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......

 

The elusive 45

My two week chemo cycle starts on Tuesday with a blood test.  That is when we find out about the all important CEA.  No one is worried, me, Dr. Dan and Sue but the CEA went up from 60 to 66.  It could be a blip or a plateau.  We did chemo today, Wednesday, and will see what the CEA does in two weeks.  Dr Dan says this happens and if the number goes down next week we will continue, if not we will decide what to do.  There is no reason to continue if the chemo has done what it can.  Then we wait to see what happens, hopefully a period of non-progression-partial remission.

Thinking this morning about things I did not do before cancer--wear a hat to bed, nap almost daily at 3, eat mac and cheese and hot chocolate for breakfast, drink hot water at restaurants and warm tap water at home, do salt water rinses every night and now in the morning as well, carry around a ball of chemo for two days and nights every two weeks, moan and groan and sigh as often as not, slept with a stuffed polar bear and a heating pad with continued use of the hot water bottle, write a cancer blog, carry around a hand warmer, see my brother every month, stay home, do chemo, give myself shots, say thank you more often, had private yoga lessons and healing touch sessions, use guided imagery which can take me to all the places we have traveled, pictured minions running around in my body disrupting the cancer system dn planning flowers in my pancreas and liver, wake up every morning glad for the next three days and hopeful for the next three years, have a family reunion in MN, been all the more grateful and aware of good friends and their support.

Bouncing back from chemo was slow again this week.  Tired and weepy but that did not stop us very much. Scott and Emma (second cousin from France) were here for the weekend.  We had a great visit.  Turns out Emma loves puzzles too.  We did one and then Emma was keen to start another.  Unfortunately they left that to me to finish.  We all, saw Harvey at the Guthrie with Phyllis and Mary Margaret.  Toured around the cities a bit and met Mary and Colleen for dinner at a Thai restaurant we all enjoyed. Scott and I patched the pool leak and we put chlorine and algaecide in so now we can see the bottom of the pool.  Waiting for some warm weather to vacuum.  We went to Hastings to walk to the locks and did the requisite Mall of America visit and enjoyed Mexican food there.  Emma expanded our restaurant trials, with good results.  She also made a a beautiful pot which will find a special place on a wall.













We enjoyed night at the MN Orchestra to hear/see Pink Martini, thanks to Lisa Anderson and Diane Young.  Steve and Sally Klingel stopped by for lunch.  They live in Florida so we enjoyed catching up with them.  It was a delightful visit.  A healing touch session, lunch with Suzi Hagen and Jan Frisch, and Jenny Keil's retirement open house and a bike fitting rounded out the highlights of the two weeks.

Next chemo is three weeks away, I am anxious to see how the extra week will make me feel, usually I am getting in good shape the weekend before chemo, it will be nice to have a healthy extra week.  We are headed to Madison next week to help Sue's cousin pack for her move to Hudson.  And then Yosemite the next week.

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.