My sister, Suzanne and her husband Steve just after dinner. They got here on Thursday evening and stayed until today, Sunday evening. They wanted to come to help me some after my surgery and no no big plans were made to romp around because I was recovering this week. I really didn’t feel up to doing anything strenuous and it was a doctor’s order to do nothing strenuous anyway.

On Friday morning, I had to go into my medical oncologist’s office to have blood drawn and the port flushed which was overdo because I kept forgetting to ask them about it. It worked out OK, and it was the first time I ever had blood drawn from it.  That was my only outing this whole weekend.

I had no energy and didn’t feel comfortable going out in public with all the drains and pain pump hanging off of me. I was a site to behold if you can imagine. I bought a Velcro belt to carry my drains in which made it nicer than having to pin them onto my clothing. I also have a pain pump with it’s own carry bag that I was able to wrap around myself like a fanny pack, so I looked like I had a gun holster or a tool belt around me.

I sent Sue and Steve off to Avila Beach to see if they could spot the whales, but the whales were gone. It was a beautiful day for them anyway, so it made for a nice vacation day for them. They got to do some errands in San Luis Obispo too, so it gave me a rest day with Pete.

Saturday was the Cotton Ball open house with the new owner (one of my favorite hobby stores), so everything was 20% off. I wanted to go, but I was not well enough; so I sent my sister to go and pick up some needles for my machine. Later, I ordered some fabric over the phone for a project I have wanted to complete for a long time. My friend Aundrea even delivered it to my door. Sweet!

I would like to say that I was bouncing around and having an active visit with my family, but that wouldn’t be true. I didn’t feel well, I couldn’t sleep most nights because of pain, nausea, and having to empty the drains and the whole deal. I was very glad that my sister could be an assistant nurse with my husband to help me change my dressings, and empty the drains. Even though I am an RN, and have done those things for patients, it is incredibly difficult to do those things for myself. My dressings were on my back, and the drains were awkward to manage by one’s self. It was very good to have the help of both of them in my care.

So that was my weekend. It revolved around managing pain, nausea, dressing changes, emptying drains, home health nurse visits, eating to be able to take my medicine and so forth. Not exciting stuff, but it is what it is. Oh, and resting of course. I did have one moment that I went out and watered for five minutes, and that was about all I could do for my activity. I wanted to go for a walk, but I wasn’t feeling strong enough to manage that. Perhaps tomorrow. Yes.

Anyway, I am blessed with friends who stopped by this weekend with snacks and flowers and a short visit. It blessed me so much. Even my next door neighbor dropped off one of her dogs so she could train the younger one, so I even got some doggie time in. I liked that very much.

I really didn’t want my sister to leave. I felt like one of my care givers was leaving and I needed the help, plus the company was so pleasant with the two of them.