My Weekend

Kay, my party-in-a-box friend, had called a few weeks back and invited me to Virginia to visit with her.  There was a concert that Sunday night and we could make it a long Presidents Day weekend.  Sounded good to me!  She and her husband, Bill are always the perfect hosts and I was between treatments, so I agreed to come.

As the date got closer, I realized it would be the first time I had driven that far alone.  Not that I am afraid to venture out by myself, just didn't know if I was physically able to handle it.  Still recovering from the rotary cuff problems and the chemo treatments in general....I just didn't know how it would go.

Got there okay.  Physically, it was not a problem, but emotionally, it was challenging.  This was the first time I had visited them since John and I went there last July.  When we found out about his cancer....he wanted to go somewhere, just get away, and Kay and Bill were his safe haven.

So every turn I took, every landmark I passed, reminded me of that trip.  It was hard, but it was a trip I had to take.

Friday night we had a lovely dinner and just caught up on everything.  So much going on and we talked till it was time for bed. Of course, during the talks, Kay was receiving text messages from Mary, her daughter, and Mary's husband Jake.  They were flying in from NYC and Mary kept us informed of her progress.  "We've made it to the airport." "We're on the plane."  "We're leaving now." Was sweet to follow her via texting.  I was worried about her because it was windy outside.  Wind and planes don't go together real well.  But she made it home that night....though it was a little bumpy.

Kay had a big weekend planned and the drive had me tired, so bedtime came early.

Saturday morning we were up early and getting everything ready for the dinner party she had planned that night.  So much to do and we had to drive into town to pick up Mary.  She had spent the night in Richmond with friends since the flight was late.

Needless to say, everything Kay and I do is an adventure.  We saw this guy by the road working on a sign.  Kay told me he was, Happy, the artist.  Seems he is a local legend and has been around Richmond for a long time.  His dog, a Beagle named God (dog spelled backwards he said), had red rickrack around his neck for a collar, was there with him.

 His van, pictured below, initially got my attention, but after pulling in to take a photo, we saw Happy.

His van was very interesting and had several thoughtful phrases.  

The one above says, 

"Bless you for being in my life, just by reading this, you have joined us together -

 and bless the Magic Marker - 

AND bless the guy that invented the Alphabet. 

AND bless all the teachers that taught us to read.  

AMEN"

It was only 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and we had already had an exciting day.  Next, home to get ready for the dinner party.  What a night it was to be!

PCQ

Wing Scan

Had the MRI on my left wing/shoulder this morning at 8:15.  What was I thinking when I made an appointment that early?  Obviously, not thinking at all, especially after the weekend I had.  Will post on that soon.

But no problems with this MRI.  Didn't realize how simple MRI scans are if you don't have to:
not eat and have only clear liquids before,  drink two Super Size cups of yummy "light up" stuff, get an IV put in and have injections, and have two scans...before and after the injections.  Drink, drink, drink, afterwards to flush all the stuff you drank out of your system.

This was a piece of cake.  Just jump in, scan, jump out!  When she told me it was over, I said, "That's it?"  She nodded yes and said, "Regular MRIs are pretty simple."

But still glad it is over.

PCQ

MRI and CT Scan

I had an MRI and CT scan Wednesday.  Had to be there an hour before to drink the contrast dye that lights up cancer cells.  Two big Super Size cups of yummy stuff!  I always worry about drinking all of that and then having to crawl in the "tube" and be still for 45 minutes while it does its magic.

Today was different.  Been having mucho trouble with my left wing and shoulder.... and didn't think about how it would affect the scans.  But did it ever.  First complication, the nurse had trouble getting the IV in my arm and had to put it in my left arm, which is always the easiest to find a vein.  But, that proved to be problematic as I had to put that arm up over my head so dye can be given during the CT scan.  Ooops, my left arm was not happy at all, it really hurts to lift it above my head.  Thankfully, CT scans don't last but a few minutes and are not confining.  Just take a deep breath and slide you through the donut a few times, and it is over.

Not so easy with MRIs.  There is the issue of the tube.  (see my post about claustrophobia and the St. Louis Arch)  Usually, the cloth over my eyes, jazz music playing, works.  I didn't factor in the part about my shoulder and wing not being happy, really, really, not happy.  During past scans, I was able to at least doze off for a few minutes.  Didn't happen today.  I could not get comfortable and of course, you can't move once the scan begins.  The stress of not being comfortable just amplified the fact I was strapped into a tiny tube and couldn't move.  I had to really dig deep to find control and not scream, "Get me out of here."

I made it, but barely!  Did I say I was sweating, too?  Was not a good day for me.

The results will be available at my next chemo treatment on March 1st.  I'll update you then.  And yes, glad you asked, anyone who has tests always worries till you get the results.  If there wasn't a question, we wouldn't be having a test.

PCQ

Update

I had my 15th treatment today on the third regimen of chemo drugs.  Don't remember how many I had on the second group, but it didn't work, so I focus on this one.

My oncologist was back from his visit to India for a family wedding.  I missed him.  We talked about his trip and I told him I had a friend that went to the Woodstock boarding school in India. Just saw that it was listed on CNN as one of the top ten in the world.

"His family must be wealthy," he said.  "Actually, they were missionaries and I think the school has provisions for those that are in mission work.  His father was a foremost authority on leprosy and worked with lepers.  If you Google it, his name comes up," I said.

"My family left India when I was 12 years old.  Going back is very difficult, even to visit.  It is so hard to see all the disparities," he remarked.  We talked about Egypt and other world events, and, as nice as it was to chat....that was not my reason for being there.

I had my list of "ailments" from chemo; skin peeling off my hands and feet, dry mouth....I mean really dry mouth, trouble with nose bleeds, no energy, queasiness, hiccups, fingernails breaking, etc.  I don't do it to complain, that serves no purpose, he has to know how the drugs are affecting me so the dosage can be adjusted if needed.

Gave him the 411 on my shoulder saga.  It is doing better, albeit slowly. After visiting my PCP and an orthopedist, I was diagnosed as having a tendon impingement that in turn has caused my bursa to become inflamed, which in turn has caused my shoulder muscles to go..OUCH and tighten up.  Oh yeah, she gave me a nice little cortisone shot in my shoulder.  Getting old is not for wimps.

I finally broke down and visited my Primary Care Physician week before last.  He had taken X-Rays and gave me prednisone and a muscle relaxer.  It helped some, but I didn't like taking the muscle relaxer, it made me feel lethargic and drowsy.  The prednisone turned me into an eating machine.  I even woke up during the night hungry.  Never done that before, so I was a little anxious when the nurse asked me to "weigh in" today.  Didn't know if "Porky" would have to go the truck scales down the road!  But, to my amazement, I had only gained one pound.  Whew.

Dr. Mahajan will schedule my scans in a few weeks and it was time for a mammogram also.  If the scans show the tumor is being maintained, I will begin a different treatment plan.  We'll take out one of the three chemo drugs and go to every other week again.  Less drugs, but more frequently.  I have been on three week intervals for the last two months.  The drug that will be removed for a short while is the one that makes me so tired and has the most negative side effects.  I must allow time for my body to recover.  It is a delicate balance.

We will do that....that is...if there is no new growth.  If things have changed, it is a whole new ballgame.

Wagon still rolling with a little more bacon.
PCQ

Saying Goodbye to John

Received a wonderful note in the mail from a dear friend.  She had been out of town....actually, she was out of the country, when John died.  Her  words are powerful.

"It really hit hard when I got that early morning email, even though we knew of John's struggles.  When the news came, I had a vision of John.  He was shrugging his shoulders and with a chuckle, and his hands in the air as if to say, 'Gotta Go', and I cried.  Maybe you're familiar with this gesture, I sure saw him do it more than once.


One of the things we do here by the ocean, is get up early before sunrise and watch the fisher people head to their boats, in hopes of catching the big ones that day.  The sun is barely peeping over the horizon when the boats are speeding off just showing silhouettes on an early morning orange background.  As we headed to the shore area to sit and just meditate over the sunrise and John's passing, it was so very emotional.  We waved good bye to John and it really felt like he was passing over us.  And then the thought of this particular sunrise, the first without John Adams on the earth with everyone.  It is still so hard to accept that reality and I can only imagine the pain you feel.


I admire your strength which I believe comes from that inner place in all of us where the higher power reigns waiting to help us get through what ever we may face on this life journey.  And now everyone's journey has changed forever with John's absence.  Your man John really had a presence here and now we realize the blessing that he truly was."

What sweet words, thank you dear friend.

PCQ

NC Pork Council Tribute to John

I knew it would be an emotional day.  Just seeing all of John's friends and colleagues would bring back so many wonderful memories.  Meals shared, trips taken....all part of the fabric of our life together.

But they wanted to remember John and all he did to promote the industry.

After their remarks on John's contributions, this is what I said:

Good Morning.  On behalf of my family and myself,  I would like to thank you for honoring John’s service and dedication.  I can’t imagine how our life would have been without the pork industry, it truly shaped and colored our lives.

John had a passion for pork and was dedicated to NC State and agriculture and never missed an opportunity to share that love with others.  Be it a pig picking, a BBQ judging contest, a committee meeting, or cooking bacon, "pig candy" as he called it, at the beach, pork and pigs were always at the front of the line in our family.  

"Pigs don’t care if it is Christmas, they still have to be fed," he said.  And he made sure that happened and he was good at it.  

As many of you know, John was also very vocal.  You may not have agreed with him, but you knew where he stood on the issues.

Our oldest daughter, Meredith, pig money sent her to NC State, ECU and Johnson and Wales… is now the executive chef of Eurasia restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, SC, right over the bridge from Charleston.  Pork features prominently in her menu.  If you are ever down that way, please stop in, say hello, and enjoy a wonderful meal.

Lauren, our youngest, pig money sent her to NC School of the Arts,  Appalachian State, UNC-CH, and graduate work at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh... GO STEELERS! and she is now an assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  She was just recently chosen as one of nine prominent artists to design large glass panels that will be installed during the upcoming  renovation of the St Louis airport.  So, maybe the next time you are passing through St Louis Lambert Field, you will catch a glimpse of her design, fashioned into glass panels that are being crafted by German glass masters in Munich.

When John passed away last fall, several of his friends suggested a scholarship in his name.  They said there is probably another “young John” out there somewhere that may need a little help with their education.  So in collaboration with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension service, the  John Quincy  Adams V Scholarship Fund is now in place.

We still have a way to go before it is fully funded and I need your help.  If you would like to contribute there is information on your table, or you can contact the Pork Council office and they can help also. 

John never asked anyone to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.  He  never borrowed anything that wasn’t in better shape when it was  returned, and he paid forward.  I hope you can find it in your heart  to help us with this scholarship fund, so John can continue….to pay forward!  Thank you.

NC Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler

NC Farm Bureau President - Larry Wooten - my breakfast companion

It was a wonderful day but very emotional.  John would have been overwhelmed by the kindness.

PCQ

Last Thursday

I hadn't really thought about the procedure much other than NO COFFEE or food after midnight.  Be at the PCMH Out Patient Clinic at 7 a.m. for my port to be checked.  But it hit me when I turned into the parking lot.  It was the first time I had been there since John died and I just didn't realize how traumatic it would be.

As I pulled in to park, every time I had brought him, every place I had parked....it all flashed into my mind.  Walking across the parking lot, I remembered the times I dropped him off, picked him up... pushed him in the wheelchair into and out of the building.  

Checking in was the same.  Same people that checked John in....they were there....and they always teased him about his name, and he loved it.  But I was alone today.  

Got my blood drawn and soon I was being ushered to the Out Patient area.  They put me in the same bay that John had been in both times he was there.  I would have asked them to move me, but it was the only bed still open.  I looked around the room and remembered so much.  The place I sat my coffee.  Where Meredith sat when she came with us. Everything was the same.  But I was alone today.

Soon the nurse came in.  She looked at me as if she recognized me but didn't say anything.  I remembered her.  The P.A. came in.  Same one John had.  They took my blood pressure.  The stress was showing.

I sat there alone and feeling sorry for myself.  I was the only patient there with no one accompanying them.  Everyone else had at least two people, but I had imposed this situation on myself.   I could have had someone come with me, but I didn't want to bother anyone with having to get up so early just to sit and wait while I had a procedure that was not supposed to be anything major.  And yes, I had a backup plan if something happened and I couldn't drive home.  

So, I started looking at my blessings.  I was probably the only one there that could come by myself.  Most of the other patients seemed to be very ill or old enough they had to have a driver.  

Before long I was wheeled into the procedure room.  It was so cold in there.  All the people were busy attending to the machines, getting everything ready for me....but I was freezing.  I almost felt like an afterthought for them.  "Excuse me, could you get me a blanket?" I said.  They transferred me from the bed to the procedure table.  It was even colder.  The blanket was placed over me but my shoulder and left arm were uncovered.  Brrrrr.....still so cold.  "Could you put the blanket up under my left arm?  The rail against my arm is cold," I said.  The nurse came over and quickly lifted my shoulder to push the blanket under....OUCH!  Guess she hadn't read the information about why I was there.  All the while, they were positioning machines and screens for the procedure.  On the ceiling there was a bank of monitors that looked like a Super Bowl fan's TV dream.  One huge screen surrounded by several other smaller screens.  

As I lay there waiting for the doctor to come in, it occurred to me that I had forgotten to put the numbing cream on my port.  I usually do that prior to chemo so when I am hooked up, it lessens the pain.  I knew today would be even more painful because there had not been sufficient time for healing from the initial chemo treatment on Tuesday.  Oh well, too late now.  Soon it was time to start.  Deep breath and the connection was made.  It did hurt...sort of feels like a knife being plunged into your chest.  I know that sounds dramatic, but it does feel that way.

The dye was inserted.  After checking everything, the port was declared intact and showing no leaks.  Okay!  That was certainly good news as I was worried about possibly having the port removed and another put in.  

Soon, I was wheeled out of the deep freeze and back into my bay.  It was over and I was glad.  My blood pressure reflected it too. 

Port okay....shoulder not.  Still have to figure out what is causing the pain and get back on track and finish the chemo treatment that was stopped on Tuesday.

PCQ  

#14 Chemo

Today was my 14th chemo treatment on the second round of medications.  It didn't go well.  My blood numbers were all normal and I had "porked up" and gained a pound.  We won't even talk about my blood pressure.

Anyway...got through all the regular tests and was in the chemo room ready for treatment.  My nurse came over and started the party by hooking me up via my port.  Didn't take me long to realize she was having trouble.  Stand up, sit down, deep breaths, arm up, arm down, cough, cough....she wasn't having any success.  We started over and tried everything again.  Finally, the flow was good, and my chemo treatment was started.

First drug I am given is the anti nausea drug, then the good, cancer killer drugs begin.

But today was different, something didn't feel right.  And it hurt.  Not just around the port, but my entire shoulder.  It started off as pain when I moved a certain way, but as the treatment continued, the pain increased.  I called the nurse and told her what was going on.  She immediately stopped the treatment and called the doctor.  He was there in just a few minutes, looking, poking.  "We need to get a dye test to see if there is a leak or a problem with the line.  That doesn't happen very often, but something is causing the pain," he said.  "The port may have to be removed."  Not what I wanted to hear or think about.

So, I am now scheduled for tests on Thursday morning at Pitt Memorial outpatient services.  Will keep you updated.

PCQ

Meredith's New Restaurant

Meredith's new restaurant in Mt. Pleasant/Charleston, SC, is featured below.  Check it out.

PCQ

Currents

Editor’s Picks

Noteworthy Trends and Events

A CULINARY DEBUT

Mount Pleasant’s newest eatery gives residents one more reason to stay East of the Cooper when they’re looking for downtown dazzle minus the downtown hassle. Eurasia Café and Wine Bar has a cool bistro vibe and a hot menu, offering regional dishes, fresh local ingredients and a dash of Asian inspiration.

Executive chef and partner Meredith Adams brings the concept to the Lowcountry from the original Eurasia based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where her acclaimed inventive approach to cuisine spurred the opening of a second restaurant in Richmond.

One of only a handful of female chefs in the region, she’s teamed up with managing partner Andy Fallen—think Peninsula Grill and 39 Rue de Jean—to bring sizzle to the suburbs. “I want sexy food on the plate,” she says.

That playful attitude begins with her dressed up Reuben “In The Sky With Diamonds” served with a zesty “Millionaire Mayo.” An entrée called “Off the Hook Rockafella” is the daily catch topped with fried oysters.

Right now, I’m craving her award-winning “Sweet Potato Bisque with Carolina Wildflower Honey,” a velvety concoction enlivened with the flavors of white truffle and country ham from Surry County, Virginia. Its explosion of savory sweetness is guaranteed to warm the heart and soothe the soul.

Visit Eurasia at 915 Houston Northcutt Boulevard (in the Patriots Plaza shopping center) in Mt. Pleasant. Hours: 11 a.m. – 10p.m. Monday to Saturday. Tel. 843-606-2616; www.eurasiasc.com

Shoulder Pain

Been having trouble with my shoulder. Tried not using it, took Aleve, applied a cold pack, all the things you do when you have pulled something.  Nothing seemed to work.  Kept thinking it would get better, but after taking more pain medication than I was comfortable with, I decided to call the doctor.

My port was tender too.  I had the port put in last March so my chemo could be administered without having an IV put in each time.  It really had not caused any problems for me though I always know it is there and it makes me careful when I hug someone, put on clothes, shower, anything that might touch it.

Got in front of the mirror and really looked at the port and the flow line from it.  Is it red, or am I just imagining that?  I could feel the line under my skin and it hurt.  But,  it hurt from my shoulder all the way up my neck.  Sure didn't want to complain, but it was making my life miserable.

So I did what everyone does, I went to the computer and entered, "Port Pain".  Uhhhmmm....could be a blood clot, infection....I wasn't happy with the search results.  But, my shoulder was hurting and it had been going on for too long.  Decided to call the chemo nurses, they would know what to do, they see this stuff all the time.

After talking with them, they told me I needed to come in for the doctor to check it out, just to be safe.  Okay, I would head in.  Snow was on the way, but nothing yet.  May as well get this process started.

Got to the doctor's office around 11 a.m.  Going to the doctor's office is still painful for me.  I see John every way I turn.  I see us getting him there for his treatments, seeing Dr. Lee, even parking.... it is all so hard.  Just sitting in the waiting room hurts.  But there is no way around it, so I go on.

My doctor is out of the country so I saw Dr. Lee again.  He was John's doctor.  Did I tell you how hard it is?  My blood pressure was up, not surprised by that.  The stress thing I guess.  He looked at my shoulder, port, neck, and started talking about the same things I had read on the internet.  First thing to rule out, he said, was a blood clot, so off I go for an ultrasound dopler....or something like that.  Get dressed...ouch....drive to the radiologist.  Wait in a room full of sick, coughin people.   Soon I was called in.  Get undressed from the waist up, and that hurts.  Try dressing or undressing without moving your left arm, head, or neck.  Just getting on the bed to be examined was major.  She kept wanting me to hold my arm in certain positions so she could run the ultrasound, but it hurt!  She squirted the gel on me and started pressing the wand up and down my neck, shoulder and arm.  OUCH!!  Finally, after about 20 minutes, she finished and told me I could get dressed.  After taking a really long time to get my clothes back on, I headed back to Dr. Lee's office to await the results.  And....again.... all of those sad thoughts for me again, but no other option.

As I waited to be called back in, I looked around the waiting room.  Too many people with little or no hair.  Sure hope somebody figures out this cancer thing soon.  "Mrs. Adams,"the nurse called, it was time to go back to see Dr. Lee.  I could feel my heart beating fast as Austin, Dr. Lee's dear, sweet, nurse, walked me back.

She took me to a room to wait....a room that I had been in too many times with my sweet John.  It is just so hard sometimes.  Dr. Lee came in.  Seems there was a blood clot.  Not a big one, but enough to be causing pain.  We looked at the results and he prescribed some meds.  Give it two to three days and if I don't have any relief, come back.

Will do....and I was out of there.  Let's hope this works and I will feel better soon.  Wagon still rolling...albeit with one bad wheel.

PCQ