Last of November to Early December

Nadine and Raymi got a super photo-shoot, Nadine finally got her chemo, I got icky-sick and sadly had to avoid Nadine; we had delicious Mexican food, and a late clinic appointment messed up Nadine's rehearsal and almost got me a speeding ticket.
__________________________
Nadine and Raymi's photo-shoot with Carrie the wonderful photographer that Nadine had met through TLC. Carried had asked Nadine if she wanted to collaborate on a special project centered on Nadine's own life, and that would include both "realistic" and "fantasy" style pictures. Carrie also wanted to include family in this project. There are expected to more "shoots" with Erek and even me. The project could end up in an exhibition. Nadine is very excited.

On Sunday night November 29th, Nadine brought out some photos, including one of Raymi in tie-dyes holding Nadine, also in tie-dyes, upside down. She looked about 6 and Raymi looked about 16. It all seems far away,.

The kids wanted to go our for Mexican dinner and we drove off after posting on the homeschool list and getting an early response on it. Of course the place we were looking for (in Webster) was closed, but the kids had found another one (online) in Irondequoit. It was suitably garish, and conducive to rowdy conversation. Nadine ate a huge amount, yay, and I enjoyed it all my enchiladas.. We topped off the dinner with horchatas, one of my favorite things to drink. Raymi hadn't had one before, and judging from his obvious enjoyment I suspect it's not his last.

At home, Nadine brought out the 5-foot-long flute she got from Raymi and we played some music together. -

INSIGHT ON DISHES

I wrote with an insight on dishes, dirtied and washed and dirtied and washed and dirtied and washed over and over and over, as a symbol of food enjoyed and the care with which it is served.

I wonder if I'll have a new attitude of gratefulness when I wash the pile of the dishes in the sink.

I drew a heart underneeath the journal entry, and thanked Nadine for insisting that I get it.

GRAND PHOTO-SHOOT WITH CARRIE MONDAY NOVEMBER 30th

Nadine and Raymi did the photo-shoot with Carrie, and it was an exuberant wonderful one. I actually went with them, and took some pictures of the elaborate set-up, white lights and white reflectors being set up and raised. Raymi and Nadine postured around, and I took some pictures during set-up. Later,during the photo-shoot itself I lay on the couch in the darkened lounge, as I was really tired. I listened to the disco music, and every now and then I saw flashes of light and perhaps heard peals of laughter or exclamations; the lights reminded me of lightning when camping in a tent. It was wonderful to hear (and see) people so animated. Afterwards, everyone left in a wonderful mood.

TUES DECEMBER 1ST --- Nadine's blood test was taken as usual. Raymi was still here visiting, which was a happy tim. I started to feel sick.

WED: CHEMO REDUCED DUE TO DELAYS

I was still feeling wretchedly sick and stayed home and rested while Raymi brought Nadine to clinic, where she finally got her chemo treatment -- 2 weeks late. Her APC was up with a vengeance to 1200, well above the 1000 needed.

Nadine's doxorubicin dose was reduced by a bout a third in the hopes of her chemo cycle going back to normal length. I was ready to squawk, but was told, at least, that the total cumulative dose would be the same, and that she would receive an extra treatment of doxorubicin to make up the deficiency.

I hadn't realized that doxorubicin is measured as "total cumulative dose" over time; there is a limit based on its toxicity. I still was worried about the reduction, but there wasn't wiggle room there, and the fact is that doxorubicin is so, so toxic...

Raymi left for Pittsburgh directly after dropping Nadine off at the hospital.

LATE CLINIC MESSES UP REHEARSAL, BUT GREAT REHEARSAL ANYWAY

Wednesday at 4:30PM Nadine had her first scheduled rehearsal with Joe Werner for the Cimarosa Concerto with Victor --they were meeting at Hochstein Music School at about 4:30 PM. However, clinic IS clinic, and there was a big delay or mix-up at the pharmacy, and Nadine didn't get out until about 4:30 -- I drove over to get her, and to get a prescription for her. Victor was already at Hochstein. I was anxious and furious about the delay, and also completely helpless, driving around the hospital's construction-impeded parking circle. Arrggghhhh!!! The competition was the next week and Nadine would be at AllState from Thurs through Sunday.

Happily, Joe was able to re-schedule the rehearsal, for 6:30 and cell phones proved helpful in communicating with Victor, Joe and Nadine.

The rehearsal was glorious -- Joe was able to secure a performance hall, and Victor and Nadine sounded wonderful on the stage with the piano back-up. I was amazed that Joe was sight-reading the piece. He was extremely supportive of them too -- they really were well co-ordinated. Nadine's teacher Sophia arrived and busily commented and worked with them.

I was on antibiotics by then and feeling somewhat better, but still wanted to somewhat stay away from Nadine..

WISTFUL -- ME TOO SICK TO SAFELY CUDDLE NADINE

Nadine was feeling wistful post-chemo and ruefully expressed that it was ironic that there were so many times she didn't want me near her, but when she really DID want to cuddle me I was too sick to rick it.. She wanted to sleep with me and we couldn't do that either.

SO -- we each took a stuffed animal to bed, and that way each of us could think of the other one.