Tuesday February 10 2009

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VIRGINIA'S VASES THAT CAME ACROSS IN A HAND CART

Showing several photos for ones who are interested in the story.

In case you can't tell..... they are GLASS.

Thank you for letting us photograph them, Virginia.

They are quite the thing.

. Closeup

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Small Vase back

Small Vase Front

Virginia's Vases Back

Virginia's Vases Front

Today is the birthday of my older sister Barbara, who passed away from complications of Alzheimer's Disease with heart failure in 1998. That stuff is so awful. Hard to believe it was over ten years ago.

It was a pretty nice day until the dang wind got to blowing then it was very cold, but sunny. Joe went for coffee with the dogs, then stayed in the bedroom napping until lunch time. Because ..... Our small painting group met here today. Charm, Wanda, Ruth, Kay, Bonnie, Gina and I attended. We all had our usual good time with hilarity and camaraderie. I about got Amelia’s commission done, will tweak it once more. Lunch turned out o.k. I made the linguine with clam sauce, easy, fast and it was pretty good. Served with fruit salad, green salad, veggies and blue cheese dip and strawberry shortcake. It made me soooo mad I forgot the nice bakery rolls I had gotten. What will I do now with all those rolls before they mold? After lunch I painted all afternoon and got the commission of Bob about done. I want to tweak it one more time, especially the face to get a better likeness. I didn't get any pictures of us, but Gina did and has put them on her blog if you want to see them.

Bonnie came early this morning and brought an Oreck vacuum she was storing in her basement for me to use until I get another vacuum. (she has a Dyson and loves it), and she vacuumed the carpet the with it. She said it didn't pick up the dog hair very well and showed me a big wad of hair that had wound around the belt and beater bar, but I sure did like the light weight of it. Lucky thing people come over once in a while so I get the house cleaned up. Bonnie would have come and cleaned yesterday while we were gone but I didn't take her up on it. I don't want to ask her too do much of that. As long as I’m able I want to do it.

I'm still thinking of yesterday's diagnosis. It is a pretty awesome feeling. Nose is only a little better in a way, because it’s hurting all day today, but perhaps staying more open. Am beginning to think I’m allergic to something but have never been allergic. It’s just so continuous and I don’t want anything more to deal with so it's a nuisance.

After dinner did more laundry. Then James came and picked me up and took me to the PFAC program La Romantica so I didn't have to drive. We asked Joe to go but he didn't want to. I absolutely LOVED it. Wonderful, wonderful. Described as: "three talented, young, classically trained vocalists who have separately been delighting audiences across North America and Europe". They were three men tenors, with three musicians; a woman piano player, a woman violin player (she seemed to be the weak one but still very good) and a bass player -they didn't need an orchestra! They seemed to all be from Canada. They did many opera hits, and a lot of popular songs, all so beautifully done. What voices!! and it was LOUD. James noted that Joe wouldn't need his hearing aids. Very good show. I had more goose bumps than I ever have in my life. I liked it better than the Flamenco one. I was sorry that not so many attended. They missed a great one. Afterwards there was a special treat of about a thousand chocolate chocolate chocolate truffles that Jo had made - what an awesome job. Went to bed and fell asleep watching Craig Furgeson. So funny.

TAKING YOU ALONG ON MONDAY'S TRIP TO JACKSON

Monday February 9 2009

Charm picked me up about 8:30 or so and drove us up to Jackson for my CT scan appointment. It was a pretty nice day. She said there was fog up her way at Boulder Lake but she really didn't get into it on her snow machine, it lifted just before she got to where it was sitting. We had a little fog and quite a bit of cloudiness on the way. I took more photos and thought some of them turned out nice. The rivers seem more open each time we go and it is very early for that.

We were almost an hour early as we pulled into Jackson, so decided to go to Virginia's to photograph her vases (remember the ones that came over from England on a ship and then across the country in the disastrous Willie Handcart Company.) They are gorgeous. It was planned we would go over after the appointment or not at all because they needed to go visit Calvin's mother about 2 pm. We visited there a little then went on over to the hospital. They got me right in for the scan on time.

My report was very good today. I waited just a few minutes afterwards and the doctor had checked the pictures. He said there was xxx improvement, since the last time they scanned in mid-December. I was stunned. I had expected either that the lesions had stayed the same, or maybe gotten worse. Before the scans always showed they were stable and not growing, with some improvement. A couple of times ago they could not see the pancreatic tumor, which doesn’t mean its not there. This was a more substantial improvement. So I get the three months off.

They took the picc line out of my arm It just slipped right out and didn't feel a thing, or no bleeding. I can take a real shower now!! No more going to the Pinedale clinic flushing for the next three months. Just probably going there to check the Coumadin level.

It was much more emotional today, just knowing the results. I was expecting it to be stable or worse, but not improved. Unless I have problems in the next 3 mo. I do not need to go back to Oncology. I’m to call for an appointment in May.

I’d like to be down in Vegas when Justin’s baby is born so I could see both great grandkids. And am more seriously considering the trip to Atlanta – it won’t really be the city, but we will go up into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bonnie says she would like to go along, and will pick me up if I fall over on the trip. Peggy (Joe's cousin) called me and seems eager for us to come and to show us around. Cousin Iris from Houston also plans to go at the same time. Joe said no he doesn’t want to go, anyway who would watch the dogs.

We had lunch at the Bunnery. Bought some pastries and rolls there. Shopped at Albertson's for groceries and fresh vegetables. Got some good bargains on fish and bacon from the butcher's counter. So when I got home got all that unloaded and put away, made some blue cheese dip made, cleaned all the veggies and sliced the mushrooms for the linguini with clam sauce (changed to that from the bean casserole) and got the strawberries cleaned and sliced for shortcake, anything else I could do ahead for our small painting group which will meet here tomorrow and have lunch. Mopped the wood floors with murphy’s oil soap and after doing all the sinus regime and getting pills taken, about 11 p.m. headed for bed.

maxine

Monday February 9 2009

We're back and had a good day. Charm drove me up to Jackson to get the CT scan. I'm going to keep you in suspense about the outcome. HA! Because I'm getting as much ready as possible this evening for the small art group and lunch here tomorrow. Have got a lot of the food prepped and I'll finish some cleaning and then crash. I'll catch up when I can - maybe not even tomorrow. Because after the meeting I'll fix dinner and James is taking me to the PFAC program -LaRomantica or something like that - 3 tenors. I might be making a mistake not writing, but ..... oh well. Hope I don't forget most of it.

Sunday February 8 2009

Panorama of the whole room

Click to make it larger.

Joe, Dale, Gina, Charm

Don't know them, but cute.

George, the Head Cook

Kay Visiting

SUNDAY; Joe went out to the ranch to feed the cats first thing this morning. It's very gray and overcast and supposed to have a 20% chance of snow today, as well as more of the same all week. I'm going to get as much as possible ready ahead of time for Tuesday's small art group here, since I'll be gone back to Jackson for the CT scan in the morning. Charm offered to drive me up. I'm leaning toward putting a BBQ bean soup in the crock pot, with rolls, probably salad and a gooey sheet cake, Verla's Earthquake Cake, for dessert. Will do some cleaning. Last night I made up an invitation for the Mixed Media meeting I'm hostessing on the 20th and will need to get them printed, addressed and ready to mail in the morning. And need to write a few cards too. If anything more happens later ..... I'll be back.

MORE SATURDAY: Slow morning. Had not looked at email yesterday (Friday) so there was a lot of that to read through and get the new blog done with yesterday's news. Bonnie and Craig came over in the afternoon. Craig had a question about a new headgate he's building for Joe. They had been skiing up at White Pine. So it was good to see them. I was building pies again, one to take to dinner tonight and as long as I was doing it, one for the guys across the street who have helped us - that was more just a neighborly thing though.

We were invited to come to a big BBQ George and Kay were having, so we got ready and went over there about 5 p.m. They cleared out George's big shop and set up tables in there - just like for Kay's Holiday art and craft show. I wish I'd insisted more that Bonnie and Craig go with us. We didn't realize there would be so many people and tons of food. Way more people than 50 I'd guess. No one probably would have noticed the gate crashers. They cooked us rib steaks which I saw Kay cutting right off the huge long roast. They were wonderful and tender. They had cooked a big dutch oven of potatoes and one of pinto beans in a hole in the ground. Not sure how they dug the hole in the frozen ground. George had a big fire going, and all his barbecues hot for the steaks. People had brought food like a pot luck and everything was superb. We didn't know but about one tenth of who was there. Joe's tooth was paining him, but he ate a good dinner. We probably were some of the first to leave. Had a good time. Gina also had her camera, so she might have some photos on her blog you would like to see.

Tonight I got the humidifier set up. It was easy but I need some kind of waterproof base to set it on so it wouldn't be sitting on the wooden top of the night stand. It's supposed to be located near the bed. And got going on the pills, neti pot and nose spray that Dr. K wants me to do for the next week. It's easy to make it harder than it really is. Just a couple of pills every eight hours and the sprays and rinses ..... and NOT TO PROCRASTINATE IT. The humidifier needs daily care. It will be worth it if it gets rid of this awful sinus and drainage.

Got a nice call from Nanny in the morning, also Bev and Deb and Betty this evening. Beverly is all excited about her genealogy, finding things in a box her grandma gave her and making sense of who is who. So it was fun to hear the stories she is finding. FYI In the photo a few days ago of all the grandma's, the lady on the left IS the 14 year old girl that was rescued from the Willie Hand Cart disaster and she had several sisters who also survived. I had no idea she could have lived that long but it brings to reality that the "old days" were not that long ago. New cousin Lisa was so excited to get a copy of that photo. She is calling Beverly the cousin who walks on water. The year the photo was taken was about 1913, Beverly said. I'm getting lots of info about the vacuums, so should be able to prod myself to buy one soon.

There's bunches of photos on here of our big annual dog sled race that's going on now. http://www.pinedaleonline.com/pinedalelocal.htm#pineyipsssdr

Saturday February 7 2009

It was a grey and dreary day:

Yesterday we (Bonnie, Joe, the boys and me) went to Jackson for my appointment with Dr. Ward. Bonnie drove us in our car. I was very glad of that because although I started off feeling fine, before we got up there I was woozy and nauseous, and don't know why. It lasted until into the night.

It was supposed to be snowing, but was cloudy although good weather and dry roads except for the usual parts through Bondurant and the Hoback. The temperature got up to 37 at least, so when there were some snow flurries at mid-day they didn't stick on the road for long. Part of the time, it wanted to clear up and we could see a little blue sky.

We walked the dogs at the fairgrounds. At Oncology they got Joe and me in to see Dr. Ward pretty quickly. And it's very good news!! He said ..... They will give me another CT scan on Monday. If it is still stable, as in the tumors have stayed the same and not grown, I can have three months off from taking chemo. That will depend on not finding any lumps or that I don't get to feeling worse during that time. So Monday I go back up to get the scan. Alex sent me home with the berry-licious ct drink. Lisa flushed the picc line. Also if I get a break for three months, they will take the picc line out and I won't have to deal with that daily. They would put it back in again later. Another of our Pinedale friends with long time cancer also received good news too while we were there, and I'm so glad for them.

Well ... as soon as I left Oncology after hearing what Dr. Ward told me, and even during our visit, I realized I was having strange "denial" issues about being able to quit chemo for a while. How can this be?? I've been a year and a half convincing myself that I'm going to die pretty soon. Even though I didn't believe that either. And do know that still could happen anytime. And that I would be taking chemo from now on. It was a very weird feeling. I know I said "wonderful" several times, and celebrated with the angel nurses. Even telling Bonnie as soon as I came out of the appointment it seemed unreal. We should have been dancing around the waiting room. Walking on cloud nine. Instead I felt a sense of betrayal. Where was the joy? I considered the strangeness of it on the way home, while I was doing the laundry, and every time I woke up in the night. It's only a little better this morning. Need to have a reality check. Maybe the reality is that it is still a very serious situation. Dr. Ward also o.k.d the possible trip to Atlanta to visit the Thomas cousins there toward the end of April. So that is something to look forward to. Joe even seems to already be thinking positive about me going. He asked how long I'd be gone.

I just want to thank you all again for the special blessings (especially Brent and Cheyenne), and for all the thoughts and prayers that have continually come my way. It has been like holy light and confetti with all the good thoughts written on each piece cascading down upon me all these months. Certainly the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son and the Holy Spirit has been with me all this time and I'm so grateful to be able to have experienced that. (They've been with me my whole life though.) My friends and family have been steadfastly with me too. Thank you all. And thank you for listening. It's been good to write this down to acknowledge it.

We had lunch at the Virginian then shopped at Walmart. Spaced out looking at the vacuums there. Bought Joe some bath towels. He hates the brown ones we got him because they bleed the dye. I asked him what he wanted and he said "yellow".

I got as much as I could of various things to treat the sinus problem that Dr. Kappenman listed. Got a small sized humidifier, but haven't set it up yet. One prescription is a mixture of glycerin, and saline water that none of the drug stores want to do because its not in their computer. Dr. K said they would tell me that, but that they should be able to make it. Ridley's wouldn't even consider it. KMart either. I ended up at Stone Drug where the guy there said he would be glad to do it but he thought that was too much glycerin - it would clog up in my nose - and tried to sell me an OTC spray with 1% glycerin in it. I said its not a spray, its a rinse. He said at least $40 for a pint due to having to program the computer for making it. And it would take almost an hour we would wait for it. At that point in the day I was really pooping out and not feeling great so I just said I'd think about it and be back Monday, not that I'll feel better then after the scan. The point is Dr. K. wants me to use it. I'm wondering now what if I ask if I can buy the glycerine and the saline solution and put it in a bottle and shake it up myself, how much would that cost? Bonnie brought me a neti pot with a supply of the saline rinse (for cleansing the sinuses and nasal passages). So don't have to shop for that. She is so thoughtful.

Home by 4-ish. It was wonderful of Bonnie to have gone along. Thanks again Bonnie. I got into my pjs and soon gave Joe some leftovers for dinner. I couldn't eat and meant to lay down right away but unloaded the things I'd bought, and did three loads of laundry. Actually the last of the laundry was folded in the middle of the night after I'd had a couple of naps. But its done. And Joe has yellow towels in his bathroom.