Just a quick "hello" and neat sunset photo

Hi gang...

Just a quick note and a neat photo.

Dom is looking and feeling GREAT. We had a fun Friday- went to get my hair cut in Picayune, then shot into Bogalusa to try a new Mexican joint for lunch. Yo-Yo's. Yummy! Will never go to Maria's again.

Finished up with a beer at the L&C.

Spent the entire weekend "playing in the dirt" (as friend Fawn would say). Gardens ready to plant with veggies when we get home from Florida in a couple of weeks. Weeded, put down black plastic/mulch, and ready to go.

Heading to Bogy again tomorrow for my first "CROWN" on a molar. *cringing*

Tulane on Thursday for Dom's infusion. Man, what fun it is now that we only have to make an appearance once every 3 weeks.

Love to you all..... posting a pic of a recent kick-ass sunset here.

Pics I couldn't upload earlier

Spring Has Sprung

Hey gang....

Wanted to share a couple of pictures with y'all. Geez, I love this time of year....

Daffodils are starting to open, maw's Red Bud tree is in full bloom. Dad's Wisteria is going to be in full bloom in a few days.

**Hmmmmmm............seem to be having difficulty uploading pics to Blogger. Will keep trying.

Plumbing Headaches and a Pleasant Visit from Joe

Hi gang.

Can you believe that it's THURSDAY already? Man. Where does the time go?

All is well here. Wet, but good. 70 degrees and Balmy.

Since Dom's mom passed away, his Aunt Lou has continued living in her home. Now we seem to have a "new mamma". ;)

Her toilet backed up last week. Dom tried to fix it. No luck. Hired a plumber who THOUGHT he'd fixed it for about 150 bucks last Tuesday.

Aunt Lou called us on Friday. Toilet backed up again. *sighing*

Met said plumber at the house this past Tuesday. The guy snaked it, but couldn't figure out what the problem was. Dom told him that it HAD to be fixed, and he probably needed to lift the toilet.

The plumber found the TOP OF A CAN that fit perfectly in the pipes.... it acted as a "valve". They were able to snake it, but then it would close up. A CAN TOP! It had been opened with a can opener, so was either people or dog food. In the toilet! Jeez.... figure that one out. *sighing* So, IF "Drain Surgeon" deems that we owe them money, they'll send us a bill. Otherwise, no problem.

Picked up our taxes, did some banking then came home. It made for a long day.

Dom's cousin Joe (who I adore) stopped here yesterday for the night. He's driving to Los Angeles to pick up his Chinese fiancée who is flying in on Sunday night.... with a marriage Visa. I'm very happy for him. They're going to sightsee on the way home.... LA, Frisco, Vegas, Grand Canyon...etc. Should be quite exciting for her, as she has never been out of her country before.

So, had a nice visit, some good burgers on the grill, and then sent him on his way this morning.

Our Patient is in REMISSION!!!!!

Hi gang-

It's all smiles around here. On Tuesday afternoon our Susan (Dr. Safah's right-hand-gal) called to tell us that tests confirmed that Dom is in remission. Doc will go over "types of remission" and numbers with us when we see her next in about 5 weeks, but wanted to share the good news with us.

So, we had a very pleasant St. Patrick's Day. Corned beef dinner with plenty of cold beer.

Having grilled Rubens and bean soup for dinner tonite.

All is well!

Happy Friday. It is for us!

Test Results Still "PENDING"

Well, still no word from Tulane. As of Thursday, results were still "pending". *sighing*

It's been a busy, busy week.

On Wednesday, we had an appointment with our local VA patient advocate. She started the ball rolling on getting me medical insurance through the VA in the event that AT&T decides to drop retirees and their spouses. It'll be nice to have something to fall back on.

They also told us that Dom was up for a review in the near future. They designated him as 100% Disabled about 18 months ago. That will possibly change. If it does, there will be no free health insurance in my future.

As there is no "cure" for cancer, I can't understand how they'd change his disability rating. Time will tell- I'll keep y'all informed.

Feeling slightly let down, we drowned our sorrows with iced tea and Chinese Buffet in Bogalusa. Oink Oink.

Thursday was spent at Tulane for his infusion of Zometa. I gave our gals a heads-up with what's going on with the VA. Eventually they'll have to send info to the powers that be over there.

The Myeloma Beacon (link on the upper left of this page) is doing a 3 part series on CAREGIVING. They've seen this blog, and contacted me. (I was quite flattered).

I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with the sweet gal who is doing the writing....Funmi Adewale. We had a very pleasant conversation. If the Beacon uses any of the interview, I'll post a direct link.

Don't think that I posted this update.... was all set to have blood tests done to confirm that I was a match for a baby girl who needed my bone marrow for a stem cell transplant. I was elated. Sadly got a phone call saying that because I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, they threw me out. I literally cried, gang. From what I understand, people can go their whole lives after joining the registry (link upper left) without getting a phone call. I got that call in maybe 6 months.

So.... if this blog and the Myeloma Beacon interview can help anybody going through this, it will soften the blow of having been rejected as a donor.

Spent the weekend outside. I planted lettuce, a couple different kinds of radishes, pole beans and snow peas. Did alot of clean-up underneath dad's Live Oak tree. Stayed active.

That's my story. Hopefully I'll have test results later today.

XOXO

Waiting for the Big News....

Dom and I headed to Tulane on Thursday for our monthly appointment with Dr. Safah. They did some bloodwork and will test it to confirm that he's in REMISSION. God, I hope so. He looks good and feels good....we should find out something in about a week.

Years ago, Dom had surgery on his right shoulder... a torn rotater cuff. Now he finds that he can't lift his LEFT arm above shoulder level. Dr. S ordered an x-ray and will send it to his surgeon in Slidell. Personally, I'd prefer to keep everything at Tulane, but he likes the guy who did his right soldier. Dr. Jorge Sanchez. So, we're waiting to hear about the results of that, too.

Doc is very pleased with his health and told us that we can cut WAY down on visits. From now on, it'll be every 3 weeks for his infusion.... and every 6 weeks for Dr. Safah. What in the hell are we going to do with all of this spare time??? *smiling*

There was horrid traffic in the city, so drove up to the Lakefront, and took the "scenic route" into NOLA EAST for a change. My, how things have changed! Still so many homes unoccupied...all boarded up, lawns full of weeds. How sad.

I had a bad bout of insomnia the night before. Only had a couple hours of sleep, so took a nap on the way home from NOLA. Made a quick stop at WalMart in Picayune, then headed into Bogalusa for our favorite Chinese buffet.

Miss Piggy here outdid herself. Probably broke my own record of food consumption. I think that they cringe when they see me walking across the parking lot... "Hurry!!! More dumplings... more eggrolls!!! Here comes Jumbo!!!!".

Stopped at the L&C for 2 beers after eating. Very nice day.

I spent yesterday weeding all of our flower beds. First bit of real exercise I've had since swimming laps at the apartment last fall. Woke up this morning feeling VERY OLD and SORE.

Spent today getting the gardens weeded and ready to plant in a couple of weeks. We skipped our gardening last Spring, and are both excited about returning to "normal".

So.... my next post will probably be the results of Dom's latest test. Keep the prayers and good vibes coming, gang.... they seem to have done wonders!

Love to all of you:

Nan and Dom

Rolling Right Along Here......

All is well in Mudville. (Other than constant rain and wind- UGH).

Dom's INR was perfect last Thursday. 1.5. Just where his good doc wants him to be.

Had a very mellow weekend. Watched lots of scary movies (one of our favorite pastimes) and enjoyed our solitude. I made a kick-ass chicken thigh/shrimp/rosemary dish that is one of our favorites. Hadn't made it in a few years, but it didn't disappoint.

Heading off to Tulane on Thurs. for our monthly Doc appointment. If all goes as planned, they'll be testing Dom to see if he's finally in "REMISSION". He's now had 3 months of follow-up (maintenance) Thalidomide. Test time..... We can't remember how long it will take to get the results... guessing a week or 10 days. Kindly keep the prayers coming.

Again.... Dominic is doing well. Stomach is OK, no weakness.... all is well!