Weekend update

Pinnacle Care's nurse (not Elizabeth, who is in bed with a 7-month twin pregnancy!) came by yesterday to supervise me changing my dressing and the tips on the lumens. Everything went well. The materials aren't 100% the same as what they use in the hospital but they are close enough, and I've got enough Saline and Heparin to keep the lines functional. So I can cross that concern off my list.

Not much else to report, other than the back pain is real and not going anywhere. I had thought the dex would relieve it pretty significantly but day two on dex and nothing. My hope is that it's muscle atrophy. I'm trying to do some light stuff around the house (moving wine boxes, etc, which does involve lifting things that weigh 50 pounds or so, and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it). I don't know any better way to build muscle, though, except through use.

Otherwise, tired, but feeling good. It is so uplifting to be back home and spent time with my children and as a family. We had a couple of friends over for dinner last night, ate a great meal, drank some good wine -- almost normal! It felt really, really good and I look forward to the day when I can do this without worrying about having to begin another course of treatment soon. And, of course, without the back pain.