About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

U is for UBER

"Uber" is German for the word "above," but more commonly it's used on the internet for being the best, the top, the supreme, the highest of highest.
Yesterday, we had "uber" treatment at the hospital. It was a very long day, beginning at 7:45 am when we reported to the Cancer Clinic for Lorne to have his PICC line inserted. Neither of us knew much about a PICC line, so we were both very nervous about the whole procedure. However, the nurse, a specialist in this procedure, put us both at ease by explaining exactly what she was going to do, how, and why. She was right when she said the worst part was the tournique and the freezing needle. After that, it was a breeze just waiting for the angel-hair-pasta-sized tube to work its way up the large vein to the heart. I nearly came unglued, though, at one point but managed to control myself. Lorne was a trouper through it all and after his x-ray to make sure it was positioned correctly (and then readjusted), we went and had some breakfast.
I cannot honestly say that the food in the hospital cafeteria was uber, but then that's not what needed to be. A little after 10:00 am, we returned to the CC and Lorne was hooked up to his special cocktail(s). We also had visits from the hospital chaplain, a dietician, and a social worker - all of whom I'd call uber personnel.
I stayed and read my book while Lorne was undergoing his treatment, but when his non-uber lunch arrived, I headed back up to the cafeteria for something to try to undo the pounding headache that had persisted all morning. I came back an hour later when he was almost finished his treatment, waited about another half hour, and guided him out to the car.
I almost came unglued again in the car just from the relief of that first session being over! But when we got home, Lorne said he was going to mow the front lawn! I almost became unduly frightened that the PICC line would come out, but made myself recall what the nurse had said about him going about business as normally as possible. So I forced myself to get busy with other things and let him do his thing.
So far so good with regard to any nausea, pain, or other post-chemo complications. Maybe he'll be one of the lucky ones who tolerates the entire treatment without difficulties. Fingers crossed!

21 comments:

Sylvia K said...

I know this is such a difficult time for both of you and I do hold good thoughts for you both. I do appreciate the strength you both are showing. Hope your week goes well and I'm glad you can share the experience online and hopefully it helps keep things in perspective.

Sylvia

sally in norfolk said...

Hoping all goes as well as this first treatment x

Beverley Baird said...

It has to be the worst thing to be the one watching! I used to watch my hubby gor through dialysis treatments - 3X a week. And there is really nothing you can do except be there to support your loved one.
Keeping you both in my prayers.
Take care Leslie.

photowannabe said...

A totally UBER post Leslie. Thank you for taking us on this cancer journey with you.
I just want you to know that you have my support and prayer as one blog friend to another.
Sue

Roger Owen Green said...

I'm sure you've been UTTERLY amazing! You're so UNDERSTANDING, even of your own needs, it seems. Godspeed.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

nancygrayce said...

I'm so glad it all went well......Russell's dad never had any nausea during his treatment and never lost one hair. Praying all goes well.

Amy said...

Thank you for posting this Leslie. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you. You are bravely confronting a difficult time with grace - I think it's great that you can journal as you go. Thank you!

Hildred said...

I hope it will be a UBER reaction to the chemo and all goes well through these difficult times for you, - I admire your strength.

Tumblewords: said...

Thinking of you two. Sounds like things are going well.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Most certainly fingers crossed. What an ordeal! Hard to remember, though that he has to continue with 'business as usual'. You are brave.
And, I never stopped to think about the origin of uber. Thanks for 'schooling' me!

Mara said...

Fingers crossed indeed. I hope you will both be allright.

Gayle said...

I think you are both Uber brave. Stay positive, no matter how difficult. Really makes a difference.

Lesley said...

Good luck to you and Lorne. I'm glad I found your blog through ABC Wednesday.

jabblog said...

Big sighs of relief all round, I'm sure. I hope Lorne will be one of the lucky ones and continue to have no nasty side-effects. If he's mowing the grass he's doing well, indeed.

Liz Hinds said...

I hope he's continuing well.

Love and prayers for you both. x

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

intelligent and fun u post!

Unknown said...

Well, that certainly puts a perspective on my petty problems! I sincerely hope things go well for you. Thanks for sharing this. Forgive me if I am at a loss for words. It reminds me of my experience when my one-week-old daughter had open-heart surgery. It was a surreal time for us, that I sometimes try to forget.

"Uber". Yes, why not use words from other languages? I do it sometimes too. You can squeeze in subjects that don't really belong with a certain letter, but that need urgently to be posted. In the case of my U-post, I did it by mistake.

My very best wishes, prayers and admiration,
Anna

Anna's U-words

Unknown said...

It took me a while to understand something here: you say that you recontected with your first love? Do you mean that you two were separated an x-number of years and then met again?
I'll get back to you later about this.

Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's U-words

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

You do seem to be holding up well, Leslie.It must be very difficult for you to watch. Thinking of you both. xx

Saz said...

love your new look...the designer gadget is great isnt it.....

love all the roses, they are so lush and rich, delightful in fact.. and this post is very interesting...as my husband/ex or whatever the heck l'm to call him now, is to have angioplasty/gram soon....

Saz said...

love your new look...the designer gadget is great isnt it.....

love all the roses, they are so lush and rich, delightful in fact.. and this post is very interesting...as my husband/ex or whatever the heck l'm to call him now, is to have angioplasty/gram soon....