Sunday, March 22, 2026  

     When my roommate texts me, asking what I want from the grocery store I say small oranges and cookies. Good cookies, my favorite cookies.  And then I text again, asparagus, cherries.  I keep my fingers crossed hoping she will succeed. She does, but not cherries, not the right season.

     Cold morning, fog, how many cold mornings before I start complaining and missing the warm days. Sat on the deck to do my chair exercises Saturday afternoon. Lots of seagull chatter in the distance, and airplanes, but no little birds. This morning the dogs are barking a lot.

      The giant rock rose plants are bursting with pink blossoms. 30 years ago, I took clippings of these bushes by the wharf and planted them.  They thrive here and are so beautiful in the spring.

     We watch two shows in the evening, another intense episode of TEHRAN and then a boring disappointing episode of THE RELUCTANT TRAVELER.  I spend hours of the afternoon and evening reading the novel THE ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell, an imaginative and somewhat confusing story of the 1930’s dust bowl times.

 

Saturday, March 21, 2026

     It pays to have a colorful current medical history.  A list of serious diagnoses in the last 5 years. So my report of difficulty with swallowing brings a quick response from my doctor. At the appointment I go over the swallowing issues. Not being able to swallow food for the previous 4 days is serious. The Nurse Practitioner makes an emergency referral to a gastroenterologist. Hopefully an appointment next week. Also, I accept going to emergency room if more difficulties arise.    

     But in the meantime, I had been told of another remedy.  Prilosec, even though my problem is not GERD, has helped one person with a lazy esophagus. I take one pill yesterday morning and I was able to eat my lunch and dinner.  I don’t know what this all means, but this is my experiences.

     Another scorching hot day. The fan in the living room is directed on me and keeps me OK. I read, watch news programs and finally take a nap.

     In the evening, we watch the first episode of season two of THE JURY, focusing on a company retreat. Not so interesting. We also watch the last episode of the LONG WAY AROUND. Such a great show. I finish reading SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer. A good book.

 

Friday, March 20, 2026

     A phone call from my doctor’s office this morning inviting me to come to his office this morning. Yesterday I send a My Chart message that I am having difficulty swallowing food. An ongoing problem. I am so excited. I got a response from his office. It is surprising how discouraged I am about communicating with the medical world.

     The weather continues to be hot in the afternoon. The fan I ordered arrives for my bedroom. I know this is temporary. The plants are thriving and we are wilting.

     Thursday nights are for THE PITT show. We get our dinners and sit and watch the frenzy care given in this trauma emergency room. After, we calm down  by watching the goofy guys on their motorcycles.

      My former book group is reading SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer. I have started it and yes, it is good but scary for me.  It is the story of a woman dying from cancer and how her family reacts. I am not sure I should read it at this time, although I do not feel as if I am currently dying.