Today (Tuesday) is my last day of proactive quarantine - let me be honest, I've been isolating for pretty much the last four months non-stop - but when you can't leave your room / porch, it's the first time it felt like being in prison. Can't take out the trash. Can't walk around the building for exercise. Can't pop over to the PX for an ice cream sandwich. And I wouldn't DARE risk it - because I'm kind of....well....NOTICEABLE on base. Not many tall, round bald women running around - so I'd inevitably be caught.
Fortunately, I had my socially distanced neighbors to keep me from going completely mad - and I did have coworkers drop by to see if we had any emergency needs (like Ketchup - EDDIE, you're a life saver!) so it's not like we were completely roughing it.
My oncologist is on vacation, so he let me know that there would be another doctor at the hospital - there were no issues getting there and getting checked in. Did my blood test, waited for the results for a REALLY long time, and then took my normal place on the chemo bed.
I didn't bring my laptop, and I wasn't really feeling up to reading, so I just laid down and closed my eyes. The nurse walked in and (since I don't normally doze) came over and stood directly over me to figure out if I had passed out. When I sensed something off and opened my eyes, I nearly had a heart attack with her peering over me - I think I probably gave her one too when I screamed a wee bit.
But otherwise - there's not much to tell. A few hours of poison, no major issues, and I was back on my way home. Stopped to pick up some fresh fruits - the SAME guy was at the fruit counter as last week, and he immediately put his mask on and nodded at me. No tantrums this time, thank heavens.
Fortunately, I made it back to my room just before all hell broke loose in terms of the summer storms we've been having. Sam allowed me to keep the car at the room until morning because it was quite literally causing flash flooding on base. The next morning, you could see TONS of crap everywhere that had been carried through the dirt roads by the rainwater - barbeques, trash cans, shoes - it was slightly creepy.
One. More. Week.
I found out it will be months and months before my immune system recovers - but at least my hair will start to grow back and I won't have hellish Fridays anymore.
While I've been in quarantine I've finished two more paintings - which I've really enjoyed. But beyond that, the isolation is starting to get to me - I am so tired of having to stay away from people. I miss hugs. I NEED hugs. And singing big showtunes at karaoke. And eating at a restaurant without having to follow the waiters to make sure they are wearing their masks. Blah blah blah. I get it, people. I get it. And if my life weren't in jeopardy, I'm not sure I'd be as diligently cooperative and compliant as I am - so know I'm not judging you.
But the sooner you wear the damn mask, the sooner we get things under control.
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