Wednesday, July 2, 2025

     I am in the waiting room this morning for urine test. The few people here look like patients, settling back into the chairs with their cell phones.  Most wear sneakers.  Staff wear leather shoes. One professionally dressed woman with leather sandals, a colorful iPad, and an iPhone, and a leather briefcase, perches on the edge of her chair balancing her equipment. She actively reacts to the information she sees on her screens. She is not comfortable being a patient. When I finish the urine test, she is still waiting restlessly.

     I pass the urine test and now on to the interview with the hospital intake nurse to determine if I am well enough for their operating room. one step at a time. I am applying for the job of surgical patient.  Can’t have hospital surgeries without well qualified surgical patients.

     My daughter cooks up some chicken soup. She entertains me with details of her active life. While I nap, she waters my deck plants and the front yard. I am grateful for her help.

     I start reading a fabulous Library book HOW LUCKY, a novel by Will Leitch. A fresh voice and an interesting story. I have found a list of recommended books Richard Russo read during the epidemic lock down.

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

     I am sad to finish the Physical Therapy sessions.  23 sessions this year. I am walking better and I am more confident. I like working with the Physical therapist. But I am not done with the waiting room. Tomorrow, I am back for a urine test to prepare for surgery.

     PT is the only treatment that actually makes me stronger and healthier.  All the other medical treatments involve cutting and burning and poisoning and intrusive equipment, damaging my body in fighting off the cancer cells.  I know, it is complicated, and everyone is trying to help heal me, but still, I am getting more and more damaged.

     This morning the waiting area is filled with early morning patients, warm cozy room. Everyone on their cell phones. At first, I don’t see anything to write about. Finally, I notice two women, at different times, walk into the room and use the bathroom, then leave the building. So this is a safe bathroom for women walking around town. 

     The sun comes out in the afternoon. I keep watching a solitary fly zoom around the living room.  Outside the bees are busy in the flowers. Three black crows pace in the newly cleared back yard, stopping to peck at the ground. I pace on the deck, back and forth building up my walking muscles. I want to be a black crow.

 

Monday, June 30, 2025 

     Getting up in the dark this morning to get ready for my last Physical Therapy session at 8:30. Time for a revaluation.  Have the sessions worked to improve my balance and walking? Every eighth session is reevaluation time. Do I walk faster during the various tests? The tests evaluate the wrong things. The PT has helped improve my confidence in walking. I am not longer afraid of curbs.

     They came to visit and check out the new improved house and yard. The tall man is just back from his 250 mile walk in Spain. I am waiting for him to recover and tell me the stories of the walk. I was so glad to be with them again.

     My daughter tells me stories of her adventures in public and civic life. I struggle to find stories in my life to tell her.

     I watch more of THE LAST DETECTIVE and CLARKSON’S FARM. I do my daily exercises, take short walks on the deck, do dishes and read from three different books. I also play solitaire on my computer. My life is actually very interesting, but doesn’t come across in stories.