We were up at the crack of dawn on Monday. Melvine thought we should get up at 6 a. m. which is early for us. Melvine would have made an ideal Train Master of the Southern Railroad. If she were in charge trains would always be on time, i. e., potentially.
When I was on active duty as a Marine and playing trombone and/or sousaphone in the Quantico Marine Band at Quantico, VA, we had to be at a formation, a parade, or a concert on time. Our slogan was "Hurry up and wait." That experience taught me discipline and respect for others. Sometimes I have patience, but not always. I learned that as my dad would say, "I have been sanctified all year as long as everything was going my way."
On Monday morning, Bonnie Patch Bender, our dear friend and a retired LPN, came to our home to go with us to see the kidney doctor called a nephrologist. Melvine's appointment was at 9 o'clock, however, they want you there fifteen minutes early to fill out all the paperwork. I must tell you I don't like to fill it out, but to help Melvine I do it for her sake. All she has to do is to sign her name multiple times. I refused to print on any paper document my Social Security number, or that of Melvine. That number in my opinion is not given out for all to see. There has to be some security.
I must say Dr. Pena's (the nephrologist) office was first class and he and his partner have a first class staff of ladies to run the operation efficiently. I gave the Billy Graham blessing to all of them as well as Dr. Pena, who is Catholic.
We were all three impressed by Dr. Julio Pena, a doctor and a specialist from the Dominican Republic. He stands about 6 feet 1 inch tall. He is handsome but as thin as a rail. He is a sharp dresser, and immediately you could tell he is highly intelligent and knows his business. Most of all, I sensed in him a confidence in his field of medicine as well as a compassion for his patient and family. We felt we were in good hands.
Melvine does have some kidney problems but they are not unusual for a person who is growing older with grace. He reviewed the list of prescription medications I provided for him. I keep an accurate record of all of our medications in my computer and I review them often for changes. He saw immediately two medications that may he contributing to Melvine's kidney problems. He will be reviewing more blood tests to make his evaluation to our primary doctor, and Melvine's oncologist.
It was time for a brunch on Monday. So, I recommended that we go to the Cracker Barrel for our dining out. I got my usual, the Smoke House Breakfast with softly scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, cheese grits, biscuits and gravy, soft butter you put on pancakes with blackberry preserves, a glass of waster and a cup of coffee with cream and a sweet 'n low. Melvine and Bonnie will have to tell you what they ate. Melvine doesn't eat as much as she used to since being sick and taking chemotherapy. She has lost 14 pounds in a little over a week.
We left the Cracker Barrel to go home for as little while. Melvine rested. Bonnie did some laundry for us of white cloths and cleaned our kitchen. I checked the mail and my email. I noticed that I had made a glaring error with regard the dates for the time change this weekend. I have corrected it in today's Hugh's News. I am grateful for a couple of subscribers who caught my error. Thank you for your help. I am never offended when corrected. I desire to be accurate, but I don't always achieve that goal.
Meanwhile we had to drive to the University Cancer and Blood Center in Athens, adjacent to the location of our church, Christian Life Worship Center where Melvine, Greg, and I are members.
Our appointment was 1:30 p.m. However, we waited over 40 minutes for Melvine to be called to get weighed and her vital signs taken, as well as blood. We were told that the office where we would meet the PA was examining room 11. I think we had been in that room before. They all look alike. Today, we saw Kristen. She is a runner and had injured her left leg running. She said she had a stress fracture, but she would get the boot off this Friday. She asked Melvine a number of questions to which Melvine was able to respond accordingly. She told her about her visit with the kidney doctor. We talked about the possibility of getting as port inserted to facilitate the receiving of IV fluids and chemotherapy. In the long run it is the best thing to do. That has to be ordered by the oncologist and Melvine will have to go to St. Mary's Hospital for the surgical procedure as an outpatient. Our PA ordered another liter of IV Fluids that takes an hour. However, getting it all set up takes longer, and finding a vein is another issue that can be solved by a port. We got home at 5:30. We were up and at them for some 9 hours. Needless to say, we were all tired and exhausted. I started not to do a Hugh's News for Tuesday, but got a second wind and was wide awake.
Melvine craved a fish sandwich from McDonald's after her intake of fluids. So, that is where we went. I purchased three fish sandwiches without cheese, and light on tartar sauce, and two medium French fries. Oh, those were the best French fires ever. We had to wait for the fish to be fried, but God gave me patience and it was no problem for me.
Melvine has been given a large container of Blenda Pearson Smith's homemade potato salad on Sunday, the best in the known world. Melvine shared some of it with me in abundance. Melvine is a giver and thinks of others first.
I prepared Melvine's medications so she could go to bed. I, also, prepared them for Tuesday, in a container that has the days of the week for pills. Greg purchased it as well as another more extensive pill container for me to use for Melvine at Wall Mart.
On Tuesday morning, I will be taking Melvine to see Dr. Shah, a cardiologist. There is no end to doctor's appointments.
We learned that Melvine will have chemotherapy on Thursday that will last 5 to 6 hours. She will be having chemotherapy every Thursday, the Lord Willing. We never know what a new day will bring forth. We are living one day at time.
On Wednesday, Melvine is to see her dermatologist. Jeanette Herndon Phillips will take Melvine for this appointment at 11 a. m. I will endeavor to go to St. Mary's Wellness Center to exercise.
When I was on active duty as a Marine and playing trombone and/or sousaphone in the Quantico Marine Band at Quantico, VA, we had to be at a formation, a parade, or a concert on time. Our slogan was "Hurry up and wait." That experience taught me discipline and respect for others. Sometimes I have patience, but not always. I learned that as my dad would say, "I have been sanctified all year as long as everything was going my way."
On Monday morning, Bonnie Patch Bender, our dear friend and a retired LPN, came to our home to go with us to see the kidney doctor called a nephrologist. Melvine's appointment was at 9 o'clock, however, they want you there fifteen minutes early to fill out all the paperwork. I must tell you I don't like to fill it out, but to help Melvine I do it for her sake. All she has to do is to sign her name multiple times. I refused to print on any paper document my Social Security number, or that of Melvine. That number in my opinion is not given out for all to see. There has to be some security.
I must say Dr. Pena's (the nephrologist) office was first class and he and his partner have a first class staff of ladies to run the operation efficiently. I gave the Billy Graham blessing to all of them as well as Dr. Pena, who is Catholic.
We were all three impressed by Dr. Julio Pena, a doctor and a specialist from the Dominican Republic. He stands about 6 feet 1 inch tall. He is handsome but as thin as a rail. He is a sharp dresser, and immediately you could tell he is highly intelligent and knows his business. Most of all, I sensed in him a confidence in his field of medicine as well as a compassion for his patient and family. We felt we were in good hands.
Melvine does have some kidney problems but they are not unusual for a person who is growing older with grace. He reviewed the list of prescription medications I provided for him. I keep an accurate record of all of our medications in my computer and I review them often for changes. He saw immediately two medications that may he contributing to Melvine's kidney problems. He will be reviewing more blood tests to make his evaluation to our primary doctor, and Melvine's oncologist.
It was time for a brunch on Monday. So, I recommended that we go to the Cracker Barrel for our dining out. I got my usual, the Smoke House Breakfast with softly scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, cheese grits, biscuits and gravy, soft butter you put on pancakes with blackberry preserves, a glass of waster and a cup of coffee with cream and a sweet 'n low. Melvine and Bonnie will have to tell you what they ate. Melvine doesn't eat as much as she used to since being sick and taking chemotherapy. She has lost 14 pounds in a little over a week.
We left the Cracker Barrel to go home for as little while. Melvine rested. Bonnie did some laundry for us of white cloths and cleaned our kitchen. I checked the mail and my email. I noticed that I had made a glaring error with regard the dates for the time change this weekend. I have corrected it in today's Hugh's News. I am grateful for a couple of subscribers who caught my error. Thank you for your help. I am never offended when corrected. I desire to be accurate, but I don't always achieve that goal.
Meanwhile we had to drive to the University Cancer and Blood Center in Athens, adjacent to the location of our church, Christian Life Worship Center where Melvine, Greg, and I are members.
Our appointment was 1:30 p.m. However, we waited over 40 minutes for Melvine to be called to get weighed and her vital signs taken, as well as blood. We were told that the office where we would meet the PA was examining room 11. I think we had been in that room before. They all look alike. Today, we saw Kristen. She is a runner and had injured her left leg running. She said she had a stress fracture, but she would get the boot off this Friday. She asked Melvine a number of questions to which Melvine was able to respond accordingly. She told her about her visit with the kidney doctor. We talked about the possibility of getting as port inserted to facilitate the receiving of IV fluids and chemotherapy. In the long run it is the best thing to do. That has to be ordered by the oncologist and Melvine will have to go to St. Mary's Hospital for the surgical procedure as an outpatient. Our PA ordered another liter of IV Fluids that takes an hour. However, getting it all set up takes longer, and finding a vein is another issue that can be solved by a port. We got home at 5:30. We were up and at them for some 9 hours. Needless to say, we were all tired and exhausted. I started not to do a Hugh's News for Tuesday, but got a second wind and was wide awake.
Melvine craved a fish sandwich from McDonald's after her intake of fluids. So, that is where we went. I purchased three fish sandwiches without cheese, and light on tartar sauce, and two medium French fries. Oh, those were the best French fires ever. We had to wait for the fish to be fried, but God gave me patience and it was no problem for me.
Melvine has been given a large container of Blenda Pearson Smith's homemade potato salad on Sunday, the best in the known world. Melvine shared some of it with me in abundance. Melvine is a giver and thinks of others first.
I prepared Melvine's medications so she could go to bed. I, also, prepared them for Tuesday, in a container that has the days of the week for pills. Greg purchased it as well as another more extensive pill container for me to use for Melvine at Wall Mart.
On Tuesday morning, I will be taking Melvine to see Dr. Shah, a cardiologist. There is no end to doctor's appointments.
We learned that Melvine will have chemotherapy on Thursday that will last 5 to 6 hours. She will be having chemotherapy every Thursday, the Lord Willing. We never know what a new day will bring forth. We are living one day at time.
On Wednesday, Melvine is to see her dermatologist. Jeanette Herndon Phillips will take Melvine for this appointment at 11 a. m. I will endeavor to go to St. Mary's Wellness Center to exercise.