Cabernet and Carboplatin

I got my shrinker yesterday. it is basically a compression sock that covers my residual leg. It has a strap that goes around my waist to hold it up. I am to wear it all the time. Shrinkers are prescribed to help reduce swellimg, although in my case, the remains of my leg aren't really swollen, but wearing it is supposed to help me get used to wearing a prosthetic, which should happen sometime in January. In reality, the shrinker is kinda cozy. I have tried compression socks in the past, but the problem with them was the band at the top felt so tight. Since there is no band, the experience is rather pleasant. if this were August I might have a different opinion. Yesterday along with getting the shrinker, I had a lot going on. We started the day in Wound Care, and my head wound is sufficiently healed to schedule a haircut. (Yay). And the leg wound is getting smaller. I had what is likely my last appointment with the hand doctor. While my pinky isn't perfect, it is funct...

The first two weeks of my stay at Kings College Hospital were not a blur; to me, they didnt exist. Doctors, nurses,techs, were in my room, wheeling me to the OR, taking my vitals. They worked for two days trying to save my leg. I don't remember one minute. All the while, Jerry was observing, asking questions, and trying to stay optimistic. He moved all of our belongings form our Airbnb to a closer b and b the hospital had found for him. It was at the home of a woman who regularly had residents from the hospital living with her. A safe, calm space for Jerry. After a month at King's College and around five days at Hopkins I finally got to come home. My left pinky and the finger next to it were bound together and would remain so for some time. But when they were finally freed I wanted to wear my wedding ring, which Jerry has carefully packed away. But when he went to look for it, it had disappeared. Had it been stolen at the b and b? Unlikely. Had it somehow gotten lost when Je...

Well, a physician assistsnt, not a doctor. But close enough. Today was going to be a jam-packed day. Wound care, OT, PT, and my first haircut appointment since June. I called Fringe last week to make sure I could get in, and everything was set. The day started in wound care. The wounds on my leg are healing nicely. Maybe even ahead of schedule. But this past week I have noticed that the still unhealed wound on the back of my head had started spotting blood. In all honesty, I had forgotten about it. I brought it up to the nurse and PA and they got busy. What I thought was a scab was crusting that got cleaned away. Then the nurse shaved the area around the wound and dressed it, givimg Jerry instructions on how to take care of it. I mentioned I was getting a haircut later and would have my person avoid the area. Oh no you aren't, said the PA. You are not getting a haircut until this is healed! So much for looking all snazz for Thanksgiving. Not as disappointing as her edict last...

Get me off the roller coaster. I want to ride the paddle boats. My day started in wound care, and things seemed to be looking up. The "pocket" on my thigh is responding well to collagen, and it is definitely getting smaller, but it appears I have developed a blood blister right next to it. So along with the pocket, Jerry has another area to clean and treat. But in general, things are looking good. Good, until I told the plastic surgery PA that I was going to be fitted for my trainer prosthetic next week. Nuh uh, she said, or words to that effect. As long as I have unhealed wounds no prosthetic for me. She thinks maybe January. So I left the Bayview campus very disheartened, and we headed to physical therapy at the Hopkins main campus. My therapist ran me through, what I found out later, was a series of evaluations. And mostly I failed miserably. And then I let him know that I was going to have to put off getting my training prosthetic. He reasoned, rightly so, that since...