Wow! Almost two months with no blog entries at all. Let me catch you up. First off, I am currently in the hospital again. I was having such a hard time breathing that my doctor ordered a CT scan which revealed fluid in my lung and around my heart. I had the lung fluid drained this morning (750 ml) and then this afternoon's heart sonogram revealed that the heart fluid was stressing my heart so my doctor decided to admit me. They will remove the heart fluid tomorrow and then do something to help prevent the lung fluid from coming back. Also my chemo will be reevaluated as there has been some growth in the lung tumors. My doctor has told me not to plan any travel for a while.
Luckily I did get up to Maine recently, and then down to Florida. Both trips were great. The weather in Maine was beautiful, and it was great seeing my dad and Diane. Florida weather was not very good but Joss and James came with me and we had a wonderful time.
It's been a rather boring few months so that's all I really have to report.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
This just in
Joss reports that James said "basket" the other day. He has apparently inherited my intelligence, tackling two-syllable words first. He asked what it was and Joss told him. He repeated "basket" and then put the basket on his arm and walked around the room putting things in it.
On a much sadder note, my son-in-law, Dominick, lost his grandfather this week. He was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. Here is the news article:
----------
SOPHIA, N.C. (WGHP) - A 57-year-old was killed in a motorcycle accident near Sophia on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 5 p.m. on Level Plains Road near Mount Gilead Church Road.
Troopers said Michael Carroll Lewis, 57, of 4161 Mt. Gilead Church Road, was headed west on Mount Gilead Church Road when he was struck by a Ford Explorer.
Lewis died in the accident.
Investigators said 17-year-old Casie Baker, of 4600 Pliney Farlow Road, Trinity, was driving the Ford Explorer north on Level Plains Road when she struck the motorcycle.
Troopers said Baker is charged with failure to yield right of way and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Baker told investigators she looked before pulled onto the road but did not see the motorcycle.
Investigators said neither alcohol nor cell phones were a factor in the accident.
------------
Please keep Dominick and his family in your thoughts.
On a much sadder note, my son-in-law, Dominick, lost his grandfather this week. He was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. Here is the news article:
----------
SOPHIA, N.C. (WGHP) - A 57-year-old was killed in a motorcycle accident near Sophia on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 5 p.m. on Level Plains Road near Mount Gilead Church Road.
Troopers said Michael Carroll Lewis, 57, of 4161 Mt. Gilead Church Road, was headed west on Mount Gilead Church Road when he was struck by a Ford Explorer.
Lewis died in the accident.
Investigators said 17-year-old Casie Baker, of 4600 Pliney Farlow Road, Trinity, was driving the Ford Explorer north on Level Plains Road when she struck the motorcycle.
Troopers said Baker is charged with failure to yield right of way and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Baker told investigators she looked before pulled onto the road but did not see the motorcycle.
Investigators said neither alcohol nor cell phones were a factor in the accident.
------------
Please keep Dominick and his family in your thoughts.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Update
Well, I have been in Greensboro for several weeks in a row now. I am definitely getting antsy but mostly because, I have recently realized, I have been traveling so much to escape what I am facing. Running away in a sense. Is that bad though? What is the harm in avoiding thinking about things?
When I found out I would be going in a pill form of chemotherapy for a few months, I had considered going back to Europe, it may be my last chance to. I decided against it and it is probably a good thing that I did since I ended up in the hospital last week. But now I am really wishing I were there.
My hospital visit lasted 5 days. I had a lot of swelling in my face and neck, and could not breathe well. I went to the emergency room at 3 am Tuesday because I thought it was congestive heart failure. Turned out I have a blood clot around the port that was implanted for chemo. The port goes into my heart but the risk was that the blood clot would reach my lungs, not heart. I don't really understand this, but whatever. They took the port out and put me on blood thinners.
I have not started the chemo that I was supposed to start last week because of the blood clot incident. Now my doctor wants to wait until the blood thinner level is regulated properly before starting me on it. This concerns me a bit because this means at least seven weeks off of chemo, and last time I went twelve weeks, tumors came back pretty bad.
In other news, James is becoming quite the clown. He does this silly thing where he puts his head on the floor and crawls around smiling. Every few seconds he looks up and laughs, and then puts his head back down and does it again. I don't know what the heck that kid is thinking but it is so funny. He has also learned to say "that" and points to EVERYTHING and says "that."
That's it for now.
When I found out I would be going in a pill form of chemotherapy for a few months, I had considered going back to Europe, it may be my last chance to. I decided against it and it is probably a good thing that I did since I ended up in the hospital last week. But now I am really wishing I were there.
My hospital visit lasted 5 days. I had a lot of swelling in my face and neck, and could not breathe well. I went to the emergency room at 3 am Tuesday because I thought it was congestive heart failure. Turned out I have a blood clot around the port that was implanted for chemo. The port goes into my heart but the risk was that the blood clot would reach my lungs, not heart. I don't really understand this, but whatever. They took the port out and put me on blood thinners.
I have not started the chemo that I was supposed to start last week because of the blood clot incident. Now my doctor wants to wait until the blood thinner level is regulated properly before starting me on it. This concerns me a bit because this means at least seven weeks off of chemo, and last time I went twelve weeks, tumors came back pretty bad.
In other news, James is becoming quite the clown. He does this silly thing where he puts his head on the floor and crawls around smiling. Every few seconds he looks up and laughs, and then puts his head back down and does it again. I don't know what the heck that kid is thinking but it is so funny. He has also learned to say "that" and points to EVERYTHING and says "that."
That's it for now.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Gently...
Why is it OK to hurt people? I think the intuitive response for most is “it’s not.” But how true is that? I thought at one time that we are never supposed to hurt anyone. That if life came with a rule book, that would be Rule #1. Yet it is not possible to never cause anyone pain. I would imagine that certain, more spiritual, deeply religious, or Zen societies strive to never cause pain, but even Jesus certainly hurt people. Leaving behind people who loved him to move on and do what he was meant to do surely caused pain to many. Is it ok to hurt people if your intentions are good? Regardless of intent or reasoning, pain is still pain.
If, perhaps, we are supposed to endure pain ourselves rather than hurting others, how far should we go with that? Where would we draw the line? Should someone stay in an abusive relationship because it would hurt the other person to be left? I guess this would never even happen if we all lived by the same rules of conduct, but we don’t. How much responsibility, then, should one take on? Do we have more responsibility to endure more pain ourselves just because we’ve considered this topic? That hardly seems fair. Maybe ignorance is bliss.
There are so many levels of hurt, and so very many situations that are hurtful. We can hurt someone’s feelings simply by saying something that they take differently than it was meant, or by, say, leaving them out of plans for one reason or another. We are hurtful through misunderstandings, and by having different needs. We hurt others by making choices that do not necessarily coincide with what someone else may want. We hurt others out of anger, retaliation, fear, need, desire, hate, and love. I’d venture to say that there is not a single emotion which has not at times caused pain. We are social creatures, yet it seems the only way to try to avoid hurting people would be to remove yourself from society -- never develop relationships, and never even speak to others. Yet if we were to do that, that act alone would hurt those who love us and are left abandoned. We simply cannot escape hurting others.
Obviously we are meant to hurt others at times. It seems cruel and wrong, but it must be so, and there must be a reason for this. We learn a lot by being hurt. Our personalities probably develop more so based on our emotional injuries than on any other experiences. Our painful life lessons are a huge contributor in how we develop and what choices we make further along our path. Is there a black and white answer to what is acceptable to do to others and what is not, or is that line within each of us? I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what is truly right, and the thought that keeps entering my mind is “tread gently.” I know there will be situations when I will hurt someone. I think the best way to handle these situations is thoughtfully and empathetically. I don’t always do that. I think most of the times I’ve been hurtful, it’s been a quick, knee-jerk reaction where I just don’t reflect on all perspectives of a situation before I act. There are times when someone pisses me off and I react by saying hurtful things; at these times I need to let go of anger, as it doesn’t benefit anyone. There are times when I hurt others just because I don’t think about how they would feel; I need to reflect more often on how I would feel in other peoples’ shoes. And there are times when I hurt others because I have to do what is right or best; these times I need to handle carefully and with forethought.
Alas, we cannot avoid causing others pain always, but we can at times avoid it, learn from it, or do so more gently.
If, perhaps, we are supposed to endure pain ourselves rather than hurting others, how far should we go with that? Where would we draw the line? Should someone stay in an abusive relationship because it would hurt the other person to be left? I guess this would never even happen if we all lived by the same rules of conduct, but we don’t. How much responsibility, then, should one take on? Do we have more responsibility to endure more pain ourselves just because we’ve considered this topic? That hardly seems fair. Maybe ignorance is bliss.
There are so many levels of hurt, and so very many situations that are hurtful. We can hurt someone’s feelings simply by saying something that they take differently than it was meant, or by, say, leaving them out of plans for one reason or another. We are hurtful through misunderstandings, and by having different needs. We hurt others by making choices that do not necessarily coincide with what someone else may want. We hurt others out of anger, retaliation, fear, need, desire, hate, and love. I’d venture to say that there is not a single emotion which has not at times caused pain. We are social creatures, yet it seems the only way to try to avoid hurting people would be to remove yourself from society -- never develop relationships, and never even speak to others. Yet if we were to do that, that act alone would hurt those who love us and are left abandoned. We simply cannot escape hurting others.
Obviously we are meant to hurt others at times. It seems cruel and wrong, but it must be so, and there must be a reason for this. We learn a lot by being hurt. Our personalities probably develop more so based on our emotional injuries than on any other experiences. Our painful life lessons are a huge contributor in how we develop and what choices we make further along our path. Is there a black and white answer to what is acceptable to do to others and what is not, or is that line within each of us? I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what is truly right, and the thought that keeps entering my mind is “tread gently.” I know there will be situations when I will hurt someone. I think the best way to handle these situations is thoughtfully and empathetically. I don’t always do that. I think most of the times I’ve been hurtful, it’s been a quick, knee-jerk reaction where I just don’t reflect on all perspectives of a situation before I act. There are times when someone pisses me off and I react by saying hurtful things; at these times I need to let go of anger, as it doesn’t benefit anyone. There are times when I hurt others just because I don’t think about how they would feel; I need to reflect more often on how I would feel in other peoples’ shoes. And there are times when I hurt others because I have to do what is right or best; these times I need to handle carefully and with forethought.
Alas, we cannot avoid causing others pain always, but we can at times avoid it, learn from it, or do so more gently.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
People, Meet Chemo
Another chemo day, so again I am up all night. Maybe chemo nights will be the only times I get around to blogging. I’ve learned a lot about my chemo the past few weeks, and how it’s affecting me. A lot of things that I thought were happening just because I’m getting older, are actually side effects of chemo.
I still get queasy at the mere thought of chemo, and whenever I walk into the Cancer Center. It’s disgusting and depressing. One day my little sister Al came with me on a Friday for pump removal, and found the atmosphere so sad that she immediately had to leave and waited outside for me. I try to look at it from different perspectives, but it rarely helps. At first I would concentrate on visuals of the chemo battling to kill the tumors. This helped make it less gross for a day or two but soon stopped working. I tried looking at chemo days as my “job” that I have to do so that I get to travel on my good weeks. This didn’t really work either though. I bring all kinds of stuff with me: blanket and slippers, computer, movies, games, books, crayons. I get comfy, chat with friends, and even had a pizza delivered today. It helps the time go by, but does not distract me from the fact that some seriously nasty poison is being pumped into me for about 5 hours, and will make me sick for about 5 days. As the day goes on, I can immediately start feeling the effects: cold sensitivity, queasiness, and a cloudy-headedness. I start dreading chemo Wednesday on the preceding Monday. I hate it.
On a brighter note, I leave Saturday for Cancun. I will be there through the next Friday the 25th. I will then be home in Greensboro for a week for chemo, and then leave again on July 3 for a 7-day cruise with my girlfriend Cynthia to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize, and Honduras! Can I get a "hell yeah!"? Cyn is awesome and super fun so it’s really going to be an amazing trip, AND... this gives me a reason to wear some of my more formal dresses that I never get to wear. I should try to find a tiara! Or a boa! Yeah!!! Joss and I were going to play dress-up that way on our January cruise but we never got around to getting them.
After the cruise I am home again for another chemo week, and who knows after that. Soon I am planning to get back up to Maine to see my Dad and Diane, to P-town (MA) to see my sister Christine, back down to Florida to hang out with Neil, Al, and Don & Jeannie, and also to some more local beaches. My doctor says I look well rested, and she is glad I am not working and am traveling and visiting family. It’s funny that one week I feel so crappy and the next I feel pretty good and am able to get away. I am not sure how long that will last, so I am trying to cram as much living in now, before I get to the point where I cannot. Usually the first few days I am away are not great because they are so close to chemo day, and I just rest a lot, but by the Monday after chemo I start feeling better. I know that’s it’s made a huge difference in my attitude, sense of serenity, and health to be able to relax with family, hang out poolside, or on the beach, and just not worry about anything. I tend to totally forget about cancer when I am away from Greensboro. Maybe that’s why I never stay here that long. I have stopped checking my work emails several times a day like I was, because it stresses me out so much. Everything seems to be under control without me anyway. I really just want peace at this point. Peace… but adventure!
I know I still owe blogs about Florida and Philly, but this is what was on my mind right now. Hope to get the others down at some point, but, let's face it... I may never. I will at least put up the pics of James and Oliver buried on the beach up to their necks. Priceless!
(here is a link to the Florida pics on my facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038593&id=1365674995&l=e882acd35d)
Enjoy every day!
Go home by 6:00... don't let work be your life.
Spend time with your family and tell them you love them. They won't always be there.
Plan a vacation, or even a day trip.
DO FUN STUFF!!! You will NEVER regret it, but you will regret it if you don't.
I love you all.
- My eyes have changed color from dark brown to light brown
- My eyesight is getting worse
- My eyes water a lot (very messy if I don’t use waterproof eyeliner)
- My eyelashes have gotten super short, thin and brittle
- My hair has thinned significantly and changed to the consistency of thin straw
- My mouth is so sensitive that I have to use non-minty toothpaste (this really sucks!)
- I cannot eat or drink anything even remotely cold and sometimes even room temperature is too cold, so I am unquenchably thirsty every other week (this is by FAR the worst of the side effects)
- Foods that are too hot, or too cold hurt my mouth
- I tan very easily (bonus) but it fades very quickly (bummer)
- My hands and feet are very sensitive to pain
- My toenails will split and practically fall off with the slightest stub
- I have hot flashes and night sweats daily
- If I walk barefoot in my house I get pins in my feet but if I put socks on, I get hot flashes
- I’ve been forced into premature menopause, and all the joy that goes along with that
- My feet hurt
- My arms and legs often ache (this one is not actually from the chemo but from the shot I get after every chemo to up my white blood cell production)
- I sometimes get so weak walking even short distances, that I have to sit down and rest
- I get extreme headaches and eyeball aches that no drugs will touch
- I have learned that there is an extreme difference between queasiness and nausea. I teeter between both of them – most often queasiness
- I severely crave carbs: bread, pastry, pasta, bagels, potatoes, oatmeal. On chemo weeks, that’s about all I eat
I still get queasy at the mere thought of chemo, and whenever I walk into the Cancer Center. It’s disgusting and depressing. One day my little sister Al came with me on a Friday for pump removal, and found the atmosphere so sad that she immediately had to leave and waited outside for me. I try to look at it from different perspectives, but it rarely helps. At first I would concentrate on visuals of the chemo battling to kill the tumors. This helped make it less gross for a day or two but soon stopped working. I tried looking at chemo days as my “job” that I have to do so that I get to travel on my good weeks. This didn’t really work either though. I bring all kinds of stuff with me: blanket and slippers, computer, movies, games, books, crayons. I get comfy, chat with friends, and even had a pizza delivered today. It helps the time go by, but does not distract me from the fact that some seriously nasty poison is being pumped into me for about 5 hours, and will make me sick for about 5 days. As the day goes on, I can immediately start feeling the effects: cold sensitivity, queasiness, and a cloudy-headedness. I start dreading chemo Wednesday on the preceding Monday. I hate it.
On a brighter note, I leave Saturday for Cancun. I will be there through the next Friday the 25th. I will then be home in Greensboro for a week for chemo, and then leave again on July 3 for a 7-day cruise with my girlfriend Cynthia to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize, and Honduras! Can I get a "hell yeah!"? Cyn is awesome and super fun so it’s really going to be an amazing trip, AND... this gives me a reason to wear some of my more formal dresses that I never get to wear. I should try to find a tiara! Or a boa! Yeah!!! Joss and I were going to play dress-up that way on our January cruise but we never got around to getting them.
After the cruise I am home again for another chemo week, and who knows after that. Soon I am planning to get back up to Maine to see my Dad and Diane, to P-town (MA) to see my sister Christine, back down to Florida to hang out with Neil, Al, and Don & Jeannie, and also to some more local beaches. My doctor says I look well rested, and she is glad I am not working and am traveling and visiting family. It’s funny that one week I feel so crappy and the next I feel pretty good and am able to get away. I am not sure how long that will last, so I am trying to cram as much living in now, before I get to the point where I cannot. Usually the first few days I am away are not great because they are so close to chemo day, and I just rest a lot, but by the Monday after chemo I start feeling better. I know that’s it’s made a huge difference in my attitude, sense of serenity, and health to be able to relax with family, hang out poolside, or on the beach, and just not worry about anything. I tend to totally forget about cancer when I am away from Greensboro. Maybe that’s why I never stay here that long. I have stopped checking my work emails several times a day like I was, because it stresses me out so much. Everything seems to be under control without me anyway. I really just want peace at this point. Peace… but adventure!
I know I still owe blogs about Florida and Philly, but this is what was on my mind right now. Hope to get the others down at some point, but, let's face it... I may never. I will at least put up the pics of James and Oliver buried on the beach up to their necks. Priceless!
(here is a link to the Florida pics on my facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038593&id=1365674995&l=e882acd35d)
Enjoy every day!
Go home by 6:00... don't let work be your life.
Spend time with your family and tell them you love them. They won't always be there.
Plan a vacation, or even a day trip.
DO FUN STUFF!!! You will NEVER regret it, but you will regret it if you don't.
I love you all.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
News From Philly
After a rather entertaining hold up at the airport which resulted in my trading a half full 4 oz bottle of baby oil for a personalized TSA report, I arrived in Philly. The Center, CTCA, met me with a limo, and a chauffeur holding a sign with my name. (I always wanted to get picked up that way.) He took me to CTCA and I started my day there with lunch before my appointments, which started at 1:00.
I was directed to the dining room where I could choose, buffet style, anything I wanted for free. I have been on cruises with worse food than CTCA. The food is amazing!! Plus everything is nutritionally enhanced and geared towards helping the issues that cancer patients face. I had an organic, sugar free lemonade, some gilled tofu and vegetables thing, olives and peppers from small olive bar, some other yummy grilled vegetable thing, potatoes in like a casserole, bowtie pasta with feta, and a chocolate-cream cheese cupcake.
After lunch I started appointments. I met with a nutritionist and a naturalist. Both asked about what side effects I suffer and such, so that they could offer me suggestions on foods and supplements to help. I met with nurse who verified my cancer history and asked about more side effects. Apparently some things I’ve been experiencing are from chemo and I had no clue. They address everything here, on a very personal level, and try to make everything better, not just treat your cancer.
Next I met with my doctor, Dr. Klimant (Kle-MONT) who is from Germany. He told me a few things different from my oncologist back home (Dr. Odogwu). First thing, which I was glad to hear, is that one of my current chemos, Oxolyplatin, or something like that, which is the one I hate the most because it gives me the problems with cold, would only be given to me for a total of 12 treatments (tomorrow’s is #10) and then never again because it’s found to be ineffective after that. This is very encouraging as it would make remaining on chemo far less uncomfortable. I am not sure if Dr. Odogwu had that same plan because she is vague and limited in what she tells me, and mentioned just staying on this regiment until it stopped working. Mostly what I hear from her is “I don’t know” and “we will see.”
I also asked Dr. Klimant about my expected time left. Although they are very hesitant here at CTCA to put a time on anyone (they are quite against that) I asked, statistically speaking, what he’d expect and he said that he would guess that I’m likely to have between 1 and 2 years. He said I am not a candidate for directed radiation since my tumors are so splattered, but may potentially be, down the road, for some other type of chemo or something that unfortunately I’ve forgotten all of the details about except that it has something to do with genetic testing they are doing. I was rather bombarded with information. He also said that the other 3 of my 4 current chemos, I would stay on for a while. Lastly, we talked about my desire to spend a month or so in Europe, and he said he could definitely work that in. Overall he is much more optimistic and informative than Dr. Odogwu.
While two years may not seem overly optimistic, it’s twice as long as one year. It means seeing James turn 3, and hearing him call me Gramommy. It means several more visits to my Dad and Diane in Maine, and several more visits to Don, Neil and Al in Florida. An extra birthday and an extra Christmas. More stamps in my passport. Two is definitely better than one.
Today I had my chemo. The infusion room here is so much better than home. The center at home is dreary and sad. Here it’s bright and happy with TVs for everyone and snacks all around. The patients even talk to each other and laugh. At home they just sleep. Here they bring you a menu to order the amazing food from the dining room, and bring it t you. At home you can have a half of sandwich with a slice of turkey on it, or cheese and crackers, both of which are cold so you better get them before the Oxolyplatin. Here they give you many more pre-meds to avoid nausea and neuropathy, and they tell you everything you get and what it’s for. At home I get a mystery mix with some steroid for nausea, and I think that's it but I am not sure. And here everyone comes to you for tests, information, or just to check on you. At home they sent you here and there to get this test, pick up those results, bring them to this doctor, etc. Everything is easy and pleasant here.
I have the option to move my treatment here, and am considering it, but there are a few things I need to think about. First, travelling every two weeks could get old. Although I do like travelling and it seems as though there is some fun stuff to see in Philly. And while CTCA pays for flights and feeds me delicious foods, the hotel is still $45 a night on return trips and 8 nights a month of that is not really feasible. You’d think that since they cover everything else, they would cover that too. I am meeting with a financial counselor tomorrow so maybe they will have an alternative.
Oh, the center also offers free massage and reiki. I tried to get a massage scheduled but they were full and were going to call me if they can get me in Thursday or Friday. And the dining room will make fresh juices with whatever you want, smoothies, and soy shakes! They keep warm drinks on hand for those of us on Oxolyplatin. They give you ginger candies to take for nausea, and they work so well I was able to do the Pat’s vs. Geno’s challenge tonight….steak and cheese on a chemo night!! (Blog on that to follow soon.)
Tomorrow/today (Thursday) I have a free day and plan to look around and play in Philly. Or may just stay in this bed for half the day, as it’s super nice and I’ve been up all night. It’s a sleep number bed and I’ve found it to be even more comfortable tonight than last night. I have more blogs to write so check back.
I was directed to the dining room where I could choose, buffet style, anything I wanted for free. I have been on cruises with worse food than CTCA. The food is amazing!! Plus everything is nutritionally enhanced and geared towards helping the issues that cancer patients face. I had an organic, sugar free lemonade, some gilled tofu and vegetables thing, olives and peppers from small olive bar, some other yummy grilled vegetable thing, potatoes in like a casserole, bowtie pasta with feta, and a chocolate-cream cheese cupcake.
After lunch I started appointments. I met with a nutritionist and a naturalist. Both asked about what side effects I suffer and such, so that they could offer me suggestions on foods and supplements to help. I met with nurse who verified my cancer history and asked about more side effects. Apparently some things I’ve been experiencing are from chemo and I had no clue. They address everything here, on a very personal level, and try to make everything better, not just treat your cancer.
Next I met with my doctor, Dr. Klimant (Kle-MONT) who is from Germany. He told me a few things different from my oncologist back home (Dr. Odogwu). First thing, which I was glad to hear, is that one of my current chemos, Oxolyplatin, or something like that, which is the one I hate the most because it gives me the problems with cold, would only be given to me for a total of 12 treatments (tomorrow’s is #10) and then never again because it’s found to be ineffective after that. This is very encouraging as it would make remaining on chemo far less uncomfortable. I am not sure if Dr. Odogwu had that same plan because she is vague and limited in what she tells me, and mentioned just staying on this regiment until it stopped working. Mostly what I hear from her is “I don’t know” and “we will see.”
I also asked Dr. Klimant about my expected time left. Although they are very hesitant here at CTCA to put a time on anyone (they are quite against that) I asked, statistically speaking, what he’d expect and he said that he would guess that I’m likely to have between 1 and 2 years. He said I am not a candidate for directed radiation since my tumors are so splattered, but may potentially be, down the road, for some other type of chemo or something that unfortunately I’ve forgotten all of the details about except that it has something to do with genetic testing they are doing. I was rather bombarded with information. He also said that the other 3 of my 4 current chemos, I would stay on for a while. Lastly, we talked about my desire to spend a month or so in Europe, and he said he could definitely work that in. Overall he is much more optimistic and informative than Dr. Odogwu.
While two years may not seem overly optimistic, it’s twice as long as one year. It means seeing James turn 3, and hearing him call me Gramommy. It means several more visits to my Dad and Diane in Maine, and several more visits to Don, Neil and Al in Florida. An extra birthday and an extra Christmas. More stamps in my passport. Two is definitely better than one.
Today I had my chemo. The infusion room here is so much better than home. The center at home is dreary and sad. Here it’s bright and happy with TVs for everyone and snacks all around. The patients even talk to each other and laugh. At home they just sleep. Here they bring you a menu to order the amazing food from the dining room, and bring it t you. At home you can have a half of sandwich with a slice of turkey on it, or cheese and crackers, both of which are cold so you better get them before the Oxolyplatin. Here they give you many more pre-meds to avoid nausea and neuropathy, and they tell you everything you get and what it’s for. At home I get a mystery mix with some steroid for nausea, and I think that's it but I am not sure. And here everyone comes to you for tests, information, or just to check on you. At home they sent you here and there to get this test, pick up those results, bring them to this doctor, etc. Everything is easy and pleasant here.
I have the option to move my treatment here, and am considering it, but there are a few things I need to think about. First, travelling every two weeks could get old. Although I do like travelling and it seems as though there is some fun stuff to see in Philly. And while CTCA pays for flights and feeds me delicious foods, the hotel is still $45 a night on return trips and 8 nights a month of that is not really feasible. You’d think that since they cover everything else, they would cover that too. I am meeting with a financial counselor tomorrow so maybe they will have an alternative.
Oh, the center also offers free massage and reiki. I tried to get a massage scheduled but they were full and were going to call me if they can get me in Thursday or Friday. And the dining room will make fresh juices with whatever you want, smoothies, and soy shakes! They keep warm drinks on hand for those of us on Oxolyplatin. They give you ginger candies to take for nausea, and they work so well I was able to do the Pat’s vs. Geno’s challenge tonight….steak and cheese on a chemo night!! (Blog on that to follow soon.)
Tomorrow/today (Thursday) I have a free day and plan to look around and play in Philly. Or may just stay in this bed for half the day, as it’s super nice and I’ve been up all night. It’s a sleep number bed and I’ve found it to be even more comfortable tonight than last night. I have more blogs to write so check back.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Yo quero Santo Domingo!
I just came back from the Dominican Republic. Specifically, Boca Chica, which is a nice little beach town on the other side of the airport from Santo Domingo. Jet Blue had a flight deal, so I booked it Monday, and left Wednesday. I just got home last night.
Had a great time there, but did not take many pictures. Since most of my time was spent on the beach and snorkeling, and my camera does not take pictures underwater, I did not have a lot of photo opportunities. I wish I could take pictures under water because I saw some amazing fish and these jelly fish like plant thingys that are beautiful but sting if you touch them. And I did. Not on purpose, of course, but when swimming near the coral reef, in very shallow water, and not realizing the wiggle things next to me were stingies, I brushed against them and got affected ("stung" is not really the right word) on my arm and thigh. One of the locals told me to put vinegar on it, but the bar didn't have any. They did, however, have tequila. I drank a bunch of margaritas in a short amount of time, and was proud of myself for finding a solution to the stinging pain, until I woke up sunburned and realized I had passed out in the sun.
I stumbled to the shade (it was a pitiful sight) and slept off the rest of my stupor and then went back to my room for the night. Now, however, the sting is gone, and the red has turned brown so I got a nice tan out of the ordeal. Gotta love Italian genes.
I found the town of Boca Chica to be very charming, though very poor. There are a lot of orphaned kids around sleeping on benches and the like. It's very sad. But the people there are super nice and welcoming, and I made several friends who told me of life there in the Dominican Republic.
I stayed at a cheap "all inclusive" hotel, and found that "all inclusive" does not include soap, washcloths, a remote control, or room cleaning. The food was borderline bad, and being that I am really not picky, that's pretty bad. I was able to find something edible at each meal, and supplemented the rest with free but tiny margaritas. The one time I had a great, sizable drink, was when I went to the bar and found it unattended. After waiting a few minutes I went behind the bar and put my mixology skills to the test, filling my water bottle with margarita ingredients. The bar keep came back just in time to give me a dirty look and hear my
heart-felt "gracias!
I did take a couple of pictures, and will post them as soon as I get settled and get them off my camera. I still have pictures from James' birthday party that I need to download from the camera too.
I am sitting in chemo right now, and just booked a flight to Cancun for June 19. Can't wait for that! Before that trip, though, I will be going to the cancer center in Philly, and taking a drive down to Florida with Joss and James to see my family. I am also considering a local beach trip, to help me keep the bronze goddess look I've recently acquired, and am still looking into Honduras and Puerto Rico. I'd like to stay with host families at those places, so if you know anyone there that would like to host an American, please let me know. I am also considering attending a Spanish school in Honduras for a week. You stay with a host family, get one-on-one lessons each day, and they show you around and introduce you to the culture. It's like $250 a week for all that, and they feed you too! I was able to stumble through some conversations in the DR with my limited Spanish, and found myself wishing I knew more.
Of course I am still hoping to get back to Europe soon, but still don't know if that can happen. Will keep you all updated. Go somewhere soon!!! It seriously makes life so much more fun.
Had a great time there, but did not take many pictures. Since most of my time was spent on the beach and snorkeling, and my camera does not take pictures underwater, I did not have a lot of photo opportunities. I wish I could take pictures under water because I saw some amazing fish and these jelly fish like plant thingys that are beautiful but sting if you touch them. And I did. Not on purpose, of course, but when swimming near the coral reef, in very shallow water, and not realizing the wiggle things next to me were stingies, I brushed against them and got affected ("stung" is not really the right word) on my arm and thigh. One of the locals told me to put vinegar on it, but the bar didn't have any. They did, however, have tequila. I drank a bunch of margaritas in a short amount of time, and was proud of myself for finding a solution to the stinging pain, until I woke up sunburned and realized I had passed out in the sun.
I stumbled to the shade (it was a pitiful sight) and slept off the rest of my stupor and then went back to my room for the night. Now, however, the sting is gone, and the red has turned brown so I got a nice tan out of the ordeal. Gotta love Italian genes.
I found the town of Boca Chica to be very charming, though very poor. There are a lot of orphaned kids around sleeping on benches and the like. It's very sad. But the people there are super nice and welcoming, and I made several friends who told me of life there in the Dominican Republic.
I stayed at a cheap "all inclusive" hotel, and found that "all inclusive" does not include soap, washcloths, a remote control, or room cleaning. The food was borderline bad, and being that I am really not picky, that's pretty bad. I was able to find something edible at each meal, and supplemented the rest with free but tiny margaritas. The one time I had a great, sizable drink, was when I went to the bar and found it unattended. After waiting a few minutes I went behind the bar and put my mixology skills to the test, filling my water bottle with margarita ingredients. The bar keep came back just in time to give me a dirty look and hear my
heart-felt "gracias!
I did take a couple of pictures, and will post them as soon as I get settled and get them off my camera. I still have pictures from James' birthday party that I need to download from the camera too.
I am sitting in chemo right now, and just booked a flight to Cancun for June 19. Can't wait for that! Before that trip, though, I will be going to the cancer center in Philly, and taking a drive down to Florida with Joss and James to see my family. I am also considering a local beach trip, to help me keep the bronze goddess look I've recently acquired, and am still looking into Honduras and Puerto Rico. I'd like to stay with host families at those places, so if you know anyone there that would like to host an American, please let me know. I am also considering attending a Spanish school in Honduras for a week. You stay with a host family, get one-on-one lessons each day, and they show you around and introduce you to the culture. It's like $250 a week for all that, and they feed you too! I was able to stumble through some conversations in the DR with my limited Spanish, and found myself wishing I knew more.
Of course I am still hoping to get back to Europe soon, but still don't know if that can happen. Will keep you all updated. Go somewhere soon!!! It seriously makes life so much more fun.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
What you are about to read is a true story
Returning to Greensboro inspired by the peace and beauty at my Dad's place in Maine, I decided to take on some projects in the yard. I will pause here for you to compose yourself, and re-read the last sentence in disbelief.
It's true... I did yard work. Busted my ass too! I've got pictures and a body full of scratches to prove it. I don't know where this energy came from, but I spent the past four days on this project. I am now sore everywhere and exhausted, but I hope to get motivated to do someting in the back yard next, before it gets too hot. Well, it's kinda already too hot.
So here we go:
Before
After
It's true... I did yard work. Busted my ass too! I've got pictures and a body full of scratches to prove it. I don't know where this energy came from, but I spent the past four days on this project. I am now sore everywhere and exhausted, but I hope to get motivated to do someting in the back yard next, before it gets too hot. Well, it's kinda already too hot.
So here we go:
Before
After
Before (yeah, I know it's bad)
After:
I've still got some work to do, but I'm happy that it looks so much better.
Oh, and while working, I found this:
I tried not to trim too close to it, but I have not seen mama bird back since I cut near it :( I hope it's OK.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I'd like to take this moment to bitch
Yeah, this sucks. I have a horrible headache, I’m queasy, and I am having hot flashes. My days and nights are mixed up so I am sleeping all day and up all night, and I’m thirsty and cannot drink. I had forgotten how crappy chemo was during my 3-month break. Plus I’m feeling blah, bored and lonely, yet I keep bailing out on my friends when they try to get me out of the house (sorry gals). My house is a mess and I have no energy to touch it -- not even from the chemo yet, just a certain percentage from my normal laziness and the rest, from feeling down. I’m worried about work, my health, and numerous other things that I can’t really mention (the downside of sharing my journal with the entire world), like specifics about work, my daughter, income/debt, and my dear friend who has this psycho, prison warden roommate that I am not supposed to mention, as it would make said friend’s life harder. I’m not one to be stifled, so this is difficult, and I only oblige because, wel, I love said friend. ;)
I was going to start this post with “I try to stay positive, but…” and then I realized I have been saying that a lot lately, so maybe I really don’t try to stay positive anymore. Not sure why it was so much easier for me up to now but it seems I’m starting to wade in self-pity. Thankfully it’s been low tide.
Things could be so much worse. I try to keep that in mind. I have a lot of blessings, I know that, but some have things so easy. I used to be one of them. I believe strongly in Karma, and cannot imagine what I sent around that has brought this back to me. It doesn’t seem fair. “Life is not fair” would be my Mom’s response. I wonder a lot about if I will see my Mom when my time comes. I mostly believe so, and that makes facing death a WHOLE lot easier. I miss her so painfully, and I still have not gotten over my hatred at the suddenness and finality of death. I hate it with a very ugly, seething hatred that literally changes my expression whenever I think of it.
I know what you’re thinking. My blog used to be fun, and somewhat entertaining. Since I’m in danger of losing my massive “fan base” (all 41 of you fine folks) I’ll work on this.
I have been fortunate to be introduced to some amazing people lately. Friends of a friend who have been more than kind in so many ways, and renewed my belief that there truly are a few genuinely good people in the world. (Thanks N & T!)
I am very eager to get to Maine Thursday and see my family! I miss them. And I am also looking at going to Honduras for 2 weeks between chemo days when I return. I’ve been looking into it and there’s a lot there I would like to experience. Plus it’s cheap! Hotels are like $25 a night. I am looking for hostels or host families though, which would be even cheaper, and more the way I like to travel. I found a host family in Peru for $10 a night, and would LOVE to go there (it’s near Maccu Piccu… did I spell that right?) but the flights to there are outrageous. Of course I still hope above all to get back to Europe for like 2 months, but I’m not sure if that will ever happen for many reasons…one of them being the fact that I am going to be on chemo for the rest of my life and may never get a 2 month break.
I downloaded the movie “The Blind Side” on my netbook and watched it during chemo today. It was really good, except it made me cry practically the whole time. I’ll try to find some funnier ones for next time. ‘Course there were a couple of funny moments in it, and I wondered if the other patients thought perhaps I had gone mad sitting there in the chemo chair (with headphones) suddenly bursting out into laughter.
Tomorrow’s agenda: Pick up duck food. Poor little "Girl Duck" is sick of crackers, stale bread and ice cream cones.
I was going to start this post with “I try to stay positive, but…” and then I realized I have been saying that a lot lately, so maybe I really don’t try to stay positive anymore. Not sure why it was so much easier for me up to now but it seems I’m starting to wade in self-pity. Thankfully it’s been low tide.
Things could be so much worse. I try to keep that in mind. I have a lot of blessings, I know that, but some have things so easy. I used to be one of them. I believe strongly in Karma, and cannot imagine what I sent around that has brought this back to me. It doesn’t seem fair. “Life is not fair” would be my Mom’s response. I wonder a lot about if I will see my Mom when my time comes. I mostly believe so, and that makes facing death a WHOLE lot easier. I miss her so painfully, and I still have not gotten over my hatred at the suddenness and finality of death. I hate it with a very ugly, seething hatred that literally changes my expression whenever I think of it.
I know what you’re thinking. My blog used to be fun, and somewhat entertaining. Since I’m in danger of losing my massive “fan base” (all 41 of you fine folks) I’ll work on this.
I have been fortunate to be introduced to some amazing people lately. Friends of a friend who have been more than kind in so many ways, and renewed my belief that there truly are a few genuinely good people in the world. (Thanks N & T!)
I am very eager to get to Maine Thursday and see my family! I miss them. And I am also looking at going to Honduras for 2 weeks between chemo days when I return. I’ve been looking into it and there’s a lot there I would like to experience. Plus it’s cheap! Hotels are like $25 a night. I am looking for hostels or host families though, which would be even cheaper, and more the way I like to travel. I found a host family in Peru for $10 a night, and would LOVE to go there (it’s near Maccu Piccu… did I spell that right?) but the flights to there are outrageous. Of course I still hope above all to get back to Europe for like 2 months, but I’m not sure if that will ever happen for many reasons…one of them being the fact that I am going to be on chemo for the rest of my life and may never get a 2 month break.
I downloaded the movie “The Blind Side” on my netbook and watched it during chemo today. It was really good, except it made me cry practically the whole time. I’ll try to find some funnier ones for next time. ‘Course there were a couple of funny moments in it, and I wondered if the other patients thought perhaps I had gone mad sitting there in the chemo chair (with headphones) suddenly bursting out into laughter.
Tomorrow’s agenda: Pick up duck food. Poor little "Girl Duck" is sick of crackers, stale bread and ice cream cones.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
I can't think of a title for this post
Well, “remission” was short lived. I have tumors back in my lungs. My liver is good right now, but my doctor said the lungs are worse than before, and she is starting me back on chemo Monday. Oh joy. I will not be able to have 3 month breaks anymore; just one month, or possibly two if I do okay on one. That especially sucks because it keeps me stuck here in Greensboro most of the time. I’m fairly determined to get back to Europe though, and am really going to try to make that happen as soon as I get some things worked out.
The bad news is that my doctor now says I probably have about 18 months left. The good news is that she seems to flip-flop a lot so if this round of chemo does good, she’ll probably say I have 3 years again. It’s still hard to believe. That’s such a short time, and I feel good right now (at least until Monday when chemo starts kicking my ass again). I keep bouncing among shock/disbelief to being scared, to being angry, to even feeling a little relieved. It’s tiring dealing with all the back and forth. Plus the thought of chemo alone makes me sick, and now the thought of the rest of my life on chemo is rather depressing.
I am curious about what will happen if the lung tumors don’t shrink from the chemo. Will I have a hard time breathing? Need oxygen? Cough up blood? Just stop breathing one day? I’ve asked my doctor and she doesn’t seem to want to answer me. She just keeps saying “I don’t know” which I find hard to believe. I wonder if I’d rather have the liver tumors back than the lungs. I am rather fond of breathing.
I’m finding it hard to stay as positive as I was several months ago -- partly because it’s just darn tiring. I’m out of work for the next two weeks for chemo and then for a visit to Maine to see my Dad and Diane, so I’m hoping that time will get me back in balance. I can’t wait to see them!!! They got a new puppy and some bunnies that I am eager to meet too. I will be sure to blog about them and post some pictures. It’s very pretty where they live, and peaceful. It will do me good.
I was supposed to go to West Virginia with Lulu this weekend, but decided not to because I’ve been a bit depressed. I’m kinda wishing I had gone because I know it’s better to push myself to do thing, and also because I would have had a blast with Lu.
The J’s and I went out today to get some supplies for James’ upcoming birthday party. I can’t believe my little grandboy is gonna be one soon. It’s always really nice seeing them, but today I found myself extra happy to be around James. I wanted to hold him more and such. He’s such a joy. Joss had on a summer dress she just bought and she looked beautiful. We got some stuff for the party, and then went back to Jocilyn’s house and put together goodie bags for the party. I cannot think of any way I would rather have spent the day.
James amazes me. He's starting to get interactive now. It's amazing to see how his little mind works and how he learns. Now if he does something that makes you laugh, he will do it again. Even minutes later, he'll remember and do it again. He is also matching things. Joss says he will dig in his toys for a particular type of block, and then dig again until he finds the other one. And if you play with him, like tickle his feet, he'll laugh and then put up his foot for you to do it again. I know these things sound simple, but it just amazes me to see his little brain grow like that. Plus I'm easily amused.
I got James another birthday present today too. It’s one of those pop-up play tent things, but it’s a spaceship. It says on the front “Fits 2 astronauts.” I think he’ll really like crawling around in it and taking off to the moon. I’m also going to get him some pants. He wears little pants. It cracks me up. To cover those little chunky legs and that little butt. I love it.
I will probably go back to blogging a little more often than I had been, since I’ll be out of work a lot more, and also have long chemo days coming up. I’m usually there for 6 hours, and rarely get one of the private cubicles that has a TV. I am usually in the common room, which is rather depressing. It’s a large room with like 20 chairs. The nurses try to make it as comfortable as possible, offering drinks, pillows and magazines, but it’s long, boring, and reeks of illness. It’s a good place to nap though… the chairs are rather comfortable and there’s not much better to do. I think I’ll bring a coloring book this time.
That’s all for now. Hug someone today!
The bad news is that my doctor now says I probably have about 18 months left. The good news is that she seems to flip-flop a lot so if this round of chemo does good, she’ll probably say I have 3 years again. It’s still hard to believe. That’s such a short time, and I feel good right now (at least until Monday when chemo starts kicking my ass again). I keep bouncing among shock/disbelief to being scared, to being angry, to even feeling a little relieved. It’s tiring dealing with all the back and forth. Plus the thought of chemo alone makes me sick, and now the thought of the rest of my life on chemo is rather depressing.
I am curious about what will happen if the lung tumors don’t shrink from the chemo. Will I have a hard time breathing? Need oxygen? Cough up blood? Just stop breathing one day? I’ve asked my doctor and she doesn’t seem to want to answer me. She just keeps saying “I don’t know” which I find hard to believe. I wonder if I’d rather have the liver tumors back than the lungs. I am rather fond of breathing.
I’m finding it hard to stay as positive as I was several months ago -- partly because it’s just darn tiring. I’m out of work for the next two weeks for chemo and then for a visit to Maine to see my Dad and Diane, so I’m hoping that time will get me back in balance. I can’t wait to see them!!! They got a new puppy and some bunnies that I am eager to meet too. I will be sure to blog about them and post some pictures. It’s very pretty where they live, and peaceful. It will do me good.
I was supposed to go to West Virginia with Lulu this weekend, but decided not to because I’ve been a bit depressed. I’m kinda wishing I had gone because I know it’s better to push myself to do thing, and also because I would have had a blast with Lu.
The J’s and I went out today to get some supplies for James’ upcoming birthday party. I can’t believe my little grandboy is gonna be one soon. It’s always really nice seeing them, but today I found myself extra happy to be around James. I wanted to hold him more and such. He’s such a joy. Joss had on a summer dress she just bought and she looked beautiful. We got some stuff for the party, and then went back to Jocilyn’s house and put together goodie bags for the party. I cannot think of any way I would rather have spent the day.
James amazes me. He's starting to get interactive now. It's amazing to see how his little mind works and how he learns. Now if he does something that makes you laugh, he will do it again. Even minutes later, he'll remember and do it again. He is also matching things. Joss says he will dig in his toys for a particular type of block, and then dig again until he finds the other one. And if you play with him, like tickle his feet, he'll laugh and then put up his foot for you to do it again. I know these things sound simple, but it just amazes me to see his little brain grow like that. Plus I'm easily amused.
I got James another birthday present today too. It’s one of those pop-up play tent things, but it’s a spaceship. It says on the front “Fits 2 astronauts.” I think he’ll really like crawling around in it and taking off to the moon. I’m also going to get him some pants. He wears little pants. It cracks me up. To cover those little chunky legs and that little butt. I love it.
I will probably go back to blogging a little more often than I had been, since I’ll be out of work a lot more, and also have long chemo days coming up. I’m usually there for 6 hours, and rarely get one of the private cubicles that has a TV. I am usually in the common room, which is rather depressing. It’s a large room with like 20 chairs. The nurses try to make it as comfortable as possible, offering drinks, pillows and magazines, but it’s long, boring, and reeks of illness. It’s a good place to nap though… the chairs are rather comfortable and there’s not much better to do. I think I’ll bring a coloring book this time.
That’s all for now. Hug someone today!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Yeah, I'm still here...
Not a whole lot of fun going on lately, so my posts have been few and far between. I did, however, finally have my reversal surgery, and am healing up very well. I went in the hospital on a Wednesday, was sneaking down to the cafeteria by Friday, came home on Saturday, and was at work on Tuesday.
The rollout of new computers at work is going well, and I hope to be done within a month. The project has kept me quite busy since returning to work, so I've hardly seen the J's at all in the past two weeks. I did, however, catch a glipse of James standing on his own, while the kids were over last weekend. It was the cutest thing; he looked like an old man in his stance. Joss reports that the whole household was sick last week, but they all seem to be better now.
I am very eager to see the new Alice in Wonderland movie, and hope to do that this weekend, or early in the week. Anyone wanna join me?? Seriously - let's have a movie night. That would be fun! Call me...392-6788.
I received sad news from Maine this week. Sadly, my Dad's goat Lucy died. :( There are some pictures of Lucy in my posts from Maine in December. She was sweet and super cute, and my Dad, Diane and I are sad about this. This has been an especially hard few months for my Dad and Diane, as they also had to put down their sweet black dog, Shadow, whom they loved very much. Have a drink for Lucy and Shadow.
Joss made me the most delicous chocolate-mint cake last week! Thanks Joss! It was a little late for "chocolate mint day," which my last post informed you was on February 19, but it was super yummy!
A few other interesting days that are coming up are:
Today - 3/13 National Open An Umbrella Indoors day
3/16 Lips Appreciation day
3/18 Awkward Moments day
3/25 Kick Butts day
3/26 Make Up Your Own Holiday day
3/30 Pencil day
and my favorite: 3/31 National She's Funny That Way day
Be sure to celebrate these, and every day!
Alas, this is what my posts have been reduced to: News of chocolate mint cakes, and random days from a quirky calendar. Might as well throw in my shock at Lily being eliminated from Idol, and mention that I'm hoping for Crystal Bowersox to win. But I promise, betters posts will come. As soon as the work project is done, I plan to take a couple more trips, and will be sure to find something to tell you about.
The rollout of new computers at work is going well, and I hope to be done within a month. The project has kept me quite busy since returning to work, so I've hardly seen the J's at all in the past two weeks. I did, however, catch a glipse of James standing on his own, while the kids were over last weekend. It was the cutest thing; he looked like an old man in his stance. Joss reports that the whole household was sick last week, but they all seem to be better now.
I am very eager to see the new Alice in Wonderland movie, and hope to do that this weekend, or early in the week. Anyone wanna join me?? Seriously - let's have a movie night. That would be fun! Call me...392-6788.
I received sad news from Maine this week. Sadly, my Dad's goat Lucy died. :( There are some pictures of Lucy in my posts from Maine in December. She was sweet and super cute, and my Dad, Diane and I are sad about this. This has been an especially hard few months for my Dad and Diane, as they also had to put down their sweet black dog, Shadow, whom they loved very much. Have a drink for Lucy and Shadow.
Joss made me the most delicous chocolate-mint cake last week! Thanks Joss! It was a little late for "chocolate mint day," which my last post informed you was on February 19, but it was super yummy!
A few other interesting days that are coming up are:
Today - 3/13 National Open An Umbrella Indoors day
3/16 Lips Appreciation day
3/18 Awkward Moments day
3/25 Kick Butts day
3/26 Make Up Your Own Holiday day
3/30 Pencil day
and my favorite: 3/31 National She's Funny That Way day
Be sure to celebrate these, and every day!
Alas, this is what my posts have been reduced to: News of chocolate mint cakes, and random days from a quirky calendar. Might as well throw in my shock at Lily being eliminated from Idol, and mention that I'm hoping for Crystal Bowersox to win. But I promise, betters posts will come. As soon as the work project is done, I plan to take a couple more trips, and will be sure to find something to tell you about.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Even more cruise pics - Jamaica
Isn't she lovely??
The shelf you may have read about -- at the beginning of our decorating
I absolutely love Jamaica
Trees have toes in Jamaica!!
Dunn's River Falls
sitting in the falls
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she precious? :)
I love waterfalls!!!
We seriously did not plan to both make the same cheesy face. I guess we really do look alike.
OK, you KNOW I love you when I share a pic with you where I'm looking so geeky!
The shelf is growing
IT'S BOB!!!!!!!!!
Cruise ship parking lot
More cruise pics- Haiti
Fall in!!
Two Js
I don't know who these folks are. They posed, so I took a pic
My first and last taste of caviar. Yuck
Security around Haiti
Some nasty bitter thing I picked up from the ground and was told by a local is called something like "almond juice"???
Joss kicked sand in my face
Then she apologized and hugged me
Haitian earthquak relief
Hey!! They said they brought the Haitians "water"
More security around Haiti
What?? is she drinking again??
More coming soon. Well, depending on your definition of "soon." Mine seems a little loose.
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