Hiatus in posts explained

When I opened my blog this morning I was somewhat surprised to find that I had not posted since May 3. The reasons for this hiatus include immediate obligations following visits to the BMT clinic, inability to connect with a wireless network on my laptop while out of town, and a somewhat reduced interest in writing posts. I probably have bored the readers of the blog to tears and should terminate the blog. Yesterday's visit to the BMT clinic was long because of the Aredia infusion lasting more than 3 hours and general over crowding of the facility. Malene had told me on the May 3 visit that I should drink beverages other than water that would make my kidneys work hard and this would reduce the amount of time required for the Aredia infusion. I drank iced tea with meals on the recent trip and have laid in a supply of fruit juices, but no blood work was done yesterday so there was only the blood work from a May 8 visit which indicated a 4-hour rate for the Aredia infusion.


The complaint in the May 3 post about Humana's non-responsiveness to purchases of certain refills for drugs has persisted and I have had to return to the hospital pharmacy to get some refills that I will need prior to my next scheduled visit to the clinic. Yesterday I was assured by Elaine (the nurse who handles Thalidomide prescriptions) that I would be able to get 2 packets of Thalomid from the pharmacy, but at the pharmacy I was told that there is still a problem with Humana in getting more than 28 tablets (enough for 19 days) at one time, but if I come back Wednesday or Thursday I might be able to get 2 packets or I could take one packet and then when I run out again they may hve resolved the problem with Humana. I opted for one packet because I will use the last of what I have Wednesday.


I continue to feel good and various people tell me that I look good, but my energy level remains very low and I cannot do anything at all strenuous for more than a few minutes without having to rest. Sitting in front of the computer allows a period of rest and that might be reason enough to keep posting to the blog. I am now in the third cycle of the current 3-cycle maintenance program, will be at the mid point next Monday, and will undergo tests 2 weeks after that in preparation for seeing Dr. Tricot perhaps around June 20. I entertain the, probably vain, hope that he will then put me on a less rigorous chemo schedule, which will allow my stamina to improve. We took golf clubs on our recent trip to Palm Springs and didn't even get them out of the car because of my lack of stamina and lack of interest on the part of the other travelers.


Emma's left leg continues to stiffen up as she sits and last night it also stiffened in bed, perhaps because she laid in one posotion for a longer length of time than usual. The Cottonwood Heights recreation center has closed the indoor pool and the outside pool is so cold that none of the ladies want to use it so the morning aquasize group is looking for another place to reconvene.