Kicking The Cancer Gator

Published!

2011-02-07T15:52:00.005-05:00

Hi Kicking the Cancer Gators,

I just wanted to let everyone know that this blog has been made into a book and is available to purchase through the following website:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/1461677/51074409bf8340638443382f78fe58ed

I've spent a lot of time editing it and I have to say I am really happy with the final product. If you have any questions please let me know.

Kicking The Cancer Gator by Nancy Katzen and her many contributors | Make Your Own Book

One Year Later

2010-12-20T16:08:00.003-05:00

I know I am a little late posting this, but it has certainly been a new experience this past year. As you can see, Mom's grave has been marked with a beautiful gravestone, and the site is very easy to find off the main road in the Charles Evans Cemetery just past the mausoleum on the left hand side. Caitlin sent us some of the words from my Mom's favorite sacred harp songs, and I really like "rise my soul and stretch thy wings" which is from Amsterdam, which was also sung at her funeral. My Aunt DeAnn and Uncle David brought this beautiful wreath down on the anniversary, considering how much my mother loved Christmas it was very appropriate. My Aunt Janet and Grandmother visited earlier in October and planted some lovely flowers which should come up from year to year.

On December 20th, I went in the morning to visit the grave and meet up with my Aunt DeAnn and Uncle David. They took John and I out to breakfast before they left. Then John and I baked 15 loaves of my mom's famous Widow Finney's Poppy Seed Bread. If anyone would like a loaf, leave me a note and your address in the comments and I'll make another batch. We later met up with Penny and Mary for dinner. Both are soon-to-be grandparents which is very exciting and it was so nice to catch up with them. Sadly Caitlin and I were not around after Christmas to get all the families together, but maybe we'll be able to do it next year and get to meet the new additions as well. Overall I thought it was a nice way to honor my mother.

I doubt I'll be posting much in the way of blog in the future, but feel free to leave any comments here about the past year, or any memories you wish to share

Walk to Cure Cancer

2010-08-11T14:50:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone,

It's been awhile since there has been any posts on the blog, but I just wanted to let everyone know I will again be participating in the Walk to Cure Cancer. Last year at this time, Mom was just coming home from her trip out west and to Chicago and was debating coming to walk with me in the Walk to Cure Cancer and this year I am walking in her memory.

If you would like to sponsor or walk with me please visit my website: http://firstgiving.com/allisonkeeler or click on the widget to the right.

Thanks,

Allie

Nancy Jane McCullough Keeler Katzen 1955-2009

2009-12-21T11:17:00.004-05:00

Nancy passed away yesterday, December 20th, in the afternoon at home with her family surrounding her.

I came home last saturday to be with her, and Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle David came to visit last Sunday. Grandpa and Uncle David returned to the Farm the next day but Grandma stayed and Aunt Janet came on Monday. Monday night about 20 sacred harp singers came to the house and Mom sang with them for an hour and then laid on the couch for an hour and listened to them sing. After Monday, mom lost all of her energy, Caitlin was able to come home on Thursday and Grandma headed back to the farm Friday morning. We had Christmas on Friday, and Mom passed away in the afternoon on Sunday.

Her services will be held on Wednesday December 23rd at Hope Lutheran Church, 601 N Front St. Reading PA 19601. The calling hours will be from 11-12:30, the service at 12:30. After the service the interment will be at Charles Evans Cemetery, and a reception back at the house at 33 Laurel Ave Reading 19606.

Contributions in her memory can be sent to: Family Nurse Partnership 230 N 5th St. Reading PA 19601

Please feel free to post any memories or stories of Nancy in the comment section.

Tough Time at the Cattle Ranch this week

2009-12-12T21:19:00.004-05:00

Ever since Thanksgiving, I have been feeling more tired and my legs are weak. I asked our sonagrapher to give me a quick ultrasound. She told me that the liver didn't have tumors to measure: that it was all metastisized. If that was the case, I didn't want more expensive, ineffective treatment.
My oncologist ordered a CT scan for Tuesday night night at 8:o0 PM. That went ok until we got home. I was trying to get up into the house from the garage when when my legs went out from under me and I went tumbling two steps down to the garage floor. My eye was bloody, my wrist, shoulder, elbow were bruised. So, we hopped in the car and went to the emergency room.
I got a CT scan of the brain, chest, and abdomen, 2 x-rays of the shoulder and ribs. Everything was clear (I was particulary happy that the brain was clear.)
After all that testing; they told me I was clear, they slapped ONE steristrip on!
One the way home, we discovered it had begun to snow. The P.T. Cruiser couldn't make it up the hill, so we hiked up, Marty pulling me up the hill by one arm.
I felt better the next day and went to my to my 5:00 PM nurse visit. The oncologist called and said : she is still driving!!! He also said we had a good sonagrapher, that she was right about the metastisis.

Marty was very brave, and asked for a prognosis. The doctor said weeks or months. So there you have it. I am stopping any kind treatment. We are all so surprised it progressed so quickly.
.

Birds and Snow

2009-12-06T21:32:00.002-05:00

Woodpecker
Titmouse

We had a wonderful snow yesterday. It started around noon and didn't stop until 10:00 PM. It blanketed our mountain top with about 6 inches of snow. Marty put these feeders outside window. I set up a tripod for the camera and have been having a great time watching and photographing birds.
Fortunately, the driveway melted enough that I could get out and sing today in Lancaster. I've been short of breath, tired, and have had a dry mouth, so I wasn't sure how it would go. We were a small group, but I thought we sounded great.
Back to work tomorrow: looking forward to my visits.

Visitors

2009-12-04T11:36:00.007-05:00

Lori, my cousin and florist by trade, brought me this beautiful wreath.

Cardinal detail of wreath
Purple Kale on front porch.

My cousin, Lori, and her daughter, Megan came to visit and get a 3D ultrasound of Megan's baby. Fortunately, Evan cooperated very nicely and showed us his chubby little face. We will be excited to see how he looks on the outside the beginning of February.

Good news. My agency generously allowed me to apply for partial disability for 3 more months, which will maintain my full time status, and allow me to figure out my insurance. Working full-time is too hard for me and the insurance is only for full time workers. I can get a subsidy for Cobra from the government if I quit all together, but I feel better when I work. Bob Casey has introduced legislation in the Senate to subsidize part time workers who have been down-sized. Hopefully is works for illness too , or I guess the agency could downsize me. It is a big relief not to have to worry about this before Christmas.
So for those of you are confused about changes in the Health Care System:Think of me.

Work=Good Health Insurance
Get Sick, or lose job= lose health insurance.
Continue insurance on Cobra=no money, not working remember?

Also small businesses need relief.
Sick employees= raise premiums. My agency's premiums went up 37% this year based on usage.
Too bad they don't lower them if everyone stays healthy.

I am so disappointed that the Republicans won't get on board with novel ideas instead of just shooting every thing down. If everyone would work together, the Republicans could keep an eye on the money and look for ways to cut costs, and the Democrats could work on access for everyone. I thought that was how the government was supposed to work.

The Wedding

2009-12-02T06:45:00.003-05:00

B
Bride and Groom

More pictures of Cory's Wedding click
Cory hugging Uncle Marty
Amanda's dad Ken and me

I guess all my activities over Thanksgiving wore me out, because I have been dragging. I think I might be a little depressed because it has been a year since I was diagnosed. I got myself to work yesterday and that perked me up a little. I went to the outlets after work and finished most of Christmas shopping, so that was a relief too.

Thanksgiving, Wedding, The Messiah

2009-12-01T08:11:00.006-05:00

We were too busy on Thanksgiving to take pictures: but someone did snap this one of Isaac and me. We had a nice full house: Allie, her friend Alison and boyfriend John, Caitlin, Lisa, Nora, Jason, Kyle and Isaac.

Thanksgiving Menu

Cider Brined and Glazed Turkey
stuffed with bread stuffing
Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling
Aunt DeAnn's Corn Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole with Ginger
Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Butter and Slivered Almonds
24 Hour Salad
Marty's famous spring greens salad
Pumpkin Pie

Caitlin arranged 5 or 6 little vases of flowers that still remained in my garden. This cone flower is in a vase that my cousins, Linda and Gladys gave me from my Aunt Mary's vase collection. I also had snapdragons, some yellow daisy-like blooms that my friend Jean gave me for the garden this spring.
On Saturday we drove to Manhattan for Marty's niece's Corbett's wedding, which was a lovely affair. Kyle was the ring bearer and did an did an excellent job performing his duties. He also did an outstanding job of quietly holding still for the ceremony, which is quite a feat for a 4 year old boy. Of course, he couldn't have looked any cuter in his little suit.
It was a long night for a four year old ring bearer.

On Sunday we arrived home in time for me to attend the "Do it yourself" Messiah, which marks the beginning of the Holiday season for me. I have attended for 6 years now. It was held at First Presbyterian in downtown Reading this year, which has lovely acoustics. They publish a date in the newspaper, everyone shows up with their score, there is a live local orchestra and local conductor and soloists. It all comes together sounds heavenly.

3rd Week of Chemotherapy

2009-11-24T20:25:00.003-05:00

Caitlin knit me this fancy little shawl.. It has an interesting name but I can't remember what it is!
Fancy Knitting email.
I posted twice today, so go back if you want to see some pictures of Ball, why it is called Double Cut and a history of subscription Balls.
I had my third week of chemotherapy, so I have no treatment next week. My blood levels were a little lower than last week, but they assured me that every thing should bounce back after having a week off.
I'm taking tomorrow off work to do the shopping and start Thanksgiving preparations. Allie, her boyfriend, John, and her friend, Alison will be coming in late tomorrow night. Caitlin and Lisa will be flying in on Thursday morning, and N0ra and Jason and kids will come for evening dinner. We'll have a busy day cooking, but that's the fun of Thanksgiving

The Double Cut Ball with pictures

2009-11-24T08:21:00.002-05:00

Anna, one the hostess, with her dress that Elizabeth created
Elizabeth with the Martster in her self-designed dress
Scottish formal is apparently acceptable

Folks were asking about "Double Cut"and subcription Balls, so here are all your answers!

Double Cut: Refers to one couple cutting in on another and switching partners.

Dancing: The Ward Marston Band will play an array of toe-tapping music from the era of the classic dance bands. These familiar tunes will lead your feet in the right direction – be it a lively two-step, an airy waltz, or a barreling polka. Fear not if you feel that your dancing feet need a brush-up. The music will make it easy. Local dance workshops (see below) will help you polish your steps.

Attire: Ladies are asked to wear a floor length evening gown. Long white gloves are encouraged. Gentlemen are asked to wear a black suit with a white dress shirt and a black or white tie. “White Tie” and “Black Tie” dress are optional. White gloves are encouraged.

Dance Classes: To help you brush up your dance steps, we will host two ballroom dance classes in West Philadelphia the weekend prior to the ball. The first class will be on Saturday, November 14th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and the second class will be on Sunday, November 15th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Both classes will take place at the Community Education Center (CEC), located at 3500 Lancaster Avenue, and will cost $5 per person. Please email tomplank@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Subscription: We are pleased to arrange a festive evening for our friends which harks back to the subscription balls of years past (see below). The Double Cut Ball is intended to be a “break-even” occasion, not a benefit event, and the subscription charge merely enables us to meet the expenses of the evening.

A note on subscription balls, from Household Companion: The Home Book Of Etiquette
by Alice A. Johnson, Mrs. Janet McKenzie Hill, and Dr. Henry Hartshorne, 1909:

Subscription Dances

In most of the large cities several series of dances are arranged by certain leaders in the social world to which people are invited to subscribe. Each subscriber is usually entitled to a number of invitations for distribution, though in some instances the price of the subscription is small, and only permits one person to take advantage of each.

The subscription balls take place in some public ball-room, as a rule. In New York, for instance, at Delmonico’s.

Several ladies are selected to form the reception committee, and they stand in one of the outer rooms, bowing to the guests as they enter. On such occasions, no one shakes hands; the ladies curtsy, and the gentlemen bow.

No unmarried lady should go to one of these balls, or to any large party, without a chaperon, and invitations should be sent to an elder member of her family, in order that she need not look outside for proper attendance.

In the West and South it is customary for gentlemen to take unmarried ladies to evening entertainments, but in the East, and in the best city society generally, such a thing would be considered the greatest breach of decorum. At a small dance in a private house a young lady may dispense with the services of a chaperon, if desired, but she should be escorted to and from the house by a servant or relative.

A good floor is essential to the enjoyment of dancing; when the carpet is taken up, care should be used that no roughness of surface is presented. Some ladies have their dancing-floors carefully polished with beeswax and a brush. A crumb-cloth or linen diaper, thoroughly well stretched over a carpet, is the next best thing to a polished floor.

The question of music is important. If it is a large ball, four musicians is the least number that should be engaged piano, cornet or flute, violin, and violoncello. In small assemblies the violin and piano are sufficient, or, on occasion, the piano alone. In such a case a chance pianist should not be depended upon, but a professional one be engaged.

The orchestra should occupy what is considered the top of the room. In cases where it is not convenient to adhere to this rule, the end farthest from the door is usually chosen. The position of the orchestra needs to be considered by the dancers, so that, in quadrilles, their movements may be regulated thereby.

2009-11-22T22:42:00.002-05:00

The Grandma truckster
At the Double Cut Ball
Yesterday was a busy day. I had some things to attend to at Baby Preview. I hired some help to put away the porch furniture, move the woodpile closer to the house and help Marty cover the boat. I finally potted my kale for the front porch. I still have geraniums and snapdragons and the pointsettias are holding their own. I feel better with things battened down for the winter.
After a nap, Marty and I went to Double Cut Ball in Philadelphia. My singer friends, Elizabeth and Anna, organized it last year and it was so successful that they did it again this year. It was fun seeing all the beautiful 20 and 30 somethings in their fancy ball gowns and tuxedos, but it was a late night. Pictures to follow.
This afternoon, I worked on Thanksgiving recipes and a few other little projects. And, (drum roll) I finally took a picture of my car.

I found my camera!

2009-11-18T21:16:00.003-05:00

I cleaned the floor and flat surfaces of my office. I checked the trash, organized the bills and decided to go buy a new camera. Then I went through the bag in which I carry my little computer, that I had already checked 3 times, and there it was in the outside pocket! So I wouldn't have had to clean my office after all! But I am glad I did.
By the time I got home it was too dark to take pictures, so I'll get on that tomorrow morning.
I was very tired today. I took one of my graduates and her 2 year old to the Jump Factory. We had a great time. I am off to bed shortly. I have a busy day tomorrow, celebrating another graduation with more jumping.

2009-11-17T22:55:00.002-05:00

I had my second chemotherapy with Topotecan late this afternoon. All my blood work was fine, even the anemia was better (10). The only monkey wrench in gears was that the nurse didn't hook up the first bag of fluids. When the alarm went off to change bags, she came over and said,"That's funny it is still half full." and reset it. I was looking over the set-up and it looked like the tubing was just hanging there, connected to nothing. I rang the bell, and told them that it appeared the tubing wasn't connected. They exclaimed and made jokes and hooked it up. My only revenge was that it was at the end of the day and they had to wait for me before they could go home.
I made some progress in my office today, but still no camera.
I am feeling bereft.

2009-11-15T21:41:00.004-05:00

For the time being, I have given up on finding my camera until I can clean up my office.
The surprise:
When I arrived home from visiting my mum and opened the garage door, I saw the back end of a red car that I had never seen before. Apparently Marty thought my almost 15 year old Saturn was looking too sad and he bought me a PT Cruiser. It is bright, shiny red with wood panels, very retro and kinda cute. I was not a big fan of PT Cruisers, but this one is really nice: 2005 with only 60.000 miles, heated leather seats and a sun roof. So I've been tooling around in my new red car. It is nice for hauling mothers and babies around because it has all the right latches and hooks for the new car seats. I've been waiting to blog a picture, but the missing camera has delayed things.
I worked 40 hours this week for the first time in a long time. I got caught up with all my current clients. One even came out out the woodwork that I thought was lost forever. Turned out she went to Mexico for a two months and just got back. Working was good, although I spent a lot of time sleeping this weekend.
I just got back from shape note singing. I thought I would be too tired, but the singing really perked me up. It seems if I find something interesting to do, it distracts me from feeling tired.
Although as everyone likes to remind me: We all get tired.
I'm planning to work full time for the next few weeks to see how that goes.

2009-11-11T23:19:00.002-05:00

I still haven't found my camera, but I haven't looked very hard.
I went to chemotherapy yesterday for my first dose of Topotecan, Aztec God of strong medicine. No real side effects. The steroids didn't perk me up like the last time, but it kept me going to go back to work afterwards. I felt fine today, just a little tired. I saw clients and did paper work.
I even wrapped a few Christmas gifts tonight! I don't want it to all pile up at the end.
I have a surprise when I find my camera.

Everything is cool.

2009-11-07T23:41:00.002-05:00

I have been visiting my mom since Monday 11/2 and didn't realize how long it had been since I had blogged until I started to get emails from people concerned about my status. I forgot my camera and that makes blogging less interesting. The weekend before I left for my mom's, Marty and I spent the weekend in Philadelphia with his nephew Everett and wife Amanda. They had a very fun Halloween Party and a surprise wedding shower for Marty's niece ,Cory the following day. they graciously invited us to stay over between the the two parties.

My mom has been keeping us busy. She is a ball of fire with the new pacemaker in. We did take naps everyday.
This morning we went to the Wesley Grange buckwheat pancake breakfast.I have heard about this event for years and have never had the opportunity to go. My Grandma and Grandpa Riddle started it in the '30s and used my Grandmas' recipe. They were delicious.

We went to see 'Where the wild things are" yesterday. Thursday we had lunch with my aunts and uncles and a few cousins and had a great visit. Wednesday I did some shopping with my SIL DeAnn. Of course we watched the World Series.

I'll be staying home for most of the rest of the year.

2009-10-29T22:12:00.004-04:00

I was poking around in the garden the other day and noticed that the lilies, which I had brought home from church and planted on Easter were getting ready to bloom. I cut them and brought them in, afraid they would be ruined by all the rain. They are opening very nicely inside.
Flowers last Easter.
I had to get up early this morning to go to community conference that had representatives from the utilities and other agencies we use to assist our clients. It is always a worthwhile event. I also made a visit to see one of my new babies. Her little brother was very interested in the baby. I showed the mom and her brother how to listen to the heartbeat, breath sounds and stomach gurgles.
I would really like to take on a few more clients. We'll see how Toptekan, god of strong medicine works.

Back to work

2009-10-28T22:37:00.002-04:00

Cauliflower Cheese Pie with grated potato crust.
The last of the garden flowers
I went to back to work today. I am not coughing anymore and Marty's cough has decreased considerably. I am still short of breath, probably because I am anemic. I raked a few leaves and that wore me out. Our driveway with wet leaves is worse than snow.
I got the results of the CT scan. The tumor in my lung is essentially the same. There were new tumors on the liver. Dr. Dan is going to switch me to a different drug, called Topotekan. Doesn't that sound like the Aztec god of Strong Medicine? I'll start it on the ninth of November when I get home from visiting my mom.

CT scan after all

2009-10-26T16:56:00.003-04:00

This is Tipper licking his chops. I was bribing him with pretzels, trying to get a picture of him on the porch. He would "sit" for the pretzel, but he wouldn't "stay" on the porch until I could get the picture taken.
In case you missed my Ecuador photos: click here

I called bright and early to reschedule my CT scan and was told they had fixed the machine on Friday, hadn't anyone told me that I still had my appointment? (no). Fortunately, it wasn't for a another hour so I had time to get there.
I made chicken soup with matzo balls yesterday to try to cure Marty and I of the last dregs of our cold/flu or whatever it is. We are both feeling better, although the cough is hanging on. I did a little leaf sweeping and was short of breath. I think that is why I am so tired, everything makes short of breath. My friend (and pastor) Mary, brought dinner tonight. That was a real treat.

I texted my oncologist, Dr. Forman, to call me with the CT results, as I don't have an appointment with him for two weeks. He texted me back (which I thought was pretty cool) to call him after 5 today. When I called, he hadn't gotten the Radiology report yet, so he is going to call me tomorrow with the results.
I was planning on going back to work tomorrow, but I don't know if I'm quite up to visits. I have things to do a my desk and I can call clients and see how they are doing and schedule them.

No Chemo for Me Today

2009-10-23T20:49:00.003-04:00

Who would have thought I' d be upset about not getting chemo? It wasn't because I am sick, it was because my white blood cell counts, especially the immature ones that my bone marrow is supposed to be making now were too low.
The really unfortunate part was that I forgot to put the lidocaine on my port site to numb it before I went to hospital. So after she stabbed around for a long painful minute and finally accessed the port and got my blood, she was back in 5 minutes to tell me she couldn't give me chemo and pulled it out.
When I got home there was a message on the answering machine saying that I have to reschedule my CT scan which was to be Monday because the machine broke.
The sun went in, the wind began to howl and the rains descended.

Beautiful Weather to recover from the flu

2009-10-22T17:22:00.006-04:00

It is much nicer to recover from the flu in the fall than in the winter.

Anti-procrastination project between naps

marty took a little sunshine to see it that would make him feel better
Woods behind the house
Our leaves don't rival New England, but could the sky be any bluer?
I feel a little better today, as my cough isn't as frequent. I have been coughing so much that the muscles in my solar plexus hurt. I took lots of naps and ate Chicken Soup with Rice and worked on my procrastiation list of things to do. (15 minutes at a time) At least, I feel like I have something to show for the time that I have been slacking at home. Tonight, I'll watch National Treasure and do some mending.
Marty is improving too, but felt dizzy after a little walk in the woods. We are both better than yesterday.
The hospital said to come in for chemo is I don't have a fever.

Marty shared the flu

2009-10-21T22:38:00.003-04:00

I should have done before and after for the whole effect.

I put a bunch of new pictures on my flickr site of Ecuador.
www.flickr.com/photos/nancykatzen

I started coughing and having chills yesterday. It really stinks. I am so tired. Marty and I flip coins to see whose turn it is to take care of things. I stayed home from work because of all the H1N1. Our babies are at high risk and I don't want to endanger them.
I have to call the hospital tomorrow and see if I can get chemo on Friday or not.

Allie is coming home this weekend to see Circ du Soliel with her Dad. I recommend she avoids us unless we are a lot better.

The pictures are of my closet, which I cleaned during my decadron energy frenzy, before I got sick.

Weekend Over

2009-10-19T00:44:00.002-04:00

Little Girl and her little brother at our visit to the indigenous house.
pool at night
pool and dining area
Dining area

I am starting to wind down from my steroid high. I got a lot done this weekend and feel more prepared if I run out of steam later this week. I went to sing shape notes tonight. It feels good to stay home for a few weeks. I'll be working and getting chemo once a week for two more weeks.

I'm still working on putting jungle pics on my flickr site. There are a few there now. It takes a long time to edit and upload. I'll keep putting pictures of Ecuador on this blog site because they are obviously more interesting than me doing laundry and paying bills.

I feel good, but poor Marty is sick with flu like symptoms. He has a fever tonight

Congratulations Allie!!

2009-10-17T23:28:00.006-04:00

Where Allie's dart hit the monkey
Allie called today to say that the research paper, of which she is second author,will be published! It was their first choice of the journals too. If want a laugh, ask her what the title is and what it means. Dare you.

I get a big whopping dose of decadron, a steroid, with my chemotherapy to avoid nausea. It works, but it hypes me up for a couple days, until I crash. I take pills to supposedly taper it off. I really like all the energy I have the day after chemo. I did many loads of laundry, sorted through my paper work, and made dinner tonight (pork chops with apples in sauce, roasted root vegetables with fresh herbs (finally used up the turnips), and spinach salad.
I promised myself I wouldn't stay up too late tonight, so I will have to post my jungle pictures tomorrow.
Band from the Wedding

The jungle of Napo River

2009-10-16T01:11:00.005-04:00

Michelle
Linda, Natalie and Dawn, our traveling companions with palm crowns and Klinger
Relaxing in the hammock on our little terrace

River Napo
We learned to make palm crowns in the jungle
La Casa de Suiza...our jungle home

For wedding pictures, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancykatzen/sets/72157622591553676/
Tomorrow, back to chemo, but now off to more adventures in Ecuador.

On Monday, our full day in the jungle, we set out early to visit the Animal rescue place as I mentioned before. We had planned to take a 2 hour hike, but I knew I couldn't make it. Our traveling companions, Dawn, Linda, Natalie and Michelle graciously offered to take the 1 hour hike instead, so that I could go along. It was hot and sticky, but our guide Klinger (his real name)
was very knowledgeable about the plants and made it interesting and fun. They all pushed me up and down the hills.
Hopping into our tubes and floating down the river was just perfect. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures, as tubing with a camera seemed like a bad idea. The best part of the day was watching kids play in the river and swinging out from shore on a rope swing. I was wondering why these kids weren't in school, when we floated by a gentleman who told us he was the children's teacher. It was too hot in the class room, so they went up the river for "Phys ED". He was a Swiss teacher on sabbatical for year with his wife and two kids. As we floated down the river, the kids came over and attacked Klinger, whom they knew. He gave them his tube and they played a lively game of King of the Mountain. Pretty soon they were climbing all over all our tubes. I thought "what a way to grow up!" Can you imagine a teacher, his wife and 20 kids swimming in the river in front of the school? Without life jackets and signed permission slips? The teacher told us that the kids swim like fish by the time they are five. They also pole their canoes up and down the river and walk through the trees. They soon climbed out to go back to school and we kept floating. We all agreed it was the best part of the day. Tomorrow: Visiting the indigenous home, Allie and blow gun and making ceramics.

The jungle

2009-10-13T19:52:00.005-04:00

Our form of transportation on the River Napo
poison frog

I have more pictures to upload but my little computer isn't op-operating.We are back in Quito after 3 days in the jungle. We met up with 4 of Allie's co-workers in Quito On the way there, we stopped at a hot springs for a soak. The ride down the other side of the Andes took about 4 hours and it every mile was beautiful. When we arrived the river, we had a 20 minutes motorized canoe ride to the Hotel Suiza. It is a beautiful tropical resort.

On Monday, we went to a animal rescue zoo. They accept exotic animals that have been a abandoned or abused. Some can be released in the wild but many of them have to protected because they are too familiar with humans.

then we went on a jungle walk, which was hot and sticky, but really interesting. It was heaven to jump in the river in our intertubes and float down the river.... to be continued

Ecuador

2009-10-10T22:29:00.005-04:00

Bride and Groom

View from hotel window

Virgin on top of the Panecella

(hill that is shaped like a bun)

Ecuadorian lady, her niece and granddaughter from whom we bought scarves
Today was the day of the wedding for which we traveled to Ecuador. It was quite an affair. It was in an historic church from the 16th century. The reception was the fanciest I have ever attended. There was course after course of food and Dom Perign0n flowed for the entire reception.

The wedding was at 11:00AM and we didn't leave the reception until 7:30 PM

Yesterday we toured around Quito and tomorrow we head off to the jungle. I have been a little tired. I think the altitude makes me more tired than usual.

Boston The Freedom Trail

2009-10-05T23:09:00.003-04:00

Me and Mrs. Mallard of "Make Way for Ducklings" fame
Allie, John, Caitlin, Lisa and the ducklings
Paul Revers and the Old North Church
Me blogging in the car
We decided to walk the Freedom Trail on Saturday even though it was raining. It was a great idea and we didn't get that wet. The Freedom Trail is marked by a red brick line that runs 2 and 1/2 miles from Bunker Hill to Boston Public Gardens through most of Boston's historic sites. We had driven by most of the sites on the the Duck Tour so it interesting to take more time to walk through and take a longer look. We had great calzones in the Italian section on the North End. My favorite, of course, was Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings in the public gardens.
We bought fancy desserts at the Modern Bakery and took them home to eat while we played Bananagrams and taught Lisa and John how to play 500.

Boston

2009-10-03T12:12:00.004-04:00

Charles River

Duck Boat Tour

Allison, Caitlin Lisa

I arrived in Worcester Thursday without incident. I went with Allie and John to watch them play volleyball barefoot in the sand in 50 degree weather. I was wrapped in a quilt.

Caitlin and Lisa had free stand by tickets from a friend that works for an airline. Allie picked them at midnight. I went to bed.

Yesterday we took the train to Boston, had lunch at a fancy Cambodian restaurant called the Elephant Walk. After lunch, we walked to the Duck tours and and took a tour on an amphibious "Duck". It was really fun. We had driving tour around the sights of Boston, then our Duck went into the Charles River and we motored around on the water.

Today we are heading back into Boston in the pouring down rain to walk the Freedom Walk.

More energy today

2009-09-29T23:13:00.003-04:00

I slept in this morning in hopes of having a little more energy today, and I did have a lot more than last Tuesday. I did a lot of little nit-picky paperwork that has been getting on my nerves for days, weeks, and/ or months. That was a good feeling, but it took me till noon to get out of the house.
We are hiring new receptionists, one of whom will take the phone calls, so that is going to take pressure off Marty in particular.
I spent most of the morning figuring out my work, travel and chemo schedules. I think I have it under control now!
Work tomorrow and packing for Boston.

2009-09-28T14:20:00.002-04:00

The annual debate: Should I dig up the pointsettias and bring thme in or let the frost get them?

Mums are the best thing about fall.

This "chemo-lite" every week is interesting. The first two days I'm all hyped up on the steroids. Friday, I worked then Marty and I went swimming, then folk dancing. Saturday we took the sailboat out for the Sail Club races. We didn't sail so well, but we had a good time. Sunday I thought I should wind down, so I stayed home and got the house tidy and caught up, finally, with the laundry. By Saturday night I was beat and today I slept all afternoon. I am going to have 2 weeks rest from the chemotherapy, so we will see how that goes.
Thursday I will drive up to Boston to meet Caitlin and Allison and stay for a long weekend. Then the following Thursday, Allie and I will jet off to Ecuador.
Marty is going sailing while I am in Boston, so we are going to need a dog/house sitter for this weekend if anyone is available.

Anniversary Gifts, My mom update and big news at the end

2009-09-24T08:33:00.004-04:00

Garden Girl is wearing the necklace and bracelet that Marty bought me at the Fiddle Fest for our anniversary. Click on it to see it bigger.
Lyons Fiddle Fest
Old guy and young girl
dancing.

aspiring fiddler
The other half on my anniversary present from Marty.

When we moved here, there was no grass or tall weeds: just rocks. I gave my electric mower away. Then 3 years ago, the former owners' pesticides must have leeched into the streams, ground water and the well, because all of a sudden I had weeds up to my neck. I had a edge trimmer but it wasn't up to the task. I tried selective weeding for a while, ie. leaving the prettier weeds and yanking the ugly ones. That resulted in a front yard reminiscent of the Clampetts' before they moved to Beverly Hills. All we were missing was the goat living in the junked car. So we got this little beauty 50% off at Home Depot clearance. It clear cuts everything in its 20 inch self-propeled path. It mostly dodges the rocks and roots.

We spent a pleasant afternoon at the Fiddle Fest on Sunday. The weather was perfect and they sold great Berks County homemade food.

Monday morning I got a call from my SIL, DeAnn, that they had taken my mom to the Greenville Hospital because she was short of breath. Her Blood pressure was high and she needed to have some fluid drained from her chest. She is still in the hospital as they need to fool around with her coumadin until the the blood levels are right. If she doesn't get out tomorrow, we promised her we would break her out.

I had my 3rd chemo today. It's weird but I feel better afterwards than before. I will rest one or two weeks before I start the 2nd cycle of 3 weeks in a row. I felt pretty punk S-M-T-W. I was too tired to work on Tuesday. I didn't even feel like blogging. So I am hoping for perky for a few days.

The big news is that Allie and I are going to Ecuador! 2 of her co-worker are getting married in Quito. She hadn't planned to go because of the expense,but she called me last week to tell me that the tickets had dropped. So off we go: 10/8-10/14. After the we attend the wedding, we are planning a 3 day trip into the jungle.

2009-09-18T23:42:00.002-04:00

I worked a little today and didn't seem to suffer any effects from the chemotherapy. I have been noticing a little peach fuzz on my head. I hope it can outpace the chemotherapy.

Marty is still feeling sick, so I attended to Baby Preview today too. My cleaning girls came and that gave me a big lift.
I am looking forward to settling into a routine over the next 3 weeks. I haven't been home enough to suit me. I am planning on meeting Caitlin in Boston at Allies' the first weekend in October. Allie and I are also planning a big trip mid-October. Details to follow.

2nd chemo

2009-09-17T13:08:00.004-04:00

Here I am at the Reading Hospital getting my 2nd chemo. I saw the Physician's Assistant today which was unremarkable. It's busy here. I've been here since 9:30 and it's 1:00 and I still have a bag of stuff to go. There are a lot of younger people here today, which is kind of depressing.

Everyone is so darn cheery, but I still hate this place and how it smells.

I called my two afternoon visits to tell them that I would be late. One had delivered her baby yeserday.. Unfortunately, it's not hospital I am at, but maybe I'll get a chance to see a new baby this afternoon. I haven't had a new baby since Janauary 1.

i got home yesterday afternoon and napped while Marty played secretary at Baby Preview. I feel the need to stay home for a while and get the house tidy and do the laundry. Poor Marty is sick with a bad cough, so I should cook supper too.

Leaving Gettysburg today

2009-09-16T08:20:00.003-04:00

We had a full day of panels yesterday, which were all every good. Made it to the restaurant for supper without incident! Took a nice long swim after dinner and played Bananagrams with some nurses before bed. Will leave for home around noon today.

NFP conference in Gettysburg

2009-09-14T21:38:00.003-04:00

We just back from a half an hour detour from our restaurant thanks to the GPS and the navigator's inability to read it. (Took us 10 minutes to get there plus the time trying to get out of the parking lot.) Tomorrow the plan is to take a map or walk.
We arrived at 4:30 for the cocktail hour where they tell us what a great job we are doing and give us stuff. We got an NFP umbrella this year. I got a new pin, with 3 stones on it, one for every three years I that I have been in the program. The hotel is clean and new with this computer center where I am writing my blog, a pool and hot tub. Tomorrow we will have sessions all day.
It is always great to see the other nurses from all over the state. I am getting compliments on my bald head and Am feeling well.

Rainchildren Concert with Amy

2009-09-12T23:53:00.004-04:00

s
Short clip from stories in the rain. More on my facebook page.

Amy and I had a great time going to the Rainchildren Concert last night. It was a reunion concert after 9 years and they were better than ever. We listened to my old mixed tapes from 1995 and 1997 on the ride to the theater. We loved reminiscing.
I pick Marty and Nora up late tonight at the Harrisburg Airport. The funeral was this morning. I haven't heard anything. They must be busy with the shiva.
I slept late after my late night out and have been trying to straightenn things up a little before Marty gets home. I'm going to shape note sing in Bethlehem this afternoon. I am grateful to be feeling pretty well after Thursday's chemotherapy.

5th Anniversary

2009-09-11T21:27:00.002-04:00

Marty is still in Florida. The services for his mom will be on Sunday. Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. He sent me these flowers from Florida.
I started chemo again yesterday. Docetaxel and Carboplatin are the two drugs I am taking. I asked the doctor for drugs that would balance effectiveness with quality of life. The doctor said the main side effects would be tiredness and hair loss, which doesn't matter much since I already don't have any on my head. I actually felt better after chemotherapy because they gave me a big bag of Dexadron, which is a steroid that give you lots of pep.
I worked today, doing visits, talking to the disability company to make sure I got all my ducks in a row. They actually are really nice. They have given me all the ins and outs so I don't miss any benefits. I am also keeping an eye on Baby Preview while Marty is gone, so I have been busy. I really miss him feeding me!
Allie walks in the Cancer Walk tomorrow hope she has nice weather.

Good Bye Isabelle

2009-09-10T19:48:00.005-04:00

Everett and Amanda's wedding

Gramdma and her boyfriend Marcos
At Butterfly gardens in Florida.
I have been very blessed in life to have had two wonderful mother-in-laws: Kathyrn Keeler and Isabelle Katzen.
Marty called last night around 10:30 to tell me his mother had just passed away in the hospice area of the hospital.
I only knew Isabelle for the last 7 years. Although she was of a very advanced age, she lived alone with some house hold help, made her own decisions, paid her own bills, and her mind was as sharp as a porqupine quill. She loved her grandchildren dearly and they were devoted to her. As she lived in Florida, we weren't able to visit as often as we would have liked.
I last spoke to her when she called me from the Rehab on Sunday. She was hard of hearing and was having difficulty using the telephone. She sounded beside herself and told me how miserable she felt. I chatted a little, trying to give her a little comfort but I was distracted because I was in the middle of giving some bedside care to my own mother in the hospital. She said, "I have to go. I love you dear". "I love you too Isabelle". It is a comfort for those words to be our last conversation.

Good News, Sad News and a mix of life.

2009-09-08T22:02:00.003-04:00

The sad news is that my mother-in-law, Isabelle, is hospice care in the hospital in Florida. Marty, Nora, David, Everett, Cory and Amanda are there. She is not expected to survive long. I really don't know much more at this time.

The good news is that my mom came home from the hospital today. She left the hospital around noon after a busy morning of tubes and wires being removed, dressing changed etc. I asked Janet if she slept the whole way home after such an active morning. She said that actually Mom chatted the whole way; she was so excited to get home..

The pictures are of my garden, after I cleaned it up a little. I put no maintenance into it all summer. John, Kathy and Amy's hard work constructing it made it a self-growing garden. I basically planted it and then took a lot of trips. The pictures show a bumper corp of turnips. I thought I had planted radishes! Anybody have a recipe that uses a lot of turnips? I was pleased that I got any thing out of it after all the neglect.

Talked to the doctor today. Will be starting new chemo soon. details to follow when I know more and am in the mood to talk about it.

2009-09-05T21:15:00.002-04:00

I spent the day with mom today at the hospital. She did pretty well today, but she felt a little short of breath today. I think she will do better when she gets home. We had a pleasant day chatting and napping. Janet stayed home and spruced up the house. Dad has been busy being mom, if you can believe it. He has been cooking his garden produce, sprucing up the yard, feeding the "boys".

Good Day for mom

2009-09-04T23:21:00.002-04:00

I drove directly to the hospital from Chicago today. I was pleased to see mum looking so well. Her color is good, she was up and walked in the halls, 3 times today. They changed her medicine to slow her heart rate down and that seems to be working well. Janet was pleased, saying that it was the best day she has had so far. I'll stay with her tomorrow and leave for home on Sunday.
Caitlin took the day off yesterday and I helped her with some painting (mostly keeping her company while she painted.) We had an excellent Mediterranean dinner with our friends, Charles and Hugo and played Bananagrams, our new favorite game, after dinner. So it wasn't all work and no play.

Caitlin's new neighborhood

2009-09-02T16:55:00.002-04:00

I'll let Janet update about my mom. It seems everytime I post something it changes. It doesn't sound like she will be ready for visitors for a while, but she loves to get cards.
Here is the addresss:
9100 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5815

I just took a walk two blocks north and two blocks south in Caitlin's neighborhood. There are 4 Mexican taquerias, 1 middle eastern restaurant, a noodle sushi bar, a mexican seafood restaurant. 4 beauty shops, countless dollar stores, subway mcdonlds, a peruvian restaurant. I think she can get anything. She's taking the day of tomorrow and I'll head out friday.

Grandma update

2009-09-01T18:10:00.002-04:00

First, thanks to all who have contributed to Allison's walk for cancer coming up in September. Your support means alot to both of us.
This morning, Janet told me that Mum didn't have such a great night and heart rate was irregular. She is still in ICU and they are putting a pacemaker in tomorrow. Otherwise, she seems to be alert, but very tired and glad to have Janet there, as are the rest of us.
We got all Caitlin's stuff our of her apartment and handed the keys in, so that is a relief.
I will leave Chicago some time the end of this week.

Grandma Update

2009-08-31T22:41:00.004-04:00

My mom is having a good time helping my sister in Chicago, but she wanted me to post a short grandma Update. My Aunt Janet says she is sitting up eating pork roast, holding her own heart rate steady, reading her get well cards and sending Aunt Janet to Walmart to get supplies. She should be out of the ICU in the morning, but asks that she has no visitors until she comes home from the hospital.

Chicago,Chicago is my kind of town

2009-08-31T18:23:00.001-04:00

After making sure that my mom was out of the woods and in Janet's capable hands, I continued on my trip to Chicago on Saturday. Thanks to my mom, I missed all the heavy moving. Caitlin's new house is very nice: vintage Chicago. Right now it's cluttered up with a lot of boxes. Caitlin loves her stuff. I tease her that she has the Grandma Claire gene; although Caitlin is tidier and much sweeter.

Sunday, we went through the stuff that was left, sorting and pitching. Today she had to go to work, so I went over and cleaned. All we have to do is gather up her plants and garden, take out the trash and we are done.

I talked to Janet this morning. She said they have mom walking and she has pain. She was the most alert that she has been. I think the whole experience was overwhelming. Janet feels she turned the corner for continued recovery today.

A Twist of Fate

2009-08-28T16:06:00.003-04:00

So my mom started out her journey to Chicago yesterday, and was hoping to get to my Grandparent's Farm around dinner time, to visit and spend the night before continuing on her journey. However, when she was about two hours away she got a call that my Grandmother ( they very same one she was visiting) was in the hospital. My Grandma, had a cardiologist appointment yesterday morning, and he became concerned with her, and sent her to another hospital to potentially get a pacemaker put in this morning. My mom was able to meet her at the hospital but it turned out that my Grandma's condition was much worse, with many of her arteries clogged. Thankfully my mom was already en route and was able to be with her last night and this morning before surgery, my Aunt Janet also made it in safely this morning after flying the red-eye from Portland. This morning/afternoon she had 7 bypass surgeries and they fixed a valve in her heart. They have finished all the surgeries and everything seems to have been successful, they are putting her back in her room, but my mom and Aunt have not gotten to see her post- surgery yet but they should be able to soon.

So Mom's trip to Chicago to see Caitlin has been postponed, but since my Aunt is in town I am sure she'll be heading there once my Grandma feels better and then she will probably take care of my Grandma for a bit on her way back to eastern PA, but she will also have to start some treatment herself once we get her biopsy results back.

But thankfully, everything went well and was successful and my Mom was glad she could be there!

2009-08-26T22:14:00.006-04:00

humpback whale
baby whale nursing
humpback blowing steam
lazy harbor seals

baby whale nursing video
click here for vacation slide show.
This probably the end of the vacation photos, but if you want to see more, click on flickr site above. Had a busy day at work with a sweet moment. I was doing a last visit with a client. The dad came home with a bottle of sparking apple juice. The little 2 year old said "Agua" water:her generic term for all liquids. Then she disappeared into the kitchen and came back with two cups. One for me and one for her. I was very impressed with her hospitality.
Well I am off to pack and go to bed to start my road trip tomorrow to my mom's then Chicago.

Who sent me fancy candy?

2009-08-25T23:03:00.005-04:00

This morning the doorbell rang at 9Am giving us all a start: we aren't used to people coming to the house. It was the Fed-EX guy with a package for me. The cardboard was lined with silver insulation and it had freezer packs on the bottom. Inside was a package of fruit pates and a box of artisanal chocolates from Christopher Elbow. They are the fanciest chocolates that I have ever seen; with unusual fillings like caramel infused lavender. Unfortunately, there was no card or any other clue as to the gift giver. This gift is too special and yummy to go unthanked, so please fess up.

After relaxing and singing on Sunday, Marty I went to Sloan-Kettering in NY on Monday. It was a nice drive and not too much traffic. The doctors were nice, but they can't recommend anything until they get the biopsy slides and results from NIH. So I'm on hold. We got Chinese for dinner. My fortune was,"You will spend your old age in comfort and material wealth". Marty's was "God will help you overcome any hardship". I think we got each other's fortunes.

My trip to Sloan-Kettering gave me a sense of urgency to do the things I need to do. I am planning to drive out to Caitlin's and help her move to her new condo the end of this week. I'll be home for the singing at Maiden Creek the Saturday before Labor Day. I'll probably take a long weekend to visit Allison the weekend of the 12th. I want to participate in the Cancer Walk in which she is participating. As you can see from her widget, she is doing a great job raising money.
I have uploaded nearly all my vacation photos to my flickr site, I'll post the link tomorrow.

I am home and OK

2009-08-22T15:39:00.003-04:00

Since the biopsy I had yesterday was my third, and I never had had any problems, I didn't have any qualms about having it done this time. I was a little put off when I arrived at the Interventional Radiology unit and they didn't even have a receptionist. I thought it was really ratty compared to Reading Hospital and Fox Chase where I had had the other two. I thought NIH would look more high tech. The doctor, however, was awesome. When she heard we were from Pennsylvania, she told us she had graduated from Swathmore. She also graduated from Harvard medical school so I figured I was in good hands. And I was. She did the needle biopsy under ultrasound instead of CT scan, so she spent a lot of time pressing on the liver tumors and I think that was what caused the pain after the procedure.
When I complained of the pain in the recovery unit, the doctor had me hustled right down to CT scan to make sure there was no injury or hemorrhage. She came and looked at the CT scan while they were doing it. That impressed me. What didn't impress me was when the escort who was pushing my wheelchair knocked on the CT scan door, and the person who answered it was still talking to her co-worker about lunch. She gave us a look, then asked the escort:
Did you check in with the front desk?
Yes, she said to come right back.
Ok, Well park her over there.
Then she shut the door, the escort parked me moaning in my wheel chair and wished me luck as she abandoned me. When the snotty CT tech finally opened the door, she didn't even glance in my direction. I started yelling Help! Help Me! (I felt like the old person who is always your grandma's roommate in the hospital. The one who yells help the whole time you are there visiting grandma.) That got her attention anyhow.
The other thing was how slow they were to address my pain. I kept throwing up, even though no one would believe I wasn't really nauseous. They gave me oxycotin (Rush Limbaugh's drug of choice) and it did nothing. She kept saying my blood pressure was low (90/60) and they were afraid IV medication would lower it more. If I wouldn't have been so out of it, I would have said, "So give it to me already and sit here with a syringe of Narcan if I bottom out."
Nurses are big on "On a scale of one to ten how is your pain?" I assumed that was to figure out how to treat it. I kept pushing it up a notch or two every time she asked. When I finally got to 9 (after 3 hours) she came in with a big ole syringe of Dilaudid, and asked "Are you sure you want this? You are looking better!" I assured her that I did, and blissfully felt my legs and shoulders getting heavy and boom I was out.
After drifting in and out for a couple of hours, deliciously pain free, I ate dinner and said ok I am ready to go home. 4 of my doctors had come to the room that afternoon which was kind of impressive. Usually I more impressed with nursing and auxiliary staff than I am with medical.
So any way I am home relaxing today. My goal is to finish the vacation laundry and start on the weed patch this evening when it cools off. I miss that Alaska weather.

Biopsy Update

2009-08-21T16:16:00.003-04:00

After calling several times today, to check on on the status of my mom (she apparently left all her cell phones in the car and Marty had not gone out to get them) I got a hold of Marty and through him my mom. She had to get a needle and a tissue biopsy (she hasn't had the tissue before) and everything apparently went well with them, except my mom said it seemed like they had to keep pushing deeper. After the biopsy, however my mom was complaining of pain, and they tried to give her medication but none helped. They also did a catscan to make sure everything was alright and it appears that it is but that didn't seem to stop the pain. However, they were able to give her some medication that helped that put her right to sleep, and when I talked to her she was a little loopy and ready to take another nap. They said once the medication wears off and she eats something she can go home, but she might end up spending the night in the hospital.

The Bad and the Possibly Good

2009-08-21T16:15:00.001-04:00

So on Tuesday my Mom and Marty took a trip to the National Institute of Health in Washington DC. On the way to the appt, Mom's oncologist and gave her some bad news about the previous days CT scan. The tumors have increased by 50% in size since the last scan ~6 weeks ago. So the Tarceva (expensive daily chemo pill with very limited side effects) is not working, and mom has since stopped taking it. However, at the NIH mom got some possibly encouraging news. She was seen right away and the doctors were friendly. They diagnosed her cancer as an undifferentiated non-small cell neuroendocrine tumor. They are currently carrying out a clinical trial with a drug (PF-00299804) for Non-small cell lung cancer patients after failure of a chemotherapy and Tarceva. The new drug is very similar to Tarceva, in that it is taken orally has similar side effects, and it blocks three growth factor receptors, including the one that Tarceva blocks. It is a phase II clinical trial and only 74 people will be enrolled and they have some data from the first 47 patients. In order to participate, Mom will have to make several visits to the NIH to get blood work and tests to evaluate the drug. If the drug doesn't work, she will be able to leave the study and start another chemo regimen if she wishes.
In order to be eligible for the study she has to be KRAS wild-type so they need to do some genetic testing, she also has to be off the Tarceva for two weeks. In order to do the genetic testing she needs unstained tumor tissue. They found some at the Reading Hospital, but Mom opted to get a re-biopsied at the NIH. We are hoping they will re-analyze her tumor diagnosis as well, since through-out her treatment they have been treating her cancer as a small cell lung cancer, but it has been diagnosed by NIH and Fox Chase as non-small cell neuroendocrine.
Once we get the results from the Biopsy, and assure mom is eligible for the study, we will have to make the decision if we want to participate or not. The dr's told us that people who have not responded to the Tarceva have responded to the new drug; however I am concerned that the tumor types of the responding patients are adenocarcinomas and not neuroendocrine tumors.
I'll keep you updated about how Mom's Biopsy goes today, and also Mom will be going to Sloan-Kettering on Monday to see if they have any more advice/clinical trials available.

Sea Kayaking

2009-08-19T21:29:00.005-04:00

salmon snack after kayaking
Janet and Alan Kayaking
Can you spot the eagle?
Perfect day
Janet and Al on the verandah of our cabin
I am not in the mood to write about cancer, I'm still thinking about vacation. Watch for Allison to guest blog about our trip to NIH in Bethesda. One of our excursions was sea kayaking at Ketchakan. Ketchakan has 300 plus rainy days a year. but the day of our excursion was sunny, clear and 75 degrees. We had a wonderful time in the nice weather and the smooth water in the coves. I didn't get a picture, but the water was clear and we could see hundreds of starfish clinging to the rocks. I didn't even know Alaska had star fish.
We also saw a bald eagle nest and parent and a harbor seal. After the kayaking, they gave us a delicious salmon snack. I counted it as a successful day as Marty didn't dump me out of the Kayak.

glacier Bay

2009-08-18T07:50:00.003-04:00

Margerie Glacier: a tidewater glacier

Shortly after I took this I watched a giant hunk "calve", which is falling off in the water.
close up of the crevasses
bear hunting salmonWednesday we went to glacier Bay on the cruise ship. We went up a long fiord which ended at Margerie and Central Pacific glaciers. We also saw humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions and dolphins. the Make A Wish Weather Foundation was with me again. The captain told us it was only the second time this season that they were able to go that far up the fiord AND have the weather be that clear. On the way up the fiord I saw mountain goats through the binoculars. The whole thing was amazing.

Walk to Cure Cancer

2009-08-17T17:49:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone!

My mom is safely back in PA, had a catscan this afternoon and is heading the NIH tomorrow. I am sure she will be updating you soon.

However, I wanted to let everyone know that I am participating in UMass Medical's Schools- Walk to Cure Cancer on September 13th.

I participated last year, but obviously this year the event is very important to me.

Please consider donating to my page, or joining my walk team.

You can donate on my page http://www.firstgiving.com/allisonkeeler or by clicking on the widget on the right of the blog.

Thanks!

2009-08-15T21:58:00.002-04:00

Best shot of Lake Louise

Alan and me at Lake Louise
Alan, Marty and Janet at the Hanging Bridge in Vancouver (before Cruise)
Me, part of the story of the totem poleFortunately, the vancouver airport has free WiFi. We said good bye to Janet and Alan at the dock this morning. They drove south to Oregon. We walked around Vancouver, visited Granville Island, the vancouver and Maritime museums. They have an amazing Farmers' Market and lots of interesting shops. We are waiting for our flight to Seattle. then we will fly to Phila., arriving at 6AM.

Our last day on the cruise was at sea. We saw some orca whales and I saw a pod of dolphins when I just happened to look out the verandah doors. I took salsa lessons with Janet and we all played trivia (and lost again). I probably wouldn't have done so many cruisy things if it hadn't been for Janet. The farewell dinner was a big shebang, with the waiters sing and dancing around the tables. It was great spending so much relaxing time with Janet. We soaked in the hot tub almost every afternoon that we were on board.

More pictures tomorrow.

Ketchekan

2009-08-13T23:40:00.003-04:00

We only have another half hour in port with internet connection, so I have to be quick. We just came back from a wonderful afternoon of kayaking. Apparently it rains every day in Ketchekan, but today was 75 degrees and clear blue skies. Even God seems to be on the board of the Make a Wish foundation. We have had perfect weather for every activity that we have planned.

I have been having trouble uploading from my computer, so you will have to wait until I am back in PA to see more pictures.

When we were kayaking, we saw a bald eagle nest with an eaglet in it and the parent near by in a tree. We also so saw a harbor seal and a red throated loon.

Yesterday we spent half the day Cruising Glacier bay which is an amazing ecosysytem. I saw mountian goats (finally) on the way in. While we were "parked" at the end of the fiord to look at the glacier fields, we saw a grizzley come to the shore and eat a fish and nose around for another half an hour. I also saw orcas, sea otters, sea lions. I also got to see the glacier "calve" That's when a big hunk of it falls into the water with a crash. I was sitting on the verandah and just happened to be looking at the glacier when I saw a huge wall of ice break off break off and make a resounding kersplash. Well we are sailing. Will be home on Sunday morning.

Lake Louise and traveling to Vancouver

2009-08-08T11:40:00.002-04:00

We have been on Zuiderdam since Saturday. ( Today is Monday.) I have taken to ship life. Originally, cruising didn't appeal to me except for standing on deck looking at the scenery. But I am really enjoying the fancy dinners and all the other amenities of the cruise ship. Janet and I have been line dancing, soaking in the hot tub and playing team trivia! I have been having breakfast delivered to my room each morning.

The pictures are mostly of Lake Louise. After Lake Louise we drove to Mission to pick and J. and Alan's car, then on to Vancouver. We visited the Hanging Bridge and had Thai food. Pictures to follow. Boarding the ship was really exciting. when we walked into our room we were astounded. I expected a little cabin with a port hole. They upgraded us to a stateroom with a double glass door and a terrace! I still feel like the recipient of make-a-wish foundation!

Yesterday we were at sea all day and it was a cloudy. Today was magnificent. It was bright, sunny and warm. This morning the ship headed up the Tracey Arm fiord. It was a beautiful cruise with mountains, glaciers and beautiful green water. We saw lots of whales. (detailes and pictures to follow). We also saw stellar lions, a harbor seal, bald eagles.

My blogging will be sporadic because I can't use the phone on the computer from the ship.

Tomorrow we go to Skagway.

Banff

2009-08-05T22:07:00.007-04:00

Hoodoo glacier formations
big elk

There were six Elk bulls grazing
this is the scenery every where you lookAnimal count for today: 6 elk, 5 deer, 1 bear and a bunch of ground squirrels. I didn't get a picture of the bear. I was too excited and he scampered off.

We hiked the Hoodoo trail today. They are stone pillars which were either formed by erosion or glaciers. In French, it is translated as Fairy Chimneys, which is much more charming. The trail overlooked the Bow river.

We also hiked up Johnson Canyon to see the waterfalls. It was a mile and a half to the upper falls, but I couldn't make the last half mile. It was a beautiful walk, but very uphill.

We visit Lake Louise tomorrow then head toward Vancouver.

2009-08-04T22:19:00.004-04:00

ground squirrel

Athabasca Falls

glacier

Janet Marty and Alan

big horn sheep
We traveled from Jasper to Banff today. Along the way we stopped at Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield, Sun wapta falls and the Columbia Icefields. It was overcast today. We only saw one deer, one sheep and colony of golden mantled ground squirrels, which look like chipmunks. The sheep really are sure footed. This 0ne walked down a practically vertical rock wall.

We are staying at a very nice condo with a loft and fireplace in Banff. The stretch of highway between Jasper and Banff is purported to be among the most magnificent scenic spots in the world. I would be inclined to agree. We plan to go to Lake Louise tomorrow.

It is chilly tonight so we are relaxing at home in front of the fire. (which I started with one match for those of you who care)

2009-08-04T01:47:00.002-04:00

Today we saw 2 bears, 1 elk, 17 big horn sheep, 6 deer, 1 pika and some sort of canine that chased the bear up the tree.

We walked around the Maligne canyon which was a deep narrow crevasse with loud rushing water. We visited Medicine lake which disappears every fall and reappears every spring. We finished our day with a nice long soak in the hot springs.

Leaving home and traveling to Canada

2009-08-03T11:32:00.002-04:00

Pig Roast

box pig wa roasted in

My niece Kyleigh and me swimming in Deka Lake

Elton John at Citizen center in Philadelphia

We were three rows from the stage. Last Thursday, Allie and I left the beach, drove home and I packed for our British Columbia/Alaska trip. We took off for Philadelphia to stay overnight in a hotel for our early fight.

After we got settled in the hotel, we headed over to the Citizens Bank baseball field for the Elton John/ Billy Joel concert. Marty's nephew Everett, is friends with a band member and gave us free tickets. I felt like I was a recipient for the Make a Wish Foundation. Our tickets were only 3 rows from the stage. It was pretty amazing. We left early to avoid traffic and because we had to get up at 4:15 AM

Our flight to vancouver was uneventful. I got to see Star Trek again. Janet met us at the airport, we picked up our rental, dropped off Janet's car for the week and headed north to Deka Lake for the Gerard Family Reunion. Alan, Bryce and Kyleigh were already there with our tents up. Saturday was fun. We went swimming in the lake and I was runnerup in the cribbage tournament! Andy did a great job roasting the pig in his home made pig roaster.

We took off sunday morning after a huge campsite breakfast and made our way to Jasper, alberta. The drive was beautiful. We are staying in a cabin in the park and are off to tour the park today.

Fun at the beach

2009-07-29T09:02:00.002-04:00

Ellen and me
Caitlin, Louise, Alie and Sarah
Yesterday was an absolutelly gorgeous day at the beach. The water was73 degrees and there was lots of wave action. We tried out best not to get sunburned with varying degrees of success. Theday started off on a sad note with the news of Doris Bricker, lee's wife passing away. She was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery. We had hopful that she would recover. Most of the family is here at the beach so it is good to be together.

Hair and sand

2009-07-27T20:50:00.003-04:00

Allison shaving the fringe from the back of my head that the radiation didnt kill. Both girls agreed it was sillly and had to go.
I'm hoping my hair grows back green
Caitlin on her iPhone on the beach
Allison on her phone on the beachOur first full day on the beach was perfect. It was sunny, but with a nice breeze, there was great wave action and the Brickers arrived in full force. Our friend Amy came for the day. We took Amy out for Thai food courtesy of Grandma. Thanks Mum!

2009-07-24T22:36:00.003-04:00

Skunky Leo
Poor Tipper
Where is your nose Milagro?
Donde esta tu nariz?
I will be discharging little Milagro and her mom in August, when she turns two. This picture is what makes it all worth while. She knows where her nose is and and can name 5 other body parts. She knows at least 50 words and she calls me by name. When I started with this family, I had no idea how it would all turn out.
Allie arrived around nine with Leo in tow. Marty is going to watch him when we are at the beach.
He took off as soon as Allie let him out of the car. Outside it smelled really strongly of skunk and he came back stinking to high heaven. We were both really tired, but both dogs had to get a bath before we went to bed.
I will finish my packing tomorrow and we will head off to Rehoboth as early as possible.
Yeah vacation!

2009-07-21T22:23:00.002-04:00

I went to the Radiologist today and he discharged me after determining that none of my complaints had anything to do with radiation. The psychologist was more helpful. We talked about maintaining a positive attitude while still recognizing and paying attention to negative thoughts and feelings. She told me about research that indicates the balance should be 3 to 1 positive to negative. Negative thoughts need to experienced, she said because there is something to be learned from them, but to be careful not to caught in a down spiral of negative thoughts that grow out of proportion to the reality of the situation. Positive thoughts aren't that helpful if there aren't negative ones to give them meaning. She urged me to get back into the habit of yoga and breathing. Even if I feel too tired for yoga I can lie there and focus my on breathing.
I won't be doing anything else medical until after our vacation Aug 16. So hopefully it will be a real vacation from everything.

2009-07-20T20:16:00.002-04:00

Wearing scarves in the summer isn't as much fun as it was in the winter. I'd just go around bald, but I'm trying to heal up my skin and of course there is the sunburn issue.
We had quiet weekend. I had planned to go the concert in City Park and meet up with friends, but it rained. I assumed it was canceled, but the paper had a review o the singer the next morning, so I was bummed.
Saturday I relaxed in the morning, then did some shopping. Nora, Jason, Kyle and Isaac come for dinner. Nora and Jason both have birthday's this month, so we had a very informal birthday party. Kyle and I had a good time building marble works and Isaac watched us. He is a pleasant, smiley baby. Sadly, I forgot to take pictures.
I was tired Sunday morning, so I read and napped all morning. Marty talked me into a bike ride. We rode along the Tulpehocken on the tow path. It is flat easy riding, about 8 miles round trip.
I got back in time to go sing at the Exeter Meeting House. I am going to miss singing while I am on vacation.
I was pretty tired today. I don't know if it is still the radiation, the Tarceva, or the disease process. I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat: like at my desk at work or when I try to read on the couch. I made two visits today and straighten out some other stuff for clients. My caseload is smaller now, so it is manageable.
I am having trouble getting motivated to pack for vacation. I have my house sitting issues resolved I think, so that is a big relief. I promised myself that I would do 15 minutes a day, the Flylady way.
I'm off to the radiologist tomorrow. He won't do much except order an MRI of the brain. I also see the psychologist. That visit will probably be more useful.

2009-07-18T11:57:00.003-04:00

Coneflower and bee
cabbage
garden growing
These radishes seem to be all greens

Wine berries.
We had a good rain last night and every thing looks great in the sunshine this morning. I'm off to buy a baby shower gift for our sonagrapher at Baby Preview, go the bank, and the Farmer's Market.
Caitlin, Allie and I are making plans for the beach. Allie and I still have dog sitting plans to work out. I may go shopping for some new clothes for our trip to British Columbia and the cruise to Alaska. I am looking forward to sitting for a week on the beach with nothing to do but read and chat with Caitlin and Allie.
I still feel tired and nap a lot. I'm getting more pimples, but most of them are on my chest and back.
Off to shopping...

Life goes on

2009-07-16T22:33:00.004-04:00

Sweet peas growing wild in yard
Coneflowers

Golden Raspberry

Somehow bearing bad news is easier in the summer. Everything in the garden is growing and so alive. I have 3 kinds of berries growing in the yard, I picked lettuce the last two nights for dinner. I have one little green tomato and lots of herbs. My flowers are at the height of their season thanks to all the rain, then sunshine this week. The orchard up the road has sweet corn and peaches. There are lots of good things to somewhat balance the bad.
I had a pleasant day at work; visiting two clients. At the grocery store I ran into my family with twin girls, who graduated last December. We chatted in line and they bragged about how they are potty trained and how smart they are. I felt so proud of them for how well they are doing.
Tomorrow I'll be taking a client to the Oley Dairy to feed the goats and eat ice cream for our for our last visit. That's always fun.
I'm planning a quiet weekend of getting ready for vacation. I still need some house/dog sitting coverage. Needs to make lists, shop etc.
I broke out in my first pimple today, so we will see how bad that gets.

Bad News at the doctor.

2009-07-16T09:33:00.002-04:00

My oncologist gave me the results of my CT scan at my appointment on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the tumors have started to grow again. The tumor in the lung doubled in size from .9cm to 1.8cm, as did one of the liver tumors. There is also a new one in the liver. It was a bit of a shock: I thought I would have more time before they started to grow again. The doctor wants me to do chemotherapy mid August after we come back from our vacation to Canada and Alaska. I don't know if I can.
I'll have another CT scan before starting the chemotherapy on the off chance that the Tarceva pills I take every day are doing something.
Marty, of course, is sad and upset and searches the internet every day for clinical trials. I'm still tired from the radiation and have been resting a lot. I still go to work every day. I've been starting to pack for my week at the beach with Caitlin and Allison and our trip to British Columbia and the Alaskan cruise with my sister and BIL.
I really appreciate all the support and encouragement everyone has given me. I am sorry that I don't have better news.

Music weekend

2009-07-12T22:02:00.003-04:00

The weekend flew by. Friday night I went with my friend Jean to the City Park Bandshell for a concert by Electrica. It wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but it doesn't matter what is playing, I love sitting in the park on a warm summer evening listening to live music.
I usually walk around to see people during the intermission, but Jean apparently knows three quarters of the population of Reading and we had only made it about 25 feet from our chairs before the intermission was over. So if you were there, sorry I missed you.
Saturday morning, Marty and I drove (the convertible) to Westminster MD to the
Common Ground Music Festival. It was lovely venue at the Carrol County Farm Museum. We met my camping buddies Bob and Brook there. We heard all kinds of folk, blues, and traditional music from around the world. The evening headliner was Ralph Stanley and Clinch Mountain Boys. Ralph is in his 80's now, but he can still put on a show. The weather was threatening from time to time but we stayed dry.
We didn't get home until 11:00PM last night, so I decided to take it easy today. I went to church and sang a lot (as usual. My church likes to sing) Today they commissioned the youth for their mission trip/national convention in New Orleans. Church ended with the rousing singing of "When the Saints go Marching In". I don't think I have ever sung that in church before.
On the way home from church, I picked up some prescriptions and bought tomato cages. I am still tired so I spent most of the afternoon napping. I did put the cages around the tomatoes and picked berries. I am so happy to have my golden raspberries growing again. They moved with me to Shillington, but I couldn't take them when I moved here. Fortunately I had given Mike and Mary some shoots, so they gave me some back 2 years ago and I now have a giant crop. I also have black raspberries and wine berries growing wild all over the property.( I think it is the next best thing to heaven to be able to go out and pick berries every day!) If anyone wants to make jelly or a pie, come over with a bucket this week.
I go to the doctor Tuesday to find out about my CT scan to the chest and abdomen. I seem to tolerating the Tarceva pills. The redness is fading out of my skin, but it is still dry.

The Infamous Amy V and her Crazy Goats!

2009-07-09T09:26:00.005-04:00

The one goat really liked mom's dress... like really liked
The Infamous Amy V herself

Me feeding some adorable goats

Crazy Goat Video!

Busy day / Feeling a little better

2009-07-08T22:31:00.002-04:00

Our team meeting at work today was orienting to our new curriculum. After doing things pretty much the same way for nearly 10 years, it is a bit of a shock to the system. On the other hand we had been asking for changes and revisions. The main difference will be that the clients will have more imput in what we talk about each visit instead of us showing up with a preplanned visit. I think it will put some fresh life into the visits
I had my appointment for the teaching for Tarciva today. Not too much learn: take on empty stomach, side effects etc. My blood work was ok. I stopped by Radiology to talk to a nurse about how bad I was feeling. The doctor was standing at the desk so they just refered me to him. He said that the Radiaion continues to accumulate in the body for 5-7 days after the radiation and I am probably experiencing the peak effects and that they should taper off over the next few days.
So I guess I'll start the new medication when I get up in the morning.

Recovering from radiation

2009-07-07T22:38:00.002-04:00

It seems that the radiation side affects come AFTER the treatment is over. My head is bald, red and scaly. Even my ear canals feel sunburned. I have been extremely tired, queasy, and a little depressed. I go to the oncologist tomorrow for the teaching on the new medicine, so I am going to stop by radiology to ask about all of this.
I had a pleasant, relaxing 4th of July weekend. Marty and I took the convertible and Tipper and we had a nice road trip. My dad, Justine, Allie and I played 500 every night in competitive closely scored games. The McCullough reunion was the same as it is every year, which is a great comfort. There were 104 attendees, 3 tables groaning with casseroles and salads and another with desserts. The older I get the more I enjoy the meeting after dinner. Everyone stands up and tells what their family has been up to for the last year.
Allie and I went to see Amy V's goats. We laughed so hard at their antics. They jump, climb, fly through the air, chew clothes and shoelaces, tease the dogs. I'll post pictures when Allie sends them to me.
Well I'm off to bed...

Last Day of Radiation.

2009-07-02T21:41:00.003-04:00

Can you believe they gave me a diploma for finishing radiation? They also gave me the option of keeping my mask. This is what they put over my face every time and then clamped me to the table. The purple marks show where they directed the radiation. They say the radiation keeps working for a few more weeks so I won't have an appointment with the radiation doctor till 7/21. My face looks sunburned and now that the hair is gone (again) my Humpty Dumpty dome is starting to look pink too. oh well.
Marty, Tipper and I are off to the 123rd McCullough reunion on the 4th. We will leave to tomorrow. Allie flew into Pittsburgh tonight, so I'll get to see her this weekend.

Next to last Radiation TX

2009-07-01T11:16:00.006-04:00

One more radiation treatment. Hooray. The skin on my forehead and temples is taking a beating. My poor bald head is even balder than before. Total Uncle Festus.
The Tarseva (the pill I am going to be taking) came by Fed Ex today. I'm not scheduled with a nurse to go over the teaching until next Thursday, but I think I am going to start taking it next Monday.
I finally got my camping gear put away, my tie-dye washed, and went back to making visits on Tuesday (I did some administrative stuff Monday). It was a frustrating day. I was hauling my client with physical disabilities to WIC and the toddler's pediatric appointment. Thank goodness the baby can walk now and I don't have to lug her and her car seat. We got to the clinic, checked in and waited 20 minutes, when the nurse came out and said, "She doesn't need a physical until October." My client and I looked at each other both thinking, "Then why the heck did they make the appointment for June?" The client was all apololgetic even though it wasn't her fault. I was glad to book; usually they put us in an exam room for another hour before the doctor comes in, so I had a little more time in my schedule. I enjoy this client's company: my only real loss was the extra 2 quarters that I put in the meter.
The pictures are of the garden progress and flower beds. The flowers are doing great, but so are the weeds.

Weekend at Old Songs

2009-06-29T16:31:00.005-04:00

Video: Caitlin contra dancing. Sorry you have to tilt your head. I don't know how to rotate it.
Pictures: Old Songs stage
Mung bean explosion in my absence.
The weekend was an all round success with singing, dancing, fiddling and lots of other types of music.
My buddy, Bob, and I drove up Thursday morning to Altamont, NY (near Albany). We unloaded our stuff (and we had a lot), then I drove to the airport to pick up Caitlin while Bob and our friend Phil set up the campsite.
Bob made us gourmet meals and all we had to do was the dishes, which is the best deal I've had in a long time.
We had a lot of rain Friday morning, but since we were camping with guys, they were serious about keeping the campsite dry and every thing battened down. We had rain varying from drizzle to downpours every day. We stayed dry so it wasn't bad at all. The rain cleared off Friday afternoon in time for Caitlin to go to her fiddling workshop and me to my mountain dulcimer workshop. I started learning 4 tunes and I am motivated to practice them at home now. Caitlin and I went to the after concert contradance which starts at midnight and goes to 1:30 AM. We slept well.
Saturday and Sunday started off with shape note singing and the rest of each day was filled with wandering around the different stages listening to musical groups. We went to the after concert contradance on Saturday night too, but I didn't last past 1:00 AM. I slept well that night also on my comfy air mattress in my dry tent.
We packed everything up in record time on Sunday and dropped Caitlin at the airport on our way home.
Medical stuff:
1. My hair fell out on Saturday. All of it. It's depressing.
2. My skin is blotchy from the radiation. I have cream to put on it.
3. Radiation is over on 7/2.
4. The insurance company is paying for the Tarciva and the pharmacy is sending it Wednesday.
Side effects: diarrhea and an acne-like rash. yeah.
5. I have an appointment for a CT scan on July 7.

Well that's all the news from the 17 acre wood, where the women are still bald, the men are patient and the cat is in worse shape than the owner.

A trip to the doctor

2009-06-23T07:17:00.002-04:00

I had a busy day at the hospital yesterday. I rode my bike from my office to the hospital for radiation. It was the first day that it didn't look like I would be poured upon since I started radiation. It is actually faster to take the trail from downtown Reading to the hospital then to drive!
I met the the radiation doctor after the radiation. He asked if I had any problems with balance. I told him I rode my bike. He said I guess not. I am starting to get some pink skin at my temples. They sent me to the Image shop to buy some cream. The nurse said it works better than prescription cream.
I met with my oncologist before radiation. He had just came back from a conference and wanted to talk to me about taking an oral chemotherapy pill. Marty had also looked into this medication and wanted me to talk to him about it. The plan before was just to wait until the tumors started to grow then try something (or not). This pill is Tarceva. It works really well if the tumor has a certain mutation. But it also has some benefit if it doesn't. We talked about having the tumor tested to see if I have the mutation, but since it supposedly has a benefit in either case and I really don't have many alternatives, I decided to try it. I am waiting for a call back to come in for the teaching. They had to get approved by the insurance because it is very expensive. I hope it works and doesn't give the side effects of diarrhea and acne.
I have been tired ,working a lot. and trying to get ready for my trip. I tested the air mattresses this morning and it seems the pump is shot. I am going to have to take a trip to the camping store. I still have some flowers to plant, but other wise in good shape.

2009-06-21T14:59:00.005-04:00

I planted my squares with vegetable plants and seeds and herbs. Unfortunately, I forgot what I planted before I wrote it down. I'll have to wait until things start coming up and hopefully not double plant. We need some sunshine to get these golden raspberries to ripen and help the seeds sprout. The heart shaped is mostly tomatoes. The purple flower is a wild flower which I have never see in my yard before.
I didn't have a high power weekend but I am tired today. Friday night we went out for dinner to GO FISH with Kathy and Mike for Mike's Birthday. Saturday, I worked around the house while the girls cleaned. Later I went to hear my friend, Jean,'s group, Little Sister, sing at Arts on the Ave. Unfortunately, the festival was a bust because of torrential downpours, but when Little Sister started singing and the skies cleared.
Later, I met with my buddy Bob to make our plans to go to Old Songs music festival. Bob has most of the food under control. My contribution is using my talent for spacial relationships to pack all his cool camping stuff and yummy food into the SUV. (That and my penchant for chatting on road trips.) We will be heading out Thursday morning after radiation. I'll pick up Caitlin at the Albany airport around 4:00 PM. We will set up camp and kick back and relax for the rest of the weekend with old friends.
http://www.oldsongs.org/festival/
Caitlin and I will be competing for most participatory camper award, so I'll have to pace myself. There are shape note and gospel singing, contra dancing, fiddle and dulcimer workshops.

2009-06-19T07:16:00.001-04:00

Penny. Mary and I had a great time at Mary's cabin. We took a leisurely drive , stopping at Wegman's, and a quaint bakery to provision our overnight. The weather was still nice when we arrived so we took a little hike around the park. We mostly sat outside until it rained then went inside and drank wine, chatted a lot and played games. We had a lot of fun playing the Mother Game, which Caitlin got me a few years ago for Christmas. Mary also turned us on to Bananagrams, which I see as a posible addiction in my future. It got chilly and damp with all the rain, so we lit a great fire in the beautiful stone fireplace.
In the morening, after a leisurely pancake breakfast, we went to the lake to try to spot the bald eagles, but we didn't have much luck.
I was hoping to see a bear. We didn't, but as we were arriving, a doe and tiny fawn crossed the road in front of us.
It would have been nice to stay longer, but I was glad we could do something with my radiology schedule.

Taking off

2009-06-16T22:32:00.003-04:00

I had the fourth dose of radiation today. I was tired and sort of depressed. It was gloomy and I didn't want to get out of bed. When I showed up at Radiology for some reason they were having a luau at 8:45 in the morning. They had food out, and ceramic hula dancers, Don Ho on the boom box and all the staff had on Hawaiian shirts and grass shirts. Maybe it was my mood , but I found it incredibly bizarre to be faced with that much cheerfulness so early on a dreary morning. I couldn't even bring myself to ask, "What's up with the Luau?"
I called up Penny and we went for pedicures. That did cheer me up. I worked the rest of the day. I took the new nurse, Gloria, out on visits with me and had to show her some of the detective skills that are required of NFP nurses. (We found our client and got our paper work done!)
I just packed my overnight bag. Penny, Mary and I will head out for the Promised Land (State Park) tomorrow after radiation. I am really looking forward to just chilling with my BBFs without any distractions of home, husbands or work.
Pictures are a self portrait with my new hanging basket and the torso with newly planted stone planters.

More gardening

2009-06-15T21:53:00.003-04:00

After my busy weekend I feel like I need a day off to recover. I had radiation bright and early this morning, got caught up on my paper work, did my visits this afternoon, then planted flowers with my friend Susan. I was surprised to see this turtle on the back porch. He disappeared when I went to look for the camera, but I found him in the yard. I don't know what kind he is but he has beautiful markings. I took pictures of the new plantings, but it was too dark. I will try again tomorrow.
Working 8 hours just seemed like a lot today.
The pictures are from the sing this weekend. Jason, our son-in-law, brought me back this skirt and scarf from India.

Gardening

2009-06-14T22:25:00.005-04:00

My former co-worker, Kathy, her husband, John, and our friend Amy came over to help me make my new square foot beds. We hauled rocks to make the borders, then dug out 6 inches of rock and dirt and replaced it with mix of peat, vermiculite and cowmanure/humus mix. They knocked out two new beds in 2 hours and we had a pleasant dinner together.

Before they came I took the convertible to the garden centers. And you thought it was just a sports car. It is really easy to load things in the back seat with no doors or roof to worry about.
I visited the "infirmary" rack at Home Depot. They had half flats of marigolds, geranium and inpatiens for $2.67! They really don't look that bad. They just need to get them into the ground and nursed back to health. I also used my birthday money from my mom to buy some big hanging baskets, some red geraniums, herbs and tomatoes. My botanist friend, Susan, is coming to help me plant tomorrow night.

I have been so late getting a garden in and all this help is such a wonderful gift.

All Sung out

2009-06-13T23:21:00.003-04:00

The pictures are from today's sing at Exeter Meeting house
It's been a busy 24 hours with overnight guests here for the sing, making food for the pot luck and singing from 10 to 4 today. The singing was excellent. Singing shape notes is a lot like yoga. One doesn't think about anything else, so your mind and thoughts get a little vacation. Plus the music and and harmonies are beautiful.
recording of the song I lead today

Relay for life

2009-06-13T00:17:00.002-04:00

Thanks to all my friends and family for donating for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Last Friday I sent out emails, posted on facebook, added a link to my blog and made what I though was an ambitious goal of $500. Today, one week later, we've raised over $1000. I am so touched by your generosity and support. It makes me feel like I have a whole team of people behind me. Like that guy on the Verizon commercial. In case you still want to donate I think you can any time.

I went to the opening of the event tonight. The team from my church, Hope Walking, was camping out 6PM to 6AM. I went for the survivor walk. It was visually meaningful. The survivors walked one way around the track and the caregivers the other. When we met in the middle, the caregivers met their survivor and continued around the track with them.I didn't take any pictures, so I hope someone will email me some.
Staying over looked like fun. I have an all day Sacred Harp sing to attend tomorrow and I invited a family to stay over at my house, so I needed to be home.

My second radiation went fine. No side effects so far. I arranged my radiation schedule so that Mary, Penny and I can leave Wednesday morning after radiation at 7:30AM and come back Thursday for radiation at 3:30PM.

Radiation is rad

2009-06-11T21:01:00.003-04:00

The relay for Life is tomorrow night. last chance to sponsor before the walk Thanks for helping raise my goal from 500 to 800 dollars!
There was an article in newspaper about Relay for Live at Daniel Boone High school in the paper tonight. The Jr class is organizing it in honor of a teacher who died of cancer last year. I was shocked to see that I knew her. She was a member of Peace Church. Her story was really compelling. She was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer at age 45. After her treatments she went back to teaching (she had just graduated and had only been a teacher for 2 years.) Her husband drove her to school everyday and sometimes she taught in a wheelchair. She died on a Sunday after teaching Friday and doing Parent teacher conferences. That's how I want to go. I actually said that this morning after I rode my bike to work. I can't die if I keep moving. My car was in the shop getting a new muffler and Marty had an appointment, so I rode the bike to the office and walked to the shop 2 blocks away. It is 7 miles from the house to the office, but it is all downhill except for the last 2 blocks! If you have been to our house you know the down hills are Scary! I like having the bike at work so I can ride the trails after work or ride to some of my visits.
I went to my first radiation treatment today. When I stopped in at work after wards they asked me how it went and I told them that it was the best thing they have done to me yet. I got looks: "Is she being sarcastic?"
"No, No", I told them "it is true." Way better than Cat scans, PET scans, bone scans, MRIs and of course there is nothing worse than chemotherapy except maybe being tortured by the Taliban and that doesn't last as long.
I go in, they put a personalized mask that they made for me yesterday over my face. They have to map out where the treatment goes with ink, so they do it on the mask instead of tatooing my head (for which I am very grateful. They zap me on one side of my head for a minute and the other side for a minute and I'm done. They run a tight ship, I am in and out in half and hour.
I went without a scarf for the first time today. My hair isn't too long but it's visible. I decided since I'll only have a hair for a week or two, I may as well enjoy it. I'm also supposed to keep my head uncovered when I'm inside to help the skin stay cool and dry.

Which do you want first? The good news or the bad news?

2009-06-10T14:04:00.008-04:00

3 More days to The Relay for Life. Support me in Relay for Life

The bad news is they called me this morning with my MRI results.I knew it couldn't be good news because they never call you the next day with normal results.
They gave me an appointment right away to go over the results. The bad news is that there are two small (less than 1cm) nodules in the frontal lobe of my brain.
The good news is that I was going to have brain radiation done anyway. It starts tomorrow and will be for 15 days instead of 10 days. The really good news is that small cell cancer responds well to radiation. The radiologist was all chipper about the prognosis.
If I had to pick I'd be a radiation oncologist instead of a regular one. Fewer side effects.
The other bad news is that I had to cancel my trip with my friends Penny and Mary. We had planned to go to Mary's cabin in Promised Land State Park for 3 days mid-week. So I guess we will have to go to day camp instead of sleep over camp. It's kind of a shame because the treatment only takes half an hour every day. It just has to be done every day.

Meredith and Wendy

2009-06-09T22:16:00.003-04:00

Click here to make a donationMy client L. gave me permission to put this picture of the two of us wearing our wigs, Wendy and Meredith, on the blog. L. has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The American Cancer Society has helped her a lot. They gave her a voucher to get the wig and also arrange transportation to get to her chemotherapy appointments. She has a lot on her plate with cancer and an 18 month old.
I had my MRI this evening. It was supposed to be at 7:45 this morning, but the doctor's office hadn't sent me for blood work. They couldn't do it until after I had a creatinine level drawn to make sure that my kidneys could handle the dye. Thankfully, MRIs don't bother me. This was a really noisy one. It banged so loudly that the bed shook. I just closed my eyes and chilled. They gave me ear plugs and put a lot of padding around my head. No one told me when I would get the results.
These purple flowers came up from last year and I don't remember planting them or what they are.
I had planned to go sailing tomorrow night, until I remembered that I am working at Baby Preview. So if anyone would like to crew with Marty or be the receptionist at Baby Preview just let me know!

Monday

2009-06-08T22:10:00.003-04:00

Even though I reached my goal of $500.00 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life,don't let that stop you from helping me to reach my new goal of $700.00. Many thanks to all my contributors.
Donate here
The picture is of my 4x4 foot square foot garden. I want to make two more when I get my rock hauling help. Hopefully, I'll get it planted soon.
Tomorrow I am having an MRI of the brain at 7:45AM. I'm glad they got me in so promptly. I have been imagining all kinds neurological symptoms. If the MRI is clear, I will have an appointment to set up the radiology on June 18th and start the treatment the following Monday.

Great weekend

2009-06-07T23:14:00.004-04:00

I will be putting up a message all week for contributions to Relay for Life. Many thanks for those of you who have contributed. My Donation Page
Today was Music Sunday at church. All the choirs sang and it all around spirit filled.
After church, Marty and I took the convertible out to visit my friend Jean's little farm. She gave me snow peas, snap peas, a couple kinds of lettuce and some Belgium radishes. She also gave me tomatoes plants, so I was inspired to get my garden going.
The pictures are the before and during of the 4X4 foot bed I made for Square Foot gardening.(http://www.squarefootgardening.com/) It is supposed to be a raised bed, but I dug down instead so I could use a rock border instead of boards. I want to do two more beside it if I get some help. The pictures are before and during. I will post the "after" tomorrow. It got too dark for picture taking.
It really didn't take me all that long to do the little garden bed, but I was really tired and sore when it was done. I got out all my fancy creams that I made the other night: piggy polish to soak my feet and coconut and lemongrass bath salts.
The other pictures are of new growth on a maple tree and my peony. I saw a Scarlet Tanager in the woods today, but couldn't get a picture.

2009-06-06T20:52:00.003-04:00

Caitlin taught me how to do this fancy link to sponsor me for the Relay for life. Hope Church has a team called Hope Walking.( which I think is such a great name)To sponsor me just click on the link. my donation page

My new cleaning girls started today. I've never had hired cleaning help before, so I was excited. I had asked one of the Mennonite women with whom I sing if she knew anyone from her church who did cleaning. She gave my name to someone who I discovered I knew from the Birth Center. Her 13 year old daughter and niece were looking for a cleaning job. So it turns out that I actually attended the birth of one of my cleaning girls. Isn't that kind of cool?

After the girls left this morning, we took the boat out to Lake Nockamixon near Quakertown. It was a beautiful day on the lake. There was enough wind for easy, fun sailing. We had such a nice relaxing time.
I had planned to go Contra dancing, but we got back too late.

I finally have peas starting in the garden. The picture is a newly "hatched" snow pea. Tomorrow I am finally going to get around to planting some tomatoes.

Another Birthday celebration and another doctor visit

2009-06-05T13:22:00.003-04:00

Last night my co-workers took me out to dinner and to a "make your own" spa night. It was really fun. The Paisley store in Kutztown is a bath and bodyworks sort of place except they make their own soaps, gels, scrubs and creams etc. We all did a lovely foot soak, scrub and lotion, then we made our own body creams. The owner gave us a tutorial on all the different oils and their aromatherapuetic properties. I made a body cream with a combination of English tea rose and bergomot and named it Lady Rose Grey as bergomot is in Earl Grey tea. It was fun having all my co-workers together and I appreciated those who stayed up past their bedtimes! My co-workers are all a little nuts, esp when we are all together. I can't believe I forgot my camera.
This morning I went to the Reading Hospital to consult with the Radiation Oncologist. He said small cell lung cancer has a proclivity for spreading to the brain. Since chemotherapy doesn't cross the blood brain barrier well, radiation will prevent occurance in 85% of patients. If I don't get the radiation there is a 50 % chance that tumors will grow in the brain.
According to this doctor, getting radiation therapy will be a walk in the park compared to chemotherapy. I will lose my newly acquired hair and may have some dermatitis on my scalp. It is low dose radiation. I will have 10 treatments: Monday through Friday for 2 weeks. The treatments only last 5 minutes a day. I don't know exactly when they will start because I have to get a base line MRI of the brain done first. They want to make sure there is no tumor activity there already, because they will treat it differently if there is. I really truly hope that there are no tumors in my brain.
Tomorrow my new cleaning girls come for the first time, we are going sailing in the afternoon and contra dancing in the evening. (weather and energy permitting)

Birthday

2009-06-03T22:18:00.002-04:00

My birthday yesterday was so busy that I would sort of like a do-over. I got up at 5:30 for my appointment at Fox Chase Cancer Center at 8 AM. I saw the same doctor as last time. She recommended that I get preventative radiation to my brain. Apparently, chemotherapy doesn't cross the blood brain barrier and the having the radiation significantly reduces the chances of tumors forming in the brain. I have an appointment with the radiologist at Reading Hospital on Friday morning, so I will find out the particulars before I make a decision. I need to know what the side effects are, if they are permanent, the course of treatment, and how it will effect work etc. As I am particularly fond of my brain, I am inclined to have the treatment after I have heard about all the details.
The doctor is also going to present my CT scan results at "Tumor Board" (or something like that) to see if the radiologist thinks is is worthwhile to to blast what is left of the tumors with sound waves called radio oblation. She also recommended that I repeat the scans every 6 to 8 weeks. That's about all they have to offer for now.
I have been trying to do my part. I got a lot of exercise over the weekend with swimming and biking. Monday morning I did yoga. I went swimming tonight. Only 25 laps because the swim aerobics class took over the pool 25 minutes after I started swimming. I also have been trying to eat nourishing food. One of my clients gave me a lot of mushrooms which I am still trying to use up. Tonight we had steamed vegetables over whole wheat noodles with mushroom-asparagus sauce. ( Marty added leftover Indian food to his)
After we got home from Fox Chase, I ate a light lunch, packed up Leo in the convertible and headed off to upstate New York to meet Allie to return Leo. We met about 1/2 way for each of us, had a salad at Panera on the patio (with Leo) and turned around and headed back. On the way up I took the scenic route through the Delaware Water Gap. On the way back I somehow missed my turn and took a really scenic route through Promised Land Stare Park. I like driving by myself and it is particularly nice in the convertible with the top down on a June evening.
When I got home, Marty took me to a late supper at the Indian Restaurant in Reading. Today was a regular day at work. Tomorrow my co-workers are taking me out to dinner for my birthday so I am still celebrating!

2009-06-01T22:22:00.004-04:00

Still not having much luck getting a picture of my new hair. It looks darker, more like a 5 o'clock shadow.
I thought I would be too tired on Sunday from sailing to do anything. But surprisingly, I felt raring to go in the perfect spring weather. The morning got off to a slow start when Marty discovered halfway through making pancakes that we had no baking powder. I had thrown out all the leavening for Passover and never replaced it! At the time, I thought getting fresh baking soda and powder every year was probably a good thing. Marty is too old to have taken home ec in school (only girls took home ec back then), so he doesn't know about getting all your ingredients out before you start baking. I ran to the store and ended up being late for church, but the pancakes were delicious. After church, I worked in the flower beds trying to repair the damage that the dogs have done.
We went for a bike ride later in the afternoon. I was a little worried about how it would go as this was the first time I had been on a bike since last fall. We took the trail along the Tulpehocken Creek which is almost completely flat and I didn't have a problem at all. We rode up and back which is 8.4 miles. I actually rode more because I kept losing Marty and I would go back to look for him. His cycling cadence is pedal, pedal, glide, pedal, pedal, glide. I am a more steady peddler. We saw two big, I think blue, herons in the creek.
After we got back, I cleaned myself up, picked up my singing buddy Susan, and we took the convertible to Exton to sing at a friends house. All in all it was a great day.
Back to work today. Tomorrow I go to Fox Chase for another opinion. Then I'll meet Allie in NY to give Leo back.

Sailing on Blue Marsh Lake

2009-05-31T12:52:00.003-04:00

Sailing on Saturday was quite an adventure. My crew member, Larry, has been a member of the sailing club since way back, although he hasn't sailed much in the last few years. I managed to drive the boat on the trailer to the lake without incident. I can do most of the rigging by myself or just giving a few instruction. I chickened out and let Larry back the trailer into the water to unload the Maggie B. (our boat's name).
I don't have any pictures of racing or Larry, because it turns out he is a bit of a dare devil and kept me busy sailing at top speed. Since it was a race he figured we might as well win. He let me steer and he managed the sails. He gave a lot of instruction (ie was bossy) but it helped me learn and didn't really bother me because he was pretty funny.
Me: Um Larry, there is a boat coming at us.
Larry: Not our problem. We have the right of way.
I was exhausted at the end of the day. We would be going along at a good clip and Larry would yell "pull the jib line tighter" to make us go even faster. I would be pulling with both hands with my feet braced against the side of the boat, trying to move a sail that was already full of wind. But it was fun. We actually won the the second race and finished in the middle of the others. I won't have much of a handicap now, as Larry was a ringer.
After the race, the other sailors asked me if I had been warned about Larry and his daredevil ways! Marty had arrived from Baby Preview, so we tooled around the lake for another hour or so. Till we got home I was ready for an hour in the hot tub.

Here it is Friday already.

2009-05-29T22:20:00.006-04:00

I kept my poinsettias alive all winter so I could plant them outside. I don't know what the flowers on the right are called, but they are a variety of hydrangea.
Leo and Tipper have been wreaking havoc on the flowerbeds by dragging their leashes through them. Allie's dog Leo below.

I wanted to blog on Wednesday after having such a productive day but I ran out of steam.. I did yoga in the morning, got recertified in CPR for two more years in the afternoon, made a visit, and went swimming. (40 laps). Thursday, I did yoga, made home visits for work and met the Mennonite girls who are going to help me with the cleaning and went to my writing class.
The home visit was with my client who has either Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. ( I can't remember which) It is a little distressing to see her. She is just getting started with her treatment, losing her hair, feeling sick. Fortunately, which ever one she has is 90% curable. I am just afraid she will have trouble sticking with the course of treatment. She had so many barriers and lack of support. We showed each other different ways to tie head scarves. Her wig is named Meredith. Next visit we are going to take pictures together in our wigs. I can't imagine having an 18 month old and going through chemo. I was so fortunate to have such supportive family and friends who made sacrifices of their time and attention to help me through. You know who you are. Thanks again.
I had a bright moment at work today. One of my little ones who is now almost two has been developmentally delayed. I kept bringing them stuff: a rug, bouncer, blocks, booster to stimulate her development. She finally started to walk at 18 months. Today she was talking a blue streak. I couldn't believe it. I was doing the language assessment and she repeated every word I said. I've only had a few toddlers that were very good talkers since we started the program. They will graduate in 2 months and it gives me hope that she may do ok.
Tomorrow I am taking the boat to the lake by myself. One us had to fill in for the receptionist at Baby Preview and Marty volunteered. There is a race at the lake tomorrow and I didn't e\want to miss it. I have done every thing by myself with the boat except tow it behind the SUV, back it into the water and use the motor! Piece of cake right? An experienced sailor was looking to be crew, so I'll have a helper. I will let you know how it all works out.

Doctor's Visit

2009-05-26T21:50:00.002-04:00

Well they haven't discovered the cure for lung cancer since I got diagnosed, nor have they come up with any exciting new treatments, so my doctor visit offered no surprises. The tumors have shrunk significantly: the doctor called it a 99% remission. According to the report the lung tumor is 9mm which is really tiny and the biggest liver tumor went from 6cm (around 2 inches) to 1cm. (1cm is like the circumference of an index finger.)
This apparently a good response to the chemotherapy. I asked when the tumors typically reoccur. He said between 6 and 9 months, sometimes a year. Once in a while people stay in remission, but it is rare. There really isn't much treatment when it comes back.
His recommendations were that I go back to Fox Chase cancer center for a consult, consult with the Reading Hospital radiologist about preventative brain irradiation and come back for scans every two months.
Marty was depressed after the visit: he keeps expecting a miracle. I suffered for a moment in reality, but quickly returned to my usual state of denial. I don't feel sick and now that I have mostly recovered from the effects of chemotherapy, I find it hard to believe any of this to be true. The chemotherapy affected my hearing, so I want to balance the side effects of any treatments with how it will affect the quality of my life.
My plan is follow the doctor's recommendations, improve my diet, do yoga and exercise more consistently. I am going to try to improve something every week. I have gotten so much advice that I feel overwhelmed trying to change every thing at once. This week I want to work on getting to bed earlier, getting up earlier and establishing a morning routine. I know that sounds like three things, but the first two are necessary for the third to happen. The main part of my plan is to do the things I love as often as I can and enjoy life as much as possible.
It has been pointed out to me that maybe my blog entries are just a little to cheerful and don't reflect the seriousness of this illness. Everyone likes me to have a positive attitude, so that's what I present. Honestly, that is how I feel most of the time and I save the dark stuff for my psychologist.
At any rate, I feel well and stronger every day and will just keep trucking along.

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T17:23:00.004-04:00

Me and Ben Franklin
Front of house with "selective weeding"
Shade bed

Puttin' on the Ritz
Marty and I have had a busy weekend. I had some help from m buddy Pedro with gardening Saturday morning. I finally got to the knee high weeds cut in the front yard. We decided to leave the lamb's ear for a little character. My plan, since the front yard can't really be planted, is selected weeding. I pull up the dandelions before they go to seed and all the tall stuff. I leave the creeping vines and anything with a flower.
Saturday night we went to an elegant wedding in Philadelphia. Marty's cousin's son was the groom. We got all dressed up and tripped the light fantastic. We ended up limping out to the car at the end of the night. We had a great time. Check tomorrow for a link for pics.
Sunday I went to a picnic, a sort of reunion of Reading Birth and Women's Center ladies with whom worked ten years ago. It was great to get caught up and tell stories.
Sunday night was even busier. My friend and writing teacher, Donna, came to dinner and we went shape note singing together at Exeter Meeting House.
This morning I spent a couple hours in the garden and flower beds. I weeded the snow peas. I have about had it with them. I planted them on St Patty's day and they still haven't blossomed. They are hogging the space that I want to use for tomatoes. I am ready to pull them up. Fortunately, I have some volunteer cilantro and dill coming up. I'll take a picture of the peas this week.
Nora brought Kyle and Isaac over for a barbeque today. (Jason is taking a vacation in India) Kyle has been catching a lot of caterpillars and Isaac and been practicing laughing and cooing.

2009-05-21T22:13:00.004-04:00

Well here it is Thursday. I worked Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday this week. I got off track with my plans for yoga and improving my diet as the the week progressed. But tomorrow is another day. I only have one appointment. It is a goodbye trip to the Oley Dairy petting zoo. The nurses at the Nurse Family Partnership are delighted that the Dairy has reopened. It was a sad day when we read in the paper that the dairy had closed and the animals sold. We take our mothers and toddlers there for our last visit. It's free and we can have a lot of fun for the the price of crackers to feed the animals and an ice cream cone.
I had my CAT scan on Tuesday, but I won't know the results until next Tuesday when I have my appointment with the doctor. I usually pretend I have to get my results to hand carry to Fox Chase so I can look at my records before hand. I decided to wait this time. I don't know what it means if the results show that the cancer is gone or if there is still some there, so I may as well wait till I am with the doctor. He may not know what it means either, but at least I can ask him questions.
On the up side, my hair is starting to grow back. It is about an 1/8th of an inch long and not quite everywhere on my scalp. I sort of look like a duckling. I tried to take a picture but no luck so far. It is really white. I want to dye it, but my co-workers told me I have to wait until there is more.
I took Tipper for his summer shave. He looks very handsome, but I think he is mad at me. He is really tuckered out. Leo is still hale and hearty. He'll be with us till Allie comes back from vacation.