Oops!

Somewhere in my pea brain I thought my appointment with my radiation oncologist was early afternoon today. It wasn't. It was at 10:00 a.m. and I didn't drag myself out of bed until 9:30, which is when I realized my mistake. I had 10:00 a.m. in my calendar, but you not only have to look at your calendar, what's on the page has to actually connect with your brain. I called the office and rescheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

I've got plenty of things to do, but my major accomplishment today has been to go back to bed and read a book. I think I'm going to put an ice pack on my aching arm. I wonder how I'm going to get things done since I'm right-handed and that's the side that's affected and it hurts just to reach for something. Should be interesting.

Ancient!

That's how I'm feeling this evening. After x-rays today, my orthopedic doctor said I have bursitis AND arthritis in my left hip. Oh, and degenerative disc disease, too. He gave me a shot of cortisone in my hip and would like to see me in 2 weeks unless it's feeling better. He told me that I would let him know when I need a hip replacement. GAH!

My arm is aching and I'm very, very tired. Time to hit the couch and watch some hockey. Go Penguins!

Sigh.

3 month checkup

My visit with my medical oncologist went well. My sister-in-law Linda came with me since I can't remember anything. He wants me to be evaluated for lymphoedema. He said if that's what it is, it's very mild. I hope it's just swelling from radiation.

My blood counts are fine. They'll be checking tumor markers and I have my script for a mammogram. This will be routine for some time to come. I'll have a PT scan at the end of July, which is about a year from my surgery. Can you believe that?

I see an orthopedic doc this afternoon and my radiation oncologist tomorrow. I'll report back later. Good day all!

Salute to the Troops

Thanks to all who serve now, served in the past, or lost loved ones in battle.

Sorry I've lagged behind in my posting. It was a busy (for me, anyway), week and a half!

The time spent in Vero Beach was very nice. Beautiful home, beautiful area. The woman who owns the home is a truly wonderful person. It was quite hot most days, though, and flies were biting!

I picked up some pretty seashells. I was surprised to see so many since Daytona and New Smyrna didn't have many washing up on the beach a couple of weeks ago.

Last Wednesday we drove from Vero to West Palm Beach (about 80 miles) to see my aunt and uncle. Always a good visit.

I don't admit this to very many people, but I watch American Idol. I watched it for the first time the season before last and then this season, so I'm not completely addicted to it. I have to say that I'm happy that David Cook won. SWEET!

This week is going to be very busy. I see my medical oncologist Tuesday, then an orthopedic doctor and my radiation oncologist later in the week. It's time for my 3 month follow up, so I'll be having a mammogram and I imagine some blood work. My right arm is bothering me a bit, slightly swollen in the forearm and tender. I'm praying it's not lymphodema! And, as usual, I tire VERY easily!

We received some MUCH needed rain this past week. My front lawn is looking green again. The weeds are another story.

Long time, no hear from

Hi everyone. Got back from Vero Beach last night. Van goes back to Pennsylvania tomorrow. I get my first hair cut today! ;-) I'll report more later....Cheers.

Rain please!

I'm about ready to do a rain dance. SOOO dry here. Wildfires are popping up here and there and in devastating fashion in Brevard County. Some of those fires have destroyed homes and they believe it is arson. GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!! How cruel can you be?

I woke up with a blasted headache this morning. It's finally going away. Van arrives tomorrow so I'm getting ready for her. We head for Vero Beach on Saturday.

This evening is my monthly breast cancer support group. We're having a speaker and dinner. Really great group of people and I'm thankful for the wonderful resource they've been.

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the mommies out there a beautiful and blessed Mother's Day!

Good times

Lorie flew back to Philly yesterday. We had a good time. We hit the beach every day, including one day with Joyce. That day we went to the seafood shanty in New Smyrna Beach I really like. Blackened grouper for me! Also on that day there were 3 or 4 TV crews on the beach. I figured something was up and sure enough, later we found out that in the morning a six-year-old boy got bit by a small shark while wading in EIGHTEEN inches of water. I knew there was a reason I don't like to venture out into the ocean. The little boy is okay, by the way.

You can't see them very well in this picture, but the purple flag means "Dangerous Marine Life" and I suppose they would rather state that than "SHARK!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" The yellow flag indicates that there is a medium risk of rip currents. Lorie is far more adventurous than I and took a dip in the warm waters anyway. I do have a funny story....the first afternoon Lorie was here we drove to Daytona Beach just to walk and look at the ocean for an hour or so. I had an old quilt in my car (forgot to bring the chairs) and I was lying down and she was sitting talking to me. All of a sudden she's yelling "Susan, Susan!" I'm like, "What is it?" and at that moment this big wave swept underneath the quilt. The quilt was soaked, as were we. We decided that was probably a good time to leave, so we dragged the quilt across the sand to the car. The quilt weighed approximately 500 pounds. It was funny. A vision popped into my head of the scene from "Here to Eternity." Except that we're certainly not a couple and we definitely weren't embracing! LOL

Prayer Requests

I have 4 friends who could really use your prayers:

Isabel - recurrence of breast cancer
Lynda - optic nerve damage resulting in vision loss
Rob - complications from cancer treatment
Teresa - side effects of cancer treatment

These are all quite serious conditions; I'm sure they would greatly appreciate your prayers!

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 2 Timothy 1:3

House & Garden

Linda and Marissa came over today to help me with some touch-up work and hang a mirror. I really appreciated the help. Yesterday I was so frustrated trying to do things. I wish I had more patience!

Lorie will be here tomorrow afternoon and it'll give me an excuse to take a break from house stuff. It'll be great to relax with a good friend. She goes back to Philly on Friday.

One of my butterfly asters bloomed yesterday. I think they're asters, but the leaves are different than most asters. If anyone knows if this is another type of plant, let me know!



And my lone sunflower, which came up from a leftover sunflower seed from last year. The birds scattered seed everywhere last summer and I'm surprised one made it through the winter!

Feeling Icky

Not feeling so great today. Feel tired and my back hurts. No painting today. I worked outside for about 20 minutes; it was too hot. So I washed a small mountain of laundry and did some paperwork.

I just watched the Kentucky Derby. I turned it on about 15 minutes before post time. The pre-event festivities are probably second to the Super Bowl pregame show in hype. Unfortunately, the second place horse, Eight Belles, suffered compound fractures on her front legs just after finishing the race and was put down on the track. I used to be a big fan of thoroughbred racing, but not so much anymore. I know they're bred to race, but I wonder how far they're pushed sometimes.

A quiet evening ahead. Just chilling out.

We need rain!

Well, I'm still painting. Except for my sub par trim work, it looks very nice. I think I'm getting better as I go along. It's slow going, as I'm doing a wall a day. I get too achy and sore if I paint AND work outside, so I just do a little of both to keep up. The weather's been hot and we are in dire need of rain. I'm watering the stuff I planted every day. Irrigation twice a week isn't enough for the new plants. My tomato plants are getting big and already have suckers. So I should be seeing baby tomatoes before too long.

I postponed the Master Gardener class till the next time they offer it. I have company coming the next 2 months and the course is 3 full days a week for 3 weeks. No biggie. I need to spend my time writing and making money anyway.

A good friend and former co-worker from Philadelphia is visiting me for a few days next week. Lorie and I were long-distance teammates when I was working in my hometown. She's visiting a friend in Ft. Lauderdale, then will make her way to my place. I'm really looking forward to her visit - she's a hoot and we'll have a great time!

Later in the month, my friend Becky, my sister Van and I are spending a week in Vero Beach. Becky rented a house on the beach. WOO HOO, can't wait! Then in June, my nephew Jeff and his wife, Lili Rose, will spend a week here. LOTS of things to do this summer. Love it!

I finally made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor the last week of May. I also see my medical oncologist and radiation oncologist that week. I get some relief from the hip and back pain when I use an analgesic rub, ibuprofen and sometimes heat. If I'm walking and keeping active it doesn't bother me as much. After I sit for a long time, it hurts. It's another good reason to keep moving and not sit on my butt too much!

Have a good weekend all!