CHEMO MED SHORTAGES; NADINE WEIGHT LOSS; GOODWILL; WONDERFUL ERIC IGLEWSKI

CLINIC, NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF HER ASPARAGINASE, SHE GETS ANOTHER KIND

There was a national shortage of the E. Coli asparaginase of the type she usually gets, so we were told she'd get another kind. It would have PEG in it, and be time-released to last 2 weeks rather than one week (meaning no need for asparaginase the next week!) However, she'd need multiple injections in her leg at the time it was given, rather than the usual "one". Oh dear. Another change. Of course i wanted to know if there was a downside -- so far, they didn't have one known. She got the new asparaginase -- some people needed 3 shots, but she only needed 2. No one complained.

WEIGHT LOSS-- Nadine lost another pound. Not what was wanted.

MERCAPTOPURINE REDUCTION -- This was announced to happen in the hopes her counts would recover earlier in the next-cyce. However, she had only had 6-mercaptopurine for one week before the problem hit that cycle.

MEDICAL INFO -- I had asked Margaret for more detailed information on the medications -- I wanted to know their "paths", the way they worked, etc., how each one did its job of fighting cancer (including the chemistry), plus getting into learning more of the risks of medicines, and possible outcomes of her situation, and the longterm picture, even if it might feel scary to contemplate.

Margaret arrived with a bunch of info for me to read -- they have a Prescription for Information which can be given out and the lab can send material on whatever I would request. However, most of the descriptions, at first glance, didn't seem to have what I wantd. There was a lot on side effects etc., but I didn't see enough of the biochemistry, etc. I also would like to get the exact doses of the chemo meds.

Eric Iglewski came in and talked about benefits for Nadine, and also delivered the recommendation.

ERIC'S HEART IS LIKE A MOTHER'S LAP
I once told Eric Iglewski that his heart was like a other's lap -- no matter how many peole there were, there was always room for another.

OFF TO GOODWILL
Nadine wanted new pants, that fit, in the worst way -- I hoped she wouldn't need them for too long, and would gain weight, but really she needed something that fit, so we went to Goodwill. I figured 2 hours would be enough, and it was a fun time really -- she found 2 pairs of jeans she likes. Of course, I can't see why she didn't like some of the other pairs, which frankly looked the same to me as the ones she'd bought. But she was adamant, and I wasn't about to fight with her. I suppose I was probably the same way when I was a teen. I meanwhile looked for a sweater, finding a cardigan. She got some really nice shirts as well.

LATE NIGHT AGAIN WORKING I felt a need to prepare a summary of Nadine's medical situation for the much-recommended naturopath, Les Moore, whom Nadine and I had a "Meet the Doctor" session with the next day. It took way too late, but I felt it was important to send this kind of thing ahead of time. It took a while of course, but although I grumbled about going to bed too late again, I had a nice rest this time.

THURSDAY
I washed dishes and cleaned the house while "on hold" trying to order something relatively minor via telephone, and found that Paypal won't accept my perfectly usable credit card that works for everyone else. And I guess that means some mail-order places don't accept it either -- the sales rep, who was struggling with his English, informed me that Paypal wouldn't take that card and neither would he. Stuff like this explains why I sometimes don't get work done. It affects my mood and the quality (at least aesthetically) of Nadine's meals. I also finally fished the paperwork for the Hinsdale district -- this was straightforward enough but I'd procrastinated.