Wish I had some fireworks to put on this page, but I don't know how. Just imagine!
Gina and I went to Jackson to my Chemo Treatment after all, and all went well. So I'll catch up on the blog with the details in the morning.
Fun good photos of the tuttle comet and comments by the people who took them from all over the world. I forgot to look last night myself so seeing the pictures was nice. Click:
http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_tuttle_page4.htm
Temple PeakWow, New Year's Eve tomorrow. Another year done and gone. When I look back now it has sped by, especially the last three months of being ill, thought it would be slow and it seems like its been the blink of an eye since that first doctor visit in October. It's all been on the fast track. Its two months now since the surgery. Seems things are going just as they said on the recovery and feel a little better in that respect every day.
Gina and I have conferred this morning and decided not to try to go to Jackson for my chemo in the morning. We have close to eight inches of new snow here plus what was on the ground. And the wind is blowing a ground blizzard. The sun comes out and then it all doesn't look so bad, but we know the roads up through the Hoback will not be nice, let alone the fact that the snow plows surely won't be out our way by 7 a.m. And this wind will really pile up some drifts now. (Remember Big Kahuna?) So now the plan is to shoot for going up to the hospital on Wednesday morning. The only important thing about tomorrow is that I had an appointment with Dr. Buys from the Huntsman Cancer Clinic (she comes once or twice a month) and I will ask my nurse if we couldn't have our appointment tomorrow on the phone instead - if she needs to talk to me personally. Or maybe my charts will be enough for her. It's just not worth sitting and worrying about. And the nurses have always told me if the weather is bad we can do the treatment a day or two later.
One glitch is that Edis and Nancy are supposed to arrive Tuesday night from Bozeman, so it may be them that take me to Jackson instead of Gina. Plans do go astray sometimes.
Joe's got lots of football so he's occupied with that. I've been reading through old correspondence files, specifically transcribed Edis' letters into the computer this morning. I glean information from all these old papers that will give me dates and events for "The Book". I get all that saved into the computer and it sure helps my memory a lot. Then when Edis visits I can give her her old letters back. I've been returning their letters as I record info from other people's correspondence. It's a good chore while being snowbound. I got the big Judi file all finished last night and another large bag of discarded pages for the trash.
Getting up late and leisurely sure does away with morning. Its lunchtime before I know it and never accomplishing much. I always sleep best early in the mornings so the rest is a good thing right now.
My Violet is blooming again.Another quiet and uneventful day, so not much to write about. Weather was indeed warmer, maybe up to 15 for a high but only 5 below or so at night. It was mostly cloudy and snow coming and going all day. It may have amounted to a fluffy 5 inches of new snow so far. Supposed to be a 90% chance of more snow tomorrow. It was lovely to look out and watch the passing weather on the landscape. Already I can notice that the days are getting longer and I'm always grateful for that. It will soon give us a little more daylight as we come back from Jackson. It doesn't mean winter is over with though.
I've been putting the dog's coats on when they go out lately. Raven especially loves wearing her coat. Then Sparky has to have his on too. No more alarms after dark when they go out.
Joe fixed the kitchen faucet today. He watched a lot of football. Hmmmmm, what else?? I felt better today, maybe one of my best days and it seemed like I just wanted to relax and enjoy it, so that's what I spent the day doing. Did some reading.
Friends Edis and Nancy, who worked for me at Big Sandy, have been planning to come in January to see us. They will travel together. They both called me today, so I'm looking forward to seeing them soon. They are two of my most favorite people.
Space Weather News for Dec. 29, 2007http://spaceweather.com/After a 13.6 year absence, Comet 8P/Tuttle is once again traveling through the inner solar system. On Jan. 1 and 2, 2008, it makes its closest approach to Earth--only 24 million miles away. The emerald-colored comet will brighten to a predicted magnitude of 5.8, visible to the unaided eye from dark-sky sites and a fine target for backyard telescopes anywhere.Two nights before closest approach, on Dec. 30th and 31st, something extraordinary will happen: Comet 8P/Tuttle has a beautiful close encounter with spiral galaxy M33.
Rattlesnake Dick's on the New Fork, It was very cold again last night. The dogs have their dinner just after we eat and then right out the door to potty. Well they immediately began to bark and wouldn't go off the porch. After several minutes of that and seeing they were worried about SOMETHING that definitely was "out there" I brought them in. In another couple of hours I figured they must be about to pop, so let them out again. Same thing, frantic barking and back in without going anywhere. After I finished catching up the 4 missed days of blogging and ready to go "night night" they still hadn't been out. I checked the thermometer and it was 33 below zero. I bundled up and went out with them and we quickly got potty time over with and they zipped right back in and never asked to go out again all night.
Joe had to go to town today for his blood test so left pretty early. I said "BRRRRR". He took our garbage barrels to the dump, got parts for the kitchen faucet which has been dripping and I don't know what else. He stayed in town for lunch. Joanne and Tom sent us a loaf of pumpkin bread! That was very thoughtful, and thank you guys.
I made some Little Bear shortbread cookies - had the dough already made and frozen ahead. About 1:30 or so Jonita and Madelaine got here - Joe had just gotten back a short while before. And I was surprised that Mary Lynn came along with them. Jonita brought a beautiful and unusual bouquet of flowers, Mad brought lotion, using a lot of that lately and much appreciated, and Mary Lynn brought us some of the most wonderful scones she had baked. I had to taste them right away and pronounced them delicious. (And BTW Joe insisted he have one warmed up for dinner. I said I didn't care, he could have that if he wanted it.) We had the nicest visit with coffee/tea and cookies. Sure enjoyed seeing the friends and appreciate them driving out.
So after they left I hurried to find a vase to put the flowers in. They made a beautiful arrangement and in among the flowers I found a tag that said they apparently came from the Amazon! There are pineapple looking flowers I don't even know the name of one peach colored that looks like sculptured satin ribbon, and 4 red ones and some birds of paradise. some orchids(?) and other different looking things. The greenery is also very foreign looking, unrecognizable. I have them in the studio where I can see them nearly all the time. Thank you Jonita. They are truly unique, and you were right about the white ones setting the whole thing off. I enjoyed arranging them as well.
After checking the upcoming days' weather report, it looks like we aren't going to have such cold weather. It says "not as cold" so I hope this cold spell is over. As compared to last night at this time, its about 5 below, so that's an improvement already. Tomorrow doesn't look so bad, chance of snow, but the next three days look like we might get some snowfall that will amount to something. We'll just have to wait and see.
Minus 30 degrees here this morning. There was ice around all the windows until after noon. It may have gotten above 0, but not for long. As I write at 7:20 p.m. it's already -25.
Joe was up with the chickens as usual, but I slept from 8 p.m. last night to 9 this morning, not counting the usual spells awake. So am counting it as 13 hours anyway. Guess I needed the rest. And I got kind of depressed for a while with the family gone...so boohoo. A quiet day. Visited with Charm on the phone, and later Jonita called and said she and Madelaine will be over about 1 tomorrow afternoon. Beverly also called and told me about their trip home. They had snow falling most of the way through Utah, and were making 35 or 40 mph almost to St. George before it quit. They didn't get home until about 11 p.m. - a very long day
I cleaned out a file drawer that had all my map collection from everywhere I'd taken a trip and it will go to the recycling. Any of that info can be looked up on the Internet now. I'll use that file drawer for the medical records and files I have shoved in the bookcase. Next I also bundled up about 10 years worth of National Geographic magazines and got them into the back of my car along with all the rest of the recycling. So continues the purging. Then next I got the air purifier - that was one of our gifts from "the kids" - set up and running after reading those directions. I sure hope it works good because with no vent on the new stove we need something for the odors and also for the smoke that escapes the wood stove every time Joe opens the door to put wood in and listening to the ensuing smoke detector shrieking, not to mention a couple of stinky dogs.
We decided not to have turkey again, so had spaghetti for dinner. I put most of the large yam casserole into the freezer to have at another time. I'm afraid the amount of raspberry pretzel jello salad that is left is more than we can get away with though.
Joe put the chains on my car, getting ready for my next Chemo appointment on Monday. I guess he thinks a part of the road to the mailbox isn't the greatest yet. That is how he is taking care of me, by doing those kind of things. He laid out there on the garage cement floor in 0 weather to put them on.
Brent and Truck Packed and Ready to Leave Today Bev, Brent and Clayton packed up their truck and started home. It was a dark cloudy morning and they slept longer than they intended to so didn't get away until 8:30 or 9 a.m. She sent me an email that they didn't get home until almost 11 p.m. driving in winter weather, and would call me tomorrow. It was pretty lonely with them gone. It didn't snow here today and ended up fairly clear and cold.
Joe went out to get the mail, and did his other chores, bringing in wood and feeding the cats. I saw all five of the cats out sunning themselves next to the feed manger under the horse shed in the corral. The sun shines right in there. As usual I'm always glad to know I still have them all.
Today I did finally look at my email and had a lot to delete, plus enjoyed hearing from those friends who wrote. I wanted to thank every one who sent us messages and Christmas cards. Love those Christmas letters! I'm sorry I didn't manage to get cards out for the holidays. Maybe when I get my other computer back I'll make a card and send to everyone.
We started the laundry going before Beverly left. I figured I'd maybe make one bed back up each day, but I felt good enough to do all three of them, and get the bedrooms back together. Did all the laundry and got it folded, and got the kitchen spiffed up pretty good. Betty called after her nap and we had a nice visit. We had leftover turkey for dinner, so that was easy.
I cancelled my old wyoming.com address which I'd kept for a year, so if you are one still writing to me there, I will not get any messages on there any more. (The new address for most of the last couple of years is lmthomas@hughes.net.)
Frosty and his Tractor and Plow
Beverly Makes Christmas DinnerCan't remember what we had for breakfast today, (writing several days after the fact). I know I made waffles, but don't think it was this day. One day Brent made scrambled eggs and Beverly made thin pancakes with straw berries and whipped cream. Did we even eat breakfast today?? I started a pumpkin and a chess pie and got them in the oven.
Anyway after everyone got going and some few morning chores done, we sat in the living room and opened our gifts. Clayton passed ours out to us - as they had opened their gifts at home before they left. Joe got a wonderful digital atomic clock with numbers about 10" high - its gives the day and date and indoor temperature and is updated by satellite (so now he never needs to ask me what day it is again), a new green shirt, a NFR rodeo hat, and a big jar of mixed nuts and some chocolates. I got 2 pairs of soft and cozy pjs, since that is what I'm wearing most of the time just lately, some warm slipper sox and a Willow Creek figurine - an angel with blue birds along her arms - which I love, and some beautiful Calphalon knives which were badly needed. Together we got an air purifier, also needed and appreciated. Also, Beverly brought the last pages of the scrapbook she made for me of memories of our family. She brought the first pages, about 2/3 of it, with the beautiful cover to me at the hospital in Salt Lake and said she would have more pages for me later. I wish you could see it. She is an expert and creative scrapbooker. Thank you all so much for being our Santa, everyone. For years we have given everyone money, so that was also exchanged and since I PROCRASTINATED AGAIN and didn't get them mailed, Beverly is taking everyone else's back to Vegas with her to give to the rest of the family.
As we were being busy in the kitchen, we saw Frosty come with his huge tractor and plow to plow out our road. I think he must have spent most of an hour on it. It's a good thing, since the wind had drifted our track in and all our vehicles, including Brent's truck, were all snowed in I'm sure. Frosty never came in so we still don't know details yet.
Beverly had said she would cook the dinner and she got started on it. She made the best ever meal - turkey with yam casserole, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and raspberry jello salad - the kind with the pretzel crust and a layer cream cheese and pineapple. I made the cranberry sauce. I laid down and fell asleep for a nap and when I woke up the dinner was all ready. How easy was that?? Later after getting the after dinner mess cleaned up we had the pie for dessert.
Clay walked down the road with the dogs quite a few times and they loved it. Sparky adores Clay and just sits in front of him and gazes into his eyes. About sunset all of them took a walk. They didn't seem too interested in doing a much outdoors or in using the snowmachines.
Beverly went on line and we were able to verify the date that the computer had been delivered to Best Buy by UPS and printed that out. They have had it about 6 weeks now, so I will be calling them soon to find out what's taking them so long to get it back to me.
Later that evening we made some popcorn and watched Clay's DVD movie Transformers. It was continuous action, kind of good, amazing what they can do with all that computer and digital image stuff. We also watched several other videos of mine in the afternoon that Clay picked out.
Chili and Cornbread 
Brent, Bev, Clay - Watching DVDsToday we had a lot of family time together which was very nice. Got the turkey out to defrost. For lunch it was sub sandwiches and leftover soup. One of the gifts Beverly, Brent and Clay gave us was to clean the whole house today. The three of them went entirely through the house and cleaned each room. It was very appreciated by us both and a special thing for them to do for us. While they did that I believe this was the day I paid some bills and went to my bank account on line to reconcile the checkbook. We watched some video movies while the guys watched football most of the day. Clay took the dogs for numerous walks. He finally decided he would wear his coat and gloves.
One of their traditions on Christmas Eve is to make chili and cornbread. So Beverly did that and it was very delicious with cheese on top, and some veggies and dip. Later we popped corn and watched Clay's DVD- Christmas Vacation - the one with Chevy Chase, on the big TV . It was pretty funny. It was a nice day.
The Tree and GiftsFinally some fun and interesting things going on. I'll just hit the highlights. Beverly, Brent and Clayton drove up to the ranch from Cedar City on Saturday. It got pretty icy after they got into Wyoming, but they went slow when they needed to and stopped more often for breaks. They got here about 7 p.m. I had hot vegetable beef soup simmering in the crock pot and had made Melita's bunillos. We are sure glad to see them. They got their stuff unloaded and into their rooms and Brent's truck parked in the shop so it wouldn't freeze up sitting outside. It's a real snug fit through the door, but he made it without bending the mirrors or denting anything.
I made the dough for cinnamon rolls yesterday that I baked for Sunday breakfast. They had the hugest rubbermaid tub I've ever seen with a small fiberoptic tree and all our gifts. Beverly and Brent set that up this morning.
The wind blew hard in the night, but today has been sunny bright with some wind gusts in the afternoon. The wind is moving the snow and beginning to fill up our track. This may be the evening that Frosty will come to plow our road - yet to be seen. Tomorrow may have another storm coming through, as much as 8" the weather report says, but I bet we don't get that.
Brent and Clayton took a walk out through the field on the snowshoes, but so far we haven't done much more adventurous. Maybe try the snowmachines tomorrow. This kind of cold is an unusual experience for them.
Today is Beverly's birthday so we'll broil some steaks for dinner. We all decided not to have cake. Maybe I can stick a candle in her baked potato. ....Later I did bake an easy lemon cake with lemon glaze, one layer, and we had crayon candles on it and sang Happy Birthday Dear Beverly. We came home from the hospital on Christmas day 1957, with our special Christmas gift, a new baby girl. Wow! half a century ago.
MOON AND MARS: Please don't miss this: At sunset on Sunday, Dec. 23rd, the full Moon and Mars will rise in the east less than two degrees apart. So close together, the two brightest objects in the evening sky look absolutely dynamite. The display will be visible all night long, even from brightly lit cities, and requires no telescope to enjoy.
Rabbit in YardIt snowed light and lovely most of the day. Kind of a misty silvery gray fog over all the landscape. Joe says we have about 8" now. He made a track out to the mailbox about noon in his old yellow chevy with the chains on the back tires. But the mail hadn't come yet so he didn't wait long. We didn't have wind that moved the snow today like it had in the night, but other places across the state it was bad traveling with most of the highways heading east being closed. I watched the Salt Lake news this morning and they were having all kinds of crashes on their roads and freeways.
But later Sheral and Dick called from Layton (North of SLC) and said their roads were dry, so that was good news......because.....Beverly, Brent and Clayton are on their way to spend Christmas with us. They were taking off from Vegas after Clay got out of school this afternoon and are stopping at their friends in Cedar City overnight. Then they will come on to the ranch tomorrow. It should be a much better day for traveling tomorrow. We've been anxious for them all to get here. I hope they have a good time experiencing winter here. They can snow machine, snow shoe, snow ski, snow toboggan, snowball fight, snow man build, etc. Beverly is going to cook Christmas dinner. And another special day, her birthday is the 23rd. When she was born we came home from the hospital on Christmas day. She's 50 this year!!
Iris also called me back this morning from Salt Lake and she is doing fine. (BTW Iris's b-day is Christmas!) She'll be on her way to her new condo in Houston on the 31st. We had a surprise visit from Susan and Joe this afternoon. So good to see them. Susan is a breast cancer survivor for 8 years now so it was comforting to talk to her about what she had been through. They brought us banana bread! Jonita and Madelaine were going to come over, but with the weather the way it was decided to wait until a nice day after Christmas.
This morning there were 6 jack rabbits in our back yard and little orange tomcat Rusty trying to stalk and keep track of them all. The rabbits weren't worried. I've been going to tell you since it first snowed how many rabbit tracks are all over the country, up and down the roads and round and round the house. I've never seen so many tracks. They make packed down trails off across the country side. I know from the past that you can walk on those trails, although narrow, and not sink down in the deep snow.
Joe was rubbing liniment on his foot this morning and I asked him what that was about. He said he thought he broke a bone in his foot a while back. I asked why didn't he get it x-rayed yesterday and he just did his usual language about suggestions like that. He said he had been asleep and stepped on his foot wrong when he got up. He's always groggy when he wakes up like that. I guess he's better than he was when it happened.
Sparkle Plenty and The Raven This morning Joe left me sound asleep and went to town to get his blood work done and a haircut. He got a few groceries, some fresh things we were running out of. It was a very cloudy morning and seeing to drive was hard. He has trouble with that, but decided to go on in. I got showered, and about 10 a.m. or so, Judi came over. This is the day we picked for her to come out and give me a foot massage. And actually we gave each other one with the great products she brought along. We had such a nice visit, as we usually do and I appreciated her thoughtfulness in coming out on a less than perfect day. She also brought Joe and I each a dinner from Rendezvous Pointe. They had beef brisket so that's what we'll have tonight. I warmed up Judi and I some leftovers for lunch, it certainly wasn't anything as yummy as I would have liked, but that's what we did. Soon she felt like she should go on home before the weather got too much worse as she was driving her car and had drug bottom in the snow coming down our lane.
Joe got back an hour or so later. He brought me my Christmas gift of a dozen red roses. They are so perfect and gorgeous. I got them into a vase, and then put the groceries away. Gina had gotten Prilosec, which I have to take twice a day, at the Rock Springs Walmart for me at $10 a box less than it costs at Falers. She tracked Joe down and he brought that home to me. Thank you Gina!
Joe said the radio said we were supposed to get 12 to 18 inches of snow. I'm pretty sure that's in the mountains. But it was no time until the snow really started coming down and had near blizzard conditions for several hours. As I'm writing this, the amount that has fallen still isn't a lot and the clouds have lifted just a little bit. Still can only see the base of the hills. The temp is not as cold as it was a week or so ago, though cold if the wind blows. So hugging the wood stove with Raven is a good idea.
If you want to check it out, weather updates are on http://www.pinedaleonline.com/ and keep clicking around the webcams to get on the WYDOT pages where there are good views of the roads. Also there is a good weather report at http://www.wyoming.com/ and go down on the right and click on the city "Pinedale". In there is also a hazardous weather report. Reading that makes you not want to go anywhere right now.
I got the dishes put away and a load of laundry folded. Am still dealing with the upset stomach. Will it be that way from now on I wonder. Other than that, I'm feeling fairly good today.
Dec. 24, 2007: It's Christmas Eve, and you're snuggled cozily in your den. A glowing fire gently crackles and pops in the fireplace, and your head starts to droop as you nod off. Just then, something cold and wet nudges your cheek. You open your eyes to stare directly into a large black nose. It's time to take the dog for his walk.
Grumbling in vain, you put on your coat, snap the leash onto the wiggling dog's collar, open the door to a rush of cold air. You step outside and enter a magical landscape.
The night isn't dark, it's glowing with a silvery-white light. Up above, the 98% full moon looks huge and clear in the azure sky. It just might be the brightest moon you've ever seen. That's because it's the highest-riding full moon until the year 2023.
And not far from the beautiful moon glows fireplace-red Mars. This Christmas Eve, Mars is at its closest to Earth for the next nine years. Mars is also "at opposition." That's astronomy-lingo for "directly opposite the sun." It means Mars is up whenever the sun is down: on Christmas Eve, the Red Planet will be visible all night long.
As Christmas scenes go, it doesn't get much better. Gliding in formation across the sky, the moon and Mars seem so close you could almost reach up, grab the pair and bounce them down the street for Fido to retrieve.
Or maybe you could lasso them, as George says in the movie It's a Wonderful Life. "Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey! That's a pretty good idea! I'll give you the moon, Mary...."
This is a not very good photo of an old painting I've always liked of Norm and his dog, Freckles. I think I called it Old Friends or something like that.
Another day gone. None of those bad symptoms or pain have showed up this time. Much more subtle things, and my stomach upset or whatever it is that it does after the chemo. Mostly felt tired with no ambition, and just have to let it be that way apparently. I've given up even thinking of doing any Christmas cards this time, even a few. I tried to make some like I have for past Christmases, but can't do anything but waste the (expensive) photo paper, so gave that up. (I know, I HAVE to track down what is going on with the old comuter.) I'm sorry that I have no spirit for gift shopping either, and that's also just going to be how it is for now. The Christmas Spirit is in my heart anyway, probably more than ever.
This evening I made us some hash browns and a vegetable omelet with a little sausage in it for dinner. I used the new Vidalia Chopper that Debbie got me to do the vegetables and yes, I do like it. Joe is kind of wanting to know how to make some of the things he likes. I thought maybe I could make him a notebook with some of the easy recipes in it in big print.
Sandra and LukeWell, I lost my heart and soul today. Susie helped my beloved Luke to cross the rainbow bridge this a.m. He got really sick yesterday and it appeared his systems were beginning to shut down. So, the oldest mule in the county has gone over and I am sure his friend Mona was there waiting for the kiss he always gave her.
He was such an amazing mule as those who knew him can attest to. He had the biggest heart of any equine I've ever known. He taught my horses many things, he won ribbons at the county fair, he carried children, old ladies and this old lady faithfully. He will be so sorely missed by all who loved him.
Sandra
Richie Road A very uneventful day. It started off sunny and beautiful with no wind. Later clouded up and by night is snowing lightly. Did almost nothing but meals and used the quiet time for some spa treatments and badly needed manicure/pedicure.
I tried to make the copier give me some prints of a Christmasy drawing for a few cards, and it just didn't work very well. I haven't figured out how or why the laptop isn't recognizing the scanner in the printer since it knows the printer. I can just about only copy with the minimal copier program.
As for how I'm doing after the chemo day, pretty well. Just feeling tired and kind of listless, but didn't even nap this time. No shoulder pain so far. The headache was almost non-existant. I ate very little today until dinner. We had a nice dinner of salmon and artichokes.
Drifts on Road Another day with chemo scheduled. I'm not sure if I dread or anticipate going. Up by 6 and got ready, PILLS!!, had some breakfast, Joe got the car out for me and I was gone to meet Charm at Boulder by 7:45. The roads were amazingly good, actually dry except right through the Hoback Canyon it was a little slushy and dry again going down into Jackson. Such a stunning winter wonderland drive, like floating through a Christmas card. This has to be one of the most scenic roads in the country and it makes the day pleasurable (as long as the road is good enough, and it was). It is also such a nice way for Charm and I to get caught up with what's going on with each other.
We got to the hospital about an hour early, but only had to wait a little until they took me in. All six chairs were filled all the time we were there. Everything went well, got the IV in on the first try, but needed to do another for drawing blood because the first vein was small. The blood work results showed the liver enzymes, biliruben AND TUMOR MARKER READING were all down, so that was good news. Nurse Judy filled out more paperwork on how I'd done in the last week and gave me more valued information. She is an angel. We waited for longer than before for the test results and the chemo cocktail to arrive, but then we were out by about 1:30. I don't go back again now until the 31st and that day will also see the Huntsman Cancer Institute's Dr Buys. The port in my chest may be done there at the hospital on the 7th or 8th by Dr. Poore.
We saw Betty, another Boulder lady there getting blood work done. She has sure had a most terrible time with her health and hip replacements that failed in the last several years, but she's still trekking along. We went to The Bunnery for lunch and they had a good hot vegetable soup, Charm had salad with hers and I had a half turkey sandwich. Its a bakery and we bought some of their OSM bread, which I know I'll enjoy. I only looked long at all the sweets but didn't buy. They are a beautiful treat even just for the eyes. Then we decided to walk through the Trailside Gallery and got a good art fix. And over to Smith's for some grocery shopping. I was slow and Charm got done before me. I thought she would also shop more, but she didn't. I was very glad to get the groceries and not have to go back during the week to Pinedale to get anything. Besides we have no stores like that in Pinedale and its awesome to see all the "stuff" there. I got some fresh salmon too and nice veggies.
The drive home was also beautiful. We got through most of the mountains before it was dark. There were two blizzards or squalls, one just outside Jackson we soon drove out of, and another as it was getting dark after we came over the rim and on almost to Daniel Junction. It was really putting down the snow for a while but Charm drove very safe and secure. As we got to that intersection we drove out of the storm and in the space of 1/2 a mile or so the roads were dry the rest of the way. We had started to think that we'd have to take Melita up on her offer to spend the night if ever necessary. Filled up with gas in Pinedale and got to Boulder about 6, already pretty dark and you know how I turn into a pumpkin if I'm not home before dark. But we did what we needed to do. I called Joe from Boulder and said I'd be home in an hour. Jim called him and I guess we were both in trouble for being late and worrying our guys.
I stopped at the mailbox for our mail (and the Vidalia Chop Wizard Debbie ordered for me had arrived. I'll look at it tomorrow.) Joe put the car away. He had the leftover lasagna heated up for dinner and after getting the groceries put away I sat down and ate - he already had his.
So.....I'm happy and feeling serene. Now it is to be seen how I get through the next couple of days - whether any shoulder pain, nausea, sleeping the day away, etc. Judy told me to be sure and take the nausea pills morning and night for two days, and pain pills as needed, so I will.
Charm XC skiing Sunday was another good day weatherwise, just cold. Got up, showered, shampooed, and had something to eat. Joe is still doing his own breakfast early. He's been having me tape the National Finals Rodeo and he watches that in the morning - its on for 2-1/2 hours.
Charm came over about 10 and gave me a haircut, and it really turned out cute. She did a great job, and boy did I need it. It looks so much better. We had a good visit and she stayed for lunch. I just shoved a Stouffer's lasagna in the oven to get hot while we played beauty shop and it was ready when we were done - very easy. Charm had brought the rest of my paintings from the Mixed Media Holiday Show that traveled over to Big Piney after it was in Pinedale. She drove over there Friday and got hers and got mine for me. Did I say that I sold three paintings from the show? That was nice and everyone else did all the work for me this time. Thank you guys everyone so much. You are wonderful. So I took those out to the garage and got them all nestled into boxes and on the shelves. In the afternoon I rested a while and read, but never did fall asleep. Then fixed our dinner, looked at the email and read some more of Judi's file.
I'm trying to figure out how to make some Christmas cards with my artwork on them from this laptop and I have most of the same programs that I think I should be able to and make the printer spit them out on some cards I have. I had it down so good on my old computer. Which by the way I have to track that down really soon, because I haven't heard a thing from Best Buy that they received it - remember Debbie sent it over UPS when she was still here. I can't find where I put the tracking number slip so have procrastinated....again.
BTW I am feeling pretty good by the end of the week. A day or two after the chemo I don't feel like doing much, so we will see if that gets better or what.
Where Marilyn Lives I had been thinking of Marilyn, who lives on a farm in Iowa, all during the TV reports on the terrible storms they were having in the midwest last week. This is what she sent when the power came back on.
Ice storm put our electric out for 6 days starting last tuesday early morning. Never saw such devestation, looks like a war zone. No trees in my area were left unscathed, some of our 25 footers will be need to be cut, all limbs are broken off at the trunk and they kind of look like toothpicks now. The huge oaks around my house have lost many branches and takes a lot of weight to do that to an 150 year oak, one was just ruined, topped clear out and now leaning over as if to fall. Two nights we spent in the cold, 3 blankets so heavy you couldn't turn over (I remember when that used to be fun, now it's just a nuciance, dang!) Peanutbutter sucked after the first two days and Wednesday we couldn't go to town as the ice had frozen in the tracks of the machine shed where both trucks were housed and we couldn't get them out, with and inch of ice frozen all over the car in the front it was just forget it. Good thing for some camping equipment, we did have a small propance cylinder light to use, of course we ran out of those in the first two days and they couldn't be bought anywhere. Thursday night we finally got the generator up and going, could run everything but electric stove and water heater, still we tried to use very few light bulbs. Generator was using 5 gallons of perimium gasoline ever 7 hours, about 45.00 a day but at that stage it was very worth it. Hopefully won't use that generator again but I can tell you it still is NOT FOR SALE. Had to get my mom one, my brother has one and everyone up our road now has one, I think they are not for sale either. I can tell all of you out there that ever has to use a generator, use your crockpot, they are low wattage and can have some hot food. I now have hot water, I'm going in and shower again, had to go to my sister's last night, who had lights and take a shower, my hair was starting to "shed water", so while I'm clean now, I'm going to go do it again for some overkill because I can.
Love to all, Marilyn
Bill and Phyllis a few years ago. Yeah....I know you're wondering where the blog has been for three days, but it seemed like I was just staying busy enough that I never got around to actually sitting down and writing. Everything is fine here.
Even these wintry days have been very sunny and bright but cold. Down around minus 25 at night and about 15 in the days. The stars at night have been amazing. There's been a crescent moon and Mars is hanging over the eastern hills in the evening like a red lantern. The 18th it will be closest to the earth, only 55 million miles. I also saw some of the Geminid meteors one night , but didn't watch for long. Venus? (or is it Jupiter) is huge before sunrise and I can't remember when I've seen that look so big, like a small moon.
Well Saturday seemed like another busy phone day. I heard from my cousin Bonnie over at Montera Bay CA right on the ocean and that was fun. They have lived there for 30 years, and want to move now near the redwoods north of San Francisco near the wine country. They will be about 15 miles from the ocean there near the Russian River. My sister Gloria also called and several other friends. I cleaned up my studio, put away the walker that's been sitting in here since I came home from the hospital so that is a statement, and put out new paint on the palette. I got a few strokes of paint on the current painting.
Bill and Phyllis came over in later afternoon with a plate of cookies and fudge and we had coffee and a nice visit with them. Then they were off to take goodie plates to other neighbors. They are such nice people. Phyllis took the box of frozen Georgia apples and is going to can them. She found that they could still eat some of them. Even though they were a little grainy she said they were still good. I'm so glad they could be put to good use. James said he would contact UPS and I hope he gets reimbursed for them.
I fixed us some dinner and spent until bedtime reading through parts of the very large file that Judi has given me. She always sends me a copy of whatever she has been up to, historic interviews, wonderful illustrated maps of their trips and other kinds of articles she has written. We agreed that (since she has her own copies of everything) I would burn all of this file and it not go anywhere else. I have about a quarter of it still to get through. I sure have enjoyed exploring through it all again, especially her maps and the great stories of local interest.
Evening Joe went to town this morning for his protime and got a few fresh things at the store. He stayed in for lunch. The dogs stayed outside the whole time watching for him to come back. I did a little housekeeping. Have still been gleaning through all the old files and papers for interesting info to write "The Book". So had another big yard bag full of papers to burn today. I got an idea for a poem from that, which I started and might share it later if it turns out any good at all. Debbie burned another big bag when she was here and I wondered what she was thinking as all those remnants of the past went up in smoke.
Debbie called and they have been carrying out all their Christmas traditions. She makes a large gift basket for all the employees of Curtis' company. I think tonight (?) she said they are going for a dinner cruise with all the employees on Lake Mead - I had to remember that its a lot warmer down there than here. Tayler spent the day skiing at Lee Canyon on a school outing. You can do that there - ski on Mt. Charleston and boat on the lake all in one day. Tomorrow they are going on an ATV ride with their group.
Sandra also called and we had our usual good visit, and had several other nice phone calls. I'm always cheered up to hear from people or get the beautiful cards. I called Kay this morning, and she said their family open house was very successful last weekend. I was so glad to hear that. Their whole family does a big variety of something artistic or creative and they do well with people coming to shop for Christmas gifts. They set up George's big shop with tables for all their creations and serve refreshments big time. I'm sorry I missed it. She has several "gigs" with her band for the holidays.
Yesterday Doc called and offered to plow the road, and said they were thinking of me. I told him Joe had asked Frosty to plow every Sunday so I could get out Monday mornings but would sure keep them in mind for a backup, which we very well might need some day. The wind is going to be the devil in that plan. But we have sure been lucky lately with almost no wind blowing.
I'm feeling pretty good today. Wish it didn't take most of the week to get better after the chemo, but I've heard that probably will just be that way.
#@%)&% ......I'm so unhappy to report that a box of 4 varieties of wonderful apples from Georgia orchards sent by James and Kathy were frozen solid. UPS left them out in the brown box by our mailbox instead of bringing them in to the house and I'm not sure how long they may have been there before Joe brought them in this afternoon. We don't go out there every day. It was 20 below here last night. Joe tried to eat one and said they were frozen, and I said what in the world am I going to do with a whole box of frozen apples?? What happens to apples that are frozen that way? I don't know if James can do something about it through UPS, but by tomorrow I think I should see if one of my neighbors (anyone out there??) would want to try to make applesauce or pie filling out of them. Remember when Debbie was here we packed all the canning jars off to the second hand store - figured I wouldn't do any more canning as I hadn't used them for some years now. And I'm not sure I'm up to it.
The Gift Tree from CharmWednesday was a really pretty sunny day, which was spent/wasted mostly sleeping. Had a spell of being nauseous, the first. And continued with the pain in shoulder and side. By evening was doing better.
A beautiful tabletop spruce tree arrangement arrived today from Charm. It is so fragrant and cheerful. Joe asked if I wanted our big artificial tree brought in but asked if he was going to decorate it and take it down later and he said no. So I declined having him bring it in. Anyway Debbie is sending a small fiber optic decorated tree along with Beverly and that is what we will have up when Beverly, Brent and Clayton are here for Christmas. They will be here in about a week from Saturday.
The field is very lonely and quiet with no horses there to watch. Usually for both of us the first thing we do in the morning is look out and check to see that the horses are doing o.k. So look instead for a few deer and the hawks that are hunting mice there. I didn't say that when we went to Jackson Monday a small herd of deer was out by the gate when I left and came back. They will probably be around until the snow gets too deep for them to find anything to eat there, then they will move to a better place.
Today - Thursday - is very cold, and was clear in the night but about sunrise began to set in to snow. By noon the hills are out of sight in the clouds and mist. We're doing fine, just no news to speak of. I'll get a shower and work some more on my painting. I assembled the new swivel sweeper and have the battery charging, then will try out my new toy.
Gina and Bob did come with their trailer this morning and get the last load of hay. They came in for a cup of tea and a nice visit. That was a very enjoyable distraction. Too bad I was still in my pjs! Sounds like they have a very busy day planned.
Mule DeerSpent today mostly resting, had the headache like last week, but so far no shoulder pain. Remember I had that pretty bad last week. Yesterday Carole explained to me what the pain likely was. There are no pain receptors in the area of the tumor/pancreas, around the (removed) gall bladder and bile duct and liver so it presents itself somewhere else, called referred pain, and the place it goes is the right shoulder. It may have meant that the chemo was working on killing the cancer which is its job. How amazing our body is.
Yesterday the swivel sweeper that Debbie ordered for me arrived. You would be surprised how small and lightweight the box is, although it looks like a good quality product. I haven't put it together yet. It will let me brush up the floor a little bit without using the vacuum. Joe has been using the heavy vacuum. He is doing so good helping out. I'm very proud of him.
Joe sold Bob and Gina the rest of our haystack. They are hauling it away, or maybe even finished it while I was gone yesterday. I didn't really look today. This is good.
Debbie called and we had a nice visit. Also Sheral and I talked for a while this afternoon. They sound like they are all ready for Christmas. I haven't done a thing. But Gloria sent me some pine cone decorations she made for us, and I set them on the table in the living room. Also the poinsettia, and it is very festive. Thank you for the gift of the plant, Charm. You are always so thoughtful. I am also still enjoying the memory of our day together yesterday.
Today was brilliantly bright and sunny, got to about 15 degrees. Tomorrow and the rest of the week sounds like it will be snowing off and on, with frigid temperatures and very low wind chills.
Carol from Oncology called this morning and they will not put the port in my chest until one of my January appointments so my day next week will still be Monday. She said everyone tries to get their surgery over with before Christmas (or maybe actually the end of the year), so the operating rooms are scheduled full right now. Deanne and I talked this morning and we will meet and leave early from Rookies for our appointments in Jackson next Monday.
Well, in the night Tuesday I did get the shoulder pain again.
FROM MY SISTER GLORIA IN GREEN VALLEY -
Remember Precious saved them from the snake in the bookcase.
The saga of Precious, The Fierce and Powerful Protector continues:
Last night, while Bob and I were in our respective spots in the living room, again watching a movie, our wonderful cat came to our rescue again. She was crouched for several minutes in the hallway, in front of the closet door. Coaxing her away wasn't going to work. Calling her to come and jump up into our laps wasn't going to work. Finally, the brave and most intelligent human in the house got the message from the genius cat that lives here had figured out there was something in the closet. You might be asking at this point, what could it be? Another snake? Don't think the brave and most intelligent human in the house wasn't asking the same question. Carefully tiptoeing, because animals, reptiles, and insects can't sense humans when they tiptoe really, really quite (ha!) - I opened the door, oh so cautiously. Because, animals, reptiles, and insects won't know you're opening the door if you do it really, really cautiously and quietly. As soon as I began to open the door Precious the Wonder(ful) Cat was on her feet and at the ready! She crept around the edge of the door and crept into the closet and protected my life with hers by keeping her distance from the stink bug that was posing there with it's rear end in the air by the edge of the door. She did keep it under surveillance while I trapped it under a glass and threw it out the door, into the cold, dark, rainy night. Hopefully, never to cross our threshold again with it's stink. Bob, all the while, again, was reclined in his chair watching the show. And, so, another chapter unfolds in the continuing story about the amazing wonder cat - Precious the Fierce!
Bondurant, McKinley's CabinJust wanted to put something on the blog to let you know that today went pretty well. Minus 10 degrees this morning. Met Charm about 8:30 at Boulder and we took my car. The roads were snowy then slick out our way, then the highway was pretty much clear until we got to the Rim where it got pretty slick and continued that way to Alpine Junction. We went in the Auto 4WD. Was kind of foggy, small snowflakes. snow on the pines, the whole trip looking like a Christmas card. Absolutely beautiful, especially along the river again. There wasn't as much ice in the river this week as last.
Got to the hospital about 10:30. It was much quieter this week than last. Saw Dr. Meno again. Went through the same procedure, put in IV, take blood draw, which results were pretty good, biliruben down low, except for showing the tumor markers pretty high, drip in the chemo. Carol gave me another big wad of information about what is going on, and probably why I experienced the pain after last week - It may be a good thing it turns out. Charm took notes for me this time.
"My" nurses are very wonderful people, I just can't find the words to say how I feel, I love them all and Dr. Meno too. Charm thought he is a doll! They are going to call me tomorrow to maybe change the appt. to Tuesday and have the port put in my chest they are talking about doing. There was a young man with a staph infection in his foot, I think the whole thing started with some bad splinters that went in and then surgery for that and later got infected. He is taking 24 hour antibiotics that are in a fanny pack, through the "pic line in his arm"..... the other option they might do on me.....I like the idea of the port better, because you have to flush the pic line with saline every day and most people have help with that. And I tend to procrastinate things I don't want to really do. Anyway he was very kind and helpful to show me exactly how the pic line in his arm looked and how it was to use it.
So after we got out of there we went over to the National Wildlife Museum to return the book I had bought which was a duplicate of one I already had. We ate lunch in their Sagebrush Grill, soup and salads. We could see the elk on the National Elk Refuge through the big picture windows, many 100's, maybe 1000's. A big bunch of bulls with antlers looking like a thicket of bare shrubs were separate from the big herds and laying together in a bunch closer to the highway, so we got a good look at them. There were wagons and teams taking people out on the tours to see the elk up close - wagons instead of sleds because there is almost no snow there yet. The mountains fading away into the distance through the fog and mist above the refuge were so beautiful.
We made two other stops, and Charm found some poinsettias at Smith's and got one for us too. They are all glorious - she got pink, white and red and I chose the red one. The temp was below freezing so you really have to protect them between the car and the house. Then we repeated the trip home, stopped at the drug store to fill my prescriptions, and Charm filled the car with gas while I was waiting at the drug store.
As we came into the Green River Valley and got the first and continuing looks at the Wind Rivers, we could see they had gotten a new dumping of snow and were absolutely glorious in the setting sun with the storm clouds lifting. Got home just about the same time tonight as last week. It was about 0 when I got here. Joe had reheated the pork roast for dinner. It was a long day and I'm about ready to lay down for the night.
Its a Coyote Just a note - another uneventful day. We had a beautiful light snow falling all day, the kind that you think about at Christmas time. We had the most beautiful coyote standing outside the front yard this morning, perhaps two of them were out there. Probably looking for an easy meal of kitty. They are awesome animals when they are healthy looking and in their prime. It is VERY cold tonight and will be early in the morning when Charm and I take off to go to Jackson.
I just want to say again how much I appreciate everyone's notes, cards, support and offers of help. I'm very aware of all the special friendships I am blessed with during this time. Its hard to go through the days without feeling such an outpouring of love. It is very meaningful to me. Just thought I'd tell you again and that I'm sorry I haven't been ambitious enough to answer each one.
We've been watching the NFR every night. I painted a little today, but didn't get far. It won't take long now to finish the painting. Still having those ups and downs with my insides, but a little better by tonight. Made us a pork roast dinner. I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.
Early Snow on SagebrushA pretty good day. When daylight came it was not stormy as predicted but fairly sunny, some blue sky holes, mostly clouds, no wind. There had been a skiff of snow in the night. This was supposed to be the worst storm day. I thought maybe I should try to beat the storm and go in to get some groceries and stock up the dog and cat food for the winter, but had planned to do it all in one trip with my treatment on Monday. Prices might be better at Smith's in Jackson. Then Joe came in and said we should go get what was on the grocery list. I said I'd rather do it Monday and waited a while getting my morning act together, then decided yes should take advantage of a pretty nice day and go. He would have gone with me but I said I'd go. It worked out fine. Worst thing was a nose bleed while having soup in the Chinese restaurant and someone in the restroom. Haven't had one for years. I had egg drop soup and ordered two lunches to go for our dinner, then went to the store. They loaded it all for me so I didn't have to lift anything. I was back home by about 2:30. Joe unloaded and I got the cold stuff all put away. Saved the canned goods etc. for doing tomorrow.
Then Joe's TV went more haywire than usual, off the satellite signal. So that probably took most of an hour to try different things. I finally got it going again. He can't read with his bad eyesight and I've always done the technical stuff with it. I had a good set of directions from Dish from the last time this happened and it worked.
The nurse from Jackson chemo dept. called again to see how I was doing and I was glad to tell her I was pretty good. They had called me yesterday too. The pain in my side is definitely better. The surgeon said it would take two or three months to get over the surgery and maybe that's a lot of what is happening, as well as getting used to a new way of eating. The medicine regime is something I don't really want to do but have to anyway. I bought a whole sackful of "stuff" I have to take. Yes, sat and read my email sipping on a small glass of prune juice.
Soon after I got home it got pretty dark overcast and snow showers started but by dinnertime still hasn't put down much snow. The grass is not covered in the field yet. Seems like it may be staying more south of us. Today I saw about 6 eagles, and some rough legged hawks, no deer. Sparky watched for deer very alertly and there were none for him to see.
Debbie called to check on us.
Smokey in the Eaves Almost nothing to write about and at the moment that is good. Today was quiet, calm and more relaxing. Joe went to town for his test at the clinic. I'm feeling better since the chemo treatment every day and spent today laying down a lot. By evening am even better, including the things I've had ever since the surgery. So hope that continues.
The day was mostly overcast with it looking more stormy by evening. We're supposed to have a storm over the weekend and be better by Monday when we're scheduled to go back to Jackson for the second treatment. Charm has offered to drive me this time, but if its bad we can postpone it very easy. Beverly called this morning.
House Early SnowLast night although still having pretty sharp pains just at my waist and still some in my shoulder I slept. I have to lay on my back with my head raised almost to sitting and hold still. I have been taking two oxycodone instead of one and its helping, but more to let me sleep than taking away the pain. I have to call somewhere and get a couple of the prescriptions refilled. Stayed in bed til about 8. Then after I got up and had some Activia with Tylenol, that sharp pain went mostly away, thank goodness. I hope it is gone for good. I can't help but think all that had something to do with taking the chemo. It seems like a week, but has only been going on for two days.
Started some laundry, folded two loads. Then got copies of forms from the bank ready to send to Bev and Deb to fill out to be on the checking accounts and get into the safety deposit box. Joe took them out to the mailbox so they would go in the mail today. I should also copy my med. records for each of the different doctors and get that done today. I was feeling very sleepy so took a nice nap. Joe fixed his own lunch, corn flakes, and later I made myself a sandwich. I'm feeling a LOT better.
The weather has been mostly cloudy, but the sun still trying to shine. There have been snow flurries coming through every so often. Not too cold today. It would be a good idea if I took a walk, ....maybe later. So far the phone co. guys or the hunters with the lost dogs haven't come back. I hope that means they found their dogs.
Nube Goes to Gina's House to live. Partly cloudy, never snowed today.
An eventful day, and sad. This morning I called Gina and asked her if she could give Nube a home, and she said yes. She said she and Bob would come right over and get her with their trailer. She got a few things at the store for me including the digital thermometer I'm supposed to use. In the meantime I got a shower and then read until they got here. It was good to see them as usual. This has been a plan for some time now. I knew Nube would need a new home, and it is also time for Bobbi to be put to sleep. She has had founder for a long time. They have been wonderful girls and I know Nube will have a good home and enjoy working with cattle again, and maybe going hunting or trail riding in the mountains. After Gina and Bob left Joe put Bobbie to sleep and took her up to lay on the hill overlooking the ranch with all our others that have gone on. All of a sudden we are without horses for the first time in forever. It is the end of a long era of having horses as part of our lives. It will be much easier on Joe not to have to feed them all winter too, and not knowing for sure what the next months might bring, it is good to have this all settled.
In a while two phone company trucks drove into the yard and began to install our new phone equipment. They where here an hour or so. They will come back again to finish the job, then probably after some adjusting, we should have no troubles with the phone any more.
I didn't have a good night with pain in my shoulder and stomach, but with the pain pill can sleep although the pain doesn't totally go away. It is a little better tonight and hopefully fading away. Debbie called today to see how were doing. Joe went out to get the mail. I painted some this afternoon, and have the painting I'm working on a little further along. Hope it can be done within the week. Fixed us some trout with macaroni and cheese for dinner.
After dinner a truck drove in the yard and some mountain lion hunters had lost their Walker hound dogs way up on Muddy Ridge and hoped they might make it down here by morning. We said if we saw them we would get them in for them. They will be back in the morning. You could see they were very tired and concerned to have to leave the dogs out overnight. They said they were leaving coats on the road for them - it must be something they do that the dogs are used to going to the coats. They must be smart dogs.
Sparky and Raven Today is so cloudy I have needed the lights on in the studio. Warm enough that the snow is melting off the roofs and fields. By noon the clouds and mist began to settle down over the foothills and it started lightly snowing. By one p.m. the mountains are all covered with clouds and the snow is heavier. in the afternoon that lifted and quit snowing, but still really pretty out.
Today stayed in bed later this morning with the headache. Ate some breakfast about 9, an egg mcmuffin without the ham, and o.j. For lunch gave Joe leftovers and I had a pineapple smoothie which tasted really good. I felt a little washed out and that got better as the day went on , and the headache went away. I typed up yesterday's blog and it was long, so will make this one short. Not a thing interesting has happened. I think we'll have french dip sandwiches for dinner, that should be easy. Joe's watching football today. The "boys" are denning up not wanting to go out much.
Hoback River, Gros Ventre Mtns. This was the first chemotherapy treatment and its been a long day. It all went very well. This is going to be too long for most people (you guys just skim), but several want all the details and I also use the journaling for my poor memory.
Up and getting ready by 6:30 a.m., but was ready too early. Had toast and tea for breakfast. Already I knew I hadn't been drinking enough water, but spaced it out anyway. By 7:45 I told Joe I should be going and he got the car out for me and opened the gate. The back of my car is full of stuff to go to the second hand store in Jackson and Judi knows where that is. Left mail in the box to go today. Met 6 gravel trucks on the dirt road, and it's so narrow I just get over as far as possible and stop until they pass. The road is snow packed this morning, so don't want to get off into the b'ar pit. After I got onto the pavement the trucks had soon turned and go a different direction, so the rest of the drive into town was uneventful and enjoyable. The road to Boulder was icy and slick and then into Pinedale mainly dry. I met Judi about 8:45 at Rendezvous Pointe. This was the first time for me to drive since my surgery, just because I had no where to go. I felt just fine with driving and drove us on to Jackson. I expected much worse conditions because had heard Bondurant and the Hoback had 6 to 8 inches of snow but they didn't have any more than we did, then down into Jackson wet road and almost no snow there.
We stopped at KMart to return a pair of pants I had bought in August that were too big. They told me the time for returning had expired in October. I just threw my hands in the air and left them there. If they do the right thing, they will credit my account, but I don't really expect that will happen.
Next the back way on to the hospital. We were in to Oncology by 10:45, 15 min. early and sat in the waiting room just a few moments. The chemo room has six kind of lounge chairs and all of them were full all the time we were there. They told me some of the people come in at 9 and aren't finished until 6 p.m. Soon one was empty and they sat me in that place. All the nurses came and introduced themselves and they certainly seemed very nice, which I had heard for some time, even years ago had heard their names from people who go for chemo. Lots of Pinedale people go there and I bet we saw half a dozen at least while we were there. Judi knew most of them but I got acquainted. Its just mind boggling how many people are having cancer lately.
Today they are giving me Gemcitabine. I will have it for 3 weeks, probably on Mondays, and 1 week off, FROM NOW ON. (For December this is working perfectly as Beverly and her family will be here for Christmas. On the 31st New Years Eve I have an appointment to see Dr. Buys - She comes up from the Huntsman Cancer Clinic.) They assured me at Huntsman that this is a rather mild chemo without many bad side effects. It is given in an IV. I have learning articles about this and other chemo drugs they may go to later. This will be the longest day as they get started with plenty of paperwork and getting everything set up - each thing took about 30 to 45 minutes. I asked if I could see Dr. Menolascino while I was there and they said yes. He has been Joe's wonderful doctor up there since his stroke and through much of his heart trouble.
First they needed to get the IV saline solution started, and it took five tries to find a vein that would work - and I knew right away I should have been drinking more water to be hydrated. "Lynn's veins are challenging." So they suggest I have either a picline or port inserted in my chest for easy access and drawing blood. Maybe will do that next time, the picline is done by the nurses (It has to be flushed with saline solution every day - by me - sounds scary), and the port is placed under the skin on your chest as outpatient surgery by Dr. Poore. I would have it done in the morning and then get the chemo the same day. I don't like the sound of them because the line goes nearly to the heart, but they say its a good thing to do and are very safe. Also next time must wear a short sleeved top.
When the IV got going they took blood to check the blood counts and bone marrow depression. My white count was a little high at 11.1 but Dr. Buys said o.k. to go ahead with the Gem stuff. If the blood count is ever not good, I won't get chemo that day and just go home until next time. The lab work took about 30 minutes and then the pharmacy mixed up my chemo prescription.
My nurses were Lisa and Carol and I met Judy Bayse, the nurse in charge of Oncology. Judi always draws little caricatures of each person next to their names in all the notes she has taken for me. Carol asked a lot of my medical history - at least I didn't have to fill out the paperwork - she just did it on the computer.
They gave me symptoms I should watch for (pale, tired, short of breath, sore throat or fever, must take my temp if I feel hot or cold so have to buy a digital thermometer.) She gave me more tips, like I might have hair thinning and they have complimentary wigs if I would want one - I said no I'll just cut it off. I'm ready for a hair cut and think I'll get a pixie type cut. also if weather is bad or I don't feel like coming on a regular day, I can always reschedule for another day.
They adjusted the meds I've been taking a little , and there are a few changes, mainly to take the heavier pain med more often, more senna if needed not to get constipated, and change from zantac to prilosec for the indigestion feelings. They can call in sleeping med if I want it. What can it hurt at this point, and not sleeping has always been a problem with me. I might get through this all better if I was well rested. Only thing I know I am groggy the next day and accomplish very little - such as I would like to be painting and doing other things with a clear mind.
By 1:30 the chemo was dripping and Judi went to take the things to the second hand store. It was snowing and blowing heavily when she went and she said it was just awful to drive in, so eventually we asked about making a room reservation which they did for us, instead of driving home in a storm. The rate was very reasonable, down at the Hitching Post Motel Cabins. I ordered a turkey sandwich on grilled sourdough and salad which tasted pretty good, and when Judi came back she got the same thing. Just sat there with a roll up table and ate in the chair.
At 2 p.m. Dr. Meno came in and probably spent 30 minutes getting my history and making suggestions. Judi took more notes. He also looked at a small lump above my ankle and said we would watch that. It's not likely a clot, could be an odd bruise or a tumor from the main cancer. If it spreads they will do an ultrasound there. He said I am at risk for blood clots and gave me the symptoms to watch for that. He also agreed with med changes. I love Dr. Meno and am glad he has agreed to be my Dr. there for this.
At 2:30 the Chemo was finished, and when that came out they drew more blood to check the tumor marker level- can't remember what its called without looking it up.They said that tonight I should take oxycodone mostly to help sleep and the stronger anti nausea drug I have from SLC and haven't used yet, so I don't get nauseous from the treatment and I did take those at bedtime.
Since it had stopped snowing and didn't amount to much we cancelled the room reservation and decided to drive on home. Carol said I shouldn't drive, so Judi drove to Pinedale. It was another beautiful drive, stormy skies and the river and scenery were outstanding. We went slow as long as it was icy/slushy, followed a snowplow for a while and took advantage of the fresh sand he was spreading. Gradually the road got better and over the rim was dry. Back to Pinedale and let Judi off at her car about 4:30. Had brought my grocery list and should have shopped for groceries, but decided not to be another hour later getting home (Joe below). I could go back to town another day to shop - however now the weather isn't looking good all week. I got gas and got home at 5:30. Had such an enjoyable and relaxing drive home with Judi and on home through the country side - getting dark -more gravel trucks to get past. Stopped and got the mail. I have to tell you about Joe's greeting when I came in. I will never understand him, except just to say its the only way he know how to show he's concerned. I came in knowing he's always expecting me to be here hours before its even possible. No how are you? "He said where have you been!" I said "What do you think, that we've been out partying? Judi and I having beers at the Cowboy Bar flirting with all the guys?" And he said "YES!!" Aargg. there went my serenity. I explained that we had driven 6 1/2 hours and were in the hospital for over three hours. He thought when I said the chemo would take 20 minutes or so to drip in that I'd be back before noon.
He was making bacon and eggs for his dinner. I had some chicken noodle soup, some tuna, and 1/2 a pear and that seemed to settle o.k. Later had some shredded wheat too. I felt hungry. A headache started about 8 p.m. and lasted all night, the oxycodone didn't take it away. I used my beanbag heating pillow. Did sleep very well.
HERE ARE JUDI'S NOTES:
I went to Jackson with Lynn today for her first chemo today. she drove. I felt blessed to be able to go with her. The Hoback River was enchanting. The colors of the ice, the water bubbling or surging around it and the greens and blues of the water. WOW. The "chemo" room is like 6 dentist chairs all lined up. I felt like I was in a beauty parlor. Everyone talking to each other, laughter, caring, attentive nurses. Any food any time for you! Just order it.
With the paperwork, lab tests, questions and consultations it took longer than "normal". We were there from 10:45 to 2:30. Lynn is such a peaceful person to be around. when the doctor asked her what emotions she was going through (anger, sadness, blah blah blah) she answered, "I'm fine". and she was!
Here is the procedure. The nurse pokes you to get an IV started (4 failures before they got it in today!), then does a blood draw. You wait about 30 minutes for those results and they determine the Chemo you will receive. The lab stirs up your personal Chemo solution (another 30 minutes waiting for that) and then about 30 minutes for it all to drip into your arm.
Lynn looked and felt fine, but just to be safe, I drove home. We'd had a snow storm while we were in the hospital. the roads were snowy/icy, so I drove quite slow. We got back to Pinedale at 4:30 and she was fine to drive home. I knew you'd all want to know! Lynn is ready for quiet time at home. She wants to paint!
Love, JUDI
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