It's Friday night and I'm sitting in the hotel room, watching the Sox get beat by the Stankees. Jon Lester just took a wicked hit to his knee and I can see our chances for the post season going down the toilet!
We arrived on Tuesday...but it feels like ages ago! Truman did great in his first two events--he got qualifying ribbons for both of them. He didn't place, but all Sandy asked of him for this whole trip was a Q ribbon and he got two of them right off the bat! His next two runs--in touch and go he may have gotten Qs in too, but no one can tell us the course time! We know he didn't have any faults--but he may not have made the time.
Today he was obviously tired when he ran his Regular runs....I saw him run this AM and he was poking. He just ran the second one and Sandy said he was pooped and he started getting silly. She and he are glad we are not staying for the weekend events, three days is plenty for both of them. The weather has been hot and sticky and that has effected him also. I don't think sleeping in a strange bed helps either.
Anyway, he has exceeded our expectations and we are very proud of him. He is 1o years old after all and he is competing against much younger dogs. He had fun and now he wants to go home. We all do. We will hit the road tomorrow and travel back to see Cindy in VA. again.
Tonight Dana and Keith are coming over in a few minutes and we'll go out to Legends....a steak house around the corner. We've had some new food experiences here....we got Sonic to-go last night; I found a good Mexican place---the burritos and guacamole was great and we got KFC yesterday.
Today I tried a barbecue joint down the road. Their "sauce" was like vinegar....I guess that's how the locals like it. I know that different regions have different tastes in sauces---tomato based in Texas and mustard based in the Carolinas...this sauce was like vinegar. The pork was good and Sandy said the beef was good...the potato salad was awful; the cole slaw decent; and the "corn bread" was more of a johnny cake and not a good johnny cake!
The hotel breakfast is the best. They have all kinds of stuff...today I had a hard boiled egg and got Sandy cheese danish. They had microwave grits, which I tried...not as good as mine.
I did pretty good in the heat. Today I had to break-down and take my Five Hour Energy drink. It helped me keep going. I even got to go for a swim...finally, in the hotel pool. The water was so warm and relaxing...I hope I don't fall asleep at dinner!
The puppies (Bub and Rocky) are asleep on my lap. Well, Bub is on my lap and Rocky is lying next to me on the couch. It feels very nice.
OH! I almost forgot! Sandy got a phone call on her cell phone today....from the Waterford Animal Control Officer...letting her know that he "had her dog." LILY! She's staying with Frank and Jean while we are gone. Frank had let Nami in the house and Lily was asleep in the yard. He came out ten minutes later and she was GONE! They searched for her for two hours. I called Jean and told her that Lily was at the pound. Jean was hysterical with worry and I know exactly how she feels. I've had that feeling many times thanks to Lily's propensity for escaping. She had gone through the invisible fence and went up Vauxhall St Ext and was at Greentree--a good distance away. Someone must have seen her and called Animal Control. He called our vet--the name is on Lily's tag and they gave him Sandy's cell number.
Jean and Frank picked her up and last we heard she was laying about the house like nothing happened. Dopey dog! All's well that ends well.
Nighty night!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tennessee TITANS!
We arrived in Tennessee yesterday and Truman ran today in two rounds of jumpers...one of his favorites. He got two qualifying ribbons, so he and Sandy have already fulfilled their goal for coming down here.
We traveled three days to get here. The first day we stayed in a nice Best Western in PA...Harrisburg. We passed through the Delaware Water Gap, where we have not been in years. Day Two we traveled down through W. VA to Dublin VA....near Cindy Vasko's house. We called Annette along the way, after we passed through her old town of Berkley Springs W. Va. We reminisced with her for a bit...good times and bad.
Cindy came over to our hotel and we had a wonderful visit. On our way home, we'll be staying in the same place and she's going to come to visit again. I think we have convinced her to come north for a vacation sometime soon. I really hope she does.
Day Three on the road, heading to Tennessee, Rocky started barking. We laughed and then had to tune him out as he kept it up for a LOOOOOOOOONG time. That is his one vice...the barking. We made ourselves go to our "happy place" to blank him out. The poor guy, he isn't used to traveling and it was making him anxious and nuts!
Fortunately, the medication we got for Bub and Rocky worked and there was no vomitting on the trip. We hope this continues on the way home....we did bring extra pillows for them and extra covers for the pillows--we have pillows in their kennels--that's what they lie on.
Tomorrow Truman runs two rounds each of tunnelers and touch and go.....two of his absolute favorite events. I think he is being very "business-like" down here. He knows what his job is and he is bent on doing it. He made excellent time today, despite the fact that the course is on sand that hadn't been packed down yet.
The runs are in a huge indoor arena where they display Tennessee Walking Horses. We rented a horse stall to house the dogs/kennels and all of our stuff. It is pretty cool in there, we have their fans going--there is electricity in the stall. I brought my laptop to the stall because they have wi-fi at this site, but it doesn't reach the stalls. That's okay, I read my Kathy Griffin book....almost finished it this afternoon.
Now I am pooped. Had Mexican food tonight, from a restaurant down the street, to-go. I need to take a shower and hit the bed. The dogs are exhausted....all the new noises, people and dogs going by the stall has tired them out.
I have confidence that Truman and Sandy will do well tomorrow. I'm filming their runs and stay to see other dogs run. There are several folks we know from trials in New England and we even have a Team New England t-shirt that they made up for us. I'm listed as "kennel help." Another title to add to my name!
Okay, enough of this.....Nighty NIGHT!
We traveled three days to get here. The first day we stayed in a nice Best Western in PA...Harrisburg. We passed through the Delaware Water Gap, where we have not been in years. Day Two we traveled down through W. VA to Dublin VA....near Cindy Vasko's house. We called Annette along the way, after we passed through her old town of Berkley Springs W. Va. We reminisced with her for a bit...good times and bad.
Cindy came over to our hotel and we had a wonderful visit. On our way home, we'll be staying in the same place and she's going to come to visit again. I think we have convinced her to come north for a vacation sometime soon. I really hope she does.
Day Three on the road, heading to Tennessee, Rocky started barking. We laughed and then had to tune him out as he kept it up for a LOOOOOOOOONG time. That is his one vice...the barking. We made ourselves go to our "happy place" to blank him out. The poor guy, he isn't used to traveling and it was making him anxious and nuts!
Fortunately, the medication we got for Bub and Rocky worked and there was no vomitting on the trip. We hope this continues on the way home....we did bring extra pillows for them and extra covers for the pillows--we have pillows in their kennels--that's what they lie on.
Tomorrow Truman runs two rounds each of tunnelers and touch and go.....two of his absolute favorite events. I think he is being very "business-like" down here. He knows what his job is and he is bent on doing it. He made excellent time today, despite the fact that the course is on sand that hadn't been packed down yet.
The runs are in a huge indoor arena where they display Tennessee Walking Horses. We rented a horse stall to house the dogs/kennels and all of our stuff. It is pretty cool in there, we have their fans going--there is electricity in the stall. I brought my laptop to the stall because they have wi-fi at this site, but it doesn't reach the stalls. That's okay, I read my Kathy Griffin book....almost finished it this afternoon.
Now I am pooped. Had Mexican food tonight, from a restaurant down the street, to-go. I need to take a shower and hit the bed. The dogs are exhausted....all the new noises, people and dogs going by the stall has tired them out.
I have confidence that Truman and Sandy will do well tomorrow. I'm filming their runs and stay to see other dogs run. There are several folks we know from trials in New England and we even have a Team New England t-shirt that they made up for us. I'm listed as "kennel help." Another title to add to my name!
Okay, enough of this.....Nighty NIGHT!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday before the trip
Well...it's been a week since I last posted...as Carol so nicely pointed out. It's been a busy week--had my chemo last Friday, went to the "mussell party" on Saturday and came home with two pans of mussells-one for me and one for Lynne (who couldn't make it). That reminds me, I still owe Joanne $5! Wooops!
Well, I'll have to get the $$ to her tomorrow as we leave Sunday AM for Tennessee. We will be staying in Pennsylvania Sunday night and then driving to Dublin VA on Monday...where we will get to visit with Cindy who we haven't seen in over 10 years. It doesn't seem possible. Thanks to the internet we have kept in touch pretty regularly.
On Tuesday we head to Tennessee...where the NADAC national champsionships will be. We will be heading back home next Saturday....reversing our route and stopping again near Cindy for another visit---hopefully.
Some things about the dogs. Rocky and Truman have been going to "Wizard of Paws" which is a place where they do physical therapy on dogs. Rocky has been going to work on his left leg and right pelvis...which were hurt when he got hit by the car. He has been making great progress....and today I went to see him workout on the treadmill in the water! He was great!
Sandy works out with them on a ball in the cellar. This helps their balance and to develop their core muscles...like I do when I work out on the ball. It's great for inner core and for flexibility. She does exercises with each of the Russells...with Bubbles being the star!
Truman is getting therapy for a back and shoulder problem. He is doing really well and is cleared to compete at the agility trial. Which is good, because he loves to compete.
Sandy has been working out with all the dogs in the backyard---doing tunnels courses. Truman is going to run in the tunnels event, so it's good practice for him and good exercise for Bub and Lil. Rocky learned how to do tunnels too....and seems to love it. When he's all fixed (as much as he can be) he will start to take agility classes.
Sandy bought these ceramic magnet jackets for the two boys....for Truman's back and for Rocky's leg and pelvis. They look cute in these jackets...they hang way down all around them...to give the area maximum exposure to the effect of the magnets.
I ordered a magnetic shirt for myself. I don't usually subscribe to "new age" medicine...but years ago my nurse practitioner convinced me to try these magnets on my knees. I got the ceramic magnet sleeves for my knees and damned if they didn't help! They heat up the area just the right amount to promote healing. I had a wrap for my foot too and it helped my heel spurs. So I can see how it might help the dogs. And a shirt could help my neck and my back.
We also got some new medication for Bub and Rocky...to keep them from vomitting when they ride in the car. The poor dears, they take turns puking and sometimes they puke at the same time. Then it's stop the car, clean out the kennels, fluff up their pillows and hope that it doesn't happen again. We've tried lavender oil, ginger, pepcid and now this medication. When Bub eats the ginger she doesn't throw up. But now she won't eat the ginger anymore. Rocky is more afraid than having trouble with the motion. We tried them at a low dose today and it worked good..even though we were on back roads that were windy and bumpy. We're hoping it works on the long trip..without giving them any negative side effects.
Rocky got out of the fence the other day...Sandy opened the gate and he flew out. Fortunately I was up at the mail box and he just came flying up the driveway to me. Good thing there weren't any dogs or people going by...he would have kept on going. As it was he came right to me, all waggy tailed and happy. I scooped him up and we got the mail. Sandy and I heaved a big sigh of relief! He did look cute running towards me...his bad leg kicks out to the side making him look all galoopy when he runs. Despite this impediment he runs faster than any dog we've ever had! Can't imagine how fast he'll be when he's at full strength.
Now I have a little snugglebug up on my shoulder like a baby....Bubbles. She comes up here when something makes her hinky. And it seems every night something makes her hinky! I'm sorry that she's nervous, but I do enjoy having her snuggle with me.
I've been playing Big Brain Academy and I'm doing much better. It really helps to stimulate your brain...feels good.
I'm reading Kathy Griffin's book and it is SO GOOD! I got a few paperbacks to take with me to Tennessee...I figure I'll have time to read them in the hotel and when we're waiting for Truman's turn to run. I haven't been reading too much lately and it feels good to be getting back into the reading mode. Sandy reads every day....it's her favorite thing to do, sip her tea, read and have her dogs on her lap.
Well...I have to work on my list of things to bring on the trip. I'm really looking forward to this--we haven't been on a road trip like this since the last time we went to Nova Scotia and that was over ten years ago! Well....I guess Italy was a road trip too...we did drive while we were there. But that was in 2004 so it has been awhile. And it has been over ten years since it was just us in the car going for days.....good thing I'm on the new antidepressant and they upped my dose---it's helping me to be all mellow and enjoying things....instead of worrying and bitching about things!
So, I'll say nighty night. I will be bringing the laptop when we travel...so I can do updates on the road.
Nighty night and GO SOX!
Well, I'll have to get the $$ to her tomorrow as we leave Sunday AM for Tennessee. We will be staying in Pennsylvania Sunday night and then driving to Dublin VA on Monday...where we will get to visit with Cindy who we haven't seen in over 10 years. It doesn't seem possible. Thanks to the internet we have kept in touch pretty regularly.
On Tuesday we head to Tennessee...where the NADAC national champsionships will be. We will be heading back home next Saturday....reversing our route and stopping again near Cindy for another visit---hopefully.
Some things about the dogs. Rocky and Truman have been going to "Wizard of Paws" which is a place where they do physical therapy on dogs. Rocky has been going to work on his left leg and right pelvis...which were hurt when he got hit by the car. He has been making great progress....and today I went to see him workout on the treadmill in the water! He was great!
Sandy works out with them on a ball in the cellar. This helps their balance and to develop their core muscles...like I do when I work out on the ball. It's great for inner core and for flexibility. She does exercises with each of the Russells...with Bubbles being the star!
Truman is getting therapy for a back and shoulder problem. He is doing really well and is cleared to compete at the agility trial. Which is good, because he loves to compete.
Sandy has been working out with all the dogs in the backyard---doing tunnels courses. Truman is going to run in the tunnels event, so it's good practice for him and good exercise for Bub and Lil. Rocky learned how to do tunnels too....and seems to love it. When he's all fixed (as much as he can be) he will start to take agility classes.
Sandy bought these ceramic magnet jackets for the two boys....for Truman's back and for Rocky's leg and pelvis. They look cute in these jackets...they hang way down all around them...to give the area maximum exposure to the effect of the magnets.
I ordered a magnetic shirt for myself. I don't usually subscribe to "new age" medicine...but years ago my nurse practitioner convinced me to try these magnets on my knees. I got the ceramic magnet sleeves for my knees and damned if they didn't help! They heat up the area just the right amount to promote healing. I had a wrap for my foot too and it helped my heel spurs. So I can see how it might help the dogs. And a shirt could help my neck and my back.
We also got some new medication for Bub and Rocky...to keep them from vomitting when they ride in the car. The poor dears, they take turns puking and sometimes they puke at the same time. Then it's stop the car, clean out the kennels, fluff up their pillows and hope that it doesn't happen again. We've tried lavender oil, ginger, pepcid and now this medication. When Bub eats the ginger she doesn't throw up. But now she won't eat the ginger anymore. Rocky is more afraid than having trouble with the motion. We tried them at a low dose today and it worked good..even though we were on back roads that were windy and bumpy. We're hoping it works on the long trip..without giving them any negative side effects.
Rocky got out of the fence the other day...Sandy opened the gate and he flew out. Fortunately I was up at the mail box and he just came flying up the driveway to me. Good thing there weren't any dogs or people going by...he would have kept on going. As it was he came right to me, all waggy tailed and happy. I scooped him up and we got the mail. Sandy and I heaved a big sigh of relief! He did look cute running towards me...his bad leg kicks out to the side making him look all galoopy when he runs. Despite this impediment he runs faster than any dog we've ever had! Can't imagine how fast he'll be when he's at full strength.
Now I have a little snugglebug up on my shoulder like a baby....Bubbles. She comes up here when something makes her hinky. And it seems every night something makes her hinky! I'm sorry that she's nervous, but I do enjoy having her snuggle with me.
I've been playing Big Brain Academy and I'm doing much better. It really helps to stimulate your brain...feels good.
I'm reading Kathy Griffin's book and it is SO GOOD! I got a few paperbacks to take with me to Tennessee...I figure I'll have time to read them in the hotel and when we're waiting for Truman's turn to run. I haven't been reading too much lately and it feels good to be getting back into the reading mode. Sandy reads every day....it's her favorite thing to do, sip her tea, read and have her dogs on her lap.
Well...I have to work on my list of things to bring on the trip. I'm really looking forward to this--we haven't been on a road trip like this since the last time we went to Nova Scotia and that was over ten years ago! Well....I guess Italy was a road trip too...we did drive while we were there. But that was in 2004 so it has been awhile. And it has been over ten years since it was just us in the car going for days.....good thing I'm on the new antidepressant and they upped my dose---it's helping me to be all mellow and enjoying things....instead of worrying and bitching about things!
So, I'll say nighty night. I will be bringing the laptop when we travel...so I can do updates on the road.
Nighty night and GO SOX!
Friday, September 11, 2009
9/11
Went out first thing this AM and put the American flag out....can't believe it's been eight years already!
They called LAST NIGHT to tell me that they had scheduled me for a CT scan at L&M at 8am. I said "NO WAY!" I needed a CT scan LAST Friday....not this Friday! I called and canceled the CT scan and left a message that I still wanted to keep my 10:30 chemo appt, not the 2:30 one that they had switched it to.
My stomach no longer hurts. I still have some residual pain in my abdomen, but that's from adhesions...I just know it! Nothing they can do about that....just need time and continue to watch the roughage. The Miralax is working.....so, life is good.
Got up to chemo and found out they forgot to order a urine test for me....so I had to pee in the cup and they sent it off. I told June (my nurse) that we were lucky...I had peed just before she broke the news about needing a specimen. Fortunately, I can pee on command! It took them forever to get the test done. An hour later, they were just getting the specimen in the lab! I got there at 10:30...didn't start getting my chemo until 1:00pm. So, I didn't get out until after 2pm as it was.
The woman at the doctor's office admitted to Sandy that the insurance company had approved the CT scan...but she lost my paperwork for a couple of days! I think they need a better system up there.
We got a wonderful anniversary card from Cathy's sister Linda, who lives in Maine. I have never met this woman, but we have a lot in common--she's a big animal lover and sends me papers from the dog park up there. Linda reads this blog and Cathy gives me good advice from time to time. Her Mom also checks the blog and sent good wishes to me when I was really sick. Nice family! Thanks Delawares!
We're getting ready to go on our trips...first up the one to Tennessee. We'll be leaving a week from this Sunday...so we are getting excited. Lots of planning. We're bringing the three Russells, Lily will stay with Jean while we're gone. We're hoping it isn't too hot and the days aren't too long down there. They say, "count on the days going from 7 am to 10-11 at night" and one woman said she was there until after midnight! NO WAY! We will NOT be putting our dogs and ourselves through that crap!
I am most looking forward to seeing our old pal Cindy as we pass through Virginia. We'll be traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway...a great trip. We haven't seen Cindy in over 10 years and we are staying in a hotel near where she lives. Hopefully we will get there early so we can spend some hours with her.
I also am checking out the "shore excursions" available for our cruise, coming up at the end of October. I found a zip-line excursion through the rain forest in Belize that I have always wanted to do; some kayaking and snorkeling in Cozumel and maybe a tour through Guatamala. It's going to be great! Can't wait.
Now I'm going to rest up for the Tennessee trip. I don't have to work this next week, just have a doctor's appointment and one other obligation, the rest of the week is free. Hopefully I'll be able to go to the gym and walk the dogs in the neighborhood. I'm reading a good book now--one of my favorites--an "OpCenter" book by Tom Clancy. I don't know why, but I do love those kinds of stories. I also have some new David Sedaris books and Kathy Griffin's autobiography arrived the other day. So I'm all set for reading material for awhile.
I also got my Beatles Rock Band game for the Wii....can't wait to have folks over to sing along. Who cares about the drumming and "guitar" playing? We've got the Beatles to sing-along to!
Now I have to watch the rest of Toddlers and Tiaras....the one I'm watching was taped in Hartford at the hotel at the airport--where we stayed once before we went to Disney. I told Sandy maybe next year we'll go sit in the audience and "scream, oooh and aaahh" maybe we'll get on tv! That show is a real train wreck....you hate to watch, but you can't stop!
I watched the President the other night and I totally love this man. He is so calm, articulate, intelligent, Presidential.
That idiot who yelled at him looked so foolish compared to the President. I may send money to the guy who's running against that jackass. What's with the South Carolina politicians? First the governor embarasses them and now this guy chimes in! Talk about train wrecks!
Anyway...."Toddlers" is calling me....
Nighty night!
They called LAST NIGHT to tell me that they had scheduled me for a CT scan at L&M at 8am. I said "NO WAY!" I needed a CT scan LAST Friday....not this Friday! I called and canceled the CT scan and left a message that I still wanted to keep my 10:30 chemo appt, not the 2:30 one that they had switched it to.
My stomach no longer hurts. I still have some residual pain in my abdomen, but that's from adhesions...I just know it! Nothing they can do about that....just need time and continue to watch the roughage. The Miralax is working.....so, life is good.
Got up to chemo and found out they forgot to order a urine test for me....so I had to pee in the cup and they sent it off. I told June (my nurse) that we were lucky...I had peed just before she broke the news about needing a specimen. Fortunately, I can pee on command! It took them forever to get the test done. An hour later, they were just getting the specimen in the lab! I got there at 10:30...didn't start getting my chemo until 1:00pm. So, I didn't get out until after 2pm as it was.
The woman at the doctor's office admitted to Sandy that the insurance company had approved the CT scan...but she lost my paperwork for a couple of days! I think they need a better system up there.
We got a wonderful anniversary card from Cathy's sister Linda, who lives in Maine. I have never met this woman, but we have a lot in common--she's a big animal lover and sends me papers from the dog park up there. Linda reads this blog and Cathy gives me good advice from time to time. Her Mom also checks the blog and sent good wishes to me when I was really sick. Nice family! Thanks Delawares!
We're getting ready to go on our trips...first up the one to Tennessee. We'll be leaving a week from this Sunday...so we are getting excited. Lots of planning. We're bringing the three Russells, Lily will stay with Jean while we're gone. We're hoping it isn't too hot and the days aren't too long down there. They say, "count on the days going from 7 am to 10-11 at night" and one woman said she was there until after midnight! NO WAY! We will NOT be putting our dogs and ourselves through that crap!
I am most looking forward to seeing our old pal Cindy as we pass through Virginia. We'll be traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway...a great trip. We haven't seen Cindy in over 10 years and we are staying in a hotel near where she lives. Hopefully we will get there early so we can spend some hours with her.
I also am checking out the "shore excursions" available for our cruise, coming up at the end of October. I found a zip-line excursion through the rain forest in Belize that I have always wanted to do; some kayaking and snorkeling in Cozumel and maybe a tour through Guatamala. It's going to be great! Can't wait.
Now I'm going to rest up for the Tennessee trip. I don't have to work this next week, just have a doctor's appointment and one other obligation, the rest of the week is free. Hopefully I'll be able to go to the gym and walk the dogs in the neighborhood. I'm reading a good book now--one of my favorites--an "OpCenter" book by Tom Clancy. I don't know why, but I do love those kinds of stories. I also have some new David Sedaris books and Kathy Griffin's autobiography arrived the other day. So I'm all set for reading material for awhile.
I also got my Beatles Rock Band game for the Wii....can't wait to have folks over to sing along. Who cares about the drumming and "guitar" playing? We've got the Beatles to sing-along to!
Now I have to watch the rest of Toddlers and Tiaras....the one I'm watching was taped in Hartford at the hotel at the airport--where we stayed once before we went to Disney. I told Sandy maybe next year we'll go sit in the audience and "scream, oooh and aaahh" maybe we'll get on tv! That show is a real train wreck....you hate to watch, but you can't stop!
I watched the President the other night and I totally love this man. He is so calm, articulate, intelligent, Presidential.
That idiot who yelled at him looked so foolish compared to the President. I may send money to the guy who's running against that jackass. What's with the South Carolina politicians? First the governor embarasses them and now this guy chimes in! Talk about train wrecks!
Anyway...."Toddlers" is calling me....
Nighty night!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Well....the pain continues in my abdomen....but it is slowing down a bit. I am doing the prune juice and sennakot route and today I dug out the Miralax that Dr. Lachance gave me months ago. All of this is working (occasionally)...but I have to keep up this routine or it doesn't come out.
And I was just thinking a couple of weeks ago, "remember when your stomach hurt so bad? Good thing that's over!" HA! I have to remember not to have such thoughts from now on.
I do believe it is adhesions from my surgeries. These are causing small blockages in my bowels and thus the pain. I don't understand why my stomach pouch was so painful though. Sandy thinks I might have had a virus of some sort.
I never got a call about the CT scan. When (and if) I do, I'm going to tell them to fahgeddabouddit!
I keep walking and moving about...that helps even though it hurts at the same time.
As I told Robin (who gave me great suggestions on what to do to help), having this is still better than having cancer!
The weather has been wonderful and it looks like it will continue. It proves the theory I have held since I was a kid...the week the kids go back to school is always the best week of the year...weatherwise! It always seemed that way when I was a kid in school. Anyway, I fell asleep on the deck, lying in the sun, this morning after having my coffee. It felt good.
I work two days this week, tomorrow and Thursday. Friday I have chemo. Then it's time to start getting ready for Tennessee!
And I was just thinking a couple of weeks ago, "remember when your stomach hurt so bad? Good thing that's over!" HA! I have to remember not to have such thoughts from now on.
I do believe it is adhesions from my surgeries. These are causing small blockages in my bowels and thus the pain. I don't understand why my stomach pouch was so painful though. Sandy thinks I might have had a virus of some sort.
I never got a call about the CT scan. When (and if) I do, I'm going to tell them to fahgeddabouddit!
I keep walking and moving about...that helps even though it hurts at the same time.
As I told Robin (who gave me great suggestions on what to do to help), having this is still better than having cancer!
The weather has been wonderful and it looks like it will continue. It proves the theory I have held since I was a kid...the week the kids go back to school is always the best week of the year...weatherwise! It always seemed that way when I was a kid in school. Anyway, I fell asleep on the deck, lying in the sun, this morning after having my coffee. It felt good.
I work two days this week, tomorrow and Thursday. Friday I have chemo. Then it's time to start getting ready for Tennessee!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Big Moon
Can't remember when I last posted. Sandy was off most of this week, so we did some stuff. Tuesday night we had Carol and Mark over for steak, corn from Sandy's garden and Sandy's great red potatoes cooked on the grill. I got sick, actually, sicker after I ate and ended up in the tub of hot water, trying to get my stomach to calm down.
That didn't work. My stomach had been bothering me since Sunday. Yesterday I had to go see the doctor anyway for my check up prior to chemo. I had to go a week early as there were no appointments available next week.
It's just as well I went yesterday. Saw Dr. McCourt...another new doctor--for me. She's very nice as all of them in that practice are. When she palpated my abdomen I came up off the table with the pain...and I'm usually quite stoic at the doctor's office. She doesn't know what it is and wanted me to go for a CT scan to have it checked. She and I think it's something with my stomach...not the cancer coming back.
I couldn't stand the thought of drinking that crap on top of how my stomach felt, so I told her I wanted to see how it goes. She told me to call and let her know if I wanted the test.
I felt a bit better this AM and went to pick up Lynne for our long-delayed trip to Ikea and to Lenny and Joe's for lobster that I had promised her for her birthday way back in July! We had a great time shopping at Ikea and then we got to the restaurant, after a nice, leisurely drive down Rte 1. They don't sell whole lobsters until after 5:00, so we each had a lunchtime special...the hot buttered lobster on a roll, with french fries and cole slaw.
I felt pretty good walking around Ikea, but at the end the weight of my shopping bag was starting to pull on my abdominal muscles, which made my stomach start hurting again. I kept getting twinges off and on the ride home and at the restaurant. By the time I dropped Lynne off and drove home, my stomach was back where it was yesterday. So, as I promised Lynne and Sandy, I called the doctor and told them I wanted a CT scan. Of course that was 3pm and now it's after 8pm and no one has called me back, so I guess I'll call again tomorrow. Hopefully I can get scanned tomorrow or Saturday and they can figure out what the hell this is.
I have a feeling and so does Lynne and Carol that this may be adhesions. It does feel like my stomach or something near is is very inflamed. Of course Bubbles and Rocky manage to jump on me and land on the worst spot for pain. Not fun.
The good news I got yesterday was that my latest CA 125 test showed that my cancer level dropped even more...to THREE! YAY!! I am three away from my goal of zero...which most people say can't be accomplished.
We were supposed to go to the Woodstock Fair tomorrow...I guess those plans are foiled by my abdomen...oh well...it was going to be expensive anyway.
I'm going to enjoy the moon tonight and the sun tomorrow. And maybe fit a CT scan in the schedule.
Nighty night!
That didn't work. My stomach had been bothering me since Sunday. Yesterday I had to go see the doctor anyway for my check up prior to chemo. I had to go a week early as there were no appointments available next week.
It's just as well I went yesterday. Saw Dr. McCourt...another new doctor--for me. She's very nice as all of them in that practice are. When she palpated my abdomen I came up off the table with the pain...and I'm usually quite stoic at the doctor's office. She doesn't know what it is and wanted me to go for a CT scan to have it checked. She and I think it's something with my stomach...not the cancer coming back.
I couldn't stand the thought of drinking that crap on top of how my stomach felt, so I told her I wanted to see how it goes. She told me to call and let her know if I wanted the test.
I felt a bit better this AM and went to pick up Lynne for our long-delayed trip to Ikea and to Lenny and Joe's for lobster that I had promised her for her birthday way back in July! We had a great time shopping at Ikea and then we got to the restaurant, after a nice, leisurely drive down Rte 1. They don't sell whole lobsters until after 5:00, so we each had a lunchtime special...the hot buttered lobster on a roll, with french fries and cole slaw.
I felt pretty good walking around Ikea, but at the end the weight of my shopping bag was starting to pull on my abdominal muscles, which made my stomach start hurting again. I kept getting twinges off and on the ride home and at the restaurant. By the time I dropped Lynne off and drove home, my stomach was back where it was yesterday. So, as I promised Lynne and Sandy, I called the doctor and told them I wanted a CT scan. Of course that was 3pm and now it's after 8pm and no one has called me back, so I guess I'll call again tomorrow. Hopefully I can get scanned tomorrow or Saturday and they can figure out what the hell this is.
I have a feeling and so does Lynne and Carol that this may be adhesions. It does feel like my stomach or something near is is very inflamed. Of course Bubbles and Rocky manage to jump on me and land on the worst spot for pain. Not fun.
The good news I got yesterday was that my latest CA 125 test showed that my cancer level dropped even more...to THREE! YAY!! I am three away from my goal of zero...which most people say can't be accomplished.
We were supposed to go to the Woodstock Fair tomorrow...I guess those plans are foiled by my abdomen...oh well...it was going to be expensive anyway.
I'm going to enjoy the moon tonight and the sun tomorrow. And maybe fit a CT scan in the schedule.
Nighty night!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Rainy Saturday
Went to Megan's 5oth birthday party today. Saw Pam, Robin, Karen and Sharon, Scott and Val and Megan, of course. Oh...and Laura Jutras, daughter of my old pal, Anne Champeau of Chapman Street. I write that for Maria's benefit.
Had a good time, but got very tired and came home early. It's been a busy week, with the beach and boogey boarding on Wednesday and going down to Jean's on Thursday and Friday. Sandy was off several days this week, so we got to do things.
We went to the movies to see Harry Potter one day...I forget if that was this week or last! Huh. Anyway, it was good. We hadn't been to the movies since that last Die Hard movie! Long time.
The beach was awesome...again, it had been a few years since we went to the beach. The waves were great for boogey boarding and we got some good rides. Carol came with us and we all agreed it was a great day. She and Mark came over for pizza that night and we had a good evening visiting and watching the game.
While we were enjoying ourselves, someone was breaking into the house down the street where the older couple live. They go out every Wednesday night from 6-8 for dinner and someone knows that...they broke in and took weird stuff....47 cans of tuna included! Who the hell has 47 cans of tuna or KNOWS the exact amount?
We are going to start a neighborhood watch for sure now. We lock our doors, even when we're home and we keep the windows locked at night. I think we are pretty safe...we have the alarm system, plus the dogs, plus the fact that we don't work regular hours...it's tough to say when we are going to be away from the house...plus we don't have alcohol in the house--that's another thing they are after---wine and hard liquor.
One house had something like 65 bottles of hard liquor taken...now who the hell has that much booze in their house? Somehow these thieves know what's in there. They aren't taking electronics though. Booze, jewelry and prescription drugs...those are the common items taken. They even left coins that were lying around in one house and a coin collection in this last place that they broke into. Odd.
So, work one day next week, out to Ikea and to Lenny and Joe's with Lynne on Thursday and to see the doctor (DiSilvestro's partner) on Wednesday. Friday there's something going on too...oh, Sandy may be off and we may go to the Woodstock Fair. Saturday is Richard and David's wedding picnic. Sunday I'm watching Janet's dogs while she is in Maine, so I may spend some time over there.
The time should fly.
Sox are beating Toronto (again) with Bucholtz spinning a beauty on the mound. Great game. Gonna go watch it.
Nighty night.
Had a good time, but got very tired and came home early. It's been a busy week, with the beach and boogey boarding on Wednesday and going down to Jean's on Thursday and Friday. Sandy was off several days this week, so we got to do things.
We went to the movies to see Harry Potter one day...I forget if that was this week or last! Huh. Anyway, it was good. We hadn't been to the movies since that last Die Hard movie! Long time.
The beach was awesome...again, it had been a few years since we went to the beach. The waves were great for boogey boarding and we got some good rides. Carol came with us and we all agreed it was a great day. She and Mark came over for pizza that night and we had a good evening visiting and watching the game.
While we were enjoying ourselves, someone was breaking into the house down the street where the older couple live. They go out every Wednesday night from 6-8 for dinner and someone knows that...they broke in and took weird stuff....47 cans of tuna included! Who the hell has 47 cans of tuna or KNOWS the exact amount?
We are going to start a neighborhood watch for sure now. We lock our doors, even when we're home and we keep the windows locked at night. I think we are pretty safe...we have the alarm system, plus the dogs, plus the fact that we don't work regular hours...it's tough to say when we are going to be away from the house...plus we don't have alcohol in the house--that's another thing they are after---wine and hard liquor.
One house had something like 65 bottles of hard liquor taken...now who the hell has that much booze in their house? Somehow these thieves know what's in there. They aren't taking electronics though. Booze, jewelry and prescription drugs...those are the common items taken. They even left coins that were lying around in one house and a coin collection in this last place that they broke into. Odd.
So, work one day next week, out to Ikea and to Lenny and Joe's with Lynne on Thursday and to see the doctor (DiSilvestro's partner) on Wednesday. Friday there's something going on too...oh, Sandy may be off and we may go to the Woodstock Fair. Saturday is Richard and David's wedding picnic. Sunday I'm watching Janet's dogs while she is in Maine, so I may spend some time over there.
The time should fly.
Sox are beating Toronto (again) with Bucholtz spinning a beauty on the mound. Great game. Gonna go watch it.
Nighty night.
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