Wednesday came and went

We are enjoying the current break.  I can't figure out how we had time for chemo and the down days after, we seem to be very busy these days. It is still hard feel like taking a break is a good thing when it comes to fighting this cancer so I try to do my three jobs: eat, maybe a little better these days, drink lots of water and exercise.  Trying to walk more since that is something I can control.  I lost some of my routine so have to think hard to call on my minions to continue their work and do my guided imagery. Every so often I look in the mirror and let my fuzzy head (not to mention my neuropathy) remind me that I still have cancer and need to rally mind, body and spirit in defense of my body.Your support continues to buoy my spirit.  Next update after CT scan and visit to Dr Dan Wednesday June 29th.

We helped Sue's cousin Nancy unpack after her June 1 move to Hudson.  We were pooped.  She is settled in now.  She is still trying to figure out where we put things and is waiting for pictures to be put on the walls.  She seems happy and all her relatives are happy that she lives closer to us.

Mary McDougall's niece and niece's husband are comedic/physical theater performers who did a show at the Ordway during the Flint Hills Children's Festival.  Called "Air play" they worked with fans and body comedy to create a show with balloons, umbrellas, kites, confetti and fabrics as air sculptures that was entertaining for big and little kids.  Not sure whether is was more fun to watch the show or her parent's and the children in the audience whose faces lit up over and over again.

Other things to keep us busy:  Two Lynx home games and now 11 straight wins to open the season, a WNBA record.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid at the Children's Theater was lots of fun.  We met up with Carolyn Levy and Sheldon Berkowitz, Kim Koeppen, Mark Olson, Jeff and Lisa Post, Toni Holweger and Kae Lovaas for a variety of meals--breakfasts lunches and dinner.  We met Jeff and Lisa at the St Croix casino in Turtle Lake and 10 minutes at the penny slots netted Nancy $100.  Not bad for a $3.00 investment.  We had fun at Kelly Keil's graduation party (with photo booth) but are sad that the Keils are moving to Georgia.  We look forward to seeing them when they are back in town for visits.

Marjorie and Franck were here from France for two days on their way to Seattle.  Marjorie is Nancy's cousin and Franck is her husband.  His daughter, Emma,  spent a year with Scott and Debbie for her final year of high school.  We had a delightful visit.

Throw in a few massages, walks and work on trying to get the pool up and running for one last summer and we find ourselves busy and tired.  It is all good, and I am grateful to be busy and tired because we are doing things instead of tired from chemo.  Here's hoping for a long break.

Minnesota stands with Orlando

Yosemite and chemo break

So as we drove to chemo today I said, "I really don't want to do this today."  Sue says, "be careful what you wish for."  Dr Dan says, "I think we should take a break."  So there you have it, no chemo today.  I hit 63 so the number has hit a plateau.  And I finally developed side effects that he does not want to increase in intensity by continuing the chemo.  So I am healing from chemo for how ever long I can hold the disease at bay and then we will try the next thing, which could be this chemo again.  My job is to exercise.  For now I can get stronger, lose my numbness in my feet and hands, the new side effect, get my taste buds back to normal,and maybe eat ice cream soon as the cold sensitivity completely wears off.  The next CT and blood work  are in a month, Japan is in 6 weeks.    Here is what I wrote a couple of weeks ago....A little nervous about what is next.  Eventually in two weeks or 6 I will stop chemo and let my body rest and recoup,  It is hard to imagine not continuing the chemo fight. I will have to rely on my three jobs, eat, drink, exercise and the guided imagery, yoga, healing touch and support of friends and family to keep the positive momentum going.

I have been nervous about stopping at 10 or 12.  Once Dr Dan figured out I was nervous about stopping at all vs when I stopped he went full speed ahead with stopping now.  He is very comfortable with how well the chemo has worked and that a break will be a good thing for being able to tolerate the next step.  With the extra week after the last chemo I have already gained some energy.  Looking forward to a trip to MI, and visits from Peter and Gisele, my cousin Marjorie and husband Franck and Scott and Debbie, all before Japan.  

Last weeks trip to Yosemite....

Yosemite. We made it. We are traveling!!!

Up early with great anticipation for this first trip in many months (7).  We were greeted in our driveway by the fawn many of you saw on our face book page. She came to see us and mom eventually looked for her and saw us and ran down the hill. We moved to the bottom of the driveway to wait for Deb and Jim to pick us up. We did see mom again but trust she circled back to find her baby. She was so young that her legs were wobbly.  What a treat. 

No long lines at the airport and were at the gate when they announced discounted first class upgrades. We liked that idea. The trip out was gently turbulent but nice to be in first class. Nancy slept but woke up for the fresh baked warm chocolate chip cookies. Hooray for Sun Country.  Picked up our high off the groundToyota 4runner. It did not come with an included step stool so this group of four shorter folks comments every time we get in and out. Sue falls out, no graceful exit or entry. Jim has been driving, we are grateful.  We stayed outside the park and had a good dinner at the brew pub---yea Mac and cheese!!!  Breakfast at the local spot Pete's and we were off to Yosemite. No plans so we just kept driving. 

Today (Tuesday) was alternately sunny, cloudy, drizzly and foggy. We managed to capture the mood and the view of this gorgeous park. We did the valley loop stopping often to marvel at the scenery.  Unfortunately Mariposa grove is closed for the season to build boardwalks to protect the shallow root systems of the redwoods, apparently our collective enthusiasm for visiting this area comes with consequences. The glacier point road is closed for weather, snow and ice and an incoming storm. We are hopeful it will be open before we go on Friday. So we have seen Yosemite falls, Bridal Veil falls, El Capitan and Half Dome. We stopped in the valley village for requisite shopping and lunch. A wrong turn took us to Yosemite lodge so we explored there-- quite the beautiful old hotel--we love national park lodges. This one is full of Native American artifacts and beautiful Native design stain glass windows. One room has two fireplaces each the size of a small room.

We finished and headed back to our Big Trees Lodge to check in and collapse. On the way we stopped to take one last photo where ansel Adams took his first brownie camera shot of the valley. 

Our hotel is the oldest hotel in the park, we were warned to take everything out of the car to avoid vandalism by the local bears...

Wednesday and the sun is shining.  We head off to the valley again to explore Bridal Veil and Yosemite falls and other pull off short walks.  We arrived early so the crowds were at a minimum, unlike yesterday afternoon when the parking lots were packed.  We hiked up to the Bridal Veil falls and got appropriately wet and cold from the mist. Quite lovely.  Then off to Swinging Bridge (which does not swing) where we walked out to have a new perspective on the valley--views were stunning in the bright sunshine.  Next stop Yosemite falls. Walked into the lower falls and then upper falls.  Deb and Nancy spotted a sunny bench for our picnic lunch which we were smart enough to buy earlier in the morning when the deli lines were short.  Our plan was to drive out to a sequoia grove but discovered that Glacier Point road was open--off we went.  Up the twisty, turny road with snow on the side of the road.  Stopped at one overlook and enjoyed the view with clouds rolling in.  We made it up to the point and hiked out to sounds of thunder--didn't stop us or anyone else.  Great view, though we liked the first look out a bit more.  Back to the car, and headed down the hill as the rains came in. Back to the hotel for a late afternoon rest. 
Then up into the Valley (Nancy driving) thru the longest tunnel in California to watch the sunset on El Capitan and Half Dome. It was fun to see the fog  roll into the valley and the shadows on the mountains.  Stopped on the way home to see more sunset and look for the ghost bear which Nancy thought she had spotted. Log or Rock bear. Shoot!

Thursday we headed outside Yosemite Park to see Sierra National Forest see a stand of Sequoia trees. We  had debated driving to Sequoia National Park but the 3 1/2 hour drive one way just was too much.The forest road  took us up into the mountains and was much closer. We noticed a few wild flowers on the roadside but kept heading up. Then off the paved road into the forest we went. We found the interpretive center at a camp ground where we set off on a hike to see the last standing Sequoia that was 2700 years old, 247.31 ft high and 84 ft around. 



Then on to another trail. Here we saw lots of Sequoias. Hike was up hill and our necks got tired from looking up.
What a great hike. Then down we came to make a drive into town to repeat mac and cheese. But with the morning sun all the wild flowers  popped open so the drive was lovely. We kept seeing new orange flowers but none near pull outs so no pics. We did get pics of many others.

Back to our place to relax and pack for Friday's departure.

Up early again today to have a nice breakfast with a sweet wait person from the Dominican Republic.
She charmed us all. Check out and hit the road to exit the park. It is a new adventure because we had entered in the South Gate and we are now leaving the West Gate. Oh, It is Nancy's birthday. Her birthday wish was to stop and buy a National Parks Senior Pass. The world's greatest bargain. But alas before we can do that we must see gorgeous scenery, wild flowers and waterfalls. Ho Hum, another gorgeous day in the Yosemite neighborhood. 

A stop and Nancy had her pass and a Yosemite birthday t shirt. HOORAY!

On the way to the airport. A misadventure trying to find lunch. No lunch and we better head off. Birthday cupcakes with a iPhone candle. Wishes work just the same.
Easy pass thru security, lunch and an on time flight. Home to find beautiful birthday flowers from Mel, Jacques and Eva in Brussels.  Off to bed by 1AM.
Nancy was exhausted but loved every minute of it. Walked an average of 4 miles a day. Sue 
is also exhausted and she does not have cancer!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the new puzzles, Peg and Edie and the shirt, Jill.

 

Just so you know we weren't slacking before Yosemite--We went to two retirement parties--Jenny Keil from Hamline and Mary Margaret Smith from St Catherine's.  Congratulations to both and we enjoyed both parties.  We had fun at a Minnesota Jewish Theater  Company benefit with a pirate theme.  The speaker is a salvager who discovered a pirate ship off Cape Cod.  Fascinating story.  We got a Lynx game which was fun.  And we spent three days in Madison helping Sue's cousin Nancy pack for her move to Hudson. Also met an old friend there for breakfast. We will go to Hudson this afternoon to help Nancy unpack.....Had to head home early from Madison to attend a funeral for Ralph Jewell, our good friend Kae Lovaas's husband.  He was the sweetest man and will be missed by many.

Yosemite wildflowers......