The big 60! Not quite 45 but still on the way.

So I learned something new today.  I asked about the liver tumors that my latest CT said are stable or slightly shrinking in size.  I asked if they were stubborn and learned that the cancer cells can be killed but it takes a long time for the cells to be removed from the body and some may stay and some scarring may stay.  My pancreas tumor shrank from 3.2 x 2.2 to 2.0 x  1.3.  Sounds good to me.  The important thing is the CEA and its continued trend down to 60.  So still looking for 45 and then 3.  This is treatment 9 of a possible 12.  As long as there are no new cumulative side effects or a plateau I am hoping to do all 12.  Then we rest and watch and go to Japan.  Not sure what comes after that besides CT tests every two months and maybe blood tests every two weeks.  Those are questions for the next visit. Thanks Jill for my "45" shirt.  I was so excited once I figured out what it meant!

A story.  So in 2005 I went to Nambia with a group of educators.  Along the way we found choc-kits
cookies. They were so good.  I kept a box top in my desk drawer to remind me of what they were called.  Every time we went to Africa I looked for them, no luck in the countries we visited.  Every so often I would check online to see if I could order them from somewhere.  No luck until a few weeks ago and I am now the proud owner of 6.5 boxes of choc-kits.  Oatmeal cookies with white chocolate filling.....1.5 boxes are gone and I am pleased that they taste as good as I remember even with my goofed up taste buds.  I think I will save the last box for when I have my taste buds back and see if they are even better.

My hair is growing, not a lot, but enough.  No color yet.

I did another puzzle, with some help from Mary and Co after they helped us take off the pool cover.
Somehow we moved from calling contractors to fill it in to opening it.  We decided we will be here more this summer and swimming would be good exercise for us both.  The water was clear when we opened it--after two years, with much sediment on the bottom. Some algae is building upon now but that will go away with a dose of chlorine. Valley pool came out to officially open it and get everything running yesterday and tomorrow we hopefully have someone vacuuming the stuff off the bottom, though it is supposed to be cold.

I had a much better recovery this time than last.  I was tired and lethargic much of the previous two weeks.  I decided to eat mac and cheese for breakfast for a week and I have to assume that helped--a bit of protein to start the day. And hot chocolate, some all important carbs.  I have a new side effect.  Dr Dan calls them zingers.  I called them puffs of air but they surge through my feet and are gone.  I notice them a lot when driving or sitting in theater chairs.  They are odd and feel funny but that is about it on them.  Dr Dan continues to be amazed at how I am handling chemo that should be much more difficult.   I continue to be grateful and appreciative and do not take any of it for granted.  I attribute much of it to your thoughts prayers and good wishes.

Two week update.  We are in the midst of the bathroom remodel.  It is looking good and shower tile should be done today.  Then the fixtures, tub, vanity and sink, toilet, mirror and shelving got installed and Mark come s to paint.  Our favorite part of any project.  Scott Debbie and Emma (French cousin doing a year of high school in Seattle) come the weekend after next so they may have a rigged shower curtain but hopefully the rest will be done.

Movie review:  The Boss--don't go see it.

Theater review:  We saw the first half of "C" at Theater Latte Da, a musical Cyrano de Burgerac. Nancy was pretty tired at the 9:30 intermission and though we enjoyed the first half and the singing we gave into the tiredness and headed home.

Music Review:  One Voice Mixed Chorus is a local LGBTA choir that our friend Colleen sings in.  We go to most all of the shows, not out of obligation, but because they are a good choir and do different things with each show.  This time featured  Taiko drummers.  Traditional Japanese drumming for ceremonies and celebrations. Three strong, musical, and graceful women captivated the audience.  The concert featured new songs and some world premieres.  It is fun when the songs really showcase the range and musical abilities of the choir members.

3-D multi media

Tibetan prayer flags from movie

Art Review:  Colleen was our docent for the Discovering American Art Now exhibit at the MIA.  An eclectic collection of contemporary American artists, many of them women and many using multi materials to create a targeted snapshot of their world.  We throughly enjoyed it and will go back to spend more time absorbing the sense of story each piece portrays.

Floor Flocking, Dirt

The textile center on University had two shows, one was an installation of flocking using dirt and other media to create lace like designs on the floor, tables and shelving.  It was fascinating.  The other was of baskets, traditional style, which were gorgeous and then free style with beads, curves, open shapes sometimes resembling shells.  This is was took me to the center in the first place and I was not disappointed.

Mary and Colleen's Rotary club has a roses fund raiser so we drove Colleen around one afternoon while she delivered roses.  We came home with a gift of a dozen for us and then took a dozen to Gerrie when we met her for lunch.  They have been beautiful in our kitchen.  After canceling my last lunch date with Tamara Root from Hamline days.  Sue joined us and we had a good meal at Colassal in St Anthony Park.  It was fun to talk about art, travel and just catch up.

Big news for Sue's family.  Her cousin Nancy who lives in Madison is moving to Hudson to be closer to family, her son Darin, cousin Kim and Lin and us.  We are all thrilled that she will be close by and that we will be able to visit more often and more easily.  She found, much to her surprise, an independent living to assisted living facility that "felt like home."  They had a an opening and she is moving June 1.  We will all be busy in May.  We will go down for a few days to help sort and pack some things.  While she was up here for the weekend we enjoyed a family dinner at Darin's and a good time was had by all.

We attended two sessions of a healing touch series.  The first actually was talking about surviving cancer and using healing touch and guided imagery as tools.  The second was techniques of healing touch.  It was interesting and inspired both of us to want to learn more about the power of positive thinking and use of energy in healing.  We had hoped to go next week to learn about healing touch with animals but have other plans.

71.6 on the way to 45

Still holding 45 as a goal, but 71.6 is going in the right direction.  Dan keeps saying the trend in the direction is the important part, not necessarily the number.  I'm still headed for 45.  I really expected him to say 45 and I would have been totally blown away.  Sue thought it would be up because I had a harder time with being tired and lethargic for at least 10 days versus the usual week.  Guess those minions work even in the toughest conditions.  Sticking with the same dose this week and then if it is hard again he may cut the dose next time.  I told him that even as this time was different from others it is all manageable and for that I continue to be very grateful.

So we still did stuff, Sue keeps us rocking out as best she can:  Thursday with chemo in tow we went to see the Janis Joplin musical at the Ordway.  The actress was a cross between my cousin Marjorie and Janis Joplin, kind of a surreal combination.  Great show, music, story and tremendous blues backup singers as part of the story of Janis's inspiration.  Pump out on Friday April fools day and we enjoyed a dinner with Deb and Jim who were in town for the weekend.  Shared my cheesecake with Deb who said it was delicious.  I think my taste buds are goofed up--the cheesecake tasted like it should be delicious but I wasn't really sure and since then sugars have not tasted like anticipated.  I am in a bit of a crisis over this.

We are purging, had fun going through travel folders and throwing away old receipts and and most of the tickets for entry to museums and such while keeping and going through the itineraries and postcards and assorted books.  We will go through them again to enjoy our travels.  That took the whole weekend.  Monday, Sue got a massage and Nancy went to Tiffanys.  The diamond on Nancy's wedding ring fell out again.  They replaced it Jan and said to come back in June to have it serviced and checked/polished.  Didn't make it.  I told them to fill it in since it didn't seem to be working.  Not sure what I will get back.  Lucky for me I did not have to go to the dentist but Sue did that on Tuesday and I got to rest.  I have to wait for 6 weeks after chemo to be able to go to the dentist.  We finally got to see "Hello my name is Doris" with Sally Fields and Tyne Daly.  While the critics panned it, we thought it was quite good.  Sally played an eccentric older woman who falls in love with a 30+ colleague in her office.  It is clever and entertaining.

Loaves and Fishes with Rotary

We finally got to have lunch with our friend Gerrie and then that evening went to volunteer at Loaves and Fishes.  We do this with a local Rotary club to which we do not belong.  We join them for volunteer activities and really appreciate the opportunity to serve others.  Rotary does many good things for many people locally and around the world.  Sue said if she ever got her sleeping hours right  she might join--but breakfast meetings at 7 are not so easy when you stay up until 1 or 2am.  We are glad they include us, in spite of our non-membership.  The people we have met and worked with from there make the experience all the better.

The ACC show was in town.  (American Craft Council).  "Should we skip it this year, we don't need anything--but it is such a nice show"  One wooden sculpture of a bald headed smiling/laughing that reminds us of Nancy.  It even has the same little spot on it's forward.  And a few other small treasures.  So be it for needing nothing and not going.  After that we went across to the Science Museum to see the National Parks Omni Theater movie.  Not as good as it could have been but fun none the less.  No wonder I was tired.....

Another art show Saturday--earrings were the the big purchase and a scarf.  Tried to buy art from someone we like there but he has changed his colors and they just didn't grab us this year.    Went down to Eden Prairie shopping center to buy new  3 time World Champion Lynx shirts. Season starts in 30 days. Mary and Co came over for a nice ham dinner and several rounds of cribbage.  Nancy and Co were victorious. Lunch with Mary Margaret and Phyllis at Baker's square.  Phyllis was in the mood for cherry pie.  They brought me a great "spring" hat to add to the collection.  Sue said I was making a funny face, so I did and she took the picture anyway, but I love the hat.  Nancy got to rest on Monday on the massage table--felt good.  We went to see "Eye in the Sky" with Helen Mirren.  Good movie, suspenseful right from the start and straight through.  Thoughtful about modern warfare ethics in making military decisions.  Critics call it gripping, it was.

Lunch with Cathy Wick on Tuesday, we have not seen each other for a long time so it was great to catch up and pick up right where we left off.  She gave me a Rosie the Riveter puzzle (50) piece so quickly done and the sentiment is perfect.  And on top of all of this there is the guest bathroom remodel--boom, boom, boom.  They are hopefully taking out the cast iron tub today while we are not there.  Poor Jessie (the cat) is home alone with them and will be looking for a place to hide to escape the noise.  She will be glad to see us.

Jessie is one of my greatest supporters, following me into the bathroom, purring, sleeping on my legs by the hot water bottle, purring some more and walking on my head in the middle of the night, purring all the time. Her favorite though is nap time when she sleeps between my legs, after prerequisite purring.  She lets me know it is treat time when I come down in the morning and rolls over so I can give her a belly rub before she kneads my sneakers.  She has become more vocal and more connected and I love her dearly for it.  Lest anyone wonder if she really is a cat--she can also be a pest...

Not sure how to make sense of the tiredness I had given all that we ended up doing.  I think that instead of there being a few things, rest and a few more in a day, there were just the few and the rest.  I saw a lot of couch time.  I keep trying to positive and this week just saying 45 put a little smile on my face.  But it also is hard hoping that the treatment is working for the two weeks while waiting for verification down the road.  I fell behind on my exercising this past two weeks so that will be a goal going forward to keep that up.  70 degrees tomorrow will help.  Somedays for a little while I can forget that I have cancer, when my energy is up, I am eating something that tastes good-like mac and cheese-or we are doing something distracting.  Then something stops me in my tracks, tears for no reason, jumping in the shower and my head is still bald so there is no hair to wash, urgent need for a nap....and then I just say to Sue, "I really don't want to have cancer any more."  Not exactly an option so we acknowledge that idea and figure out how to go on with the day.  I am fortunate that I am not in pain, that the 5 pounds I loose the week after chemo, I gain back the next week, that mac and cheese and hot chocolate still taste good, that I continue to tolerate the chemo and that it keeps working.  I am asking my minions to love my cancer tumors to death--and to 45.

 This creation by me from a gift from Lisa and Jeff. It is called a zentangle.  My 45 is hidden in there.

Go 45!!!!!!!!!!

Still making progress

Waited till this morning to get the test results and my now favorite CEA number.  I thought last time that Dan was expecting I might be ready to plateau but fortunately my CEA went from 109 to 86--so I get to keep doing this chemo thing.  Funny what you end up being happy about.   I had been targeting 45 in my head so will keep that imagery going this week.  Anyone who wants to help--think 45.  I know I can think 0 but I am taking it in small steps.  I told Dan last week that I at least wanted to break 100.  CEA measures the amount of protein given off by cancer cells.  Less protein, less cells--Things keep moving in the right direction. Go minions go, they do good work.

Had a weepy morning--anticipation or tired or just because.  Kirsty, today's nurse told me stories about her puppies to get me going and lunch helped.  After 7 visits I finally discovered warm water in the lobby so I can still drink after the cold sensitivity chemo, that is a big help.  We started late today.  I guess on regular days I am too tired to be upset and just sleep walk into getting going on the chemo.  The day of chemo is not so bad, one of the drugs starts making me feel that something is coming into my body but not in the same way that the take home chemo does.  I think the anticipation is more about that part of the chemo then the in clinic time.  It is a two day out of body experience in your body,  steady and constant and you just have to wait it out.  Thursday night we are going to a Janis Joplin play at the Ordway.  Distractions are good.

Last week was hard-our friend Kim Koeppen's husband, Steve, passed away. Kim was my rock at Hamline and was always good for conversation, good perspective, great ideas and a good laugh every now and again.  We still get together for coffee on a semi regular basis and I look forward to those times.  She stopped by on Monday and we talked about Steve, cancer, which took Steve, futures, teaching, Salli, her 13 year old, and things that can make you laugh.  Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair.   It was nice to connect with several Hamline colleagues at the funeral--it is a good group of people.

So many of you have probably noticed that there is no hair color yet, Sue is sure about the idea and I have not gone to any shops with the advice I received from many of you.  My hairs are choosing to grow at different speeds, so I do have one hair that is about 2 inches long.  Some have suggested a bow and I have considered a haircut, but to date no action has been taken.

Scott and I finished a puzzle before he went and I have not done any since.  We have pulled out all our boxes with travel souvenirs, itineraries, postcards, money and have been sorting out the things to toss and things to save.  Fun memories, and once sorted we will look through each trip and enjoy the memories more thoroughly.  The kitchen counter is covered....Our other house project was to go through books, at least 10 boxes have made their way out the door so far with more yet to come.

After chemo--so I get attached to my ball and we collect our supplies which make it look like we planned to stay a month. We closed the place down so the clinic gates were down and we had to find the back entrance. I decide to walk to the car instead of getting picked up...unprepared, mittens are in my pocket so not on my hands so that I can cover my face.  Cold sensitivity on the nose--feels like I walked through a spider web, just on my nose and it does not rub off.  Hand warmer and mittens on my nose in the car bring things back to normal.  Home to the couch with Jessie, mac and cheese for dinner, watch a few tv shows and off to bed.  Rousing evening at the Albrecht-Desmond household.  Fitbit showed 729 steps at home after chemo, did not think to walk in the morning with my extra time.

We kept busy over the last two weeks.  Zootopia was fun and a good distraction from last chemo, another women's bball game, unfortunately they lost, but Rachel Banham made first team all american, took several walks outside on warmer days, tried to see My Name Is Doris but it was sold out so we went shopping at fleet farm and Costco.  After wearing the same two pairs of jeans for 7 months I added a new pair of levis to my collection of jeans that fit and found a pair of capris and a nice t-shirt.

On the  social scene I unfortunately missed a lunch with Tamara since I was not feeling well.  Sue went to the restaurant to let her know and they had a nice visit.  I am glad they finally got to meet and next time Tamara will come here so we can share travel stories--our travels and hers to Japan where she goes often.  We got together with Lois, Jan, Betty and Kathleen, folks we have known for 30+ years.  I taught with Betty at Burnsville and would not have survived those early years with out her guidance, smile and encouragement that we were on the right path. It was wonderful to catch up and just chat and eat the evening away.  I met Anne Bartel for lunch, one of my first practicum teachers when I was studying at the U--so another 30+ year connection--another good time of eating and chatting, we wave at basketball games but don't get to talk often.  We went with Barbara Brooks to dinner and then to "They called her Captain"  a one woman show about her mother's history in the Army, here and abroad.    Her mom is now 95 and sat in front of us at the show, a very sweet story and show.  And for Easter we went to Darin and Mark's, with Kim and Lin, Pat, and Dan and Pat.  Nice gathering of friends and family and delicious food with the ham provided by a pig from Darin's sister.s farm.

Gift highlights:  a minion ball that laughs when you bounce it and digital singing birds that can sing solo or in a trio and have songs that can be dow
nloaded--there is an app for that.

 Backyard turkey doing a bit of a mating dance, a sure sign of spring.

My doc says I am doing well, I tell him I have a lot of support.

Scott is here this week so he has accompanied me to chemo.  He is reading the paper and I am obviously writing the blog.  We just talked about how grateful we are that I can tolerate this chemo so well and that I can continue to get it as it continues to do it's thing.  My CEA number when down again and that keeps everyone happy.  I asked about how we decide how many more chemo sessions there are and Dr Dan said that at some point the numbers will plateau and then we would consider stopping.  This is number 2 of my anticipated last 4-6 sessions.  I asked about even doing 8 but I think he suspects a plateau will happen before that.  My understanding is that 8 would be the limit.  Everyone is still surprised as how well I tolerate the chemo, I just keep being very thankful.

The Gopher women basketball team is playing in the NIT tournament tonight so we are all headed there for evening entertainment.  I with chemo in tow and a little tiredness from the day.  But it should be fun and I can sleep late tomorrow morning.  Scott found that Rachel Banham, our star is #10 on the NCAA all time scoring record so depending on how many games we play in the NIT she should be moving up that list.  She has been fun to watch this year and we are hoping for a good game tonight. Post Game: Gophers won and it was the Rachel Banham show with Rachel scoring 48 points. Sunday is the next game. She is now the 6th all time NCAA woman's scorer, having passed Maya Moore, Cheryl Miller, Elena Delle Done, Chamique Holdsclaw.

Had a good two weeks.  I am off Metformin pills (taking another pill and insulin instead) for my diabetes and my stomach ailments were less severe throughout the two weeks.  I occasionally think it is funny that I had to get cancer to learn how to spell diarrhea--there is always something new to learn....We are still trying to navigate how to make plans during the first week when my mind is willing to be out and about and my body is stuck like glue to the couch.  Sue is good about being sure we get out and do something, even if just a spin around the grocery store.  Good weather is helping make outings easier and we enjoy Thursday through Tuesday which are near normal days, with a few tired moments or a nap.

So I have a head full of peach fuzz as I like to call it.  I am anxious to dye it pink or blue but as I float that idea I am getting consensus that I may end up with pink or blue dyed skin.  Not the look I am going for.  Does anyone know of a non-permanent idea and/or one that will not turn my head colors.  I may be out of luck but I think, "What's the use of having peach fuzz if no one can see it?"  Sue tells me to let go of the idea and unless someone has a solution for me I will do so....

I got some new hats this week--winter caps from the Daytona Bike Week and cool winter hats with blue tooth speakers in them courtesy of Leonard and Dorothy.  I may try the blue tooth today, keep my head warm and listen to music and sleep all at once.  Sounds like good after lunch behavior.  Edie sent a puzzle book which is a nice distraction.  I finished my pencil jig-saw puzzle and waited for Scott to come before starting another.  We are doing one from Zion National Park.  I collect pins and puzzles when we go to parks.

We have reserved 3 nights at Yosemite in May, a few weeks after the 6th chemo session.  Our friends Deb and Jim will join us.  We are trying to figure out what else to do between there and San Fran for a few more days to make it about a week long trip.  We will fly in and out of SF and drive to Yosemite and where ever else we pick--suggestions?  And the big news, we are booking a trip to Japan.  We found an Africa trip that was oh so tempting, a repeat of 2014 trip and we almost set on that.  We both hesitated and asked Dr Dan.  He said either trip was fine we just needed to have access to reasonable health care if needed.  So we could get that in either place but it just feels easier in Japan.  We found an itinerary we like with Alexander and Roberts with a group size of 16.  https://www.alexanderroberts.com/destination/asia/from-japans-inland-sea-to-the-alps-(1).aspx
I am getting more and more excited about it now that the decision is made and we can be anticipating the trip.  I would not have imagined this past October that we would be planning another trip and it does not escape me that it is 4 months away and I am confident that we will be able to go.  And grateful.

We had a good two weeks:  Jerusalem at the Science Museum in IMAX.  Beautiful scenery and story through the eyes/lives of three young woman.  And we learned some new info, which is now forgotten.  Glad we went.  We took the cast and crew of the Allergist's Wife (the play we produced) some wine to say thank you.  It was great fun to see them and to tell them how much we marveled at the transformation from the first reading to the show.  Hugs all around and a few pictures and they were off to prep for the show.  We stayed to see the first act again and enjoy all the laughs and somehow or other heard a few new lines, can't figure that out...We enjoyed dinner before this with Phyllis and Mary Margaret.  Always good to see them and catch up on family, doings at MM's work and of course to do a little political conversation.  Fun night. Had some hints of Spring, pulled out a few chairs on the deck and though you can't see her, Jessie cat loves to hang out there with us--it was70 degrees!

Sunday we saw Gypsy at Theater Latte Da, another local theater with outstanding performances.  The role of Rose, the mom,  was played by an incredible actress very well suited to the role, her voice filled the theater.  We went to see "The Lady in the Van" with Maggie Smith.  Great movie.  Our friend Sylvia recommended it and boy was she right.  Also attended a members only night for the Lynx, toured the practice facilities and locker in the new Mayo Clinic sports center.  Cheryl Reeve, the coach, spoke about the team, the future, the players new and old.  She always talks about them working as a team and the culture of the team that new players want to join and work hard to do so.
Nancy had lunch with Mark from Hamline and he invited Veena along so it was a great catch up time.  Errands, continued paperwork and purging on the other days.  We always appreciate the 3-4 non tired days that come pre chemo.

I have discovered that harder then the chemo day, which is long and boring, is the chemo home infusion.  It makes eating tasteless and just makes my body feel funny for two days as more chemicals drip in.  I go in Friday afternoon to get it disconnected from my port and then I crash.  And I receive my very special $6000 injection--Neulasta to boost my immune system and helps to reduce the risk of infection.  Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the cost.  You can see ads for it on tv, but they don't mention the cost.

Special treat this week was the arrival of a "Super Luke" jar.  When he was 6 and and diagnosed with leukemia he took to drawing and they transferred a drawing to a jar.  He recently celebrated his last chemo, is cancer free and has been one of my inspirations since my journey began.  The jar is going to be my Random Acts of kindness jar.  I will either fill it with names and draw one, or pick a name and write it down to put in the jar once I send an email or make a call or...

 




Chemo day seems to be a good day to write so look for  an update in two weeks... Happy St Patrick's day.

Let's do the Happy Dance!!

Found out on Friday that my scan was improved but did not know till today what that meant:  No new tumor spots and the tumors that are then are shrinking. AND the tumor marker that was going down went down again from 160 to 116.  Yea!!  see me dancing in my chemo bed??!!  

So I have four treatments under my belt and he would like to to 4-6 more, normal course is up to 12 but they stop before that, not sure what all the determining factors are except tolerance.  He said after the last chemo we take monthly blood tests and scans every two months to see what is going on.  If it holds at bay for a good amount of time we can try chemo again when the tumors start to grow again.  I  The longer the better since it means the first round of chemo really worked well and might do so again.  Shorter means we would look at something else cause the cancer was probably still growing.  I asked about trials and other options and making contacts now.  He said it is too early and the next best thing will be different by the time I need it.

We talked about trips to AZ and Yosemite, he said go anytime now.  After the last chemo he said 6 weeks and then plan a real trip, now we just need to figure out where to go....

This is almost too much for me to take in.

Last week I wrote about chemo getting harder.  It is helpful to know that even as it is hard it is working.  That will help this week.  Waiting for the CT test and results was hard last week.  The rest of the times when I am not waiting for scans I just keep thinking about the minions doing their work and now Kung Fu Panda gets involved sometimes--it all becomes routine, finding out if it is working or not sets off anticipation emotions and those can be all over the map.  Here is what I wrote earlier.

" Either chemo is getting harder or I just don't remember what it is like from one time to the next.  I do remember last time wondering if I would be out of the funk by the time my family came so maybe it was hard then too.  I like to think that I have a good week to come, Wednesday to Wednesday but this time is pushing new limits, we will see how today goes.

I want to tell my doc that now I look like someone on Folfirinox, losing weight, diarrhea, and vomiting.  Whatever chemo symptom honeymoon I was on, it is now over.  It makes is harder to do my three jobs, drink water, eat, exercise.  But I am trying to do what I can each day and Sue is working hard to keep me on track with all three.  "

By Thursday I was feeling better and had several good days before returning today.  As the next chemo rounds are this hard--which in the scheme of things is not so bad, or harder I will look to the kids I know and others doing similar work.  Super Luke and Avery, two kids both fighting cancer and doing it with great determination.  Our great-nephew Gabrielle who from his time of his birth has been fighting lissencephaly, a rare brain disease.  And a shout out to Steve (not a kid) at Mayo--get those electrolytes in order.  And as a reminder of life, we welcome Takunda's new baby brother Tenaka.

For fun:  We got to see our play.  What a treat especially to be at the first reading and then see the characters and relationships come to life.  The play was transformed by the performances and set/costume design.  Hats off the the fine cast and crew.

SCADUSCH.  We went to see Kung Fu Panda 3.  A little different quality than the play.  Fun none the less and a good counter to the week I was having.  I can still see him striking a pose to fight, it is a good one and comes in handy every so often.  And then Eddie the Eagle--looking for upbeat, not cinematic excellence.  What fun and a feel good movie as was needed.  Still on the list--the Revenent, Room, Brooklyn and The Lady in the Van.  Which reminds me--Downton Abbey ends this week-what a bummer.

An art show at the Landscape Arboretum was a nice way to get out for the evening, the orchids in the lobby were gorgeous.  Bought one outside decoration for our patio table, a stained glass flower.  Stopped at Eden Prairie Mall to shop at Von Mauer--a nice alternative to Nordstroms and Macys.
Breakfast with Deb and Jim--great to see them but wish it were on their boat in Florida instead.  Sue and Mary went to the MN vs #5 Ohio State women's basketball game--overtime win.  Sad lose to Maryland but looking forward to the Big 10 tourney this weekend.

Other than that we continue our purges, one shelf, drawer or cabinet at a time. Feels good to do it but it is a long road. Nancy has a puzzle going, it is all pencils lined up in rows from top to bottom.  And we are working with Darin and Mark on plans to remodel the guest bathroom.  They will do the demolition while we are away on a short trip.  Scott comes for the next round of chemo for a week--he is now retired so can come anytime.  He is trying to come here once a month and we love having him here. And I am lucky to continue getting new gifts--a Nancy drew book cover puzzle, to go with a purse I had, and a Georgetown hat.  I get a little grief for it being from Georgetown but it is the school of Mr Cal Rohde, swimmer extraordinaire and so I am proud to wear it.

Gotta go now, have to start planning our next big traveling journey...it will show up in the blog.

Hip Hip Hooray, It's Chemo day

We found out yesterday that my cancer marker is going down.  It is currently lower than ever.  It measures a protien made by cancer cells so my understanding is that it going down means that the number of those cancer cells is going down.  Way to go Army of Minions fighting my cancer!! And also the doc and nurses and prayers and wishes from everywhere!

We have upped the ante of being here for the day and now come with a rolling suitcase.  We can never figure out what we are going to want to do or eat so we just bring everything, including Sue's pillows.  Rita was willing to pose for a picture today, she has been my chemo nurse for the last three times and keeps me going with her great sense of humor.  I had low blood pressure this morning so they are pumping me with fluids.  I have 3 jobs, eating, drinking and exercising.  I lost 5 pounds so this next week I have to drink and eat even more....and I can't eat ice cream because of my cold sensitivity, maybe chocolate.

Had a fantastic weekend with my family--a weekend of hugs, laughs, talk, tears, smiles, games, puzzles, coloring, watching soccer games on TV and cold weather.  We had a great group of people together who enjoy being together.

Groups began arriving Friday afternoon, Casey (nephew) and Jess (his wife) from Seattle.  Next Scott and Debbie (Brother and sister in law), Will and Drew, their other two sons.  Jamie (niece), her husband Tim and two boys, Brien and Jason from West Chester PA arrived next and then Scott (nephew) and fiancee Leslie arrived from West Chester PA.

Nancy, Scott W, Sue, Jay, Brien, Jamie and Tim

Saturday was Mall of America day for the under 50 crowd and Debbie.  She represented the rest of us over 60.  Some rides and shopping but unfortunately a busy busy day at the mall and lines were long. The very cold weather outside might have had something to do with it.  Home in time to help with the turkey dinner which the boys announced was just like Thanksgiving.  Sunday was game day, puzzle day and coloring book day.  Everyone got into it and just enjoyed hanging around moving from activity to another and one conversation to another.  Casey and Jess had to go back Sunday so we sent them off and missed having them around for the evening.  Scott and Debbie left early Monday with Jamie, Tim and the boys not far behind.  Scott W. and Leslie stayed till Tuesday.  They headed off to REI and the Mall for the afternoon and then joined us at the Gopher Women's basketball game that night.  Started out bad for the gophers and I was worried they would not even be able to make it a good game, not only did they do that, but they caught up and won with the buzzer beater.  Great fun was had by all.

We stopped at the Mall to walk after dropping Scott and Leslie at the airport.  We tried to go to the movies but finally admitted to ourselves that we were beat--naps and TV time in the office were totally in order.

Last week was lunch week--Monday we ate at our "go to" Newport restaurant down the hill with Gerrie, Tuesday we met Lisa and Diane and thoroughly enjoyed the Woodbury Cafe which is a nice new find.  Wednesday Suzi Hagen and Mary Pickard met us the "Day by Day Cafe"  an old favorite in St Paul.  Nice meals and good visits with friends on all three days.  And of course there was a basketball game--we won 101-73, quite a score for a college game!  We had hoped to go to Tech week for the MJTC play but the cold weather kept Nancy inside.  We have not heard about opening weekend but hope it went well and we are looking forward to seeing the play later in the week.  This weekend we see Gypsy at Theater Latte Da, another of our favorite local theater groups.

Typing from my chemo bed so it's time to succumb to drowsiness.  Please know that overall I feeling quite good and plan to keep it that way.  Sending hugs to everyone.

Life is a wild ride.  Enjoy!

Leslie, Scott W., Debbie Back Row

Jess, Casey, Drew and Will

Life is getting pretty routine, with a few quirks along the way.  Chemo makes for strange eating habits.  The other morning it was mac and cheese with hot chocolate for breakfast.  I could probably go on a mac and cheese diet for a while but am trying to get a variety of foods in.  I can eat something at lunchtime and at dinner it doesn't taste good, same happens with drinks.  It is all weird.  Mac and cheese for lunch today-worked perfectly.

We went to a basketball game the other night with Mary and Co, the night after chemo so my cold sensitivity was high.  Sue dropped me off and picked me up as close as possible to the door but by the time I got to the car the cold had gotten into my eyes.  We spent the car ride home thinking of ways to keep my eyes covered.  Ski mask, scuba mask, swim goggles.  We kept coming back to the scuba mask and periodically scuba sound effects could be heard from the back seat.   Lots of good laughter.

Friends Nancy and Liz came out from Connecticut for a few days.  Nancy is a colon cancer survivor so they know the drill.  They were anxious to have a walleye dinner so we went to Tavern on Grand for dinner.  We left them home on chemo day and around 11:00 got a text--"we found the other candy and cookie drawer!"  They seemed to do fine on their own.  The big snow came on Tuesday, Sue and I tried to go to a doc and lab appointment but  turned around and went to the lab close to home and talked to the doc by phone--she was sitting in the dark at her clinic where the power was out--good thing we didn't try to get there.  We had planned to go to the movies but rented the Bridge of Spies instead and had a cozy night in.  It was a nice visit and they were very comfortable being here and going with the flow and non flow of chemo days.  Thanks for good company, conversation,
laughs and hugs.

Sue says the big world news this week is Brett Farve getting into the hall of fame.  Superbowl Sunday is upon us.  We have a neighborhood open house this afternoon to say goodbye to neighbors moving to Denver.  Then Mary and Co will come over for stir fry and Superbowl watching.  Snow may be on it's way, we will wait to see.

The doc says I do not look like a patient on Fulfirinox.  It can be a pretty toxic chemo and I am so far being spared the worst of it.  Prickly fingers and cold sensitivity are the worst for me and steroid ups and downs are confusing.  A little more tired, but I said that last time and then recovered.  Chemo took 5 hours this time,  I slept for about 3 hours.  Sue came armed with pillows to make her chair more comfortable, I don't think it worked.  She watches videos, makes my future appointments, feeds me lunch, plays solitaire and sympathizes with me.  The doc says there is no correlation between the toxicity of the chemo side effects and it's ability to do it's work.  I am keeping all my positive forces engaged to help the chemo do it's thing.

We have a few lunches planned for this week, maybe a visit to tech week for our play--depending on the weather.  My family arrives Friday, there will be 14 of us here, only 4 will stay at the house.  Looking forward to a fun valentines day weekend.  And speaking of Valentines Day a bit early, it is a day about love.  I send you all special love--you have kept me in your thoughts and prayers, sent hugs, pictures, emails and texts. I can feel the energy of friends and family as we navigate this journey.  In return, I send you my love, hugs and good positive energy as you navigate your journey.