Well, We Always Suspected That Gretchen Fegel Was a Druggie, Didn't We?

My step-son Andrew, who's a physician, told us years ago: "All drugs are poison with a few good side effects." I think about that often -- and he's right!

I would be happy to report that all is well and our patient is making steady progress. Actually, all IS well -- it's just that we wish she could be pain-FREE in the process! We'll eventually get this drug-thingie figured out. We suspect there's a long drug road ahead with chemo and all . . .

Monday my cousin in Alpine came and dropped off a marvelous bag of goodies which we were reveling in when, toward the end, Gretchie-Poo suddenly had to depart for bed. She tires instantly and regrettably. We hope dear cousin Julianne wasn't offended!

Yesterday was a day of pain trial. She's now at that point where the pain is reducing on its own, but the "big guns" are still needed and the question is, just how many? Too many give her headache, nausea, and dizziness. Too few mean big pain. For the first time yesterday she skipped a daily shower but she insisted on taking two walks -- morning and early afternoon. No visitors yesterday and that was good. She seems to alternate between vim-and-vigor days and just-let-me-lie-here-and-grit-my-teeth days. Poor girl.

Yesterday late afternoon and on in to the evening we three sat in the living room listening to the audio-book, Peter and the Star Catchers. Are you familiar with it? It's three volumes -- the prequel to Peter Pan -- how he actually BECAME the Peter Pan we all love. The patient and I always manage to doze from time to time as we listen to books, and have to keep backing up to keep up with the story. Patient Alan, who's a night owl, not an early bird like we two, has heard the entire Disk Four of Volume Two several times now. After the fourth re-wind, he finally got disgusted and went downstairs to watch the news! Gretchen wanted no supper and just lay on the sofa with a bowl handy because she felt so nauseated. She finally opted for cream of mushroom soup and beddie-bye at ten. (With some important details of Peter's first visit to London missing.)

We're expecting a visit from another Alpine cousin today and she's looking forward to showering -- we promise! -- and a good breakfast. We agreed during our early ayem drug visit (see? I told you she deals -- with her mother no less!) that we need to post a few pictures to make this blog more interesting. We need to choose some subjects: Walking? Maybe. Smelling her lovely flowers? Yes! Opening get-well cards? Fun! Showering? No! Downing those drugs? Probably not. Scars? DEFINITELY not! Modeling her new pink ribbon outfit? FER SHURE!

Stand by for pix! (My knowledge of getting pictures from the camera to the blog would be taking the photo, holding the camera in front of the monitor and smashing it in, hoping the photo and the blog site will collide somewhere in cyber-space. I'm sure there's a more technical and successful process. Be assured that "Techie Princess" will set me straight long before I destroy this monitor!)

Gretchen feels bad that she has go keep her phone off most of the time so she can rest. She absolutely LOVES talking to all you wonderful well-wishers. She's so thrilled that so many care. Last evening she tried to return some calls, but the nausea took over and she gave up. I'm sure today will be a better day and she'll return all the calls she's received in the past couple of days. Don't give up on her!

My apologies to my darling dodder for posting this prior to her editing it. She says she likes to edit because I tend to be a little dramatic.

Wherever do you suppose she gets such outlandish opinions?

With my love and great appreciation to you all. You obviously care for this young woman very much,
Linda

PS -- Gretchen has a supply of thank-you notes she intends to write and mail. She especially loves Sid's "lemon crack", Mary's wonderful cabin photos, Julianne and Auntie Jewel's amazing goodies, and Celeste's stylish hat to wear during her future "bald days" (I must admit I shed a few tears when I saw that one.) Oh, and all the flowers! (Eric, your little pinkies arrived and are thriving.) You will receive the notes -- just not immediately . . .