My Castle is my Home

My home is my castle, she softly said, as we backed out of the driveway for her bi-weekly physical therapy (PT) appointment. Every day Michelle is getting stronger and more confident, she just isn’t sold on the idea she had to leave the house. She is liking her PT appointments though; her therapist is challenging her to get stronger and stay motivated.

Michelle had immunotherapy this week. She was nervous this week because it was a new location with new people and unknown expectations. “I’m sick of this bull crap, can we just stay home?” She asked. Chateau de infusion is no Fortress de Luck. Her anxiety was high, but it was calming to see such nice and inviting nurses and nursing assistants. It was more than a job to the nurses; it was like they were taking care of their own family. This was Michelle’s 8th immunotherapy infusion, and it is the first time the lab work was taken from the port. Not getting futile needle sticks is great news. Michelle was excited to hear she could go in the Luck resort hot tub if she wants. The scheduler has scheduled infusions through July already. He was nice enough to schedule more than just one month of infusions, giving us a schedule to plan from. I always wondered why they scheduled her infusions one at a time, scheduling those months in advanced makes so much more sense. We did not see the oncologist. We saw her nurse. We will see the oncologist every 3 weeks, unless there is reason to see her more often.

Back at the Castle von Lüch, I asked Michelle how she was feeling about the new facility and if she was impressed with the staff at the new infusion location. Her response was stoic. For Michelle, virtue and character are all that matter. The approach to this cancer journey isn't about her being a great role model and being strong, because in the end it doesn't really matter. I told her she is an inspiration to all that know her. “You’re too much” she said, then she thanked me for "trying" to encourage her. We both chuckled a bit.

Highlight of the week It never gets old seeing Michelle in her garden. This week she was harvesting peppers. I wasn’t sure what she was up to when I saw her in the garden this week. It didn’t take long for me to see that she had 2 arms full of poblano peppers. I thought to myself, she may have one too many peppers. She turned to shut the portcullis to the garden, dropping peppers as she turned. Latching the gate is unavailing I thought, as I watch another pepper fall to the ground. When Michelle finally made it back to the fortress, she was tired. She said her back hurt. That didn’t stop her from roasting the peppers she just harvested.

Random Fact of the Week At first, castles were built for military and government means. As centuries went on, hostilities subsided, and wealth started to flow during Renaissance, nobility and royalty started to create vanity castles that were used to be summer houses, hunting houses and royal houses. One more interesting fact. The word “dungeon” was derived from the word “"donjon” which described central keep of the castle. Because those keeps were dark, cold, and often housed prisoners, the word dungeon was born.

Fortress Daytime Television Michelle was into watching “The Devil in Ohio” (Netflix) this week. A psychiatrist takes in a young patient who escaped from a cult, putting her family and life in danger. She is also enjoying “Lore” (Prime Video) Lore is an American horror anthology television series developed by the creator of the podcast of the same name, Aaron Mahnke, with Valhalla Entertainment and Propagate Content. She enjoyed watching “BattleBots” this week as well.

Primetime Fortress Television We watched the movie “Burn” (HULU) Melinda is a lonely and unstable gas-station attendant who's tired of being overshadowed by her more confident and outgoing co-worker. When a robber holds up the station at gunpoint, Melinda tries to make a connection with the desperate thief. It was slow in the middle.

Michelle and I started watching a new series called “The Last Thing He Told Me” (Apple TV) The main character Hannah, who is played by Jennifer Garner, must forge a relationship with her 16-year-old stepdaughter, Bailey, to find the truth behind why her husband has mysteriously disappeared.

We finally watched the final episode of “The Night Agent” (Netflix). Great TV. There are scenes that are loud, but it is an exciting series to watch.

“Alcazar De La Suerte”

The Menu

Appetizers

Fruit Cocktail

Pear & Cottage Cheese parfait

Potato chips

Entrees

Chilly Mac

Huevos Rancheros Sandwiches

Biscuits and Gravy (Michelle was not a fan)

Bratwurst

Turkey Peperoni Pizza

Smoked Paprika Chicken thighs

Sweet Garlic Ginger Baked Salmon

Sides

Angel Hair Pasta

Jasmine Rice

Fried Corn

Campesina Blend Frozen Veggie mix

Cauliflower Rice

Deserts

Brownies

Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Squares

Cookies

Drinks

Lemonade

La Croix (Berry and Razz-Cranberry)

Waterloo Sparking Water (Blackberry Lemonade)

Coffee

Water

http://ManorMansionOnSparks.gov