1st Rad Down, 33 to Go!

I had my first treatment today and it went well. I'll have a total of 34 zaps, which puts me at February 26th for my last one. I'll see the radiation oncologist once a week and x-rays once a week to ensure everything is getting zapped in the right place. I'll be positively glowing!

This is my post-Christmas template, which will keep me entertained till I get bored with it.

Rads begin tomorrow

Today I went to the radiation center for a series of x-rays to ensure the markings and everything else are lined up correctly. I was there about 20 minutes. Tomorrow the fun begins!

I've been looking for aloe vera gel. I was told to use that after each treatment. No creams or lotions containing alcohol.

Thankfully, I'm not having all those bizarre food cravings I had during chemo. I'm eating much healthier now. If only I could be more consistent with exercising! Sigh.

Next up: Radiation

Friday I went to my radiation oncologist's office for a radiation simulation. I had a CT scan to identify the areas to be zapped. I was there for about 30 minutes, not bad. I have these lovely giant blues x's now. Very cute. I didn't see the doctor because he was on vacation. I was told it takes a few days to develop the treatment plan (reviewing images, using super high-tech software, etc. I was told to expect a call by midweek and then we will select a start time. I thought I was actually going to start treatment on the 7th, so now I don't know if I'll start this week or next. The treatments will last about 6 1/2 weeks, Monday-Friday. I'm anxious to get started! I hope I can still make a trip to Pennsylvania for Easter, but we'll have to see what the timeline is going to look like.

The weather is very nice today. Temps in the low seventies and sunny. I took my Christmas tree down and I'm working on getting the other stuff put away. Needless to say, I am tired. I don't think I'll put up my tree so early next time. I got really sick of the thing.

The Steelers' season ended last night and I can't say I'm surprised. Nice effort, but not good enough. Hope they can work out the kinks for next season.

Have a good week all!

Warming Trend

It looks like the hibiscus took a hit last night, even though they were covered. They may be okay, I'll just have to wait and see. Everything else seemed to fair well. And there were snow flurries in Daytona Beach, as predicted. It's a little warmer today and it'll be in the seventies this weekend.

I've always wondered why farmers spray water on fruit plants and trees during cold snaps. Now I know! It's because when the water freezes on the plants and trees, the ice will remain at 32 degrees, even if the air temperature is much colder. Makes sense!

Cool pic:


A rose is protected by a cocoon of ice at Dewar Nursery in Apopka on Thursday. (RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINEL / January 3, 2008)

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Right now it is 40 degrees, with wind chill, only 30. The average temp for today is 72 degrees. A slight difference. For tonight we have a hard freeze warning. Hard freeze! I haven't seen that in the 5 years I've lived here. One forecaster is calling for a chance of snow flurries in Daytona Beach! Daytona is 30 miles east of here. I think the cold air and wind over the ocean could cause the white stuff to fall, like some sort of lake effect. Last night I brought all the potted plants in and covered tender plants that are in the ground with sheets. A couple of them blew off during the night, so today I have to find a way to secure them. I have 2 hibiscus topiaries that I have to protect. They replaced the ones that bit the dust during a late winter (soft) freeze last year. Not real anxious to replace them again. My first attempt at a rose arbor is a little harder to deal with. I've neglected them and I think they are especially vulnerable right now. Oh well, I'll figure something out. I know you northerners are chuckling right now. Hey, I moved here to get away from this stuff! Actually, I don't mind it right now....maybe my hot flashes will dissipate if it's cold enough (probably not, though).

Resolutions, Version Two Thousand and Eight

* Pray more
* Lose weight (Stella,too)
* Exercise more (Stella, too)
* Write more (a lot more)
* Find something useful to do with my life
* Get organized (I have been making progress there)
* Play less on pogo.com (a lot less)
* Become more neighborly
* Win the lottery

I think all but one are reasonably achievable. Now that I've posted them here, I'll feel more accountable to keep them. :-)

Yappy New Year

I woke up with a nasty sinus headache this morning, a migraine wanna-be. I took Excedrin Migraine and it's diminishing, but not quite gone. And I didn't have any wine last night after all, so there's no chance it's a hangover! Ick.

It was a quiet night. The dogs took to barking when fireworks were going off during the evening, but it was not nearly as bad as the 4th of July, not by a longshot.

Thought I'd share the Scripture from today's daily devotional with you all....

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Amen to that! Praying you all get to experience something impossible this year (and I mean in a good way)!!