flowers

My dance card is filling up again.

Posted on by mainelyhopeful

So much for time off for good behavior!  Yesterday I had my port removed exactly one week after my last infusion. Apparently, that’s not the norm judging from the comments from the nurses and docs. Fortunately my oncologist was on board and agreed there was no reason to keep it any longer.  Today I meet with Radiation Oncology to set up the next course of treatment. I don’t think I get measured and tattooed today but I’m prepared just in case.  Afterwards we’ll do a little shopping. It’s a rainy day so no need to rush home. Next Monday I meet with the genetics counselor.  We haven’t made any travel plans for this summer since we don’t know exactly when my 6 weeks of radiation will start, but we are going to Boston for a weekend to visit our daughter and see Springsteen. Image That should be fun and I’m pretty sure I’ll be done with all of my cancer nonsense by then.   Speaking of nonsense, did you know they don’t recommend regular screening? Or at least not for me. No PET or CT scan.  So does that mean I never get to officially say I am cancer free?  hmmm.. not sure how I feel about that.  I’m going to address it again at my next follow up.  I’ve been pretty passive and agreeable so far. That could  change on a dime. 

Besides having cancer full time for the last 8 months we have been doing all the normal every day household stuff and are in the process of redoing our bathroom. They start next Tuesday!  Image  That’s what I see in my mind.. that will not be the reality, but I’m pretty happy with what we’ve chosen and it’s nice to have a project.  While planning this out all winter we acquired an antique clawfoot tub from the old family home.  It is a monster, weighs a ton!  We were planning to have it refinished but then decided to just go with a nice deep soaking tub Image.  There is nothing I love better than a nice long soak with bubbles and a book (which is why I will never fully commit to my Kindle).  Now we are faced with what to do with the tub in the garage. I’m thinking maybe filling it with flowers next year! Image. 

Back to getting tattooed.  I am pretty sure my port scar is permanent, having been cut twice in the same spot, so I’m thinking that would be a great place for a tattoo. How about this?  Image It’s the Chinese symbol for survivor. Whatever I end up with, it won’t be a pink ribbon!

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Making plans for spring.

Posted on by mainelyhopeful

We have 5 seasons here in Maine. Winter, Pothole (aka mud season), Spring, Summer and Fall. Fall is my absolute favorite but spring is a close second.  I start planning for my garden now.  We have had such a mild winter that I think it will be an early spring!   Not sure how I will be feeling during planting time. I have had a little more fatigue with each successive chemo treatment and will be starting the 3 month course of weekly Taxol mid March. I’m sure the smaller dosing will mean less in the way of side effects.  I expect some aches and pains, that seems to be the most common. All the more reason to get outside and keep moving!  I’ve got this great new straw hat to keep the sun off my bald head and I can’t wait for an excuse to wear it.  So.. besides my small herb garden, I want to put in a kitchen (salad) garden with tomatoes, peppers, onions and cukes, zucchini and summer squash.  Loads of flowers of all kinds to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. I do something different each year in the front of the house and want to try sunflowers this year out back.  My perennials need a good thinning out too.  The bird houses and feeders need cleaning and filling.  I.cannot.wait.to.get. started.