The Latest Scoop

For the latest scoop on my latest adventure read on - - -

I've been scanned, x-rayed, needled, taped, interviewed (at least 50 times), filled out reams of forms - even told the truth on most of them - and met lots of new folks. I have a team. They are all there to take care of me and I intend to keep them busy. So has been my world for the past week. On Monday I have pre-surgery lab work. If the latest (today's) MRI is considered "OK" - by whom I don't know - surgery will be on Thursday, June 25.

Best case is that I'll have four weeks to heal followed by 35 radiation treatments over a 7 week period. No Chemo involved. If there are "bad cells" in nodes, I'll have chemo followed by radiation. I am just rejecting the idea that there will be "bad cells" and am counting about 12 weeks until this is all a memory. I'm sure some of the memories will be bad but a lot will be good. I'll hold the good memories and release the bad. Meantime, I'm tired. I'm headed for the couch and a nap while Harry cooks.

My best to one and all
Mary

News From My House

I’m facing one of the things none of us ever want to face. But I hasten to say that I’m choosing to face it straight on and in a positive manner. This is a post that I know Harry probably thinks I should not publish but I feel strongly that I should. I have been given the opportunity to face a challenge and hopefully overcome all the obstacles. Perhaps someone will read this and remember that they should call today and schedule any and all medical tests and/or exams that they have been avoiding or delaying for what ever reason.

I didn’t avoid or delay my mammograms. A routine, scheduled appointment found that I have a small infiltrating carcinoma in one breast and a benign papillary lesion in the other. I’m lucky that the problems were found early. The carcinoma (cancer) is small and we hope well contained. At this point my surgeon hopes to remove the mass and check lymph nodes to be sure they are clear. The final decision will be made when the margins of the mass are examined as well as the lymph node. I don’t look forward the necessary follow-up treatments but I’ll do whatever is necessary.

I have a PET scan scheduled for later this week and following that final decisions will be made and time tables set. I’m ready to get on with this process, get it over with, and move on to something more pleasant. After all, folks, I'm holding Harry's IOU for a trip.

I’m in good spirits as is the rest of the family. My life isn’t on hold. As a matter of fact I was told that the test for cancer was a definite positive on Friday. We had James and Jesse for a sleepover that night. It was a big night of movies, snacks, giggles, tickles, story telling, and after midnight a good night’s sleep. Jesse explained that he wanted to stay up all night and that midnight is the end of the night because after that it’s a.m. and that means morning. Children’s logic continues to amaze me.

Please include me in your prayers, if you are inclined to pray. If not, think good thoughts for me. I truly feel that the outcome of all this will be positive. I intend to do all I can to make it so.

Just a Small Bump in the Highway of Life

Gee, time does fly doesn't it? Gathering Days are still the highlight of my week; the days I have individual play time with the grandsons are wonderful fun; our reefs are past all the real work and are in cruising mode; the landscaper finally completed the borders along the sides and front of our house; all our children are doing well and enjoying their lives - what more can anyone ask for. Harry and I are two lucky old farts.

We truly are living a blessed life. But even among the blessings there are issues that have to be dealt with. Those things promise to take most of my time and energy for the next two or three weeks. Yes, I'm in the process of having a health problem evaluated and plans made to deal with it. One of my symptoms is being completely washed-out tired. Some days it's just too much effort to move from room to room. Other days I feel almost normal. I have an excellent medical team. I'm in good spirits and not depressed.

In order to use the little energy that I have to my best advantage I'm taking a break from this blog. I'll continue to read and probably comment from time to time. Also, when I have a firm diagnosis I will post here. I'll remember each of my blog friends and picture you having a wonderful summer with friends and family. Hey, take dream vacations and post about them so I can enjoy with you.

My best to everyone
Mary Ruth

The Sun is Back in Sunday

Hello out there! I'm sitting at my desk and looking out the window at a strange light in the sky. Rumor has it that it's something called "SUN" . . . WOW!!! I seem to have a faint memory of the sun, but I can't be sure. :-D

Yesterday we drove to a little town in Tennessee (Lawrenceburg) about 75 miles from our house. We visited another reef enthusiast along with other members of the North Alabama Reef Club (NARC). It was a fun day but both Harry and I were pooped by the time we got back home. I was surprised that there wasn't more traffic since it is a holiday weekend.

Isn't it shocking at just how "out of line" a kitchen can get if you skip a day of cleaning? Yuck!! Guess what I did this morning. The kitchen is finally ready for cooking - if you don't look too closely, that is. Problem is: I just don't want to cook. I think today is a good day to have order in pizza, hot wings, and salad. I have cheesecake to provide any extra calories anyone might need. This menu will make the kids happy and make Harry groan. Oh well - that's the way the cookie crumbles. I'll make it up to him tomorrow.

My best to all my blog friends. Thanks for stopping by. Hope the day is a happy one for you. Hugs to everyone - Mary Ruth

Long Time - No Post . . .

Shame on me. Since we completed getting the new reef up and running things have settled down. I believe I mentioned before that the real work involved in setting up reef tanks is in the beginning. Once everything is in place, the chemistry is good, calcium reactors bubbling, skimmers cleaning the water, and lights on timers are working the rest is all down hill. The work is over. Maintenance of salt water tanks is much less complicated than fresh water.



I've been a bit under the weather for several days, too. I can't explain how tired I am for absolutely no reason. Anemia and a couple of other maladies have been ruled out. My doctor scheduled more tests for next week. Time will tell about all that but for now I'm just saying that I'm lazy - extremely lazy.



Harry played golf today for the first time in months. I went with him and rode in the cart. (Even that made me tired.) It was good to be outside in the sunshine and pleasant breeze.



As you can see - nothing is happening here. I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to a fun weekend.

Reef

This post is to document some of the work and progress in building our new reef. I didn't really edit the slide shows - too many things to do. The first slide show is from the day we evacuated the old 225 gallon tank (the one with the broken braces). Please remember that I know very little about creating slide shows - and a lot of other things, too.

Here's a few pics of the new setup. I didn't include pics of the 100 gallon sump/filter, the calcium reactor, or the various lights, and timers. Just too much info and not interesting to anyone anyway.

Everything is in place in the new reef. Fish, coral, and critters seem to be content. It takes several days for things to settle in and the water to get crystal clear again. Pictures of the finished project will have to wait until then.

I have to extend my sincere thanks to Brad at Kuboto Farm for supporting me in my selection of new heat/air conditioning systems for the room. Brad, you're a true friend - Harry and I appreciate the time you and Jay took to give us your opinion of the Carrier ductless system. The local Carrier dealer will be here Wednesday morning to install.

Enough time blogging for today. When Jesse is out of school today we are going to buy 'summer shoes'. Have I mentioned that I claim the boys' sue buying - I love it!!!

Title?? What Title?

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day - Even you guys. Guys can have a good Mother's Day, too, if they spend it with someone they love.

My kids blessed me with remembrances today. The local children presented me with beautiful roses, gift certificate to my favorite steak house, special coffees, beautiful cards, and extra special hugs and kisses. Buddy, who is now in Wisconsin, called and told me he loves me. What more could an old woman wish for? The little ones, James and Jesse, each made the most artistic and sweet cards I've ever gotten. I only wish my scanner was working as it should so I could share them with you.

My computer must be jealous of my good day because it is behaving badly. I'm using the laptop to post. I really don't like to type on this keyboard. I surely hope everything gets back to a degree of normalcy (correct usage??) really soon.

I hope to soon be able to spend a good bit of time catching up with everyone and sharing some of my adventures. The last few weeks have been interesting to say the least.

Take care and have a great week. My best to everyone.......