Three New Things

Life is a learning experience and I have learned at least three things this past week.

The first is a new word "Stroppy." As in, sometimes, I get a little stroppy when the research manager gives me too many things to do or eat. Look it up for yourself.

The second thing is the word "Onychoschizia." This relates to brittle fingernails. This has developed as a new ailment. Somehow, the neuropathy in my fingers and a different feeling on my fingernails makes for an annoying feeling and fingernails catching on things. This could just be a sign of aging, or some kind of a vitamin deficiency or one more chemo related event, but who knows.

The third new thing is very sensitive. It relates to chemo brain.

Four days ago, as we returned home from an afternoon out, we found a set of keys in the door to the building. We investigated, found a phone number and called to advise the owner of the keys that we had found them. It turned out to be Ida, an interesting lady, significantly older than me, but the owner of a really sporty, red, relatively new convertible car. She gratefully came down to the lobby to retrieve her keys.

Two days later, I announced to the research manager that I was going to have to leave her for Ida because Ida and I had so much in common. You see, the previous evening, I had left my keys in the mailbox because I was so tired, have chemo brain and forgot them when I picked up the mail.

Ida forgot her keys. I forgot my keys. Ida is an interesting person. I am, well, sort of interesting. Ida has a sporty red relatively new convertible. I drive a 2000 Town and Country van. Hmmm. maybe not as much in common as I thought. I think that I will stick with the research manager.

Meanwhile, life goes on. We are getting even more committed to Essiac tea. I think it is the key to keeping cancer in check. Obviously, other items, curcumin in particular are also helpful.

Status report: Finger neuropathy, slightly better shingles pain, fatigue and mouth dryness persist. Nothing that persuades me to change my red shirt regimen.