Journal of a Living Lady #135
Nancy
White Kelly
Had
more routine chemo this week. I always dread the trip. First there are the
sticks for blood . Then comes the slow-dripping solution that keeps the cancer
in my bones at bay. Before I am finished with the all-day marathon, I must
endure the diligent prodding of my oncologist. She knows my body so well now
that I think she could operate in the dark.
I
have a new lump on my right hand. On
the other hand, I have different fingers. Sorry. I couldn’t resist. The tiredness that sinks in after
chemotherapy affects me in a silly way sometimes.
Dr.
Stead thinks the protruding lump is a cyst which is fine by me. I don’t need a
new area of bone mets. The pain in the lumbar area is escalating for some
reason. She sent me for more x-rays and has changed my medications. I am
better. I may not live, but at least I can sleep. Well, I could until Grayzee
arrived.
Grayzee,
a grown African Gray Parrot, is
the newest pet at our house. Most parrots are great talkers and mimics
and Grayzee is no exception. Already
she says, “Hey, Buddy,” which has won her favor with my first and only husband
who doesn’t like his given name of Hiram.
Grayzee
can wolf whistle, sing, and make
alarming terrorist noises. Her first sporadic outburst of rapid machine gun fire made Buddy take cover
under the kitchen table.
Walk
up to her cage and Grayzee will give you an arrogant once-over. Then she
proceeds with her lilting, seductive southern drawl, “Well?….”
Apparently
Grayzee was tame at one time, but the
last owner decided to breed her, putting her in the cage with a wild male
parrot. After a year, nothing happened so he gave up on the idea of increasing
the bird population. I got Grayzee, with her acquired bad habit of finger
snatching, from a friend in North Carolina who dabbles in the exotic bird
business.
Though
active and mischievous, Grayzee doesn’t fully trust me yet. That should come in time. So far I have kept
all ten fingers on both hands. I keep telling her that I need those
fingers. They are necessary for my daily blood sticks..
Last
week two guys were sitting outside a medical clinic. One of them was crying.
Tears were pouring down his face.
The other guy asked, " Why are you crying?"
The first one replied, " I came here for blood test."
The second one asked, "So? Why are you crying? Are you afraid?"
The first guy replied, "No. Not that. During the blood test they stabbed
my finger."
Hearing this, the second man started crying.
The first guy was astonished and asked the other, "Why are you
crying?"
Then the second man replied, "I came for a urine test."
*************
nancyk@alltel.net Don’t miss the next book signing: Saturday, Oct. 20th at
the Holabird House in Hiawassee, Noon-2:00 p.m.
