Engine Engine Number 9

OK, so it's not about trains.

 That's just the first thing that popped into my mind when I thought of the number 9.

 Could just as well have been "nine ladies dancing".

 Today was paracentesis number 9. co-starring Ultrasound Tech Lindy and radiologist Dr. Cannell. (sp?)   7 liters.

Historic Leelanau

08/05/2014	You found  Blue's 45th Clue		Visit Log
We came up from Traverse today for this multi so we can add the Sightseer Souvenir to our Trophy Case. It turned out to be a little harder than it should have been because first we lost coverage on our iPhone and Pad so we didn't have the cords with us. We had to drive to a place where the signal was strong enough for us to get the cords to load into the Garmin. That accomplished, stage 1 was found but the bone head loading the cords for the final kept punching in 45 which put me over 60 miles away. Eventually the light dawned and the bridge was located but the GPSr wanted me to search the wrong side. Finally, after a significantly longer search than should have been necessary, as I was about ready to give up, the "Well Duh!" moment arrived and the can was found. Took nothing, left our card and a small piece of stash, put the cache back where it was found and walked off with our first Souvenir of August. TFTC
08/05/2014	You found  Historic Caches of Leelanau County Challenge		Visit Log
Doing this cache was fun and full of memories. We learned of caching in the spring of 2003 and made our first find on Fathers Day, we were hooked. We made a caching excursion into our favorite county on our 46th wedding anniversary, June 22, 2003. On that run we found GCC1F9 - When Lumber was King, GC95B8 - Sleeping Bear Duneside, and Trashcan's GC911D - Bland Cemetery. We were back over on July 13 and found GCAED7 - Child's Play, and then on October 19 found GCGHV4 - Pierce Stocking overlook #1. We found the rest the next year, on May 2nd, datum's GC3DE6 - Rockin' Robin III, (We were the last finders before he posted that he wanted to archive it.) on May 24th we found GC9550 - Doggone cache, and then in August, on the 14th we found GCJPZN - Manitou Meanderings 1. Thanks for placing this cache and giving us a trip back in time. Made the find after waiting out a muggle dog walker. Took nothing, left our card and a plastic necklace and replaced as found.

You Must Pay the Rent

breakfast at flap jack shack

try whereigo

back woodsing

mail rent

family fare

adam and melanie kayaking

What a treat for you!  This is what my blog outlines look like :)

No Surgery, No TACE, No Condo

Jana's surgery has been postponed because of a blood test result.  Here's her Facebook post:

Errr ... Plan B. My surgeon did not like some of the numbers on my blood work, and canceled the surgery. So after a tiny tantrum and a massive pity party, Laurie and I declared it sister togetherness day and went to watch IMAX movies and visit the space shuttle at Udvar Hazy.

So the day wasn't a total loss :)

No plans for me either.  Dr. Mir called as promised. and reported that Dr. Ruch is out of town until next Tuesday.  The two of them have to discuss my case to decide what action to take next.  I'll most likely know next Tuesday or Wednesday.

We met Beccy at Lone Tree to tour a condo that's available.  It's not perfect, so we have mixed feelings about it...for a change!

The Dow, Jana and I

Today the Dow, Jana and I all  dropped 317 points.

 I had an appointment this morning with Dr. Mir, an interventional radiologist at Munson.  He is planning to do my next TACE procedure.  He was personable and friendly, but he said some things that did not seem very hopeful to me.  I like to stay positive and "up", but this meeting was kind of a downer, I can't really say why.

 Depending on a blood test that I took, he will call me tomorrow to set things up...or not.  We get different stories depending on which doctor we talk to.  I have either two tumors or three.  It has metastasized or not.  So I'm just being swept along with the flow of treatment without really knowing what we're dealing with.

Meanwhile, in D.C., there seems to be a question about whether Jana will have surgery tomorrow or not.  Evidently her blood glucose level is the determining factor.  She has dealt with all of the heart testing, the pulmonary testing, the sleep apnea testing for weeks and weeks now along with doctor appointments with all kinds of doctors too numerous to mention.  To have the surgery postponed or canceled because of a momentary high glucose reading is just unbearable.  She has worked so hard and missed so much work to get to this point - it's a real punch in the stomach - a really low blow.

Laurie arranged her whole family's schedules so that she could be with Jana tomorrow and for a few days following the surgery.  It really involved a lot of pre-planning for everyone, and it was worked out perfectly - the airline even cooperated.  It may have been a vain effort.

Dick is feeling very low.  Nothing seems to be working out for us - the condo situation, and the family health situation.  He feels like his world is falling apart.  I validate his feelings!

Even though it's not always easy!

Chicago Adventure

Laurie and Dylan spent a couple of days in Chicago before he flies home and Laurie flies to D.C. to be with Jana for a few days.  Here are some highlights!

The Bean

Lincoln Park Zoo

Dylan on top of the world!

Willis Tower

Architecture River Tour

Dino Duo

07/29/2014	You found  Reach Out And Touch Someone		Visit Log
Out today with the Dino Duo while the Chevy dealer was on a 4 hour mission to fix all the recalls on their GM mobile. We decided to celebrate the good news Mrs Bend has received from her oncologist by trying to help each other erase some Churinga DNF's. The Dude took me by the hand and practically pushed my face in to it. What amazing effort must have gone into placing this cache. I am definitely not a fan of micros but this one deserves a favorite.
07/29/2014	You couldn't find Gone Fishin'		Visit Log
As a general rule, we only post a single DNF for a cache which we can not find, even if we return and search a number of times. We first posted a DNF for this cache a year ago. Found the tool and had an idea of what to look for but blanked. Dino Duo, who had found it, saw our DNF and swung past to see if it was still there, they reported all was good. I came back solo another time last fall and again this spring. I even got the micro maven to crank up her walker and give me a hand last month. Finally, I emailed the Duo and begged them to give me a hand in person to help me overcome my Churinga nemesis. They came over today but, although they had spotted it twice before, apparently became infected by a case of BWB blindness and this time drew a blank. I've tried the best I could so I guess this one will just have to go on my ignore list.                                                     ************** After caching, they came over and picked me up.  We all went to lunch at Rico's.  Yummy and fun.

No Mo Chemo

Appointment with Dr. Ruch this morning.  He says to stop the Nexavar (yay) because we now have doctors here at Munson who can do the TACE.

 He reported the results of the CT  showed that the smaller tumor was gone.  This sounds like good news, but it remains to be seen.  Not sure just how relieved iIshould be.  Except it's definitely good news that I don't have to take the chemo anymore.  The effects will linger for a week or two, but should lessen as time goes by :)

Blueberry Bye Bye

Sniders were here for a fantastic blueberry pancake and bacon breakfast this morning.  Then Laurie and Dylan loaded their bags in the car, and they were off.

When the kids leave it always feels like the end of summer.  Very sad indeed.  So Dick and I are both feeling just a little bit lost and forlorn.  Fortunately, we still have our boring old selves for company :)

Friends

Our dear friends, Bill and Jan, Dennis and Chris drove up to see us this weekend.  Sniders arrived first, yesterday afternoon.  They couldn't believe how tall Dylan has gotten!  Isn't that always the way?

We spent most of the day chatting and reminiscing about old times and new times - family and friends.

 We got together with Dennis and Chris right around dinner time, and we all went to Boone's for dinner.  

Today all eight of us went to Round's for breakfast and we got a great table!  So much fun hearing everybody's stories and memories!

Afterwards we came out here to  the river - we checked out some of the samples that Laurie had brought home for the new condo.  Then we got out photo books and that caused a lot of entertaining conversation!  Dennis and Chris left for Brighton after a couple of hours.  It was so good of them to come up, and it was great to see them.  They have been dealing with problems caused by the renter who had been living in their house for 3 years - what a nightmare.  And Chris has to be in Gainesville by Tuesday to begin her new job at the University of Florida.

We were telling Sniders about how we were planning to drive Laurie and Dylan to Grand Rapids tomorrow to fly away.  They graciously offered to drive them down themselves in the morning!  How nice is that?

A marvelous time - old friends are the best.

Kitchen Choreography

This morning Laurie and I went shopping for counter tops, flooring and cabinets for our new condo.  (Yes, that Lone Tree condo which hasn't been started yet, but, oh well.)

At Kitchen Choreography we met with Erica, who works with our builder all of the time, and is familiar with the condos - spaces, sizes, etc.  She spent a lot of time with us and it was very much fun.  They allow you to take samples with you so that you can be sure of coordinating flooring and such.

For lunch we went to the Town Plaza on State St.  It was the perfect day to eat outside, and we had a very relaxing lunch.

Afterwards we went to Floor Covering Brokers and met with Deb.  She's another one who works with our builder and is super familiar with those condos.  It was so enjoyable to see what was available, and to coordinate with the samples from Kitchen Choreography.  Laurie loves doing that.  I had never shopped that way before, and I was very impressed.  And tired.

We went back home, and I opted for a rest.   Laurie went back out shopping.  She stopped at Nature's Edge, another Lone Tree supplier.  Laurie brought home more samples!

Bye Bye Chip

Chip packed up the pickup yesterday, and was ready to go this morning,  We all waved goodby, and another river summer has ended for Chip.  Bye bye.

Kayaking Day

Dylan is a real pro on the river.

Chip and Dylan helicoptering

I never realized that the train came this close to the water!  The train is called the U & BE  (Up and Back Empty)

Dunes Day

On top of Sleeping Bear

So much fun!

Somebody stole my hat!

At the Life Saving Station - Glen Haven

Waiting for the demo.

Goofballs don't fall far from the tree!

Dennos Day

We all enjoyed the Park art display at the Dennos today.  The wire sculptures were amazing.  I'm so glad that Laurie remembered to take pictures!

Wow

Just a little spooky!

Three art subjects arising out of the mist!

My favorite :)

We also enjoyed the Inuit display.  The parkas are amazingly beautiful.  I especially loved the carvings of the sea hunters which showed all of the netting, weapons and equipment the Inuit used out in the ocean hunting seals.

In the evening we were back at the Dennos in the Milliken Auditorium to see Catch Me if You Can, by Miracle Productions.  Such a very talented group!

Willie and Downtowm!

Our guys spent part of this day in glorious downtown Traverse City!  One great thing about GenFest is that you just never know who you'll run into!

Comparing T.C. Kilwin's to the one in Stuart!

Shelly with her favorite son :)

Some high class cousins/tourists from Florida, Kalamazoo and Texas!

Chip and Dylan with two T.C. landmarks - The State Theater and the Martinek's clock.

                                                             ***************

Munson Ultrasound was very crowded this morning.  I showed up for my eighth paracentesis with Candy the tech, and Dr. Gartland. This time they removed 7.5 liters of fluid, the most ever.  It seems odd to me, because I have cut down on fluids and I'm eating a low sodium diet...so wouldn't you think that the ascites would improve?  Guess not.

Anyway, my reward was Interlochen this evening...because it was Willie Nelson!!!  Oh, and Alison Krause and Union Station.  Alison was one of the opening acts, and she was splendid!  We both enjoyed her music very much.  She sang some old favorites (You Say It Best When You Say Nothing At All) and some new favorites, such as "I'm a Ghost in This House".  So enjoyable!

Of course Willie was the main attraction.  Since he is now 80 years old, he doesn't really sing the songs...he speaks them.  But he still plays a mean guitar.  He played one of my favorites, "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground".



Dick wanted him to play "Paul and Me", but he didn't this time.



It was a wonderful night at Interlochen.

Girls' Day Out

Cousins, a beautiful peninsula, perfect weather, a little wine tasting....what could be better?  Shelly and Laurie show California Amy the peninsula, the light house, and a couple of wineries.

Shelly and Amy

All three great cousins :)

GenFest 2014

The Peanut Gallery

All of Barb and Jim's grandchildren

Barb and Jim's entire family

Sharon and John's entire family

First, the Cherry Royale Parade :)

Our guys are parade ready :)

The best part of the whole parade - Dick walking with the Visitor Center folks.

At the cottage - kayaking to the island and back.

Tom and Deanna kayaked to the island too.

Tom and Deanna riverside :)

Thank you Sharon, John and all for another fantastic GenFest.

Tomson Dickery

Tom flew in this morning for Gen Fest.  Of course we were all happy to see him, but Dylan was especially excited.  Tom was able to catch a few winks on the "red eye", but he was able to take a nice nap this afternoon.

For dinner we had crock pot pork loin, and it was so good!

Tom's latest girlfriend Deanna didn't arrive until 10 p.m., so Dick and I decided to go to bed and meet her in the morning.

Arrival From the South!

Our Florida family pulled up in the big white pickup before 4:30 p.m.  They made really good time, and they said that their trip was an easy one this year.

I made a big pot of chili for dinner, so we were ready no matter what time they arrived.  The chili was yummy, and it was wonderful to have them all here again this summer.

Their beds are all ready, and for the first time, Dylan is sleeping on the sofa bed in the "playroom".  I'm so glad we have the room to do that.