Sunday, Monday, and Music

Today Nadine and I played music together for hours. Traditional tunes, groove tunes, classical tunes, lyric tunes, improvisations. Her tone was rich and rhythmic. We synchronized and meshed seamlessly. I saw beautiful arcs of light dancing on the high walls of the large sunny room. It was the reflection from Nadine's silver flute!!

Earlier, I practiced by myself, mostly scales and classical pieces, and marveled that my technique seemed intact. Nadine marveled that hers was too.
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Sunday was a lazy day. Nadine had a burning desire to cook, choosing to sautee greenbeans in the way Joanna Bassett did, with perfect results.

In the afternoon Kate gave Nadine a lovely henna "painting" on the side of her head, a perfect addition. The three of us on the front porch with its white rocking chairs. Nadine sported her orange and yellow tie-dyed tank top. I provided a platic-bag bib to keep the dye off. The henna had to be kept on overnight wrapped in plastic. After Kate finished, she offered to "do" me and I got a design on my arm, my first henna tattoo. I doubt it will be my last.

Nadine was a little more "aching" than the day before -- some pain occurred on the backs of her legs and on the lower back. The "regular" nurse Jessie, told me this is normal for vincristine (one of the chemo preparations).

Barry drove Kate to the airport and went home. Erek and I took a long walk in the dark through the neighborhood, a treat -- the walk and the company. I treasure my walks with him. I also treasure a warm night.

As usual Nadine stayed up well after I went to bed.
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Today (Monday), Nadine felt more energetic. She prepared a breakfast burrito with tofu and green beans,

Nadine's first lab visit for blood drawing occurred -- I insisted we wait in a private room because of the crowd in the main room. The phlebotomist did such an expert job Nadine's small veins that it didn't hurt at all! I said I'd ask for her the next time. After we left, we ran into the wig lady, and Nadine had more fun in the wig shop, modeling a favorite jet-black wig.

Nadine's blood counts were normal!!! They were perfect!!! Her hematocrit, white blood cells, phosphorus, glucose, platelets, the works!!!! What news!!!

In the afternoon, Nadine visited with her close friend Rafi -- they took a long leisurely walk down the bike trail by the Erie Canal. Nadine had her pink fleece hat and Rafi had a blue demin one. Later on, they switched hats. Erek's mom Diana and I got a fine visit and excellent conversation -- we too went out for a walk down the bike trail by the water, timingit so we wouldn't intrude on Nadine and Rafi.

There was an excellent dinner prepared at the house, for which Nadine withdrew her "order" to go out for Mexican food. There was pulled pork (actually delicious), meat loaf, chicken casserole, potato salad, boiled potatoes, salad, the works, plus apple pie, prepared by a large squad of cheerful cooks. Nadine, Erek and I ate on the deck so she could remove her mask, with the sun low enough so she could go maskless.

AFter dinner we went to the downstairs lounge and played "Settlers" -- Erek won this time. Afterwards, Erek and Nadine did stuff together, and I went upstairs and called Hope, a fiddler I enjoy playing music with. I feel ready to think more about music again, even if I'm not ready to travel for it yet.

I went to bed after that and Erek and Nadine did so too.