Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Yesterday was a snow day that fit perfectly into my schedule and today was a two-hour delay day that could have been a complete mess. Today I had my pre-chemo appointment scheduled with Candice the P.A. at 10:00 a.m. I cannot be at both my appointment and dropping my seven-year-old, Mika, at school at the same time. I had my older daughter text one of our friends to see if we could drop Mika off there when I needed to leave so she could go to school with her daughter. She said yes!
I cannot miss my pre-chemo appointments because I would not be able start the chemotherapy cycle that week. Apparently my bright and shining face must be seen, in person, two days before my next treatment cycle starts so they can make sure I am doing well. Every fourth Wednesday I see Candice the P.A. If I miss that appointment, I will have my treatment schedule pushed back another week and I am already three weeks into Mika’s summer break; I do not want to go four.
I had a good visit with Candice the P.A. I remembered to tell her about an issue I was sure was not important, but since she and Dr. Doom and Gloom freak out about the oddest circumstances, I felt I should tell her. It was nothing to be concerned about. I explained my rationale behind choosing not to take blood last week and she agreed with me and told me she supported my decision to wait until my hemoglobin dropped to lower than 7.
Candice the P.A. and I discussed my treatment schedule because I would like to start planning a family trip to Florida in early July and need to know if that is even a possibility. Candice the P.A. told me I should expect to get a scan after completing cycle six, and, if I seem to be responding properly, I could skip cycle eight and take the whole summer off. Woo hoo! That is exactly what I want. Unfortunately, I will not get the scan until late April or May which does not allow for a lot of planning time.
This morning I made sure Mika was bundled up in case she walked to school with her friend (her friend’s mom does not drive, but grandma lives across the street). I told Mika to put on two jackets, and Mika put on three: a light jacket, a medium jacket, and her winter coat. It actually did not feel that cold outside even though it was nine degrees. The sun was shining brightly, and the wind was not blowing, so it was pleasant while I waited at the bus stop to go to my appointment with Candice the P.A.
After school I got a frantic call from my friend asking if Mika came home with a coat. My friend is blind and was concerned she had sent Mika to school without a coat because she found one of Mika’s jackets at her house. I explained Mika had three coats in case they walked, and my friend told me she put the girls in an Uber to school. What a great idea; it almost makes me wish I could operate a smart phone. The Uber blog says I can schedule a ride from my desktop. I would try it on a day I need to walk Mika to or from school in inclement weather; unfortunately, a wheelchair accessible Uber is not available in my area.
I asked Mika about riding an Uber and she was very excited to have the new experience. She felt very grown up. Mika will get to ride an Uber again on Saturday with my friend because our daughters are having a sleepover on Friday, and my friend is running in a race on Saturday and will have her Uber drop off Mika on the way to her race.
My piece of advice to you is to help your children enjoy their new experiences. Mika has ridden the bus since she came home from the hospital and Uber is simply another form of public transportation, but by asking her how it felt and pointing out its newness, Mika’s first Uber ride is special to her.
Until next time,
Susanne
Please check out my GoFundMe page.
Yesterday was a snow day that fit perfectly into my schedule and today was a two-hour delay day that could have been a complete mess. Today I had my pre-chemo appointment scheduled with Candice the P.A. at 10:00 a.m. I cannot be at both my appointment and dropping my seven-year-old, Mika, at school at the same time. I had my older daughter text one of our friends to see if we could drop Mika off there when I needed to leave so she could go to school with her daughter. She said yes!
I cannot miss my pre-chemo appointments because I would not be able start the chemotherapy cycle that week. Apparently my bright and shining face must be seen, in person, two days before my next treatment cycle starts so they can make sure I am doing well. Every fourth Wednesday I see Candice the P.A. If I miss that appointment, I will have my treatment schedule pushed back another week and I am already three weeks into Mika’s summer break; I do not want to go four.
I had a good visit with Candice the P.A. I remembered to tell her about an issue I was sure was not important, but since she and Dr. Doom and Gloom freak out about the oddest circumstances, I felt I should tell her. It was nothing to be concerned about. I explained my rationale behind choosing not to take blood last week and she agreed with me and told me she supported my decision to wait until my hemoglobin dropped to lower than 7.
Candice the P.A. and I discussed my treatment schedule because I would like to start planning a family trip to Florida in early July and need to know if that is even a possibility. Candice the P.A. told me I should expect to get a scan after completing cycle six, and, if I seem to be responding properly, I could skip cycle eight and take the whole summer off. Woo hoo! That is exactly what I want. Unfortunately, I will not get the scan until late April or May which does not allow for a lot of planning time.
This morning I made sure Mika was bundled up in case she walked to school with her friend (her friend’s mom does not drive, but grandma lives across the street). I told Mika to put on two jackets, and Mika put on three: a light jacket, a medium jacket, and her winter coat. It actually did not feel that cold outside even though it was nine degrees. The sun was shining brightly, and the wind was not blowing, so it was pleasant while I waited at the bus stop to go to my appointment with Candice the P.A.
After school I got a frantic call from my friend asking if Mika came home with a coat. My friend is blind and was concerned she had sent Mika to school without a coat because she found one of Mika’s jackets at her house. I explained Mika had three coats in case they walked, and my friend told me she put the girls in an Uber to school. What a great idea; it almost makes me wish I could operate a smart phone. The Uber blog says I can schedule a ride from my desktop. I would try it on a day I need to walk Mika to or from school in inclement weather; unfortunately, a wheelchair accessible Uber is not available in my area.
I asked Mika about riding an Uber and she was very excited to have the new experience. She felt very grown up. Mika will get to ride an Uber again on Saturday with my friend because our daughters are having a sleepover on Friday, and my friend is running in a race on Saturday and will have her Uber drop off Mika on the way to her race.
My piece of advice to you is to help your children enjoy their new experiences. Mika has ridden the bus since she came home from the hospital and Uber is simply another form of public transportation, but by asking her how it felt and pointing out its newness, Mika’s first Uber ride is special to her.
Until next time,
Susanne
Please check out my GoFundMe page.