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G #4 - Gobsmacked

Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 05:01 pm
fullygoldy: Yellow Roses (Sheppard)
This was a long, hard week.  Whoever decided Mondays should be national holidays should be revived from the dead and then shot.  A Monday holiday means that Tuesday is both Monday and Tuesday of the holiday week.  Mondays are generally bad days, because you're not ready to come back from the weekend, but Tuesdays tend to be very bad days for me right now, because that's the day the architect's rep visits my job.  This past Tuesday was long and hard.  And not in the good way.

Wednesday, I made it home just in time to change clothes and pack up my sandwich to take in the car.  The boy had baseball practice and the girl had the annual cheerleader meeting where we write the check for all her clinics and uniform stuff.  ($231 this year, less than usual, but also includes TWO pair of shoes).  On the way out of the neighborhood, the boy asks, "what's up at the N's?"  
"What do you mean?" 
"when I came home from school, there were cop cars in the driveway and caution tape around the yard."
We had no idea what that was about, but it just can't be *good.*  But there was no evidence of the goings on at 6:00 pm.  I wondered about the possibility of domestic violence, but in 7 years in this neighborhood, had never had reason to think that before about these neighbors.  After the meeting and the practice and filling the gas tank, I was too pooped to post, and ended up going to bed at 9:30. 

Thursday was a really tough day.  Things had not turned around on the job site, I really had no clue when or how we were going to achieve substantial completion, only knew that it would in no way be Friday, June 2.  Lost two hours of my life to my supervisor, who was uselessly going over and over the project and how we ended up in the mess we're in.  I kept telling myself to breathe and not be defensive.  I inherited this mess, I didn't cause it.  I've done everything possible to pull out a save, but it wasn't meant to be.  When I finally headed home with Meatloaf blasting out the speakers, i was pretty darn proud of how I'd handled myself for those 2 hours.  But damn, I wanted a martini or two.  And I was looking forward to a very thorough fucking in the very near future. ::g::
I arrived home and *demanded* my hugs from everyone.  When Mavis finally let go, she said, "we have sad news."
"What?"
"Randy killed himself yesterday."
"Randy? Randy N?"
"Yes.  The house was for sale, they were getting a divorce.  He had a driniking problem."
O.M.G.  I lost it.  All day I had managed not to cry over something I had no control over, but hearing this was the limit.  I had had a conversation with a library board member just before coming home, wherin I was expounding on my philosophy of trying to stay on the bright side.  My life could always be worse than it is.  My ace in the hole is that I could be living in Afghanistan or Iraq right now.  So.  My life could always be worse.  But oh my god, there is no way my life is worse than Jenny and Jessie's.  They've just lost their dad.  They're 13 & 10.  Jenny & Randy were inseperable.  He shot himself in the head in the home he built for them.  What a horribly selfish thing he's done.
For the rest of the night, just about any time I openend my mouth to speak, I wound up crying.  It was a 3 martini night, and again I went to bed at 9:30.  Gobsmacked is the perfectly apt descriptor for Thursday.

Friday was long again, and I didn't even get away from the site to accompany DH to his doctor appointment.  His levels were low, as he expected, requiring transfusion again, but they decided it would be better to wait until today, so he could get up on 6 East, where the staff is a little more knowledgeable about his condition, and more able to poke him without truly hurting him.  The kids were doing their own thing for the evening, so we went to the Dane for dinner and a couple of beers.  By the time we got home, I was pretty much down for the count again, and talked DH into yet another early bedtime.  Unfortunately, neither one of us slept well or long.  On an up note, we did manage to get the building to the point it needed to be at for the shelving delivery on Saturday,a nd the beginning of the move-in on Monday.  But we won't be truly *done* until June 22 (almost 3 weeks later than the target).

I was not really ready to get up this morning, but DH wanted to cruise the Farmer's Market before checking into the hospital.  It was an absolutely beautiful morning,a nd I enjoyed the circuit, but after I left him with the first pint running in, I went home for a sandwich and a nap.  He checked in around 9 and was about ready to go at 2:30.  Much better than the last couple of times in the north tower.  We've rented some DVDs, and I'm doing a chinese-inspired menu for dinner.  Tomorrow we'll have to get groceries and finish up some house cleaning.  But it is also the state park open house, and it might be nice to really get out for the day.
fullygoldy: Josh Lyman S'up? (Josh Sup)
[profile] barley52 has been having chest pains all week. Not the gripping, can't breathe or move kind, more like the achy, deep kind of pain down in his bones.  This is a side effect of the blood growth drugs he's taking.  Did you know that when you are born, you have marrow in all of your bones, but by 6 or 7 yrs old, pretty much only your torso still has marrow (and for some, the long bones in your thighs)?  So that weird, deep pain he's got in his sternum means the drugs are kicking his marrow's butt. Finally.  

This is borne out by this week's numbers, which are nicely improved.  That neutrophil count is at 850, so we're really close to the magic 1000.  Hemoglobin is really close to normal, being 11.7.  They don't let you donate blood unless you're above 12, but the lab report says 14 is on the low end of normal.  His platelets are 14, which excites only his Dr, him and me.  The nurses just shook their heads, because they're looking for something over 100 to be considered normal.  But after so many results in the single digits, 14 is an improvement.  Especially since the only reliable way to boost them is with transfusions.  He had his last platelet transfusion last Sat., so he's at the tail end of those (lifespan is 6-9 days).  If next week's count holds steady or improves, that'll mean he's getting some spillover from the Darbo and Nupagen.

We're in pretty good spirits, considering that on Monday, Mavis stayed home with a stomach ache, on Monday night, I had a fever and ended up staying home on Tuesday with flu-like symptoms, and Rupert stayed home with a stomach ache on Wednesday.  Monday and Tuesday nights, DH slept in the living room by himself.  Whenever we were in the same room, we both wore a mask.  And I had to wipe down the bathroom with disinfecting wipes every time I used it.  With all these germs floating around, DH managed to stay healthy!  I washed the comfy flannel sheets and he remade the bed on Wed. so we could be together again.  The bed really is too big without your partner.

Of course, we're still waiting on the final part to make our vacuum work properly.  We thought we'd rigged a lid that would seal okay, but when I tried to use it last week, nada.  I'm kinda nervous about not doing the vacuuming, but hey, he survived flu germs, so as long as he doesn't roll around on the floor, I think he'll be okay.

On the insurance front, we were rejected by Badger Care - too much income.  We may be able to qualify for a "spend-down" program though.  And Meriter has sent the paper work to apply for "uncompensated care."  That will all apply to Jan & Feb's expenses.  As of March 1, we're covered by United Health Care.  It's expensive, and not very extensive, but it should allow the blood & marrow typing to get done.  I may be added to the JCI payroll as early as May.  At that point, all these insurance worries will be gone.  We'll just be paying off whatever's left of the Jan & Feb expenses.  I feel pretty confidant that whatever that number ends up being, we'll be able to handle it.  It won't be much fun, but we'll handle it. ::nod::

Isn't it funny how you can receive many positive and uplifting comments, knowledge, wishes, etc., but all it takes is one harsh or negative thing to deflate your mood?  We try not to let the "ones" actually burst our balloon, but it takes an awful lot of energy.  I'm really really grateful that so many people, including total strangers, are willing to keep contributing to the positive side of the equation.  We couldn't be doing this without all your support.

Saturday Musings

Saturday, February 25th, 2006 01:15 pm
fullygoldy: Yellow Roses (Better than sex)
Or "what a way to wake up!"  

First off, I opened my eyes to the soft glow of dawn, when the world is still gray and a little too cold, but the horizon blushes in tangerine and pink.  Upon checking my flist, I find love poetry that just.  It was a gentle awakening and well appreciated.

We packed up, DH, the girl & I to take DH for his latest transfusion.  A quick stop at Panera for the obligatory cinnamon roll and hazelnut coffee (for him) and other yummy treats for us girls.  The check-in at the hospital (at 0815) went more smoothly than usual, and we kissed him good bye in his room, in plenty of time to get Mavis to practice.  I learned later that our early arrival and pre-typing and crossing were all for naught, as he didn't receive the first of 3 until nearly 11:00. ARGGH.

However, after dropping the girl, I headed for the grocery.  Not too early, but not too late.  On the way, I nearly bypassed Brennan's but realized I hadn't been there for awhile, so I thought I might find some inspiration.  Lots of samples of citrus, but nothing really drew me.  As I was contemplating leaving and a new bottle of wine simultaneously, the wine guy offered me a sample of just what I was looking at.  Honestly, some days I believe I have a sign above me that says "Offer me alcohol.  It doesn't matter what time it is."  So I came to be sipping a lush Malbec at 0930 and having a lovely chat about Chilean wines.  I purchased said Secreto Malbec, and its sibling, Secreto Syrah, each being $9.99 from Viu Manent out of Colchagua, Chile.  They are ~85% the varietal they're named for, and 15% something "secret."  Catalina Abbott created the Picasso-themed artwork for the labels.

But really, there aren't many better ways to start the day than dawn, Neruda and Malbec.  And to think I didn't know that before today...
fullygoldy: Sepia CKR with stubble (Sexy CKR)

All night I kept waking up and thinking about the things I forgot to include in the previous post, and then I'd dream about telling the things to a friend.  ::sigh::  I feel a bit fuzzy this morning.

[livejournal.com profile] barley52  has an concerned "anonymous" poster (Deb) to his LJ now, a total stranger, who lost her dad to similar circumstances, and she's offering comforting words, advice and encouragement to our B.  I know of 2 different churches who have B on their prayer list.  One is the home church of my project superintendent, and the other is my mom's (in CA).  None of these people know either one of us, but they are praying for us, and you can never have too much faith or too many prayers, ya know?

Additionally, a church friend of mom's (Dorothy) has offered to be a resource when we have questions and concerns.  She asked mom to give us her phone number, and sent a message to B:  "It sounds scarier than it is."  Why this message?  Because she has been living with Meylodysplastic Syndrome for the past 4 years.  She's older than mom, and quite healthy, other than the syndrome.  She also suggested finding a support group, which is probably a good idea.  We have lots of support already, but being able to talk to people who know what you're going through is valuable.

The admissions lady (Stacy) at Meriter was very kind and sympathetic.  She also offered her prayers.  The guy at the Red Cross (Greg) was very apologetic as he explained that many years ago the FDA (thank you very little) had disallowed the practice of people donating blood specifically for a certain person to help mitigate the costs of transfusions to that person.  They said that it's like getting paid for your blood and people who want money for their blood are more likely to lie about their risk factors.  So when the FDA took over control of the entire blood donation industry, they completely cut out the practice of paying for blood in any way.  Greg wished us luck anyway.  I don't understand how the FDA can make a blanket proclamation like this.  You know friends and family members want to help, and aren't going to do anything to knowingly harm their loved one.  Also, all blood is tested to ensure it's safety, and it's irradiated, just to make sure.  I just don't get their reasoning.

Aggravation with the FDA aside, I want to encourage everyone of every blood type who is healthy and able to donate blood and/or platelets.  Even though your donation may not go to our B, the more the bloodbank has on deposit, the easier it is for them to help people.  Donating this way really is a "random act of kindness."  This part of the healthcare industry is crucial to it's success, and most people just don't realize how very important it is to keep the fresh blood supply up.  B is A+, and this is good for him, because Dr.s request A+ platelets or even AB+ platelets for transfusions.  Apparently they're more universally accepted, no matter what your blood type is.  Whereas O+ blood is the universal whole blood donor.  Since I'm AB+, I've given blood fairly frequently since I was 17.  I slacked off for the past couple of years, but you know I'll be restarting my participation now. 

The really cool thing about platelet donation is that they hook you up in a loop, with blood pulling out of one arm, passing through a centrifuge to allow them to filter out platelets, and then the blood pumps back in your other arm.  You don't lose any fluid to speak of, and platelets renew faster than any other cell, so you can actually give more often than you can give whole blood.  A normally healthy person has 400-450k platelets, but you only need about 150k to be healthy, so you're just giving away your excess.  It takes longer than a whole blood donation, but you don't really lose anything but time (3-4 hours, last I heard).  I've never done it, because I haven't got a decent vein to pull from in my right arm.  My left works okay, so blood donation is easy for me, but the "pheresis" donation will be harder.  I'm still gonna try it.  I've always thought it was one of the coolest things they've come up with.

I want to express my appreciation for all the kindnesses we've received this past month, and for continuing support and love.  I hope you all know how very grateful we are to have friends like you, and how encouraging it is to meet complete strangers who are willing to lend comfort and support for the 10 or 20 seconds or minutes they come into contact with us.  "Where Have All the Good People Gone?"  They're all around us every day.  We only need to open our eyes and our hearts to find them.