A Sunday with my Son

Saturday

Mom:  Honey - don't forget I have my yoga retreat tomorrow afternoon. It begins at 1pm and I'd like to be there early.  What time should we start your move?

Son:  9am?  No - 9:30.

Mom:  OK...we'll be OTD (out the door) at 9:30.


Sunday

9:30, 9:45, 10:00, 10:15..

Son:  Morning Mom.

Mom:  We're already late.

Son:  Almost ready

Mom:  What are you doing?

Son:  starting some laundry

Mom:  Sigh.  We aren't going to make it in time for my retreat and I've already paid.

Son:  You go - I can move without you.

Mom:  Really?  (hopeful)  How will you get the dresser down the stairs and then up the stairs at your new place by yourself?

Son:  I can do it.

Mom:  OK - that's great.  I've really been looking forward to this retreat.

Son:  grunts, mumbling, ouch!  MOM - I need help!

And so it went...I never got to my retreat.  Nathaniel felt badly about that and apologized over and over.  I took the opportunity for an object lesson.

Mom:  Honey - when people love one another they make sacrifices for them.  Family needs to support one another.  You know how I have been pestering you to really clean my patio?

Son:  (with dread) Yeah.

Mom:  maybe now you could do that for me.  I would really appreciate it and then it would make me feel less bad about missing my yoga retreat today.  Kind of balance things out.

Son:  I HATE cleaning.

Mom:  I know.  I hated missing my yoga retreat today.

Son:  OK

Nat's caption:  "I'm screwed if there's an earthquake"

This is directly next to his bed in the new apartment!!

Media corner.  Much smaller bedroom than the old place, but much better roommates.  Life is all about balance.

Still getting settled, but on the way!

Congratulations Professor!

Jordan and Meredith are so happy with the news of Meredith's new position as an Assistant Visiting Professor at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA!

Jordan and Meredith

It is so exciting!  The girls tell me their commuting marriage will be much easier than the current trek between Brown (in Providence , RI) which is five hours on the train to NYC.  They will have an easier and shorter three hour bus ride between Lancaster and NYC!!  This is very good news indeed!

I am very proud of Meredith's accomplishment - not many young academics are landing positions like this or positions at all for that matter.  I'm also so proud and happy about the way they support one another as their individual careers develop and grow.  They are a constant source of inspiration to me.

Another tragedy...

Today, we are all Bostonians.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER!

Today is David's birthday!

His Boys - Tyler and DJ

I remember the day he arrived home from the hospital.  I couldn't wait to get off the school bus to see him for the first time!  In those days siblings did not visit new babies in the hospital.  My brother Tim and I walked home from the bus stop. Tim dawdled as usual, but I ran!  I threw my bookbag on the floor of the front hallway and rushed to the living room.  My mom and dad were sitting on the couch with little (BIG - 9 lbs!) David on Mom's lap.  She told us to wash our hands and sit on the floor.  Then she let me hold him!  He was (and is) SO adorable and cute.  I was 11 years old and felt like I had my very own sweet baby.

Our dorky looking family.  David was 16 here (I think).

David and I have always been close, have a special bond with one another.  When I was in college, in Boston our mom would put him on a Peter Pan bus in Springfield and then I would meet him at the station in Boston.  All the girls in the dorm loved him and spoiled him.  As we grew older there are times that he lived with me.  We have been there for each other throughout our lives and I know we always will.  David came twice across country to care for me while I was going through chemo.  He has an amazing tattoo on his muscled forearm of a pink ribbon entwined with holly leaves and berries...makes me cry just thinking about it!

Uncle David with Nat, Jordan (his goddaughter) and Meredith.

He's a wonderful brother and friend, an amazing cook, a great dad AND today is his birthday!

David, Holly, Mom and Tim...our last meal out with Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER....I love you!!  xoxoxox

The Sibs!

a quiet week

This is a quiet week for me.  A few social events planned but mostly staying home, walking the dogs and enjoying my life.

The week after Easter is generally a quiet one...worn out from the activities of Holy Week and all the foldorol (sp??) of Easter, I generally find myself wanting and needing to dip down, deep within and get re-centered.

I am doing that this week - at least mostly.  Quiet used to make me highly anxious but I have evolved to a place in which I can embrace solitude (in certain doses) and enjoy it.  I like being quiet.  I also really like being noisy at times!!

I do love being surrounded by friends and family and even strangers at times...but have come to realize that I need peace and even some silence to regain my footing, my balance in life.  This is good.

Medical Research

Last evening, after work, I took part in a 70 minute interview/test in which I was to "use" a medical device which is designed to deliver Neulasta (the white blood cell booster).  The idea is that chemo attacks all your bodily cells, especially the fast growing ones (Sue K - correct me please if I have some scientific details wrong!) along with the "bad chemo cells" and therefore the immune system needs a boost.

"Neulasta^® is a prescription medication that can help reduce your risk of infection while on strong chemotherapy by supporting your body’s natural defenses. It does this by boosting the number of certain infection-fighting white blood cells, called neutrophils." 

I got four injections of Neulasta during the first four cycles of chemo.  The drug came in pre-filled syringes and they were to be kept in the refrigerator.  I was to grab a bit of belly fat and inject myself the day after chemo.  Each of these syringes came at a price of $10,000.00!!!  I am NOT kidding.  I saw the receipt!  I have good health insurance so did not pay that amount.  I can't remember what my co-pay was, but I think it was $20 for each.

I was successful the first time but the sicker, weaker and more freaked out I got as the chemo course continued on, the less able I was to handle this myself.  My nurse friend, Becky, came over and gave me one injection. My MD boyfriend (at the time) gave me one injection and my sweet friend, Matt, also shared the injection honors.

The side effects were quite horrible - unremitting, intense bone pain.

The research study I was recruited for involved a patch like device that adheres to the skin of your abdomen with a sub Q fine needle (just goes into the fat under your skin - no veins involved!) and a self contained delivery system.  The patient simply activates the device and waits 7 hours then removes it by peeling back the adhesive dressing.  Voila!

For the simulated administration I was given a sheet of very clear and easy to follow directions, complete with pictures.  I successfully followed the directions and administered the 'medication', removed the device intact and even apprpriately handled one (planned) "glitch" in the device. 

It took 70 minutes of my time.  I was able to given constructive feedback about the experience, about what it might feel like for someone in active chemo to use this device and about the way in which the instructions, explanations were written and presented.

It was an interesting experience.  I sincerely liked the two young ladies who were the research and marketing assistants. They seemed genuinely committed to making the lives of women undergoing chem better and easier.  Plus - they were from Minnesota and were really enjoying their time in LA as evidenced by their sunburned cheeks!  I advise sunscreen and hats!

At the end of the interview there was a nice $100 check for me to put in my pocket!!