Well, not QUITE back to Work

Medical needs a few more bits of information from my oncologist before I can be re-activated as an employee.  They want to formalize my telecommuting, and flexible hours as part of their ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) accommodation.  That's fine with me, of course, because that's exactly what it is.

So I was there, and I got to see lots of folks that I love, and caught people up on my status, and it was a great time, even if I did have to get up early and go out into the cold.  It was COLD this morning.  But yes, I am a cold wimp. ;)

Maureen, the nurse in Medical, faxed the paperwork over to Ironwood and Dr. Fastenberg, and added her contact info, so hopefully, we'll get it all settled by mid-week.  In the meantime, I have to call my leave insurance company and tell them we're not quite there yet.  And hopefully, I'll at least get a bit of pay for the next few days.  It kind of works out anyway since tomorrow is a chemo day.

Hugs to all!

No Place Like....?

"There's no place like home!" says Dorothy Gayle in the "Wizard of Oz." Of course, most of us would agree. But I would also add that there's no place more engaging and invigorating than my place of work.

Yes, I worked at the plant today, and it made me very, VERY happy. There's a buzzing excitement everywhere you turn. We're making amazing, awesome products, and we're proud of them! The business is running incredibly well, and we're even more proud of that. We work hard, but we have fun because we have a business culture that makes it easy to voice opinions, share concepts and ideas, and not be afraid of being shot down.

It's funny because my doctors say people in my situation go on disability, or retire or just generally stop working. They find it amazing that I am fighting so hard to keep working. But how could I give up something that makes me so happy; something that buoys my spirit and invigorates me? Something that makes me feel productive! Something that challenges my brain and makes me feel alive.

Yeah, so I'm pretty giddy at the moment. I really needed to go to work today, and get charged up after yesterday's debacle. I took my scooter, and the ride over to Medical, at 6ish in the morning, was beautiful. Sunrise in the desert is a gift of nature. The colors were spectacular and the boat-tailed grackles were in full-on courtship mode, the male fluffing himself up and strutting about in front of his enamored female audience.

Of course, now that I have spent all day at work, I am exhausted. All that excitement, while enjoyable and wonderful, just wears me out. Tomorrow I'll telecommute and rest up. I'm one happy, lucky woman.

Live long and prosper, all! :)

Tomorrow We'll Know More...

Because tomorrow I see Dr. Fastenberg and he'll have the results of Monday's CT.  I know he's not going to like the sound of my lungs, but in reality, I did manage to get through this bout of bronchitis pretty darned well for a chick with stage IV Esophageal Cancer. ;)


The main thing is to find out if the Herceptin is doing its job.  I feel good.  I'm guessing it's doing a great job.  In fact, I insist that he tells me it's doing a great job. :D  I think for the Herceptin treatments to be successful, the odds are in my favor.  Really, I want to get back to some semblance of a normal life.  I managed to get in two weeks of work before I got the bronchitis, and I'd have to surmise that I was pretty much run down and an easy target.  Yes, I tried to go into the plant on Tuesday, but I was still way run down and coughing far too much.  Part of the joy of bronchitis is having to cough crap out of your lungs.  I couldn't do that very well at work.  The last thing I want to do is gross out my co-workers, so I tried to expectorate in the ladies' room, but that's quite a hike when you can't breathe, and you have it do it every five minutes or so.... and so, again, the spirit was willing but my flesh was WAY weak. :)


Thank the gods for the ability to telecommute.  But I want to GO to work, and be with my team mates; these are connections that stimulate the brain.  There's nothing better than hashing out some challenge by discussing it with our group.  We're a lovely, diverse bunch, with varied backgrounds and lots of different perceptions, and it works like a dream when we get going.


Yet, I have to get over this bronchitis set back, and not try to get back too soon either and relapse.  But I'll talk to Dr. Fastenberg tomorrow; I'm sure he'll listen to my lungs, as he always does.  I hope he doesn't freak out.  I've got some really deep rattles and wheezes.  


Now I am going to go watch a bit of TV before I head to bed.  I've been so tired because the coughing wears me out, and I've been retiring really early.  But I've got to watch Top Chef first, then bed. ;)


Love to all, keep warm and stay safe and loved.