Day 5

It is day 5 since the tumor diagnosis, and I will continue to count until something changes. It is not cancer and is slow-growing and not related to my previous colon cancer. The tumor has been there for a while.

I reached the E.N.T. surgeon’s office today and have an appointment at the end of January. It was usual for Oregon Clinic, which Susie often used, that I was on the phone for thirty minutes to reach someone to get an appointment, and I was happy that I could get something in January.

I called the doctor and made the appointment after getting started for a work-from-home Monday at 7:30. I rolled over on the 7AM alarm and rose at 7:30. I just did a yogurt and some liberal coffee made in my French Press for breakfast. I did consume two cups of coffee and did not have the nervousness I suffered yesterday. Better.

It was my usual morning of reading status updates on Slack channels and then news to prepare for my day. We had quite a few breaks (details cannot be discussed here), so I had to review some of the issues at the defect meeting and listen to updates on the status meeting. The all-project meeting was also today. The project is moving forward and installing these in the next few weeks. I was finally finished with status at 9:30ish.

I had to help and closely follow along this morning. I slipped into a shower and got dressed. I then started the laundry. I usually wash clothing on work-from-home days.

I found a box of winter earrings and matching necklaces in Susie’s things. I also found some elephant earrings in a box. Some misplaced Christmas presents, I am sure. I wrapped the two boxes as gifts from Susie. I called Zorida and checked if she could wear piercing earrings, yes. So I will take the box to Zorida next month. I addressed a mailer for Barb, Susie’s sister, and put the gift in the mailer. I am glad to find a place for them.

Checking everything was moving at work, I headed to the post office. The cars were backed up in the parking lot. Strangely, there was parking, but nobody was going to the end of the parking to reach it. Air Volvo finally moved around the other cars and parked. I then removed my hat and used it to wave vehicles into the parking spots like a cowboy directing cattle. I then enjoyed a thirty-minute wait to mail my packages. Since I was there, I got some stamps with pretty golden-colored Christian icons.

I then headed to the Nike Beaverton Employee Store. Air Volvo found a parking spot in the second parking lot–I was happy that I could get a parking spot. In the store, I found some gifts, and at the cash register, I learned they do not do shipping in the afternoon, so I went off to UPS with the stuff.

Another line and someone was in line just to get postage stamps. I let her have my recently purchased stamps–she needed three. The gal offered to pay for the stamps (handing me the money), “No, it is Christmas,” and the line in UPS practically cheered.

The Christmas spirit ended at the cashier for UPS; it was insanely expensive to mail the stuff using UPS. I already had a small gift on the way, so I went with the slower, just expensive shipping. I returned to the Volvo Cave via Air Volvo, happy to have the stuff on its way.

Back to work and the last status meeting. Dondrea and Z were meeting me for dinner. I managed to pick a place that is closed on Monday. This is a chronic problem for us of late. We met there at about 5:30. We decided to try The Rock: Woodfired Pizza. It was nearly empty, and they were happy to have us.

We had the veggie and white cheese pizza–not my usual meat pizza with red sauce. Change is good, and we had the pizza with side salads and wings for Z. We had to change tables as the doors opened to the outside (there is no lobby), and the cold air just blew on us. I can’t do cold anymore, and Z and Dondrea were cold too.

We enjoyed the pizza and had a nice chat. It was nice to talk, but soon, we had to head out.

I also talked to Leta, Susie’s mother, before dinner; she is happy back home. There is a plan to make this work. Leta sounded very happy to be in her house. Tomorrow, she will try to go solo.

After dinner in Air Volvo, I returned to the Volvo Cave and started writing the blog and finishing the laundry.

Thanks reading!