give someone a good case of cancer......

...and everything seems like "the end is near"!

But it isn't even though I felt that way all week. Btw, this may be to some a blog containing bad language and pictures. Certainly "bad pictures" in my blogs is not unusual. First the language. I have been sick to my stomach all week: bloated with cramps. I have not felt like doing anything except laying around which I did quite nicely! But Anne suggest that I might be full of crap in a way different than usually! So last night I took a "crap removing pill" and this morning had quite a clearing out! I feel much better and definitely less full than all week! I can only guess that the "full of crap" was due to my taking a course of amoxicillin for a toe infection.

Prior to my going to bed last night, we tried socializing with Bruce and Susan at the annual drag show which is the big benefit for the local women's shelter. Unfortunately, I only made it to intermission until I needed to go home, but that's where the aforementioned pictures came from. Including Bruce "donating" and old wil trying to get his camera to turn on. These guys are really something--and I don't mean Bruce and me.

My last blog was--with good reason--a bit of a downer and I wanted this one to also reflect the truth. I feel much better and hope only continue to feel better as days go by. I have now been well over a month with no treatment--except vitamins and fish oil and hope to start treatment soon. Here is how it will work (I have been mistaken in the recent past.). On Wednesday up to the OSU cancer center for a through evaluation in order to be sure that I am "eligible" for the clinical trial. If eligible, it will start the following Wednesday (2/9/11) and go 4 days straight.

I do hope I can start it and it makes some improvement. But, who knows? Anyhow, I feel pretty good today although a bit weak. Things will only get better!

How does one handle.....

....not feeling good? I have not been well for about 3 or 4 days now, but I do know that many people are disappointed to hear this negative news. My stomach has various painful cramps (probably from all the coughing I do) and I am often sick at my stomach. I also have a headache and I seem to just want to nap!

I always wanted to use this blog to "tell it like it is", but I really feel bad reporting bad news. Next week I hope to start the new clinical trial and it is going to work! Oh well, I am still up and around and always feeling hopeful that things will get better.

I have not really been anywhere in the past week but some people tell me that they like to see pictures better than my foolish ramblings. So I have included what pics I have--but they are still from Key West and I sure as heck can understand getting sick of seeing Key West since most of us live in the north country. But everyone know my great appreciation of art and besides ships and directions I have included "reach for the sky" and "picture of old man with a rake" for all to enjoy the "art."

Oh well, we had a big snow last week and today it is 32degrees and some of it is going to melt---one never knows what's next?!! I am going to feel better and will write another blog soon, but it has been a while so I wanted to report in. Love and kisses to all! (well, most all)!

Bumpity, bumpity, bump........

....I thot I loved Delta Air Lines, but now I am not so sure! Flying to Key West my friend, Bruce, and I were offered a voluntary "Bump" meaning we got off our flight in Atlanta and waited 4 hours for the next flight to Key West. For this we were rescheduled to first class and given $400 in Delta dollars toward my next flight. A deal I would take anytime, so I did.

But when it came time to return on Thurs--the notice was that the flight is cancelled due to weather-- a storm in Atlanta. They called and said I was rebooked to MONDAY! Not acceptable.
I called back and they said I could go to Miami on Friday--on my "nickel". Not acceptable.
I thot it over and called back! This guy said I could go out on Saturday. Since Jack had left on another airline and Bruce was also going Sat he said I could stay 2 more days. So I did! I must say I did not feel so good at this point.

Now 2 more days in KW is always a good thing and it was. However, I had scheduled a different trip with a different group to Western Florida leaving at 7 am today (Sunday). I arrived in Athens last night at 8:30 pm out of pills and really tired! I was not able to go on the next trip today. All this due to Delta getting me back 2 days too late!

Enough complaining! Key West was--and always is--a great time. A time to be warm and not do much of anything on a schedule! I have enclosed a few pics. Starting with a KW sunset; one of the art installations; in front of the Southernmost Restaurant (they have a great bfast); old men in the pool; and one of the views from Susan's Condo (we even saw the Norwegian Ship we cruised to Alaska on!)

All in all a great time. I need to travel more. Florida again cause it is warm, but I might even go to Wisconsin to see my sister's new "digs" and get some "sisterly" words on what to do with the rest of my life. In the meantime, I am going to start the new clinical trial in early February and it will take lots of time and leave me feeling "puny" much of the time. Ah, but if you are reading this, you can go out and have a good time. So, help somebody and have a good time too!

....traveling on to warmer weather

.....I hope. Yep, I'm going to Key West with the usual suspects--Jack and Bruce! It will be warmer than last time and sunny too!! I will not be able to make snow angels with Evie, but I would rather bike about Key West. The pic is of Jack and I in front of the units where we stay--"Susan's Key West Condos".

Last Monday Josh and I went to the doctor in Columbus and the news really wasn't good. I had a CTscan and it showed an increase of the cancer in the lung and some involvement in the liver. So, we cut out the medicine (Chemo) pill I was taking and are looking toward a different clinical trial. It should start in early February with 4 days straight in good old Columbus. Then several days later, I come back--and so it goes! I really don't like all the trips to Columbus, but I feel this is the best alternative at the moment.

So at the moment I am medicine-less except for the fun fish oil, vit B, Calcium, etc which the integrative doctor recommends. I am doing pretty well on all of this. Still quite short of breath with some "inside" pains, but I am well enough to travel and looking forward to it. In fact after I return on Thursday, I am going traveling again next Sunday as well.

I am still really doing quite well for the condition I am supposed to be in. Out to eat last night with Lili, Colin, and Evie and we had a great time. Gotta go pack now although the biggest item seems to be all the pills I need to take. Then again, maybe the fish oil, etc has extended my little life for some months or years(?).

Let's all continue to have a good time.

Happy New Year to all.....

....and to all a good night! Or did I mix that up a bit?

Anyhow this has started off as a great year! Why? Well, certainly because any time you hear that you have an incurable illness and you wake up to a new year it has to be a very positive thing!

We had an interesting New Year's eve. Didn't go anywhere as we felt old and tired. Then we stayed up 'til after midnight and split a bottle of champagne. Now you would think someone of my age and "experience" would know not to drink too much! Since Anne and I both became quite tipsy, we apparently have not learned very much over the years.

New Year's day--still hungover--we made it across the street to Bruce and Susan's and then in the evening to dinner at John and Mary's country estate. It was--and still remains--a no alcohol time! Maybe a good new year lesson on "taking it easy".

Tomorrow (Jan 3rd) is trip to OSU medical center for CTscan and visit with the Oncologist. I haven't had either for some weeks so I guess they are good things. However, I do kind of dread it since I am clearly coughing more and more short of breath than a year ago. All a reason to worry? Sure, but let's go on having fun, traveling, and trying to do good things!

The pics show Anne and Evie having a great time with the "cuddle bug" an embossing tool for working with paper and John on New Year's day explaining some of his "lists" at dinner. I wish I could be "like John"--that is, more organized! Finally, Max and Shelia gave me a cup for Christmas showing the important thing about my native state--yep, cows are still important there.