Second time around..

1/3 Complete (of this part)

 

I had my second round of chemotherapy on Wednesday. It was slightly less time than the first. I didn't sleep as restfully while in the infusion chair and came home tired. It was fairly quiet and we all watched a wolf roam aimlessly in the field across from the building. It looked sick and tired. I had my camera with me and was able to zoom in and take a few pictures before he (yes, he) ambled back across the street to where he came from.

 

Yesterday, I saw Dr. Glaspy for my follow-up to chemo and to have my Neulasta injection. We talked about the state of the VA and I told him that my letter for a second mammogram just arrived from the VA (this letter is based on the mammogram that showed a 'suspicious' area in December - yes, that one that started it all). Dr. Glaspy's chuckled and his eyes flew open! He said, "well, tell them there's no need now". We, both, laughed at that. He asked if there would be a time that I would need to use the VA and I told him, yes, if Joe removes me from his insurance, then, I would be back in the VA system. He seemed a little disheartened by that news. That's what the reputation of the VA system has become! Now, with the hundreds of patients dead due to long wait lists and lack of attention the VA has become a target for scrutiny - as it should! Nothing's changed with the VA. The care is substandard because the physicians/assistants don't care. They treat the vets like cattle and if the medicine needed isn't in the arsenal, guess what? You don't get it. The wait time for x-rays, specialists, surgery, etc is abominal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could go back through my own record and show the travesty of wait times. Usually, I couldn't wait those times and went outside the system and paid out of my pocket or used a medical card. Thank GOD I had a husband (Jorge) who had a healthcare plan and Joe does too!! What state would I be in right now???? The compensation part of the VA is just as backlogged and just as much a travesty.

 

But, anyway. I am just beginning to feel the Neulasta and Chemo. Not as debilitating (so far) as the first round. Still, running every step I come across, though. Seems so insignificant but it is all I can do and I am doing it. It makes me feel like I am hanging on to that promise.

 

Still have my hair - thin but, covering. Dr. Glaspy feels that it will all fall out quickly, now. I bought a beautiful wig yesterday at Reflections in the UCLA medical center building. When my skin clears up I can put on a bit of BB cream and look like my normal self. My scarves arrived from TLC American Cancer Society and I am excited. Very Nice. The hats I picked up at Stein Mart yesterday are much improvement over the ones I had picked up at the Grove. I will put name brands and styles and pictures in here later.

 

I, sorely, need to catch up with my companion journal and I am going to do that now.