ECG and Port Check = A-OK

Early this morning, Harvey went to his regular doctor for an ECG.  It seems there was some kind of emergency going on at the office, so it took a little longer than it should have.  But, the doctor pronounced Harvey’s heart as “just about perfect.”  Later, when he went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription that the dermatologist had called in for a skin ointment, his heart skipped a few beats.  Upon finding out that it would cost $90, he decided against having the prescription filled and will use the samples more sparingly.  After lunching with friends, we went to the Radiology center for a “port check.”   Annie, the  very nice nurse who helped in the surgery, came into the office, looked at the wound, and ruled it “beautiful.”  I don’t think Harvey is accustomed to having a young woman refer to him as beautiful.  Thank God his heart is strong!

I may have mentioned earlier that Harvey has two friends in Rotary who have survived melanoma and the three of them have decided to form a club.  It did not take them any time at all to decide on the location for their clubhouse.  Beerman’s, our local brew pub, was the obvious and unanimous choice.  They are meeting for the first time Wednesday night, and I am sure they will come up with some sort of password and secret handshake.  Harvey is going to propose that they call themselves “The Merry Melanomsters.”  The others may have their own suggestions so we’ll have to wait and see.

Harvey still looks pretty beat up.  The skin on his cheek and neck is very dry, with cracks appearing overnight.  He also has a considerable amount of peeling skin at which he is tempted to pick.  The redness has diminished greatly since Saturday and some of the swelling seems to have gone down.  I’m really hopeful that the worst of the radiation side effects is over.

I have discovered that the most important thing for me is my exercise schedule.  Maintaining my endorphins at an elevated level helps to keep “the blues” away.  Over the weekend, I did not manage to walk my usual 10,000 steps, and by Sunday evening, I was pretty sour on things in general.  But, this morning I did walk and then did a Zumba class this evening. Et Voila!  I’m back on top of things!