Sometimes my medical consultations leave me confused even though I'm a better advocate for care than most. Yesterday I had an appointment with my doctor after the regular blood test results were in. We were to discuss my last CT scan and decide if it were time to take a break from the chemo. The scan showed that malignancy is not problematic at this time but there is a strange mass, small in size, that appeares to be calcification of likely lymph nodes that may be a result of my earlier lymphoma. An educated guess is that it has nothing to do with my stomach cancer. Anyway, the decision was made to continue with the Taxol for the next two months. I'm accepting of this since the Taxol has few sides effects. Funny, but at my last visit I asked about how long Taxol works for patients like me the answer was for about two months. Obviously we are going to use this drug until it stops working, or at least that's the way it seems without actually saying so. The promise this time is that when I get my next CT scan at the end of this two month period begun yesterday I will get two months free of therapy. We'll see, but I seriously doubt it. It may sound like I'm grousing about this, and I am to a certain extent, but all I want is some straight talk. I do know this doctor has done me a huge favor by guiding me on this course. I was not an easy sell.
Fatigue is really something during this battle. It's my biggest issue. If I stay home, log on some computer time, make and answer phone calls, listen to music and clean records I feel fine. I can go shopping for normal needs and do fine as well. Errands I can run without tiring. Doing more than the above is what I can't do without having to lay down for the next two days. I can't explain it but driving a car for a few hours kicks my butt but riding in one for the same time is kind of relaxing. Is driving that big a physical challenge? An easy job like scraping and sanding the garage doors to prep them for paint is out of the question. Vacuuming one room is okay but more rooms in one session is not. Pacing myself is a mental exercise that is foreign to me. While feeling well and appreciating it, I do long for those days when I could just go on and on working all day. I guess I feel good enough to bitch. This is a good thing, right?
My new ZYX Silver Airy 3 should be drop shipped from Japan tomorrow as Mehran is going there and offered to do this for me rather than bringing it back to the states and then ship it. It should arrive around the time Steve and I return from Dallas. I can't wait. The next, and hopefully last step will be to get some of the most desireable tubes for my phono stage and a new tonearm cable.
I've slowly been making headway with the acoustic treatments in my room. They are modeled after the Eight Nerve products to an extent. Also, the wife of my buddy that I'm building a system for has offered to make some heavy drapes and my sister who owns a embroidery machine has offered to make the valance. I'm thinking of using Neil Young's line of "IT"S BETTER TO BURN OUT THAN TO FADE AWAY" across the valance. Feel free to offer other suggestions.
I've spoke with Steve about installing a locally built French door in the opening leading into the rest of the house. We both feel that this is the only way to get the room to behave best. It's a nice thing that Barb really likes this idea for aesthetic purposes. I think we'll get this done early summer.
Barb and I have been considering new furniture for the music room as well. There is just too much stuff in there now and I really want to be able to recline while listening. The coffee table must go to be replaced by a small ottoman or the like. I did find a really cool two person wide something or other. I dunno what to call it. Looking from the side it is the shape of a reclined "S". That is my favorite position. Problem is that the colors don't go well with the room and the special order colors don't fit any better. I had asked to see chaise lounges and this was the last option the fellow had to show us. The new furniture would be a stretch so we probably won't do it unless I receive some kind of financial windfall. You gotta love the priorities. Gear first and furniture last. Unless of course the furniture is to hold the gear.
I hope everyone is enjoying Spring. I sure am. The simple joy of having open windows is great. I know it sounds cliche but for all you guys that are busy please take the time to appreciate the small stuff. Life is good if we take the time to be in it.
