December and The Holidays

We've been at Copano Bay RV Resort since December 20th.  Had a Happy Hour most afternoons with our friends here.

Connie has had two treatments since our last blog.  She seems to be tolerating them very well.  Her oncologist sees most of the cancer being stable and not worthy of being too aggressive, so that's what we've done.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas.  We had a snacks and carols on Christmas Eve, then an afternoon potluck Christmas dinner here at the park.  All very good food, fun to be a part of.

Christmas Day we had a FaceTime conversation with our daughter, Bethany, and her husband, James (and dogs).  With the announcement that she's expecting in June, we'll probably be doing a lot more of this in the coming months and years.

We took our Christmas decorations down yesterday, the day after Christmas which is earlier than either of us can remember..  Its amazing how much space we donate to our Christmas decorations, but its something both of us enjoy.

Weather has been terrific (until today where its rainy and in the 40's) with the highs in the 60's-70's and the lows in the 50's-60's.  Going to be a bit of a roller coaster for the next couple of weeks.

We'll be following the Buckeyes to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.  Meeting our daughter at the airport in Houston, then on to Baton Rouge for New Year's Eve, then NOLA for New Year's Day and the game vs. Alabama.  Shortly after we return (with Bethany) to Rockport, we'll head back with her to Dallas where she's working the National Championship game (and hopefully to continue to follow the Buckeyes!)

Vacation is Over

It's been a while since our last post.  We have been busy enjoying my vacation from treatments.

As noted in our previous blog, we had a great time making our way to Texas.  It took us 7 weeks to get here!

Time to get back on the treatments.  The diagnostic scans were done in early November.  For the most part, they show that most areas are stable.  There are a few new areas in the lungs and minor progession.  However, the doctor feels they are not very concerning.

So, with that news, we are going to continue on the hormone pill that we started back in August and combine it with Herceptin infusion.  This is a drug that I had received previously and tolerated it with minimal side effects.

Going to get this started tomorrow.  Treatments will be every 3 weeks.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday.  We had a good time and good food here at the park.  Met some really nice folks!

Had a couple of days of cooler weather.  It inspired us to get out the Christmas decorations.  We will be moving to our normal winter spot in Rockport on the 20th.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Long Day in Corpus

Connie had MRI's on her brain and spine this morning.  We will get those results back on Monday when we meet with the Oncologist.  Dropped her off at 8:30, picked her up at 11:30a

After chowing at Golden Corral, we got in early to her infusion treatment.  Pretty happy because we were stretching the girls crate time.  Had talked about daycare for them, but it was really cold today, so in the house with heater was a better option.

Sat for almost 90 minutes, then realized we were victims of a nursing shift change.  Connie's meds were sitting for about 45 minutes as we sat.  Connie was her normal beautiful self.  I didn't say a word, but brought out the look.  My students know the look.  The nurses there do now.

Got out of there at 4p and home by 5p.  Girls were OK.  Must not of rested much because they had a quick snack then under the covers for some sleep.  (Connie did the same!)

Will blog again with the results from Monday.

And.....we're back

Sorry we haven't posted for a while.  Not for lack of news or Connie updates.  I'm going to give you the cliff notes in reverse order.

Connie's changing treatments as of last Monday (2/3/14), going to a TDM1 treatment which we hope will be as effective, but not have the side effects of the terrible hand-foot syndrome.  Horrible stuff.  She had some nausea and was overall just tired after this past Monday's treatment, but her hands and feet are almost back to being her age, rather than those of a 120 year old.

We returned from a cruise aboard the Carnival Magic with our daughter and Connie's Dad who's staying here through the 11th.  Way too much fun.  Hope you can click this link to see all the pictures.

Our daughter Bethany and our son in law James were here for the week between Christmas and New Year's.  Weather wasn't the best, as it has been currently for Connie's Dad's visit.

Now to the future.  Spent most of the day today coming up with my first draft for our getaway from Texas.  We'll actually leave Copano Bay RV Resort on the 28th of March when our monthly rate is up and head up to Santo, TX for a Heartland Rally.  Back to Copano Bay for a few days while Connie has a treatment on the 9th of April, then heading back to Ohio.  Hoping to be in Ashtabula by April 29th.

Our map is located here.

Will try to be back before another two months elapse.

The Travel Blog once again becomes a Travel Blog...

 Time for this blog to revert back to its roots and talk about our travels.  Thanks to all for your prayers and support of Connie, we both appreciate it.

We left Ashtabula (the home of Ohio State Football coach Urban Meyer, by the way) on Thursday, October 10th.  Kister Marina was a great time, a great place right on the Ashtabula River, and we saw a lot of old friends in addition to making several new ones.  Can easily say we had a great summer.

Our plans were to head to my Mom's area (Cardington, OH) for a couple of days, then Connie's Dad's area (Wilmington, our hometown) for a couple of days.  We got rolling casually late and about 49 miles from our exit I started noticing some smoke coming from our driver's side tires.  Immediately pulled over to see that one of our tires had let go.  <sigh>  Tires have been a big issue with us.  We've loved our rigs, but they have come with some cheap ass tires.  Had some good news as our Good Sam Roadside Assistance was very handy.  The spare was easy to get down and put on.  Only cost us about 90 minutes.

You can barely see our
rig on the horizon of this
huge parking lot

We had left things open, since Connie's treatment was Wednesday (10/9) and didn't know how she'd feel.  That being said, we didn't make reservations.  Every campground is having its 'year end', everybody get together.  So, when we arrived at the Cardinal Camping Center, we were basically put in steerage.  Gravel parking lot, 50 amp and water, but no sewage.  Not a biggie as we weren't really "camping", just storing our house for a few days.

Our daughter Bethany came down after work on Thursday, and we spend a wonderful day with my Mom shopping at Polaris (while I had the tire swapped out at NTB Polaris), just south of there.  Mom wanted to make it our "Christmas" shopping, and was a little frustrated that there was more 'shopping' than 'buying'.  Had a great dinner at Max & Erma's, then stopped over to see our friends Dave and Jean and their daughters.

Got up early Saturday morning (7:30a is early for us), walked the dogs, got the chair put back in the basement, and changed the tire.  First time on this beast, everything went very well.  Was done by 9:00a.  As I was sliding the spare back under to go up, I saw something in the remaining tire:  a screw.  Couldn't believe it.  Now, we've got problems.  Noon check out, and a had a run back into NTB Polaris.  Guy there was who waited on me the day before and I think he felt sorry for me.  Got me right in and out, so that by 10:15a, I had it on the rig and we could start tearing down.

Pretty uneventful ride until we got to our SR 73 exit for Waynesville and the traffic was backed up incredibly.  I guess there were was a big festival (Sauerkraut Festival), the Flea Market, the Renaissance Center and everything else going on.

We got into the Thousand Trails Wilmington at about 2:30p.  You'll have to read my review after I post it, but it's not going to be glowing.  Met some friends from our "Heartland Family" here, and Connie's Dad and Aunt came out and we had a wonderful dinner and time together afterward.

20 days in one post

Sorry for being absent for so long.  I've mentioned before how I have to drag myself to write.  I wish I enjoyed doing it more.  I read so many blogs that I can tell, these people enjoy writing.  Never been me.  Not something I can "learn" to do, but I'm trying.

Connie's treatment on the 9th went, according to people who know, very well.  With this radiation surgery, as we found out with the brain radiation in March/April, takes a while to 'see' progress.  The radiation works for literally months as it melts the tumors.  Connie will get more CAT scans, etc. at the end of September.

We took off for a little personal time to visit our friends from Bellevue, OH for her birthday.  Took a day trip to Sandusky on the 13th, then loaded the rig on the Miller Ferry for a trip to probably our favorite place in Ohio:  Put-In-Bay.  It was celebration, but it was also recon to see if next year, we can spend a week out there.

Great times, saw Calabash at the Roundhouse, had a couple of beers on the Boardwalk overlooking 'the balls' where we used to park the boat, and Mustang Sally at the Beer Barrel.

Also, had a wonderful surprise that our good friend from Columbus, Craig, and Dennis and Karen's daughter Ashley, made the trip up.  Such good times with our friends.  We don't do it enough.

Friday, the 16th, we stayed over to Sandusky to watch Wally and the Beavs, another of our favorite 'bands of summer'.  Watching Wally and the Beavs, for me, is like looking into a what could have been mirror had I have decided to play and gig instead of not.  Guys look like they're having a blast, they play well, they play the tunes I would be playing and gigging with had I have chosen that route.

Came back to Ashtabula and met with our friends, Ed & Loretta, from Sea Breeze RV park in Texas.  They're trekking cross country from their home in New Jersey to Seattle to take their great grand son back to school.  Fun showing off our town, just shooting the breeze with friends.

The Wine and Walleye Fest was held last weekend (the 23rd - 25th) and it was so good to see our town alive and Bridge Street, in particular, welcoming so many guests for a weekend.  Said hello to people we hadn't seen in years.  The lighted boat parade was fun to see.  With the advancement of generators, makes that really a neat option.

Started last night hopping back up on a podium and running a rehearsal for an Alumni Band performance at the high school where I taught.  Felt like I never left.

Connie having a treatment this morning, and we both hope it doesn't knock her flat, but to quote Yogi Berra, "we never know until we know."  Always clear the schedule from Wednesday through Sunday.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Treatment day and we entertain Tucker...

Wednesday (June 5th) was a treatment day for Connie.  A double header with both Herceptin and Zometa.  A little tired on Wednesday, she was really zonked Thursday & Friday, rallied a little on Saturday and felt pretty decent today (Sunday).  We've got some big tests on Tuesday.  Her first MRI and Cat scans since she was diagnosed at the end of February.  This should give us some assessment as to how the treatments are going.  I know she's both excited and nervous about them.

The weather has been miserable.  Today was the first day we've broken 70 and actually seen the sun.  We ran the furnace every morning this week.  Yuck.  Not helping Connie feel better, thats for sure.

Thursday, our daughter Bethany came over to Ashtabula and stayed the night.  I have to talk about a great pork chop recipe I made for the three of us, and our friend Lenny who came over.

Started with a layer of peeled (I hate peeling apples, thank goodness Bethany was up for it) apples.  Cover them with brown sugar and some garlic.

Next, layer the apples with thinly sliced onions.


Then, take 3-4 slices of bacon and wrap 1" thick pork chops.  Place them on top of the apples/onion layers.

Cooked those at 375 for 20 minutes in our convection oven, then flipped them for another 20 minutes.  Delish doesn't start to describe them!

As I mentioned, our daughter Bethany came over Thursday and stayed till Friday morning (we had donuts for the first time in forever!!!) and left her baby with us as they were headed south for a wedding and 1st baby birthday of some of their friends.

Tucker has been mentioned before in this blog.  He's a Puggle, and he's all boy.  Our girls, especially Carmen, love having the big lug around.  He's got a ton of energy, and when he finally expends some, he's a terrific dog.  Huge bark, though.  Huge.

He's also used to getting up with his daddy at 5:30a.  We didn't break him of that, we adjusted.  Dark that early.  As I said, when he expends his energy, he's really good.

Took him to the Ashtabula Dog Park with Carmen and they REALLY had a great time.  Tucker was faster in the straight aways, but Carmen had some jukes that made him barrel roll.  45 minutes of pure doggie enjoyment, just the two of them in a big open field.  Shot some video, but it was really too quick to be enjoyable.

Spent a little time over at Lenny's on Saturday, too.  His big girl, 'Dessa (an 11 year old German Sherpherd), wasn't too fond of Tucker.  A little too much energy, and then, there's the bark.  She's already made her thoughts known to Carmen and Sloopy.

Carmen and Tucker are really BFF's.  They play, they wrestle, they snuggle.  Sloopy can take him or leave him, but then again, its a pretty well established fact that she's a diva.

We took Tucker back home today to the West Side of Cleveland, and stopped over to see our friends Don and April (who have 3 cockers) who live on the southeast side.  I think Carmen was OD'd on dogs that were not her sister.  We had a great time, spent a couple of hours with the sun was finally out and we could sit on their back porch and just talk.  Very relaxing.

A Free Weekend; Our future plans becoming clearer

We had an up and down week this week.  Connie's treatments on Wednesday pretty much knocked her down until mid day on Friday, even though we had a couple of runs into Corpus for Thursday and Friday treatments.

Monday will mark the last "whole brain radiation" treatment which will be a welcome relief.  40 minute drive one way for a 15-20 minute treatment daily gets old.  Tuesday is a meeting with the radiation oncologist,  then a break until the following Wednesday when we meet with our oncologist.

With all that news came word that Connie's last treatment in Texas will be on the 24th of April, with her first treatment in Ohio at the Cleveland Clinic on the books now for May 15th.

We have friends who would like to come to Sandfest at Port Aransas on Sunday the 27th.  If they come, we'll probably leave for Ohio on the 4th of May.  If they don't come, we'll probably leave here on the 27th or 28th depending on when we find out they're not coming.

In the meantime, we're like last rig standing here at Copano Bay RV Resort.  The program lists 146 sites; the girls and I walked around with a counter Thursday and only 43 rigs, not all of them occupied were still here.  Wasn't like this in Portland at Sea Breeze RV Resort, but was like this in Tucson at Desert Trails.

Unfortunately already hearing of tire and mechanical troubles for those who have left, and those who are going home to snow.

Easter weekend...

Good Friday was a non treatment day.  Starting Monday, Connie will do daily brain radiation treatments (save Saturday and Sunday) through till a week from Tuesday.  We won't miss that daily ride into Corpus Christi.

Hope to get some clarity from those at the Cleveland Clinic this coming week about her treatments in Ohio.  That will help us make our return to Ohio plans a little more concrete.

She's been feeling well, being active, pretty voracious appetite and really not showing any of the side effects (other than some spotty hair loss from the Cyberknife).  Her chemo pills are two weeks on, one week off.  This weekend was pretty much "drug free."

Spent Friday night watching some hoops.  Went into Rockport Saturday to look at some of the shops, then came home to watch the Buckeyes drop out of the tournament at the hands of Wichita State.

Today we started our day with a special recipe for breakfast that Connie found in a magazine while doing treatments, watched a few hoops, then off to the Clubhouse for a great carry in Easter Dinner.

Most everyone will be heading out (if they haven't already) tomorrow, and we'll start back for treatments to Corpus.