December checkup, check!

So, Tuesday (a couple of days ago) I had a checkup with Dr. K, my surgery maintenance guy. I've been seeing him every three months, and now -- since it's been two years since my Jan. 5 surgery -- he's giving me a little more freedom. My next appointment with him will be in six months, and six months after that, etc. I totally LOVE these milestones! Hallelujah, baby!

Since I'm scheduled to see Dr. W-G, my oncologist, Jan. 13, Dr. K didn't do any lab work this time. Dr. W-G always checks the blood, so he thought we might as well just wait until then.

But everything's fine, which is always a relief. Even now. A friend who went through cancer treatment similar to mine recently asked me, "How long before you stop getting nervous about checkups?" I'm thinking "never." Another friend whose husband was treated successfully for cancer before me said he "generally likes the checkups more than he liked the chemo," which really puts it all in perspective!

But cancer, the "Big C," is serious business -- and usually a helluva wicked treatment -- so no one can blame us survivors for feeling the way we do.

It's truly wonderful, though, to be around to ring in another new year! I've promised myself I'll exercise more! Eat healthy! Get my fill of antioxidants! Learn yoga! Relax!

Happy 2011! What will YOU do this year?

Until next time ...
P

P.S. Thought I'd share a couple more iPhone photos from my trip to Florida last month. It sure would be nice to actually live there someday ...

I'm baaaack ...

Sorry I've been away so long. Been busy. It's Christmastime. I work full time. My two young-adult children are sort of demanding. ("Mom, what are we doing for dinner?" "Mom, will you go shopping with me?" "Mom, there's nothing to eat in this house!" "Mom, I've gotta leave. Would you throw my clothes in the dryer?") You get the picture.

Am I ready for Christmas? Psychologically, yes. Have I finished shopping? No. (My plan is to finish tomorrow.) Have I wrapped anything? No. (I'm starting tomorrow.) Have I mailed my Christmas cards? No. (Tomorrow. I promise.) Have I baked even one cookie? No. (Tomorrow. Everything happens tomorrow.)

Even though I'm not finished with all the prep work, I'm enjoying the special get-togethers, the Christmas carols, the all-around holiday joy. It's cold, but heck, I'm still here, so I can handle the cold and snow and ice. Bring it, baby!

Of course, I say that so easily because (full disclosure) I ENJOYED FOUR DAYS IN FLORIDA in mid-November. Went down to help my Psycho Sister celebrate a "milestone" birthday (and no, I won't say which one, but does it really matter?) and I've gotta say -- it was SUNNY AND WARM EVERY DAY. Amazing. The Gulf water (and OK, the pool, too) were a tad cool, so we only swam in the pool once, but we visited FOUR DIFFERENT BEACHES IN FOUR DAYS. Wow. Heaven. (See photos.)

We had seafood strudel oceanside -- and seafood lasagna, of course! -- and shrimp and clam chowder, strolled the beach, picked up shells and sharks' teeth, drank some wine, played some cards, laughed some laughs and just enjoyed life.

(Thanks, once again, Linda and Bob, for your hospitality. It is truly appreciated.)

So, yes, I can get through this winter. I can even enjoy it! Same with Christmas. Bring it on!

Until next time ...
P

Never-ending birthday

My cancer was diagnosed when I was 54. As of last week, I have now reached the ripe old age of 57. I'm still cancer-free, as far as I know. This, my friends, is FABULOUS!

"The older, the better" is my new motto, and age, I'm tellin' ya, is truly a state of mind. How old do you feel? OK, that's your true age. Do not worry about the number because the higher it is, the more years you have to make a difference in this old world. So, rock on ... and on ... and on ... and on, brothers and sisters!

This year my birthday is rockin' on and on. It started on my birthday eve (Nov. 3), when my saintly sister treated me to lunch, the funniest b-day card ever, some dark chocolate and a Starbucks gift card. Then we browsed the U City "Loop" on a beautiful afternoon and she bought me yet another gift that we found in an offbeat shop: a beautiful scarf (see photo of Hannah and me, wearing said scarf and showing off cake!).

The next day (Nov. 4), my actual b-day, I got an awesome card from my co-workers with so many nice sentiments I think I'll keep it on my desk all year long so I can read it over and over! Then, when I got home from work, Hannah had baked me a chocolate cake and there were gifts from her and Jim: a bottle of cabernet, a balloon, a card, two stemless wine glasses and some perfume I'd been wanting. Then, dinner at Outback, then we all watched a rented movie that turned out to be pretty stressful -- "Frozen," the story of three friends who get stuck on a ski lift in a storm for days. No one knows they're there, they have no phone, and all these horrible things keep happening. Trust me. Stressful.

Then, on Friday (Nov. 5), Dylan drove home from Columbia, so the four of us went out to dinner again -- to Macaroni Grill! It was an extremely fun night!

Now I'm looking forward to Wednesday (Nov. 10), when I'm flying down to my home-away-from-home, Venice, Fla., to help my saintly Psycho Sister celebrate HER birthday -- and mine again, ha! I'm staying four glorious days and it had better be sunny!

So, yeah, life is definitely a beach and birthday celebrations never really have to end, do they?

Until next time ...
P

Spooky stuff

It's Halloween -- and "Reformation Day," for you Lutherans -- so here's hoping you have a good one! I've had my pumpkin for a couple of weeks now, sitting on the front porch, and so far (I haven't checked today) no one's stolen it or smashed it in the street, so yay for crime-free Ballwin, Mo.! I'll be carving it later today, and putting in the candle, and getting the candy ready for the evening's spooky visitors. (And pouring a glass of wine for me.)

Hopefully, we'll have more than the FIVE kids we had last year ... (In previous years, we've had as many as 80! But lately the houses around mine don't participate -- instead, they turn their lights -- and hearts -- off. Sigh. So I guess that doesn't draw too many kids.)

Anyway, this year I am MAKING the trick-or-treaters tell me a joke (heck, WE had to do it when I was growing up!), but I will refrain from being a mean old witch. Instead, if they don't have a joke I'm going to GIVE them one that they can use all night, and maybe even next year! Here's a sample: "Why did the ghost go to the bar?" Answer: "To get BOOOOOZE!" Cute, huh? Or maybe it's too crude for little kids. Don't worry, I've got others. "Do zombies eat popcorn with their fingers?" Answer: "No, they eat their fingers separately!"

OK, OK, I'll keep my day job.

In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, I've been reading this sort of spooky book: Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms -- Who and What You See Before You Die, by David Kessler, who actually worked with Elisabeth Kubler Ross (no relation), the dying/grief expert.

In the book, Kessler interviews lots of people -- medical professionals, such as doctors and nurses, as well as regular folks. All of them, however, have witnessed so-called "death-bed visions." That means they were in the room with a dying person who saw -- and conversed with -- a dead relative or friend. (Only the dying person can see and talk to this "vision." But those who have been there say this doesn't seem to be induced by drugs -- they were convinced the dying person actually saw one or more dead people. Right there. In the room.)

Often it's the dying person's deceased mother who comes to visit, and apparently accompany her child to heaven. After this experience, the dying person usually dies within hours or days. And they die happy because their dead loved one has reassured them that the afterlife is simply wonderful and death is nothing to fear. Wow.

Sometimes there's a whole roomful of dead people visiting. A friend told me that her dying grandmother saw her dead sister, mother, the friend's brother, and said "they brought the babies" -- this dying grandmother had lost three babies in infancy many years before. Whoa.

The author, Kessler, says he was in the room when his father was dying. His father had been depressed and sad about his situation until he had a visit from his dead wife -- Kessler's mother -- who transformed his demeanor "from a hopeless dying man with only death in front of him to a hopeful man who was going to be reunited with the love of his life." Kessler says these experiences challenge the idea that we die alone, and asks, "What if the journey at the end of life is not a lonely path into eternity, but rather an incredible reunion with those we have loved and lost?"

I'm really not obsessed with death. But I've gotta say, this book is a pretty fascinating look at life and death, and the things that are still a mystery to us.

Until next time ...
P

Fraidy-cat

So, what is my problem? Every time I have a check-up with one of my cancer doctors, I get all nervous about it. Like, days ahead of time.

Maybe it's normal for someone who had Stage 3 cancer like me, to never quite feel like they're out of the woods. For good.

Or, maybe I'm just a weenie who remembers what it was like every time I came to the Siteman Center for my chemo. It really wasn't horrible, but it wasn't exactly fun, either. It was something I had to do in order to enjoy the cancer-free days I'm enjoying now. (OK, full disclosure: Sometimes it was fun!)

But, whenever anything reminds me of it, I get this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I guess that feeling was with me for an entire year while I was going through chemo and radiation, surgery, and more chemo. The feeling that I don't know what lies ahead.

My husband, Jim, made a music CD for me back when I was going through treatment. At the time, I enjoyed it a lot. The other day I tried to listen to it in my car and it brought back all of the angst I felt back then. Very unsettling. I had to take it out of the CD player. Don't know if I'll ever listen to it again.

Anyway, all of this is to say that today I had a check-up with Dr. K, my cancer maintenance guy. Everything is fine, truly, but boy was I nervous! It's just that I'm enjoying the heck out of being "normal." And I don't want to go back to being a "cancer patient."

I asked him about curing cancer in someone like me. Does he have other patients who've made it long-term? He smiled and said, "Lots of them. Colorectal cancer is very curable." Ahh. Just what I wanted to hear, doc.

Until next time ...
P

P.S. I decided to post a photo of the scar on my wrist, just because.

Plates and screws (oh my!)

OK, it's actually just one metal plate, but several screws, that are now permanently implanted in my left wrist! (See cool photos of the X-rays with this blog post!)

So, yes, the cast and splint are off and now my two-inch scar is really visible on the wrist (see next blog update for THAT photo!) and it's really, um, not too attractive ... In fact, I wonder if salespeople and others who don't know me see that long red line on my wrist and think I tried to commit suicide or something ...

But the bone is healing and I've now been officially released by the surgeon and the rehab people with "no restrictions" (Note to self: Be careful for the rest of your life!) so things are finally getting back to normal.

Well, sort of. The wrist is still pretty weak -- even though I'm using it. But it will be months and months before it's as strong as it once was. And that's OK! Because I don't have cancer! (See previous post.)

Speaking of the Big C, my next check-up with Dr. K, the maintenance guy, is in mid-October. Meanwhile, I'm feeling fine and life is good, so no complaints!

Hope all is well your way, too!

Until next time ...
P

Clear scan, baby!

YES!!! So, once again, the CT scan was all clear -- NO CANCER! -- so I am relieved and happy beyond belief and hopeful for the future and so very, very thankful to God and everyone who prayed on my behalf! Whew, this is absolutely awesome!

So, Thursday morning, I get my blood taken, get called into the exam room, sit there for probably 20 minutes, and I'm playing blackjack on my iPhone, and I'm winning big, and then I start losing and I'm wondering if that's foreshadowing of what Dr. W-G will have to tell me ... Will it be bad news? Is it taking so long for her to come in because she's trying to figure out a way to let me down gently?

So then she comes in and we chat a couple of minutes, and then she starts asking me how I broke my wrist, and I tell her, and then she asks if my hips or legs have been sore, and I (freaking out inside!) say no, not at all, in fact, I've been walking my 2 to 4 miles every day, no problem ...

And then she says those beautiful words "the scan is clear -- no cancer" and adds a "but" and my heart starts beating wildly again, and she adds that the scan shows a tiny fracture in my left pelvic bone! So, yeah, apparently I broke that, too, when I fell June 1 in Florida! Which doesn't surprise me at all, since I fell hard on that pavement! And I do recall having a sore hip for awhile back then ...

But at this point it's already healing and since it doesn't hurt at all, we're not worrying about it! But she advised me to get a bone-density test, which I've recently had -- and yes, my primary-care doc has already said he wants me to start taking Boniva, sheesh! -- so I guess that's what I'll do ...

Until next time ...
P

Scan time

Wow, here it is Aug. 1! Time sure flies! And now it's time for another CT scan, just to make sure all is as well as it appears to be ...

The scan is scheduled for bright and early Tuesday morning, Aug. 3, and then I'll get blood work and see Dr. W-G, my oncologist, on Thursday, Aug. 5.

I remember getting my first post-treatment scan, last fall, and thinking, as I drove to the doctor for the report, "This will either be the best day of my life or the worst." I'm sure I'll still be nervous about this one, but maybe not as much as that first time, when you're wondering if a year's worth of treatment actually worked ...

The thing is, I know the cancer could come back. But every year that goes by will be a blessing -- and just maybe a little more insurance that I've escaped the "big C" forever. We'll just have to wait and see.

In the meantime, life is good! I still have some numbness in the toes (from the chemo) -- and a bit of lymphedema (swelling) in the left leg (from the lymph-node surgery) -- but that's a small price to pay for your life! And it hasn't slowed me down one bit! I'm still dealing with the broken wrist, which has slowed me down some, ha, but it's getting stronger all the time -- each week when I go to rehab, they take measurements that show my range of motion is improving! So I guess I'd better get off this computer and do my exercises (sigh) so I can keep getting better ...

Until next time ...
P

P.S. Happy anniversary to me -- it's been almost exactly a year since my treatment ended!

Bye-bye cast

Just a quick update (from beautiful downtown Houston, where I'm on a lengthy business trip): When I saw the wrist surgeon a week ago, he took a look at my arm, removed the stitches, and pronounced that all is well. He knew I was leaving for this trip the next day, so, God bless him, he did NOT put on a new cast but instead I've got a removable splint. Cool. So I can take it off for showers.

The only problem is that I'm supposed to be doing finger and wrist exercises (rehab) FOUR TO SIX TIMES A DAY, sheesh -- who's got that much time when they're working 12-to-14-hour days at an-out-of-town convention??? So I'm doing it as much as I can -- twice a day, usually -- and that'll have to do until I get outta here on Saturday.

Anyway, I'm back to typing like a maniac (with both hands) and there's no pain, so things are working out. Recovery will take six weeks or more (sigh), so I've still gotta "baby" the left hand until then.

Thanks for checking on me!

Until next time ...
P

On the mend

So, I had the wrist surgery bright and early Monday morning, got home around noon, and had a couple bouts of nausea (yes, the toilet and I became very close) until dinner time, when my tummy finally settled down. Guess it was the anesthesia and it just had to wear off. Ended up taking pain meds and sleeping most of the day. Could barely move my left-hand fingers, which was a little unsettling.

Tuesday still had some pain, but I worked at home about three hours, typing with one hand (sigh). Took half the pain meds.

Wednesday still felt under the weather but no real pain, so discontinued the pain meds. Worked at home another three hours, and started using the left hand to type.

Thursday WORKED A FULL DAY at the office. Actually got back to two-handed typing (the left hand is working pretty darn good -- using the fingers now and I'm typing fast! Hallelujah!) ...

So I've got a four-day weekend, compliments of the employer, but I've got some catching up to do, work-wise, so brought my computer home. Like everyone, I'm enjoying these fall-like temps and the glorious sunshine! God is good! Gonna see "Wicked" with Hannah tomorrow night, then the Muny for "Titanic" on Monday, then I'm planning to start saving money, ha!

The plan for next week is office on Tuesday and Wednesday, see the surgeon for the first post-surgery check on Wednesday, then off to Houston for 10 days for work! But I'm feeling much better about the trip, now that I'm back to two-handed typing -- just hope airport security doesn't give me too much grief over the metal plate in (and probable new cast on) my arm!

Until next time ...
P

Another date with a surgeon

So, yeah, my wrist is still in a cast, but after a few follow-up X-rays the doctor thinks I should have surgery (sigh). So it's all set for Monday, June 28 (my dad's 87th birthday -- happy birthday, dad!). They're going to put a METAL PLATE in there, sheesh, but afterwards it should be stronger than ever (if you think I type fast now, just wait ... And don't ever cross me, either, because that left arm will be positively bionic ... ).

Anyway, it's outpatient surgery, scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. (I've gotta be there at 5:30, yikes!) at the big hospital, BJC. So I'm thinking I'll be home around noon.

I'd appreciate it if you'd keep me in your prayers!

Until next time ...
P

A new wrinkle

So, in the past two weeks since I've updated the old blog, I've:

* vacationed in Siesta Key (Sarasota), Florida, with my family,

* broken my left wrist (see disgusting photo of my misshapen arm at right), and

* begun treatment for the lymphedema in my left leg.

Gosh, life is SO interesting!

Yes, actually broke my wrist the very first night in Florida (who DOES that?) ... The four of us (me, Jim, Hannah, Dylan) had played tennis at a court on the beach, the lights went out @ 9 p.m. so we made our way back to the car and yours truly tripped over a curb/divider thing in the parking lot and fell flat!

God bless my family, who spent three hours in the ER at Sarasota General Hospital with me! I ended up just getting it splinted there, and saw an orthopedist when I got home who put it in a nice ocean-blue cast (you would be amazed at all the color options of casts today -- TWO shades of blue, plus red, orange, green, purple, black and white!) ...

So, I'll have it about six weeks, probably until late July. But the doc said I can use the fingers typing -- that typing would actually be GOOD for them (never would have guessed that!) -- and so I'm making do with having "an arm and a half."

The lymphedema treatment on my leg includes SIX long flesh-colored wraps -- lots of layers -- that make it look mummy-like and will be on for a couple of weeks, plus massage that's intended to work the "lymph" matter up to the nodes under my left arm. Fun!

But it was SO nice to get away to the beach! The kids were SO fun and we all had a great time, in spite of my mishap ...

Hope you're enjoying your summer as well -- and be careful out there!

Until next time ...
P

Lymphedema Ltd.

When I called my surgeon's office about my swollen leg, they gave me a referral to the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, this great place down by B-J Hospital that actually has a lymphedema clinic! The clinic is staffed by physical therapists who know everything there is to know about preventing -- and treating -- lymphedema! Who knew?

So I went in for a consultation on Wednesday, saw a therapist who took measurements of both my legs, and prescribed a treatment plan. I've got six appointments already -- twice a week for three weeks. She'll show me how to exercise and massage my bum leg, and how to wrap it tightly, which should make the swelling go down.

She explained to me how the massage is intended to work the "lymph" upward, toward my underarm lymph nodes, which will disperse it in the usual manner. Wow. The stuff I'm learning.

Anyway, I should be back to normal (was I ever?) in a few weeks. Hallelujah! And with all my new knowledge about preventing lymphedema, I may never have to worry about this again! (Yes, in my eyes, the glass is ALWAYS half-full!)

Until next time ...
P

A walkin' fool

Yes. That's me. Took part in the 12th Annual Cancer Survivorship Walk Saturday at Creve Coeur Park, along with my sister/nurse/maid/saint. Money raised benefited the Wellness Community, a great St. Louis organization that provides FREE resources to cancer patients and their families -- things like information, exercise and yoga classes, healthy cooking classes, support groups.

Anyway, there were two available walks: one mile and three miles. So, of course, I had to be a show-off and walk SIX MILES! Well, it was a gorgeous day -- sunny, maybe a little hot (but what the heck!) -- and part of the walk was right along the lake, with sailboats and kayaks and even a few white egrets looking for lunch. Ahh, it was nice.

So, of course, when we finished one-and-a-half miles, the road went on ahead, so we did, too! We finally stopped when we came to the Lakehouse Restaurant, with a deck that overlooks the water, so we stopped to rest and enjoy a strawberry smoothie. Ahh, that also was nice.

But then -- because the road ahead was flooded and we couldn't make the "circle," which would have been shorter -- we had to walk back the way we came. We figure we walked for at least two hours, not counting the resting part. And we probably walked at a rate of one mile every 20 minutes. So, 120 minutes equals 6 miles. At least.

By the time we got back to the car, we were really, really hot and really, really tired. And our "dogs were barkin'," if you know what I mean. In fact, the thousands of people who were there for the cancer walk when we started were all gone. So were their cars. We were rather late. Oh well.

So now my bum leg, the one that's missing a mess of lymph nodes, is swollen again. Lymphedema. Not too bad, but more than it was before. So, I'm going to get some brand-new, tight, compression stockings; elevate, elevate, elevate; do some massage; and hope it all works out. I'll probably call the doc tomorrow, too, in case he wants me to see someone about it.

But, hey, I'm still here. And I'm not just sitting around playing tiddly winks. But I might do that tomorrow ...

Until next time ...
P

Another blessing

So, I'm happy to report that the CEA (cancer) blood test of last Thursday is COMPLETELY NORMAL at 1.2 (anything under 3 is considered OK). And, also found out that the one I had a month ago -- when I saw Dr. K on March 24 -- also was 1.2! I'm ecstatic once again!

Thanks, friends and family, for your prayers and concern, and thank you, God, for your continued blessings in my life!

It's always a thrill to hear a good-health report, and another reminder of all I should be grateful for. Life isn't just good, it's damn wonderful!

Until next time ...
P

The plan

So, saw the oncologist, Dr. W-G, on Thursday, who said my bloodwork was good (except I forgot to call on Friday to find out about the CEA -- cancer -- test, so hoping to do that on Monday). She'd like to see me again in July, and do a CT scan then to make sure all is well.

That's the plan. It sounds good to me.

This past week I had some slight lymphedema (swelling) in my left leg -- the one that had most of its lymph nodes removed in January 2009. I think I brought it on when I stayed up 'til 2 a.m. Monday night finishing a story for our newspaper -- I was so engrossed in work, I neglected to elevate my leg at all that whole time! So, now I know -- don't do that anymore.

Anyway, after a few days -- and nights -- of "babying" it (mucho elevating, no long walks), this morning it seems pretty much back to normal.

I'm feeling fine (although still a bit of numbness in the toes from the chemo) and looking forward to warmer weather and good times! I've got a work trip to D.C. next week, and our family will be spending a week on the beach in June. Life is good.

Until next time ...
P

Doin' fine

OK, so it has been a MONTH since I last blogged, sheesh ... But if you REALLY want to know what's going on with me, Facebook is the place to be! That's where I post brief "status" info, photos, etc., almost on a daily basis, so the old blog is getting pushed to the side ...

Anyway, I guess I'm not ready to give it up entirely yet, since I'm still seeing doctors pretty regularly, so I'll give it a few more shots.

I'm doing fine, really well, actually, and I've got an appointment with my oncologist next Thursday -- just a check-up -- but I haven't seen her for about six months so I'm looking forward to it! You know, you see these doctors every couple of weeks for a year, they become like friends, so it's always nice to catch up with them!

But I'll post after that appointment, and we'll see after that.

Hannah's doing fine, too, and everyone else in the family, so we're truly blessed in 2010! Hope you are, too!

Until next time ...
P

Check-up

Today I had an appointment with my "maintenance" guy, Dr. K, who checked me over and said all is well. They took some blood for a CEA (cancer blood test) but I won't find out the results for a day or two. And, he wants to see me again in three months, sheesh. Apparently these doctors are not ready to set me free, which is a blessing, I'm sure.

Anyway, you know how they say five years is sort of the yardstick for knowing that you've beat the cancer? Well, I asked Dr. K "from what point do you start counting?" He said, "your surgery date." So, friends, since my surgery was Jan. 5, 2009, I've got a little more than a year behind me already! Time sure flies when you're having fun!

Until next time ...
P

Keeping cancer away

Today's lesson, boys and girls, is all about eating healthy. More specifically, eating in such a way that you are less likely to get cancer. Really important for some of us who've been down that road and don't want to repeat the experience.

(Oh, and I also posted a couple more pictures from my "spring break"!)

So, I feel compelled to share these tips from Dr. Karen Collins, nutrition adviser for the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. They're not complicated and make a lot of sense, and I've been following most of them without too much trouble. Eating like this -- combined with physical activity and weight control -- could prevent a third of all cancers, Collins says.

Here are some components of the so-called "protective diet":

* Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can, because they provide thousands of phytochemicals, which include antioxidants that seem to protect and repair our DNA. Some antioxidants even affect cancer cells, controlling how they grow or spread. And, the fruits and vegies don't have to be organic -- almost all (99 percent) of conventionally grown produce that even have pesticide residue (many don't have any) are considered safe to eat.

* There is a link between red meat and cancer, and even if you buy lean red meat, the risk is still there. The good news is, you don't have to give it up completely -- eating up to 18 oz. of red meat a week seems to be safe. There's an even stronger link, though, between processed meat (salted, cured, smoked, or treated with preservatives), so limit the bacon, sausage, pepperoni, bratwurst, bologna, salami, etc., as much as possible.

* Lots of salt also is risky, so keep it under 2,400 mg. a day (eating fewer processed or "boxed" foods is a big help). And, alcohol can increase the risk of several cancers, so the rule is no more than one drink a day for women, and no more than two for men.

* Fewer sweets. With the protective diet, you'll get most of your "dessert" from fruit, but an occasional cookie or piece of cake or chocolate or bowl of icecream is OK. (I'm trying, I'm trying ...)

* As far as drinks, water is the absolute best thing. And some tea and coffee are OK. But definitely nix the soda and other sugary drinks, and limit the fruit juice.

* Here's an easy way to picture a healthy, protective diet: Every time you eat, make sure two-thirds of your plate is made up of plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. The remaining one-third (or less) can be animal foods -- lean poultry, seafood, limited red meat.

Dr. Collins says it's now apparent that physical activity is vital in lowering cancer risk, as is maintaining a healthy weight. That means 30 to 60 minutes a day of moderate activity (brisk walking works!), and if you eat just 200 fewer calories a day, you'll lose weight!

Gee, typing all this has made me sort of hungry! Think I'll have an apple ...

Until next time ...
P

The kids are jealous

And they should be, for their mother -- a real techno-loser -- now has an iPhone! AND. THEY. DON'T. (As they like to remind me from time to time.)

Anyway, picked it up last night at the mall, and of course my 19-year-old son, home for the weekend from college, insisted on going along because just the thought of playing with an iPhone makes him all glassy-eyed and drooly.

So, yes, we strolled into the hip, cool, sleek, hardwood-floored Apple store -- me clutching my iPhone gift card (thanks, Jim!) and Dylan almost skipping, he was so happy to be there -- and were met by a very nice (and young, of course) sales guy, who showed me how to do a few things on the iPhone-but-so-much-more and answered my lame questions ("Oh, wow, this is an iPod, too?").

Dylan -- probably the funniest person I know -- said me getting an iPhone was like a crippled person getting a treadmill, and he is so right! It took me way longer than it should have just to link it to my Facebook page (another thing that freaks Dylan out, that his mother has FB!) ... But I should be all "good to go" now, and since Hannah and I will be in Florida this week -- Monday through Saturday -- there will be plenty of "down" time for me to play with this little "hand-held computer," which is really what it is. I'm planning to take some photos with it and post them to FB. Ah, technology -- it's a beautiful thing ...

Anyway, re: my health, the toes are still a little numb, but the fingers are pretty much back to normal. It's now been SEVEN MONTHS since I finished my chemo and life is just plain wonderful!

Until next time ...
P

'Senior' spring break

Yeah, so I'm going on "spring break" this year, thanks to Hannah! Nursing school is getting progressively more stressful, and her spring break is the first week of March, so she really wants to "go somewhere."

Last month, she and four girlfriends went to Las Vegas for six days (yes, I was a nervous wreck!), but they came back alive, thank God! As an added bonus, each of them got a $320 voucher from Southwest because the airline was overbooked so the girls had to take a later flight home.

Anyway, that beautiful $320 voucher went a long way toward paying for two roundtrip tickets to -- where else? -- Venice, Fla., my "home away from home." So, Hannah and lucky me are going down to visit my Psycho Sis and her hubby for six glorious days! Woo-hooooooooo!

We're just planning to go to the beach, hang out at the pool, and take it easy (although Hannah's bringing her books to get in some study time). Hopefully, she won't mind hanging out with the "older folks" (hey, we're young at heart!) and Hannah and I will still be talking to each other on the flight home ...

But it's always nice to have a "vacay" on the horizon, sort of like a life raft that's within reach for those hectic days when you need something to look forward to ...

So, thanks, Hannah -- and Linda and Bob (again!). I owe all of you big time!

Until next time ...
P

Hannah update

So, Hannah, who had a brain tumor removed last May, had a follow-up MRI last Thursday and she is A-OK! Thanks so much for your prayers and concern, and thanks to God for watching over her!

She'll get another MRI in a year, just to make sure all is well.

But the Rosses are "livin' the dream" in 2010 -- with good health all around -- so we feel very fortunate.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone, and be sure to share the love!

Until next time ...
P

I'm still here ...

Sorry I haven't blogged lately, mom and dad, but with work and kids and laundry and (fill in the blank), life is darn busy! But you know how I've been anyway, since the whole family got together for your 63rd wedding anniversary just last weekend. Yep, 18 of us, sitting around a long table at a steak restaurant, toasting the two of you, joking, laughing -- it was great! (In the photo at right are my mother and dad with yours truly at the anniversary dinner. The other photo shows our whole group!)

You know that all of your kids -- Joe, Connie, Pat (OK -- Roger!), John, and me -- feel so blessed to still have you in our lives. It didn't really hit me how special it is to have the whole family together until the two women sitting at the table behind me starting asking questions: "How many years have they been married?" ("63." "Wow, that's amazing!") "How many kids?" ("Five. And we're all here, with the grandkids." "How wonderful!") I don't know too many people my age who still have both of their parents -- and all of their siblings -- so the Schlueter clan is blessed indeed!

The two of you are a perfect team: A dad who's not afraid to tackle a problem and find a solution, who's always there for his kids -- no matter how old they are, whose sense of humor rivals that of any stand-up comedian, and who always sees the best in his children and grandchildren. And a no-nonsense Mother who "calls it like she sees it," can figure out just about anything, always has a freshly baked (and delicious!) dessert ready when you visit, and is always smiling! Who could ask for more in a set of parents?

So, congratulations on your milestone anniversary, Walt and Pauline! We love you more than you know!

Until next time ...
P

More good news

So, I got a call this morning from Dr. L's office (she's the one who did my colonoscopy and removed the polyp last week) and got more good news! The polyp was benign -- no pre-cancer, no post-cancer, no cancer at all! Yay!

So, just thought I'd share this latest wonderful report!

Thanks again for your prayers and good wishes! Life is good!

Until next time ...
P

It's over

So, the colonoscopy procedure is over and I finally got to eat something after a day of liquids (and laxatives) and another day of absolutely nothing! Whew, that "prep" is something else ...

Anyway, it's over, and they did find one tiny polyp -- about the size of a pea -- so they removed it and sent it to pathology. They want me to get another colonoscopy "for screening purposes" in a year. They are watching me like a hawk.

So, guess what drug they used to knock me out? Propofol! The same thing that knocked Michael Jackson out forever. I gotta say, though, it was extremely enjoyable -- and effective -- so I can see why he liked it.

That's it for now -- thanks for checking on me!

Until next time ...
P

Checkin' the colon

Yes, even though I'm cancer-free, the screenings continue ... In fact, they're probably more important than ever now ...

Wednesday is my "big day" of preparing for my colonoscopy, so I'm planning to work until 1 p.m., then come home and start the, um, "preparation" ... So, as many of you know, that means drinking some stuff, taking some pills, and staying close to a bathroom (sigh) ...

The actual procedure is scheduled for 2:15 Thursday, at B-J West, with yet another new doctor, Dr. L (I've got quite the collection of docs now, let's see, about SIX now). And, hopefully, Dr. L won't find anything out of the ordinary, but if she does, she can snip that sucker right outta there!

Right now, life is truly grand, although it's a little on the cold side, but, hey -- that's a minor inconvenience and temporary ...

Hope you're having a great new year, as I am!

Until next time ...
P

Doctor, doctor

Yes! TWO doctors in one day! Double the fun!

So, a couple of days ago I saw Dr. K again (the "maintenance" guy who's taking the place of my primary surgeon). He says I'm doing great and wants to see me again in three months, the end of March. He sent me to the lab so they could draw blood for a cancer blood test, and his office will let me know how that turns out.

And, I'm now scheduled for a colonoscopy on Jan. 14 (gotta keep up with all the various screening tests, you know) ...

A few hours later, Doc Number Two, Dr. P, the physical therapy doctor, checked over my bum leg to see why it still hurts from time to time when I put pressure on it. She even took an X-ray of my pelvis, which showed that I have good bones (yay for good news!) but that my hips have some congenital "thing" that makes my walk a little "off" (OK, she actually used medical terminology, but this is the best I can do!), and, even though the X-ray didn't confirm it, she suspects that I tore some cartilage in my upper thigh, which is why it's still hurting some two months later, sheesh.

Anyway, she gave me the name of a physical therapist who can hopefully fix my problem with exercise (in lieu of surgery), and I'm all for that! So I'll see him sometime soon.

She also said I could walk my two-mile route again, if I feel up to it, so I'm going to play it by ear and do it as much as I can. This leg thing is so weird, though. Two days ago, it didn't hurt at all. Today, it does. Go figure.

Until next time ...
P