Finally being social

 The CDC has lifted the mask mandate, although it was up to individual states to go along with it. NY did this week, but some places are still asking that you wear a mask. Believe me, if I don't have to, I don't. 

But that is not why I'm being social (for me, at least) again. I am finally able to wear a bra again and feel more comfortable going out. I've had a pretty good 2 weeks so far, seasonal allergies aside. And I'm pretty sick of being unable to do things.

So the first thing was to contact my good friend Sue. We met for breakfast at a local diner on Thursday. It was great to catch up with her.

Last night, Mike and I met our friends Patty, Mark and Jimmy at Chili's. We had great time. Patty surprised me when the staff came out clapping and saying 'congratulations,' with a gooey brownie sundae. I thought it was someone's birthday but it was for me, a cancer survivor. They even had a tortilla chip with a flame I blew out. Normally, I wouldn't like the attention but this was actually nice. It was very sweet of my friend. 

I haven't seen any of these people since at least last fall, probably longer. I hope to get together more often than usual, now that I know what it is like to be semi-isolated. 

The next thing is to get Atlantic City in the works!

Mother's Day and more

We went to Catfish Annie's on Thursday because going to a restaurant on actual Mother's Day would be  more than I can handle. I had stuffed shrimp. Everyone but Nick was there, since Nick (alas) had to work.

On actual Mother's Day, Michael and Megan came by with homemade lasagna. Katherine brought a strawberry shortcake. They all gave me vinyl in about 8 different colors for myCricut, plus a photo album that I plan to fill with Halloween pics of the kids through the years. And some fancy sticker paper that is also for the Cricut.

 I finally got my hair cut and colored last week. It looks so much better. The stylist has been in business nearly 40 years and was really nice. I don't like meeting new people but felt relaxed right away. So, the bakery--he asked where I grew up and I told him: "Floral Park." He says, "Oh, the Tulip Bake Shop!" He had an aunt that lived in the area. He also knew Koenig's. I know Koenig's is gone but not sure about the bakery. (My sister Susan actually worked there.) I'm sure I wouldn't recognize downtown Floral Park. 

Mike and Jamie tilled our garden yesterday. I am sending out a soil sample so we can see what is needed to boost our little crop. Last year we did okay with tomatoes but not a single eggplant or pepper happened. Can't wait for summer tomatoes! 

And peaches and corn on the cob!

A mixed up day

 Well, first the good news: I am DONE! 25 radiation treatments are behind me! Now I can start healing and get on with life. Almost seemed the day would never come.

Scary news: today, a Stop and Shop employee opened fire in the West Hempstead store, killing one and injuring two others. Katherine used to be a manager there and she knew all 3 victims. She called me up, very upset. I was scared because the guy was on the loose and I was worried he might show up at her store in Hicksville. She had tried to get him fired because of sexual  harassment, but for some reason S&S let him keep his job. Katherine says he should have been fired 16 times over for various things.

Fortunately, the police were able to catch him, so we can breathe a sigh of relief. But I feel so bad for the family of the man who died. He was only 49. There isn't much news beyond this, but at least the guy is in custody.

That is the exciting news from Long Island. I plan to get retested regarding the Covid either tomorrow or Thursday. Neither Nick nor James has it, so go figure how I got it. A real mystery.

COVID

 As if I haven't been through enough, I have tested positive for Covid 19 and now the whole house is in quarantine.

I started feeling strange Sunday and thought it was either a cold or a stomach bug. Still felt bad Monday and called into radiation to cancel, but they did not want me to do that. I have already lost too many days. The doctor said to get tested for Covid, so I did. It came back positive. 

I have NO IDEA how I got this. I have not been near anyone who is sick, and I don't go out too many places. If Mike and I hit a store, we are pretty much in and out. I'm still sore from my treatments so I'm not really up to much running around, anyway.

The only thing we can think is that Nicky has been sick for a while with a bad cold. He is getting tested tomorrow. James got tested yesterday but has no results yet. Mike not only thinks he already had Covid about a month ago, but he's also had both his shots.

I had my first one, and I think it is helping to keep my discomfort lower. My legs ache and I don't want to eat much. A bite or two and I'm done. I practically live on Instant Breakfast. Had some egg drop soup last night and for lunch today, but only a little.

Still going to radiation (only 3 to go!) but I have to do this whole protocol: last patient of the day, side door, directly into the radiation room. Everyone is double-prepped and they wipe the machine down when I'm done. This way I don't make any other patients sick.

I got a call from a contract tracer asking a bunch of questions. They also talked to James and Nick. I also got a very official-sounding text about isolating (except for the doctor) and staying away from others. So I guess Michael, Megan and Katherine will not be visiting any time soon.

The quarantine period is about 10 days, I think. When I feel better I will get retested. Then I have to get the second shot. I do NOT want to go through this again.

Radiation is a Pain

The treatments themselves aren't bad, but after about 11 I started getting really irritated under my breast. Ended up with radiation burns and have not had treatments for almost 2 weeks as they heal. I can't even say how much  it hurt, but imagine burning yourself on a stove and then going out and getting a sunburn. I had bright red spots and was bleeding, too. I have been on antibiotics (my last dose is tomorrow morning) and Dr. H gave me good pain meds. I had a narcotic at first but started getting sick from it, so then I got Tramadol. 

It has been hard to sleep and I've mostly done it in a chair since laying flat makes my breast flop and it pulls the skin.

As of now, though, I would say I'm 85% better. I still have more treatments to do, but she isn't going to start me up again until I'm completely healed.

People talk about being cancer survivors. I would say I'm a cancer treatment survivor!

Radiation

 I started radiation treatment this past week. One week down, 4 to go--25 total treatments! Now that I know how easy it is I'm okay with it. Would like to not go at all, but if I have to, at least it is only about 5 minutes long. I have to lay there topless (yuck) and I don't like having to hold my breath here and there, but overall it isn't bad at all. 

This is supposed to get rid of any 'invisible' cancer that might be in me. I hope so! 

I will be on chemo meds for a long time. My hair is thinning somewhat but I still have most of it. I just need a decent haircut. My friend Tina, who is also my  hair stylist, moved to South Carolina. She's going to try to get up here but the whole Covid thing is making this hard. 

A sad thing that happened this past week is that Katherine lost a dear friend to Covid. He was only in his 30s, but had HIV so that was hard. He checked into a hospital and was brain dead a few days later. It happened so fast! Katherine was devastated. Ryan was such a good guy. He was a food critic and often took Katherine with him to some nice restaurants. I'm sure she will keep many memories of him.

I am 65

 My 65th birthday was last week. Mike has not been feeling well so I went out with Michael, Megan, Katherine and her boyfriend, Andrew (do they still say 'boyfriend?'). Jamie and Nicky were at work.

We were supposed to go to Catfish Annie's but it was closed so we went to a diner. I had duck a l'orange. Not lobster but still delicious.

On the health front, I found out I have to go for 25 radiation treatments to make sure all the cancer is gone. I was not too happy and worried. But I talked to the doctor today and learned there are few side effects. I won't get nauseated from it, my biggest fear. They took measurements in a CT scanner today. I had to lay there with no top or bra on. Could be embarrassing but after all the things I've been through, having my boobs exposed isn't going to mess up with my head.

I will start treatment in a little more than a week.