LEGS

Darn the SWELLING 

I stayed home from work today because of the swelling below the knees. I didn't plan on taking off, though. 

I attended a dinner at Lucille's smokehouse at Valencia mall last night. When I got home my knees, calves, ankles and feet were swollen beyond belief. I had Hagrid legs. I, still, intended to go to work. My alarm did not got off at 0420 as it was supposed to. Joe woke me up at 0520 and asked if I was taking the day off. I said, "no" and jumped out of bed. I felt the pinch in my toes and sat on the bed. My feet and ankles were very swollen. I called off and went downstairs for tea. I talked to a coworker about a problem he was having at work and then I went back to bed. Hours later most of the swelling had gone down. I kept my feet up on the recliner and worked on school assignments (I am so far behind). 

Later in the evening I removed my nail polish and noticed my middle finger is about to lose the nail. I could feel that it was lifting around the edges but the visual confirmed it; the nail is cloudy white like the part that grows out of the nail bed. the left ring finger nail is discolored. My toe nails are okay.

I was able to stay on the elliptical for 30 minutes while watching Gotham on TV. I am happy with that after the way I felt Sunday night. Natalia and I went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios and by the time we left to come home I, seriously, thought I would need help getting to the car; my hips and joints at the top of my legs hurt so badly I wanted to cry. I had to walk slowly all night and I hope that it wasn't obvious to Nat or anyone else. I told her that my joints were hurting and I needed to walk slow but I didn't want to put a damper on the evening. Sitting didn't help. I prayed to make it to the car. One foot in front of the other. Once home I went straight to bed. The pain was worth it to have that experience with my daughter. We have wanted to be a part of the Walking Dead mazes for years!! Another check on my bucket list.

Monday, I filled out the requested forms that will change my full time status to part time; I typed a letter to the VSO manager, O'Meara, filled out a SF71 (of which makes no sense to me) and the VA form to change status. That, with the letter from the doctor, goes forward for approval. There are others working part time due to health restraints so, there should be no problem. Lenny has been great at work. Completely, lifts my spirits. The last batch of new VSRs have returned from Baltimore and I have reconnected with the few that I had established relationships with...all good!! 

Chemo on Thursday. 

Still no word on my car.