Thursday, June 23, 2016

Maybe another cancer update is due...
I've had my last scheduled chemo. I had the radiation treatment on the tumor on my spine a couple of days ago. Next week, I'll have day surgery to place a stent that should allow my left kidney to drain normally. If that works, a week later the nephrostomy tube will be removed, and no more leg bags! Sigh...then, we get a little rest.
We knew in January that the cancer wouldn't be cured, but we have slowed it down, and even pushed it back considerably. My tumors are much smaller, the doctor tells me. He also tells me I am "...doing remarkably well, especially considering how sick you were last winter!"
All very good news, eh? I think so, too. Now I will get a chance to rest and get better, and not lose a week and a half out of every month to nausea and fatigue. I'm ready for that! I will have another ct scan at the end of July, I think, and will see the doctor a week or so after that, and then we'll see what comes next. 
Until then...
Hi! How are you? What's up in your world? It has been a stupidly hot, dry summer here. We've finally gotten a little break, and some much-needed rain. All of my favorite fruits and vegetables are ripening. I love fresh fruits! Some weeks during this last round of chemo treatments, fruit was all I've wanted to eat. The melons are especially nice this summer, with all of the heat.

Since I've been off work, I was able to enroll three of the grandkids and one grand-niece in a fantastic summer program through Goshen Parks and Recreation: Sail Camp.
What a fun time we've had! They've gone every morning this week, from 9:00 to noon. None of them had ever done any sailing before. On the first day they were taught how to capsize their boats and right them, given some basic sailing instructions, and then sent out to sail, sail, sail. They are out of the boats for about ten minute midmorning, for stretching and snacking, and then back out they go. It has just been amazing to watch their confidence and skills grow as they pilot their little boats. I am so impressed! 
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.














I am doing ok. As they say, " You cannot control the wind, you can only adjust your sails."

Be well, and safe, and happy...