My brain on chemo:
Any questions?
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Tudors
Thank goodness for Netflix. I don't subscribe to movie channels (been there, done that), so I'm renting the first season of Showtime's "The Tudors." That Henry VIII was quite a rascal. He's currently trying to rid himself of wife #1, Catharine of Aragon, and acquire wife #2, Anne Boleyn. Oh, to be young, rich, powerful and tyrannical in nature. The series takes some dramatic liberties, but it's fun to watch. Very well done production-wise and the cast includes two of my fave Brits, Jeremy Northam and James Frain. I have 3 more episodes to go and Season 2 just started on Showtime, so I'll have to wait awhile for Season 2 on DVD.
I've been doing lots of yard work and my back hurts today. Going to work outside again today, but I'll do some lighter work. I've been walking the dogs daily and Bella's bum leg is bothering her. I carried her while walking Stella yesterday. Bella hates to miss a walk, even if she's being carried! We're hoping for rain. It's forecast, but right now it's partly sunny and 68 degrees. We need rain while the Midwest is swimming in it, unfortunately.
I neglected to mention after I returned from Pennsylvania that I went to my former church on Easter Sunday. The folks there have been incredibly supportive to me, sending cards, calling and most important, PRAYING FOR ME. I appreciate this fine group of people, I really do. They've always been there for me when I've needed them most. Thank you!!
I've been doing lots of yard work and my back hurts today. Going to work outside again today, but I'll do some lighter work. I've been walking the dogs daily and Bella's bum leg is bothering her. I carried her while walking Stella yesterday. Bella hates to miss a walk, even if she's being carried! We're hoping for rain. It's forecast, but right now it's partly sunny and 68 degrees. We need rain while the Midwest is swimming in it, unfortunately.
I neglected to mention after I returned from Pennsylvania that I went to my former church on Easter Sunday. The folks there have been incredibly supportive to me, sending cards, calling and most important, PRAYING FOR ME. I appreciate this fine group of people, I really do. They've always been there for me when I've needed them most. Thank you!!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!
Jeff and Lili bought a Wii system and we had great fun playing it while I was in PA. My brother John smoked us on bowling and golf. I want one!
I didn't get to see everyone on this trip, unfortunately. It was hectic and for the first 2 or 3 days there I was pretty tired. And I've been tired since getting back. It will take some time to get back up to a decent energy level.
My niece Chrissy had a birthday party the day before Easter for her two boys, Aidan and Andrew, at this place in Hermitage that had all sorts of fun things for kids, including a skating rink. All the lil rugrats had a great time and didn't have a moment to be bored, which is a good thing!
I'm planning to return sometime in July, coinciding with Steelers training camp. I'm trying out for the team! HA. Actually a bunch of us want to make the trek to St. Vincent's to check it out. Jeff and Lili have gone the past couple of years and love going. I was planning on doing that last summer, but God had other plans.
Sooo, now that treatment is over, I am working on getting healthy. I'm walking the dogs and working in the yard (pruning trees, weeding, etc.) daily. I was accepted to attend training for the Florida Master Gardener program which runs for 3 weeks in June. I'm also going to volunteer for the American Cancer Society at the hospital where I underwent radiation. AND I have do a lot more writing than I'm doing now. My need to work has something to do with paying bills and keeping a roof over my head, or so I'm told. What's up with that?!
I didn't get to see everyone on this trip, unfortunately. It was hectic and for the first 2 or 3 days there I was pretty tired. And I've been tired since getting back. It will take some time to get back up to a decent energy level.
My niece Chrissy had a birthday party the day before Easter for her two boys, Aidan and Andrew, at this place in Hermitage that had all sorts of fun things for kids, including a skating rink. All the lil rugrats had a great time and didn't have a moment to be bored, which is a good thing!
I'm planning to return sometime in July, coinciding with Steelers training camp. I'm trying out for the team! HA. Actually a bunch of us want to make the trek to St. Vincent's to check it out. Jeff and Lili have gone the past couple of years and love going. I was planning on doing that last summer, but God had other plans.
Sooo, now that treatment is over, I am working on getting healthy. I'm walking the dogs and working in the yard (pruning trees, weeding, etc.) daily. I was accepted to attend training for the Florida Master Gardener program which runs for 3 weeks in June. I'm also going to volunteer for the American Cancer Society at the hospital where I underwent radiation. AND I have do a lot more writing than I'm doing now. My need to work has something to do with paying bills and keeping a roof over my head, or so I'm told. What's up with that?!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Bet ya didn't know...
...this law of aerodynamics: A screaming child must be aboard each and every flight. Yep, it's true. Fortunately, the screaming didn't last the whole flight and I was actually able to doze off for a brief time. And the person in front of me didn't recline their seat to within an inch of my face like the flight to Pittsburgh. Much better.
I had a wonderful time while visiting fam and friends. I'll report more on that later. I got into Orlando yesterday afternoon and went to my brother's house to gather up the kids. I brought goodies (food & good chocolate) with me and we got to catch up on things. Amazingly, I managed to lose half a pound. This while maintaining a diet of Easter bread, ham & cheese pie and chocolate all week. Quite miraculous.
Today I'm doing laundry, paying some bills, going through my stack of mail and getting a few grocery items. And resting. I'm tired!
I had a wonderful time while visiting fam and friends. I'll report more on that later. I got into Orlando yesterday afternoon and went to my brother's house to gather up the kids. I brought goodies (food & good chocolate) with me and we got to catch up on things. Amazingly, I managed to lose half a pound. This while maintaining a diet of Easter bread, ham & cheese pie and chocolate all week. Quite miraculous.
Today I'm doing laundry, paying some bills, going through my stack of mail and getting a few grocery items. And resting. I'm tired!
Friday, March 21, 2008
God's timing
Wednesday evening we all went to my cousin's funeral. He was a very bright guy, but battled many demons. I pray he is at peace now. Funny thing about funerals....you see people you haven't seen for a long time. Especially for me since I haven't been here in quite awhile.
Rainy stuff went away and yesterday and today the sun has been shining. Much better. This evening my aunt and I are having dinner with my aunt and uncle who moved to here to Pennsylvania from Maryland about a year ago.
If I don't post again before Sunday, I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.
Rainy stuff went away and yesterday and today the sun has been shining. Much better. This evening my aunt and I are having dinner with my aunt and uncle who moved to here to Pennsylvania from Maryland about a year ago.
If I don't post again before Sunday, I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Pennsylvania
Sorry for not posting for awhile. I was busy getting ready for my trip to PA and just didn't have anything all that interesting to post! One thing I had wanted to mention about my trip to the Keys was that on our way back we stopped off in West Palm Beach to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins who live just minutes from the Florida Turnpike exit. We visited for about an hour and a half then hit the road again. It was a fun trip.
I flew here yesterday. The flight was a little bumpy as we were descending into Pittsburgh. At the beginning of the flight the woman in front of me pushed her seat ALL the way back and when I reached down to get something out of my handbag, I hit my head on the back of her seat! I was starting to get claustrophobic so I turned on my ipod and closed my eyes. As for the weather here...it's cold, rainy and dreary! But it's truly great to see everyone. Unfortunately a cousin of mine passed away and the funeral is this evening. He was my Uncle Mike's stepson. He had been ill for some time. Very sad. I'm glad I'm here to visit with the family.
I flew here yesterday. The flight was a little bumpy as we were descending into Pittsburgh. At the beginning of the flight the woman in front of me pushed her seat ALL the way back and when I reached down to get something out of my handbag, I hit my head on the back of her seat! I was starting to get claustrophobic so I turned on my ipod and closed my eyes. As for the weather here...it's cold, rainy and dreary! But it's truly great to see everyone. Unfortunately a cousin of mine passed away and the funeral is this evening. He was my Uncle Mike's stepson. He had been ill for some time. Very sad. I'm glad I'm here to visit with the family.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Windy Keys
Got back from my trip Sunday evening. It was great fun, but it was cold and windy, if you can believe it!
After running into lots of traffic Friday morning, we hit Islamorada Key around 3:30 pm. We checked into our, ummm, interesting motel, chilled for awhile, then headed out about 7 pm to the Lowcountry Boil (also called Frogmore Stew) the wedding party had on the beach. Never had this, but I've seen it done on cooking shows before. There was a huge pot over the fire containing shrimp, potatoes, onions and corn on the cob with spicy seasoning. When done, the pot is drained then dumped out onto a picnic table covered with newspaper. Here's what it usually looks like:
I'm not a big fan of shrimp, but the veggies were great and they also had grilled chicken. I started fading soon after so Joyce took me back to the motel and they all hit a bar afterward.
Saturday morning we woke up to rain and incredible wind. We went for breakfast at this cool cafe next door, then just went cruising around. I was surprised that there are not a lot of what you would consider typical beaches. The shoreline is narrow and is somewhat rugged. We came upon Anne's Beach...very beautiful and the water was shades of turquoise and aquamarine. Very pretty.
We had lunch at Islamorada Fish Company, where the wedding would be held. Everything's outside on the Florida Bay side of the Key. I had a Caesar Salad topped with blackened fresh scallops..JPG)
Excellent seafood. We explored some shops, including one called Blue Marlin Jewelry. I was thrilled to see they had Hidalgo rings, which I've seen advertised in magazines. They are gorgeous...enamel and 18K gold and they're stackable. The one I asked to see was actually 3 rings....2 thin ones with tiny diamonds and the one in the middle was gold enamel with green palm trees. The price tag for all three was a mere $4500. A couple sauntered over to the case to see what I was drooling over and the woman really liked the one I had looked at. Her husband says, "Do you like it, honey? Let's get it." SHEESH. If only he was speaking to me, which I pretended he was. I said, "I'd like one, too!" He ignored my request for some odd reason. Anyway, Joyce found some beautiful Australian opal rings and we ogled those for awhile. Then we left. Empty-handed, of course. Sigh.
We went back to our lovely motel. Very interesting. The bathroom sink was clogged, the shower was ancient and had a quaint window overlooking the pool. When people were out there talking you would bet they were right there in the bathroom with you...that's how thin the walls were. Oh well, not the Four Seasons, but it was one of the least expensive on the Key and just about every other place you encountered in Islamorada was old as dirt.
We rested for awhile, got ready for the wedding and headed out. The bride and groom stood on the dock of the restaurant in the whipping winds and tied the knot as the sun went down. It was COLD!
The reception was under the covered deck, thank goodness. I particularly enjoyed the dude playing the steel drum. And I swear to God at one point he was playing Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." I kid you not! 
It was a really cool experience, very casual, good food, good people. Besides wedding cake, they also had Key Lime Pie served in huge mugs. It was a fun evening all around and I was happy to be there and happy for the newlyweds!
I'll post on our trip back to Central Florida and add a few more pics a little later.
After running into lots of traffic Friday morning, we hit Islamorada Key around 3:30 pm. We checked into our, ummm, interesting motel, chilled for awhile, then headed out about 7 pm to the Lowcountry Boil (also called Frogmore Stew) the wedding party had on the beach. Never had this, but I've seen it done on cooking shows before. There was a huge pot over the fire containing shrimp, potatoes, onions and corn on the cob with spicy seasoning. When done, the pot is drained then dumped out onto a picnic table covered with newspaper. Here's what it usually looks like:
I'm not a big fan of shrimp, but the veggies were great and they also had grilled chicken. I started fading soon after so Joyce took me back to the motel and they all hit a bar afterward.
Saturday morning we woke up to rain and incredible wind. We went for breakfast at this cool cafe next door, then just went cruising around. I was surprised that there are not a lot of what you would consider typical beaches. The shoreline is narrow and is somewhat rugged. We came upon Anne's Beach...very beautiful and the water was shades of turquoise and aquamarine. Very pretty.
We had lunch at Islamorada Fish Company, where the wedding would be held. Everything's outside on the Florida Bay side of the Key. I had a Caesar Salad topped with blackened fresh scallops.
.JPG)
Excellent seafood. We explored some shops, including one called Blue Marlin Jewelry. I was thrilled to see they had Hidalgo rings, which I've seen advertised in magazines. They are gorgeous...enamel and 18K gold and they're stackable. The one I asked to see was actually 3 rings....2 thin ones with tiny diamonds and the one in the middle was gold enamel with green palm trees. The price tag for all three was a mere $4500. A couple sauntered over to the case to see what I was drooling over and the woman really liked the one I had looked at. Her husband says, "Do you like it, honey? Let's get it." SHEESH. If only he was speaking to me, which I pretended he was. I said, "I'd like one, too!" He ignored my request for some odd reason. Anyway, Joyce found some beautiful Australian opal rings and we ogled those for awhile. Then we left. Empty-handed, of course. Sigh.We went back to our lovely motel. Very interesting. The bathroom sink was clogged, the shower was ancient and had a quaint window overlooking the pool. When people were out there talking you would bet they were right there in the bathroom with you...that's how thin the walls were. Oh well, not the Four Seasons, but it was one of the least expensive on the Key and just about every other place you encountered in Islamorada was old as dirt.
We rested for awhile, got ready for the wedding and headed out. The bride and groom stood on the dock of the restaurant in the whipping winds and tied the knot as the sun went down. It was COLD!
The reception was under the covered deck, thank goodness. I particularly enjoyed the dude playing the steel drum. And I swear to God at one point he was playing Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." I kid you not! 
It was a really cool experience, very casual, good food, good people. Besides wedding cake, they also had Key Lime Pie served in huge mugs. It was a fun evening all around and I was happy to be there and happy for the newlyweds!I'll post on our trip back to Central Florida and add a few more pics a little later.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Henna Experiment: Partie Deux
Yesterday Linda did my hair again, this time with just indigo. It's much better now, thank goodness. I can deal with it until my hair's longer.
I found something to wear for this weekend. On Sunday, my niece Angela and I went shopping. I found a really nice pair of white linen pants and a satiny tropically-colored top. I bought a hat and will bring it along with 2 straw hats I already have and decide there which one looks best. I'd really rather not shop for clothes right now since I'm trying to lose weight, but I wanted something new to wear. Mission accomplished!
My incision from the port removal is coming along nicely. I can remove the steri-strips on Friday. The radiation burns are also healing well. Good stuff. I've been on tamoxifen (which is the generic term, I discovered) for about a week and so far no increase in hot flashes. Hopefully that will continue.
Other than updating everyone here on my continuing recovery, I'm still mulling about what else to write about. It may be just my daily musings, observations, etc. I will do my best to refrain from anything regarding politics, as we know that is often a taboo topic and better left that way, at least in this forum. Hee hee.
I've been reading an excellent biography of Albert Einstein. It's more than 500 pages and will probably take me a long time to read. I'm trying to wrap my tiny chemo brain around the math and physics discussed in the book. Fascinating stuff!
The weather has been warm and sunny, but we need more rain. This afternoon I worked in the back yard pruning trees and hedges. Lots and lots of work to do out there! A little at a time. I'm debating whether or not to apply to the Florida Master Gardener program this summer. I'd love to learn more about horticulture other than the billions of things I've read on my own. Horticulture....hmmmm, reminds me of a Dorothy Parker quote. Best not to quote that here! ;)
I found something to wear for this weekend. On Sunday, my niece Angela and I went shopping. I found a really nice pair of white linen pants and a satiny tropically-colored top. I bought a hat and will bring it along with 2 straw hats I already have and decide there which one looks best. I'd really rather not shop for clothes right now since I'm trying to lose weight, but I wanted something new to wear. Mission accomplished!
My incision from the port removal is coming along nicely. I can remove the steri-strips on Friday. The radiation burns are also healing well. Good stuff. I've been on tamoxifen (which is the generic term, I discovered) for about a week and so far no increase in hot flashes. Hopefully that will continue.
Other than updating everyone here on my continuing recovery, I'm still mulling about what else to write about. It may be just my daily musings, observations, etc. I will do my best to refrain from anything regarding politics, as we know that is often a taboo topic and better left that way, at least in this forum. Hee hee.
I've been reading an excellent biography of Albert Einstein. It's more than 500 pages and will probably take me a long time to read. I'm trying to wrap my tiny chemo brain around the math and physics discussed in the book. Fascinating stuff!
The weather has been warm and sunny, but we need more rain. This afternoon I worked in the back yard pruning trees and hedges. Lots and lots of work to do out there! A little at a time. I'm debating whether or not to apply to the Florida Master Gardener program this summer. I'd love to learn more about horticulture other than the billions of things I've read on my own. Horticulture....hmmmm, reminds me of a Dorothy Parker quote. Best not to quote that here! ;)
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Henna Experiment
I've always wondered what I'd look like with orange hair. My hair is still very, very short, but has come in very thick. Yesterday my sister-in-law Linda colored my hair with a mixture of henna and indigo, all plant-based, very safe. The dark colored hair came out fine, but the grays turned orange! Linda told me it will continue to oxidize in the next few days and should darken. I hope so, because I'm going to a wedding this weekend!
The left arm where my port was is feeling better. I have steri-strips which I can remove on Friday. There is just a little discomfort on my left side and my right side is still red, brown and peeling from the radiation treatments. So I have discomfort on both sides of me now! Not bad, really, and it improves every day.
Going shopping today to look for something for the wedding and maybe a cute hat to go with it. An Easter bonnet! Hopefully I won't look like a dork. Sigh.
The left arm where my port was is feeling better. I have steri-strips which I can remove on Friday. There is just a little discomfort on my left side and my right side is still red, brown and peeling from the radiation treatments. So I have discomfort on both sides of me now! Not bad, really, and it improves every day.
Going shopping today to look for something for the wedding and maybe a cute hat to go with it. An Easter bonnet! Hopefully I won't look like a dork. Sigh.
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