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Sleep

Rene has not been sleeping well lately and and a very close friend with ties in the bedding industry quickly determined that our mattress was too firm for her. So she is now sleeping in our guest bedroom which has a softer mattress and this has improved her ability to sleep in a bed again. The slumber parties on the sofa are out and we will purchase a new bed for our master bedroom this week. Since her immune system has been weaken by the chemo treatment, sleeping well is a necessity at this point. She informed me that she has bouts of insomnia also and besides a new bed, sleeping pills may be needed also.

Blood Work Continues

Today was platelets day for her and she has now accepted that she needs this treatment. She was not as accepting of her leukine shot that was given afterwards however. The nurses at the infusion center made it easier for her. She did not make it easy for them when they discovered that she threw away her medical band. Since one of the nurses knew her from Thursday's blood transfusions, she was able to vouch for her and continue the process. I get to sheepishly explain this to the admission desk on Monday in order to get a new medical band issued...thanks Rene...NOT!!!

Food Cravings

She stated that a cheese omelet was on the breakfast menu for this morning. She got up before me and determined that omelets were passe and a good ole Southern staple was needed. She made herself a big bowl of grits and did not leave me any! Since corn base foods are not part of my diet that was ok, but the Southern in me screamed, "but Honey!!!" I am curious to see what she does for breakfast for the next several days since Friday was ice cream.

Comfort = Friends, Family, Pets, Cards, Flowers, & A Zune MP3 Player!

A strong mental state when dealing with cancer is critical. Since Rene's cancer was caught in the early stages, she still has bad moments to deal with it. She is fortunate to have a strong support group of family and friends at this time.

The various cards, gifts, calls, and visits from family and friends allows she to remain upbeat most of the time. There are moments that she has her doubts and this leads to anxiety about her situation. Until she hears the phase, "you are cancer free", anxiety will occur from time to time. This is where our pets help a lot, between Bara (our dog) and Hansel & Gretel (our cats) she is showered with much affection.

Rene won a Zune MP3 player at the BCS National Championship game (Gators 41 & Buckeyes 14) and didn't understand why some Buckeye fans were envious of this device. Since I use an iPod, she wasn't sure if she even needed the Zune at all. Once I configured it and put part of our music collection on it, she now clings to it.

She then discovered just how many CDs exist within our household once she saw the library I pulled songs over from. Typical conversation; her, "we have music from that person?"; me, "yes"; her "how long?"; me "long enough to amass the complete catalog"; her, "you are kidding?"; me,"you're surprised?".

I play bass for a blues and jazz group and she is surprised by all the music I keep? Her playlists include many songs that give her a spiritual boost. She stated that I cannot put Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" on her Zune for comic relief, she doesn't know what she is missing!

Normal Legs, Abnormal Clothing

It seems the diuretic is working and her "elephant legs/ankle" have shrunk back to their normal size. It seems that the only clothing item that still fits her will be her shoes at this time. We both chuckle how her clothes are a couple sizes too big at the moment. I guess it time for her to get some new clothes that fit her better. Overalls could work on the jean front and provide additional pockets for her...I don't think I will convince her but it is worth a shot!