Constance Ore is a retired Teacher, Choir Director, and Organist. And a formidable cook.

May 9, 2006

Filed under: — Constance at 2:04 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Today I made the appeal to be moved over to the oral blood thinner, Coumadin, because the twice daily injections of Lovenox have left the landscape of my abdomen looking like I fell face forward on a porcupine. Each entrance spot has left a bruise and the whole experience has begun to loose its charm, had there been any present in the first place. The process continues by my continuing the Lovenox injections for three days while slowly adding the Coumadin, one milligram a day until reaching four milligrams. The oncologist’s office checked “all available sources” to see if there was an adverse reaction to Vidaza (my chemotherapy) and none was found. “Of course,” said the nurse, “it’s kind of unusual to have to use blood thinner at the same time.” Exclamation points exploding in the brain on that one, but I suspect that I am “living on the edge” in a number of places in this present life. When I worriedly pointed out that I am getting bruises easily already, she said, “I wouldn’t be surprised.” My blood will be checked frequently starting on Mother’s Day, which is when the Coumadin will be well in place; the dosage will be adjusted as needed because the drug has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning a small margin between too little and too much.

Fortunately, to provide a fine distraction, our spring season is the most beautiful ever; rains have come to refresh, the honeysuckle and lily of the valley by the east porch scent the air nearby and the lilacs on the edge of the forest do the same up on the hill. We have had a large group of sea gulls flying over, suddenly making this landlocked place sound like the seaside for a few moments. They have come over several times this week, calling out loudly as they pass. Perhaps they are lost like the Israelites in the desert, and hope soon to find an inland sea.

2 Comments

158

Comment by irene beethe

May 9, 2006 @ 3:13 pm

Hi Connie,

Not meaning to make light of the situation and treatments you are enduring (with much grace, I might add), I am reminded of the question that goes something like this: How do two porcupines hug each other? Very carefully! I hope the moans with this one didn’t add to your discomfort.

The lilacs and apple trees are providing a wonderful aroma in the air here also. Ahhh – spring!

God bless you richly today!

In His peace,
Irene

159

Comment by Susan Bahr

May 10, 2006 @ 6:36 pm

On my drive home from Seward today along Highway 34 I noticed a flock of seagulls several miles east of you. Could be the same ones. I think they were going for insects in a newly-plowed field. It is a beautiful spring! Love, Susan

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.