Wow, what a difference a day makes now! Yesterday was my best day since before surgery. I felt really good. Got up late, again. yTook a shower, got dressed and waited for Roxie, who was coming to visit.

She arrived, we chatted with Sandy (who had to get up, the dogs were making such a fuss) and then Roxie and I went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. Sandy stayed home because Jean and Frank were coming up with a load of firewood.

We had a great time, chatting away, getting caught up on stuff. Andrew goes back to school today and Virginia is doing good. I even got the salad bar and it was good!

Then we came home and visited some more, having some good laughs with Sandy. Roxie had to get home as she had housework to do.

Sandy and I watched Clint Eastwood in "Gran Torino" and we loved it. We love Clint anyway, but this one was special. I know people didn't like the racial and ethnic slurs in the movie, but you have to understand that there are still people who talk like that. People need to get over themselves.

Unfortunately, we had to keep pausing the movie while I ran back and forth to the bathroom. Finally, at 9pm we decided to stop the whole thing and finish the movie later. So, we went up to bed, Sandy promptly fell asleep, I kept up my bathroom adventures. Sometime in the middle of the night, things settled down a bit, so I could get some sleep. Sandy let me sleep in this AM, again. It's getting to be the routine for me...get up at noon, go to bed early....up and down to the bathroom all night.

I don't mind it though...things are flowing, if you know what I mean. I much prefer that to being "stopped up."

Sandy is reading about a new Disney resort that they are building on Hawaii. We love the sounds of it so much, we have just pledged to save our $$ so we can go there when it opens in Sept 2011. Or maybe we'll wait until it's been open for awhile. I think it's a very worthwhile goal!

Now I just have to get back to work to make more $$$!!

Watching the Jets beat the Colts (so far) and loving it. I'm rooting for the Jets and the Vikings, don't know exactly why, but it feels right.

later.

I love my iPhone. I have so many applications on it that are wonderful and I'm enjoying most of them.

The Facebook app helps me stay connected to my pals and family who are on Facebook, without having to start up the computer. The email app has me checking my mail from just about anywhere I can get a wi-fi connection....and some places where I can't connect!

I love the "Live Cams" app....it has live cameras from all over the world. I lie in bed at night, before I go to sleep and check out my favorites: the penquins in the Japanese zoo; the hotel reception desk in Russia (I love the two girls who work there most nights); the city hall square in Malmo--where Birgitta and Mats took me when I went to visit them in Sweden; the pyramids in Egypt; the doggie day care in Colorado; etc. etc.

One night, when I was spending a lot of time on the toidy, I was checking out different cameras all over the world. I found on in Hungary, it looked like a bus stop or something. It was rather dark, and there were three guys there, all bundled up in their hats, coats, boots and gloves. One of the guys was doing most of the talking, his hands were flying all over the place. The other two just stood there, listening and stomping their feet in the snow. I watched these guys for a long time.

Then it dawned on me.....here I am, sitting on a toilet Griswold CT, USA, watching three strangers in Hungary in the middle of the night....and they don't even know it! What a strange world we live in.

I'm used to being on camera--at work we are videoed most every time. Even when we are in the hallways, we are on camera. I don't even think about it anymore. I read a few years back that the average American is on camera 26 minutes a day....at the bank, at the gas station, on the street, etc. I'll bet it's an even higher amount of time now. So, SMILE, you may be being watched by someone sitting on the toilet in Hungary!

Speaking of the camera in Malmo...when Maria and I go there this summer--we are going to call Sandy from the square, and she can go online and watch us wave to her! That would be fun!

Charmine came by for a visit today. It was nice to have contact "with the outside world." Here's hoping I'll be up to getting out and about soon.

That's it from here.

Nighty night!

Today's Tuesday, no? NO! It's Wednesday and I only know that because Carol was home today....this is her day off.

I had a looooong night. Up to the bathroom so many times I lost count. Then had some problems getting back to sleep at times. Stayed in bed today, got up, took a shower, then felt so shaky I went back to bed. Stayed there until almost 3:00! Then I got up, dressed and walked around the driveway, five times. That's what I've been doing each day, walking the driveway, round and round.

I can't stop thinking about the people in Haiti. That's one of the things that keeps me up at night. I think about how lucky I am to have food in my stomach, something to drink, a warm bed to sleep in....We have no idea what deprivation is.

Jim Calhoun is taking a medical leave. This is weird as I was thinking about him last week and thinking that he was just about "due" for one of his "spells" where he is dehydrated, or exhausted or has the stomach flu, etc. I think he should think again about retiring. He thought about it last year....time to rethink.

Something I keep forgetting to write about here, or maybe I had decided NOT to mention it....but I'm going to now. Some time last Spring I woke up in the morning and the number EIGHT was right in the front of my mind. It was a very strong premonition. Eight....and I knew it was associated with my cancer. I thought: does this mean I have eight years to live? or eight years until it comes back again? Or what? I put it in the back of my mind and didn't tell anyone...except Sandy (but I waited to tell her that--didn't say anything until the fall).

The other day I woke up and thought about the number eight again. I counted the number of months there are between March--when I last had chemo and November--when the cancer was back. Guess what? EIGHT!

I don't say that I always believe in these things...but sometimes.....

Sandy's making barbecued chicken for supper. That should help jumpstart my chemo cravings for barbecue! YAY!!! Food is tasting better....it lasts a few days and then fades. Thankfully!

Tonight I'll watch the Husky men try to win again. They are really in a slump. But with Calhoun gone, George will be coaching and the guys really respond to him. They'll be winning one for the Gipper tonight!


Nighty night.

Food tastes terrible. It is a real chore to make myself eat. I managed to have a protein shake this morning, a cup of chicken noodle soup for lunch and a quarter of a hamburg patty, some potato and some spinach tonight. After each I sit there and go "blagggghhhh."

At least the nausea meds keep me from throwing the food up!

Last night I missed my little Rocky sleeping with me. The little crud slept with JEAN all night! He even growled at Sandy when she went in to say goodnight to Jean! He is so funny. I did have Bubbles snuggled up to me all night though.

Today, besides the appetite, I just don't feel right. Sandy suggested I try the energy drink, which I did...and it helped me to feel better! I think I'll take one of those a day for awhile....to see how it goes. It can't hurt!

Oh, and I was able to do three laps around the perimeter of the driveway....up to the mailbox, around and back! Exercise helps with the fatigue from chemo, they say. So I'm going to make myself move every day. Again, it can't hurt!

Tomorrow is Ryan's birthday and everyone is going to Olive Garden. I'll probably skip it, unless I feel A LOT better when it's time to go. I'll miss seeing the "birthday boy" but I'm sure they will have a good time without me.

Now I'm going to try some of that ginger ice cream Sandy got for me. Maybe that will help "kick start" my taste buds.

Nighty night!

One down, five to go!

Had my first chemo session yesterday. Everything went well....no adverse reactions to the carboplatinum. I actually got done faster than we thought I would, we were out of there just after 3pm! And next time it will be even faster, as I got a bit of a late start as they had to do an EKG on me before I got started yesterday.

Sandy took me for the chemo, I think she will be taking me to all of these. We brought Lily with us as we didn't want her to have to stay in the kennel for that long. She loved being in the car and slept out there. Sandy would go out and take her for a walk and sat out in the car with her for awhile as I was sleeping in the chemo chair. Sandy went to Wendy's to get me lunch and Lily got all upset, thinking they were leaving me behind. Sandy said she whined and fussed, until Sandy told her they were just going to get lunch! She settled down when they came back, and was really happy to see me when I was done.

I felt really good after the chemo and right up until this afternoon, and then all the extra steroids I had taken yesterday wore off and I had to go upstairs and crash in bed. I had forgotten what that feels like, now I remember! HA HA!

My taste buds are already "off"....food tastes blah. Oh well, I know that doesn't last too long, this too shall pass!

Tonight I'm enjoying watching the Huskies humiliate the Irish. I was hoping for a great game, but this is fun too! When it's over, it will be time for beddy-bye. Jean is staying with me tonight, to see how I do. If the dogs want to get up, we'll see if I can handle it. I think I will be able to, but if I can't, she'll help.

The only problem right now is the damn bowel thing again. I'm "stopped up" again, so it's back to the Miralax for me! Yuck! Oh well, may that be the worst thing that happens....

Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow, with my little boy, Rocky, snuggled up to me. And maybe my little girl, Bubbie, snuggled up by my knees.

Nighty night!

Chemo Day Eve

Yesterday I drove myself for the first time since my surgery. Big trip to Backus to get my blood drawn and then over to Stop and Shop to get an RX I had called in.

I did fine. Came home and took a nap.

Today I stayed in bed late and got up, showered, came downstairs and cleaned up a bit, just in time for a visit from Jean and Dorothy. We had coffee and goodies Sandy picked up from the bakery and had a nice visit. Then I collapsed on the recliner. Have to save my energy for dinner tonight at Ruby Tuesday's with David and Lynne, we're meeting them there at 6:30.

Teddy Pendergrast died yesterday. One of my favorite singers. I fell in love with his voice when he was the lead singer for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. Then when he struck out on his own, his singing became even sexier. I love "Close the Door", "Turn Out the Light," "Come and Go With Me," all of them, really. I will miss him. He was a nice guy, who turned the tragedy of being paralyzed into good in his life. RIP Teddy.

Tomorrow the Chemo Project starts. Sandy will be with me, watching me closely for signs of allergic reaction. It will be an all-day affair as they have to pass the stuff slowly to see how I tolerate it. Lily will come and stay in the car so we don't have to worry about her being left in the kennel at home. Maybe they will let her come in with me. We'll check on that. There may not be enough space in the room for her though.

I can't get the poor people of Haiti out of my mind. I had to shut the CNN coverage off as it was driving me crazy. They have nothing and now the dead bodies, the poor to non-existent sewerage system, no clean water, what a mess.

I am going to send money and whatever else they need. The Red Cross is already out of supplies down there. Unbelieveable the devastation.

Watched the Husky men get outplayed again last night and really have to wonder about their desire and determination. I don't think that they have what it takes to be winners....not now anyway.

The women, on the other hand, are a different story. They are well on their way to breaking the school record for consecutive wins. I don't see anyone beating them for a long time.

I have to sign off and rest up.

Later

Maine and more

We headed up to Maine Friday around noon, in Charmine's new car. Very nice car too, I might add. We picked up Maria, stopped at a Chili's on the way for lunch (got the bottomless tostados and salsa....great) and a cup of chili. Then it was on to Ogunquit.

The day had started out snowy, Sandy had to drive me to Waterford in the snow in the AM, for my hygienists check-up. That went well and by the time we got out of there, the snow had stopped. It did "clean everything up" as Charmine said, and it made for a pretty ride north.

We settled in our room and met up with everyone. We all went to a restaurant in Kittery, named Roberts. I had the lobster bruschetta, which was totally delicious! I concentrated on eating the lobster first, but did have some of the bruschetta too. There were nice big hunks of lobster, so I was very satisfied. Afterwards we headed back to the room...I was bushed.

I was bushed, but I couldn't sleep. Dunno why, but I did have some trouble falling asleep.

We all met at 9am in the "tea room" and headed to Bessie's for breakfast. No Mustafa this year, as he was freezing in Florida. I did bring the little UConn gnome which we named after him last year, too bad he wasn't there to see him again.

After breakfast we went for a ride to Wells, along the shore, to the place where Deanna and Lorraine stay. Charmine and Pat have also stayed there and they wanted me to see it. I guess they let you bring dogs with you. Hmmmmm......

Then it was time to hit Reny's. No sale this weekend...bummer. I roamed around but nothing really caught my eye. Then we went over to the clothes store and I roamed around there. Maria got some stuff, but I didn't spend. It didn't bother me to come up dry at the two stores. I enjoy saving money as much as I do spending it!

We headed back to the Meadowmere and got into our bathing suits and went to our favorite spot: the Roman Spa. Charmine was there and was just getting out, but hopped back in when she saw us. My stomach was crampy from breakfast and the water felt great. The temperature was perfect....everything settled down and I felt wonderful.

Then it was time to get ready for the big game. We met up with Jack in the hotel's theater and got the snacks out. Mary and Debbie came with Avery, great to see them again. Ann Marie was a little loaded, probably from the fact that she had two mudslides, made extra strong without her knowledge, after going in the sauna, steam room, Roman Spa AND hot tub! Of course she was going to be "under the weather," drinking after getting dehydrated!

Anyway, Ann Marie sat down front with some people she met by chance, who were trying to fix her up with their friend who lives on the Cape. They even got her on the phone with him during the game. They all talked and talked their heads off, down front and did not watch one second of the game. We couldn't hear the game's announcers throughout the whole game!

Suffice it to say, the Huskies pasted North Carolina. For crying out loud, Tina Charles outscored the entire NC team in the first half! No contest.

For dinner we ordered from a local Italian place and had it delivered to the hotel's pub, where we all gathered. Maria and I split an antipasto, which was pretty good. We agreed that they could have had more cheeses and some olives and onions would be nice. But it sufficed.

I slept almost like a log that night.

Next morning, Bessies for Breakfast again and then down to the beach to have our photo taken. Then we all hit the road to home....happy and looking forward to next year's gathering.

I had yesterday "off" which was good as all the activity caught up with me and I was very tired.

Carol sent over some cabbage and sausage soup. I made the mistake of having one and a half bowls of this delicious brew. First I felt a bit "icky" and then the deluge began. That cabbage did what it does to me and I spent the rest of the evening and night, in the bathroom, in fifteen minute intervals.....fifteen minutes on the pot and fifteen minutes off.

I can say with some conviction that "these pipes are clean!"

Good thing, just in time for me to pour that horrible chalk stuff down my throat in preparation for today's CT scan. Jean picked me up and we tootled off to Providence as I continued to drink the chalk. We had to stop once along the way, I couldn't make it all the way to the hospital...had to avail myself of Wendy's facilities.

Now I'm home and still visiting the can on a more than regular basis. Sandy has left with her folks to go to Woodstock to see Ryan play in a bball game. I'm here with the pooches, trying to get them tired out so I can go upstairs and nap....and not be disturbed.

I am very tired, h aving been up all night and the leftover effect from the weekend. But it's a good tired. I'm doing more, moving more, eating more, everything is starting to settle down. Just in time for chemo Friday. YEOW!!!

I'm looking forward to getting that first chemo under my belt. The first time could be a bit dangerous as the doctor explained it to me. Some people have an allergic reaction to one of the drugs if they have taken it before and have to restart it. So I have steroids I have to take to help with that....I have to take them at midnight Thursday and again at 6am Friday. Hopefully this will protect me...but if I have any problem I will have my own nurse there with me (Sandy) and she will be keeping them all on task.

So, tomorrow I'll drive for the first time since surgery, to go down and get my bloodwork done and then to Stop and Shop to pick up one more medication. They all know me down there now. It's really sickening. I'm looking forward to being able to slide behind the wheel of my wonderful car. Another sign that things are getting back to normal, more and more.

Nighty night!