Sunday morning

Spring is coming. Red winged blackbirds are back. I saw the muskrat at the pond again. But more on that later. First...

I want to write a little about our trip to Nashville, which was perfect. That's amazing to me. David's crazy work-at-night schedule, my being post-Chemo, my brother and son having to drive 4-1/2 hours each way to join us, other cousins and family and friends coordinating visits - David's and my plane rides, rental cars and hotel rooms - and it came out perfect. Aunt M is the same - not a single marble missing, sharp as a tack and fun as ever... she may out live us all. It was great to see her and visit some. Visiting with S before she heads north to Canada was good. I really do hope we can figure out some day how to connect up to kayak together up north some time. Cousin C is amazing. I don't know how she keeps working as she does, but she does. And then comes home and opens her home to all the family at almost a moment's notice. Cousin D looks great as always, although she still can't play Hearts, even when she's dealt a WINNING hand! It was great to get hugs and general support from her crazy boyfriend L who is one person who knows what I'm going through (and says the heron will be back at the pond in the park when my treatments are done - he may be right). Cousin D even came by, which meant a great deal to me. He's still has the best looks of us all - of course he's the youngest. And then my brother J and son and grandson drove up through overcast skies and bad weather just to spend 24 hours. That was the best. J seems tired, which worries me, but spring coming and foretelling summer at the Georgia coast should energize him. Of course getting to see S and C was great. The hotel had an indoor pool and C and I "swam" for an hour or so on Sunday morning. We also were able to play our requisite cousins' cut-throat Hearts game in the afternoon instead of middle of the night - with the predictable result of J winning (again) - and thanks to my son's patience and suggestion to take C to see the "Squeakwell" (for S's third or fourth time), with David joining them. What's amazing to me was that it was a 3-day trip - but revived me as if it was a much longer trip. And of course, now David has met my crazy family - each and everyone of whom I love.

So that was Nashville.

Meanwhile, another chemo down and - fingers crossed - so far, much better than last time (although that's not saying a lot). Another "thinking of you" package on my doorstep, for me and Jessie - from D. Very sweet (and unnecessary, but so appreciated). Thursday and Friday (esp Fri) were a little rough at work. When I went for my shot on Thursday afternoon, Nurse E said the "shaky" feeling is the coming down off the steroids. I was able to take Jessie to the park on Saturday. We had a good walk, but got there just a little late I think. Other people walking, no muskrat, no heron, but besides the pairs of ducks some Canada geese couples have arrived. Later yesterday I was able to do a couple short errands, but except for that I sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and watched NCAA basketball, read and slept. Feeling "off" as far as taste, hungry but off. Felt like I ate all day without really enjoying anything. But I definitely rested. I woke up this morning - Sunday - feeling better. Jessie and I got to the park earlier. For the first 15 minutes or so, I saw only 1 other person. We saw the sun come up, that rosy pink that has orange in it, brilliant. First trip around the north loop, I didn't see the muskrat, but we saw a pair of hawks, the raucous ducks and Canada geese. Many many birds calling, singing everywhere. The ground is firming up, still springy with the heavy rains of last weekend. I felt well enough that we walked around the pond itself - just checking to make sure the heron wasn't on the other side, out of sight from the main path (she wasn't) - and that's when I saw the muskrat again, on the big side of the pond rather than the little side where I saw it the first time. It was just a pleasure to walk this morning. Jessie was happy too - many many squirrels, including one slow guy she tried to follow up a tree, literally. It was a good morning.

Thanks to all who have written, called, left care packages, and generally checked up on me. My experience with the most recent chemo before this last one freaked me out a little, and that must have come through in these postings. I don't know how I would get through any of this without the support of each of you. I am very lucky My short-term goal is to get through the remainder of the side effects from this last chemo as well as possible and then on to Chemo #6!

Meanwhile, my poor re-balding skull - yes the little 3/8" fuzz that was growing in quite nicely is all falling out again - anyway, my re-balding skull loves the spring breeze.

Peace to each and all.