Today is Friday, March 11th

Thurs. was jammed packed with work and forcing my hairs back to normal... all I really wanted was a nap all day... when I finally arrived home, I was too tired to sleep... relaxed a bit and then, grilled some beautiful asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, cherry pie for dessert.. before I could rest, I had several things I had to do and finally, turned the light out at 10:30.

 Narrowly escaping the tsunami we made our way over the hill... verry early this morning... Dayna had called at 2:30AM to ask if we knew about the tsunami heading our way... no, we were deeply dreaming at the time.. Now folks we happen to be about 100 feet above the sea, set back from the bluff a block.... tank God!  Michael phoned @4:45AM... why aren't these people sleeping?!!!!  Jayne even checked in from Mexico while working on her tan....So, we left our boy Riley to fend for himself ... he can swim, I tell you!  The most amazing sight as we crested the summit of 17... there were hundreds of cars parked on both sides of the freeway and lots of folks just standing there.... fugitives of beach flats??  awaiting the sights?  I was dumbfounded... somebody could have made a lot of money selling breakfast treats...so we called Gary to alert him to the opportunity... sorry, I'm making light of a tragedy.. We saw some CNN footage upon our arrival... God help the poor Japanese! 8.9 Earthquake!!  That is truly mind blowing!  The Pacific coastline seems to have survived unscathed...

We've been here at Stanford since 7:15 AM and Tracy has been quite the trooper!  His numbers are way up... neutraphils are up to 4400!!! and his overall white cell count is 4.8.  Yahoo!  So, they're throwing everything at him... he's had an anti- nausea pill, spinal tap with chemo,  cytorabine, then, an IV of vincristine and an IV of saline... all over the course of many hours...  My man is tough and right now, he's lying in a bed with multiple blankets and two IV's feeding him.... I thank God for his resilience!!   I'm a little punchy... I took a walk awhile ago to find the elusive Mexican bistro... and lo and behold!  great turkey, guacamole, beans etc. wraps!  T had wanted something different and he actually ate half.. could have ordered one for both of us... but they're Riley treats now...  can't wait  to go home...

The good news:  Tracy has finally started the next phase of treatment... we hope!!  I'm gonna drive him tomorrow and Tom will drive Sun. (so I can hold an open house at my listing at 207 Toledo Drive)  and John will drive Mon.  Then, 3 days off and he starts the cycle again on Fri., Sat., Sun, Mon.  Keep your prayers coming and healing white light surrounding Mr. T.  Rides needed...

Today is Wednesday, March 9th

whiz by, that's the last two days... Tuesday was a day of phone calls and catching up and today we heard from Janell... Tracy is due very early 7:20AM at Stanford on Friday.  It will be a very long day and we're ready... I've been warned not to let the highs and the extreme lows get to me... I really don't know how else to deal with the roller coaster...if anyone has a clue, I'm listening...

I finally yielded to pain today... I had a sinus headache that was the worst I've experienced... went looking for relief and first, did a sinus rinse... then, took an Allegra-D that expired 3 years ago.  Guess the sinus rinses have been working for several years now and I finally had relief.  I recycled the allergy medicine... sinus rinse here I come...

My broadcast on the First Person Singular show was sooo cool!  It's amazing to hear me on the radio!  I feel like I've finally done something in this war against the middle class ethic.  Who knows if it will accomplish anything but at least I've tried...  I'm a tired girl...

Tracy had his first session with Kate Perkins for acupuncture today.  He's set up for more sessions to come and he replaced the woofers in his audio speakers then, laid back... smelling the aroma of the roasting chicken with garlic, red potatoes, brussel sprouts and onions...  an early night for two tired folks...

Today is Monday, March 7th

What a difference a day makes... 24 little hours... attitude adjustment has been made by all... We're so thankful and hopeful!

Spent the day organizing my contacts in my Outlook file.  Made a pretty good dent in it while I contacted folks that hadn't heard from me in awhile.  I enjoy new tools and I must say the Office suite for the mac is already making my life easier!

Tracy is more at ease and content... he's making chicken dumplings for us... love that man of mine!!!

White light has encircled our world....

Sunday, March 6th

Unbelievable... what a roller coaster ride!!!  We hung around yesterday at Stanford to get T's lab results... just in case he needed blood or platelets.  Surprise!!!    His numbers are up: 4.4 White Cell Count (Normal 4-11)  AND Neutraphils 2700!!!!!  Last week neutraphils were 300....  well, we hooted and hollered and in shock, went to Gary & Dee's and loved everyone and everything!!!

Awoke today to a rainy day and more calls celebrating the good news!!  We spent the day relaxing... listening to Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon, just enjoying each others company....  gonna do that for a long time.... love to all!!!

Today is Saturday, March 5th

Friday was a day of recovery!  T & A needed a day off!  Crystal clear & sunny Rio del Mar beach with Riley, the ever ready bundle of energy jumping for joy!  Saw a very large otter close to shore and caught up with our neighbor, Worth... home to relax, email, eat, Wii boxing, tennis & bowling & "Gosford Park" streamed into the TV via Netflix on our Wii console... interesting confrontation, possibly the last time we'll deal with Dr. Alexander's office people... what a bunch of insensitive, lazy boobs!!!  I read the riot act to the office manager and gotta say, it felt good!  In very direct non swearing words (man, did I want to say go f__k yourself but didn't)  I let them know that their behavior was unacceptable and that I was done trying.  I had asked if T could go to the office for a PICC line dressing change.  The incompetent receptionist replied "that since he's not being treated by this office; they'd be unable to service him.  They would have to get Blue Shield authorization" to perform this simple but very necessary function & they weren't having it.  Well, I made myself very clear to both the receptionist & then, the office manager. " T has been a patient there for over 10 years.  Dr. A referred him to Stanford for treatment and treated him in Jan. when he was rushed to Dominican hospital.  You apparently don't want our business and we'll be sure not to continue giving you our business.  You need some SENSITIVITY training!!!!" ... as T listened and approved my firm rebuke of their inexcusable behavior.  Then T called our GP at Santa Cruz Medical and asked for a referral to Dr. Wu, T's new oncologist.  Dr. Nassaralla called back within the hour to speak to us and make sure it wasn't an emergency.  That's what I'm talking about!!!!  So, tomorrow we'll go to Stanford for the dressing change & blood tests and we will also begin the shift to a new Santa Cruz oncologist for emergencies.

Saturday we awoke with a purpose!  Noon appointment at KUSP  to record my latest piece in the middle of their fund drive.  It will be broadcast on Wed., the 9th at 7:30- 7:40AM and 4:30- 4:40PM on FM 88.9.  Please click here for your listening pleasure Who's Kidding Whom?

And now we're at Stanford for T's dressing change and labs...  swift, efficient and great attention to care!

We'll be stopping at the Reed's on the way home.  T wants to attempt to alter the faucets for our guest bath on Gary's lathe.  We realized way too late that we hadn't ordered these horrible faucets and they make turning the water on & off virtually impossible if your hands are wet.  So, we get to see Gary & Deanna, even if T has to wear his mask... no kisses or hugs. ... but so important to his well being!!!

Love, peace and good health to all!!!

Today is Thursday, March 3rd

  I was on Broker's Tour today and was about to drive to Boulder Creek for a noon meeting with the appraiser, when I heard a dog bark.  Finally our angel, Janell had called T.  OMG!!!!  I took a deep breath as Tracy said "we're still in REMISSION!!!"... I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath and/or shallow breathing since last Fri.... not to mention the never ending tears...  Tracy is still free of the freaking leukemia even after all of the twisted turns of the last several months!  Now Bruno et al will have to figure out the puzzle... why aren't his nutraphils recovering as quickly as they should be?  Any ideas?

The rest of the day was a blur... I cried and then, sang at the top of my lungs with the wind rushing into the open windows all the way to Boulder Creek.  Mike and Janet's home will be quite a showplace when they're through with it.  Finished up the tour as my stomach was in knots.... accida to the nth degree... that's how I deal with stress... sweet Lila brought dinner over on her way to happy hour as I took antiacids & pepto-bismal & relaxed.  We were both so wiped out; we took a nap... then dinner, email and hopefully, a good night's sleep....  looking forward to the next step in the process and thanking the sweet Lord for REMISSION!!!

Today is Wednesday, March 2nd

Waiting...the vexing wait for the bone marrow biopsy results is making an already crazy person NUTS!!!  

So, in the meantime:  Monday was a day of work related phone calls while Tracy rested up. Uneventful other than a bonehead (that would be me) recorded the red carpet and didn't change the channel so, none of the actual Oscar show was recorded... oh well...

Tuesday was a crisp, cold and clear day on the coast.  We decided to go to the beach and enjoy it so, we piled into the blue bomber after Tracy replaced the bulb for the left hand turn signal (I grew up calling it an "indicator" but that sounds so old fashioned now) ... yes, Ace Hardware still stocks bulbs for a 22 year old car that is a wonder... it runs beautifully and is fun to drive with Riley so excited he almost sings!!!

Tracy & Riley, the Wonder Dog

Riley reaching for the sky (T is 6'4")

Tracy taking a break at Rio del Mar beach 

Man and his dog 

Rio del Mar beach was ours to enjoy... upon seeing a huge gathering of birds sitting on top of a seemingly flat area not very far from the shore;  we knew we were in for a treat.... very soon we saw black fins cresting the water.  A school of dolphins had found the feeding area too as they skimmed the waves we took that as a portend of good news... hope and faith in T's indomitable spirit...

T decided it was time so we ambled back home.  He decided he'd clean the mold off his beloved blue bomber with ammonia & a brush (sitting for months with one side in the shade caused the mold to grow) as I washed Riley, the wonder dog...  then, with a quick stop at the office to pick up a couple faxes for my short sale;  I went to see Cathy Sy who untwisted my tormented body, and finally, Whole Foods for un-sulphured apricots, liverwurst requested by T (yuck!), sourdough bread, organic berry pie and bananas and home to my sweet man...  T had set up the game of Life and we enjoyed a quick turn around the board as T kicked my novice butt!

Last stop for the day... ran down to Watsonville to pick up the rents.  Learned we have to replace the original windows on our Craftsman homes soon... Tracy will be making some phone calls today to figure that one out as we don't want our tenants to suffer through the cold and wet.  Hopefully, there's a government program (some would call that socialism; I call that lovely ) to help defray the cost.  Anyway, it must be done and soon.  Picked up a fish & chips dinner to share from the much missed Wooden Nickel (we haven't been there in at least 5 months) and home to an early evening...

We're still waiting for the news .. keep the white light surrounding T and thee...