10 years

It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years but this week it has.
Way back in August of 2002 besides going on our very first cruise and deciding we love it, the end of the summer held some other surprises for us. After a few months and a few doctors, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer or as they refer to it, Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. From diagnosis to surgery took a matter of less than a month.
Sept 16, 2002 I had my very first ever surgery. Having to be at the hospital at 6:30 AM was not enjoyable. Can’t really say any of that day was enjoyable. I don’t recall much between walking into the operating room and laying down on the table, and slowly waking up in recovery. I DO however remember very vividly the “gurney pusher”, whom I swear was her first time ever wheeling one of those around, slamming my gurney into at a minimum 3 walls and 1 elevator. Needless to say the combination of coming out of the anesthesia and the wall bashing, I lost what little was floating around inside me. Keep in mind the surgery was on my throat. I had stitches and a drain coming out of the incision, which was pinned to my hospital gown.

Dinner finally arrived, I took one look and nearly lost it again. I couldn’t understand why my plate was covered in what I believe to have been meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Whoever placed that order must have forgot In had just had surgery on my neck. So I did the best thing I knew to do, I called my mom (since the hubby was in class that night) and asked her to bring me a chocolate milkshake for dinner. I knew that would go down easy.

3 weeks after my surgery I was scheduled for an overnight hospital stay in order to have a Radioactive Iodine treatment to be sure no stray pieces of thyroid remained in my neck, or other strange areas of my body. It’s true they claim there could have been a piece in my big toe! After this overnight I had to spend the next week sleeping on the couch and peeing sitting down. The radiation half life was about a week, and it worked it’s way out of my body and could have been in my sweat and other liquids.

I was released the next day, and sent home with an appointment to see an endocrinologist within the next couple days. The first one I saw didn’t sit well with me after the first appointment so I called the office to register my dissatisfaction and made my follow up with a different doctor in the practice. To this day I have been extremely happy with him, aside from the fact I have seen him at least 1-2 times a year for the last 10 years. One day he promises to push off seeing me to once every 3 years. I will believe it when I see it.

It’s been an interesting road these past 10 years.  The first 5 years included multiple medication dosage changes, and a week long follow up process of Dr. visits, hospital visits, radioactive iodine pills, and full body scans. Do I complain about seeing Dr S every year, yeah I do. Am I REALLY upset about it, no I’m not. I know I am getting the follow up and attention I deserve to get. Plus Dr S is pretty handsome so……

So yeah 10 years. Seems so long ago……

Tune in next time

When you’ll hear Nurse Piggy say..

So there is no Nurse Piggy. And there is no good excuse for my lack of blogging other than its been busy nights and busy days.

So after the fabulous concert a couple weeks ago social things slowed down. We celebrates Moms birthday and gave my parents a reason to use the newly expanded deck. Another month end came and went at the office.

Labor day weekend we did more spackling and painting. Sunday between coats of paint we meg some friends for lunch and a lovely afternoon at a local winery. The food was delicious but then it always is at The American Pie Cafe. I had one of their specials, Munich Eggs Benedict. Poached Eggs on top of Bratwurst on top of potato Pancakes covered in Hollandaise. Oh my word.

On Labor Day we did manage to spend a nice afternoon with our friends who host Gayme Night. It was good to get some time with them without a large group.

That same week Drum Corps rehearsals started back up. We only have 3 more turn outs for the season until next May. I hope these last 3 aren’t nearly as bad as the parade from last weekend. I don’t recall there being rain in the forecast but oh was there rain.

The hubby was supposed to go with me and watch the niece but since it down poured earlier in the morning and wasn’t supposed stop until Sunday he was just as happy keeping them at our house. He and the niece and nephew went out for lunch. Those of us at the parade crashed a 5 year olds birthday party. We were milling about at the parade line up when the skies opened. We sought shelter in a garage of the nice house. Along with a dry spot out of the rain we got chips, salsa, guacamole, soda, towels, offered a pizza and wonderful hospitality from strangers. We passed on the pizza and played them a song just before lining up and marching. At this time the rain had stopped, but not for long. About halfway through the parade it poured again.

After the parade the hubby and I went to Gayme Night. It was a smaller crowd this month but still a good time. We played Cards Against Humanity again and a game that The Game Night Guys podcast had let me borrow called Faggles to Faggles. The only words I can use to describe are Awesomely Dirty.

Sunday was errands day and then we started the week all over again. It’s another drum corps rehearsal night last night. We have a parade coming up Sunday that looks to be a long one. A trip into the city Saturday night but score that a Doggie Meet and Greet. We need to find foster Buzz a home.

Straight No Chaser

On Saturday evening the Hubby and I had tickets to see one of my favorite singing groups  Straight No Chaser. The group is an All Male A Capella Group who started out at Indiana University. I stumbled upon them a couple years ago when their 12 Days of Christmas YouTube video went viral.

Below are some pics from the concert and a video I took of one of my favorite songs they cover.

The concert was held at an outdoor venue located on the property of the local college. The stage actually sits out in the pond and is “floating”. As you can see we had excellent seats, only thing separating us from them was the Moat as they called it.

Another one in books

It’s been a week. A good week but a week none the less.

As I mentioned in my last post we were going out to dinner with my parents for their anniversary. It was a nice night and good to spend some time without the rest of the siblings. My Mom decided she wanted to try a new restaurant that opened a few weeks ago, a Steak and Seafood place. This is a new restaurant but the owner/manager is related to another local restaurant which has a great reputation so we had semi high expectations.

I started with the Meat Ball trio appetizer, the presentation was nice and the meatballs were really good.

For my entree I had to order the Short Ribs. I  love short ribs but never seem to be able to cook them at home as well as they do at restaurants.

Naturally dessert was in order since it was a special occasion, this was the Chocolate Mousse.

Saturday night was another parade night for us. As is usual for this particular fire dept we marched for we were near the tail end of the parade. The parade started at 5:30 we were done around 7:30 so the sun had mostly set and the heat was bearable.

We have finally started the painting project in the house. I will be doing before and after shots once we have finished. The paint was purchased last weekend and Sunday afternoon I washed down all the walls and did the taping prep so that Monday night we could actually get paint on the walls. We did one coat on Monday night then a 2nd coat on Weds night so we are mostly done with half of 1 room. There are 2 rooms connected by a large doorway that we are carrying the same paint combinations through. I think it will look really good once we are done, but more painting is on the horizon for this weekend.

Tuesday night the Hubby watched our niece and nephew while my brother and I were at the final rehearsal for the Drum Corps Concert on the Green. The concert was last night and I am happy to say it went very well. Since I am not a playing member of the group just the Drum Major, I acted as MC for the evening. Our musical director conducted the 10 songs while I read snippets of Corps history and facts about the songs we were playing. Public speaking is not high on my list of things I enjoy, but others said I did very well.

This week we also had a visitor arrive at the house for a short stay. Buzz is our 6th foster greyhound we have had in the last 2 years. We had originally planned to take a slight break (which we did for a couple months) but they were in need of some homes so we decided we could take him in. So far he has settled in nicely although he has only been with us since Wednesday night.

The weekend looks to be shaping up nicely. Saturday night we have tickets to go see one of my favorite singing groups Straight No Chaser. They are an all male A Cappella group. The concert is at an outdoor arena at the local college. We have actual seats where as others (including my best girlfriend) have seats out on the lawn. It feels like forever ago when I purchased these tickets, I think it was back in March. Fan Club pre orders are the best!

Sunday is Moms Birthday and her and my Dad are using it as an opportunity to christen the new Deck they built. Well OK they didn’t build it my uncle did, and it was more of an expansion than a brand new deck. It should be nice now that we won’t all be squished together, with 5 siblings, spouses, and grandkids it can get crowded.

That’s all I’ve got for now, catch you on the flip side.

 

It’s oh so quiet

Surprisingly I haven’t really had a lot to say. Not too much exciting has been happening. Guess I’ll give a quick rundown.
We cam back from Grapehounds, with plenty to restock the wine shelves with. The pups I think have finally recovered. We had the floors refinished while we were gone, made send 2 months ago. No one here not even the dogs, it became not a good idea as we spent 3 nights moving every last piece of furniture and inside doors out of the living area.

I will say though the idea turned back to good when I saw how great they came out.

A quick 2 days at work then the Hubby and I attended a Company Family Picnic sponsored by The Mothership. The worst part was the bus ride home from New Jersey. The best part? Getting paid to Eat and lounge by a pool all day.

Last week the Hubby had to go down to visit his Mom who was having surgery. All went well but the puppies and I missed him. While he was gone I had 1 parade to keep me busy. Found out later that night that we Won Best Overall Musical Unit. This was a good deal going into our next parade last Friday which was a convention. I haven’t heard if we won any trophies or how our fire dept did either.
Saturday was our friends Monthly Gayme Night. This one marked the 3rd Anniversary. The hosts decided they wanted to do a meal and start and hour earlier. The Hubby made his fabulous Smoked Pork and I made a Brownie, butterscotch pudding Trifle. It got rave reviews and no one (but a select few) knew it was Gluten Free and the pudding made with Almond Milk so it was healthier.

Along with the food, I bought a new game to play. I had heard of Cards Against Humanity on a podcast I listen to called The Game Night Guys. The game was a huge hit and will be a staple at future game nights I’m sure.

Sunday the hubby did a little weeding then off we went to the Home Improvement stores to look at paint. We have also now decided since the house is empty (still) we may as well paint the rooms. Not sure when we will finish, since we haven’t started yet.
Today was chock full of excitement as not only did I have my Mid Year Review, but the Traveling Sundae Bus stopped by for an afternoon Ice Cream Sundae break.

Friday night we are expanding our usual date night to join my parents for dinner for their 39th Anniversary. Saturday night is another parade. Let’s hope the humidity stays at bay for a while, those uniforms get hot!

That’s about it for now….comment if you like or not.

I’ll leave you with a self pic from late in the night of Gayme Night.