AT LONG LAST

 

During the past two months, I think I only wrote two blog posts. This is extremely unusual, since blogging is my addiction. I can't stop, even when my posts are crappy ad nauseam.

Despite my flaws....

Wait a moment, Jon. You only have maybe one flaw. You're nearly perfect.

Despite my few flaws, my faithful blog readers never abandon me. They are the sole reason I blog. I would never intentionally abandon my blog......if so, there would have to be a very good reason.

Here's the good reason.

I like my room here in Signature - - but it has one flaw (much like myself).

I can't get a connection to the Internet in this room. I tried everything posssible. Even members of the administration here have worked at it, but couldn't get a connection, either.

Ever since the past few years - when I spent so much time in hospitals and rehab - the Internet has been my only connection to the outside world. I blog, text, email, do online banking, pay my monthly bills, watch endless videos on YouTube, buy food from Walmart, purchase stuff I don't need. I couldn't exist without the Internet.

Cut the endless crap, Jon. Condense. Get to the point!

Hey, amigo, verbosity is part of my charm.

SO...........

the good members of the administration got some kind of technical thingie on Amazon that connects errant phones to the Internet. I truly don't know what it's called or how it works.

Today  it worked!!! I finally have Internet access.

Today was filled with some positive things. I got the Internet, got an air mattress for this uncomfortable bed, and I sat in a chair to get my legs circulating.....

MY NEW AIR MATTRESS

I know you're waiting anxiously for a new medical update.

Unfortunately, it's not positive news.

So much has happened lately that my weary mind is muddled. I completed three weeks of radiation therapy last week. 15 days, instead of the intended 20. 

It help somewhat. They had to radiate six cancerous "wounds" and/or lumps. Afterwards, I noticed that four are not exactly healing as they should. And I presently have severe soreness in my arm, where some of the largest lumps are. A very bad indication that ......things aren't going well. I also have some other problems that show up on my PETscan. 

I really don't feeling like delving into unpleasant things right now.

On my last day of radiation, the oncologist said if I feel like I need further treatments, I should contact them again.

Yesterday I had the head nurse contact them, and an appointment will be schedualed.

As usual, I still have lots more to say, but I'll cut it short for now. It's always an uphill struggle. Always. But I'm willing to climb.....

Jon, exhausted but not ready to surrender. ❤️

Top picture is one of my old AIs. The clouds are parting, perhaps there's a home somewhere on the horizon. 

Somewhere.

P.S.

Many thanks to

Jane from Strawberry Plains

and

Dorothy from NH

💚💚 your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

Also

PLEASE free to comment, but I have (temporarily?) changed my settings to Comment Moderation

RESURGENCE

I'm not in the mood to write, or rehash my multitudinous woes - - but I suppose it's high time to enhance this long-abandoned blog with another post.

Besides, I don't get to use the word "multitudinous" very often.

Resurgence?

I'm back. The real me. Kinda like a faux resurrection.

Woes?

I got them (unfortunately).

My recent PETscan (April) revealed dismal results. I was truly agast when my new oncologist tried to list them all.

Some serious, others superficial - - unnerving, nevertheless.

He suggested that I most likely will need twenty radiation treatments.

Nothing new to me.

Nearly three years ago I had seven weeks of radiation.

 Thirty-five treatments.

That's why every time I open my mouth, I can use it as a flashlight.

Ponder that. It will eventually get funny.

I have recently described this as "grueling". Here's why.

Radiation treatments aren't bad. It's totally painless and only lasts about 15 or 20 minutes. But you have to lay on an uncomfortable table and be perfectly still.

With my back and spinal woes, this can be absolute agony.

Grueling?

My treatments are in Cookeville Medical Center. I'm in Jamestown. Cookeville is an hour way. A two hour round trip. Early every morning, five days a week.

They pick me up before 7:00. Agony for a hardcore night owl.

Worst of all, I'm hauled away in an ambulance! The Signature transport bus is completely booked up with appointments.

The local ambulances are old and rickety (much like myself). The roads here are endlessly bumpy and constantly under construction. With the jolts and bumps I'm in absolute pain (yes, absolute). I'm nearly dead when we get there.

I am given pain pills every morning, but they don't help, except making me semi-sedated.

This now is my second week. Ten treatments. After that, there will very possibly be more.

And after after that, I'll need physical therapy for my legs and spine.

I can reveal plenty plenty more physical and mental woes.

I have much much more to say, but this annoyingly gloomy post is getting too long....and tedious.

Jon, endlessly resilient (perhaps)

❤️😺❤️

What? Hopefully, this dismal post didn't scare you.