Catching up--yet again

I haven't blogged for a while, but I've been busy--or not feeling good.  Mother's Day Eve I ran a temp of 100 and my lungs hurt, so off we were to the ER--after the Giants won their game.  I do have my priorities.  Everything was tested.  Once again, it wasn't a heart attack, wasn't a clot, wasn't pneumonia or asthma.  It wasn't anything that was going to kill me, so we were sent home around midnight, after blood tests, chest x-ray, and CT scan.  Apparently the cancer makes my blood tests look like I have a clot, hence the scan.  The fever went away on its own.  I was only worried about the reservation at the Ahwahnee for Monday.  The ER doctor wanted me to check with my cardiologist before I went to the mountains.
Mother's Day was quiet.  Elaine had an infection in her jaw andMark wouldn't let her leave the house--good call.  Monica and Rebecca came over and we hung out for the afternoon.  I made Tomato Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches--serious comfort food.  Dory and I kept checking on our packing status.  I was going to Yosemite.  I did check with Dr. Zipkin Monday morning and got the OK before we were on the San Mateo Bridge.  I was still restricted from driving.  Bless Dory, she was happy to drive and I got a lot of knitting done.

We had lunch about half-way to Yosemite--good resting point.  Then it was "Are we there yet?"  It was a beautiful drive.  Weather was perfect.  I never put on a coat the whole time we were gone.  We FINALLY got to the hotel, and waiting to greet us was Steve, my very favorite Bellman.  I like most of the guys there, but Steve has been my favorite for over 20 years.  Steve made sure that the General Manager welcomed us--that was pretty cool.  He didn't think much of our room, so told us not too unpack too much--he'd see what he could do about moving us the next day.  I sure love being taken care of.  We got a room with a better view

We could see the falls and Steve's favorite Dogwood Tree was right outside out window.

Tuesday was a rest-all-day day.  My lungs still hurt.  We rode the Shuttle and did some shopping.

This was always Lee's favorite tree, in front of the Village Store.

We had dinner at the Ahwahnee Dining Room because we didn't want to take the bus to the Lodge and we got a reservation at a reasonable time.

Wednesday we were ready for some exercise.  We went to Happy Isles--Dory's favorite walk.

I try to go to Yosemite in Mid May because school is still in session, there's usually lots of water in the falls, and the Dogwood is in blossom.  Here's lots of Dogwood.

After Happy Isles, we took the Shuttle to Lower Yosemite Falls.  Dory wasn't sure two walks was a good idea, but I was pretty sure we could do it.  We were planning on dinner at the Lodge, and it just didn't make sense to go back to the room for about five minutes and then take the bus to dinner.  We rested lots on the trail.  It's a pretty walk and not at all strenuous--well, not for normal people.  It got colder and louder and windier as we got to the falls.  There was LOTS of water.

And some wildlife:

I sort of gave Dory the option of walking back to the Lower Falls stop or just crossing the road and walking to the Mountain Room--it was probably the same distance...sort of...  We were ready to stop when we got to the restaurant.  Prime Rib--yum.
Thursday, we were a little stiff.  Decided that the two mile walk to and from Mirror Lake was not a good idea.  So we took the bus to Sentinel Bridge and walked to the Chapel.  Dory had never been there, and I really wanted to Thank God for keeping me alive to visit His house.  God is everywhere, but his voting address in in Yosemite.  So here are the pictures from the bus stop and the necessary :I don't need another picture of Half Dome" pictures:

We ate at the Ahwahnee Dining Room again--just too tired to go back to the Lodge, and we did have a reservation. 
Friday was get away day.  It was a beautiful drive, up 120 and over Tioga Pass.  I should have taken pictures, but didn't, to show how little snow there was the middle of May.  This was one of the earliest times the pass has been open for the summer.  It was our gain, because that meant we got to go home by way of Reno--it is kind of like Yosemite is on the way home from Fresno--you take 41 and run smack into it.  If you take Tioga and turn left on 395--same thing--you run smack into Reno.  It wasn't as profitable as our last trip, but we had fun.  Dory is a great traveling buddy.  She's so easy to get along with and the same things strike us funny.  We spent three nights at the Silver Legacy, then, as is our custom, we leave before breakfast and go to Boomtown for breakfast and slots.  We figured how long it would take go get home, missing commute traffic in both Sacramento and the Bay Area.  I called Glenn about 3:30 as we were getting gas, to let him know we'd be home around 9--he said he'd be home around 11--he was working on his day off.  WELL, that settled that--we didn't have to be home until 11, back to the casino and the slots and more fun.  We stopped at Burger King for a chicken sandwich and a shake and pulled into the driveway just, and I do mean just, ahead of Glenn.  Bless my beast of burden.  He carried everything upstairs when he was really tired from working all day.
Tuesday was Mark, and driving on my own.  Once again, down to BART and downtown.  I had a little PTSD getting off the train.  There were lots of people and trains were going each direction, but I made it.  One escalator was out of service, so I had to take an alternate route, but that was doable.  Mark's schedule is changing, so I will change to Wednesdays--that's actually more convenient for my hair appointments.  Josie doesn't work on Tuesdays.  Now all I have to do is change my appointment for June 20 and life will be grand.
Tuesday afternoon was back to my chemo schedule.  That was not without entertainment.  Their blood count machine broke and they were having to send people to the hospital for their lab work.  I didn't get the message, but I haven't had chemo for over a month and my count was good two weeks ago, so we just went for it--after keeping me waiting about half an hour.  Then it took forever to access my port.  I think they had to use five or six needles till they got blood return and I finally got my pre-meds and the Gemzar.  Haven't felt really good since then, but this will pass.  I had my teeth cleaning appointment on Thursday--checked with the oncologist--light cleaning and don't go below the gum line--cancer effects everything.  No cavities, so maybe there is something to this brushing and flossing.
I've been knitting, working on things for my niece, whose baby is due in July.  I won't post pictures till after her shower to keep it a surprise.  I'm almost ready to go back to socks--and I used one skein from the Yarn Cave!  Of course, I am lusting after new stuff, but I'm trying to get the stuff that needs doing finished.
I have chemo again on Tuesday.  It will be the first time I've had the full cycle since February.  Maybe I shouldn't jinx it.
That's my news.
xxooxx

Houseful of Visitors

I had outing number 2 on Monday--a quick trip to my Dentist's office to pick up my new bite splint.  Not a problem, no anxiety.  Had nothing scheduled for Tuesday.  Glenn went to see his friend in Berkeley--only fair since he's been taking care of me for a week.  I get lonely when I'm by myself (this is new since the pacemaker), so Dory came over for a while.  Today I had lots of company.  The Visiting Nurse came in the morning.  Elaine, Monica, and Becca came over in the early afternoon, just before Glenn left for work.  The Home Health Aide.  She washed my hair and gave me a bath.  Clean hair is wonderful, especially when you have one wing under house arrest and no one has told you whether or not you can take a shower.
After I got all sweet and pure (family joke, my Mother is laughing at that), the physical therapist came to assess me and give me exercises to do.  And yes, Gretchen, I'll do them.

Around and about all this, Elaine and the girls and I went through some family papers.  I tried my hand at scanning and did pretty well--here's the first attempt:

This is the generations picture.  The fine looking gentleman is my Great Grandfather, Edward Lee Hall.  Seated next to Grandpa Hall is Grandma Hall,, Ida May Curns.  Gretchen Gabrielle Clark is sitting on Grandpa Hall's lap and Grandma Hall has me.  Behind Grandpa Hall is my Gay, my grandmother, full name Gabrielle Lee Hall Kant, who, at the time this picture was taken was about seven or eight years younger than I am now.  The remaining beautiful lady is our Mother.  When I feel better, that is, when I can drive again, I'm going to have to see about a frame for this.  It is too precious to leave lying about.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my primary care physician.  Dr. Kubin would have seen me in the hospital--every day--and maybe he was looking down from heaven, keeping me alive.  I know there were a ton of angels doing that very thing.  I'm healing.  The incision still hurts a lot--if you touch it, if you look at it.  Best get to sleep.  Granddaughter Monica is picking me up in the morning.

xxooxx