[cancer] Field notes from Cancerland, JayFest edition
JayFest
JayFest is tonight at Powell's Cedar Hills. Some of the folks arriving today are staying over for JayCon, including J.A. Pitts and fjm. From about lunchtime today until after dinner Sunday it's going to be one nonstop trip to crazytown around here. Next week will be a dead calm sea by comparison.
Story Sale
In the department of good news what cheers me, seanan_mcguire and I have placed our collaborative novella "Hook Agonistes" with Subterranean Online. Go, us!
Estate Matters
As of yesterday, the house refinance has funded. I'm done with that, at an advantageous interest rate and a reduced cash flow requirement. This week, we have met with the accountant, the financial planner and the attorney about various matters as well. Sometime in the next week or so, I will write out in detail the kinds of planning we're doing, including whys and wherefores. Just don't have time right now. And, frankly, it's overwhelming.
Daye Jobbe
I am in the process of leaving work permanently on disability. I have a lot to say about this, but I believe I shall wait until we're all the way through the process so I can comment from that perspective. My employer continues to be extraordinarily supportive of me in this process, as does my boss, as well as the members of my work group. This does have some fairly staggering implications in terms of me receiving reduced cash flow from disability insurance while seeing my healthcare costs push up by 350% in shifting to COBRA. Again, more on this later when all the ducks have been enrowed.
Regorafenib Side Effects
My not-so-slow side into debilitation continues apace. I am now wearing cotton gloves almost all the time, including in my sleep. Also thick hiking socks over my silky bamboo socks, to cushion my feet. We have bought a new chair that gives me good elevation of the extremities, as well as a 'zero gee' posture to deal with the significant back pain which is emerging as a result of me walking with an odd gait due to the foot pain. I am also experiencing swelling in various body parts, including my feet and my scrotum. (That last is no joy, let me assure you.) The day to day stuff is driving me nuts. Yesterday I almost had a meltdown because I could not uncap a pen. Also, I am getting stupider. I can tell this because my performance at Sudoku has declined noticeably in the past two weeks. I use that as one of my basic cognitive self-checks. I've also been making an increasing number of stupid logistical mistakes. And my sleep cycle is very messed up. I woke at 2:15 am this morning, finally giving up at 3:00 am - this on top of a 10:00 pm bedtime. So, yeah...
JayCon
Meanwhile, there's JayCon XIII on Saturday. I'll be doing my best to enjoy the heck out of all the fuss and bother. Hope you can make one or more of the events between now and then.
JayFest is tonight at Powell's Cedar Hills. Some of the folks arriving today are staying over for JayCon, including J.A. Pitts and fjm. From about lunchtime today until after dinner Sunday it's going to be one nonstop trip to crazytown around here. Next week will be a dead calm sea by comparison.
Story Sale
In the department of good news what cheers me, seanan_mcguire and I have placed our collaborative novella "Hook Agonistes" with Subterranean Online. Go, us!
Estate Matters
As of yesterday, the house refinance has funded. I'm done with that, at an advantageous interest rate and a reduced cash flow requirement. This week, we have met with the accountant, the financial planner and the attorney about various matters as well. Sometime in the next week or so, I will write out in detail the kinds of planning we're doing, including whys and wherefores. Just don't have time right now. And, frankly, it's overwhelming.
Daye Jobbe
I am in the process of leaving work permanently on disability. I have a lot to say about this, but I believe I shall wait until we're all the way through the process so I can comment from that perspective. My employer continues to be extraordinarily supportive of me in this process, as does my boss, as well as the members of my work group. This does have some fairly staggering implications in terms of me receiving reduced cash flow from disability insurance while seeing my healthcare costs push up by 350% in shifting to COBRA. Again, more on this later when all the ducks have been enrowed.
Regorafenib Side Effects
My not-so-slow side into debilitation continues apace. I am now wearing cotton gloves almost all the time, including in my sleep. Also thick hiking socks over my silky bamboo socks, to cushion my feet. We have bought a new chair that gives me good elevation of the extremities, as well as a 'zero gee' posture to deal with the significant back pain which is emerging as a result of me walking with an odd gait due to the foot pain. I am also experiencing swelling in various body parts, including my feet and my scrotum. (That last is no joy, let me assure you.) The day to day stuff is driving me nuts. Yesterday I almost had a meltdown because I could not uncap a pen. Also, I am getting stupider. I can tell this because my performance at Sudoku has declined noticeably in the past two weeks. I use that as one of my basic cognitive self-checks. I've also been making an increasing number of stupid logistical mistakes. And my sleep cycle is very messed up. I woke at 2:15 am this morning, finally giving up at 3:00 am - this on top of a 10:00 pm bedtime. So, yeah...
JayCon
Meanwhile, there's JayCon XIII on Saturday. I'll be doing my best to enjoy the heck out of all the fuss and bother. Hope you can make one or more of the events between now and then.