Super Week!

Super Bowl week is here...woo hoo!


Chatted with John last night. He sounds pretty good and it seems that, at least for now, the fluids aren't building up too quickly. He has some doctor appointments coming up. It's good to hear him in a good mood!

I feel like I'm getting another cold. Have a bit of a sore throat. And I'm tired. Oh well.

My brother's family's kitten, Rambo, has been sick. He's 9 months old and developed a urinary tract problem. His urethra had to be unblocked a few times. He's on special food and is at the vet's for a few days trying to get his bladder to settle down. Hopefully, he'll be okay, although he'll be on special food for the rest of his life. Poor little kitty. :(

New 'do!

I had a fairly busy week. Monday the pups went to the vet for their shots and Tuesday I took Levi. Once I took all three at the same time and it was quite the adventure. That's why I've only done that ONCE. On the 5th, Stella gets her teeth cleaned, which is also her and Bella's 6th birthday. What a birthday gift.

Wednesday I did my weekly stint volunteering at the Cancer Institute. Thursday I had my car tuned-up, an oil change and rotated the tires. Yesterday I got a new haircut, color and lowlights (opposite of highlights - they are a deep red.) I really like it. I took in a picture of Penelope Cruz with what I wanted only chin length. I was hoping I would leave the salon looking just like Ms. Cruz, but Christine is a beautician, not a magician, unfortunately. Boo. Anyway, beautician is a very throwback term. I think she'd rather be called a stylist.

Today I'm doing laundry, making meatballs and sauce and doing crossword puzzles. I managed to take the dogs for a walk, third day in a row. Tomorrow at my bro's we'll have the gnocchi I brought back from PA with the stuff I'm making today. I also have the delectable parmigiana I purchased for the 2nd time from Whole Foods Market.

I haven't talked to John in a couple of days, so I will probably call him this evening. I know he's happy to be home. I'm still working on finding a place for me and the dogs, so that is the current obstacle. Hopefully, I can work something out in the next few weeks.

One week and 1 day till Super Bowl Sunday! I still can't believe the Steelers are in it again. :o)

Chemo brain strikes again

Once again, I am using my favorite excuse for acts of stupidity. As you can see, my Mexican Petunias are falling over from the weight of ice. We had incredibly low temps last night and my sprinklers were scheduled to run last night. Of course, I forgot to turn them off. Fortunately these plants are extremely hard to kill and in fact, are listed as an invasive species in Florida, so I won't lose any sleep...they'll be back in droves in no time.


It is unusual to see a Crape Myrtle covered in ice. Looks pretty. They are all well established, so they will be fine.

The same cannot be said for the one remaining hibiscus in my back yard. It may survive, but it's dicey. It is currently under cover for the night. My potted plants are currently sleeping on my sunporch, so they are tucked safely away from the cold.

John is back at Greer House tonight and happy to be there. He was discouraged and frustrated this past week, but his spirits sound better already. The staff at AGH didn't want to tap him again for fear of infection and/or bleeding. John said in 2 weeks they'll start evaluating him for a transplant. Keep him in your prayers!

Dick Morris, a political pundit and former advisor to Pres. Clinton, writes about the things we can expect in the next 4 years. It most definitely makes me very uneasy. You can read it at The Obama Presidency - Here Comes Socialism.

Another interception story...

My cousin Cathy wasn't able to post this so I'm doing it for her...

well i have a little story to tell myself. i ve worn the same thing for every game through the playoffs. sunday, i had steeler earrings in, which i hadn t worn before. i was sitting on the couch, watching the game, thinking about those earrings so i took them out. i told my friend mary, and tina, that i felt an interception coming on and then it happened! our boy troy, soft spoken maniac that he is, pulled through yet again. talk about jumping up and down and screaming. it was awesome!

It's me now....the low temp tonight is forecast to be 29 degrees! If there is any precipitation, we'll have snow in central Florida. Yikes.

John Update

John is still in Pittsburgh. Doing okay. They've been boosting him up with platelets, etc. They tapped his stomach yesterday. The hopeful news is that the doctors at Allegheny General feel he is a good candidate for a transplant! A little disconcerting that they don't understand why the VA System rejected him a few years ago, especially since he was in better overall health back then. DON'T GET ME STARTED on the quality of care (or non-care) that veterans receive from the VA System. I have seen first hand on several occasions just how lacking it often is. We should be providing veterans with the best care available. No exception.

Well, as you can imagine, I am thrilled the Steelers are returning to the Super Bowl. Joyce came over to watch Sunday's game. She is a die hard Troy Polamalu fan. In the 4th quarter she was taunting Ravens QB Flacco to throw the ball to Troy (for an interception) and lo and behold, he did!! And Troy ran it back for a touchdown. We were screaming so loud I wonder if the neighbors heard us! LOL...it was a great moment.

Road kill

I've been told that no raven was injured/maimed/killed for this picture. Hmmm....

It's Saturday!

John was moved to Allegheny General in Pittsburgh late Thursday night. He's supposed to have a drain inserted into his abdomen today. I called him last night but he had been sleeping and sounded pretty out of it. I'll try again today.

I'm looking forward to the Steelers-Ravens game tomorrow evening. I guess that goes without saying. ;)

Moving ahead...

Well, John had a good night's sleep and his BP came up a bit. They didn't need to move him into ICU, thank God. He's going to be transferred to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh to their new liver center tomorrow I believe. They'd like him to get him more stable then they will discuss the possibility of going on the transplant list. He's eager to go. This is becoming a bit of a rollercoaster ride (I hate rollercoasters), but God is answering prayers.

I've gotten through all my doctor appointments, except the dentist. I'm going to try to get in sooner than I was scheduled. The angelic beasts are getting their shots next week. Just need a few other things to fall into place so I can make a trip to PA.

For all of you in the frozen tundra...stay warm, stay safe and stay home!

John Update

John is still in the hospital...another rough day for him. He had problems with his IV today and it caused A LOT of discomfort. His BP is pretty low and they may move him to ICU to monitor it more closely. I talked to him for a bit tonight. His appetite is good and he wants to get assessed for a transplant again. I hope his health holds out till then. Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Proper Attire

The latest in haute couture:

Where was this wig when I was going through chemo??

I can now attest to the efficacy of Benedryl. I have been taking it before going to bed since it is one of the active ingredients in Advil PM, without the stomach irritating properties of ibuprofen. Last night I forgot to take it and did not sleep well and woke up with a raging headache, which I still have.

Note to self: DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE IT!

Amy Taylor

There is something important that I haven't mentioned earlier since there have been so many things going on. Amy Taylor, whose Caring Bridge site I have been reading since last summer, passed away on Dec. 27th. She courageously fought her disease till the very end. Amy leaves behind a husband and two small children. Keep them in your prayers as they grieve their loss and work on the journey to a new "normal."

John is back in the hospital getting his abdomen tapped and I believe getting something inserted for future tapping that can be done where he lives. He was admitted yesterday afternoon and more than likely will be released tomorrow. When his stomach fills up with fluid, he becomes very uncomfortable, as you can imagine. His platelets are up, which is good. They are still dangerously low, but are now higher than they've been in quite some time. John was prescribed Lunesta and has been sleeping much better, thank God. Thank you for your prayers!

I had my mammogram last week. Everything looks good, although the radiologist was very thorough and requested additional images and an ultrasound. This made me a little nervous, but thank you, God, again for the all clear report! Next mammogram is in 6 months.

I'm still planning a trip home and currently working out the details. The weather has been horrible in Pennsylvania and beautiful here. I must be nuts!

John Update

VA Home Health Care and Southern Care (hospice) are stepping in to help John. He's going to start seeing the primary care doctor who admitted him to the hospital before Christmas. He really wants to see John be comfortable and enjoy a reasonable quality of life, for how long, only God knows. John is already in assisted living, but the extra help will be a blessing for him.

I am still working on plans to go to PA for an extended time. Some things are falling into place. Some things still need to be worked out. I would really like to be there to help out and give my sisters some relief.

I saw my surgeon yesterday and my medical oncologist today. Other than my blood work showing slight anemia, everything else is fine. My surgeon wants me to have a mammogram in addition to the breast MRI I had last month so that is scheduled for this Thursday. I'm trying to get all these doctors' appts. and tests done this month. Once I do I won't need to see them again until April. That would be good.

Sigh

John is going to need his stomach tapped again. Not sure when. He's very tired all the time, which is not unusual for his condition. I may go up there for awhile. Trying to work out the details, of which there are many. Keep John in your prayers! xoxoxo

Back in Florida

I am so very glad I made the trip home to PA. I got to spend a lot of quality time with John. He's doing better, but not great. I continue to be very worried and I would really appreciate your prayers.

I squeezed in some very short visits with friends, but most of my time was spent with family. I'm grateful for the trip.

The dogs and the cat were very happy that I was back. Levi was a little ticked off at me, but that's a cat for you! I came back with food...mostly things you can't get here. Like basket cheese, really good ravioli, pastina, cookies and lots of Jameson's Chocolates. I shared all with Joe, Linda and the girls. It is time for New Year's resolutions and I think they will look very much like last year's!

My breast MRI from the 19th was all clear, thank God. This month I have a round of doctors' appointments. Never a dearth of those.

Wishing you all a blessed, healthy, happy and prosperous 2009. xoxoxo