Days Continued -- Another Long Catch-Up Post

Another long catch-up. Friday was a peaceful morning and a peaceful day. Nadine had a sparkle back in her eyes, even though she wtill was uncomfrotable, not ready to go walking though. It was a gorgeous day outside too.

Nadine had announced on Thursday that she wasn't up to doing the National Flute Association high school flute choir at the NFA Convention in New York City next week. This was a sad loss. We'd both hoped she could do it. Finally, at Nadine's urging, I called the conductor of the flute choir and explained; amazingly, she said that Nadine didn't have to cancel right then, and encouraged her to wait until maybe 2 days before the performance to make a final decision. Wow! What an affirmation.

Nadine had placed Number One out of all the flutists who had auditioned nationwide, and was getting a solo in the performance, a huge honor. She had prepared a beauytiful audition recording on both regular (soprano) and alto flute. The alto had sounded magnificent-- i had previously regarded it as a mediocre instrumenht that was neither high nor rich-low. I was wrong -- the alto seems to wed the timbres of high and low to create an unparalleled richness. The piece had had some lyric parts and some resembling a bumblebee (I didn't know an alto flute was capable of that).

A package arrived at the post office for Nadine from friends from Vancouver Canada, from friends at the Oregon Not Back To School Camp, another of Nadine's treasured summer "fixtures". It's sad that she won't be able to go to it this summer. Planes are off limits (due to the poor air) and the camp is too remote to be safe for her in case something goes wrong. She's a loved member of the community, and I know they won't forget her. Erek went there for years before she started. It's an amazing gathering.

On Friday evening Nadine was invited to Claire's house to watch a movie. Although Nadine was a bit weak, she insisted, and as Claire wasn't free the next night and is leaving soon for college, I trundled Nadine in the car and off we went. The girls promptly started watching and Nadine was happy. Betty suggested I walk down to the lake. I was only going to go outside the door, but of course I climbed down and sat with my feet in the water watching the green and peach pre-sunset ripple lines.

Barry arrived at about 10:30, right before Claire drove a very happy Nadine home. He brought a big bag of fresh vegetables from the local CSA -- they taste so "real".
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On Saturday we had a "family morning". Barry made French toast and some kind of sweet syrup of malasses and sugar. Nadine was happy to see Barry. Nadine wanted me to do more music for her, always a pleasure.

Mary Joan arrived and worked with Nadine. She is an amazing person for helping Nadine to work with her body, and also does wonderful massage. She has insisted on continuing to come out work on Nadine week after week, at no charge, an amazing gift. She's also a wonderful person to hug.

I went back to Betty's place for another swim -- we swam laps together. I got in easily this time, maybe because it wasn't my first swim of the summer, and perhaps it was warmer too. This time, the water was wavy and reminded me of the ocean.

Later, Nadine was feeling pretty miserable, and I stayed with her. Barry, Nadine and I took a short walk together, which was gratifying. That night we all watched the movoe Nadine had watched the night before. Nadine said watching movies helps her feel better. She picked a nice one too.

Sunday was "Moving Day" to the new house. It was a very tough day, as Nadine was uncomfortable, and packing up never has come easily to me. Barry wasn't happy with helping either -- I can understand why, as he has enough to deal with taking care of the house in the Southern Tier. It took until close to 4PM before we finally slogged out of there. I'd thought it would be a "snap". Barry was also right -- I need to try to pare down what we have up here.

Diana had offered to help, and in retrospect I should have taken her up on it. Her company would have been welcome, and having another trusted person helping would have made it a lot easier, especially as Nadine was having a hard time as well.

We arrived, and the place looked really welcoming. Barry offered to help me unpack the car, and the stuff was piled in kitchen and bedroom. He left afterwards, after a nice farewell.

Afterwards, Nadine couldn't keep her mercaptopurine "down" and I had to call the doctor late to find out if she should have it again. I was advised to give her anti-nausea medication, wait a half hour, and try once more. It meant a late night, but at least she kept the medicine down this time. Nadine went to bed; I stayed up even later getting the kitchen organized, and collapsed.
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On Monday morning, Jessie the nurse came over again to get bloodwork to check Nadine's "counts" and change her dressing. I realize I can change the dressing myself. Nadine had been having a new problem -- she is producing way too much saliva. Will these extra "things" give us a break? It's possible that she is swallowing enough to cause the nausea. Monday, she felt pretty miserable again!
Jessie said she didn't think Nadine's blood counts were too low, as she didn't have pale lips.

Nadine felt miserable for much of Monday, and I spent most of the day supporting her.

The hammock outside was a wonderful gift -- the place is pleasantly breezy and not buggy, and she was comfy out there. I brought a tray of foods she liked, and some books to read, and we had as pleasant a time as possible.

Speaking of gifts -- Janet Moncada from the homeschoolers' group drove by, saw us, and came over. Her 5-year-old daughter Margaret made a wonderful drawing for Nadine, and gave her a seashell and a beautiful heart decoration made out of metal and translucent colored glass. Nadine admired it --it looks wonderful with the sun behind it. Janet asked if I needed anything, and I mentioned a sheet and vegetable peeler, intending to try to borrow one. Janet dropped off a brand new sheet and vegetable peeler. We enjoyed the soft sheet last night, and I thought of Janet, and the gifts we have received in so many ways, after peeling a carrot for soup today.

I got a call from Margaret the nurse-practitioner. Nadine's counts were really LOW after all -- absolute neutrophil count was 300; anything under 1000 was considered neutropenic. Her red-blood count was low, at transfusion level, and her platelets were low. Imnmunologically compromised, albeit not unheard-of as part of the chemo cycle. Perhaps that contributed to her exhaustion.

With Nadine feeling the way she did, I couldn't leave her, and I needed to shop for food and stuff to keep the kitchen hygienic. Happily, Nadine's beloved friend Sylvia had returned from her week-long bicycle excursion and suggested coming by to visit Nadine. Sylvia came, Nadine was instantly happy, and Sylvia took my place cuddling Nadine on the couch while I went to Tops and got food and cleaning supplies. Then I cooked dinner for all of us while the girls shared a book.

After Sylvia left, I gave Nadine her medicine and it was bedtime.