Monday

Last night, I didn't even bother to try to get to bed early.  Instead, I put the fact that I was still awake to good use and continued to clean the family room!  I cleared the top of the pass through to the kitchen.  I finally went to bed after 2:30 a.m. and fell asleep a little after 3:30 a.m.  I woke up when the alarms when off at 8:00 a.m. because I needed to.  

I left the house just before 9:00 a.m. and got to the clinic by 9:55 a.m.  My appointment was for 10:00 a.m., but I knew I wouldn't be called in at the appointed time.  I had gone, prepared to wait, and had taken my knitting with me.  The oncology nurse practitioner examined me and said the blood test results were good.

I brought up my concerns with the medication she had suggested to help with the bone density loss (risk of cancer in the esophagus and necrosis of the jaw bone, among others) and asked about the medication the radiation oncologist had recommended, instead.  She said she suggested the medication she did because the HMO health insurance companies usually ask if that particular drug or another similar one was tried first before the one the radiation oncologist suggested, due to cost concerns.  But she said she will ask the oncologist if they can request authorization for the more expensive drug.  Later, she called me back to let me know that the oncologist had said to go ahead and request the authorization for the more expensive drug, without trying the other one, first.  So, we will keep our fingers crossed that insurance will approve it.  If not, I'll have to go on the other, cheaper medication.  In the meantime, I am to increase my calcium supplement dosage and get my dental work done!   I am to return for a follow up in 3 months, which will be in November.  It was after 11:30 a.m., when I left the clinic.

On the way home, I stopped at Sears to buy the vacuum cleaner bags.  A package of 3 bags costs $5.99, so, $2 per bag.  I picked up two packages, but when I went to pay for them, the cashier asked me if I wanted to pay for them with my points, so that's what I did.  I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket .

By this time, it was 1:00 p.m. and I was getting hungry.  I was near my favorite Thai food place, so picked up an  order of shrimp fried rice (their beef fried rice is better, but I am not supposed to eat beef before the procedure on Wednesday), and an order of chicken satay (I didn't eat any of the peanut sauce that came with it because I am not supposed to eat any nuts, either).  Came home and had lunch and rested a bit.  Replied to blog comments and commented on one or two blogs.

Then, I wiped down the shelves of the two smaller book cases in the family room and the computer desk.  Yes, I still have the desk top computer, even though it no longer works!  I need to take the whole thing to the computer store and ask them if they can wipe off the memory and dispose of it for me.  And then, get rid of the desk, itself.  But, in the meantime, I keep things like the bottles of flea spray on it (they are too tall to fit in the bottom basket of the 4-tiered wire rack in the laundry area).  Then, I put new dust covers on the family room sofas and washed the covers that were on them.

I also mopped the kitchen floor, as I am trying to get on a cleaning schedule where the mopping, etc., will get done on a regular basis.  

The GI doctor's office called and left a message reminding me of Wednesday's procedures and the need to fast, tomorrow (clear liquids, only) and to take the medicines to flush my system.  I called them back, but they were closed and I got the telephone exchange.  Need to call back, tomorrow.  

Then, Aunt C called to confirm that cousin N will come to take me to the clinic on Wednesday (both she and my daughter will accompany me).  After that, it was time for a cup of tea and a quick run to the grocery store to buy milk, bread, bananas, and oil:

8/20 Groceries

I spent a total of $7.47 on groceries (I also bought 2 bags of cat food, which came to a total of $19.69, with tax!)

8/20 Receipt

I realize I haven't done an August Week 2 grocery post!  Will do that, tomorrow.

Daughter called after I got back from the grocery store to tell me she was boarding the plane.   I rested a bit and then, it was time to go to pick her up from the airport.  She will work from home, tomorrow, but take the day off on Wednesday, and work from home again on Thursday and Friday.

Daughter had dinner almost as soon as she got home, but I waited until later, since I may not eat anything after midnight, tonight, until after my procedure on Wednesday.  

Today, I am grateful for:
- Another good doctor's appointment
- Lab test results were all good, I was told
- The oncologist said to put in the request for the other medication to see if insurance will approve it
- Daughter had a safe flight
- Having daughter home for the rest of the week


Monday's To Do List:
- Oncologist appointment - DONE
- Buy vacuum cleaner bags - DONE
- Mop kitchen - DONE
- Grocery shop - DONE
- Buy a gift/gift card for friend whose birthday party is on Saturday - Maybe on Friday; if not, I have a gift I could give her
- Continue to clean and tidy the family room - DONE
- Paperwork/filing
- Take trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Pick up daughter from airport - DONE
- Clean the litter box - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Call the GI doctor's office
- Paperwork/filing
- Bring the trash cans in
- Put away the laundry from today

Not going to do a big long to do list for tomorrow; might just work on a craft project instead of paperwork and filing, too.

How was your Monday?