Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Traveling Snaffu's

John and his cousin Allan admiring the ocean
The trip to Florida didn't go as planned!  I worked so hard coordinating with different people and places to Chris cross the state and reconnect with great friends.  What  I didn't plan for got me.  Side Effects!!  Low Resistance and side effects.  After only five days I had to beat a quick retreat back to the safety and comfort of home.  Thank goodness we could change the tickets and get home within a day.  John worked miracles and took good care of getting me back as quickly as possible.

With my cousin and his wife - Dan and Doreen Christensen at Lago Mar
We did get a couple of great visits in around Boca and Fort Lauderdale.  John's (and mine now) friends fro Longmeadow entertained us for three days with their friends, fine dinners, John's cousin, and a trip to the casino to see Paul Anka!   Then we moved on to the Lago Mar in Fort Lauderdale where my folks used to have a condo and had a great dinner with my cousin and his wife.  We also stayed in what was one of the most wonderful rooms I have staid in.  Right ON the beach. - check out the pictures.  It was right about here things started to fall apart as my tummy went crazy and a my lungs turned to a gross sounding hacking cough..  We stuck it out for one more night, but before we could start visiting friends, it was time to retreat.

I called the oncologist who recommended going off the chemo for a couple of days to help me gain strength.  That didn't do much so another doc diagnosed as possible pneumonia and treated it as such - recovery began and I am almost well.  Well enough to have gone back on the chemo.  Still a little gushy about traveling but we will get back on the road soon.

Hopefully, just a blip,  but these blips scare me.


Meanwhile,  Will is starting his new job and setting up his office in Suffield.  All seems very happy there and full of hopefulness.  On another front,  John Anderson, is also making a big move - and I am so proud of him.  He had been talking about looking for  job out East.  When he sent out his resumes he was pleasantly surprised that his education and experience were both well received and quickly.  Before I knew he had written a resume,  he was being flown east for an interview... and he Got the Job!  John will be moving to Boston in two weeks to start a new venture on many fronts.  I will keep you posted!

Sunrise outside our room!

I intend to learn to avoid these cancellations and needs to change plans at the last minute,  because I do NOT intend to stop the traveling and visiting with friends. I hope to make up the time lost from the Florida debacle - and connect with each friend in the near future.  Meanwhile,  we will be heading to Dallas in 10 days to do more celebration of the moments of our lives.  It is not without challenges, but they make the victory that much more savory!


Thursday, March 16, 2017

Happy Day - Good News

Test results are in from the Monday PET scan and it looks like the medication is working!  This is the first scan since the one in December that showed that that regiment had ceased to be effective.  Whahoo!   This pill form of therapy has less side effects and allows more freedom for me - this is all good.  I still have tubby toes - no TUBBY FEET - no ankles and need bigger shoes - some tummy issues,  but nothing to seriously hold me back.  I feel like jumping out of plane again - the exhilaration from good news is close to the same
.

OK - this was a while ago but it's all part of the feeling of celebration.

The mental games that go on with this up and down routine are amazing.  Although we all know we are mortal,  that reality has a lot of different levels of appreciation in our daily lives.  It is easier to live "as if"... or is it easier?  We all do.  Making happy plans for the future - Anticipation as Carly Simon put it.  This adds hours, days, weeks, years... to our pleasure about an upcoming event.  The anticipation is a big part of the fun.  In my situation, the anticipation for happy events in the future can only look a short window ahead to allow me the joy and faith that it will come to fruition - so I anticipate everything with greater vigor!!  The flip side is the joy we get from reminiscing.  Perhaps this ties back to my scrapbook days, but that the looking back has brought me pleasure reliving many things.  As the anticipation window is shortening the reminiscing window is panoramic!  And,  surprise among surprises - the panorama includes some beautiful places, but mostly some beautiful PEOPLE.  I have been blessed to share many important occasions, adventures, moments with some wonderful people.  Many I have lost track of - but they are still with me.  Some of you are here - more and more with each new post.  People are who have formed me, guided me, taught me, led me.....  I have choseN the direction and the people... and I am so glad I have had the opportunities.

Now,  with my Cancer reality and attitude I am endeavoring to balance the importance of reminiscence with the joy of anticipation.  I am on a quest to reminisce with those who shared some great giggles, events, life changes, or just passed happy time,,,, AND look forward to experiencing another new adventure and sharing  - with great anticipation.  

With that in mind,  I have been coordinating a trip to drive around Florida and visit old-timey friends and share the moment.  John and I are leaving tomorrow.  I am also planning a similar trip to Dallas with John to reconnect.  My anticipation is huge and happy.  I hope I don't overlook anyone - time is limited - but we always knew that.  So as they say,  all we have is the present,  but I am using some of that to celebrate the past and rejoice in the future.

Thank you for taking the time.... hugs to each of you.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Seeking Warmth

All is well here and continues on the same course. The new therapy has milder side effects for which I am grateful. I am hopefully building strength - but it's hard to stick to a routine when my husband keeps whisking me away to wonderful spots. not complaining!

 A week or two ago we went to the "cabin" at Raquette Lake - had to take a snow mobile!! It wasn't bitter cold but still winter. The pastel colors were spectacular. We followed that excursion with 5 days at Okemo - skiing with the John's sons, daughter in law, and grand children. I enjoyed watching the DeWeese's all ski together!


 After a couple of weeks at home for Doctor's appointments and a PET scan, we will be heading to Florida for a little less snow and some more sunshine. We plan to visit friends while we are there - as many of our friends migrate there - thought we'd check it out and have a little time with each. Coordinating this is tricky, as plans change to different situations, but I am really looking forward to catching up in person.

 So - we continue on in a healthy style - blessed with many beautiful days and wonderful friends. I hope this finds you well, as well.



Amaros,amaros Amaros

WE also got an education         about a  AMAROS -          CARDAMARP     AMARO MONTENEGRO     AMARO NONINO and     SFUMATO I'll Get bac...