M & G

Our October Meet and Greet was really enjoyable.  There were lots of people there. old and new.  Tim and Susie were there for the first time in a while, and it was great to have Jay and Mary there as well.  I had fun meeting Brian - nice conversation.  I wasn't able to go to the last one around the campfire, so I was especially glad to be able to get to this one.  Enjoyed talking to everyone.

basswoodbend Premium Member 3695  Attended 10/16/2013 Another fun evening sharing tales and catching up on the lives of fellow cachers. Good to see you all and to meet some folks we hadn't met before. Thanks Vante and Sammy Pants for bringing us together.

TACE

Transarterial Chemo Embolization (TACE)

Transarterial chemo embolization therapy involves administration of chemotherapy directly to the liver tumor via a catheter. With this technique, the chemotherapy targets the tumor while sparing the patient many side effects of traditional chemotherapy that is given to the whole body.
Following chemotherapy, your physician will embolize (cut off) the blood supply to the tumors. In this manner, the tumor is treated using two different techniques. If necessary, TACE can be performed multiple times to achieve the desired response in the tumor.

Chemoembolization animation © 2009.  Created by Joseph Sampson, graduate student in Dept. of Art as Applied to Medicine, in collaboration with Division of Interventional Radiology, Johns Hopkins University.

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Dr. Ruch called this morning with the results of his conference yesterday with the U of M liver cancer clinic team.  TACE, which is explained above, is evidently the preferred treatment for my tumor.  Now I'm waiting for phone calls to set up appointments for an MRI, a radiologist (Dr. Picotte), the TACE procedure, and another with Dr. Ruch.

Prospects

Beccy called to say that the couple who looked at our property really, really liked it, and thought it was beautiful.  She thinks they may want a showing next week when everything is back to normal.  They are more interested in the property than in the house. 

They would not live here, they would most likely rent it out.  It seems that he is a conservationist, environmentalist and investor in river property.  He wants to preserve the riverside properties.  If that works out, it would be the ideal way to sell our place.  Of course we haven't had the showing yet, and we haven't had an offer, but it's nice to speculate.

Gout Week

Wow!  Gout week is finally over!  (I think!)  The Tylenol is working.  No headache and minimal residual pain in the foot.

 I showered, shampooed, got dressed, and walked (with the walker) to the living room.  I'm feeling ecstatic.  Waved good-by to Dick as he left to volunteer at the Visitor Center, fully confident that I am now able to take care of myself. 

We knew that our geocaching friend Nurse Nanna (Anne) was in town and was going to stop in and see him.  He called and asked if it was OK if he took her out to lunch after his shift.  Of course!  I'm fine (but not quite ready yet for the out to lunch thing), and it will be a nice break for him.

THIS IS THE WEEK THAT WAS:

Last Monday, I literally couldn't walk.  Each time I tried to step on my right foot, it felt like I was walking on razor blades.  I sorted laundry in my room. because Monday is wash day:)  It took  mighty effort and about 45 minutes to get to the living room. 

Dick brought in the walker, and that did help,  but mobility was at a serious standstill.  Sat in the recliner all day, with Dick waiting on me, hand and (ouch) foot.  He kept the ice packs coming, the the ice did make things feel better for a while. 

He brought the laundry basket with darks into the laundry room, so the next time I went to the bathroom, I started the machine.  When the washing machine was done, Dick put the stuff into the dryer.  Later, I was able to fold while sitting in the recliner. That was my accomplishment for the day. Dick picked up Subway for dinner.

Tuesday - Everything seemed worse.  I did manage to get dressed and get to the living room.  I practiced in my mind how I was going to reach the things I needed from my bed without putting my feet on the floor. I spent a lot of time on visual imaging, as Olympic athletes do, (well sort of).  So I did manage to get dressed and make it to the living room.  

Beccy called that morning and said that she wanted to schedule a showing this afternoon from 3 to 5!  I was just devastated that we couldn't possibly have things spotless for a showing by 3 o'clock, or any other time.  I would not be able to get into the car to leave for a showing anyway - that would take gurney and a staff of helpers.  Fortunately Beccy understood - both of her parents had experienced gout.  She asked if they could just come and look at the property and not come into the house.  It was the perfect solution.  So the couple came, and walked all around the property, and even spoke briefly to Dick.  They thought that the property was beautiful  (but we already knew that).

Dick brought the whites to the laundry room, and during the day they got washed, dried and folded - it took all day.  I did write some checks for a couple of bills, and paid a couple more online, and those things were all that I accomplished for the day.

 By 7 o'clock I just could not get comfortable in the recliner - that foot was so sensitive to every little movement it just got to be unbearable.  We used the walker in a unique way - sitting down and going backwards down the hall to the bedroom.  Dick would help me navigate by pulling me along while I just dragged that godforsaken foot.  Getting undressed was too hard to think about, so I went to bed wearing jeans and socks.  The most bearable position was to have my right foot out from under the covers and almost hanging in mid-air, off the mattress, not touching anything. 

Wednesday - Now it's really horrible, and I thought it had already been horrible.  On top of the hated gout, I now have a headache, I think it's from having the constant pain.  This was a lost day.  I stayed under the covers, with all lights off.  NPR was playing very softly on the radio, and I slept on and off all day.

Thursday - Another lost day.  Read Wednesday.  One difference - the gouty foot was feeling a little less caustic, but I was beginning to feel gouty twinges in my other foot.  So I took a small amount of Tylenol, which I'm not supposed to have because of liver disease.  It took away my headache, and made both of my feet feel some better.  My mood was improving at last.  I ordered tapioca pudding and jello for dinner - just couldn't bear the thought of a plateful of real dinner.  Dick is the perfect nurse and right hand man :)

Are the National Parks Really Closed?

Dick wrote a letter to the kids describing our day - are the National Parks REALLY closed?

"To celebrate good test results, we decided to drive out to Leland and have Sunday brunch at the Bluebird.  It was great!  Afterwards we cruised some of the back roads in the area.  It's what we used to do more than 60 years ago.  On Sunday afternoons, Mom would let me take the car, a maroon Dodge coupe, 3 passenger max, no back seat.  We would find roads that dead ended at Lake Michigan, walk the beach, have a picnic, enjoy the day.

Today it was raining and gloomy, but after the Doctors' reports we were happy and sunny.  In the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore there were signs proclaiming that it was closed, but folks were hiking and biking in the rain anyway.  To get into the Dune Climb we had to drive around a Stop sign and some barrels.  We thought it would be empty, but we saw at least 8 people going up and down the Dune, in the rain.  You could tell by the footprints in the sand that folks had been climbing despite the signs and the rain."

I don't know if it was Saturday's pot roast or not, but today I'm feeling goutiness in my right foot.  So far, just a slight limp.

Homecoming at South Fork

The world's best grandson is all ready to go to the Homecoming Dance at South Fork.   I  know he'll have the best time !  He's such a good dancer - has all the right moves and  "swag".  Go go go and have a super time :)

Michigan v. Minnesota

The team seems to have gotten over their Akron/UConn slump.  The first half was not all that enjoyable, but the second half was spectacular.  Thank you team! Devin² Helps Keep Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor Devin Funchess We had slow cooker pot roast for dinner - really yummy.  I think I ate too much beef, and beef is not gout friendly.  This yummy pot roast may backfire on me. Oct. 5, 2013 • Postgame Press Conference  • Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery  Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium) Score: #19 Michigan 42, Minnesota 13 Records: U-M (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten), MINN (4-2, 0-2 Big Ten) Attendance: 111,079 Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 12 -- at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 5 p.m. ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior/junior quarterback Devin Gardner (Detroit, Mich./Inkster)threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore tight end Devin Funchess(Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) set career highs in receptions (seven) and yards (151) to lead the University of Michigan football team (No. 19 AP/No. 17 USA Today) to a 42-13 victory over Minnesota on Saturday (Oct. 5) inside Michigan to retain the Little Brown Jug. With the win, the Wolverines have won 31 of their last 32 Big Ten openers dating back to 1982. Fifth-year senior running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty) rushed 17 times for 78 yards and two scores. Junior linebacker Desmond Morgan (Holland, Mich./West Ottawa) produced 10 tackles, while sophomore linebacker James Ross III (Orchard Lake, Mich./St. Mary's Prep) contributed nine.

Sunshine

We made our own sunshine on this gloomy day.  Dick's cardiologist, Dr. Recchia, reports that his tests show no changes and he will see him again in one year!  Sounds lovely to me.

Dr. Ruch reports that the body scan shows no cancer anywhere else!!  We are over the moon. 

October 15th  he's having a computer consultation with the liver specialists at U of M, and they will put their heads together and recommend the best treatment options for me.  I will hear the results of that on Oct. 16th and from there we'll determine how to proceed.

We got our flu shots today, too.  Just don't seem to be able to stay away from doctors' offices!

Of course we did a celebratory cache on the way home:

10/04/2013	You found  Airport Biz		Visit Log
This was a dreary fall day, not a glimpse of sunshine, so we made our own. A stop at the Dr's to pick up some good news, a stop at Bubba's for a super Reuben sandwich and then a stop here to grab a cache. The micro maven was telling me where the cache was without leaving the car. I was explaining to her that her idea was impossible and attempted to demonstrate - Oops! Sheepishly handed the log for her to sign (BWB) and replaced as found. Thanks BIZ for placing this cache and adding to our sunshine for this day.

Scan

Spent the day at Munson, first in CT prep, and then in the old familiar Infusion Clinic.

 The name of this scan is a real mouthful:  CT scan with contrast and hydration.  The scan itself was quick and easy, the IV went in easily, the injection was barely noticeable.

 However, the scan includes 6 hours of hydration - two hours before the scan and 4 hours after.  It's necessary because it protects the kidneys from the contrast they inject.

 I'm in favor of protecting the kidneys, but still and all it is a bit of a drag.  Dick sat with me almost the whole time, and I'm sure it was a drag for him too, but he did not complain.  How lucky I am!

I see Dr. Ruch tomorrow morning - have no idea if he will have results by then.  I'm thinking we may have to wait until next week.

Add caption

It was raining cats and dogs when we left - Dick was soaked - I didn't get a drop on me - such a great chauffeur!

Meanwhile, my niece Pam is having a double mastectomy today - my day has been far preferable to hers.  Pam has been having chemo all summer, and is now ready for surgery.  She likes to say that after today she will be cancer free :)  The faculty at her elementary school all wore pink today in her honor.

Mustard or Mayo....

Fasting blood test this morning via Dr. Barnes, the gastroenterologist.  He says he's curious as to whether or not this cancer could be genetic, or into what other category it might fit.  Twelve vials of blood were drawn, and the nurse said that 5 will be sent to the Mayo Clinic.  I'm in the dark about all of that, but I can conclude that Dr. Barnes is very thorough to say the least.

We had a super breakfast at Bubba's - did you ever hear of a Spanish burrito?  That was Dick's choice, and I just had a classic breakfast.  But it was yummy, and we enjoyed discussing the shut down of the government, an event which would be ludicrous and ridiculous if it weren't so serious.

The rest of our day was spent eating, sleeping, riding and reading.  We feel like we're on vacation, footloose and fancy free.

Elk Rapids, Dockside, Geocaching

What a gorgeous Sunday!  We began by driving around and around Elk Rapids - what a lovely little town - and it's right on Lake Michigan, so that makes it even better!  Their lakefront is beautiful, and they have a large marina with tons of big lake boats.  It's always enjoyable to see them.  We had planned to splurge and have lunch at Pearl's, but we drove by twice, and both times the parking lot was completely empty, so we negged that.  

We haven't been to Dockside all summer, and we usually get there at least once, and sometimes more than that.  Even when the family was here in July we didn't make it over here, so we were overdue.  You just can't beat a burger and onion rings on the deck at dockside.

On a day as beautiful as this one, and on a ride around some of our favorite places, of course we did some caching!  There were a lot to choose from:

09/28/2013	You found Westwood Cemetery		Visit Log
Wow! An Ammo Can! 10 caches today and this was the only one. One thing I can't figure out is why it's so hard for folks to re hide them. Even if that's how they found it they must know that it doesn't belong laying out in the open. Signed the log and left a neat Batman figurine for some small cacher. Then we replaced the cache where we found it but covered as we think the owner desired it to be. TFTC
09/28/2013	You found  He Has "Spirit"		Visit Log
This was a fantastic day for a drive and finding a few caches made it even better. A quick easy find on our way home. Thanks for adding to our fun today
09/28/2013	You couldn't find  Tank you very much		Visit Log
We weren't good enough today.
09/28/2013	You found  Parking Lot Cache		Visit Log
Don't very often see a cache with out a container. Bag is ripped and needs replacement.
09/28/2013	You couldn't find  The Crow's Nest		Visit Log
No joy with this one today. At the base of the pole was a pile of sticks, a couple of small sheets of plywood and three pieces of Styrofoam. No container and no logbook. Thought that maybe folks were signing the pieces but that does not appear to be the case. Not sure what they signed to claim a find but we didn't see it.
09/28/2013	You found  Colin's Cache- To Grandma's House We Go!		Visit Log
A Grandma and a Grandpa out for a drive on this beautiful fall day, saw this cache pop up and had to see what Colin hath wrought. Extremely neat hide, well crafted. The log was signed and the container was replaced as found. Thank you Colin for adding to our fun today.
09/28/2013	You found  Summit Village		Visit Log
We were out for a drive from Traverse up through Elk Rapids and around the chain of lakes. This cache gave us a bit of trouble because we were basing our search, in part, on the hint from a previous cache. Once we reviewed the cache page we were back on track and made the find. Signed the log and replaced as found. Thanks for the fun.
09/28/2013	You found  Eagle Walk		Visit Log
A couple of old retired school teachers out for a ride to enjoy this beautiful weather saw who had placed this cache and knew we had to find one of them. Most of the town was a mob scene today but it was quiet out here. Made the find, signed the log and left our flashlight. Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache on a peaceful trail. It's a favorite of ours.
09/28/2013	You found  SWS - Alden on the C&NM (C&O)		Visit Log
We aren't sure how many more beautiful days we will have this fall. We wanted to take advantage of this one and enjoy a ride, have lunch and find a few caches. We loved the history lesson and the brief stop in one of our favorite neighbor towns. Signed the log and left our card and flashlight. As the cache was replaced I'm almost certain I heard the faint sound of a steam whistle off in the distance. Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache.
09/28/2013	You found  PLEASE WATER THE FLOWERS AND MAKE MOMMA HAPPY		Visit Log
I have been attempting to load caches on our Nuvi for a couple of weeks. All we want it to do is show us where a cache is on the map when we are near, nothing special but until this weekend it's been beyond my computer skills. With the beautiful weather today, we decided to take advantage of our temporary freedom from medical appointments to go for a ride and check my GPS progress. As we approached Elk Rapids, I was happy to see the little ammo can on the screen. When the iPad told us who had placed this cache, we had to check it out. We enjoy these "spirit" caches because it's good to stop in a quiet place and pause and reflect on the lives of those who have gone before us. Thanks finsandfeathers for showing us this area.

Yesterday

I was very dissatisfied yesterday - sitting for 4 hours in the Radiology waiting room.  I think I have figured out why I was so distraught about the whole thing.  We are just not used to living with cancer yet.  It's a very new thing for us, and we feel confused and just generally in the dark.  For us, it is a Very Big Deal.

At the hospital, they deal with all kinds of people with all kinds of maladies, and they go from one to the other and try to be personable and efficient.  While we sat there we watched many people pass through the radiology doors and return and leave the hospital.  We sat there totally clueless.  Four different staff members came out to say a few words to us, but there was no continuity of personnel, and no in depth explanations of the most basic sort.

Approximately every hour, I would go back to the desk to see what was up, and every time there was nothing.  The desk lady said - You have more patience than I have!  I said - What makes you think that I'm patient!  She said - Well you hide it very well.  Of course I do.  These are not the people that I want to antagonize!  We're on the same team.  I want to be on their good side.  Ye gods.

It became obvious to me after a while that even though my situation is a Very Big Deal to us, it didn't matter at all to the staff.  We were just a ho-hum part of their day, and we felt like it. We began to feel like part of the furniture - there, but taken for granted and effectively invisible.  Maybe it's just part of living with cancer.  At this point, I have no clue.

  I was fasting for the scan, and Dick hadn't eaten either.  There was nothing available to drink, and I admit that Dick could have gone to the cafeteria, but he waited a long time before he went and got a cup of coffee.

The lesson I learned yesterday was that nobody cares about my cancer as much as we do.  I have to ask a lot of questions, and try to figure out what's best on my own.  For instance, after reading the fine print on the Omnipaque order (the fluid I drank way back at 5 a.m.), I found out that after drinking it, I should discontinue Metformin for 48 hours because of a potentially dangerous reaction.  I take Metformin twice a day, and it's listed on my meds sheet that had been turned in.   Nobody told me to not take it for 48 hours, so if I hadn't read it for myself, I would have taken it routinely.  This has me a little nervous about things that I'm told and things that I'm not told.

 Since I'm in no way a medical person, it appears that I have a lot to learn, and quickly.

Big Whoopin' Deal

First of all, this was to have been the day of the CT scan with contrast to determine if there is any more cancer in my otherwise perfect body.  Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

I awoke around 3 a.m. and had trouble going back to sleep, because you can't rely on an alarm to go off at the right time. (!)

I began drinking the contrast fluid at 5 a.m. -  It had to be consumed before 6 a.m. because the scan was scheduled for 8 a.m.  (Ha!)

Have you ever had a colonoscopy?  Then you know the side effects of Omnipaque (the contrast fluid).

Dick has kept a log of how we spent this beautiful morning at the Main Radiology Department of Munson Medical Center, and accomplished nothing.

Dick's Log:

Leave house at 7:15 for 7:45 appointment. 

Check in 7:40 

8:30, nurse appears, says they have no blood work for kidney (they need the creatinine level to proceed) 

 9:10 Nancy checks with desk. They tell her that the nurse said that if Nancy asks, tell her that the office the nurse needs to check doesn't open 'till 9 (Thirlby Clinic opens at 8 a.m.) 

9:20 different nurse says Thirlby Clinic does not have blood results  (???) 

9:30 blood draw 

10:50  Brian the tech comes to explain creatinine level is too low for the additional contrast injection needed for the CT scan and we need to reschedule contrast scan with hydration. (A procedure that will take 8 hours, including IV hydration, more contrast fluid, another blood draw, the CT scan and then 4 more hours of IV hydration.) We go in consult room and Brian hands Nancy a phone.  She is to reschedule the procedure for sometime next week. She talks to "Matt". He needs her medical history, but he is finally able to reschedule the scan for next Thursday, Oct. 3 

I realize that the Munson radiologists and the Steigers are all on the same team - they are valiantly trying to take care of my kidneys, and I appreciate that.  I just didn't appreciate sitting in that waiting room for four hours with no clear information about what was going on.    Thank goodness for Dick's company!  So again, no news until next Thursday.

My Latest Delight

INVITATION
by Shel Silverstein

If you are a dreamer, come in.

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…

If you’re a pretender, come sit by the fire,

For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.

Come in!

Come in!



Shel Silverstein writes wonderful books of poems for children.  My first and second graders were always delighted to listen to and learn them.  I have never seen this one before - and I'm delighted.

Update

So, first we have to determine if there's cancer anywhere else in my body.  I'm having a CT scan Thursday morning to check that out.  Coincidently, the University of Michigan Liver Clinic is sending a group to T.C. next week to put on a tumor clinic here, and Dr. Ruch is planning to present my case.  I think one of the outcomes is that the U of M people will recommend the best possible treatment of my situation.  It's my good fortune that this is happening right at the very time I need it!

Dr. Ruch said that if I can be approved for surgery (a bit of a long shot), the surgery would be done in Ann Arbor.  Other possible treatments include localized chemo applied directy to the liver or a "chemo pill" taken orally.

So won't know anything else until I hear the results of the CT scan.

Happy Birthday RBS !

Today is Dick's B-Day!  We figured out that we have now celebrated 62 birthdays together, because today is his 77th, and it all began when we were 15  :)

We had brunch at the Brookside in Beulah - we were shocked at their lack of customers.  All of the smaller restaurants on the way over had packed parking lots, but the Brookside was empty.  We enjoyed driving around Leelanau, caching, and just chilling out.  It was a most pleasant day.

09/22/2013	You found  Welcome to Glen Arbor		Visit Log
We attempted to seek this cache earlier this summer but couldn't figure out how to get back here. (I don't know, maybe it's age.) Today we were able to get our brains in gear and drove right to it. Made the find, signed the log and replaced as found. Thanks for the hunt.
09/22/2013	You found  Pine nut		Visit Log
Well this was quite a challenge for us but because of the reason this cache was placed, we had to persevere. Today is Mr. Bend's birthday. (77) We went out for brunch and then up to Empire to do some work on stage 1 of our S2S cache at the beach. Looking at nearby caches we saw this one was placed for Bobbie's birthday. A perfect one to score on a birthday. We searched the spot indicated by our iPad and phone again and again going around and around, looking up and down, in and out, without success. Mrs Bend's endurance gave out first while the search was expanded to nearby spruces. All efforts were totally futile. We both were ready to call it quits. We got back in the car and prepared to drive away but first we reread the description and logs. There has only been 1 DNF in over 2 years and it is after all a cache dedicated to a birthday. Give it one more try. BINGO!! How did we miss it? We looked there at least three times each. We must have had our hands within inches. Anyway a fantastic hide! Thanks Kati for the challenge and the sense of accomplishment.
09/22/2013	You found  Road Kill		Visit Log
We came over to do some maintenance on our S2S Empire cache and to pick up a few on the way. This is a fun one! We discovered that the zip lock had a couple of holes in it (maybe chewed?) so we replaced it. Found the cache, signed the log and replaced as found. Thanks for the fun.
09/22/2013	You found  Another Crystal Clear View		Visit Log
On Mr Bend's birthday, we decided to enjoy brunch at the Brookside and then head over to Empire to do some cache maintenance. Since it's on the way, once again we decided to give this cache another try. It's just amazing how often we can search and search without success and then the position of our objective becomes clear and obvious. For this cache, today was the day. Erasing this DNF became a birthday present. Thanks Halanskis for the challenge and the reward.

Such a Disappointment, Wolverines - Happy Birthday Jana!

Seventeen Unanswered Power U-M to Victory at UConn

9/22/2013 - Postgame: Hoke | Gardner/Toussaint | Morgan | Photo Gallery
Seventeen unanswered points -- highlighted by a Desmond Morgan leaping interception and two rushing TDs from Fitzgerald Toussaint -- propelled No. 15 U-M to a 24-21 win at UConn. More [+]

Dick and I were really appalled at the incompetence of our team tonight.  It was so painful to watch the first half.  We watched in disbelief.  Dick kept rewinding to watch the plays again to try to figure out what was going wrong.  The blocking was atrocious - looked worse than high school.  Oh sure, it's a W, but it's nothing to be proud of.  I hope they all have a good bye week, and will be looking halfway decent when they start the Big Ten season.  Heavy sigh.

 

Happy birthday Jana!  We had fun on the phone, and she liked her present and cards - so in that way, it was a very good day!