Our friend 'Jack' made it through the night

He looks a bit cold though!

Hope everyone weathered the snowstorm OK.

We're so thankful we didn't lose electricity.

Happy Sunday to all!

Jack gets some air

Our friend Jack that I carved last Saturday was getting all moldy so I thought I'd let him go outside to get some cold, crisp air.

Doesn't it look like he's exhaling?

Getting ready to be 'spellbound' Saturday

Tomorrow night is an opening reception for the Valley Arts Council's 'Spellbound' Halloween show. This year I'm entering this photo, which is near and dear to my heart. 


It features the feline members of our family. Sadly our loopy guy Rigby, on the left, is no longer with us; Linus, on the other hand, is usually no more than a few feet away from me.  =^. .^=  

He stays close, that's for sure. Ralph thinks Linus needs a kitty playmate. We'll see..

For local readers, the Valley Arts Council's Gallery@37 is at 37 Elizabeth St., Derby, Ct. The reception is from 6-9 p.m. and the show runs through Nov. 19.

UPDATE: The reception has been postponed to 2 p.m. Sunday, due to the Halloween weekend snow that is falling. Hopefully tomorrow's weather will be more cooperative.

See you there!

Haunted tour fundraiser was a spook-tacular success

On Saturday night Ralph and I volunteered for three hours outside a stately (and haunted?) Victorian mansion that is now a funeral home.


It was one of several stops along a Halloween-inspired haunted lantern tour through downtown Derby, Ct. 
We told a spooky story hat we read from a script given to us.
Hundreds of people - who paid $5 apiece - came to get spooked and learn local history.
I counted 20 tour groups, although I could have lost track, because I was getting rather punchy near the end of the event.
 

So does Ralph look kinda creepy here? I think so.
It was cold out there and the wool cape added a bit of a 'Grim Reaper' look, in my opinion...


We told the story of a young woman, Emma Schabert, who lived in the house with her first husband - who was 40 years her senior.
She and her brother were lucky enough to survive the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 after being rescued from a lifeboat by the crew of the Carpathia.
The question we posed was: would her wealthy husband, Rufus W. Blake, who owned the Sterling Piano Co. in Derby, be as lucky?

As the story goes, the couple was home one night playing cards when Rufus went upstairs and accidentally shot himself in the eye. He never regained consciousness.
Newspaper accounts at the time said his death was accidental. However, the "accident" left Emma a very wealthy young widow.


Coincidence? No one can say for sure.

But as the script we read says, "Someone in the house rests uneasily.  Footsteps are heard echoing through the building, cigar smoke is frequently smelled and doors open and close without explanation."


Hmmm... 

Before the tours there was a Jack O'Lantern contest. Guess who didn't win?

 BEFORE
AFTER

 

Bwahahaha ~ I've only carved three pumpkins in my entire life, so I'm not too skilled at it.

I do believe 'tis better to give than receive

...but receiving lots of support since my cancer diagnosis from family, friends, and even from folks I don't even know is almost as good!


On Wednesday I received some unexpected recognition from a group of wonderful people, and I'm trying to figure out how to thank them for their thoughtfulness.

I'm purposely being vague here...need to think about what to do to show my gratitude.

~ ~ ~ 

In other news, Ralph and I are taking part in "Haunted Lantern Tours" tonight in downtown Derby, Ct. 
The cool thing is we're not attending, we're two of the presenters. 
He and I will be at one of the stops on the tour to tell a story about the former inhabitants of a (haunted?) Victorian house that is now a funeral home. 
We'll mention the sudden death of one them inside the house ...

Spooky!

Put a fork in me

...'cuz I is done!

With chemo. Hopefully forever!

Next up, radiation.

{And so my online breast cancer journey continues.}

Last 'chemo light' treatment delayed a day

... but tomorrow it will finally be here!

The doctor had a day off today so I must wait until tomorrow to have the 12th and final treatment.

That's OK. Time flies anyway. I don't wish it to go any faster than it does.

{And so my online breast cancer journey journal continues. Thanks for reading.}

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ road trip

Last Saturday I accompanied my blog and real-life friend Linda, of Are We There Yet? and The Distracted Wanderer fame to find some fall foliage. 

You'd think being in southern New England in October we'd find some.

Not really.

But I did get some shadow shots! We headed to northern Connecticut, not much color. We went into Massachusetts. Still not much color to be found.

When Linda discovered it was a mere 38 more miles to Bennington, Vt., we headed there. My guess was the foliage there was about at 10 percent color.

Boo hiss. But we had fun trying and exploring...and the weather was spectacular. Sunny and actually too warm for October. Linda and I both prefer "crisp" air.

But that was OK.

And at least we found some wildlife! 
We saw a beaver.
 

And a moose!

(taken from the passenger seat ~ we didn't feel like getting out and dealing with the crowds)

And we later spotted yet another moose on a sidewalk in Massachusetts on our way home. (Photo quality is poor because I snapped it through the windshield when we were stopped at a red light.)

And I have many more shadowy shots to share from the day in future posts. So all was not lost ~ just the hoped-for colors of autumn!

See lots more shadowy photos every weekend at our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's Hey Harriet blog. 

Life imitates blogging

Or something like that!


So happy it's Saturday morning...had another busy week. Whew!

Today I combine blogging about my breast cancer journey with my journalism.

Please click here (it's a quick read) for my story in today's paper and join me in celebrating my return to a wonderful support group. I haven't been going but hope to start anew.



{My online journal about breast cancer continues. Thanks for reading.}

It's Tuesday and I'm 'supposed' to be hyper

...but I'm not. I don't know what happened. Maybe I didn't have enough coffee (yet) today to keep me going. I try not to drink too much of it.

Oh well.

Hmm.. I think take-out may be an idea for dinner. 

'Cuz I'm just plain tuckered out.

Back from second-to-last trip to chemoland

... and I'm exhausted.

Even after a two-hour nap.

It's after 5 p.m. Should I have a cup of coffee? Or just relax?

Decisions, decisions. 


{My online breast cancer journey journal doth continue. Thanks for reading}

Steroids + coffee = a hyper me

Up, down, up, down. What a week. Blame it on the steroids I got Monday, I suppose.

On Tuesday I felt like I was in perpetual motion. I covered two live events, wrote a third story, and did some other stuff for work.

On Wednesday that "energy" was gone, but I did cover a live event first thing in the morning, and also filed a second story.

By Thursday I was "mezza-mezza" energy-wise, but managed to cover yet another live event at night.

Now it's Friday afternoon, I filed a story. And I'm hoping that's it for this week.

Before I know it I'll be back in chemoland, and the cycle will begin again.

Only two more treatments and I can get off this roller coaster for now.

{Now it's Sunday. Thank you for reading my online journal about my breast cancer journey ~ I don't like to complain but was urged to post what I had written Friday, so I did.}

Friends, foliage and no whining

So I wrote a post yesterday afternoon about my crazy week, but didn't hit publish.

It was another in my continuing series of online journal entries about this breast cancer journey.

But it sounded way too whiny (overworked and exhausted was the theme) so I canned it.

In other news, for the two or three of you who read this who know our friend Linda, I am awaiting her arrival to pick me up for our second annual fall foliage trip!

Woo hoo! I don't know how she does it. She just returned last night from a trip to the White Mountains.

I hope we find some color north of here ~ there is still way too much green on the trees here in southern Connecticut.

Hoping to be posting some beautiful photos next time. 

Happy Saturday to all! 

Back to the grind...the chemo grind, that is

It's Monday morning and I'm all set to go back for treatment #10.

Only two more after today! Yay!

I always get hungry while I'm sitting there, so once again I'll bring my peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a snack. This time on multi-grain bread instead of whole wheat. Exciting, eh?


I'm going to wear my new long-sleeved T-shirt that I got for participating in the walk on Saturday. I'd take a picture of it but my rechargeable batteries aren't recharging any more. And I can't seem to find any AA batteries. Must buy some. I hate to be without my camera.


I guess that's it for now. Thanks for reading my online cancer journey journal!

I did it!

So happy I completed the 3.1-mile walk this morning.

It was amazing - as I was pulling out of the driveway the rain was letting up and the sun was breaking through the clouds. It ended up being a perfect, albeit steamy, morning for the event. There were so many participants. I'd say it was a huge success.

I was among friends. I saw two of my doctors, both oncology nurses, an extremely energetic and enthusiastic nutritionist and fitness expert named Samantha (who has been strongly suggesting to me that I get into an exercise routine), and several other hospital employees.

Samantha was at the finish line and gave me a big hug when I completed the walk. I think she was happier than I was.

Thanks to all my supporters. ;-) I must say I enjoyed the hugs and kisses and handshakes and all.

I also love the T-shirts they gave out. I didn't know they were going to be long-sleeved. Woo hoo!

Walkin' in the rain

We'll see how this goes...getting ready to leave for a walk/run (I'll be walking, not running) to benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Ct.

And it's pouring out.

Being part of a group with the same goal of raising funds and awareness will keep me inspired, I hope!

Happy to report I raised $155 for the cause.

More later...

Only three more to go!

Yesterday was my chemo day again...Happy to report I feel fine. Just tired. 

Three more chemo treatments left, then at some point after that (hopefully there will be a bit of a break) I'll start five weeks of radiation. 

That will be five days a week. Woo hoo!  I'm guessing it will be a tiring experience..

On Saturday I'll attempt to walk 3.1 miles in a fund-raiser for the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Ct. It's the third annual event and the first one in which I'm participating.
I plan to take it easy...the second half will be the hard part, since I'm so out of shape. 

Maybe I'll ask Ralph to ride along nearby in the van so he can pick me up when I'm losing my energy. (just kidding) 

My friend Linda suggested I amble. I agree ambling is good!

My (sometimes hurty) knee and I did fine Sunday walking in an event along the shore in West Haven, Ct. to raise funds for the Center for Disability Rights. 
Ralph works for the nonprofit, which gives college scholarships each year to students with disabilities. They said the route was 1.5 miles. It felt like more, but maybe because it was so muggy out.

As you can see in the photo it was an overcast morning.

Meanwhile my oncologist said yesterday he'll be making some brief remarks at Saturday's event, as will several other health-care professionals. He jokingly asked me if I wanted him to mention me.

No thanks, Doc, just wave. I'll see ya. ;-)

{That's about it today for my online journal about my breast cancer journey. Thanks for reading.}

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ morning sun

When I was eating breakfast the other day I spied this shadow on the wall.

Meow!



Visit our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's Hey Harriet blog every weekend where you can check out lots of shadowy pix from around the globe. 

Happy Shadow Seeking!

Out of my comfort zone

I've never asked anyone for money but I've decided to take a step outside my comfort zone to ask for sponsors (any small $ amount would be much appreciated) as I participate in next week's third Annual 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

That's the facility in Derby, Ct. where I'm currently getting chemo and will soon be getting five weeks of radiation treatments.
 
The fun never ends! 

The state-of-the-art facility (below see photo of the healing garden outside the treatment room) opened three years ago. 

 

I took this photo in August. It's such a peaceful setting.

I guess I never dreamed I would be a patient myself in 2011. Goes to show one never knows.

Anyhow, I wrote a story for the paper about the walk/run that you can read here. I hadn't planned on blogging about the event, but I decided to give it a go. 

It's always a good idea to raise awareness of breast cancer. It seems to affect so many people.

The walk organizers' goal is to raise $75,000 this year. I set a goal of $200, to do what I can to help. 

To make a donation click here. Thanks so much!

Kemo brain kicks in

Methinks the kemo is kicking in big time. I feel like I can't keep up with anything.

I really could use a mental health day. 

Looks like I'll have to wait until Saturday ...

P.S. I spelled chemo wrong just because I could. ;-) 

{And so my online cancer journey journal continues.} 

Chemo light #7 turned out to be #8

Time sure flies when one is having fun! Looks like I lost track of time.

Yesterday I wrote here that it was day number 7 - glad to learn that it was number 8! One less to go until I get to the magic number 12. 

The chemo kinda messes with my sleep, but I much prefer that side effect to others I won't bother mentioning.

I came home exhausted yesterday afternoon and slept for more than two hours to recuperate. Then this morning I woke up after a less than full-night's sleep. :- (

Maybe it's because I skipped a week, and my body has to get used to it again.

{Thanks for reading my online cancer journey journal}

Back to chemoland today

I missed a treatment last week because the doctor was on vacation and the other oncologist in the office is not authorized by my insurance or some such thing,

I was given the option to see a different oncologist in the medical group in another city, if I didn't want to miss a treatment. 

But they said it would be OK to take a week off, so I did.

I believe this is number 7, but who's counting?

I feel fine, and for that I am grateful. 

{Thanks for reading the continuing saga of my cancer journey.}

Cute and observant, if I do say so myself

I went through a drawer yesterday that hasn't been gone through in quite a while.

I found a scrap of paper from 1995, when our daughter was 6 and our son was 4, with the following written on it:

July 30, 1995:

Allegra said, "Cam, you're confusing me." 

Cam replied: "I'm confusing myself."

So Allegra said, "Write it down, Mommy."

~ ~ ~

She knew I was always writing down cute things they said. A lot of it is on scraps of paper.

Now to find them all!

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ Sergio edition

I took this photo last Saturday as Ralph went up a long drive into the Stonington, Ct. estate of the late romantic tenor Sergio Franchi. 

We were there to attend the 17th annual Sergio Franchi Memorial Concert emceed by his widow, Eva Franchi.

He died in 1991 and she started hosting the concert a few years later.

The grounds are lovely, and offered plenty of seating for the approximately 4,000 in the audience.

A friend of ours got free tickets to the concert, because a close friend of his, and an acquaintance of ours, was one of the performers.

We had a grand time, enjoyed a picnic lunch and sipped wine on a picture-perfect September afternoon.

  

Sergio seems to be looking out into the audience enjoying the sights and sounds on his 240-acre estate.

Sadly he was only 64 when he passed away.

The program was mostly opera, with a few Broadway show tunes in the mix. 

And the weather could not have been more cooperative!

Below you see our daughter Allegra's bare foot...we go from the sublime to the ridiculous, I guess you could say. Not that our daughter is ridiculous...I merely mean the subject matter of the photo.

 

 

As you can see we sat near the side of the stage for most of the concert, except when our friend performed.

I am not a music critic, so far be it from me to review the performance. But I will say even though we are not into opera, Ralph, Allegra and I enjoyed ourselves! 

See our Aussie friend Tracy's Hey Harriet blog for many more shadowy photos.

It's almost worse than losing one's hair

Eyebrows. 
I never thought much about them until I didn't have any. : (


I realize there are worse things.
And I know there are artificial ones I could get, or I could use eyebrow pencil. 

But I prefer the real kind.

And they're not there any more. 

At least with my head I can find a variety of chapeaux and scarves to cover up the few remaining strands of hair I have. And the wig option is still there.

But eyebrows and for that matter eyelashes (they are mostly gone too) are so visible, unless one wears large sunglasses to cover the blank areas.


Oh me, oh my. 

OK, done whining for today.

{My online journal about my cancer journey continues.}

Pointin' and shootin' through the windshield

 

 

 When Ralph is driving, I like to take photos through the windshield. I'm easily amused, I suppose.

These are five of the nine I took Saturday. It had been a gorgeous day at an outdoor event we attended.

The view is along I-95 in southeastern Connecticut, as we headed home.

Shadow Shot Sunday: A local remembrance stirs emotions

On Friday morning Ralph and I witnessed an impressive demonstration of patriotism that occurred right outside our front door.
We live near four schools: two elementary and two high schools. Our town's commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 was due to the creativity and determination of the technical high school principal, Laurie LeBouthillier.
She managed to pull off the coming together of more than 2,400 students and staff members from all four schools, and they lined three streets forming a circle of unity in our neighborhood.


She also coordinated a parade featuring local volunteer firefighters riding in several pieces of fire apparatus, a high school band, elected officials and more.


I covered the story for the newspaper, which you can read here.


Neighbors came out of their houses to watch; parents of children involved took photos and videos along the route. People remarked about how well-organized the solemn event was, and how it stirred their emotions to see so many people take part.
The event apparently went off without a hitch.


I congratulate Laurie on following through on an idea and turning it  into a reality that those involved will long remember. 

Visit our hostess, Tracy, at Hey Harriet to see lots more shadowy pix from around the world.

Tossin' and turnin'

... it's not something that I normally do.
I'm blaming my insomnia  on yesterday's chemo light treatment #6.


I woke up after only four hours of sleep. Wasn't happy.
Finally got back to dreamland after about two hours of tossin' and turnin' thanks to a soft and furry heating pad we call Linus. He snuggled up to my back, I was able to relax, and all was well.

Awww ... what a helper he is.  And what a sleeper! He's asleep as I type this. What else is new? Tee hee.

{And so my online journal about my cancer journey continues ... thanks for reading!}

Shadow Shot Sunday

'Twas the first day of school Wednesday and I visited an elementary school to write a story. A friend and former colleague from many moons ago is the principal there now, and I wanted to capture her first "first day of school."

As you can see the kids and parents were waiting for the door to open to start the big day ...

The opening of school was delayed a day in the next town because of some power outages in the district. We lucked out and had no loss of electricity here at our humble abode. 

I feel like I'm jinxing myself by writing that, since it is still hurricane season through the end of November.

Ralph and I didn't participate last week in Tracy's shadowy meme, because we were preparing for and getting nervous about the impending storm. But we're back. ;-) 

I pray there are no more storms like Irene thinking about forming out there in the Atlantic. Just stay away!

Visit Tracy at Hey Harriet and join the shadowy fun!

Color us lucky

Thousands of our fellow Nutmeggers are suffering with power outages and worse after Irene stormed her way through Connecticut.

Here in our neighborhood there was a lot of wind, intermittent heavy downpours and branches and leaves down. 
A dead tree fell into our backyard, but nowhere near the house. 

But we never lost power. The lights never even flickered, and for that we are so grateful.

Yesterday my oncologist told me he and his wife had

to evacuate Saturday afternoon. They live on Long Island Sound and he said the Sound was like the ocean that day.


Ralph's sister and several other relatives in Connecticut have been living without electricity for days, and they can't get an estimate of when it will be returned. I can't imagine their frustration.

A friend who lives about 20 miles away in a more affluent (and rural) town than ours lost power Sunday and still hasn't gotten it back. 

Today she was able to bathe herself and her two kids with water they got from the fire department.

Wow. That is roughing it in my book. 

I pray that everyone gets electricity back soon!

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood

This is how the courtyard outside the area where I get chemo looked at noon today. It's a beautiful setting. 

This was taken through the window. Unfortunately we can't go out and play in the courtyard. 

Today is Chemo Day again...the weeks fly by

Gimme a c - C!

Gimme an h -H!

Gimme an e - E!

Gimme an m - M!

Gimme an o - O!

And what does that spell?  Exhaustion.  

Well at least it's 'chemo light,' as I prefer to call it.



Must be Monday.  ;-)


{And my online cancer journal continues..}

Storm damage recap

We got through the wrath of Irene unscathed, thankfully. 
None of the bigger trees in our yard fell. 
This old dead tree from a neighbor's yard is now lying at the bottom of the hill in our backyard. 

And there it will stay, because it's not in the way.
We have electricity and we don't expect it to go out now. It got really windy here this afternoon after the storm, but that seems to be subsiding.

Sorry to hear about all those people suffering after Irene paid them a visit, including several family members in Connecticut who have no power.
We had luck on our side this time.

A little levity from the e-mail bag

I'm tired of waiting all day for the arrival of that mean Irene. It's nerve-wracking!

Thought I'd share something I got in my e-mail yesterday, just for giggles.

~ ~ ~

A crusty old man walks into the local Catholic church and says to the secretary, "I would like to join this damn church."


The astonished woman replies, "I beg your pardon, Sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?"
"Listen up, damn it. I said I want to join this damn church!"


"I'm very sorry sir, but that kind of language is not tolerated in this church."


The secretary leaves her desk and goes into the priest's study to
inform him of her situation.


The priest agrees that the secretary does not have to listen to that
 foul language..
They both return to her office and the priest asks the old geezer, "Sir, what seems to be the problem here?"


"There is no problem," the man says. "I just won 20 million dollars in the damn lottery and I want to join this damn church to get rid of some of this damn money."


"I see," said the priest. "And is this bitch giving you a hard time?

Getting anxious about Irene

It appears that our family of four is among the 65 million people on the East Coast about to get hit by Irene.

I never did like crowds.  :-(

Waaah!

Ralph just came home with some wine. Both red and white. 

He's good at hurricane shopping!

Minor miracle, horticulturally speaking

Yup, my poinsettia is still with us eight months after Christmas.


This has never happened before. 

Time for 'chemo light' again, tra la, tra la

Actually I joked to a friend last week that going for the treatments is my only break! My days seem to get pretty busy. So it's relaxing to just sit there and veg out.

My mother is there with me, and she goes to the snack bar in another part of the building and gets us a roll or something to snack on, and there is free coffee...

The doctor will even get it for you! How cool is that.

He seems to get miffed if you don't want any!

 

{And so my online cancer journey journal doth continue. Thanks for reading.}

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ fruity

It's Saturday morning here, which means it's Shadow Shot Sunday time ...

Now that statement could confuse someone not in the know!

One sunny morning this week I spotted this shadow when I put a colander of blueberries on the table. 

You can see lots more shadow shots (much more interesting than this one!) at our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's Hey Harriet blog. Check them out!

Building up a tolerance? Could be

Yesterday was "chemo light" day number 4, and miraculously when I got home I was not ready to go to sleep.
I actually stayed up for two and a half hours and worked before taking a nap.

When I told Ralph he said I must be getting used to it.

Maybe my body is building up a tolerance to it or something.

All I know is eight more treatments to go! Or as the doctor said, I'm one-third of the way there. The weeks are flying by.

~ ~ ~

My online cancer journey journal doth continue...

Thanks for reading!

Surreal is one way of describing the process..

My friend Linda said in a comment on my blog May 3 that she was wondering how I felt when I went for chemotherapy.
Well, I've had a lot of treatments since then and her question continues to stick in my head.

The first time I was escorted by the doctor into the spacious room (overlooking a beautiful healing garden and waterfall) where they hook you up to an IV I felt like I was part of a new club - the chemo club - that has a membership list a mile long.

It was kinda like when I became a mother for the first time...you are instantly a member of a club that you never leave.

I suppose I'd describe the feeling as surreal - you know of people throughout your life who have gone through various forms of cancer surgeries and treatments, and you only imagine what it must be like.
But when it actually happens, all anyone can do is take it one treatment, one procedure at a time.
I wasn't scared, but rather grateful that I was getting the medical care I need.

I feel fine, just tired. I've had no nausea, and for that I also am incredibly grateful!

Tomorrow morning I return for 'chemo light' number 4.
Thanks for reading my online cancer journal.

To be continued...