Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Another Doctor's Visit and a Gift in the Mail

I went to bed by 11:30 p.m., last night, but I had a very restless night of sleep, waking up every hour or so, because I was coughing.  Even my dreams were troubled.  In one dream, I was riding in a train through a mining operation and when the train made a stop, I got off it for a few minutes to use a restroom.  When I got back on the train, my mother, who had dementia, was missing!  I didn't know if she wandered off on her own, or someone led her away, or if she was waiting somewhere for me to find her!  I was frantically searching for her, when I woke up!  My mother did die when I had left her to go to work, one day; I had barely got to the office, when I received a phone call from a paramedic who had been called to the house, asking me to come home; my mother had already passed away.  Her death anniversary is in early February.  I suppose that's why I dreamed of her.  I don't like my recent dreams!

I had a routine follow-up appointment with my radiation oncologist, today.  I had already rescheduled it once, so I didn't want to reschedule it, again.  I wore a mask in order not to infect anyone at the clinic.  The check up went well.  The doctor is still puzzled by how long it is taking for me to heal (there is still some edema and redness); he mentioned fat necrosis, once again.  But, we both agreed that things looked better.  I have another follow-up appointment with him in three months' time.

As part of the check up, they took my blood pressure (it was good), weight (I have lost 4 lbs. since my last visit), and temperature and we found out that I was running a low grade fever of 100.3F.  So, after I came home, I ate a piece of papaya as I hadn't had any breakfast or lunch (no appetite) and took two Tylenol tablets. Then, I rested on the sofa and read.

This is the book I am currently reading:

Library Book
It is a brand new book, published in 2019, and a 7-days library loan, which may not be renewed.  It is due, tomorrow, and I still have about a third of the book left to read!

There was also a package in the mail, today:


Package in the Mail
Angela, at Tracing Rainbows, had posted a book review of a debut novel a friend of hers had published.  When I posted a comment on her post, she sent me an email saying she wanted to send me something.  I demurred because I know international mailing costs can be prohibitive, but, she explained that it wouldn't be more than what she'd spend if I lived closer and she treated me to a coffee at a coffeehouse!  This afternoon, I received my very own copy of her friend's book! 

New Book by Angela's Friend
Thank you, Angela.  I am looking forward to reading this book. 

This morning, instead of tea, I drank a cup of hot water into which I squeezed a fresh lemon.  The lemons on my trees are Meyer lemons and are sweet enough for me to be able to drink lemon water without any sugar.  I picked an orange, too, but I haven't eaten it yet.

Later, in the evening, I ate a roast beef sandwich (made with one slice of whole wheat bread).  Followed by a regular cup of tea.  I am not sure if that was a late lunch or an early dinner!  Maybe I'll eat a salad in a little bit to get some vegetables in me and call it dinner.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A good check up with the radiation oncologist
- Receiving gifts in the mail!
- A new book to read
- Phone calls from family and friends
- Fresh oranges from the tree

How was your day?  What are your plans for tomorrow?

8 comments:

  1. A new book is the perfect gift for when you are recovering from your cold. How nice of Angela to send it.

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    1. It was very nice of her, wasn't it?

      This cold feels like it is dragging on. I am gargling with warm salt water, but still coughing a lot. I hate taking cough syrup, but, I might need to resort to some before going to bed, tonight, because, last night, I kept waking up due to coughing.

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  2. My friend phoned to put off a visit because of a tickly throat. Now I have two of you to pray for!
    I hope you have some uplifting dreams for a change.
    The cold weather continues here, but the sun makes up for it. I think we are getting used to the brutal temperatures.
    The latest knitting project is getting interesting as I am now into the stripes. Of course I forgot to change needles when I started the stocking stitch, but had only got halfway across the first row when I noticed and was able to go back to the beginning and use the larger needle.

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    1. Thank you for the prayers, Bushlady. My aunt and cousin mailed me some sugar free cough drops but I am starting to lose my voice!

      I've been seeing the cold temperatures in some parts of the Midwest! I hope you are managing to stay warm and out of the cold, up there, where you are!

      Oh, I always forget to switch needles, or, sometimes, I switch one and forget to switch the other, so I find myself knitting with two different size needles! :D

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  3. That's very nice of your friend to send a book to you. Were you able to renew the library book?

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    1. It really was very nice of her to do so, wasn't it?

      I stayed up and finished reading the library book, Wednesday night, and then, returned it on Thursday. It was 7-days only book, which was not renewable.

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  4. Sounds to me like you have been experiencing "fever dreams", which are negative emotionally charged dreams or nightmares brought about by your immune system going into action. Sounds perfectly logical to me, since you have an elevated temperature and you have been fighting off this cold for a while now.

    Lovely that you can rest with your knitting and some great books to read. Hurry up and get well.

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    1. I've never heard the term "fever dreams", but that sounds like a very good explanation! Last night, I dreamed that I was stuffing a bag with candy at a gathering, to take home with me, but then, I put the bag of candy in a pantry cabinet, before I left the gathering! Wonder what that means? :D

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