Friday, June 22, 2007

Promised update

I have not personally seen the reports (already called the radiology center and yelled at them), but both the MRI and CT scan are unchanged according to the doctors. My oncologist still has "some anxiety" about the nodules in my right lung, but they remain subcentimeter so she will simply continue to watch them. My next appointments are in early October. I did not want to worry about scans and doctors before my cruise with Mom in September.

We are looking forward to a visit from our friends from Michigan sometime next month, and we have lots of folks to get over to the house for food and some next-to-the-pool relaxation. The National Weather Service is predicting a hotter than normal summer here in the Northeast. As long as we don't suffer any blackouts, that's okay with me.

My vegetable garden is growing in leaps and bounds. Already have some decent sized tomatoes on the vines. The zucchini and cucumber plants haven't taken off yet, but I think I have some jalapenos starting to grow. Can't wait for some homemade salsa!

Happy Summer everyone! Hope it's sunny and full of fun!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Time flies when you're having fun...

Our cruise on Liberty of the Seas was terrific. Beautiful ship, terrific layout, lots of activities, very comfy bedding, nice docor, and delicious cookies! We enjoyed it so much I'm organizing a group cruise on November 8, 2008. If you would like to sail with us or get pricing information (cabin rates are very reasonable right now plus you get a $100 per cabin onboard credit), please send me an e-mail! Right now our good friends the Lofthouses and the Chings are joining us, but I always believe the more the merrier!

Speaking of the Chings, we just returned from five days in Las Vegas and this lovely couple, whom we met on Infinity in November 2006, flew out to join us for 2-1/2 days. We had a fabulous time -- visited many of the casinos, ate and drank our way up and down the strip, saw Cirque du Soleil's Ka (different than a show like Mystere but terrific in its own way), relaxed by Bellagio's pool, and did some shopping. In fact, if you join us on Liberty, you'll see the new formal night gown Ed and the Chings voted I take home. We did everything but gamble, but who needs to do that with so many other things to keep us busy??

On the health front, I had my six-month MRI yesterday morning. Thinking "fat veins" may or may not have contributed to a very easy needle stick, and the test went smoothly. I'll get the results mailed to me later this week and will see the surgeon on Monday, a few hours after my three-month CT scan. Everyone who knows me knows how I dread that test, mainly because of the IV needle. I'm going to try the "fat vein" mantra for that test, too, although the technicians have been so good, I shouldn't really bother to worry about the stick. They have gotten the IV in on the first shot every time, and I never have a bruise. I'll see the oncologist on the 22nd to get those results. Fingers crossed everyone!

After a two-year hiatus, I've planted a vegetable garden again. Nothing fancy, five types of tomatoes, two peppers, cucumbers, zucchini and green beans (if they germinate). I find I missed having a garden more than I realized, although if the local groundhogs get to my plants, that opinion may change.

The weather has been lovely. It was quite hot at the end of May, but the past two days have been around 80. The pool is open and the water is crystal clear. Maybe I'll actually get in it this weekend.

I'll be back in a week or two with an update on my tests. Until then, enjoy the remaining days of Spring wherever you are and whatever you are doing.