Ugh! What a Week.

I know I've been out of touch with my blog lately -- it's been that kind of a week. The "low residue diet" didn't work so well for me. Apparently, the colon strains to get out what little residue is in there. That leads to painful "polyps" (a politer word than 'roids).  So, I'm on something called a "regular diet," which I haven't experienced for a while. It has protein, fiber AND carbs in it. Meat and vegetables with white potatoes... sounds familiar. I think I achieved that happy balance between watery and solid. Now, if I could just get the rest of my "gluteal fold" pains to go away. The skin is just plain raw. Oxycodone helps.

Dorothy started her 3rd round of chemo this week -- including the Eloxatin that we eliminated in the 2nd round (but still without the steroid). She is noticing no unexpected side effects, but the expected ones are pretty strange. She says that the cold radiates outward from her bones -- an unusual feeling, I'm sure. Also, when she drinks even room-temperature water it "crystallizes" in her mouth. She never ate Pop Rocks, so she can't compare the feeling -- but it sounds like Pop Rocks to me. Other than that, she is tired, nauseated, achy, and has a little headache. Pretty normal stuff for chemo.

We had a nice, low-key (B flat, I believe) holiday. Thanks to Scott and Karen for bringing all the food (those of you who know Karen know what "all the food" means). To be fair, it was less this time than all the food in the world (just kidding). We plan to spend another low-key (C sharp) New Years Eve with Kristen Strader's family (Ryan's girlfriend).

So far, the "food faeries" are working out (I am glad, though, that Dorothy's mother brought corn chowder Monday night -- the faerie didn't arrive until 8:30 or so).

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. I hope your 2010 is full of good surprises.