Been Awhile

No excuse, just enjoying feeling good.  I've taken over the cooking at last, though Mac still does the dishes.  Swimming every day and enjoying the yard, though there's still too many weeds---someday.
A lizard has taken to sunning himself of the pool ladder, I worry that he'll fall in.

Our friend the lizard

Neither of us know what this flower is.

The Lilies are doing exceptionally well this year.

Buddleia

A very different looking Zinnia

The Rose of Sharon

Tuesday in the Swamp

Summer has arrived here in the swamp with temperatures in the 90's and afternoon thunderstorms.  Sunday we went down the road to the Marina, the restaurant there, FishTales, has the best fresh shrimp and cold draft beer.  Mac also had a small Low Country Boil.  It felt so good to be out and about.
Today I went in the pool for the first time, the water was warm and felt good.
Look at the beautiful Confederate Rose growing next to the pool.
I'm feeling good and getting stronger each day.  Saw my oncologist last week and they're pleased with my progress.  Next week I meet with my Radiation doctor.
Leek Frittata for lunch today, I've started doing some of the cooking and that feels good too.

The Marina

FishTales

Fresh Shrimp

Out and About

Confederate Rose

Pool Time

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear

I'm not a Bear, but I'm definitely fuzzy, my hair has started to grow back and as my sister forecast ( she had chemo about 10 years ago) first you grow fuzzy fur, eventually you get regular hair.
I had a good week, made my pillows, did some decorating and generally I felt pretty good.
Hot here, in the 90's, needless to say I won't be going out.  Went shopping yesterday and it wore me out.
Next week is all about Doctor appointments---Retina Specialist, Oncologist and  Primary Care Doctor.
Hope you're having a good weekend.

A Good Post

One of my wonderful blogger friends (they're all wonderful), Angry Parsnip,  sent me a gift-----I'm thrilled.  She knows I love Godzilla so she sent me a Zilla, a tea towel with  iWinston style dogs,  a wooden mitten clip, and Blue Corn Pancake Mix and Prickly Pear Syrup.  How thoughtful and wonderful is that.
Did a lot yesterday.  Did the laundry, helped Mac make lunch, updated my calendar, wrote 2 letters and read.  Today I'm blogging, went for a walk in the garden and I'm going to make pillows.
Getting better all the time

Well It's About Time

I've just been lazy.  All is well here, meeting with my Oncologist went well, don't have to go back for 2  weeks.  Some problems with constipation, not something I want to talk much about.  But getting better.
Rain, rain, rain, nearly every day and more forecast, a bit tired of that but the garden is loving it.  Some pictures Mac took for me.

Hydrangeas

Lilies

Gladiolas

Our Mimosa Tree, a new one has seeded itself down in the garden.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my life whether they have children or not, they're important to me.  My wonderful daughter April who brings me so much joy.  My Sister-in-law Laura who has been so supportive of me in this difficult time.  My husband's cousin Isabel who reminds me that there are people who are just good.  I always have my Mother and my Mother-in-law in my thoughts, I was so lucky to have them.
My meeting with my oncologist went well and all I need to do is keep taking my medicine and keep getting stronger.
So Happy Mother's Day to all the women out there.

One Week On

I'm a week out of the hospital and I feel good.  Hardly use the walker at all and going longer without pain medication.
Starting to do a few household chores and give Mac some free time.  He mopped floors today and is now out playing in the yard.  I meet with my Oncologist tomorrow.
I'm feeling blessed. 

DONE!!!!

I'm through with radiation and rang the bell to indicate I'm done.  Feel great.  Don't have to go back for 30 days, though I meet with my Chemo Doctor this Friday.  It feels so good to be done.
Hauled myself up the 10 stairs to get in the house and feel myself getting stronger every day.
So much to look forward to.  They will do a CAT scan in 90 days to see how things are going.  I'm going to get through this and get on with my life.  Thanks to my treatment team and Mac, they've made this possible.

A New Post Finally

It's been a while, but I've been sick.  I lost all of my white blood cells and most of my red blood cells too.  As a consequence I got pneumonia and ended up in the hospital for about 2 weeks. I came home yesterday.  I'm a bit wobbly,  but feeling so much better.  I have 2 more radiation treatments and then we'll do some long term planning.
It feels so good to be home.

A Good Friday

Another week down and I'm finished with Chemo with 12 more radiation treatments to go.  All is going well and my radiation doctor says my tumor continues to shrink, isn't that wonderful!
I'm grateful that the chemo is over, the first 2 rounds were very rough, the last two not so bad.  But the side affects were interesting.  In addition to losing my hair, I still have some and look not unlike Golem from Lord of the Rings, it affected my mouth (all soft tissue everywhere actually) and my hearing.  I've always had one good ear and one not so good one (we call it the Anderson ear in our family).  But the chemo affected my good ear and I have trouble hearing now.  With people I'm getting better, but unless the tv is blasting I have a real problem hearing.  Hoping that this clears up now that chemo is over.
The radiation is giving me acid reflux and painful swallowing, but I have medication to help with that.
All in all not too bad.
I'm enclosing a picture of my battery-operated Iris and me in my wig.  I have elected not to go bald.  My scalp is ugly and I prefer a wig.
Hope you all have a great week end.

Monday in the Swamp

Just got home from Chemo and Radiation.  Just 2 more Chemos to do and 16 more radiations.  I feel really good today so we did a tour of the garden and greenhouse when we got home.  Mac went plant shopping while I was on drip and bought me a bunch of flowers including a battery-operated Iris because I'd been moaning about the fact that Irises won't bloom here.
Enjoyed watching the Masters this weekend, it's always such a great tournament.
Watched Jumanji this week, not a great movie, but it was amusing.
Read a ton of books and found a new (to me author) Yrsa Sigurdardottir, an Icelandic author.  I read her Why Did You Lie a really good mystery.  Three different characters tell their story  and then their stories are brought together.
Skyped with our daughter yesterday.  She's getting a promotion from mid-level management to upper level with a substantial pay raise to go with it.  We're very proud of her.  This week marks her 4th year in Japan.
I'm feeling good enough that I'm off to play piano which requires my brain to actually think and I do believe I can.