Joyous Holidays

Joanne and I had a successful medical trip to Seattle last week. Her CT scan came back completely normal - no infection, no signs of cancer. She then had her IP port removed by Jeffrey. I saw my orthopedic surgeon and had sutures removed and a royal blue cast applied (I turned down the white "glow in the dark" model). A good day was had by all! Thanks to Laura Lippman for driving us back home and keeping us company for a few days.

We are now enjoying the lights, the music and other rituals of the holidays and awaiting the visit of my family from Idaho.

Many thanks to all of you for the visits, meals, cards, prayers and general support. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful angels in our network. May your holidays be rich and meaningful. We anticipate a new year of health and joy and more peace on this planet.

Life as Viewed from a Chair

Joanne and I both continue on the road to healing, although I'm the identified patient right now.

Surgery went well. Swedish hospital is like a 5 star hotel compared to VM. Even the food is quite healthy and good. You order it just like room-service, from a menu, 24/7. OK, clearly I'm impressed by small things. . . As good as it was, I was eager to get to our home, a true 5-star abode.

After a few days of screaming bone pain and yucky nausea, I am feeling more human. My life is mostly confined to two places: my brown leather "stress-less chair" in the living room and my bed in the downstairs guest room. The chair is great. The bed so-so (I apologize to all our guests who have had to sleep on it). I maneuver with a roll-about and wheelchair. Both sites provide me with a view of the water, Mt. Baker and the passing fury of the storms. It could be much worse.

Life is simple for me these days. Getting caught up on old, unread magazines, reading books, watching movies from Netflix (I LOVE that company!) and taking narcotic-induced naps, all with several felines on my lap.

We did have an adventure last night. We had tickets for Lily Tomlin and were committed to going. Yes, we had at least four inches of snow on the ground and it was snowing heavily with very icy roads. Fortunately, our dear neighbors, Cindy and Vanessa, offered to feed us dinner and take us with them to the show. I must admit that I have never maneuvered a wheel-chair in the snow before last night. It was a team effort, especially since stairs were involved. A real lesson in surrender and trust for me, made easier by the competence of these strong women. It was a great night and a treat to get out of the house, even in a blizzard!

Joanne and I each have a next step in Seattle next week. On the 9th we go down South for a Seattle Men's Chorus concert. The next day she has a CT scan to monitor her fluid pocket and surgery to remove her IP port. I have an appointment with my surgeon (at the same time!) to have sutures removed and be casted. Different hospitals. My dear friend, Laura, will be chauffeuring us both to these events and then home to Bellingham, as neither of us will be able to drive! What a pair! We are each comforted by the thought that this year, 2007, will soon be a distant memory.

We cut down our Xmas tree last weekend, the house is decorated for the holidays, Joanne is getting stronger every day, and LIFE IS GOOD.