My cancer treatment will resume on Thursday. It seems that the Creator wants me to keep working, that creation wants me to keep working, and not come home for rest just yet. Dang!
I cried when I got the news yesterday that CCNV infirmary, part of a massive homeless shelter here in town, happily agreed to have me for 3 5 day periods For each is my upcoming chemo treatments. This as opposed to 45 days incarceration, all that had been considered for my housing up until I asked the question last week - can't we limit my incarceration to 5 days for each of the treatments? Thus allowing me to be away from the vigil for a minimal amount of time. Yes, was the near immediate answer. Oh My.
During this process three individuals and a working-class Hispanic church, came forward to fund a room for me during treatment. What an unspeakable joy for me to see such loving. I could not have accepted such kindness. But it did encourage me to push on for this final solution, which otherwise I would not have done. May these folks know the goodness and good that they have done. And likewise, without the kindness of my suburban friends for the first treatment I'm a well not have made it this far.
So tomorrow, Wednesday in the afternoon I enter the infirmary. Thursday morning I'll receive four hours infusion at Georgetown Hospital and return to the infirmary with a pump attached to me for 2 days. An infusion nurse will come to the infirmary to detach the pump, and I'll remain at the infirmary or two more days to recover from sickness. Then, thank God, I'll return to the vigil. The next treatment is mid August and the final treatment is late August.
I am immensely appreciative of the kind folks at unity healthcare, Georgetown University Hospital, Christ house, here in DC. Our wealthcare system in this country is a scathing testimony to the sub humanity of we Americans. We hold is our most sacred right the right to care less about our neighbor.
But here in DC some citizens over the years have struggled sheroically and built a better system for we poor. That it is way below the standards of most developed countries, is not the fault of these heroic individuals, and it is more than sufficient to get me a 40 percent chance of surviving this cancer. I'm profoundly admiring and grateful.
Imodium AD is my new best friend. I no longer have a manageable bowel without it. Don't ever bother with the Rite Aid generic.
I remain substantially fatigued, requiring 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day, at night and through naps.
A major Public Radio Group has begun working on a story on the vigil. Of course it may or may not come to fruition.
