Sunday, July 29, 2012

How To Put Up A new Shower Head

Don't ask Joe!
On Thursday, Joe purchased a new shower head for the master bath. I however was not 100% in favor of getting a new one because I liked the large rain shower head on the old one. However, since I do tend to give in on a consistent basis with Joe these days, I relented from my objection and said okay. BUT, if he was getting a new one, he had to put it on himself. He agreed. So he worked on it for an hour on Friday and the end result was him having to wrap a wash cloth around the top to try and ebb the leaking. He also complained all night Friday of his hands hurting where he was trying to tighten the nozzle. So.......
Saturday morning Joe asked me to see if I could fix it. I stepped in the shower, took off the new shower head, screwed the connections back on, tightened the nozzle with a wrench and within 5 minutes, the water was running and I was taking my shower, with no leaks. Bless his heart, he can't put anything together (this isn't his first attempt at something like this, nor his first failure). But he sure does play the piano and organ nicely!! I guess everyone can't be good at everything.

The new shower head is very nice and I have to agree that it works better than the old one (but I miss the rain feature of the old one).

P.S. He is still complaining today about his hands hurting.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

#2 of 3 is in the Books!

Reasonably quick and easy day for Joe today (easy for me to say, huh?). His labs appointment was for 7:40am this morning with chemo scheduled for 8:20am. Not much time in between given that the lab work results have to be in, reviewed by docs, prescription sent to pharmacy and then chemo sent from pharmacy to infusion (however, the infusion center has its own pharmacy now - YAY Duke Cancer Center). But even if labs are done exactly on time, that's still only 40 minutes for all that to happen. Or not happen, which is the norm.

Needless to say, it didn't get done in 40 minutes. However, Joe did get to talk with a fellow former Jordan High teacher and current friend Fran Gordon, for about 40 minutes. Fran is undergoing treatment herself. Joe did finally get back in chemo around 9:39am ( I know that's not an "around" number but that's when he sent me a text that he was in the back). Today the nurse had some difficulty getting him hooked up and it took three jabs with the needle before she got it in. Other than that though, the rest was smooth sailing.

Next Wednesday Joe has his CT scan which will determine our next course of action. No growth, continue the current path,...growth, possibly a change towards a more aggressive treatment. But that's next week. Today he did very well except that the treatment rooms are very cold. He always stops at the garden to thaw. Today that was a very short time.

As always, thank you to everyone for your words of support and continued prayers.

P.S. I do still have some purple "Fight Pancreatic Cancer" bracelets/wristbands to give away. No cost. Let me know if you would like one.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Round 1 of this Chemo Cycle is in the Books!

Today Joe had his first chemo treatment of this cycle. Although he was running a few minutes late for his labs (7:20am appointment and he got there around 7:25am) he more than made up the time. By 8am he had already had his lab work done and gone to the food court for his breakfast. However, rather than his usual Subway English muffin and Chick-fil-A, he opted for the muffin and a drink from Subway alone. No more Chick-fil-a. No more money spent at that particular business. The reason, in case you haven't seen, heard or read, their very public opposition to equal rights for gay persons. See Chick-fil-a President Dan Cathy's comments here.

Anyway, although the morning diet was different, he made it to the doctors office prior to his 8:20am appointment time. By 8:40am, he was done with his visit with Leigh Howard, and on his way up to chemo. However, his chemo appointment wasn't until 10:30am, BUT he was in a chair waiting for his infusion by 9am. Not bad! Running 1 1/2 hours early. By 10:20am, he was done with his infusion, out of the Duke Cancer Center and on his way to the car. Now that is the beginning of a good day! But let me back up to his appointment. Since we were on vacation last week, coupled with the move to our new office, my week thus far at work has been slammed so I couldn't accompany him to his appointment. Therefore, it was another "Facetime" appointment. As soon as Leigh came in, Joe rang me up and I was able to ask questions and see/speak with Leigh and Joe. His lab work this week was all good. White & red blood cell counts good and neutrophil count was at 4100. Good numbers to start this chemo cycle. And Joe even got his favorite chemo nurse today, Brenda. All in all a good day of chemo.

With his early "release", he was able to get home and spend some time with Dolly, meet Mike for lunch at Chili's, meet Jill at Tutti Fruiti and then a trip to Sam's before coming home and baking cookies this evening. Aimee and Sara are coming up tomorrow morning so we'll get to spend a little time with them. Sara has a softball tournament in Cary this weekend so it is a perfect opportunity to get to see them. The cookies are being baked under the guise that they are for them, however, we have already consumed half tonight. Joe asked me to mention while speaking of baking the cookies, that everyone needs to know how wonderful parchment paper is. He say's he wishes he had known about parchment paper 45 years ago. Yes ladies and gents, he has been baking since he was 10 or 11. And his mother was surprised he was gay???? Go figure. His biggest disappointment in his childhood was that he never got an "Easy-Bake Oven" for Christmas or his birthday.

As an FYI, I've purchased a number of purple "Fight Pancreatic Cancer" rubber bracelets/wrist bands (purple is the pancreatic cancer color). If anyone is interested in one, let me know. I would love to see our friends wearing them in support. The proceeds of my purchase go to pancan.org, a pancreatic cancer research and support organization.


We thank everyone who continues to express their support to us and say prayers for Joe. Regardless of everything that we are dealing with, we feel so blessed by the people around us who help us remain positive. We thank each and every one of you.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Main Durham News Feed: DPAC is Number One

Main Durham News Feed: DPAC is Number One: Again, Durham, NC comes out tops on a list, this time in the form of its internationally recognized performing arts center.  DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center was ranked by the industry publication Pollstar as being the second busiest theater in the world in their 2012 Midyear ranking of Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 100 Theatre Venues.  That makes DPAC the busiest theater in the US, since the number one spot on the list is a theater in Mexico.  Durham's Carolina Theatre came in at 88th. DPAC also recently won a top ranking from the consumer travel website, TripAdvisor - the theater now bears the site's Certificate of Excellence.   This is a nice additional feather in Durham's cap.  Last week, Durham was ranked as the top market in the US for the creative class. Well known as an open and accepting haven for those in, and those interested in, the arts, Durham is home to more than a dozen theaters which are well supported by the community and those who visit.  Learn more about Durham as a great place to visit by visiting on the web.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Unfortunately, that is the case with vacations too.  This morning our week at Holden Beach came to a close but we handled it in style.  We packed last night everything we possibly could, we woke up early this morning showering and packing the last few items.  By 8am we had the car packed and were on our way.  Official check out isn't until 10am, but by getting out 2 hours early, we avoided the traffic backup that always occurs since there is only one road on Holden Beach.  We had time to stop at Ludlum's produce stand where Joe bought lots of fresh veggies, as well as stop at Hardee's for sausage biscuits.  Even with 2 stops we were in Durham before noon (we even went by the car wash on Fayetteville Road before coming home).  It took practically no time to unpack the car and get settled in at home.  It's always great to go on vacation but it's also great to be back at our home.




The last day on the beach Friday was a bit overcast, but we still got in several hours of relaxation.  I attempted a couple of "self portraits" only to discover that my neck is the same size as my head.  Time to loose weight!!!!  Oh well, that's for later on.  Last night, Joe wanted to go to Beck's in Calabash.  For those that don't already know, I don't eat seafood, of any type.  And yes, before you say it, yes I am southern, yes I like the beach, yes yes yes, I've heard it all before.  However, none of that changes the fact that I simply can't and don't eat anything that comes out of the ocean or a river or lake or any body of water.  The smell of seafood sickens me.  Clear?  Anyway, as usual I will do anything that Joe wants without even the briefest of objections (yeah, right).  So off we went to Calabash.  Joe originally ate there back in the 70's and I think it is safe to say that they haven't changed anything since then.


I spent the entire dinner trying to avoid looking (but it's like a wreck, you can't help but look) and being grossed out by the people on the aisle opposite us who were having the unlimited crab legs.  The waiters kept bringing plate after plate of these creatures that looked like something out of the movie "Alien" to them. .  I'm sure people sitting near me heard the gagging sounds I was making.  Joe had his crab cakes and shrimp (which I tried to avoid looking at too) while I had barbeque, fries and hushpuppies.  But the worst thing of all is the smell.  How do you people stand it????  I breathed through my mouth for over an hour.  And let me tell you this, it takes talent to breathe through your mouth and eat at the same time.

Joe insisted before we left that I get a good shot of the sea oats on the dunes.  I don't know why but he is fascinated with them as well.  So I did.  It's easier to just oblige than to question why.



Right now we are relaxing, enjoying the color in our cheeks and proud that for the first time in the last 14 years, I didn't come back from the beach sunburnt.  

Thanks for all the comments this week and words of encouragement.  We had a great time!

P.S.: Dolly was happy to see Joe upon our return also. She came out immediately to greet him.  Meowing and rolling over.  When I came in, she just sat there, looking bored.   Pretty typical reaction to me so my feelings were not hurt.  She's been at Joe's feet ever since we settled down in the family room.


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mid-week Recap

Okay, half way through the week at the beach (WOW time flies).  Here's the Readers Digest version mid-week update:
Monday: Down to the beach late morning, great weather, a little on the windy side, some time sitting at the surfs edge, some up under the umbrellas until......Joe decides that my umbrella is leaning too much.  Oh, and I'm laying back in my chair, eyes closed, listening to ipod.  All of a sudden the sun is bright and sand is blowing all over me, the reason? Joe has taken my umbrella off the pole and is trying to fix it, it blows inside out, I'm yelling at him politely inquiring what he is doing and why is he doing it.  Well maybe not so politely.  It's irritating to be brought back from a restful, relaxing situation to one of sun, heat and sand.  I have to get up and get my umbrella turned back outside in.  By then I am in a really crappy mood, I pack up my crap and come up to the house.  Joe follows quickly behind.  Quiet evening.
Tuesday: Down to the beach late morning, great weather, less windy, some time sitting at the surfs edge, and then back up to where Joe is sitting under his umbrella (I do not have a working umbrella anymore).  Joe goes down to the waters edge and relaxes.  Thunder starts, then lightening, then more thunder and very sharp lightening.  We pack up and return to home.  A little while later the rain comes and I nap on the living room sofa.  Dinner, then I throw up.  Well it happened so I might as well tell it.
Wednesday:  Suppose to rain and besides my lower back is hurting from sitting in the beach chairs so we take a vacation from the beach and go have lunch on the mainland (Surfers Cafe) and then go see two movies in Shallotte - Spiderman & Magic Mike.  Enjoyed Spiderman, and Magic Mike was ok.  We did learn details of the divorce proceedings from a woman sitting behind us as she talked to her mother on her phone.  Apparently the new girlfriend of the soon to be ex-husband sent her a friend request on Facebook.  She had a friend send the girlfriend a Facebook message explaining why the friend request would not be approved.  Also, she is taking his retirement money.   Seemed like it's going to be a nasty divorce.  After movies, drove home in the rain and had sandwiches for dinner.  TV tonight and maybe a little reading
A few last photos:
 Texting on the beach...it's what Joe does.
 Smiling for the camera...errr..phone
 Sitting under my umbrella before it was so rudely ripped from overhead.
 A graduate of sand castle building.
Joe chillaxing at the surfs edge.  It's much cooler with the water washing over your feet and under your chair.

I hope everyone back home is enjoying the cooler temperatures and has gotten some rain.  Apparently we have had some at our house so hopefully it will have helped the lawn and outdoor plants.  Enjoy the rest of your week.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

First Full Day at the Beach is Almost in the Books

Today, Sunday July 8th 2012, was our first full day at Holden Beach and it's almost in the books.  It's 10 pm, I have just finished my shower and Joe is taking his as I type.  Today was a recuperate day.  That basically means we did nothing all day.  Well almost nothing.  We did get caught up on a bunch of movies that were in our Netflix instant queue.  All were enjoyable and we got plenty of rest.  Joe was very tired coming off his chemo on Thursday (translation almost no sleep Thursday night and just a little more on Friday night) and then the trip down to the beach, grocery shopping, getting settled into the house, cooking dinner for us and my family on Saturday night and then getting up early today. Basically, he was tired.  Me?...we moved our office on Thursday & Friday and then Saturday was the trip down here and then up early this morning.  Basically, I was tired.  So today was rest, tomorrow is beach and heat.  But not too much of it.  Joe can't be in the sun (we'll be using lots of sunblock and umbrellas) and I have a habit of coming back from every beach trip burnt.  This year, it's just not gonna happen!

This evening we finally did get off our lazy butts and took a nice walk on the beach as the sun was going down.  There is something extremely calming about walking on the beach in the evening.  At least for us.

 The beach is lovely at sunset.
 Someone passed sandcastles 101
 Joe being very contemplative on our walk.
  You can just make out the lights of the Holden Beach pier in the distance.

All in all a great day together resting and loving every minute of the day.  Can we stay here forever??????

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Holden Beach, Here We Are!!!!

We made it safe and sound to Holden Beach yesterday. Joe was up at 5:30am packing yesterday morning. He did his best to be quiet but our house isn't that big that some clanking around isn't heard so I was awake soon thereafter. I however have the ability to go back to sleep so I did manage to stay in bed until a little after 7am. After a Hardee's sausage breakfast, we showered and packed up the car. We were on the road by 10:45. The big miracle is that we didn't have a single argument while getting ready!

We did have some drama after arrival, but I'll have to check with my family for permission before posting.

Also, Joe and I both managed to get a little sunburn on our faces after only 10 minutes outside. Nothing bad, but we both are very rosey cheeked. I'm having trouble with posting photos using the 3G so I'm having to resort to the laptop and it's physical ethernet connection.

But we are here, safe and sound and ready to relax!  And like I have told many friends, beware of the photos....I am taking them everywhere I go.  Of absolutely nothing, but having a blast doing it.

Our first stop is always at the Arby's near Leland.  It's the best way to start our trip.
There's the bridge off the mainland over to Holden Beach.  It's a very cool curved bridge.
As you head up onto the bridge, it appears like it just goes straight into the sky.
At the crest of the bridge you get your first glimpse of the ocean.  YAY!!!!!
Coming off the bridge you start to see the homes on the inland waterway side.
Our first stop was at the campground on the island to visit Phyllis, Woodie, Aimee and Sara.
We had to go find them on the beach, but there they were.  This is where we stood for the 10 minutes and got our heads burned (Joe's forehead, my whole head)
After an hour of visiting with my family at the campground, we went and got our keys to the "Pirate's Pride" (the house) and went on down to start unloading.   Doesn't Joe look precious.  He loves it here so much it just makes me smile to see him so happy.
Ok, here is the living room at the house.  We have photos of every room but I will spare you that.
Last year when we were here, we brought some "Laura Ann" clothes detergent that we had purchased on our last trip to the time share in the mountains.  The store brand of a store there.  When we left, there was just a little left in the container so we didn't bother to take it with us.  Well it appears no one else wanted to use it over the last year because it's still here!  I guess we will finish it off before we use the detergent we brought this year!  It's sad when no one wants your leftovers.

Having a great Sunday morning.  Joe has been texting and talking to Jill who is subbing for him at PGUMC (yes, texting during service...shame shame) and he made me chocolate, chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.  Now that is a vacation first!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Last chemo infusion before our beach trip

Today Joe had his last chemo infusion before we leave for a week at the beach. I'm sorry to say I didn't pay too much attention to what all was going on with him with regard to todays treatment. He texted me a couple of times but I was so wrapped up in the first day of the move of my office, I was really late in responding....like he was done before I even realized I had a text.

The first day of the move went very well, almost. Phones and Internet service was up and going very quickly. The new copier was delivered on time and I got a lot of my office set up. The only hitch was, the AIR CONDITIONER was not working. Anyone have an idea of how hot it was in there when the AC hasn't worked since Monday...and everyday we have hit 100 degrees. Let's just say that by 9am,I had already been sweating profusely for an hour. Hopefully, at some point tomorrow it will start working. If not, it will be a short day for me and the beginning of my vacation early!

Joe and I are very excited about our trip to Holden Beach this year. We are staying in our favorite house just steps from the ocean. Many happy times have been spent in that house in summers past and we are going to make this one even more fun and special. As boring as it will probably be for many people, I plan to post lots of photos, daily!

We hope everyone has a great week and we will be back in town on the 15th and looking forward to Asher's baptism.

Vaccination date set

 This morning at 8 a.m. we began the process of trying to get an appointment date.  I had 3 appointments at the Duke Cancer Center so I was ...