Layers...

...of leaves.

I've spent the better part of the past three days removing our first major layer of leaves from our gardens and ponds, and repotting the annuals that filled our planters so they can winter-over in Mom's sunny living room.

We have about three of these leaf-layerings each fall, and we've learned from experience that if we wait until all of the leaves have fallen to begin the removal, it's generally freezing and the labor is five times worse.

Sunday, Kevin and Hal chain-sawed some of our recently fallen branches as well as some logs which should now be good and dry and ready for the fireplaces and woodburners. Hal's help with the leaves the weekend of the Memorial also helped with what we have to do at Mom's house. *waves of thanks at Hal*

It's taking me longer overall; I notice I need to rest more often. *sigh* But I use that effort toward my exercise and walking totals which are slowly beginning to increase.

Mom was dressed as Cleopatra when she left this morning. Am looking forward to the treats she'll bring home. They're generally horrible for a diabetic, so we help her out when we can *nods*

We don't expect many trick-or-treaters. People can't find us when they have explicit instructions, so we don't get many random folks. Our friends who used to drive here with their children ... those children are driving themselves now. Nothing makes me age conscious like thinking about what friends'/siblings' children are doing now. *heh* Teaching used to strike that consciousness, but...

Wishing you the best this Halloween!!

And the Results...

...show no aberrant cells on the cervix!

There are five board certified gynecological oncologists in the state of Iowa, four of them are here. They function as a team. The one-fourth of the team that I saw thinks the spot was a cyst, since he couldn't see/find anything.

He scheduled another ultrasound for 1/18/08 with another gynecology department in the hospital. The first was the done by the pediatrics-radiology department...we're not sure why.

Cataract surgery has been scheduled for 11/16 and 11/30, both at 5:00 a.m. The right eye is worse and will be done first. I'm to expect disorientation between surgeries as the vision will be corrected some, but my glasses will be the current prescription. Don't know if clear glass would be better, as my astigmatism is so severe I'll need to wear glasses afterwards -- most people don't need glasses afterwards.

I'm scheduled for another lung CT (with contrast, which means I'm injected with radioactive iodine) on 12/26/07.

My energy is slowly returning. I'm debating whether to go back on the lorazepam that was helping me sleep at night, whether to look for another medication, or whether to tough it out a couple more days. Getting a good night's sleep is considered a large part of the healing process... I've been off all medications, except those for high blood pressure, for a couple weeks now. While I still feel 'steroid bloated,' I know I'm over-weight as well. *sighs*

So that should be it -- medically -- for three weeks. *knocks wood*

We'll post photos and trivia for a while. Anything specific you're curious about that can be posted on a G-rated blog???










This photo of our Anniversary Bed was taken by OregonConnie's son the day of Terry's Memorial. The bed was planted last fall with all of the chrysanthemums that we used to decorate the gathering for our 25th Anniversary. About half of them survived our last winter. This spring I moved some others into the bed to fill it out -- without knowing the colors. It's just coming into its full glory.


Stay hydrated and make a great weekend! Don't be shy about posting how things are with you!!

Seeing is Believing

So here are tumor scans...

These are computed tomography scans, which virtually slice people up to see what they look like inside, so imagine that you're looking up dp's torso from the bottom up. You can see her spine on the bottom of each scan, so her left lung is on the right side of each scan. The left is the scan from May, and the one on the right is the scan from today. If you click on the photo, the wonders of modern technology will highlight the tumor.



That's right -- it's less than half as large as it used to be, and Dr.s C and B agree that it will probably keep shrinking for awhile. They've scheduled another CT in two months, but for now, we'll let the radiotherapy and dp's mojo do their work.

We're back at the U tomorrow to setup cataract surgeries, and again Friday for the cervical tumor. Dr. C did not want to talk about that, deferring to the gynecological oncologist, but he did say that whatever is going on is not related to the lung cancer. He thought there was no chance that lung cancer would spread to the cervix, and almost no chance that the lung cancer was metastasized from the cervix.

So there ya go. It's the first time I've had a chance to share good news for awhile, and I'm pleased as punch about it. dp is pooped after four different appointments in the same day -- she's crashed on the couch, and I'll probably let her snooze for awhile.

This was a good day.

And A Good Time...

...was had by all.



Terry's Memorial Tree Planting and Bon Fire was wonderful!

There were a good number of folks there by the time the fire was put out -- sometime after midnight. A great group of people! The food was fabulous. The weather was wonderful. Delightful experience overall!

OregonConnie, I couldn't do the story justice. Will you post how you 'attended' the Memorial??

We started way too early and stayed way too long...

Here are some photos shared by OregonConnie:







































And, we had an equally wonderful Sunday, weather-wise, as well. A day I just didn't have the energy to take advantage of. *sighs* Fortunately, the folks coordinating the Memorial have helped tremendously with the leaves at da Red House. Kevin's been staying on top of the leaves that eventually choke our creek.

Monday I was just as tired. *sighs*

Tuesday I felt energetic enough to do some chores and both dd and Seth said I was looking more energetic and healthier.

I still feel bloated and learned today that I've gained 25 lbs. since all of this began *heavy, heavy sighs*

We also learned today that the aberrant cell count has decreased by over half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *does da dance o' joy*

More at eleven.

Happy Birthday, Drew!

Our Friend Terry...

...McCall's Memorial Tree Planting and Bon Fire is today:

Terrance (Terry) John McCall 59, of 1020 3rs Avenue, Iowa City, died Sunday, October 7, 2007 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, of a sudden illness.

A gathering of friends and family will be eld at 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 12, 2007 at Gay & Chia Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

A private celebration of Terry's life will be held October 20, 2007 at da Woods Bed and Breakfast in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Terry's memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at www.gayandchia.com.

Terry was born in Hartley, Iowa on February 25, 1948 to Ted and Marcella (Koenck) McCall. He graduated from Everly High School and the University of Iowa. He operated Rainbow daycare in Iowa City for over 20 years. He also worked in the property management department at the University of Iowa. Terry loved gardening, puttering around his property making minor adjustments.

Terry is survived by his father, Ted McCall of California; cousin Emy Simington of Iowa City; her sons, Derek Mull of Iowa City, Darin Mull and his family of Texas.

He will be sadly missed by his friends, relatives and workers. Terry was a loving, caring, special kind of man known as "Dear Abby" to his friends and family.

Gay & Chia Funeral Home of Iowa City is caring for Terry's family.

-Iowa City Press-Citizen, Thursday, October 11, 2007

We've spent the past few days tidying the Bed and Breakfast for Guests and we're almost ready.

Friday we all got our flu shots at Mom's Day Care Center. I had a _great_ massage Friday afternoon -- thanks, again, NancyTurtle! (dd, I think it helped with the flu shot ache as well as all the rest!)

Next week we have the CT scan on Wednesday along with meetings with both of the oncologists. Thursday we have the cataracts assessed. Friday I meet with the gynocological oncologist.

Mom is doing very well right now. A new visiting nurse will be starting next Tuesday. She'd love to hear from you.

When not at work, Kevin's staying pretty busy with our web design business. For a while there I was feeling like the proverbial cobbler's daughter...


What's going on with you and what do you have planned???

Boo!

Today's procedure was a cervical ultrasound. I got to watch -- it took about 20 minutes to take digital photos of all the angles. I was watching the screen, and I think I figured out where the openings to the ovaries were, but it mostly looked like a bunch of gray surfaces to me. There were a couple of cool color overlays that the tech said were showing the direction of bloodflow, but mostly, a lot of gray. dp said there was a fair amount of pressure, but no pain.

We hung out for another 20 minutes or so, waiting to see if they needed any more images, and then they sent us home.

Dr. A called a couple hours later -- there's a tumor on the anterior cervix, about a centimeter and a half. Given the rest of what's going on, it's assumed to be cancer.

So now there's a gynecological oncologist in our future. Dr. A says somebody will give us a call in the next couple days to set up an appointment, and that we're probably looking at surgery to remove the tumor.

So it goes.

Meanwhile, we're hosting a wake on Saturday for our friend Terry, who died suddenly last week. He'd spent the evening having dinner and playing games with friends, and he was changing his clothes to head downtown and listen to music. I can think of a few better ways to go, but not many. He was at most of the Stoopid Toy parties for the last 10 years or so, but other than that, our social circles didn't overlap much. We're providing the space, and his friends are doing all the rest.

Diana's back is looking quite a bit better. It's still peeling, and thus pretty itchy, but the dark spot is a lot smaller and a lot lighter. She's still pooped, but feeling stronger.

Still Too...

...plumb tuckered.

I'm sure you can imagine what else isn't getting done -- aside from posts to the sCenario.

Otherwise we're well enough.

Here's my best idea for today: How about commenting and letting us know how you are??

*hugs* ...and hydration!