Campin' Out

Just like any other summer...camping with Jamie and John is always a great time. Well, and we always love to see Shorty too! We've camped, travelled, hiked and co-habitated with them enough that we are a great team in any situation, but especially on the road. It was a pleasure to lunch with them at their trailer Saturday, have such efficient help with organizing and "tidying up" around camp, and cook breakfast under the trees with Jamie on Sunday morning. An enjoyable and relaxing weekend at Tolt MacDonald campground, and we look forward to hiking later in the season!

Little Tidbits

So we are getting ready for a first of the season camping trip to celebrate Madeline Wood's second birthday. We are making it a longer weekend by camping Friday night as well as the planned Saturday night festivities.

I've been battling joint pain for the last couple of days. It's to be expected with the double dose of blood cell boosters I got this past chemo round. My friendly personal pharmacist counselled me as to what I could take and how much. After trying to control the pain on two advil every six hours and constant soaks in the tub...I knew there had to be another remedy. Take more advil and closer together. So far so good. I got a few hours of sleep last night without the aching. Hopefully tonight will be better. I'm hoping this is gone before camping, as the tub in the trailer is a wee bit small for soaking(not to mention the hot water doesn't last too long.)

I've ordered a swimsuit online in the hopes I might take up lap swimming again. My sister and Katelyn have been swimming every morning at the Valley Athletic club. Maybe I should join. Maybe just feeling of weightlessness will help with some of the issues. Funny thing is, walking when my joints ache actually helps too. You would think it would be the opposite.

I'm becoming a morning person I think. This morning as I was up at five, John and I decided to go out to breakfast. We ventured to Shari's. We were the youngest couple in the establishment. The waitress was friendly, the food was good, and she didn't mind me doing laps while I waited for breakfast to be served. There are some benefits to sleeplessness.

Test of Strength

Back in Seattle. I decided to once again test the strength of our marriage and not heed Jamie’s warnings to make a reservation at the Silver Cloud well in advance. Who would of thought that I wouldn’t be able to simply call up the night before and get a room. It is only July, and I am trying to get a room at a value priced waterfront hotel with a pool in Downtown Seattle.

So the Marriot it was. No free breakfast, no free parking. I did get a SCCA rate though. I am getting good at prodding the reservation clerk for a better rate. And cancer has obviously given Jamie the same new perspective and patience it has given me. Only a very mild scolding followed by a brief critique and comparison to the Silver Cloud. Just enough to prompt me to get that reservation for our next visit set up today.

With Jamie’s strength growing every day, we find our trips to Seattle include a little more fun and leisure each time. Last night Katrina and Joel introduced us to the Kangaroo and Kiwi, a public house on Aurora. Great little joint with a barmaid imported from Down Under along with lots of AUS/NZ beers and menu. The girls had chips and Aussie pie, while Joel and I were a bit adventurous and let our hostess select. So it was pizza and wings for us.

Now those that know Jamie and I well, are probably looking quizzical right now, as they are aware of our shared distaste for chicken on the bone. But even a short trip to SE Asia will cure you of any apprehensions you may harbor about food texture. So with a pint or two down already, I had BBQ sauce on my chin and was happily sucking the meat and skin off the wings, mostly because I am almost certain that this is in fact chicken.

As the evening wore on, several other patrons began setting up for beer pong, a game where you try to toss a ping pong ball into an array of beer cups set up in front of your opponent. It is one of those drinking games where who is truly the loser and the winner is a subject of much debate, because if your opponent makes his target, you must drink. For me the only downside would be an adversary that was a poor shot and took several tries as they cycle through the same three balls each, giving them only a quick dip in a bin of water after they hit floor.

The crowd was very congenial (or perhaps ignored me) as my in questioning soon turned into satirical commentary as I asked “why don’t you they fill the cups up further” or “real men would use whiskey (which would be more sanitary as well)”.

We left shortly thereafter on our own accord and unharmed as well, both Joel and I thankful to have our wives as our designated drivers. After dinner I presented Joel with his M&M bar shirt, a gift from my mother. Knowing just his size and fashion taste, I am sure Joel will get good wear out of it. I have one as well, and thus we will have to be a bit careful. Despite our bond as hunting partners, dressing in unison is a little bit too much and outside the circle of those familiar with Butte may be misinterpreted.

It is now a bit passed noon and thus we are through more than half of today’s session. Jamie is watching “Dream Girls” on her portable DVD, thankfully with headphones on, while I catch up on this and other computer related chores. First set of lab reports for today’s blood draw have all come back good, with just a small drop (30% compared to 33%) red blood cell count, initiating a simple Darepoetin injection for a boost (like some pro athletes have been busted for according to nurse Dan). CA-125 values are plummeting as well, but in this case it is a good thing. Pre surgery levels exceeded 4,000, but after the July 6th labs we had 51. We are still waiting on this morning’s results, but seem to be getting much closer of the desired “norm” of 25.

Jamie looks as strong and beautiful as ever. During our consult yesterday, we got the go for increased activity such as yoga and swimming, with approval for some hiking if she feels up to it in the future. Carrying a pack is an issue because the shoulder straps can conflict with the catheter on the power port, but our Nurse Practitioner, Barb Silko, is an active woman herself and thus able to offer some practical advice on pack types as well.
This is great news for both of us, as we are eager to return to as much normalcy as possible and enjoy the rest of the summer. I even brought up the subject of bicycling, approved if Jamie feels able, and am certain I will enjoy my new bicycle even more if Jamie is riding alongside me.

Narrows Bridge Walk

Today we braved the crowds and set forth and conquered the New Narrows Bridge. I had heard you could walk across the bridge today and decided it was one of my goals. John, Anne, Wilson and I waited for the shuttle at TCC and rode to the bridge. There were lots of people and a suspicious package when we arrived at the top of Jackson street where the bus dropped us off. We walked down the hill and were finally allowed to start the trek across the span. It was pretty neat. Some people know that my Great Grandfather was an electrician on Galloping Gertie and the Narrows bridge and was one of the first to walk across the top catwalk, so I felt it was something I wanted to be able to say I did...on the bridge deck of course.
The walk was great. I always seem to get a side ache on my left side when I walk and I developed one on the way to the Gig Harbor side, but it soon went away. The crowds were thick, so we weren't able to walk very fast, which was probably a good thing for me. We made it to the GH side and turned around to walk back. Just about to the end we ran into Becky, Dawson, Claudia and Claudia's husband and got to chat before we decided not to brave the shuttle line and walk all the way back to TCC by foot. John kept asking me if I could make it and I surprised myself by saying I could. I felt great! Just hungry. We picked up lunch at MSM deli, which was delicious, and ate back at Anne's house.

John also got his new Cannondale bicycle today. We had forgotten about Olde Towne Cycles in Olde Towne Tacoma. The guys there were very knowledgeable and fitted John with his new mountain bike. They are opening a new store in Olympia, so he will be able to take advantage of their service plan as well. He's like a kid in a candy store...so excited. The first thing he wanted to do was read his manual, so he will be ready to take it on the trails. Hopefully this will keep his mind off Diesel trucks for a while.

Getting Easier

Well as far as chemo goes things do seem to be getting easier. I haven't had as much nausea this time, perhaps from the bright instruction from Dan to get the meds on board sooner rather than later when I'm starting to feel bad. Seemed to do the trick. Now if I could just get the achy joints to follow suit. Ibuprofen is allowed this time around and does seem to help. Tylenol Pm is still a go to for bedtime.

I met a gal in my neighborhood who's name is Laura and she is going thru breast cancer treatments as we speak. She is very nice and upbeat, amazing because she gets chemo every Wednesday, despite having two children ages 3 and 8months. She got diagnosed in December. She is a trooper that's for sure. Had a nice chat and hope to have more with her. Like me she is 34 years old as well. She taught me how to tye my new scarves..they have insect repellent built in...for me who gets buggy.

John and the boys put down a bunch of new sod in our yard. With this hot weather, we have to water, water, water like crazy, which means Shorty goes crazy too. He loves the sprinklers and has a great time chasing the streams of water whenever he can. He gets pretty worked up, so I have to get him back in the basement for rest periods.

I have been venturing out a little in the car too. I went to Starbucks this morning for a tasty treat. We even went to a restaurant last night for dinner...El Sarape..very good hit the spot. I've also been trying to do chores like laundry and dishes, so John doesn't have to worry about those as well as the other stuff he has going on in is head like trail bikes and diesel trucks.

Hope all is well with everyone reading! I thank you all for your posts and encouragement..it's the first thing I do when I wake up..check the blog!! Thanks again

Phenomenal Woman

Sundays have usually been one of the roughest days for Jamie following chemo, but today she was feelin' groovy—as you can see. She and Erik enjoyed charming each other and hanging out in the sunshine when we visited this afternoon.

Chemo #3

Chemo session #3 is almost over. With surgery weeks behind, the power port installed and a couple of trips under our belt, things seem to go pretty smoothly. Jamie was a bit nervous about her first conscious port access this AM (the access last time was done right after the install when she was still under anesthesia), but she had her lidocaine on 30 minutes prior and the needle went in with no pain. Our able technician Reggie had her vials filled and things rapped up in just minutes.

Nurse Dan has become an old friend, and we constantly find our “tool talk” interrupted by Jamie’s need for chemo. A both outgoing and attentive nurse, he is always trying to take over my duties. If he would just focus on giving drugs and taking vital signs, I can handle the hospitality service myself.

Jamie gets stronger and more independent by the day. This session she is getting up by herself and taking her IV pole with her to the restroom without my aid. She even sent me to Starbucks down on Eastlake this morning once her IV got underway.

At home, we are becoming more and more active, and I often come home at lunch to find her finishing up the dishes, laundry or the bills and ready for lunch and our walk. Our walking route is getting longer every time, as I am excited to explore the new trails in the neighborhood with her and Shorty. Hopefully she will be strong enough, and receive approval from Dr. Goff to do a short hike in August or September as long as she carries very little load.

Her weight was up a couple of pounds this week, showing that my diligence and our friends and family’s cooking is working. I have been forced to return to my Weight Watcher’s fundamentals and combined with some exercise should be able to reverse the effects of all the cookies and trips to Big Tom’s drive in.

This afternoon we are off to Kirkland, with a brief stop by a bicycle shop. Another testament to her strength, Jamie patiently sat at REI for over an hour while I test road a few mountain bikes. Hoping this will distract me from diesel pick ups for a while (which apparently all of my cool friends now have), she has been encouraging me to shop and agreed that such a purchase will improve both my physical and mental health.

We are also hoping to bring the rabbits home this week, bringing our daily life even closer to normal. Being home this summer has not been all bad though, we are enjoying our yard, picnic table and new BBQ. The grass in our expanded yard has grown in and gives Shorty extra room to play, if only he would learn to come back when called.

A Tidbit of An Update...

Had a lovely gab session on the phone with Jamie today—quick update for the blogaddicts:

1. First, she sounds great and is feeling really, really good!
2. She drove herself in to work yesterday and enjoyed it.
3. She's loving the 5-minute showers and easy care of her new 'do.
4. They're spraying for ants again today (they've returned).
5. She's been enjoying walks all over the neighborhood with her sister.
6. And, she's pouring over her Australia travel books and scheming up some good adventures!
7. Oh, and Dr. Goff was quoted in the July issue of Oprah magazine (pg. 122) in a brief article about understanding the symptoms of ovarian cancer.