Quite A Year

This time last year, I was living in a nursing home, not knowing whether I would be there for the rest of my life.  It wasn't a bad place,  but it's not a place you want to live if you have a choice.  I was also still undergoing cancer treatments, which were painful, messy, and frustrating.

Today, all that has changed.  I'm done with the cancer treatments if things continue to go well, and thanks to
a lot of good work by some good people, I'm now living in my own apartment.  My future now has options and opportunities.  I'm still trying to work out how to take advantage of those, but I will get there.

Yodit's Baby

So, my aide Yodit had her baby within the past few hours-- a beautiful baby girl.  Yodit herself is an attractive young woman physically, as well as being a kind and gentle person and an extremely competent, devoted aide, so if the girl grows up to be like her mother, the world will be that much of a better place.

Of course, this means I'll be without Yodit for a few weeks.  She promised me she'll come back, though, and she said she'll come visit even before she comes back to work.  I will miss her in the meantime, but I have other aides I can count on.

Good News

I went to my urologist for a scope of my bladder today.  He said everything looked fine.  My bladder is still cancer free.  They're also going to analyze the urine he removed to make sure there are no malignant cells floating around in it, but he didn't seem concerned about that.

Statistically, he said, I'm right where I should be.  I don't go back for another scope until June 27.  I'll have those for years, I guess, but as long as everything stays good, the interval between them will lengthen.

This is a huge relief for me.  Now, I can really begin to focus on other things.

Christmas Taxi

I took my first taxi rides yesterday.  They were to my brother Jon's house and back, and everything went smoothly.  I was hoping to get home before the snow started falling, and we did that, too.

Now, I can begin to think about going places in the city using a taxi. It's a liberating prospect.

Peapod Success

I successfully placed my first order on Peapod yesterday.  I wasn't sure Christmas Eve would be the best time to get a delivery like that, but the guy was here within the time window I specified.

There's a trick to using Peapod.  The minimum purchase is $60, so you can't go there just to get a couple small items.  I'll have to work on making sure to get everything I need when I place an order, but it will be an excellent service for me.

First Snow

The first day of winter has brought the first snow of the season to Indianapolis.  Hopefully, it won't be a daily event right through to spring.

I wouldn't mind having a white Christmas as long as it's not going crazy when I'm trying to get to Jon's house and back.  Beyond that, though, I'm hoping for a mild winter, just cold enough to kill off all the bugs-- insect, bacterial, and viral.

Tough Morning

This morning, early on, I couldn't use the restroom at all-- neither number.  It was frustrating and painful.  Of course, I have to discipline myself to go when somebody is here to help, which can be difficult.  Add extra stress, like my urologist appointment coming up, then being delayed a week, and the lack of fruit in my diet for a few days, and I guess it's not good.

I was finally able to get things worked out, however, which is good.  The bathroom stuff is really the only big issue I have living on my own.