Monday, I decided I would try taking my first chemo dose in six months. I didn’t expect a different experience from the last go around. About an hour and a half after taking it, the fatigue and stomach upset kick in. I laid down and actually slept on and off for most of the afternoon. Early evening, Rick asked if I wanted him to recline the couch so we could watch tv together.
We decided to make dinner a collaborative effort. Chemo Sam was surely thankful to Sunday Sam, who had chopped a ton of veggies to use in sauces and other recipes, so that made dinner a breeze. Rick sliced up some hot Italian sausage and browned it, before we added carrots, celery, and red onion to the pan to hang out and get acquainted while I got the remaining ingredients opened up. The sauce is simple, and is a re-do of my mom’s VERY simple spaghetti sauce. One can of Hunts meat pasta sauce, one can of diced tomatoes undrained, one can of condensed tomato soup, and that’s it. The veggies and spices are something my mom never added. I used the Mushroom & Co. Umami seasoning from Trader Joes, oregano, fresh cracked black pepper, and sweet balsamic seasoning.
Rick wasn’t quite ready to eat at 6:30, as we had a late lunch, so we set the sauce pan on low heat and let it cook down for a bit. We ended up eating around 7:30. Usually I am a stickler for a balanced meal, and try to make sure that we have a healthy side, like a vegetable or a salad, but I couldn’t be bothered. I just wanted a deep bowl of pasta with a blizzard’s worth of parmesan cheese on top.
It was SO GOOD. The sausage was so melt in your mouth tender, and the sauce was perfectly in tune. So good.
Yesterday, I was more fatigued, and spent most of the day in bed. We had leftover pasta for lunch, made the way my mom would have- “refried”. Melt a good knob of butter in a pan, and fry the pasta and sauce until browned. You want crispy bits. Top with shredded cheddar. YES. CHEDDAR. It is comforting and divine. For dinner, we had a cold plate- just chilled salads. Potato and macaroni. It did the job. After, we had the last of the Trader Joe’s carrot cake.
Today is therapy day, so I got up and showered. Rick really wants to see Project Hail Mary in the theater, so we are doing that this afternoon. I have just enough in sales to treat us to a couple of 5 dollar cheeseburgers near the theater. We can grab sodas and some candy at the dollar store to have for the movie.
If we decide to eat burgers before the movie, then we’ll just have falafel with garlic naan, served with lettuce, chopped red onion, and the yogurt dressing I made the other day, for dinner.
I am starting to gear up for NEXT weekend. We will be house/pet sitting for my director friend. 10 days! He’s headed up to his Portland house for a little break, so we are charged with guarding the castle, and keeping it’s non-human occupants alive and happy. We will sleep there, and then likely come back to our place during the day on most days so Rick can continue working on projects on his computer, and I can handle any reselling business that pops up.
K’s house is a sprawling single story that looks like something out of an art nouveau fairy tale. Stuffed to the gills with wonderful and unique items, collectibles, props and characters from movies, art, a whole tiki bar room that houses his 34 year old Macaw, Max. The primary bedroom houses K’s FOUR cats- the Flame Point Siamese, Oliver, the twins Nadja and Nandor, who are solid black with yellow eyes, and their sister, a Siamese named Molly.
I am allergic to all of his cats. Shorthair breeds KILL ME. I will be dosed out on Benadryl for our entire stay. The primary bedroom is the only room with an actual bed, so we will be sleeping in that room. I am almost tempted to see if there is an allergy shot I can get before our stay.
I am almost hoping K has a few organizing or packing projects for me. When I play assistant for him, he pays about 125 a day. I do not charge him for the house sitting, as I basically lived on his couch for 6 months. Staying there gives us a break from the constant street noise. K’s house is in the Valley, and there is NO street noise.
There is also a large hot tub.
I think coming back to the apartment a few times during the week will help us not feel the disconnect we usually do when we’re at K’s.
Okay, therapy awaits… then I am planning on playing a little dress up for our movie date. I hope my body cooperates so I can navigate all the walking that will be required. I hope you are all having a good week.
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