Monday, November 21, 2011

A time for graditude

During this week I plan to focus on being thankful for family, friends, and yes returning back to a healthier life. I have been alert & pain free enough to start sending out resumes & cover letters. I am using all the tools I can, Linkedin, Monster.com, WorkinTexas, and the TLA Jobline. Given the current financial times librarian jobs are not very plentiful. But I am still putting my name out where ever possible.
After this week it is time to climb back on the medical merry-go-round. Scheduled for my amusement are a CTscan, a MRI, & a MRA(what ever that is). At least I will have time in various waiting rooms for knitting up some yuletide gifts.
Wishing one & all a joyful Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Still bogged down in the medical swamp

    This week was not very fun. Had to have another colonoscopy on Thursday. This of course made Wednesday a real challenge. You would think someone could figure out how to make the preparation fluid more palatable. It is currently like drinking from a toxic waste site. Although I REALLY like the medication that puts me in dreamland during the procedure, I always come out of it weeping and confused. Today I went to my oncologist at 10:30 & because my potassium was so low he needed me to have an immediate intravenous drip of the stuff. This had me finally leaving for home at 4 pm. During the visit with him he did state that I am in remission but because of the on-going problems with my liver & spleen I will need to be checked over on a regular basis for sometime to come. I have this sinking feeling that I will never be free and clear of the medical profession again.
     I am knitting again on a more regular basis. I've finish 2 scarfs and just about done with a pair of socks. Besides Xmas gifts, a friend recently told me she is expecting twins so soft baby yarns are in my future.

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Still moving forward

Lots of changes since February:
  • There have been a few more stays in the hospital due to fevers and infections.
  • The removal of my direct port and the end of the liquid feedings that went with it.
  • My weight is now fairly stable.
  •  I can now go up and down stairs on my own as well as walk without my legs shaking.
  • The latest twist was dealing with kidney stones. One large stone was in a very bad position that required me to undergo a hospital procedure to have it pulled out of me.
I am hoping that I will soon be strong enough to focus on getting a new job. Currently I am not really up to facing an all out effort of job searching and interviewing. I just don't have the energy level needed for these activities.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Day by day

The title of this entry has become my life motto.

   Since last June life has been piling up a wide selection of challenges. One of the saddest is that the job in Laredo slipped away.  I had been approved by the city and even passed the pre-employment tests. But I did not count on dealing with a real nasty challenge.
   Before heading for the lower part of Texas I had decided to take advantage of the medical coverage I currently had and went in for all my yearly checkups. This went from top to bottom literally.  When one of the test showed I was very anemic I then got to have "scopes" go down my throat and up the colon. This is when life changed. A very nasty cancer was found just below my stomach. Very quickly I was scheduled for surgery. So quickly that I was actually between jobs when the surgery took place.  No need for a blow by blow account but due to  3 different infections and problems with chemo, my job in Laredo could not be held. This is something I completely understood.
   Life just keep happening. I had to give up my apartment, and store most of my things. I have been very lucky as well. My dear sister has taken me into her home and has been my source of strength when dealing with all things medical.  My father has helped me through some unplanned for expenses and my brother and sister-in-law turned out to be wonderful cheerleaders
    Next week I go for another scan and I am hoping for good news, although the last visit with a doctor was not a source of happy news. 
     I was very happy to see the end of 2010, and I still hold on to the hope that 2011 will be better.