Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Can't Think of a title

Twenty-three down and twelve to go. Just call me "Crispy" and you won't be far from correct. What am I gonna do you ask. I'm gonna put on my big girl panties and get through this. I'm giving thanks for all the wonderful support that I've had. You, my blogging friends, have helped me keep a good outlook.

Fall has finally arrived and I'm ready. We had a long hot sultry summer but at least it wasn't dry. Last night was our first cool night - 56 degrees. I'm not a fan of really cold weather but these cool breezes are wonderful.

I can't think of anything to write. Harry is cooking dinner on the grill and, as usual, I'm just being a lady of leisure. Actually, I'm a spoiled, worthless, old fart. On that note I'm signing off. Have a wonderful evening.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Spoiled Rotten

As of today I'm officially half way through radiation. It seems like it took a long time to get this far but here I am. Not much the less for wear. There are bouts of nausea, a bit of pain, lots of fatigue, and burns - nothing that I can't manage. I do, however, avoid seeing myself in the mirror. If I actually see the burns I feel worse. Today was a "see the doctor" day. Talking to him and feeling comfortable with his reassurances made me feel better not only about the present but also about my probable outcome.

Rain came to our corner of the world and seems to feel right at home here. There's no sign of it moving along. We haven't had flooding but many have. Northwest Alabama has been hit fairly hard but not nearly so hard as Atlanta. Last summer, after experiencing a few years of drought, I threatened to have all the shrubs replaced with sand and cactus. That would have been a mistake. (I never really intended to replace the shrubs with cactus. It just made a good example of how bad the drought was at the time.)

I didn't have a playmate visit today. Jesse was running a fever this morning and everyone (not me) decided he shouldn't play with Nana today. I talked to his dad a little bit ago and Jesse seems OK now. I always look forward to play time and really miss having the grandsons visit.

Harry continues to pamper me. I'm spoiled rotten. Bless his heart, I know he gets tired of this game but he doesn't complain. Between taking care of me, the tanks, and mowing the yard his days are packed full. The cleaning service helps a lot, though. Did I mention that I'm spoiled? Yep, I surely am.

Well, that about sums up my day. So much excitement that I can hardly stand it. NOT!!! Hope all is well in your world. Take care and be happy.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Sound of Silence

It's raining, it's pouring, kitty cat is snoring. She's sleeping beside me. I don't see how she can breathe at all with her nose buried in her fur.

Harry is in Memphis. He left last evening for a coral reef event and will be home late today. I just didn't feel up to the trip. I have actually enjoyed the sound of silence but it's beginning to become a bit too loud. Silence CAN become loud - at least in my world. Joe will be here in a while and then silence will slip away and things will be normal again.

I wish that I had something to write about but I really don't. My days are all the same. . . up and to radiation (5 days a week), home and a light lunch, nap, eat dinner, watch a bit of TV with Harry, back to bed. That's it. In between the events of my day I read a bit, watch the fish play in our reefs, and read a few blogs. Let's all stand and cheer for the excitement at the Hooper household. Sunday Gatherings are my highlight! They are pretty much the same except I do less cooking.

As for me and my journey along the big C road, I'm doing fine. Keeping a good outlook and looking forward to getting through this and on to better days. I do have burns (from the radiation) that are pretty uncomfortable and certainly yucky. Have you ever heard of "Lindi" gel products? They are absolutely an answer to the worst of the discomfort from radiation burns. Needless to say, I'm learning a lot on this adventure.

It's Saturday, folks. Find something fun to do and enjoy, enjoy!! My best to one and all.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Three Day Weekend

Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend - a little late but . . . .

Harry and I are having a quiet weekend at home watching racing and enjoying the kids visits. We stay pretty close to home these days.

Tomorrow Harry will grill pork and chicken for our gathering day and other dishes will happen - my DIL, Mary, is bringing some sides, etc. I'll pickup ice cream and other goodies to make ice cream sundaes for the boys and anyone else who wants one.

I had a wonderful dinner this evening. Harry made stuffed mushrooms as an appetiser and Lobster and Asparagus Coquilles as a main dish. It was a delicious meal and now we're getting ready to watch the NASCAR race. I'm one happy old woman.

No more radiation until Tuesday and plenty of time to chill and/or snooze. I'm lovin' it!!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Lost: One Summer

September 2, 2009. Do you know where your summer went? I completely lost mine.

I'm fighting taking a long nap this afternoon in hopes that the lack of a long nap will help me sleep tonight. Sleep is a most fickle friend. Enough of that subject. Boring!

I have to write about something so I guess I'll tell you about today's appointment for radiation. The facility where I go is very prudent in scheduling appointments. The aim is that no one has to wait more than five minutes. Until today I've never waited a full five minutes before the tech comes to take me back. Today when I got there the waiting room was packed! (A machine at another location was 'down' and some of those patients were sent over.) I changed and settled in for the wait. There were two distinct groups of women talking among themselves and (it seemed to me that) each group was trying to talk louder than the other. Individuals in each group were trying to tell a bigger cancer horror tale than the others. In addition two women were complaining loudly that they were going to be late getting back to work and would be in trouble. (I could certainly understand that.) My tech called me back and I told him to take the two women who were worried about their jobs ahead of me and I'd wait as a fill-in since I have no schedule to keep. The caveat was that I be allowed to sit in the little office while waiting. Those women seemed to enjoy misery and terrible things that happened to others. Did I mention that there was one lone man sitting there? He was looking pretty stressed. I'm sure he'd heard about enough of the graphic stories the women were telling. As I left the room I heard him say really loud: "You women think you have problems - what if you were having radiation on your n*ts!" You could have heard a pin drop. All conversation ended.

Ain't life a hoot?

A small town just down the road from Huntsville had its first fatality from Swine Flu yesterday. He was a boy (11 years old). He collapsed in the doctor's office and died. Apparently he had seen the doctor just a few days before and had been improving. Yesterday morning he was worse and returned the doctor. Please be aware that this flu can be dangerous and get medical care at the first sign of flu-like symptoms.

I'm a whole bag full of gloomy stuff. I didn't mean for this post to sound that way. I actually thought the situation at radiation was a hoot! Well, it was really funny after I had treatment and was home. A great situation comedy could be written about that scene.

Treatment is going well. Five down and thirty to go.