Back from Fresno

It wasn't so bad, as weekends in Fresno go. I didn't have to drive and I spent very little time out of doors in the heat. It took us forever to get there on Friday because there was a big accident and fire on 580--all gone by the time we passed it, but it took about two hours to get from my house to the east side of Altamont Pass. After that, it was pretty much smooth sailing. Not really a problem, except that we had a 7 PM dinner. Even that wasn't so bad, because seats were saved for us. I had to moisturize (one of the treats that comes with radiation) and change after I checked in, but thanks to a few years in little theatre during my college years, I'm a quick change artist and really didn't miss much. It was a buffet and our table was among the last to get in line, so we could have been lots later and it wouldn't have mattered. I did get tired of sitting and my hips hurt.
Saturday morning, I had an early breakfast, because the Cal Bears (my beloved Cal Bears) were on ESPN with a nine o'clock game against Maryland. They didn't really get cracking until the second half--if the game had been five or ten minutes longer, they might have pulled it out. As it was, they lost, but not as badly as it looked like they were going to lose. After the game, I went trotting off to try on my dress for Grand Chapter. It is too long, so I didn't get to bring it home. At least it is pretty, which my last two Deputy Grand Chapter dresses weren't. After the dress fitting, I debated on lunch or a nap. I really wanted to have a late lunch/early dinner, because the reception (the whole reason for going to Fresno) started at 7:30 but we had to be there by six for pictures. My hips were still hurting pretty bad, so the nap won. I set my alarm for 3 then lounged till about 3:30 and went off in search of food. To my displeasure, I discovered that the coffee shop closed from 2 to 5. Ah, but there was room service! Back to the room, checked the menu for something I could eat, called and placed my order. The girl who took it said it would take about half an hour. That gave me time for a bath. All clean and dressed, I waited for lunch with my book. At about 4:40, when I still had no lunch and was feeling like a refugee, I called to see how much longer it would be. Let me check, says the girl, and clicks off. Presently, my phone rang and it was actual room service, who had no record of my order. By now, I was starting to steam. The y took my order again--turkey sandwich, no tomatoes, diet coke, and chocolate ice cream. About how long will that take, I asked. When they said another half an hour, I lost it. The room service manager got on the line and said he would comp my meal. Fine, I said, see what you can do. It was looking like dinner wouldn't get to me till around 5:15 at the earliest. I put on my makeup and read more of my book. Eventually, a very nice young man brought my lunch. The turkey sandwich included the tomato that I can't eat while I'm on radiation, but no cranberry sauce that was promised on the room service menu--and I had to put my own mayo on it. It included fries, which were good, but I couldn't open the catchup, so there went my veggie. There was no diet coke and the chocolate ice cream was chocolate cake. But it was free and I was starving. I managed to eat, get into my dress, and cross the street (painfully, the hips were really hurting) in plenty of time for pictures. So there really is a free lunch...
The reception was nice, but long--those hips again. There is just no way to sit comfortably. I saw many friends and wouldn't have missed it for the world. I was really hurting by the time it was over.
The trip home was uneventful and quick--no traffic to speak of. I got home in time to see most of the 49ers game--they won in overtime, as did the Giants, in extra innings. Sure, now that it doesn't matter, the Giants are winning.
So here I am, ready for a blessedly early night. I have to get to the hospital early tomorrow morning to have my port flushed (sounds nasty but it isn't) before radiation. Glenn is going to take me, he says, because the girl from his 5th grade class finishes her radiation tomorrow and he wants to wish her well. He'll come with me Tuesday, too, because that is Radiation Oncologist day, and he likes to be there for the doctor appointments.
I took my camera with me this weekend, but it never left my room, so you will just have to use your imagination for beautiful downtown Fresno.
xxooxx

Las Vegas and The Wedding

I'm not sleeping, so I might as well put my time to good use. If you are hoping for pictures of anything but the wedding, you will be disappointed this round. I didn't even get pictures of all the people I should have, but did well considering my state of exhaustion.

So, we started out Thursday morning. I slept later than I'd intended, so there was some amount of chicken without its head time getting set to go. I gave Glenn a break because we didn't have to get to the airport till around 9 in the morning. It took a little time getting our boarding passes and waiting for the wheelchair, but soon we were at our gate, which unlike most flights I've ever taken was the closest rather than the one in the next county. Naturally, our plane was late, but that didn't much matter. It's a short flight and we weren't really doing anything till Friday evening. We got settled on the plane then waited some more. I was sitting next to Elaine, naturally, but there was a very nice young man in the window seat who had bone cancer 7 years ago when he was in high school. Cancer is not that exclusive a club, but it is a bond. He napped most of the way, but we talked some before we landed.

It was good to see my wheelchair and chauffeur waiting for me. The people at McCarran Airport couldn't have been nicer. It takes a bit of navigation to get around, complete with what would have been an "E" ticket in the Disneyland of way old. My driver (just can't bring myself to call that nice gentleman a pusher) got us to baggage pick-up and to the rental car shuttle easy as pie. The Rental Car Center is a lovely facility (as such things go). Had I really given it enough thought, though, I wouldn't have bothered renting a car and just taken a cab to and from the hotel. Lesson learned.

We stayed at the Luxor, which we could see from the airport. I probably wouldn't choose it again. They are doing remodeling in the hotel and it was noisy and our air conditioner was suffering from extreme old age. There was a monsoon going on that afternoon, so we spent some time just watching the storm, checking for lightning--there was lots. The Bride and Groom rented a house in Las Vegas and were giving a pre-wedding barbecue--Elaine and I opted out, due to my exhaustion and the weather. It was late afternoon and we went in search of lunch/dinner. It wasn't anything special, but it was food. We wandered, studying the lay of the land. We located the Spa and made appointments for Friday--massage and facial for Elaine, citrus scrub and facial for me. We played some penny machines and even were big spenders and played some Wizard of Oz nickel machines--in memory of my mother who loved all things Oz. We went to Mandalay Bay, found The Chocolate Swan, had dessert, and went on up to bed. A word about how you get to your room in the Pyramid. They don't have elevators, they have inclinators, which go up at a slant. It takes a while to get your sea legs under you.

I had breakfast Friday morning (I know from experience that it is not Elaine's meal), was a cranky old lady because a young man (early twenties, I'd say--sitting with I presume his mother and younger brother) was talking loud enough for the whole coffee shop to know everything there was to know about him. On my way out, I suggested he might like to use his "inside voice," explaining that I'd heard every word of his conversation. He suggested that I shouldn't have been listening and I countered with "I had no choice," and left in a huff. I played some on my way back to the room. Elaine and I went down around noon to get her something to eat and get to the Spa by 1:30 for a little pampering. It wasn't the Sonoma Mission Inn, but it was very nice. My scrub was with a vichy shower and I had the lead therapist as my provider. I smelled wonderful--if a little like a creamcicle.

Back to the room to make ourselves presentable for the wedding. Getting ready took a little longer than I'd planned. I called to see if valet parking could have our car ready for us--no, that isn't the way it worked. We had to go to Valet Parking, present out ticket, then they would get the car. So we went to Valet Parking--just not the one where we'd left the car. I'm already exhausted, so back we troop, through the casino, to the other side of the hotel. We are not at the right valet but it will take at least 10 minutes for them to get the car, then we have to figure out where we're going. The hell with it, Come on, Elaine, we're grabbing a cab--which was there in a flash. I told the driver where we were going--he didn't know where it was and asked me if I did--I told him I could d0 better--I had a map. It wasn't cheap, but we got there. The wedding was at someplace called "The Secret Garden." It was pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, but it was very pretty. Here beginnith the pictures:

Jennifer and her father, making their entrance. I

got another picture of Jennifer giving her father a kiss, but managed to get only the whites of her eye and for such a beautiful bride, it's a little spooky. You don't get to see that one.















The Minister did something that I thought was very sweet. He first asked Jennifer to give her bouquet to Steve. Then he asked Steve to give it back to Jennifer. This was to symbolize their first exchange of gifts as man and wife. He admonished them to repeat this action each year on their anniversary--not necessarily that bouquet, but just a flower to remember the day and what they mean to each other. Sitting in front of me is Jennifer's father (I got more than a few pictures of the back of his head). Jennifer's sister Melody was the Matron of Honor and the other bridesmaid is Jenn's best friend Tracy. The extra arm over Mr. Neal's head I think belongs to one of the professional photographers.

I really did get nice pictures of Mr. Neal's head. Good thing they weren't counting on me for the official pictures.

This one is just sweet.

Now for a little history. We have known Melody and Jennifer since they were 11 and 12 years old when they were initiated into Job's Daughters. They lived with their Mother, Penny and their Step-Father, Tommy Vinson. Melody is a few months younger than Elaine. All three girls were in the "Line" together, Melody was Honored Queen from May 1984 till December, when Elaine was installed. Jennifer followed the following year. The girls had a good time together and I adored their mother. Penny got me in all sorts of trouble. Her come hither line was always "Oh, come on, it'll be fun." That included chaperoning dances, parents club, working at the park booth, and whatever else Penny wanted to get me to do. OK the parents club and working at the park booth were fun, but I never liked chaperoning much--except that I got to spend time talking to Penny. Early in 1984, Penny got sick. Penny was a lot sicker than they let on. Just after Melody's installation, Penny had surgery for lung cancer. It was not good. Penny died November 20, 1984--or thereabouts. It was the third Tuesday in November 1984.

They had a discreet memorial to Penny and to Steve's father, who also passed away. It was a lovely tribute to loved ones who were in the hearts and minds of several guests. I know Penny was in my heart and I know she would have been very proud of Jennifer and pleased with her Steve.

And now for the cake shots:

The joy of attending the wedding of a couple who know what they are doing is that they handle the sharing of the first piece of cake with dignity, as they should, since it symbolized the care they will take of each other throughout their married life.


This last one is blurry, but it is the only picture of Jennifer and Steve toasting each other. I was getting a little blurry by then.

We wished them well, toasted them with excellent champagne--when you don't drink very often, you can forget how good really good champagne can be. I'm sure it doesn't get along with anything I take, but I allowed myself a glass all the same. I did not embarrass myself and lick it out.
We had the staff call us a cab and got back to the hotel by 11. Elaine was out like a light. It took me a little longer.

Saturday morning, I went down for breakfast again, played a little more on the Wizard of OZ machine, then went back to the room to pack and check out. Check out was at 11. I think the car was due back around noon. Our plane didn't leave till almost four. I figured we could kill time at the airport as wall as the casino. Once again, the staff at the airport couldn't have been pleasanter or more accommodating. The shuttle driver asked me if I would need a wheelchair and had it waiting for us when we got to the airport. That nice young man had us in and out of ticketing and security in a flash. He took us to our gate and left us with the chair since we had time to kill. Elaine pushed me and we wandered. We had lunch at Ruby's Diner--a really good airport lunch at that, even if I did have vacuumed for crumbs when I finished my sandwich. We poked out noses in a few of the shops and played at the "Air Strip" I thought the sighs reminding you to cashout before you got on your flight were superfluous, but they must have been there for a reason. I think I did my best at the airport machines.
The gate staff were as nice as everyone else had been. They let Elaine wheel me down the ramp right up to the plane--I could have walked, but since we were sitting in row 23 (almost the bathroom), I appreciated the extra ride. The flight was a little bumpy getting out of Vegas air space--there were still thunder storms in the area, but after that, no problem. It was good to get home. The exhaustion level was pretty constant. I'm looking forward to that letting up in the next week or so. I have my blood work tomorrow and I see Dr. Chee on Tuesday. I'm having discussions with my bone marrow about possibly making me some extra red so that I can have more oxygen. So far it is ignoring me.
That's it for now. I might even be getting sleepy. Somehow sleep and exhaustion do not always go hand in hand.

xxooxx

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

First, a bit of unfinished business. These are the flowers that my sister sent me for my birthday. You can tell I'm old because I didn't think to take them right when I got them, when they were at their best. It was about Monday when I realized, "Oh, can take their picture and share them with everyone and enjoy them forever. So, here they are, a little past their prime, but then, many of us are.

Tuesday I had intended to leave straight from my doctor's office, but I overslept, so that didn't happen. I barely got to the doctor's office on time. I'm doing as expected, blood counts are all low, hence the exhaustion. But I was given the full steam ahead for Sonoma (I was going anyway) and a referral to the radiation oncologist. I came home, made an appointment with said radiation oncologist for the 30th, finished packing, let Glenn load the car, picked up some prescriptions, got two Jamba Juices for the road, and I was off around 12:30. I debated about going around by the ocean, but opted to take 19th Av through San Francisco, thinking that there couldn't be too much traffic at that hour. Bad idea. It took me longer to get to Sloat Bl than from Sloat to the Inn. Still, I got to the hotel around 2:30 and my first appointment wasn't till 4. I had time to check in, get to my room, gather my toys for the spa, and be off.

The first bunch of pictures are of my room, a Mission Suite


The bedroom

This is the view from the bedroom to the bathroom, over the in room spa.

A view from the bathroom to the bedroom.

This would be the living room area.

These next two are the view from my balcony.

Now we are walking to the Spa.

Here we are in the Spa concierge. If you are lucky, Victoria greets you. Victoria just graduated from massage school and does massages on the weekends. As you can see, she is absolutely beautiful and the beauty starts inside at the very core of her being. I love Victoria.

My first treatment was a Watsu massage. This is the Watsu pool, maintained at a constant 98 degrees F. I've had Watsus in all sorts of weathers--it is special in the mist with droplets of water hitting your face like champagne bubbles. It is also lovely in the summer moving from light into shade. For those who don't know about Watsu, here's what the brochure says about it: "Relax with a nurturing 'floating' massage in our beautiful, 'al fresco' Watsu pool, filled with our unique thermal mineral water and perfectly maintained at 98 degrees. Supported by the arms of your skilled massage therapist, experience flowing movements, stretching and shiatsu. You will feel rested and relaxed with a restored sense of harmony and creativity. " It is just the most amazing thing. I may be the Watsu queen because I think I've had more than a dozen in the last year. It is an exercise in total trust, living in the moment, nurturing, comforting. You feel like you are back in the womb and that you are the most loved and cared for being in all of creation. Did I say I love Watsu? My provider for today's Watsu was Soledad--picture to follow. I didn't have my camera with me for the treatments I had that day.

Here's another shot of the Watsu pool:

This lady greets you and says good by on your way to and from the bathhouse. I followed my Watsu with the bathing ritual, since I was already wet. After that, I had a Bodycoffee Spa Scrub. Adobe Acrobat doesn't seem to want to let me copy and paste, so I'll have to plagiarize: "Using a sumptuous blend of ground coffee, Arabica...dead sea salt...and soothing essential oils, coffee extracts help improve blood flow and circulation. Nourishing shea butter and aloe vera restore the skin's radiant softness. Emerge rejuvenated, renewed, and positively glowing." My provider was David, who is the best at the "massage application" of the lotion at the end. I didn't get David's picture--I hoped I would see him later in the week, but that didn't happen. Not a problem. I'll be back and get him then. David is on my list of preferred providers.

Feeling thoroughly relaxed, with five months of dead skin cells scrubbed off, I was off to dinner. Spinach salad and a New York steak. I'm anemic so I tried to get lots of iron.

Wednesday morning and time for a full day of pampering. First thing on the day was a Hungarian Moor Mud Kur. My provider was Glenn. Glenn is two weeks younger than I am, so we speak the same generational language. Glenn is also one of the few who give Watsu massages--in fact, he gave me my first. He is also multitalanted--and incredible photographer of very tiny things. I love Glenn. The Hungarian Moor Mud Kur is not one of the more glamorous treatments, but it sure does make you feel good. Here's the official word: "Celebrate the strength of your body with this centuries old tradition of combining medicinal mud, healing waters and light massage. Begin with a body wrap using moor mud infused with the uplifting aroma of fresh rosemary. Immerse in medicinal waters of potent minerals and relax in a massage of a soothing mineral crème mixed with fennel, juniper and essential lavender to aid in relaxing and detoxifying the body."

The mud was followed by a Chardonnay Olive Oil Sugar Scrub, with Soledad. So here's Soledad. for some reason she wanted a picture with me, so we did that.










Soledad is the pretty one.
Here's the official word on this treatment: "An aromatic and stimulating exfoliation that moisturizes while promoting new skin growth. Using products hand made in the Sonoma Valley, this combination of olive oil, sea salt." It feels wonderful and smells heavenly and I had Soledad, who is loving and nurturing and gentle and glows from within with a heavenly light. I love Soledad. I was supposed to have another treatment with her on Thursday, but she wasn't feeling well later in the day on Wednesday, so they sent her home. I hope I didn't make her sick.

I had pre-ordered a spinach salad (more iron), so I sat in the snade and eat my lunch and read waiting for the next treatment, which was a Sonoma Stone Massage, again with Glenn. Again, the official word: "For hundreds of years Native American people came to this sacred ground from surrounding valleys and the coast to partake in healing rituals honoring the earth and the waters, and the spirit of all the elements. Today we offer you our ritual of warm stone therapy to bring deep relaxation, improve muscle tissue and soothe the nervous system. Aromatherapy, a blend of 'hands on' techniques and the flow of warm stones over the body, produce an unparalleled sensual experience. The energy of the stones creates a magical extension of hands and heart. Warm and cool stone 'tools' work specific areas of tension and inflammation, creating a balanced effect for body, mind and spirit. All of this is set in an atmosphere that honors your presence in this special place on earth. " Now, here's one of the benefits of being on chemotherapy and losing your hair and going to the spa. You don't get "Spa Hair" Many of the massages include wonderful scalp work, which feels like you've died and gone to heaven but leaves you looking like the Bride of Frankenstein. I just whipped off the cranial prosthesis and let them massage my scalp to their heart's content. I felt glorious and came away with every hair in place.

That was my last treatment of the day, so I sat in the sun for a while and read and knitted. Then I went back to my suite where I napped on the balcony. I had a poached sole for dinner. I don't like fish, but I know it is good for me, and sole is one of the few things I can handle.

On to Thursday. First treatment of the day was a Spirulina Body Wrap, with Bill. Bill wanted his picture taken with the tools of his trade. Bill's probably about my age too, or close to it. We've been known to sing camp songs together that very few other people know. I love Bill. Oops, I'm forgetting my job as tour director. Here's the skinny on this treatment: "Spirulina, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes, is harvested from pure salt lakes in California. This treatment helps to nourish, stimulate and revitalize the body." This is a 100 minute treatment--another that is not so glamourous, but really nourishing and probably uses more lotion and potions than anything else. Bill is the head trainer and really knows what he's doing. He also loved my scalp and gave it much TLC. After the wrap, I lounged till it was time for Reflexology with Reike with Diane.

There is no way to describe Diane. She's fabulous at what she does. She's a hoot, she's intuitive, she makes me feel very special. I love Diane. If you get the feeling that I love everyone there, you would be right. Diane has several years of spa experience. She has designed some of the treatments at the SMI. If you are lucky enough to get Diane, you are in for precious time. Diane is a Reike Master. She told me that while she was setting up the room, before she saw me, something said "Cancer" to her. She was gentle and has a wonderful healing touch.

My last treatment of the day was a Tandem Massage, which is just downright decadent. One receiver, two massage therapists. It was supposed to be Bill and Soledad, but since she was out ill, it was Bill and Arlene. I didn't get Arlene's picture either. That's another maybe next time. This is another that I have to plagiarize "Take your relaxation to a new level an two therapists massage you in synchronicity to work both sides of the body simultaneously. Throughout the massage, smooth movements along the length of your body create the illusion of one therapist rather than two. As a luxurious finish during the final 15 minutes of the treatment, one therapist massages your scalp while the other performs balancing reflexology on your feet."

I had such a treat for dinner. My friend Luanne (whose picture I didn't take either) lives in San Rafael. She came up to take me out to a belated birthday dinner. I took her on a tour of my suite, the grounds, and the spa before we ate. I had another spinach salad and ribs, which I have learned to eat with a knifeand fork. They were very yummy. I had warm berry cobbler for dessert, with ice cream and a birthday candle. I blew it out in one breath! After dinner, we went back to my suite to talk. Before we knew it, it was after 9 and I sent her home.

Friday morning started bright and early with Fitness Training with Karen at 8 in the morning. I've worked with Karen several times. She's wonderful an working within her client's limitations. Last time I saw her I was rehabbing my knee. This time, I'm rehabbing my whole body. She showed me things I can do and stressed doing short bursts throughout the day rather than try to do it all in one session. She also advised me to rest between repetitions while I'm rebuilding my strength. Karen has been taking classes preparing to go to graduate school for nursing, so she knows more than your average personal trainer. I love Karen. I just don't know what I'm going to do when she gets into nursing school, hopefully at UCSF, and I have to break in a new trainer.

Off to the bathhouse and the bathing ritual after the workout, then another Watsu with Laura. I'll get it out first this time. I love Laura. Her Watsu technique is a little more vigorousthan Soledad's. There's a little more stretch, but just as much nurture. Laura gave me my second Watsu last year. All the people that give Watsu have a passion for it. They each have adapted it to their personality, so it doesn't seem like having the same thing over and over. Each one is new and special.

I had lunch--Spinach salad--I can just feel those red blood cells growing. After lunch, it was time for my Revitalizing Kur with Diane again. Yeah! Here's the scoop: "Our Ayurvedic treatment used to restore vitality and stimulate circulation. Ayurvedic herbs create a body masque to exfoliate the skin while removing toxins from the body. A warm, full body, aromatic massage and relaxing, heated wrap nourish your body, leaving your skin with a healthy glow and your mind and body feeling totally refreshed. " I slithered out and waited for my Beyond Botox Facial with Andrea--and yet again I didn't get a picture. It was a 90 minute facial, brand new to the Spa, so it isn't in the brochure or the web site. The products were made by a chemist in Canada who uses maple in his products. If I was lathergic after the Kur, I was almost comatose after the facial. There is this approach-avoidence thing where part of you wants to drift into dreamland and the other part wants to be awake to experience every wonderful minute. I managed to make it out to a lounge chair by the pool to work up the energy to go back to the room and dinner, then back to the suite to pack and get ready for boo-hoo day.

I've learned to save fingers and toes for the last thing I do at a spa. If you do it early, then you are always worried during the scrubs that your expensive polish will need to be touched up. If you wait till the end, you can leave glamorous.

This is Rudolfo. I love Rudolfo. I didn't have him for anything this trip, but I got at least a hug a day from him, so I just had to include him in the pictures.

Bebe took care of me on Saturday. I was scheduled for the Sonoma Stone Pedicure furst followed by a manicure. Bebe is a wise woman. She did the fingers first so they had time to throughly dry before I did anything. I love Bebe.

My fingers and toes are OPI's Deer Valley Spice, a bleuish red that will be perfect for chemo on Tuesday. The Stone Pedicure is amazing. "The Scen Tao Sonoma Stone Pedicure takes you on a journey of scent and balance of the mind, body and spirit. This is our ultimate pedicure experience including exfoliating scrub, hydrating foot masque, warm paraffin dip, reflexology and the deep relaxation benefits from the ancient techniques of the warm stone massage." It was a badly needed pedicure. My previous polish had mostly grown out and my nails were like daggers. Not to worry. Now they are perfect. I sat in the shade and knit and read and chatted with strangers for an hour after the pedicure to let my toes dry. I made the rounds, wished everyone farewell, and checked out. Sigh.

On the way home, I'd made arrangements to visit with my old violin teacher's daughter, who lives in Novato, so it was literally on the way home. We had a nice visit. Faith is a professional artist. She is doing a series of panels for several of the California State Parks. She showed me several of her panels. They are beautiful. Each set for each park has its own style. She said that this has been a tremendous boost to her business and she's officially no longer a starving artist. I have three of her paintings in my house and gave one to my sister one Christmas.

I got home before dark, just as the Giant's game was beginning. Even though I was only gone four days, I had a pile of mail, e-, voice, and snail, to deal with and the constant wonder "What am I going to do with this now?"

So now it is back to reality. I start steroids tomorrow, preparing for my last chemo on Tuesday. I see my gynocological oncologist and my primary care tomorrow. And I probably have some bills that think they want to be paid. On the whole, I think I'd rather be back at the Spa being pampered.

xxooxx

OK--OH Canada part deux

So, the camera still doesn't want to down load my pictures, but I got a handy dandy compact flash reader that more or less does the same thing. Now I'm trying to get them into the blog--in no particular order.

Here are my hosts, Margaret and Ken Melsted, Ken wearing one of his 11 new Tilley Hats, courtesy of Lee. That was the actual purpose of the trip. Ken and Margaret were great hosts. they let me do as much or as little as I wanted to do. Mostly it was just laze around.

This is the farmhouse. Ken was born here.

Next, we move to some grain bins. There are lots of grain bins. It is a huge farm.

And just to prove there is some livestock, here is Ken with the horse. They also have breeding stock pure bread cattle--the bulls were hiding in the shed behind the horse. How many bulls do you see?

Last, but not least, this is the Provincial Flower of Saskatchewan, the Red or Prarrie Lilly. Margaret has two growing in her garden. With luck. the bulbs will multiply as the lilly is in danger if extinction.

I didn't have my camera out with me in Saskatoon--too bad, it was really pretty around the hotel and park where we saw The Tempest.

Orc report--so far, so good. Not even any drums beating yet. I don't hold out hope of a stay for more than another day, though.

xxooxx

Home again, home again

Got home safely, but not without some excitement.
To catch you up, we went to Saskatoon yesterday and saw The Tempest on the banks of the Saskatchewan River. It was a little hard to understand at first, but things improved. Prospero and Ariel were wonderful. It was an outdoor theatre and somehow, I managed to get mosquito bites through my clothes again. Not so many as Yosemite, but enough to itch.
Ken and Margaret got me to the airport in plenty of time and the flight from Saskatoon to Calgary was fine. I was met by my wheelchair driver. We got to the baggage claim for those of us continuing on to the states. Remember the 6 hours and change I had between flights getting to Saskatchewan? Well, I had about an hour in Calgary. So imagine how thrilled we were when there were no bags coming through. There was some sort of jam in the system. My SF flight boarded at 1745 and it was already 1735. My driver said we could wait till 1805 at the latest, then we would have to board the SF flight, bags or no If our bags didn't make it with us, they would be flown to SF tomorrow and delivered to us. While that would have made life somewhat easier when I landed, I really didn't want to have to go without my suitcase full of dirty laundry overnight. Finally the bags started moving. Mine came up and we were off through US Customs, put the bag back on a conveyor belt to get to the plane, through security, and on to the plane. I was one of the last ones on, but I was on. I got settled all snug in my seat and the plane couldn't move. Seems the bridge from the airport to the plane didn't want to move and they had to wait for workers from the airport to fix it. So we were a little late leaving. I was thinking "That's two..." and thinking it wasn't a good sign. We had a little turbulence--nowhere near as bad as coming in--but otherwise the flight was without incident and we made up the time in the air and landed on time. Again I had a wheelchair waiting for me. The gentleman took me to baggage where we waited. And waited. And waited. A bunch of bags came up and were collected then nothing. Seems there was a bag jam in the system. Where have I heard this before. Finally, finally, the belt began moving and mine was the second bag. Glenn was there shortly after I got outside. I had a great time, but I was glad to get home. Pictures will follow tomorrow or whenever I get them downloaded.
Time for bed.
xxooxx

Taking the waters

We went to the spa at Manitou Beach on Canada Day (that would be yesterday). It is by a lake in which it is impossible to drown because the mineral content is so high. The townspeople built a spa (probably more than one, we just went to the main one) using these waters. There are pools of varying degrees of heat. Learning to navigate in the mineral water was a little difficult, but the heat felt good. It was the first time I'd been submerged since I was at Lake Louise (in the heated pool and hot tub, not the frozen lake) in February before all this wonderfulness in my life started. It was glorious--salty, but glorious.
Today is another lounge day. I'm getting lots of rest and feeling quite good. I know my blood counts are coming up (ready for the next attack), by my energy level and I'm not bruising as easily as even a few days ago. When we got back to Wynyard yesterday, I missed the top step into the house and the worst thing I bruised was my dignity.
That's it for now.
xxooxx

Oh Canada!

Got up Friday morning at 4:15 to finish off last minute packing and have breakfast. Glenn, bless his heart, who got off work at midnight, got up around 5 to get me to the airport by 5:30. He went home to sleep some more. My flight to Vancouver was on time and proceeded without incident. We landed at Vancouver around 9:30. The plane to Saskatoon left at 3:55. I had LOTS of time. I'd arranged for wheelchairs at all the airports, so I was whisked through customs and taken to my departure gate. I found a not so comfy seat and settled in for a long wait. Three different flights left from that gate, so I saw many people come and go...no one was speaking of Michelangelo, however. I had lunch, then waited some more. The gate was filling up with passengers for a flight to Calgary. There was some sort of youth trip going on that flight, because there seemed to be about a million obstreperous boys with very few chaperones. There was an announcement of a gate change, so the whole crowd migrated from Gate B16 to B12. The noise level went down considerably. Stray people would wander up looking for the Calgary flight and I told them about the gate change. Ever the helpful Service Rep. While I was waiting, I finished working on the Yellowstone Falls cross-stitch. I was so excited I e-mailed Cherri Fulmer with the news. A mother and her two sons, five and seven, adorable and well behaved, came to the gate. Yippee, they were going to Saskatoon. Finally my flight was getting near. We looked at the display on the gate and it was announcing another flight to Calgary that left after ours was scheduled. Odd, we thought, so the mother went off to see if our gate had changed. By golly, yes, it had--we were scheduled to leave from gate E38--all the way across the airport. I knew I didn't have the stamina to make it, so I found an agent who got me transportation. We made it just before the plane started loading. My name was called and the gate agent asked if I would like a wheelchair ride out to the plane. Why yes, thank you. Oh and you are booked in seat 11A we can move you to 3F, that will be much closer for you. The flight attendant took all my hand luggage so that I could hold on with both hands on the few stairs up to the plane. She stowed my stuff and got me comfortable. Then the other passengers started boarding. The biggest, fattest, tallest man on board sat down in the seat next to me. Good thing it's a short flight, I thought. Then the wonderful flight attendant asked if he would be more comfortable in a seat by himself and reseated him. Whew!
The flight was fine until we got to Saskatoon, where it was storming, so we were a little bumpy coming in, but we landed safe and sound. I waited till everyone left, then once again, the FA helped me with my stuff and I was wheeled out. My friends Ken and Margaret were waiting for me--I'd worn the grey CP so that I would match my passport and they would recognize me.
We had dinner then made the two hour trip home to Wynyard. It had been a very long day.
Saturday after breakfast, I settled down to read and took a three hour nap. In the afternoon, I started working on the Old Faithful cross-stitch and did some knitting. We had a Chinese dinner then came home to watch end end of the Saskatchewan-Edmonton football game--Saskatchewan won, YEAH TEAM!
Sunday, we went into Saskatoon to see Cirque du Soleil. It was amazing. We were sitting in the third row. The colors were brilliant, the acrobatics breathtaking. There was supposed to be a story and there was some dialogue and singing, but it was all in French, so we had no clue. We didn't really need to know. Everything was spectacular and fast paced.
After the show, we went to Saskatoon's new First Nation casino so that I could get in a gamboling fix. I played for an hour or so, made some pennies, lost more pennies, and had a good time. Headed back home to Wynyard, stopping for a steak dinner on the way. Another long day.
Today has no plans, other than what I'm doing at the moment, and just hanging out. I'm feeling better, finally, heading into my good week. After the rain storm in Saskatoon on Friday, things have dried up and warmed up. It was downright hot yesterday and promises to be the same all week. I'll get some pictures of the farm and post them after I get home.
That's it for now.
xxooxx

All systems go

Saw my oncologist this morning--no problem with leaving on a jet plane tomorrow. Actually, I do know when I'll come home again--July 5, in time for chemo number 5 on the 9th. I'm more or less packed--now is the time I throw in the kitchen sink and anything else I think I just might possibly need for a trip to the back of beyond. I might just want to change my clothes 40 times a day--every day--and never wear the same thing twice. Oops--I'm flying and there is that pesky little weight restriction. Hmm--maybe I don't need to take all my t-shirts--even if they are cute. Then there is the question of which CP's and how many to take. Couldn't possibly have the same hair color for 9 whole days.
And on the subject of hair--it is still coming out. Slowly, but still coming out. It isn't as easy to keep track of, because no strand is an inch long and most of what is coming out is very white--almost impossible to see. My eyebrows are thinning. I look at the pictures from Lake Louise and Yosemite and notice a big difference. Desperate Housewives did a really good job of showing Lynette's progress through lymphoma--except she always had perfect eyebrows. That's the dead giveaway. I still have eyelashes--big deal, I can't help those along because all mascara turns my eyeballs bright red. Now for the big question--do I have the energy to apply war paint to look ravishing? Well, no, not really.
Time to weigh the suitcase and decide to screw the cost and take a second one. The really exciting thing about tomorrow's trip is that I have to be at the airport around 5:30 in the morning. I fly to Vancouver, BC then wait an incredibly long time between planes and then fly to Saskatoon. I think I get there early evening. Good thing I always take plenty of toys.
xxooxx

I love the mountains

Two for one--this is CP #5 with Yosemite Falls in the background. We had a wonderful time, even if I did leave millions of mosquitoes very well fed. I thought it was really rude of them to bite through my shirt. The most annoying was when I swatted them just after they took a long drink, so I got bug guts containing my blood all over. The weather was glorious, the company couldn't be beat. I was sorry not to hike, but I just wasn't up to that. We did get some good walks--at least a mile a day. I took a good long nap every afternoon.

It wasn't too crowded--not what it will be in July. By July there should be no more water in Yosemite Falls. Like the rest of California, they got very little rain this last season--lots of snow, but no rain. We managed to find a few dogwood trees that were still in blossom and lots of wild flowers as we got to the higher country on our way out Sunday.

This a typical shot of Kathy. She took very good care of me, making sure I did not over exert myself.

I don't need another picture of Half Dome...well, maybe just one more--the light is different than the last 100 or so I've taken of it...

















Not quite Ansel Adams, but amazingly steady considering that on that particular evening walk, the mosquitoes were chomping on my back through my shirt like they were working on an ear of corn, chomp, chomp, chomp...












Visited Bridal Veil Falls on our way out--the saddest part of any trip to Yosemite.

So now it is home again, home again. I'm feeling really good--the wound is healing, nothing hurts--itches but doesn't hurt--it must be time for more chemo. Yup--Wednesday morning and then we start this all over again.
xxooxx