With thanks to so many good friends in Florida who helped pack boxes and load the truck, Kyle was able to make it back up to NY the night before Cathy’s chemo session. On his way North, Kyle was able to stay at his mother’s in VA and to also visit with his sister and family. Since Michael and Gary volunteered to provide a storage area, Kyle drove to PA before continuing to NY. It was a very long day for Kyle but he achieved his goal.
Considering the anxieties that naturally go along with waiting for someone to arrive safely from a long journey, we’re glad to report that Cathy’s latest chemo went well and followed the pattern of previous rounds with one key difference... Up until now, the routine has been for Cathy and Kyle to visit MSK on a Thursday and then return the following weekend (after 48 hours) in order to bring back the empty canister (O'Bello) and allow technicians to remove the tube from Cathy’s port. During this last session at MSK, however, Cathy and Kyle were taught how to remove the tube themselves and did so without a problem. Since the empty canister can now be exchanged when Cathy goes in for her next Thursday chemo session, removing the tube at home saves Cathy and Kyle from having to make that weekend return trip. It’s little things like this that are a big plus.
In terms of side effects from the chemo, they have been mild so far - a touch of nausea, ‘tingling’ in the extremities, sensitivity to cold food - which Cathy has been handling very well and matter-of-factly.
The day at MSK was another long one but it allowed for an extra bonus this time. Cathy’s brother, Ken, visited with Cathy and Kyle at MSK after work and brought gyros from Gyro II (located across from Madison Square Garden and a popular pre-game stop for many New York Rangers hockey fans). Whenever Cathy attended Rangers games, she always looked forward to the gyros as much as the game so this was a real treat.
The "blue house" (NY) has been a beehive of activity since Kyle's return. The moving truck was unloaded, boxes moved and unpacked, and furniture arranged with invaluable help from Ken and brother Glenn. Team Cathy is still unpacking and finding every available storage space possible but as the pile of boxes in the living room slowly but surely shrinks, we know we’re almost there.
In the meantime, Carrigan has been delighted to ‘rediscover’ (and be reunited with) her toys as well as some favorite books; enjoys playing with her tea set and riding her tricycle; and is happy to be sleeping in her own crib again. For their part, Cathy and Kyle seem equally relieved to be back in their own comfy and familiar bed as well.
This move was also a big incentive for Cathy's parents to finally start to clean out and discard accumulations of almost 50 years! Frank and Marcia warn that this is what can happen when you never move (and are sure many blog readers are nodding their heads in agreement and sympathy right now)!
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