This week we felt like we were on a sinking ship without a lifeboat. Michelle’s PET scan results came back, and they did not look good. The cancer is still ever present. The oncologist seemed a bit surprised at the results, expecting more cancer to be gone. She said that normally after 3 treatments she sees a much clearer PET scan. At the beginning of our journey, we had memories of hearing, “There is no remission”. Now we get the feeling that seeing no cancer in a PET scan is to be expected. We are both still confused by the crossed signals.
Michelle had another chemotherapy regiment this week. She says it sometimes feels like glue in her veins. No major side effects with this treatment except extreme exhaustion and depression. Her caretaker over medicated her one day, so this didn’t help either. The anti-nausea medication was to be given starting on day one of chemo x4 days not day one of chemo 4x a day. This medication is to be taken at bedtime because it makes you drowsy. Michelle was comfortably numb for a day until the meds wore off. Isn’t this the second week in a row where we’ve had a complaint about the caretaker?
Random Fact of the Week The first aquatic lifeboat design was patented in 1785. Mariners before 1785 often couldn’t swim. Better to die quickly, they said. Lifeboats are painted international orange, which is the exact opposite of blue. This is why life jackets are also orange.
Did you know? Michelle loves to drive. She has owned 7 cars since we have been together. Her favorite was the Solstice convertible. She wished it was faster but loved driving it. It holds a special place in her heart.
Throwback Love Story It was December 2012. Michelle and I were driving up to Minnesota. It was a rare winter appearance for us. Michelle grew up in Colorado, so she was no stranger to the snow or cold weather. She hates it. This was a special family gathering we did not want to miss, so we made the trip without hesitation.
The worst driving conditions we hit were in Texas believe it or not. We drove the sports car of course, with 303 HP at the front end. I loved my Pontiac, but it probably wasn’t the greatest car for bad road conditions. The snow started falling just as we reached the Dallas metro area. 2 lanes, soon drifted into just one. Eventually it was just 2 tire tracks, most of you can imagine that. Being from Minnesota I know how to drive in these conditions, I fear those around me who do not. Michelle was crocheting next to me, trusting that even though the conditions were rough, I had it under control.
We were traveling about 40 MPH when the tires lost traction and the car started to slide. I know not to brake and to turn into the slide. We are now sliding perpendicular down the interstate, I have my steering wheel cranked all the way to the right. I am looking directly at the southbound traffic and the ditch as we continue to gently slide forward yet perpendicular. I notice Michelle out of the corner of my eye, still crocheting. Finally coming to a dryer area in the road, the car responds, and we are once again facing forward. My quick sigh of relief was replaced with fear again as we started to spin the other direction this time. Once again, no brakes and turn into the slide. Steering wheel all the way to the left this time. I see the gas stations and hotels directly in my sights. Trying not to panic, I stay calm and hope for another dry patch. Again, Michelle is just crocheting away like nothing is happening. After what seemed like miles but was probably closer to 10 seconds, we hit a dry spot and the car corrected itself and we were back on course. No more issues for the rest of the trip. Once we were well out of the storm and the roads were clear I asked Michelle “How could you just sit there and be so calm, crocheting like you were watching the Vikings win the Superbowl?” Her response? “I stopped my stitch midstream and didn’t move. I was scared to respond, anything I said would not change what you were doing – I gave it up to God.” Classic Michelle.
Daytime Floaters “Painkillers” (Netflix), “Big Brother” (Paramount +), “The Lincoln Lawyer” (Netflix)
Primetime Lifers “Bad Sisters” (Apple TV). So far, we are enjoying the series. The Garvey sisters are bound together by the premature deaths of their parents and the promises they made to always protect one another.
“Special Ops: Lioness” (Paramount +) The season Finale was intense. “Volleyball” (YouTube TV) MN vs TX and TX vs Stan. “Thursday Night Football” (YouTube TV).
Dark Chocolate Bars
Cotton Candy
Assorted Fruit Slices
Pork Skillet
Red Beans and Rice
Turmeric Chicken
Fried Fish
Luck-n-Wings
Italian Sausage
Peas
Carrots
Rice
Noodles
Mixed Veggies
Cookies
Ice Cream
Lemonade
Water
Fruit Juice
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