To Borrow A Line From the Bangles, Just Another Manic Treatment Day.

Tammee was at my house bright and early for treatment day. When she got here Tadman and I were almost ready to go, but Kate was having a before school meltdown because dad, instead of mom, was helping her get ready for school, and let's face it, dad isn't always as patient as mom. But I put her in Greg's car screaming, Tammee loaded Tadman in her car, and we were off to Vicki Worthen's house where Tadman was staying. He, unlike Kate, was happy to be away from mom. He was excited to stay with Vicki.
Once at MSTI it was another one stick and port access achieved. That's status quo now. But they were so fast cuing me from blood draw into the doctor I barely had time to work on the puzzle. They should definitely schedule puzzle building as part of the appointment, otherwise I don't even have a chance.
Puzzle building is much more fun than meeting with my doctor who barely even talks to me. He scrolled his computer screen, talked on the phone about another patient, said "Alright, I'll see you next week," and was gone. He didn't even listen to my heart with his stethoscope this week. Usually at least he does that. Then Cathy his nurse came in and asked if we were a go for treatment this week and I said, "He didn't say, but I think so," and she checked my blood counts and said they looked good and said she assumed we were doing treatment. Yeah, he loves me.
Not 2 minutes after leaving the doctor's appointment I was called in for infusion, so it was optimistically a 5 puzzle piece day. But the people in infusion made up in kindness what Dr. Montgomery lacked today. I had Tammee, the nurse, and the gentleman volunteer to talk to, I had a bagel and a cranberry juice, a warm blanket, and lots of anti-nausea medications to comfort me. The whole process was over in the blink of an eye and Tammee and I were off (without the warm blanket, unfortunately). We picked up a few new and refilled prescriptions and went to lunch at the Brick Oven Bistro. Great lunch place! I had an open faced turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and corn gravy. Definitely comfort food. Thank you Tammee for the lovely company and satisfying lunch, and thank you, Vicki, for keeping Tadman engaged and happy while I was away. He seemed very content wandering around the yard with you when we picked him up.
After Tadman rode his bike around the yard at home for a few minutes, we left to take Hunter to the orthodontist to get his retainer adjusted. It's been some time that it's needed it, so one of his teeth had shifted a bit, but Dr. Matunas believes it the tooth can be readjusted if he gets back to wearing the retainer regularly. Tadman contented himself playing with the "hucks" in Dr. Matunas' waiting room, and he was very reluctant to leave them when it was time to go. There definitely was a little separation anxiety and some tearful goodbyes.
After a little lunch for Hunt and Tad at Wendy's, we picked Kate up from school and headed home, but saw Ellie Phillips walking with her hands full, so picked her up and dropped her at her new house, which Becky was kind enough to give us a tour of while we were there. Her new house is beautiful, with a nicely remodeled kitchen and plantation blinds in her master. She has made an incredible amount of progress getting things moved in--with not a lick of help from me, I might add. She even has several pictures up on the walls. Wait to go, Becky!
Later in the evening Rachel and Kate and I were lucky enough to have Ellie's companionship again, this time at the spring show of Sweet Liberty dance team. I had never been before, and since we know several girls on the team and since they have had such incredible success in competitions this year, and since the director is a teacher of Parker's and a friend of mine, there were lots of reasons to go. Evening activities are always a sacrifice of course, because you're wasting valuable homework and practice time while you're away, but every once in a while you have to shake things up, right? And it was impressive show. As I told Rachel, if the football team worked half as hard as Sweet Liberty, they'd be state champions every year.
Thank you, Greg, for getting dinner together while we were out having fun. We got home, ate Greg's dinner, finished the homework, and sent the children to bed. Oh, what a long day!
A quick blessing count to end my blog tonight, because I need it. I'm thankful for the spring weather we've had. It's full of variety and energy, the air smells great, and it's producing some unusually bright flowers this spring. I'm thankful for Tadman and his excitement in all he does. He definitely loves trucks and riding his bike intensely! I'm thankful for Kate, Parker, Hunter, and Rachel, who like the spring weather, add energy and variety to life. I'm so thankful my husband has a job and is willing to work, because we have lots of medical bills that demand our money and attention. And of course, I'm thankful for my friends for themselves, and for all the kindness and help they are offering me. THANK YOU!