Today was another wonderful day weather-wise. By 11 o'clock, it was over 90 degrees. Hot hot hot. I started my day out early by heading up to BJs in Colonie. Then I went to Target and bought Em a couple of things. For breakfast, I headed to Bruegger's. I do love their bagels.
Boscov's as usual was having a big sale. I bought a Stone Mountain summer pocketbook for half price and a pair of Bass summer slides for 30% off.
Then it was on to Hannaford's for groceries. ::sigh:: I wasn't in the mood, especially when I discovered somewhere along the way I had lost my grocery list. This is a big problem being that it takes me days to make it out because I get groceries for a month at a time. I stumbled through but did forget quite a few things and decided not to get meat because it was too hot in the car.
The rest of today was spent putting away groceries, vacuuming, reading, being here on the computer and worrying about Tony. He's very sick, probably with either bronchitis or pneumonia. If he's no better, he's asked me to take him to the doctor tomorrow. I feel so guilty because I am so far away from him and can't easily hop in the car and care for him.
Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment. It's teeth cleaning time, and I'll also be fitted with the crown! I'm done with the dentist for a while. If anything is found wrong tomorrow, it will have to wait.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunny Days...
Sunny days and sunny thoughts, or at least not desperate ones. Ron's bone biopsy today went well. He felt no pain because the IV drip pretty much kept him out of it, and he still has no pain or discomfort at the site. The follow-up appointment with the oncologist is a week from today, Monday, May 4, which is also Ron's 72nd birthday.
In the meantime, we are not worrying. Life goes on. Tomorrow I go grocery shopping and general shopping at the mall. Wednesday is my final (knock on wood) dental appointment for the crown. Thursday I bring Em down here for an overnight into Friday.
Saturday we're going to a wedding here in town. A long-time friend of Ron's is marrying here in Greenville. After the casual wedding and casual reception, Ron and I are leaving for Mystic, CT, for the rest of the weekend. I'm very excited. We'll get there too late to do any sightseeing, but Sunday Ron will go to the knife show and I'll wander around and probably go the aquarium.
Weather - It's been glorious!! Saturday, Sunday and today were sunny and hot, with temps going into the 80s.
Gas prices - They are pushing up above $2.20 at the expensive gas stations. BJs had gas for $2.11 yesterday.
Cobwebs from my mind: Lots of thoughts about this week is too damn busy and I should rest for what may be ahead. Thinking how us going away this weekend is a very good thing to do considering what may be ahead.
In the meantime, we are not worrying. Life goes on. Tomorrow I go grocery shopping and general shopping at the mall. Wednesday is my final (knock on wood) dental appointment for the crown. Thursday I bring Em down here for an overnight into Friday.
Saturday we're going to a wedding here in town. A long-time friend of Ron's is marrying here in Greenville. After the casual wedding and casual reception, Ron and I are leaving for Mystic, CT, for the rest of the weekend. I'm very excited. We'll get there too late to do any sightseeing, but Sunday Ron will go to the knife show and I'll wander around and probably go the aquarium.
Weather - It's been glorious!! Saturday, Sunday and today were sunny and hot, with temps going into the 80s.
Gas prices - They are pushing up above $2.20 at the expensive gas stations. BJs had gas for $2.11 yesterday.
Cobwebs from my mind: Lots of thoughts about this week is too damn busy and I should rest for what may be ahead. Thinking how us going away this weekend is a very good thing to do considering what may be ahead.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tough Times
Ron and I celebrated two years of marriage on the 22nd. I'm as content as I've been since the beginning of being married. Probably more so because I've really settled into living in Greenville.
April was and continues to be a tough month for us, though. The PET scan revealed that Ron has several hot spots in his body. The one of most concern -- with the highest SUV number -- is in his pelvic bones. Monday we go to Memorial Hospital so a biopsy can be done. I am not expecting good news. Nuf said.
Ron continues to not be worrying. He is as he always is. Life is today, this hour, this minute, and he goes with the flow. I asked if he is worried. He said, "No."
I, on the other hand, think that while I'm not worrying on the outside I am on the inside. What I thought was my colitis returning has been given the label of anxiety and stress by the gastro doctor. Hmmmmmm.... so I should cry and rant and rave once in a while, as I did in a former life when faced with stress, so that my intestines don't turn on me. Whatever the cause, and for all we know, I might have caught a bug, I have lost 5.5 pounds and am living on the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. I'm actually liking it. I must be sick. :--)
Em was a wonderful child this past week. I had her Tuesday, a day that I was so sick and in such pain that I cried on and off all day. More than once Em patted my cheek and said, "Cheer up, Grandma. Smile for me." She also advised me to breath: "Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. Now don't you feel better?" She made me laugh and unknowingly was the best medicine I could have.
Friday I was feeling better - a temporary stay on the part of my intestines -- and was also with Ember. It was a great day and we took Hannah, her baby, for a stroller ride and then Em rode her big wheel bike around the block a few times. Mid-morning we went to the park. In all of this, Em was cooperative and listened. Both Tuesday and Friday she napped for two hours. It was a gift.
I think that Em attending nursery school two mornings a week has helped her in controlling her emotions and listening better. I know she loves going there and each week tells me more about the kids with whom she plays. On our walks around the block, we pass by her "school" and she walks up to the door, presses her ear against it and says, "I can hear the kids in circle." LOL
Today my problem returned and I was in a lot of pain. The pain makes me sleepy so I napped for two hours and woke up feeling much better. Ron also napped two hours.
Weather - The beginning of the week was chilly and rainy, but by Friday, it was warmer and sunny. Em and I didn't need jackets at the park yesterday. Today it was up to 88 degrees with just the slightest hint of a breeze. It was a seriously sunny, blue-sky day. We did quite a bit of swing sitting. We both read and often hold hands.
April was and continues to be a tough month for us, though. The PET scan revealed that Ron has several hot spots in his body. The one of most concern -- with the highest SUV number -- is in his pelvic bones. Monday we go to Memorial Hospital so a biopsy can be done. I am not expecting good news. Nuf said.
Ron continues to not be worrying. He is as he always is. Life is today, this hour, this minute, and he goes with the flow. I asked if he is worried. He said, "No."
I, on the other hand, think that while I'm not worrying on the outside I am on the inside. What I thought was my colitis returning has been given the label of anxiety and stress by the gastro doctor. Hmmmmmm.... so I should cry and rant and rave once in a while, as I did in a former life when faced with stress, so that my intestines don't turn on me. Whatever the cause, and for all we know, I might have caught a bug, I have lost 5.5 pounds and am living on the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. I'm actually liking it. I must be sick. :--)
Em was a wonderful child this past week. I had her Tuesday, a day that I was so sick and in such pain that I cried on and off all day. More than once Em patted my cheek and said, "Cheer up, Grandma. Smile for me." She also advised me to breath: "Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. Now don't you feel better?" She made me laugh and unknowingly was the best medicine I could have.
Friday I was feeling better - a temporary stay on the part of my intestines -- and was also with Ember. It was a great day and we took Hannah, her baby, for a stroller ride and then Em rode her big wheel bike around the block a few times. Mid-morning we went to the park. In all of this, Em was cooperative and listened. Both Tuesday and Friday she napped for two hours. It was a gift.
I think that Em attending nursery school two mornings a week has helped her in controlling her emotions and listening better. I know she loves going there and each week tells me more about the kids with whom she plays. On our walks around the block, we pass by her "school" and she walks up to the door, presses her ear against it and says, "I can hear the kids in circle." LOL
Today my problem returned and I was in a lot of pain. The pain makes me sleepy so I napped for two hours and woke up feeling much better. Ron also napped two hours.
Weather - The beginning of the week was chilly and rainy, but by Friday, it was warmer and sunny. Em and I didn't need jackets at the park yesterday. Today it was up to 88 degrees with just the slightest hint of a breeze. It was a seriously sunny, blue-sky day. We did quite a bit of swing sitting. We both read and often hold hands.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Spring Has Sprung
I should take pics to prove spring has sprung. The daffies are slowly coming into their own. The upper terrace blooms first, then the lower level. We'll have blooming daffodils for a couple of weeks.
Pictures below were taken yesterday. Em and I picked up Cara, went to Applebee's for lunch and then headed over to Central Park to check out the updated playground. It's wonderful!! Everything is new and clean and the colors are so bright. I hope the teenagers of the city don't mess it up.
My colitis is acting up again. It's been just about a year since the last flare-up. I started on the medicine. It's helped a little bit but not entirely. Coincidentally I have an appointment with the gastro doctor Monday.
Ron's feeling fine! He's no more tired than usual. We're able to enjoy quality time together. His appetite is as good as ever. Wednesday this coming week we find out the results of the PET scan that was done Thursday.
Neither one of us slept well last night so I'm tired now. Maybe my tiredness also has to do with cleaning the bathroom, washing dishes, walking, trip to the store, exercising and doing laundry. Ron filled in a grave and is now marking out the placement of a stone with John.
Tacos for supper tonight. We've had chicken 3 times this week. Ron is sick of it. :--)
Weather - Yesterday was GORGEOUS!!! Sunny and warm, with a good breeze. This morning it was downright hot and sunny but mid-afternoon the clouds came up and it got a bit chilly.
Cobwebs - My mind is never still. I find it impossible to sit and read a book unless the book is intensely interesting. Forget watching TV, even if it's a good show. Lots of thoughts from Ron's health to Tony's interest in a woman who lives downstate. I worry about him driving the Thruway on his weekly visits to her. So the cobwebs are about thoughts that jump in and out of my mind during the day, oftentimes with no relationship to what I'm doing or thinking.
Pictures below were taken yesterday. Em and I picked up Cara, went to Applebee's for lunch and then headed over to Central Park to check out the updated playground. It's wonderful!! Everything is new and clean and the colors are so bright. I hope the teenagers of the city don't mess it up.
My colitis is acting up again. It's been just about a year since the last flare-up. I started on the medicine. It's helped a little bit but not entirely. Coincidentally I have an appointment with the gastro doctor Monday.
Ron's feeling fine! He's no more tired than usual. We're able to enjoy quality time together
Neither one of us slept well last night so I'm tired now. Maybe my tiredness also has to do with cleaning the bathroom, washing dishes, walking, trip to the store, exercising and doing laundry. Ron filled in a grave and is now marking out the placement of a stone with John.
Tacos for supper tonight. We've had chicken 3 times this week. Ron is sick of it. :--)
Weather - Yesterday was GORGEOUS!!! Sunny and warm, with a good breeze. This morning it was downright hot and sunny but mid-afternoon the clouds came up and it got a bit chilly.
Cobwebs - My mind is never still. I find it impossible to sit and read a book unless the book is intensely interesting. Forget watching TV, even if it's a good show. Lots of thoughts from Ron's health to Tony's interest in a woman who lives downstate. I worry about him driving the Thruway on his weekly visits to her. So the cobwebs are about thoughts that jump in and out of my mind during the day, oftentimes with no relationship to what I'm doing or thinking.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
There's Always More
Life events come in waves. The good and the bad don't discriminate based on need or desire. A week ago this evening, Matt, one of Elsie's sons, died suddenly at age 48. He left behind a wife and three children ages 12 to 16. The cause of death is heart related, though he did not have a heart attack. I don't know the medical term and layman's words are too complicated.
It's very very sad. The family is in shock, but they are the type of people who get up each morning and do what has to be done, so life goes on.
When I started losing people to death, I was surprised that the entire world continued to go on. Earth did not stop spinning. Stores and government offices remained open. This continuation of the rest of the world living is the first lesson in how to cope, for surely the rest of the world goes on.
We've had what could be bad news about Ron's cancer. Not that any cancer news is good, unless it's to hear that it's gone. The oncologist, whom we saw Monday, said that the CT scan revealed enlarged lymph nodes in Ron's groin. Not good... not good. This "suggests" to the doctor that the cancer has spread. A PET scan is scheduled for tomorrow. A follow-up visit with the oncologist is on the 22nd.
So right now, Ron's care has been punted from the urologist to the oncologist. Time will tell what other doctor may be called into the game.
Em had a doctor appointment today. It was a check-up for her 3rd birthday. She is healthy and doing fine. Her height and weight are off the charts. She is 41 inches tall and weighs 40 pounds. The doctor said her adult height will probably be between 5'8" and 5'10".
Today is almost a "me" day. No doc appointments. No hospital visits. I raked for an hour (man, I hate yard work), read some, ironed, watched TV and talked on the phone.
Work was started on my crown on Monday. One more visit and it will be done. Sacrifices are being mentally offered to the Goddess of Teeth that I have no more dental problems for a while.
Weather - It's been chilly for this time of year. This week the sun is out and the air temp is in the 50s, but it's so breezy it's too cold to sit out on the swing.
Exercise - Haven't done any. Wait... I did walk yesterday and raked for an hour yesterday and an hour today. That counts!
Gas prices - They're going up because of the anticipated increased demand for summer travel. Yah, right. Like we're all gonna hit the road for sightseeing.
Cobwebs from the Cellar - I've been this way before. People getting sick. People dying. The earth continuing to go around and around. Life experiences do help with coping for the events in life that are not good.
It's very very sad. The family is in shock, but they are the type of people who get up each morning and do what has to be done, so life goes on.
When I started losing people to death, I was surprised that the entire world continued to go on. Earth did not stop spinning. Stores and government offices remained open. This continuation of the rest of the world living is the first lesson in how to cope, for surely the rest of the world goes on.
We've had what could be bad news about Ron's cancer. Not that any cancer news is good, unless it's to hear that it's gone. The oncologist, whom we saw Monday, said that the CT scan revealed enlarged lymph nodes in Ron's groin. Not good... not good. This "suggests" to the doctor that the cancer has spread. A PET scan is scheduled for tomorrow. A follow-up visit with the oncologist is on the 22nd.
So right now, Ron's care has been punted from the urologist to the oncologist. Time will tell what other doctor may be called into the game.
Em had a doctor appointment today. It was a check-up for her 3rd birthday. She is healthy and doing fine. Her height and weight are off the charts. She is 41 inches tall and weighs 40 pounds. The doctor said her adult height will probably be between 5'8" and 5'10".
Today is almost a "me" day. No doc appointments. No hospital visits. I raked for an hour (man, I hate yard work), read some, ironed, watched TV and talked on the phone.
Work was started on my crown on Monday. One more visit and it will be done. Sacrifices are being mentally offered to the Goddess of Teeth that I have no more dental problems for a while.
Weather - It's been chilly for this time of year. This week the sun is out and the air temp is in the 50s, but it's so breezy it's too cold to sit out on the swing.
Exercise - Haven't done any. Wait... I did walk yesterday and raked for an hour yesterday and an hour today. That counts!
Gas prices - They're going up because of the anticipated increased demand for summer travel. Yah, right. Like we're all gonna hit the road for sightseeing.
Cobwebs from the Cellar - I've been this way before. People getting sick. People dying. The earth continuing to go around and around. Life experiences do help with coping for the events in life that are not good.
Monday, April 6, 2009
And the Beat Goes On
So the procedure on April 1st revealed what the doctor probably already knew: Ron's bladder cancer has returned. The doctor removed part of the tumor -- that which was growing from the bladder wall into the bladder cavity. Unfortunately, the tumor has also grown into the bladder wall. Removal of this will require major surgery which has yet to be scheduled.
Ron's cancer is at Stage III. Not a good number, but it is what it is and we're not fretting about it. We won't find out the grade until the April 14 appointment with the urologist.
What we do know is that the urologist will recommend removal of the right kidney and that a segmental cystectomy be done. A segmental cystectomy removes part of the bladder, specifically (and obviously) that part with the cancer. The good news about this is that, if all goes as expected, the bladder will function normally after it has healed.
There is no date yet for the surgery. We'll find out more at the April 14 follow-up appointment with the urologist. In the meantime, Ron has restrictions: no driving, no lifting more than 10 pounds, no working, no activity that involves pushing, pulling or straining. He has enough to do with reading, working on the current jigsaw puzzle and tying flies.
In the meantime, we do what we always do on a daily basis. I take care of Em; do housework; cook; and do all the driving because of Ron's restrictions. We are not worrying, fretting, or overanalyzing about the surgery or the cancer. We have no control over it and, as I've said time and time again, I've learned from Ron to live for today and today Ron is not ill.
That doesn't mean we're putting our heads in the sand. We've had serious conversations about info I've found on pertinent sites, such as Mayoclinic.com, NIH.gov and the American Cancer Society.
The next few months will be rough, but we expect a good outcome so it will be worth it.
Weather - We've had a couple of nice days the past 10 days or so, but we've had more yucky weather. The temps remain average -- 40s to 50s -- but with the wind, rain and/or cloudiness, it is chilly and damp.
Gas prices - They went up a little but and stayed there.
Exercise - Not much done by me!!
Ron's cancer is at Stage III. Not a good number, but it is what it is and we're not fretting about it. We won't find out the grade until the April 14 appointment with the urologist.
What we do know is that the urologist will recommend removal of the right kidney and that a segmental cystectomy be done. A segmental cystectomy removes part of the bladder, specifically (and obviously) that part with the cancer. The good news about this is that, if all goes as expected, the bladder will function normally after it has healed.
There is no date yet for the surgery. We'll find out more at the April 14 follow-up appointment with the urologist. In the meantime, Ron has restrictions: no driving, no lifting more than 10 pounds, no working, no activity that involves pushing, pulling or straining. He has enough to do with reading, working on the current jigsaw puzzle and tying flies.
In the meantime, we do what we always do on a daily basis. I take care of Em; do housework; cook; and do all the driving because of Ron's restrictions. We are not worrying, fretting, or overanalyzing about the surgery or the cancer. We have no control over it and, as I've said time and time again, I've learned from Ron to live for today and today Ron is not ill.
That doesn't mean we're putting our heads in the sand. We've had serious conversations about info I've found on pertinent sites, such as Mayoclinic.com, NIH.gov and the American Cancer Society.
The next few months will be rough, but we expect a good outcome so it will be worth it.
Weather - We've had a couple of nice days the past 10 days or so, but we've had more yucky weather. The temps remain average -- 40s to 50s -- but with the wind, rain and/or cloudiness, it is chilly and damp.
Gas prices - They went up a little but and stayed there.
Exercise - Not much done by me!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
