Wow, I haven't been to this site in over a year. Back then I was post operation and hadn't even started treatment. Now I am more than 18 months into remission. August 1 is the 2 year mark. Am hoping things continue as well as the last year.
They have eliminated my position at school so next year I will be teaching 3rd and 4th graders. That's fine, as long as I don't have to go any younger.Began doing aerobics tonight at the Lenexa Community Center. Good work out! Plan to go back on Thursday.

Medicine and Marking Time

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Knitting, crocheting, sewing, uh, huh!

Okay, I'm in a better frame of mind now. After my meeting with the medical oncologist last week, my fears were calmed. I had a pet scan and everything was clear except for some arthritis in my collar bone. I can live with that! I will have my first treatment this Thursday. I'm ready to get started so it can be done with. J is going fishing for three days starting tomorrow. He really needs some time away to get his head cleared. I only have plans to go to dinner with my girlfriends on Wednesday evening at Blue Koi.
I finished Owen's sweater except for the buttons and blocking. The sleeves are a bit short, but he looks so cute in it. I then made a spiral blanket in Jayhawk colors. I may save it for Bryan and Niclole's next baby. I am finishing a french market bag in green hemp that will probably be a Christmas gift and have my shell on the needles, dying to begin a lace shawl and baby booties.
I have also been slowly working on Owen's fabric book. I have all the pages cut out and the appliques cut and marked. Now I just need to put it together.
My usage goal this quarter is to use as much of the body lotion as I can. I have samples, hotel bottles, gifts from people. It should last me at least a year. I was successful using the shampoo and haven't bought any until today. How ironic! It'll probably last a year with the amount of hair I will have by this time next week. Whata ya goin' to do?

Today should be the official day that I return to work. But I'm not. After the surgery for breast cancer, they found cancer in the sentinel node so the mammosite was out, and I need to do chemo and radiation. I am taking a few weeks off to do the chemo and I see the doctor about that today. I thought I would be happy to have more time off, but I feel left out.

Well, the biopsy showed cancer, so I had an MRI on Thursday and am to see the radiation oncologist on Wednesday. I hope to have surgery, a lumpectomy, before leaving for Alaska. The doctor says it is curable which of course makes me feel so much better. Let's just do it and out damn spot, out!

On a happier note, we will be grandparents again. Twice in one year. Matt and Carmelle told us Thursday night that she is pregnant and due in March. Another March baby! I'm so excited. Now Owen will have someone to play with at family gatherings.

The fourth brought good food, good company, and good fireworks! The picture is of the new happy mama.

Waiting for Owensdays

Okay, I thought about completely giving up this blog, but what else do I have to do this summer? I am currently awaiting biopsy results for a lump in my right breast. The nurse, doctor's wife, said it didn't look good, but the doctor said that the lump was very small and certainly curable. I suppose I already know what the results will be, and then I'll have to ask a lot of questions to decide what the next step will be. Jim made me feel good when he said we'll just deal with it and go on. He's right, what else can we do.

Wednesdays have been changed to Owensdays. Each Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 I get to spend the afternoon with Owen. I rock him, hold him, look at him, kiss him, sing to him, change him, laugh with him, and talk to him. Kelly can do errands or whatever she wants without worrying about Owen. He is so darn cute! Each week he changes. So far I've been able to see him about twice a week. Still not enough, but it keeps me happy.

School, vacation, winter

My class at KU started three weeks ago and today was the first day I did any homework. This must be the prof's first class and he is a true dork. He changes his mind every five minutes about his expectations, assignments, etc. Besides that, he is a techy, so he expects everything to be done on line like creating wiki pages, blogs, emailing our thoughts and posting to others' blogs instead of using KU's blackboard. It's my last class otherwise I would be outta there!

We went to Vegas last week and had a super time. I only lost about $200 which isn't bad for 4 days and it included all the spending money for meals, drinks, etc. We saw Larry Jones who could impersonate a ton of musicians and politicians. It was a nice break. Played blackjack with Steve and ate dinner with him and Fran. We went to the Bellagio conservatory to see the flowers and decorations for Chinese New Year. We watched the fountain show outside the Bellagio in 60-70 degree weather. Jim and I split a 1/2 lb. hotdog with chili and cheese, but we also ate prime rib and steak and lobster.

OK, I'm tired of the weatherman predicting super amounts of snow and then we get a dusting. I want 10 inches, a blizzard. I want days off from work, malls shut down, people forced to stay home and bond. I want to knit, read, watch old movies, play on the computer and catch up on my homework.

This Saturday we are having a baby shower at our house for K. I can't believe the amount of stuff I have amassed for my grandchild. It took three boxes, a gift bag, and I still have more. I'm almost ashamed. (Not really).

This and That 2008

I just about gave up on this blog thing, but then this weekend I spent some time reading some knitting blogs and while I was on blogger I decided to post. No guarantee that I'll keep it up.
Happy New Year! Mine began with a car wreck. Some lady wanted to see the price of gas at the pump and turned left into my car and crunched the front end. It is waiting for an appraiser to look at it, so I am driving a rental-a Pontiac Vibe. I miss my car. I need to stop by the lot and get my sunglasses and garage door opener. Who thinks of those things while waiting for the tow truck?

This weekend I finished the body of the christening bunting I am making for my nephew and his wife's new baby. My poor left thumb is hurting. I think it is arthritis, but the doctor didn't think so. I'm going to bug him again about it. Anyway, I had to finally give it a rest so downloaded some video podcasts on knitting and Alaska, and ended up here.

I also have a Debbie Bliss blanket pattern on my knitting needles for Owen. It is in cashmerino in the color Rain, and is so nice to work with. I found some more outfits on sale at Penney's today for Owen. Am getting quite a few things. Enough to fill up 2 dresser drawers. I don't plan on quitting either. It is such fun.

Scott is working on my computer to upgrade it. I've been without it for a week and I must say, that I've read more, knit more and watched more tv. Not a bad thing.

Still haven't booked the Alaska trip. It is so confusing. I just need to make a decision and do it.

All for now. More reading to do. Will try to post more as if anyone cares.