As you know my BFF and I laugh quite a bit about ourselves. Our miscommunication discussions are hysterical. Between what was said; what was heard; and what was meant; we are all over the place. Of course, I throw a monkey wrench in when I start asking questions so we go around again...LOL! But the funniest thing is to sit in our living room with me fully dressed with a quilted robe over my clothes, a cap on my head, and sometimes a blanket thrown in and my BFF sitting dressed with a t-shirt on. Its like we are in two different places. I wear a sweater almost everywhere now and carry a cape. She finally put a 3/4 sleeved sweater in the car in case she gets chilled.
My week went well. I saw the dentist - yeah no cavities. He has a new assistant and it was her first day. She is more comfortable speaking Spanish so while he worked on me he spoke to her explaining everything. I tried to catch a word here and there, but I'm really no good. When we finished, I said to him you did not tell me any jokes. He could not come up with any because I put him on the spot and his brain was in translation mode. So we did end up laughing about that.
I had a telemed visit with the rheumatologist. It went very well and he is also confident that the majority of my RA symptoms will go away over the course of 2024. If I feel comfortable at the end of January I can start reducing the prednisone to see how I feel. I had my 16th treatment on Friday. Only two more treatments to go and then I'm done. I belong to an HMO (which many people knock), but a magazine in the area published a list of the top doctors in the area and many are in the HMO. I also found the majority of my care team on this list.
Believe it or not I had enough energy yesterday to do a little shopping (does not always happen the day after treatment). It was my first venture into a Hallmark store in a few years. Our local one closed and I have an inventory of many items. I wandered the store and picked up a few things as gifts. We ended the day having an impromptu dinner with friends nearby. Such an unexpected treat.
This past week I finished reading: "HUMBLE YET FIERCE MY LIFE BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF THE CIA" by Katy McQuaid - well-written, quick read. Focuses mainly on lessons learned and leadership qualities. I watched NFL Icons - Jim Brown and Mike Singletary. I also watched JFK-One Day in America - a docuseries on National Geograpic - focused on the day of his assassination.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
November 12
Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
Hindu Diwali Day – date varies
National French Dip Day
World Pneumonia Day
November 13
Caregiver Appreciation Day
National Indian Pudding Day
Sadie Hawkins Day
World Kindness Day
November 14
National Pickle Day
Operating Room Nurse Day
World Diabetes Day
Young Readers Day second Tuesday of month
November 15
America Recycles Day
Clean Your Refrigerator Day
National Philanthropy Day
November 16
Button Day
Great American Smokeout – third Thursday in November
Have a Party With Your Bear Day
International Tolerance Day
National Fast Food Day
November 17
Electronic Greeting Card Day – now who do you think created this day!?
Homemade Bread Day
Take A Hike Day
World Peace Day
November 18
National Adoption Day – Saturday before Thanksgiving
Occult Day
I am leaving it here for today. Although I did not nap much this week, you never know what today may bring. I'll be cooking up a couple of meals today for the week. Sometimes I find getting it done in one day is easier. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“November is chill, frosted mornings with a silver sun rising behind the trees, red cardinals at the feeders, and squirrels running scallops along the tops of the gray stone walls.” — Jean Hersey
“The success of my journey depended on whether my heart walked forward — toward my people — instead of backward, away from them.” — Anasazi Foundation, The Seven Paths: Changing One’s Way of Walking in the World