Arctic blast
For the last few days we’ve been under a southern drop in the jet stream that brought clear skies but temperature lows in the teens. Dry that’s not too bad with the right clothing; and I’ve not been going out that much anyway. But last night there was another shift bringing “moist” air up from the south hitting the cold mass over us. Of course that means rain, and with the ground and everything else frigid from the cold air, that really means freezing rain and a coat of ice everywhere.
The pump-house light
The shed over the water storage tank, the pump-house, is well built and insulated. The idea was to keep the pump and pressure tank safe, along with a place for a future water softener system. I put in a light that was also to keep it a little warm during cold nights to keep the pipes from freezing. One little detail though; a burned out bulb produces no light or heat. I’d forgotten to check it and some time last night we lost water (again).
With everything covered with a coat of ice, we couldn’t even get up the driveway to the car much less around behind the garage and up the hill to the pump-house. This morning, with last night’s low being only in the mid-20’s, I could get up to the pump-house the long way around (finding safe footing in daylight) and replace the light bulb. There were no burst pipes, just blocked. The pressure switch manual over-ride worked but couldn’t raise the pressure; but by 4 PM the heat from the bub had melted enough ice that I could reset everything, bring the pressure up and had water flowing again.
This one only cost the price of a light bulb that I should have rememberd to change in the first place. I got off easy this time.
OK, it wasn’t all that “recently” since I’ve been neglectful in posting; but I recently had another reminder that you’re never really through paying for things you own. It’s not that long ago that I traided in my 1994 Ford Taurus and bought a new car. Well, as they say, it’s new to me. Still wanting a mid-size car that has enough space to be comfortable, I found (via the dealership web site) a low milage 2004 Ford Taurus at a pretty good price. Taking a print-out of the web page listing helped keep the price “good”. (That’s another long story.) I’m fairly happy with the car. Other than gluing the driver-side mirror “pod?” back on after a bit of vandalism, no trouble from it in about 20k miles I’ve added to it.
Battery or alternator?
It wasn’t a new battery, so I wasn’t shocked to have a problem pop up. The gas milage computer was forgetting some numbers and I had a problem starting once or twice. The battery didn’t seem to hold a charge very long. So I sprang for the cost of a new one. The shop even had an attractive warranty and return policy at no additional cost, and the price was pretty reasonable to begin with. I was pleased until the car didn’t start the next day. It was Saturday but they were open, so I went back receipt in hand. “No problem, we don’t have another one here but we can have one from another store right after we open Monday morning.” Actually, that’s prett good. “But let’s run a few tests.” One of a number of tests (voltage, load, etc.) that wasn’t done when I first went in to buy the battery, was to look at the current between the alternator and the battery with the engine running and things like the headlights and heater fan on. This was drawing FROM the battery! The alternator wasn’t keeping up. It should have been. The regulator wasn’t working right and this explained why the battery seemed to not hold a charge. It probably would do better if it wasn’t being drained; I usually drive with my lights on and it’s been cold lately so I’ve been running the heater. So I needed a new alternator. They could order one (it’s a model they don’t usually stock) and although their price was pretty high, their installation charge was a flat rate $50. Again, this wasn’t too bad compared to some shops. They even suggested I might save some by buying the replacement (as a refurbished/rebuilt) at a parts store; they’d still be willing to install it but at $100. flat rate.
Do-it-yourself almost
I bought a replacement alternator at a parts store and a friend helped me install it (OK, im my condition, it was more like I helped him) on Sunday. I went back to the battery shop (yeh, that’s about all they do) and they ran all the tests again. Everything’s good. New battery and the alternator has a lifetime warranty too.
Wow, I’ve been neglecting this blog. Sorry. I wish I had good reasons, even one good reason would be nice. It’s almost the end of my sixth cycle and my last entry was shortly after my fourth! Not much difference, cycle to cycle except the side effects seem to continue getting more intense. Nothing unpredicted, not sooner or longer, just “more”. I wonder sometimes whether it’s really getting worse or am I just more sensitive to it? Is it my anticipation that’s amplifying it? Does it matter?
The scan
I’d been wondering how they’d decide when I’d had enough. They scheduled a new CAT scan just before my sixth infusion. The test results would be back along with my periodic blood tests in time for my doctor’s appointment that I have the day before each chemo session. The idea with each blood test is to confirm that I’ve recovered well from the previous dose of the chemicals and that I’m ready for the next. If not, the dose can be adjusted.
At that time, the sixth treatment was supposed to be my “last” one. The CAT scan results changed that. There was good progress made, but not enough. I’m now scheduled for two more, with number 7 happening in a few days.
Christmas?
Since there hasn’t been any significant change in the way or timing of my body’s reaction to each treatment, I’m not very happy about this next cycle. Plans have been to spend the holidays with my extended “family” up here. I hope I’m up to it; December 25 will be right at the peak (or really depth) of the discomfort from the chemo. I expect that I won’t be very good company.