val-ism meaning more or less the place down in the back of your throat where swallowing happens. I think. 3) Miss you guys! xo