Alacrity -- Word for the Day -- Friday, June 20, 2008

Alacrity
DEFINITION: (noun) cheerful readiness to do something

13.7 million to date... We will be back tomorrow a.m. at 7:00 to collect more. Probably Monday, too. We will be so glad when the two a day trips are over. I have replenished the Tahoe four times this week at $85.00 a tank and am filling up again tomorrow before we head out.

Received blood and platelets again this morning. That will be a process each day until the recycling is done. The Apheresis client is giving them to him each morning so we won't have a four hour wait in Infusion again into the night. We have discovered Chemo Sabe is the only one that gets the special treatment. All others are directed to Infusion.

This morning, his nurse this week in Apheresis, Rebecca, told everyone when he hits the door that he always has a smile on his face. He told her there was no reason not to. Alacrity -- he is cheerfully ready to do something and looks forward to his goal of wellness.

Our visit this afternoon for only a shot was eventful again. We arrived at 2:30 p.m. We waited for two hours. The people that came in after we did went back before us. Some were only there 20 minutes. Ms. Huffy (Pepper) went again and asked. We were next. Then we waited another 30 minutes in the back. I went to the head nurse and then I saw one enter his room.

We decided upon arrival we would put on the log in sheet that we only needed a shot. On top of the sheet I indicated the times of his morning shot and his blood and platelets. Well, no one read it and ordered him platelets. Hence the reason for "Caregiver" -- me. When we were departing I stepped in and asked the head nurse about it. I asked her if she read the entry sheet, she claimed she did. When she pulled his binder my notation was marked in yellow highlighter and I asked her to read it... Sorry, but I had to tell her if they needed me to come back and read my notes aloud to them each day I didn't have a problem with that. Now you know why my biker name is Pepper. I take a lot, but then when I get hot......When momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Yes, it was my turn to say the blessing tonight. It always seems to be my turn when I am less than good. I did ask for His guidance in using me more as a tool and example.

We don't mind the hours of waiting... We do mind being looked over and then the reports not being read correctly. So, there, you have heard my Pity Party for the day. That reminds me of a song ----- "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To".

I replaced that song as I washed my fuel guzzling vehicle this afternoon with "Search My Heart O God".

We did get to go by the office today. He was as excited as a kid on his first day of school. He hugged M.A. and got to laugh about his experiences with C.H. He is as bald as Chemo Sabe, but by choice. It was good for both of us to go there. He plans to work the next two weeks after discharge, if we make it that far.

Energy has been zapped out of him this week. We have been going to bed quite early. We did watch movies last night a one tonight. You will definitely have to get "Untraceable" with Diane Lane. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Chemo Sabe's skin is just perfect. No blemishes, no dryness, no redness or hair. He just looks squeaky clean. Has that fresh baby face look about him. He has gained 10 lb. the last few days, but that is all the liquid being pumped into him.

The lady that produced 33 million has a massive infection and the doctors cannot figure out what it is, so she can't go home this week. We found out today she is 70. She is having a series of new tests. But, she keeps laughing.

I have decided I know the real meaning of the perfect love. It is taking care of and being fully devoted to someone with cancer or a similar serious illness. You watch them ache, hurt mentally and emotionally and you cherish each moment with them no matter how hard the days are. "Til death us do part". There are so many that say those words without realizing the magnitude of the true meaning. It is a natural when you have children. A choice when you choose a mate. I have lived those words these last few months with alacrity.

We decided many years ago (20) that if an argument wasn't worth getting a divorce over, then it wasn't serious enough to waste the time arguing. We do disagree, but when he discovers I am always right, then we are back on track! ha I truly believe if more people spent more time finding ways to love instead of finding ways to argue, marriages would be more rewarding. Each individual would be filled with alacrity.

We got a test message from our son this evening --- "Hope you two had a GR8 day. Love". Little things like this brings a smile to our faces. Little things that all of you do...you cannot imagine how priceless they are.

We always looked forward to Fridays... It meant we could head out on the bikes, keep Big E for the night, have our moviethon for the weekend, or just plain do nothing. Chemo Sabe would always fix breakfast for me on the weekends. He is the BEST bacon maker. It is ALWAYS perfect. Woody, the parrot, would pace the cage back and forth and squawk until he got his small portion of bacon. He loves it. We had hoped we could have that kind of weekend this week. We will have to wait for another. Maybe we can sneak off one weekend again, soon.

With that --- I pray and hope you all had a GR8 day. Thanks for enduring my Pity Party tonight and my marriage counseling.

Aunt Nornie.... look for us soon..... We think of you when we watch the news about the floods.

Love --- Pepper