F) Day 180. Slow progress.

 ( Some of this is a bit of a re-hash from an early post so apologies - Every good story has a couple of flashbacks so just considered this as one of them.

A weekend in Windsor provided a pleasant respite from my boredom. I'm 12 days into my "unofficial" retirement and have managed, so far, to keep myself busy. But some days seem to be a bit more of a challenge. The weekend marked the start of Chinese New Year so  it was fitting that we had lunch on Sunday at Jade Garden, one of the 2 dim sum restaurants in Windsor. Our third dim sum experience in less than a week but this was the only one with a Lion Dance- 2 Lions to be exact.

  So now commences the Year of the Rooster. I can't honestly say I give a Cluck!

    Last Thursday marked my pre-chemo visit with Dr Howson-Jan who gave me some fairly positive news. My lymphoma seems to be reasonably confined to the abdominal area so they have chosen an alternative to the standard treatment of 6 doses of chemo.

   Instead he is suggesting 3 doses followed by a treatment of radiation. Of course that will hinge on the results of a bone marrow biopsy.

   I have a list of several "Absolutely Terrifying" medical procedures that I have tried not to think about ever getting. Bone marrow removal is one of the ones that ranks close to the top as I mentally picture a screaming patient being subjected to a drill being used to extract marrow from their femur!!!

 I was someone perturbed when I asked Dr H-J when he planned on doing this.

"How about now?" was his response and I think I was too stunned to say anything but "Sure, what the H!"

  The sample was actually extracted from the back of my hip bone and they froze the area with a good deal of "local" so the pain, while significant, was significantly less than I was expecting. 

 Chemo was scheduled to start this week but due to the need to co-ordinate the treatment with my kidney stent replacement it has been bumped back to Monday Feb 3rd.

 In anticipation of the potential discomfort of the chemo, I decided last week to follow up on my MD's earlier suggestion to consider using Cannabis. It took less than a week from him initiating the paperwork to me being able to place my first order.

  I decided that a 5 gm sample will be enough. My actual allowance for a month has been set far higher. I was picturing something the size of a hay bale but I guess it is somewhat smaller but surely far more than I will ever consume. 

 I've been a pharmacist for over 40 years but perusing online charts regarding the various THC and CBD contents of differing strains is something beyond my usual scope of practise.

   The strains have names like Banana Kush, Chocolate Fondue, Lemon skunk etc. I selected a strain plainly labelled as Palm Tree CBD ( leaves by Snoop!!) It will arrive via Canada Post some time tomorrow.

  At 9 gm it seemed like an OK price but they tack on a $4 shipping charge plus HST. I dont mind the shipping but why should I pay tax on, what is, essentially, a prescription medication?

 Provincial Liberals will tax anything and everything to stuff their war chests with cash. 

  Meanwhile MD's are prescribing narcs to welfare recipients who obtain them totally without cost. They then sell them on the street for 10 times their original price. Of course, the tax man is no-where to be seen when that shit is going on.

  But who am I to judge? If you are nodding in agreement kindly bugger off!! LOL
  I have every right to judge, having witnessed this fiasco unfolding over the last 25 years, one of the few pharmacists trying to hold their finger in the proverbial dyke while physicians and drug reps. ran amuck justifying their existence while promoting a path to destruction.

 When they asked me at my initial Cancer Clinic visit  if I had any type of "Religious Affiliation" my response was "No." Having had time to reflect on things, I am debating on rescinding that notation.

 I actually converted to the Bahai Faith some 16 years ago but I stopped attending Gatherings when the London Chapter stopped meeting as a large group and began to hold smaller regional firesides.

 While I respect their Teachings, like many other religions, their rejection of "alternative life styles" ( as a general description for the current LGBXYZ!! designation used in the public press) was in conflict with my personal views and while I understand it, in the context of teaching "Religious Norms" It was one of the breaking points. 

 I have had no contact from anyone within the Faith for over 10 years, but I do still feel a connection and might bridge that gap in the days ahead.