day.....rest,,,,,207

We had our last doctor appointment for the week today 

    I had two, Jackie had two.....so I guess we are tied for medical needs this week.

    I even got in a short nap!  Then I went to the store, got gas for the mower, and mowed the yard.  I have not done that for a few weeks....and I think I have one more mowing to go.  At least I hope it is only one.

    Let me tell you my amazements for the day.

    I have a bottle of laundry detergent.  Sometimes I put too much in the measuring cap and try to pour it back.  I don't always hit the spout, so a little pool forms in the lid area.  .  But when I go to do the next load, the pool is gone....is dripped back into the container.

    So, that amazed me.  Engineers and designers looked at the problem (too much soap in the lid) and solved the problem (design a tilted opening, so liquid drains back into the container.)

    I don't know if that makes sense, what I am saying.    It does amaze me.

    We have a radio alarm that turns off after playing for an hour.  Cars that correct themselves when you leave your lane or slow you down when approaching a car.  Computers that store 8,000 pictures.  

    Maybe it's the wine, but I am truly amazed at a lot of stuff in our world.

    I watched the last minute of The Munsters and they were arguing over who gets to watch a tv show.  Imagine that.  They had one tv, no way to record or play back shows, and if they missed a show, well, they missed it.

    How far we have come.  Thank you scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and Stella Rosa.

    So...I guess I will just take my amazed butt to bed.

    Stay healthy.  Stay safe.  Mask it or trumpit.

Peace and Love

day ....update....206

 I had a doctor visit today

    My original urologist suggested I see a different urologist for his opinion on what to do with my prostate.

    If you don't know, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer one week ago.  Anniversary cards are not expected.

    The doc today repeated the doc from last week....advantages and disadvantages, probable outcomes and risks.  

    I asked him what he would do if he was me and he said remove it.  Then he  added that he was a surgeon.  He has done over 400 removals robotically.  Now, if you think that is a lot for the DeKalb area, he did work in downtown Chicago for two years and performed surgeries there.

    Next up is a radiology oncologist.  I meet with him next week and get his opinion.

    Doc today said either way was a good option.  

    So that is where I am at.

    I have a couple of other people to talk to, and have talked to several men who have gone the removal route.  None regretted it.

    I do want to thank everyone who has commented on my situation and offered encouragement and help.  You won't believe how much that means to Jackie and me.

    I know there are people, friends and friends of friends, who are suffering from cancer far more serious than mine.  Yet some of those same people have messaged me words of encouragement and hope.  It literally brings tears to my eyes.

    If I opt for surgery, it won't be done until mid to late November at the earliest.  My prostate needs time to heal from the biopsy.  Seems funny to me to heal it up and then take it out.

    I just hope I don't have to give myself another enema. 

    Stay healthy.  Stay safe.  Mask it or casket.

Peace and Love

day....aarrgh!!!! ....205

 I am so frustrated with me I could scream

    I have crap all over the place.  Papers, magazines, notes, notebooks, books.  

    I am even spilling over into the blue bedroom, which is Julia's room when she is home.

    The garage is a mess.  The basement is a mess.  My mind is a mess.

    I have been disorganized my entire life.  But now it is really getting to me.

    Can't find Corki's leash.  I don't remember where I put it.  Lost a vice grips the other day.  Found it with my shoes.  (Exit 99ers...see a pattern?  When I lost the group's checkbook, where did I eventually find it?  In a shoe!! WTH)

    I spent countless minutes today looking for a book I am reading.  I found it in a pile of stuff.

    The dining room table is loaded with pictures and albums and envelopes for pictures  in so I can send them to people.  Been that way for 6 weeks and today I brought up more pictures.

    I just hope I can go through these before Thanksgiving.

    It's not easy being me.

    At least I made it through my blood test without any problems today.

    Stay healthy.  Stay safe.  Mask it or trump it.

Peace and Love

day.....it's a fast....204

 I hate blood tests

    I don't like getting shots or having blood drawn.  I would be a great person to not get involved in drugs.

    I got a flu shot Saturday and the friendly pharmacist was very good.  I always get my shot before Jackie because my anxiety level rises, a lot.  The kind pharmacist knows that and treats me gently, distracting me with idle chatter and then painlessly injecting me.  Thank you, Emily!

    Blood work?  Heeby jeeby time.  I once used to have to lie down to get blood drawn because of the risk of fainting.  I have gotten better, but not much.

    I also don't like it because I have to fast.  Going without food for more than an hour is a struggle for me.  I can drink water.  

    So now in addition to worrying about the prostate, the blood test, being hungry, I will probably be up every 2 hours getting rid of the water I am drinking now to stem my hunger.

    I ate supper....made stew.  It was ok.  Had a nice salad.  Now it's late an I am hungry, but it was fast for 12 hours.  Blood test is at 9.  

    Nice visit from Nadine today....even sold her a couple of calendars!  Thank you for supporting Rotary and its various causes and for visiting.

    Yes, we maintained social distancing.  

    That's it for me.  Hope you had a great Sunday.  Bundle up, frost advisory for our area tonight.  That's why so many of my plants are in the garage.

    Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Mask it or trump it.

Peace and Love

day...feed me....203

 I think my life revolves around food

    I had fish and chips last night and today was a veritable food flood.  (I just noticed the only difference between food and flood is the letter L.  Coincidence?  I think not.)

    There was a food truck festival in a downtown park.  There were three vendors, and I got a hot dog for Jackie at one and and 2 tacos for me at another.  They were delicious.

    Friends Dan and Linda dropped off a chicken and noodles dinner from a church in Chana, and it was heavenly!   I especially loved the apple dessert that was part of the meal.

    And they bought a Rotary calendar!!  So a double win!!

    Thank you for the food, friendship, and Rotary donation.  Soon we will be meeting and having wine as we ponder the state of the world.

    Tomorrow I plan on making beef stew.  Jackie will have to tell me how to do that, but I have been craving stew for a while.  It's good cold weather food, right?  And it is getting cool outside.

    Two downer notes.....the Cubs are done.  I just could not get into this season, and they didn't seem to either.  The second downer is the spooky drive through benefit for VCCT.  People will be able to reserve a time, drive to a cemetery, turn on the radio, and drive through the cemetery while actors portray figures from Rochelle's past.

    It would be something I would love to do, but I can't commit.  I could be  busy a few of those days.  

    Into life a little rain must fall.  That sums up today, too.  A rainy day.  Sometime this week I will have to dig carrots and cut them up so we can blanch them and freeze them.  I always seem to do that when it is freaking cold, but hope to avoid frostbite this year.

    That's my life today.

    Stay healthy.  Stay safe.  Mask it or casket.....advice some leaders should have followed.

Peace and Love

day.....break......202

I had a break today 

    I did not obsess on my new problem.  Well, almost not all day.

    Talked to Joan in Wisconsin and caught her up on our news.  

    I did take our ballots to the county clerk's office in Oregon, the city, not the state. We were very careful to sign and verify our votes.  Then Jackie filled out her authorization for me to bring them to the clerk's office, which I did.

    Friend Dan also took theirs over.  If I had known that, I would have suggested we meet for coffee.  Linda said we could have gone to the statue and that is exactly what I did!  Got a coffee and drove up to the statue, sat in the sun for a few minutes, sat in the clouds for a few minutes, and watched the world go buy.

    There were a lot of people viewing Blackhawk, or the Eternal Indian.  Almost everyone took a selfie of them and the chief...and I thought that was a pretty touristy thing to do.

    Some people followed the path off to the left to take a short hike.  But almost everyone came back after seeing the 6 million steps down to the river.  I did not even think about that.

    Watched/listened to the Cubs lose again.  (Megan...please tell Ben the season is over and no WS this year.)

     Then I talked to friend Chuck about prostate issues.  Seems the more people I talk to, the more relaxed I am becoming.  I have a couple of people I plan on calling this weekend, so if you see my name on your caller ID, please answer.

    Finally, topped off the night with a visit from SK.  It was great to talk to someone other than each other, but I think Jackie and I talked nonstop.   At least I did.  It was just nice to have a guest, and red wine, and good food.

    I have appointments set up for next week and the week after,  and I pretty much know what I am going to opt for ... but I am not making a decision yet.

    So, that's it.  

    Live safely.  Live healthily.  Weareth a mask or thou doust risk the possibility of infection.

Peace and Love

It's such a touristy thing to do........

day.....sniff.....201

 I sometimes have nothing to say

    Yesterday I told you about my new journey through life.  Or rather , the detour my journey through life is taking me.

    You people made me cry.

    The things you said, the comments, the words....every time I read one I bawled like a baby.  You will never know how important your words were, and are, to me and Jackie.

    From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.  And hey, I made it to just one minute ago not crying at all today!  

    The virtual love, virtual hugs, the real life hugs at Walmart, all are special to me and I thank you so very much.

    I have an appointment with the robotics guy Tuesday.  He will outline what he thinks I should do.  Then I will have an appointment with the radiation guy and hear his pitch.

    I have heard from many people who share my problem....and they have all lived long, healthy, prosperous lives.  No reason I can't join that group.  To be honest, every story I hear gives me more confidence in what I have to do.

    So, again, from the bottom of my heart thank you for caring so deeply for me and Jackie.  I love you all.

    Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Mask it or casket.

Peace and Love