Matthew is "5" Today!! Hurrah!!!

I can't believe he's five already....He started preschool this year and loving it.....although he said his teacher isn't as pretty as his mom.  Pretty soon he'll be a senior like Jack.....I can't believe that either.  I can still remember what I was wearing the day he was born.

We had another fun day yesterday, I had only four appointments, and most of them were very social....and the treatment was painless, so all in all no problems.  Judy and I did find her a blouse and we had another wonderful lunch to celebrate Judy's birthday at "Chesters".  Then for dinner a church in town brought us another potluck and the confirmation students visited and helped in the serving and cleanup....so that was fun. 

Nothing to watch on TV, so Judy and I played cards instead and I let her win most of the time as it was her birthday!!  We played some cribbage and the Cut Throat, I did win every now and then, but mostly I let Judy win.  So watch out Gary....if she can beat me.....she might have a better chance against you. LOL

Talked to Kathleen and I so looking forward to her coming on Sunday.....also might get to see Joe and Sandy on Monday morning.

Only my treatment today....no other appointments.  Love and prayers, m

Happy Birthday Judy

Well, what a day....I wrote to the blog this morning, but I lost it....don't know where it is....so I guess I'll try again.  Yesterday was a full day, had 4 appointments and then Judy and I went shopping.  While we were at J.C. Penney, she realized she had lost her debit card, so we had to go back to the Mayo and retrace her steps, and stops, but quickly found it at the information desk.  The shop she left it in turned it into the info desk, and they had already contacted her bank and got her home phone number and left a message as to where she could find it.  Luckily she went back there while still in Rochester.  Anyway, then we came back to Hope Lodge and got dinner ready for the potluck.  It was a wonderful meal....everyone contributed lots of good food.

After dinner, Judy and I rushed up to the TV room to watch the "Biggest Loser" (yes....after stuffing ourselves) and were joined by another women who is here by herself.....Judy and I adopted her as another cousin.  So we are starting to make friends, and hear lots of stories of people who are in a lot worse shape than me.  So I thank God for the blessings he has given me and you for all your prayers.

Today I had a early blood draw, so I let the birthday girl sleep in and I woke her as I left and when I came back we went down for breakfast and I typed my blog.  When I went to publish it....it vanished in thin air....but had to rush off to 3 more appointments so couldn't retype at that point.  After all my appointments, I took Judy out for lunch, and then we went shopping again this time to Kohls where she found the blouse she wanted for Christopher's wedding.

I believe this evening a church group is serving us dinner, and may have dinner with long time friend Jim, tomorrow evening.  Still feeling fine!  Love and prayers, m

What a Beautiful Day

I had a wonderful full day yesterday and today it looks like it is going to be even better.

I knew I had a few things to take care of before I left yesterday, but one of the calls I needed to make resulted in a few extra things I needed to do, so by the time I got to Judy's house in Shakopee, we had to pack the car and leave immediately.  Luckily I had called in advance and warned her, so she packed me a lunch to eat in the car.  Once I got to her house I let her drive, so I could eat and relax a little.  The view from the passenger seat is much better, the leaves are turning and the water is receding, the sun was shining brightly and life is good.

When we got to Hope Lodge, we had a little time, so Judy got signed in as my caregiver of the week, and I gave her the nickel tour.  We walked over to get my treatment for the day, and walked back to the lodge.  Dinner was easy as I had made it up on Saturday and put it in the freezer, so all we had to do was add a can of veggies and nuke it.  At seven they had Bingo, so Judy and I went down for that.  We only played for an hour (about 10 games) and I won 3 times.  I won the first one, and the third and then I let some other people win before I won the 9th.  Poor Judy didn't win at all....but I gave her one of my prizes.

Today I have three appointments, my treatment at 11, see the radiology nurse at 11:30 and have a ecocardiogram at 1:00 p.m.  then we are going shopping.  Judy forgot a nightgown, so we need to buy her one.  Potluck at the lodge tonite, so that should be fun too!  But have to watch Biggest Loser on some TV....hope one of them in the building has it on.  Otherwise I'll catch it On Demand when I get home.

I have some pictures to add.  I took these on Sunday while I was at the cabin.  The Kiecker sign, was made by Ann's stepdad.  He did such a nice job.  Thanks Alan.

Love and prayers, m

Randy's lakehome that I stayed at last week.

Sign with our address for the outside of the house that Alan made.

 

My new bed....donated by Janet

View from the road...up to the drainpipe was the old cabin.

Sunshine on my Shoulder Makes me Happy!

Besides the sunshine making me happy, being over halfway done with the treatment process makes me happy too!  Watching Matthew open presents and loving what he got, and the girls trying on their clothes and saying they were going to wear them to school today also made me happy....that I made good choices.  Actually the whole evening made me happy, but that is partly just being with the family and seeing all the grandchildren interacting with each other.  It's so satisfying to see what a good job we did at raising their parents, and what a good job their parents do.

I spent the middle of the day at the cabin, I enjoyed the drive as the colors are peeking through in a lot of places and the sun was warm.  The men (some of them my kids, others adopted friends) delivered my bed and washer and dryer on Friday,   They also got the boats out of the water and over to the storage site. I did some cleaning, made up my bed, and put together a storage cube for my closet.  I tried sitting outside and reading the paper while listening to the Vikings game on the radio.....but the bees chased me back inside.
I did get a few pictures, but haven't uploaded them to the computer yet....hopefully I'll have time later this afternoon.

There was also a little sadness at the party yesterday as Matthews great grandma died earlier in the day, and Matt and Carol were in St. Cloud.  Grandma Beste died of congestive heart failure which was made worse by her efferts to walk and get out of her wheelchair. (They had told her she couldn't go home till she could walk....and fell trying to do that....and then a heart attack followed).  She was a fighter, and pray she is at peace.  Also I will be saying prayers for the extended family she leaves behind.

Today I have a few things to do around the house this morning, then I will head for Judys for lunch and we will head to Rochester, as I have to be there for treatment at 3:15 p..m.  I hope all the road we need to take are open, and pray that the water is receding for all those who have been evacuated and those farmers fields that still need to be cultivated.  Today I will have my 9th radiation/chemo treatment.  Still no side effects that I no of.  I'll write again in the morning, love and prayers, m

Sunny Days Ahead!

A whole row of sunny days forecast for the week.....I can't wait.  I'm sure the people of southern MN can't wait either.  It'll be weeks before they get back to anything close to normal.

As for me I always feel better when the sun is shining....even though I know the Son is shining on me....I feel it so much more when it's a sunny day.  I'm thinking of driving up to the cabin for a quick trip to see my bed and washer and dryer the boys picked up at Janet's this week.  I feel really bad for them (Jimbo, Doug and Bill) as they picked the worst day to take in the dock and boat-lifts.

I am off to the shower so I can go to church and get going.....I have to be back early as I have birthday parties to go to this afternoon.  Nicole, Allie and Matthew are having a joint party this afternoon.  Love and prayers, m

Here Comes the Sun!

We can only hope.  I was kidding when I said I was thinking of building an Ark....but as we tried to get home yesterday it sure would have helped.  We started out of town on Hwy 52 North, so happy I didn't have to take Hwy 14 West to Owatonna and 35 North.  Little did I know I couldn't go that way either.  As we got to the Oronoco exit.....barely out of Rochester, we had to exit and the detour took us back to Rochester on 52 South....we thought we read the detour sign wrong, so we actually drove back north on 52 only to reread the signs and thought we would be really smart and take one of the side roads that ran paralel to the highway to the next entrance to 52, well that didn't work either as it was closed, so we went west and turned north on the next county road, but ended up having to turn around about a mile down.  So we pulled out the GPS and started working our way west and north having to turn around and go back and head west several times.  I was beginning to think we wouldn't get home and I didn't think we'd even beable to get back to Rochester.  We finally got to Hwy 60 and knew that would take us into Faribault...and thought we were home free....but Faribault had flooding too! and had roads closed etc.....but we did make it through town and were able to take 35W all the way into the city.  Now we were feeling really good till we got to Hwy 252 which has construction going on.....and we crawled through that.  So 4 hours after we left Rochester we finally got to Coon Rapids.....and coasted on fumes into the Holiday Gas station just a mile from home.  After filling the tank, we did make it home.  I immediately took a nap!!!  I was exhausted!!! 

After the nap I felt great and turned on the news to watch the news and all the pictures of the flooding in Oronoco, Pine Island, Owattona etc.  All the places we had just tried to drive through.  We had witnessed in person all the devistation.  The camera's were not lying....it is really bad.  So say some prayers the sun will shine for awhile, and dry out those fields so that the farmers can harvest those bumper crops they had.

As for me, I am fine.  God is carrying me through and I'm over half way done with this part of the treatment.  Next week staying at Hope Lodge will make it a breeze, cause it is walking distance from the clinic and all but about 500 feet are inside subways.....plus they have a shuttle that will pick us up right outside the door and drop us at the door of Mayo.  If Judy and I start out early enough....we'll walk.....but if the day gets long and we are tired, we can take the shuttle back.

Today I get to play with Matthew as the girls go watch Katie run in the Griack Cross Country meet at the U of M.....and tomorrow I will drive to the cabin, and then to Annie's to celebrate birthdays of Collie, Allie and Matthew.  Happy Day!!  Love and prayers, m

Rain, Rain go Away!

Don't bother coming back another day. 
It was supposed to not rain today, and this morning looked promising, but it is now clouded up again.  I really feel sorry for the farmers who didn't get the bumper crop out of the fields yet.

Last evening was really fun.....it brought back memories of growing up in the Schieber family and get togethers with guitars and harmonica's and singing.  One of the patients that has been here since July was going home today, so yesterday his daughter came down and brought her guitar and we all gathered in the dining room and listened and sang along.  (all cept Janet who was back in the room throwing up her dinner).....not the flu, just didn't sit with her delicate tummy.  It was a treat that another patients wife had made and shared with all.  It was made with buffalo meat and onion and saurkraut....and once Janet heard that I think she went right to the bathroom.  I on the other hand loved it....even ate two.  It's a recipe I might make myself....however sans the buffalo and use beef instead.

Well I'm off to get my radiation for the day, and then I'm coming home....can't wait.  See you all soon, love and prayers, m

Walking in the Rain!

Or running between the drops!!!  Hardly, it has been pouring here since yesterday afternoon when we left for Faribault.  The news is claiming 8 inches in some areas of Rochester, and Randy's rain gauge in Faribault had 6 inches of water in it.  I am considering building an ark.  The rain and wind were so bad yesterday when we left we could only drive 20 miles an hour and that was risky.  It took us forever to get to the lake home, and I was exhausted.  I had seen 5 different doctors and then had to stay yesterday afternoon and get a gallon (it seemed) of fluids and potassium pumped into me.  I had told the oncologist early in the day that I had had three bouts of dizzyness or lightheadedness in the last week, and he said my potassium was low, hence the 2 hours of being filled with fluids.  So it was  a very long day, and the rain and long drive added to the exhaustion.

This morning, we had to be back here at 9:40 which meant we had to leave at 8:15 a.m., and again it was pouring all the way.....driving the speed limit was not recommended.  The fields were lakes and the ditches rivers.  Roads near Owatonna south were closed as they were underwater....but I had Janet park the car and took off running to make my 9:40 appointment.  When I got to the 12th floor of the Mayo building, I checked in and then took my buzzer and headed to the bathroom.  While sitting on the toilet my buzzer goes off that they were calling me for my appoinment....needless to say I then had to run back down the hall to get taken to a room where I undressed and waited for the plastic surgeon to come into the room.  Well, 45 minutes later the nurse comes in and says hasn't the doctor been in yet? and I said no.....so she said she would go and yell at him.  About 5 minutes later he finally came in and we had a nice visit....he explained what he was going to do....but I never needed to take off my close, and I never got out of the chair.   So from there I had to run down to the sublevel of the Charlton building for my radiation treatment which I was now 10 minutes late for, but luckily they got me in pretty quick.

While we were driving over this morning the phone rang and Janet dug it out of my purse to answer it....but was too late, but she saw that it was the Hope Lodge calling, so she called them back and wanted me to talk on the phone....but I was a nervous wreck trying to drive much less talking on the phone, so she pretended she was me and got the word that we could move in this afternoon.  Great news!!!  However, that meant that we had to drive back to Faribault in the rain.....pack up and drive back to Rochester again in the rain!

Once we did that, we got a tour of the building, unpacked the car, and then headed down for dinner.  I tried to get on the WiFi in our room, but couldn't get it to work, so had to come down to the dining room to do this.  So I have loads of people around me, and a women is about to entertain us with her guitar.  So I am finally started to calm down.....unfortuantely Janet is up in the room missing this.  I suppose I should go get her.  m

Here Comes the Sun!!

Shining in my eyes all the way here this morning....we had to be up early and leave by 7:15 to get to my first appointment of the day at 8:40.  Drew blood, then saw the stoma nurse, now I'm waiting to see the oncologist and then will be down to radialogy to see the radialogist and then have treatment.  Number 6 of 15 today.
I realize now that I forgot to mention Bill and Kim's anniversary last week, and yesterday was Jim and Ann's anniversary....I'm sure the Twins clenched the title yesterday just for them....however, they have tickets for today's game and were hoping it would happen then.  Anyway, Happy 16 and 19th Anniversary's to all 4 of them.
Janet and I didn't get to Faribault till 4 p.m. and didn't have lunch, so made an early supper and then watch TV till the Biggest Loser came on.  It should be an interesting season, but haven't picked any favorites yet.
I called the Hope Lodge last nite, and they told me I had moved to #4 of the list, and that two more would be checking out today, so it looks like maybe tomorrow I'll get in there.  It can't come too soon, I'm already tired of driving back and forth. 
Nothing exciting to report, I'm doing well and I can't wait till it's all over.  Love and prayers, m

Finally the Sun is Shining

Waking to sunshine is so nice!!  It certainly has been missed.  Well.....today is 5/15 so soon to be 1/3rd done. I found out yesterday that I am 7 on the list at Hope Lodge, and they think I should get in this week.  I sure hope so.  They have been adding the appointments onto my schedule....so I really need to be closer.  Randy's place in Faribault is really nice and appreciated....but it's still over an hour a way....and with early morning appointments we have to tack that extra time on at the top and bottom of each day.  So not only are they early....but long too.

I met with the surgeon yesterday as well as having my treatment.  The surgeon added several more appointments to my schedule, and did a partial job of explaining to me what they are going to do.....I say partial, cause so will depend on what they find when they get in there.  I already have the ostomy and stoma, but they may be modifiying that.  I did let her know that I am happy with it's location and hoped that would not change....and it sounds like it will stay where it is.  They are not sure how far outside the rectum it may have spread, so that will make a difference as well.  I will see the plastic surgeon on Thursday, and will learn more than.

Today Janet will be over around 11:00, and then we will head down for my treatment at 1:45 p.m.  The only appointment I have for today.  So we should be getting to the lakehome in Faribault by dinner time with out any problem.  But tomorrow we have about 5 different appointments, so we will be busy.

Yesterday, Rita and I went out for lunch after my noon treatment, and then headed back home.  I got home just in time to get to the CC meet in Brooklyn Center.  All the grandkids did well, and I have this picture to show off their smiling faces!!  I'm so proud of all of them....and love watching them compete.

As soon as the cc meet was done I had to rush over to Jan's to have my hair cut and colored.  I stoped at home to make myself a sandwich that I ate in the car on the way over there, and then had to take my chemo meds after I got there.  Which reminds me I better go take my chemo pills right now.

Will probably be late writing tomorrow, as I will wait and write when I'm in Rochester....as we will be up and moving early!  Love and prayers, m

Here Today Gone Tomorrow

Today is treatment 4 of 15, but I am going down with Rita Culshaw today and will turn around and be back home for the afternoon and evening.  Then tomorrow Janet will come and drive down with me, and we will stay down for the rest of the week.

I will meet with Dr. Nelson the surgeon this morning, and then have my radiation treatment.  This morning I am back taking my 5 chemo pills and will again this evening as well. 

When I come home this afternoon, I hope the sun will be shining, as 5 of the grandchildren will all be running in the same CC meet in Brooklyn Center.  They are hoping to take first place again this year. (Coon Rapids girls that is) Nick will be running for Anoka.  This race is for 10th grade and under and the 7 and 8th grade boys/girls run against each other and the 9th and 10th graders run against each other, so since Tommy is in 7th grade he won't run against Nick.....and Allie in 8th grade won't run against Collie and Katie.

After all the fresh air....I'm going to have my hair cut and colored so that it will look decent while I'm in the hospital.  Then I'll come home and skype Kathleen....so she can see it.  We got her all set up while she was here this summer, so now she can skype me and see that I am well.

Well, it's time to take my chemo meds and then jump in the shower.  Rita will be here at 8:15 so I better get moving.  Love and prayers, m

Happy Birthday Nicole!!

What a grandma......I almost forgot.  I did remember to call her earlier this afternoon, but had forgotten to enter it in my blog.  So my apologies to Dole!  She is a big "15" today....and taking drivers training....so she'll be driving soon.  I can hardly believe it.  When I was fifteen (almost 16) I was already dating their grandfather....of course he was robbing the cradle cause he was a much older man!!  hehe!

I went to the cabin after church and breakfast with the Buhr's.  So here are the new pictures I took.  I added the new handles to the vanities, and note the new hardware in the shower, and rugs and towels.  Also took a picture of three of the four new chairs I bought last week.

Who Stole the Sunshine?

It's cloudy AGAIN!  But after church I am still going to the cabin. 

Had a fun evening at Tommy's Birthday party at Bill and Kim's.  Always enjoy being with the family. 

I will be driving to the cabin ....and listening to the Vikings.  I think I play Kennedy in the Family Fantasy Football game.  Hopefully I'll do better than last week when I lost by one point to Allie.....and then was told she didn't even set her lineup!  What's Up with that?!  She wasn't even trying.

I hope to get some new pictures at the cabin today....so maybe I'll update this this evening.

Tomorrow Rita Culshaw is driving me to Rochester, and then I will go to a CC meet where 5 of the grandkids will be running.  All of the kids will be in it even though they are in three different schools.  Well, I must get to church.  Love and prayers, m

Promise of a Better Day!

But I think that is for Monday.  They say it will be a little better tomorrow, but I've almost lost hope for that.

Yesterday (Friday) I got finished with my treatment by noon, and Judy and I both finished our computer time and went directly to the car to head home.  We decided we'd wait till we got back as far as Faribault before we ate, where we found a Perkins. It was good to break the trip up a little, as we had another hour before we got to Shakopee where Judy lives.

After dropping Judy and all her loot off, I decided I'd drive back to Northfield and watch the CC meet that Katie, Collie and Allie were all running in.  Meet with Annie, Doug, Matt, Carol, Mathew, Bill and Kim there.  So I was able to update them on how things were going....even though they read the blog, it's always good to see me and see that I really am okay.  Know that I'm not sugar coating my stories.

Speaking of sugar coating, I actually beat Judy 2 out of 3 games of cribbage the other nite.  I let her win one so she'd play with me again.  I had already won twice!  I don't want to abuse my caregivers!

I am going to the second round of birthday parties for Tommy this evening at Bill and Kims.  This one is for the adults, the first was a bunch of friends at the cabin, where they took the polar plung!!!  BRRRRRR!

Tomorrow I think I will drive to the cabin after church, and drop off the new chairs I bought.  I also have to try again to replace the knobs on the vanities, now that I have bought the right size.  So I hope the 64 degrees they are predicting comes along with some sun!!!

So far no side effects from the chemo/radiation.  Love and prayers, m

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!

Alteast that is what that keep telling me.  I did see it for a brief minute this morning before it got swallowed up in the clouds.  What to go to a CC meet this afternoon so we'll see if that happens.  Not going if it's raining.

I am doing great.  3 days down and 12 more to go.  I found out today I am number 16 on the list at Hope Lodge, so it doesn't sound good for next week yet.  So I guess I'll be driving down and back on Monday with Rita Culshaw, and then Janet and I will drive down on Tuesday, and we will stay at the Lake home till I hear from Hope Lodge. 

It isn't a cabin....it is a 4 bedroom 3 bath year round home.  It is a two story with a walk out on the lake side.  Was very nice staying there....but it is a fairly good drive from there to here.

Did some major damage shopping at the Medford Mall yesterday.  Bought 4 chairs for the cabin, 2 sweaters, Mathew's birthday present and part of Collie and Allies as well.  Judy was a bad influence on me.

Nothing else new....hope to drive to the cabin tomorrow or Sunday....weather permitting.  Have to deliver my chairs I bought.  I'll take pictures of them when I get them there.  Love and prayers, m

Rainy days and Hazy Days Won't Get Me Down

It so yukky out.  Poured all the way back to Faribault yesterday evening, and all night, and is misting this morning.....will it ever stop?  My try to get into HHH for a port flush early in the day yesterday failed, so I called Mayo, and they said they could do it at 3:30, so that worked out perfectly.  I got to Judy's around noon, and about 1 p.m. we headed for Mayo.  Got here and got in to have my port flushed immediately to my amazement....was the first time I didn't have to wait, and they did the procedure immediately also.....so it took about 5 minutes total.  So now we had an hour to wait for my first treatment of radiaiton.  Judy and I found a coffee shop and casually drank our coffee and then sauntered over to the radiation department.  Treatment there was pretty much on time, and we were heading up to Randy's lakehome by 5 p.m.  But it's over an hour drive, more like an hour fifteen minutes.  We were starving by the time we got there, so Judy hurried and made us a delicious chicken pot pie meal.

We spent the evening watching the finals of America's got talent....and Big Brother.  I had never seen Big Brother, and Judy had never seen America's Got Talent, so we were even!!!  Watched the news and some of Jay Leno and headed to bed.

I started my chemo pills yesterday, I have 5 to take after breakfast....and 5 more after dinner.  I seem to be tolerating both the chemo and radiation, as I now have had my second treatment this morning before writing this blog.  I'm sitting next to this grand piano listening while I write to this great relaxing music.  Judy's sitting next to me humming and reading a magazine.  So all is well.  We plan on doing some shopping on our way back to Faribault.  Hopefully it will stop raining and the sun will shine soon.  Love and prayers, m

Off to a Good Start

Long day yesterday, but it was a good start.  I met Rosie at Inver Hills CC parking lot at about 7:40....an accident on 35W had us backed up all the way to Central on 610 already, so it took me almost an hour to get there.  But Rosie was ready and waiting.  She drove us down and we got to my 9:15 appointment with only minutes to spare.  Of course no appointment there ever starts when it is scheduled to, so it wasn't until 10:00 when I actually saw the oncologist.  That was the best part of the day....he said I could use pills for my chemo during the radiation as long as my insurance would pay for it.  The alternative was having a pump attached to my port for 3 weeks.....and I really didn't want this.

From there I headed down 6 floors to have my CT scan.  That was scheduled at 11:00 but again didn't happen until much later.....I actually wasn't done till 1 p.m.  That's a long story as well, while they were trying to find a vein, my cell phone rang and I couldn't get good reception in that room, so they took me out to a skyway to hear.  It was the pharmacy saying my insurance would pay for 80% of the chemo drug I needed to take, but my 20% came to almost $500.  Thank God they take credit cards!!  Cause I sure didn't carry that kind of cash, and I didn't have a checkbook along.....and the alternative of the pump I didn't want.  Then the pharmacist had to get on the phone and give me all the side effects etc. which the oncologist had already explained.  So anyhow in about 15 minutes I was back in getting a line put in so they could give me the CT scan.  They refused to use my port again....cause now I didn't have 2 forms of identification for it saying it was a power port.  A problem I thought I had taken care of, but the fax my doctor sent was the hospital report saying it was inserted, and doesn't specifically say it was a power port.  Anyway they couldn't find a vein and had to wrap my arms in warm blankets trying to get one to pop.  They had already tried and failed in the right arm.  So now the left arm got tortured.  Lucky it did work, and I was able to proceed to the CT scan itself.

Rosie had made plans to meet her cousin Gloria for lunch, and she had called 3 times before I was done with the CT scan, but I finally appeared and we rushed off to Michaels for lunch.  Gloria has graciously allowed Kathleen to stay at her home while I am in the hospital having my surgery. We had a great lunch, and then Rosie and I headed back to Mayo to pick up my pills which they said would be ready. Originally they said it would be there by 12:30, then 2:30 p.m.  So now it was 3:15 and I was there to pick them up....but they still were not ready, so I sat down and waited.  In the mean time, Rosie went off to find another cousin who worked at Mayo, and brought her back to meet me.  We had a nice long visit, cause my pills were not ready to be picked up till 4:30 p.m.

By the time we got back to the parking ramp....it was 5:00 and headed back to the city....only to be greeted by rush hour traffic.  So I didn't get back home till about 7 p.m.  I had called Judy earlier and told her the news that I didn't have to be back at Mayo till 4:30 this afternoon, so I was going to sleep at home, in my own bed, and then head for Shakopee late morning, and then head for Mayo around 2 p.m.

So here I am, I now need to call HHH cancer center and see if I can get my port flushed this morning, as it hasn't been since Aug. 3.  Then I will be off to Judy's, and eventually Mayo and then Faribault....as I have not heard from Hope Lodge as of yet.

I have already emailed my surgeon (Dr. Schlaefer) about faxing another note to Mayo telling them my port is a power port, and he has responded already this morning, and said he would take care of it.  So hopefully next time I need a CT scan they will have their 2 forms of identification....and use it darn it!!!!

Other than that....I have no news....love and prayers to you all, m

P.S. I just called HHH and they can't squeeze me in, so I need to call Mayo and see if I can get it done there in the next couple of days.

Off we go!

Not into the wild blue yonder (or at least I don't think so and I won't be flying) but I am leaving shortly for
Rochester.  I will be back home this afternoon to pick up my things and then I will head to my cousin Judys for the night and we will drive together to Rochester.

Today Rosie is meeting me at Inverr Hills CC parking lot, and we will go together from there.  Lunch plans with her cousin Gloria and I have a doctors appointment and CT scan this morning.

If I have time I will write more this afternoon, but I need to get on the road now.  Talk to you soon, Love and prayers, m

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

I did sleep in again this morning.....in anticipation of tomorrow and the week ahead of me.  But being greeted by this wonderful morning is a great start!  I have a list of things I need to accomplish today, so I can be ready to leave home by 6:45 a.m. tomorrow....and won't be home for sleeping till Friday.

Yesterday, I went to church and then did some quick shopping.....Target and Home Depot....and headed to the cabin....only to be surprised with Jimbo and his brother-in-law Brad (the trimmer) who were busy finishing putting the beadboard on the walls of the new bathroom.  Then they moved on to finishing the trimwork in the family room and his bedroom, then upstairs to putting the trim on the new entry way.  He even hung the mirrors in the bathroom and the coat hook piece in the entry way.  Ann found it earlier in the week for us.  I managed to put together the new bench I bought at Home Depot, and added the new chair to the dining area.  So now it doesn't feel so empty in there.  Then I took some pictures and have posted them on facebook and some here as well.  Oh, I almost forgot, we did get the final inspection approved....but he did complain about the shoring up of the hill, which we haven't gotten too yet, but that too will come in time.

Today I have lunch plans with the retiree's and wannabees, and then some shopping to do.  I have to return the new knobs I bought for the vanities, cause the ones I purchased don't fit the holes already there. (I don't know why they aren't universal in size!)  I also have to pick up a few groceries to take with me to Rochester...and a new battery for my computer.  Speaking of my computer...if I end up in Faribault I won't have WiFi, so will only be able to write when I am at Mayo.....so probably won't be early in the day....more like the middle or later each day, but they do have computers there that I can use....so I will be keeping you up-to-date.  My schedule will vary each day, and I won't know till after my treatment each day what time it will be the next.  So don't be expecting me to write the first thing each day.

Tomorrow, I will meet my former Boss (I was about to say OLD boss, but she's younger than me) Rosie Mortenson on the otherside of town and then ride down to Rochester with her.  I have an early appointment with the oncologist to talk about the chemo treatment I will get along with the radiation. I've been told that the chemo makes the tumor more receptive to the radiation.  Then at 11:00 a.m. I have a CT scan.  I'm guessing this is to set a baseline so they can see how much the radiation is working.  After all that doctor stuff, Rosie is taking me to meet her cousin Gloria, over lunch.  Gloria has volunteered to let Kathleen stay with her during my stay in the hospital next month.  This is so nice, cause she lives in Rochester, and Kathleen won't have to stay in a hotel or motel for that week to 10 days.  I can't tell you how much Kathleen and I appreciate her kindness. 

Speaking of kindness, several people have volunteered to help out in any way.  I had a neighbor call and let me know that if any of my drivers for some reason can't she will.  I also had a friend at church yesterday tell me that his sister lives in a large house in Rochester and if something comes up where I need a room quick, just to call him and he'd make it happen.  It's amazing to me to have so much love and concern gracing me.  It's just a good reminder that God is in control....and he will carry me through this whole process.....all the way to the healing and healthy time.  It also reminds me to thank you all again for showering me in love and prayers on my behalf.

Well, I must get moving and get this day started.  After lunch and shopping, I have some packing to do.  It's hard to know what to pack.  Judy my cousin who will be going with me on Wednesday and I will need to do some meal planning too.  Don't want to be eating out all the time.  I'll need food no matter if we are at Hope Lodge, or Randy's lakehome in Faribault.  I still haven't heard if I can stay at Hope Lodge....but I do know I'm on the list.  So say a prayer for that too!  Sorry I'm so needy!!  Love and prayers, m

Good Morning Sunshine!

I've just a little time to write this morning, as I have to shower and get to church. 

I worked at the church carnival yesterday afternoon, and cousin Judy came and sat with me for the last hour or so, and then Annie brought Nicole, Allie, Matthew, Katie and Tommy.  The came to the bottle blast and tried their hand a picking good numbers....but at least everyone is a winner at the Bottle Blast.  When I got done working they all joined me for dinner, and then Judy and I tried our hand at Bingo.  I say tried.....we certainly didn't do well with Bingo.  It was kinda like Vegas....you just feed the machines.  I also saw many friends I haven't seen in a long time.....mostly cause I've been at the cabin, but also just don't go to the same Mass as they do, or those that were children when I knew them, and they are now grown with children of their own.  It was so fun to see everyone.

Today I will go to church, and then I'm heading to the cabin....it seems like it's been forever since I've been there, but it's just been a week....but the longest I've not been at the cabin all summer.  Maybe tomorrow I'll send you a few updated pictures.

Must get in that shower....maybe add more later.  Love and prayers, m

Hear Comes the Sun!

After a grey day and rain during the evening and night....the sun is peaking back out!  I'm so glad.  I have so much more ambition when the sun shines....even though I know the Son is always shining on me.  I just need that visual reminder.

I did very little yesterday, but I did shower and get dressed and went to the college for the farewell party for Connie Herbert.  She worked at the college for 13 years and in several offices, so made lots of friends.  The room was packed.  She will be missed by those still there, but I'm sure she will keep in contact with a group of us women I call the retiree's and wannabee's.  Connie isn't retiring though, she is going back to Moose Lake State Hospital for Sex Offenders.....to work....she is not being incarcerated....the program is for men only. 

I had a great time, cause I got to visit with so many people I hadn't seen in a long time....and you know I'm a people person....so when missing sun, people are a close second.  I got to tell my tale of Mayo visits, and got to hear about others who are in similiar or worse conditions.  I got added to many prayer lists and have a few to add to mine.  I also got lots of hugs and well wishes....just what I needed with only days before the journey starts.

On my way home, I went to Home Depot to return some grout I didn't need, and ran into a very long time friend Diane Whitcraft and her husband Lee.  It was so nice to see her and visit with the two of them.  So my day just kept getting better.

Today I may do some shopping, looking for things for the cabin.  Then this afternoon I will spend at the carnival, working at the Bottle Blast booth from 3-6.  May take in the Roast Beef dinner after that and probably play a little bingo.

Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful, so after church I will head up to the cabin and put up some more pictures and arrange furniture etc.  Depends on what I find today.  Looking for a comfy chair to sit in and watch the birds and chipmunks when I can't be out on the deck!  Wish me luck.

Love and prayers, m

Fleeting Sun

It's shining now, but will be raining by dinner time.  But we have the promise of a beautiful weekend.  I'm sure the church carnival will appreciate that.  I had planned on going to the lake for the day.....but since I have to be back tomorrow to work at the carnival and because they are predicting rain for the night, I think I may just stay home.  I did get an email that a ARCC friend is leaving and going to work in Moose Lake, so I think I'll go up to her farewell party.  Sad to see Connie go.

Thanks to Judy and Jeanie for posting comments to my blog.  I was telling Judy how excited I got when I saw I had two comments last week, but then it was just her twice....so I was expecting that when I openned the comments to read this morning....but to my surprise it was two different comments....and Judy remembered to sign her's so she didn't have to do another to tell me who it was.  Judy is my first caregiver for the radiation process.  She will stay with me for the rest of the week.  I think I will go as far as her house on Tuesday evening, and then go from Shakopee to Rochester on Wednesday morning.  Still haven't heard anything from Hope Lodge....so it'll be Randy's Lake Home for now.  Closer than Coon Rapids, but not as close as Hope Lodge.

Nothing else to report.  Love and prayers, m

Walking in Sunshine!

Well I'm not exactly walking right now....but the sun is shining.  Yesterday went very well....or mostly well.

Janet was a few minutes late because of traffic, then we got in my car and started heading for Rochester, but let me tell you at that time of the morning, there is traffic all over.  We got in line, and crawled over to 35 W, then crawled off the exit to Hwy 10, then crawled through the stoplight on 96, etc. etc.....it took us 45 minutes to get downtown St. Paul, which should have taken about 20 minutes.  But luckily once we got that far, we were going against traffic, and it wasn't any problem at all.  We did make it to Desk R (I'm guessing the R is  for Radiation) just in time to get my drink of barium, and then I got to sit and wait another hour before they did anything.
When it got close to 11 a.m. I got to walk back to the area where I got the beverage, change into a gown and wait to be taken into the imaging room. They had me lay down on a CT machine table, and then they worked at lining me up just so. Then they made a form for my legs, so that next week when I have my treatments, they will have me place my legs in those forms to help line me up exactly the same way.  Then they ran we through the CT scan machine a few times, and then they came back and tattooed my hips and in the middle of my body so they could use them to line me up as well.  Next week they will use the form for my legs and the tattoo's to make sure they are pointing the radiation in exactly the right spot.  It was very painless, and really didn't take much time.  It was shortly after 12 noon, and Janet and I were on our way.

We headed to Randy's lake home near Faribault with a quick stop at Subway and then enjoyed eating our sandwiches on Randy's deck overlooking the lake.  Randy's family have a wonderful 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 2 story home with a walkout.  The balcony on the main level is partly screened in and has great views of the lake from almost every room.  It is about an hour from Mayo, and where I will stay till I get into the Hope Lodge.

I did check and I am on the list and will wait for their call.  They claim that it doesn't usually take more than a week before you are in....so let's hope it isn't.  They have added a few more appointments to my schedule during the 15 days of radiation.  One to see the surgeon and one with the plastic surgeon.  Prior to the 15 days, I have another appointment with the oncologist, to get my chemo regiment.  I am hoping that the chemo can just be a pill I take, but otherwise I will need to be hooked up to a pump or maybe it will just be a daily IV infusion.  I guess I have to wait till next Tuesday to find that out.  They will also give me another CT scan on Tuesday.  I'm guessing so they can measure how well the radiation is working.

Last night I checked with Tom to make sure we were set for the family fantasy football league and quickly went online and set my line-up as tonight starts the whole year with the NFL game of the Vikings and New Orleans match up.  My team was a mess!!  Don't recognize any of the players, and had for some reason 4 kickers.(Can't have anything to do with the name....cause most of us in the FFF league are Kieckers!)  So I traded them away for another quarterback and tightend.  Don't know if I'll have much luck, but it's the fun of competition with the grandkids and their dads that I love.  They love beating me, and I them.  It will give me something other than cancer to think about this fall!!  Just like the cabin did this summer.

I was thinking of going to the cabin today, but the TV isn't working up there, and the Vikings are playing this evening on our local NBC channel, so I think I'll stay home.  Maybe I'll drive up tomorrow morning, and then come back home on Saturday morning, so I can work at the church carnival on Saturday afternoon.  I'll be at the bottle blast from 3-6 p.m. if anyone would like to come and take a chance.

Love and prayers to you all!  m

Here We Go Again!

Sort and sweet this a.m.  I'm on my way down to Mayo to have my planning session for the radiation.  They will do a CT scan and measure to decide exactly where to point the radiation. 

I had cards last night, and it happened to be at the home of several cats and dogs which I am allergic to.  So not only were my sinuses upset with the cold and pollens in the air, they got attacked with cat and dog dander.  My eyes almost immediately started itching and mattering.  Someone came to my rescue with a antihistamine, which helped some....at least the itching, but you should have seen my eyes when I got out of bed this morning.  Yuk!  So I've taken my clariton, floanase, and used eye drops.  Thankfully it seems to be working, cause I feel a lot better already.

So the day begins, and Janet will be here in minutes!  Love and prayers, m

Lazy Day!

Sorry I'm so late in writing this, I have done absolutely nothing since I got up this morning other than eat and watch TV.  I'm still in my pjs curling up and staying warm.  My allergies are killing me.....my eyes are red and puffy and my head is aching.  Using my coffee cup as a warming pad on my sinuses.  Usually on the first day of school you get up and start moving quickly, well I'm just the opposite today!  My joints are aching and stiff.  I guess my body does not like cold rainy days.  Where is that sun?

Don't have a lot of plans for the day, but I need to pick up a prescription, and have card club this evening, so I will have to get dressed and start moving.  I started laundry last night, so I have another load to do today and a few bills to pay etc.  But nothing too exciting.

I'm hoping the electrician is at the cabin finishing up.  Only a few things he needs to do before his final inspection.  Hope we have the final inspection for the overall project tomorrow as well.  Last week they told us we had to have house numbers on the house for that....but when I was leaving yesterday, I noticed that none of the cabins on our road have house numbers....so I'm wondering if I really needed them, but either way they are hanging on the cabin now!

Tomorrow Janet and I will drive down to Mayo for my planning session for the radiation I'll be getting. starting next Wednesday.  After that, we will drive back to Farilbault where her friend Randy has a lake home that we can stay at till I get into Hope Lodge.  I'll get to see where it is, and what I can and can't use.....etc.  Check the place out!  Wish it was supposed to be a nice day, but not much better than today according to the weather man.  I may have to pull out my hot pink gloves!  My hands are really reacting to the cold, just like my sinuses! 

Love and prayers to you all, m

Morning Sunshine then Clouds Rush In!

When I got out of bed the sky was blue and the sun was shining.....all of a sudden the cloud have covered the sky with not a hint of blue....and it looks like it is going to rain.  I guess I'll be packing up and heading for home soon.  Got lots of wash to do and house cleaning to get caught up on.

We had a nice day yesterday dispite the chilly weather. Welcomed some company, cousin Judy, Ann's mom and step dad, and Johnny Brett and his girlfriend.  We talked and laughed and consumed food all afternoon....that and hot coffee!!  Jack actually put his wave runner into the lake and played for a while, but then offered to buy Nick a day brew to drive it back to the boat launch cause it was so cold!!  I think they all came back with Hot Chocolate.  We did see a few patches of sun, but they were far and few between.  Then after all the company and kids were gone, Jim, Ann and I played "Cut Throat" a card came Kathleen and Gary taught me.  Jimbo seemed to have Gary's luck and won almost all the games, but I think Ann pulled out two.  I as usual didn't win.  But had fun anyway.

Hoping the electrician gets finished tomorrow and gets his final approval and the cabin gets it's stamp of approval too!  Brad still has some work to be done in the bathroom and we need some trim around the new back door....but other than that it's just puttsie things like filling nail holes and touching up the paint on the trim.
Hope you all have a Happy Labor Day!  Love and prayers, m

I've Seen Sunny Days That I Thought Would Never End

And we're hoping this last weekend before school starts.  Kinda the last weekend of Summer.  Jack came up with the title for me today.  I picked that over "I've Seen Fire and I've Seen Rain"  as it really is a beautiful morning.  I slept in again this morning....getting to be a habit. 

The lake is calm and it really does look like it is going to be a great day.  Only one big project left in the cabin, and Jimbo is already busy working on it....changing the light fixture over the table to be a more substantial light....actually it looks exactly like the light in the new hallway.  So once that is done, we have no more projects to accomplish....this weekend.  I'm sure there are a lot of other projects....just not ones we have to do this weekend.  I finished painting the railing and handrails and pulled all the masking tape off.  While I had the hand rail off, I touched up the wall paint too...so it really looks nice.

Sitting at the table with all the kids eating breakfast, so I keep getting distracted...taking a long time to write this.  Cousin Judy may drive up today, and maybe some friends of Jim and Ann's but other than that, we're just going to relax and enjoy the day.

Jack, Rae and Nick hanging in the new family room.

View from the kitchen into the new dining room.

Sitting area welcoming the new addition.

New door, still missing the trim.

Tomorrow I'll head home and start making plans for the month trips to Rochester Mayo.  Janet will drive me down on Wednesday and so the fun begins.

Cold night, Sunny Blue Sky Morning

I must have worked so hard yesterday that I slept in this morning.  Then when I did wake up, I stayed in bed for another 20 minutes trying to talk myself into getting out from under the covers.  Cold in here this morning, even with my sweatshirt on.

Yesterday the plumber got final approval, and the shower and new toilet are now in place and working.  Bill and Kim arrived with seven kids (only two of their own) to celebrate Tommy's 13th birthday, just in time to see the new back door go in.  Then the builder informed me that I needed house numbers on the cabin to pass the final inspection.  So I went and got them.  The electrician arrived and installed more lights/fans and smoke alarms....but still didn't get finished.  He'll be back on Tuesday.  Then Annie and Doug stopped in on their way camping and took a tour of the place.  Then Jimbo and Ann arrived. This place was hopping!!

Jimbo was on a mission to get this place cleaned.  So we set about the task of moving furniture from the upstairs to the downstairs....which became a hugh task.  First we tried taking the loveseat out the back door and around the side of the cabin and into the sliding glass door, but the doorway wasn't wide enough, so Jimbo and Bill had to carry it back around and in the somehow got it down the stairs around the corner and into the new family room.  Then the fun began, we took the legs off the couch thinking that would help (which in the long run did) but then tried lifting it over the raining (the 3 of us women) and lowering it down to Jim and Bill standing on the stairs, and standing it up on end on the landing, but is was too big to get the rest of the way down, so we had to lift it back up over the railing and take the handle off the patio door so we could open it wider and then they had to carry the couch out the back door and down and around the cabin and into the patio door.  The coffee table (door) also went that way.  Then they had to put everything back together (the legs on the couch and the handle on the patio door) and started arranging it.  We now have the table back infornt of the windows in the old part of the cabin where mom always had the table, but it is now dwarfed by the room.  Need something to fill it up.

I guess that is why I slept in this morning....that and the fact that the smoke alarms were going off again last night.  They waited till I just got to sleep (11:30 p.m.) and then I had to get up three times before I silenced them for the night.  We now have five of them on this level, and I have four of the five now laying on the floor of each bedroom.  Something I need to discuss with the electrician.

It's 10:40 and I'm still writing and in my pjs, need to shower and get moving before company comes.  Love and prayers, m

The Wind is Howling!

Shouting Happy Birthday Tommy! 

It has been blowing strong and wild all night.  And this morning we have white caps on the lake coming from the north!....so that means it's a cold breeze blowing out there.  The clouds are racing across the sky.

It was also a crazy night or morning.....at 5:30 a.m. I got up to go to the bathroom and while sitting on the stool, the fire alarm system just installed yesterday afternoon went off!  OMG such a screeching noise and they now have a woman yelling "Fire....Fire"  There wasn't one thank goodness.....but she just kept yelling over the screeching.  I got a chair and tried to disarm the one in the hall to no avail so I put on a sweatshirt and shoes, and ran down to the boathouse to wake Jimbo.  He came back up with me, and got the one in the hall to stop....but there is one is each bedroom, so he had to pull out two more and take the battery out of the last one to get them to all stop.  So that's another thing I'll have to talk to the electrician about today.

We finally went back to bed, and I awoke at 7:12 and decided I better get up as the place would be buzzing soon.  I was followed by Jimbo and his friends who had a 7:45 tee time for golf, and then the plumber pulled in.  So we are off to the races to get this place done.

Yesterday, the floor in the new bathroom got tiled, and I painted the first coat of trim on all the window and door jams in the lower level.  Then the electrician came and started installing those amazing fire alarms and ceiling lights/fans in the bedrooms.  He mentioned that I still needed to purchase one more outside light for next to the new patio door in the family room.  So I changed clothes and headed for Home Depot....which seems to be a daily event of late.  While I was gone long time friends Bonnie and Bob came to visit (they have a place on Clearwater) and the electrician told them I was shopping.  I was feeling bad that I missed seeing them, but soon after Bonnie called and they came back.  They were anxious to see the new addition and everything I talk about in my blog  So I got a chance to show the place off and visit with them.

Jimbo and Rick and two other friends also came up yesterday just before noon, and dropped off their stuff and headed for Southbrook, a nearby golf course.  They were gone all afternoon and didn't come back till just after the Viking game ended.  Then they all headed for the boathouse to listen to the Twins game and get a few hours of sleep before they started golfing again this morning.  Funny part is they also ran into Bonnie and Bob twice yesterday, first at the gas station earlier in the day, and then at the golf course where they all had dinner.  So Jimbo had caught them up on all the news etc. before I even got to see them.  But I think it made them even more anxious to see the place.

Well, today we were supposed to celebrate Tommy's birthday with a party of boys boating and tubing, but it doesn't look like that will happen....at least not the boating and tubing.  We'll just have to wait and see what the day brings!  Love and prayers, m

Rain and Unseasonably Cool!

Or is it?  Maybe mother nature knew that yesterday was the first of September, and the kids go back to school next week and sent this weather specially for them.  Whatever! it doesn't feel like summer today....doesn't look like it will tomorrow either, but some sun is predicted for the holiday weekend...but I don't think it will be accompanied by heat.

I got a lot of painting done yesterday....but it really doesn't look like it.  I only painted the railing and hand rails.  But those little posts with all those curves and cravises make for hard painting.  Brushes don't just glide up and down.....you have to dab and force the paint into small places it doesn't want to go into....and to avoid getting on a ladder, I had to paint with my arm or hand stuck between the spindles or blindly in places I couldn't see where the paint was going or not going. It was really tricky.  But I must say it looks great!  Today I will tackle all the white trim that was just installed.

A few minutes before 8 a.m. I had a knock on the door, and greeted Mike Christy and his dad. (Mike is who installed the carpeting last week) They will be doing the floor in the bathroom....this needs to get done so the rest of the bathroom can be put in place.  The plumber and electrician are waiting on the floor.  So hopefully tomorrow the toilet can be set in place.  I think they are planning on the final inspection sometime tomorrow as well, and I'd guess that the bathroom and shower need to be done for that....so it will be close.  Still need the lights hung in the upstairs too.  Maybe I'll see the electrician today too.

Yesterday the drainfield got it's addition of 133 linear feet so we meet code with that.  Adding 5 bedrooms makes them think we need a larger drainfield than normal!  I can't figure out why?!!!  We had just as many people before....we just didn't have individual bedrooms to sleep them....just a lot of air mattresses and campers etc.

Well, I guess I better get to work.  Looks like the sun is burning through the clouds, and I see a few patches of blue up there.  Love and prayers, m

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Literally it is so beautiful this morning.  The air is crisp, the lake is calm, and the sun is shining.  The hummingbird has been to the feeder several times already....fattening up for the long trip south.

I slept in till 8 a.m. enjoying the warmth of my blankets.  But soon after getting up I heard the noise of heavy equipment and realized they have finally arrived to lay the extra 133 linear feet of drainfield we need.  We've been waiting for them all summer. So maybe if the bathroom gets done, we can have our final inspection on Friday like the contractor hopes!

I went and watched 4 of the eleven grandkids run in a cross country meet yesterday in St. Cloud.  Tommy ran with the Middle School, Colie and Allie with the JV and Katie on varsity.  So the first was at 4 p.m. and the last race was at 5:40....long day of standing and or positioning to see them run by several times during each race.  Luckily we could stand in the general area of the starting line and see them start, finish and twice inbetween without having to move to far.  By a little after 6 p.m. I was on my way to the cabin, (just 20 miles south of St. Cloud).

Even though I just left on Sunday evening and returned two nights later, the cabin has really changed.  The railing is complete....even with hand rails, the floor in the family room is finished, and all the trim is in place. Jimbo, Doug and Brad have been working hard.  The ceiling lights/fans in all the upstairs bedrooms still need to be hung as well as those in the entry way and hall, but all the outside lights are in.  Funny thing is I even have a door bell!  I wonder what mom will think about that?  She always exclaimed how she loved coming to the cabin where there was no TV, no Telephone and no DOOR BELL, and now we have them all, plus the wifi.

Today I will paint.  I need to put another coat on the railing, and two coats on the areas I haven't painted yet.  Do a lot of trim painting in the lower level and do some grocery shopping in between sometime.  I don't work as fast as the guys do, but I should accomplish a lot today.  Also have to make some phone calls to ING, I still have money floating around in cyberspace they need to retrieve for me.  Love and prayers, m