 |
| Persimmon Tree |
We finally have some color changes in the garden! The leaves of the persimmon tree (it's still a very small tree) are changing color and so are the leaves on the plum tree:
 |
| Plum Tree |
Yesterday (Friday), I had my quarterly follow-up appointment with my oncology nurse practitioner. As usual, I called before I left to confirm the appointment and I left the house in plenty of time to get to the clinic about 10-15 minutes before my appointed time, which was 1:00 p.m. Am I glad that I left early! When I got to the freeway on-ramp I usually take, I discovered that the ramp was closed! So, I had to turn around and take a detour, going north to get to the next freeway on-ramp that would take me south! That on-ramp wasn't that far away, but, driving on surface roads to get to the on-ramp took about another 15 minutes. There went the 15 minutes of early arrival I had planned on! The freeway was as congested as it usually is and I was worried that I might be late! But, I checked in at the clinic at exactly 1:00 p.m.!
The waiting room was rather full (but, thankfully, everyone was wearing a mask as this clinic insists on it and enforces it, handing out masks to those who come in without one). I expected a long wait and settled down to read the library book I had taken with me, but, to my pleasant surprise, I was called in after a rather short wait of about 10 minutes.
The check up went smoothly; my blood test results were mostly good and my cancer markers were within the normal range. The nurse practitioner encouraged me to get a RSV vaccine and a shingles vaccine, as well. So, I will schedule those in addition to the Covid booster (not all at the same time!) I received a refill on my prescription and a referral for a mammogram which they will schedule for me. I have another appointment in February.
The drive home was equally congested, but, I didn't mind because I didn't have to be home by a given time. I briefly debated stopping to get something to eat, but, decided not to. Instead, I came home and finished the leftover milkrice and seeni sambol.
Then, I relaxed and answered blog comments, etc., until M came to tend to the garden. We chatted for a bit, then, he pruned the last tall branch from the bottlebrush tree and watered the garden.
The rest of the evening sort of sped by because I was watching some videos online and checking on my daughter who had her Covid booster during her lunch break and was starting to feel some of the side effects of headaches, body aches, and fatigue. She had a slightly elevated temperature, too, and, eventually, took a Motrin. I did run the dishwasher and cleaned the stove top. And I put away some of the laundry I had done, earlier.
Then, when I thought about writing a blog post, it was already well after midnight and I knew I was too tired to write the post I wanted to write!
Today, (Saturday), I've been checking on my daughter throughout the day (she is still experiencing some side effects from the vaccine). Fortunately, she has the weekend to recover.
In between, I've been checking off the items on the To Do list I made for myself for today. I did a small load of laundry, went for a short walk (just up and down the driveway and in front of the house for 10 minutes; I say some prayers while I walk), collected the mail and took out the trash and the recycling, took the kitchen scraps to the compost heap in the back garden and took photos of some of the changes in the garden, wished a friend for her birthday, called my aunt and thanked her for the card she sent me, called friend R to check on her, posted on the online group of which I am a member, cleaned the litter box, swept and mopped the bathroom floor (then a certain cat left me a present on the newly cleaned bathroom floor and I had to clean that up!), emptied the dishwasher, and made a pot of turkey soup:
 |
| Turkey Soup for Dinner |
Yes, I went off the meal plan and decided to make turkey soup with some roast turkey I had in the freezer, instead of the turkey keema curry I had listed on the meal plan. The keema curry might be on next week's meal plan.
There are still a few items left on the To Do list; I think I might do them tomorrow.
I am grateful for:
- Mostly good blood test results and a good visit with the oncology nurse practitioner
- Medical insurance and access to health care
- A safe drive to the appointment and back
- M's help with the garden
- Daughter's side effects from the Covid booster are manageable
- A productive day
My joyful activities have included watching some videos and spending time in the garden where the prostrate chrysanthemums are flowering:
 |
| Chrysanthemums in Flower |
and, at least one blueberry bush has decided to flower, too!
 |
| Blueberry Flowers |
Plans for tomorrow (Sunday) include to finish up the items on the To Do list (change and wash the sofa dust sheets, redo the Thanksgiving wreath, do some decluttering).
Happy for your blood test results and you getting to the Dr. on time.
ReplyDeleteDid your persimmon fruit this year. I think they are very beautiful trees.
Thank you, Anne. I had one persimmon, this year! There were several flowers and at least 5 or 6 baby fruits, but, only one made it to getting big and ripe. We had been told that the tree wouldn't get any fruit for the first 5 years and we are on year 3. Hope to get more fruit in years to come.
DeleteSo glad test results were encouraging. And that despite detours you got there on time and did not wait long. Yesterday was lovely, celebrating Bob's birthday. Today will be quieter I think
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. I'm glad Bob had a nice birthday celebration and today will be a quieter day. :)
DeleteI'm glad your check up went well and you made it in time for your appointment and I hope your daughter is fully recovered from her Covid jab. Thankfully the side effects are unpleasant for just a day or two.
ReplyDeleteWe now have plenty of fallen leaves in our garden not only from our trees but our neighbour's tree too, the leaves look golden just the same as yours do.
I had a long phone chat with my sister yesterday, she has had some health concerns but her procedure on Friday went well I'm happy to say.
Thank you, Eileen. My daughter said she felt better this evening than she did yesterday evening.
DeleteSorry you have to deal with the neighbor's leaves, as well as yours! But, autumn leaves are very pretty.
I'm sorry your sister is having some health concerns, but, glad that her procedure went well. I wish her continued good health.
I'm very glad your check up went well and the tests are good. I hope today goes well too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. So far, today has been going well. :)
DeleteGood to know your tests went well. I like to leave a good 20 minutes extra for the trip to Roanne , if I've got an appointment, - which is 30 minutes - It sounds like it was a good idea for you to do the same! I'd always rather be early than late. Love FD xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, FD. Yes, knowing how traffic can be over here, I always allow some extra time for travel. I hate to drive feeling rushed because I'm late for an appointment. I, too, would rather be early than late. :)
DeleteIf I had had to go through extra traffic, my blood pressure probably would have been elevated during the visit. Traffic and being on time are two things that stress me. Glad your appointment went well.
ReplyDeleteMy blood pressure was good (they checked at the clinic), but, yes, I hate having to rush to make it to an appointment on time. Thank you, June; the appointment went well. :)
DeleteI'm glad your blood tests were good - I know you had some worry this time around. Glad it's all behind you.
ReplyDeleteI see your daughter is feeling a bit better after her vaccine side-effects.
You have a few appointments to make for yourself for your vaccines.
The shingles is a 2 shot regimen - your arms will be getting jabbed a lot.
We got our shingles shots back in 2021 starting right before the first covid vaccine which was also a 2 dose vaccine. I remember balancing the scheduling of those. I also remember how thankful I felt after getting that first covid vaccine.
I think those chrysanthemums want to come inside so they can stand up in a vase :)
Thank you, Debra; yes, I was a bit worried about the blood tests, but, they were mostly good and the one that was too high can be taken care of with a little effort from me.
DeleteMy daughter is feeling much better, today; still headachy and tired, but, better.
I have a bunch of vaccines I need to take! My daughter wants me to wait until December, when she plans to come down for the holidays, to get the shingles vaccine, so that she'll be here to tend to me in case I get a bad reaction. That was such a relief to get the first covid vaccine, wasn't it?
Yes, I think the chrysanthemums will be brought inside, very soon! :)
That's good news about your blood test results, and that your daughter has some relief from the effects of the booster shot. Your turkey soup looks delicious and those chrysanthemums are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. Yes, very glad the blood test results were good and my daughter is recovering from the booster shot. It'll be my turn to get the booster, tomorrow! The turkey soup turned out well and those chrysanthemums are colorful, aren't they? :)
DeleteI'm happy to hear your bloods were okay. I realise you have these tests regularly, but I can only assume you still get anxious about the results.
ReplyDeleteYou have some beautiful autumn colour in the garden. X
Thank you, Jules; yes, I have regular blood tests for the two different doctors who check for different things.
DeleteAutumn colors have finally come to my garden! :)
I'm so glad to hear your results were good! I bet that's always a relief.
ReplyDeleteMost of our colour is gone now. There was a bit of wind while we were gone and a lot of the leaves have fallen
Thank you, Sharon; yes, it was a big relief. :)
DeleteSorry to hear that most of your fall colors are gone, now. I'm sure you wished it could have lasted a bit longer before the winter's white took over.