Hi there friends,
Last evening Anne took 2 Ativan for nausea around 7pm, and that was a good time for me to head home. I knew it would put her near dreamland.
Around noon yesterday I had given away my ticket to the Celtics opening game last night, so I went home and watched it on TV. Funny how things work out since they don't have comcast sports net/boston on the TV here in the hospital.
I didn't worry last night, and when I called this morning the nurse said Anne had a great nite of rest, and she was sleeping. She had spent time in a recliner with help before I got here. I got in at 11:30 today (feels like a day off) and she was back in bed. Her brother Bobby was here. He's been sneaking in for quick visits lately.
The nurse, Ty, asked Anne if she was hungry and she said yes. It's the first time she's wanted to hear the words 'food' or 'drink' for 7 days. Ty read the lunch menu to her, first entrees, then vegs, then drinks. Anne very slowly answered each time with her preferences. She had a small amount of broccoli, and baked potato. I don't think she liked the gravy on the pot roast. She lit up when I broke out a small piece of the edge of a coffee roll I picked up for her at DD this mornin. She ate that too, drank her small lemonade, and said 'that's enough'.
I totally figured that since she actually enjoyed the food, that her stomach would make her 'pay the price'. I'm wrong so far (knock on wood). She is snoring right now, sleeping good. She was in and out before lunch, but in dreamland now. If she tolerates that food I'd classify it as a miracle.
Dr. Evans came in and is happy with what he sees. He said the swelling in her legs and feet will take at least a couple of weeks to go away. He said they cancelled the CT-Scan yesterday, 1.) because her test results have improved so much, and 2.) because they're no longer highly concerned about the clot. He said they fully expect the drugs to clear that up. I thought it was a dreadful sounding thing, and he calmed me down.
I want you all to know that our prayers are being answered. Thank you so much for those. There's hardly anthing else anyone can do, therefore nothing as important. Thanks again everybody, and a Safe and Happy New Year to you.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Roller Coaster, 11:30am
Hi All,
Once we got settled in Gibson yesterday afternoon things went downhill. I'm thinking it will be best going forward that only one person can be in with Anne at any one time. Conversation itself seems to exhaust her. There were 3 of us here yesterday afternoon, and evening, and she was glad to see folks, but she was 'junk' last night to the point we were afraid to leave her for the night. She has not been able to push the red button on her own, a worry when it comes to leaving her.
Later, once she was able to shut down the lights and have quiet, she went right to sleep and did so like a baby, and she snorred away to dreamland. She did so for 2 hours between 9 and 11pm, was stable, and then I felt comfortable going home.
This morning they informed me that Anne wanted me to get in here to sign a consent form. Anne hasn't been doing that. Just to sick. It was for a CT Scan that they said she was strong enough to have done. Well, I got here and they had cancelled it. Saying that her labs etc. have been improving so much that they don't want to do the CT Scan after all. Not sure I get that, where her belly is still bothering her so much.
Anne is in a recliner now, and her legs are up with 4 pillows holding them there. She said it makes her legs feel good. Her legs are bursting at the seams with fluid, and actually weeping drops last night. They will soon start some diarhetics to treat that, being careful not to dehydrate her again.
Her kidney labs are back to nornal. Her liver labs are still elevated, but coming down. She still has the clot, but they have taken her off of the Heparin drip and changed it to a twice a day shot in the belly of something else, which is a positive sign according to her nurse today who I like very much. I know the Heparin shot to the belly always hurt her, but this one did not.
The only IV drip left is the antibiotic which fights the staff infection. Her white blood count is down to 8.6 today, which is a normal range. She has fought this down from over 19 this week. I said yesterday that she had that infection licked, but not quite I guess.
She has basically had her eyes half open all this week with the sickness. It is troubling. She only makes brief comments on occasion. One can see her drifting in and out. However, when the nurse came in to share the results of the labs, Anne's eyes opened wide and I was so happy to see that. It didn't last long, but what a relief......
When I got here this morning we had a solemn talk about how she is, and what she is thinking about. It was an honest talk, and she was glad to have that with me.
Dr. Evans told me he feels she'll recover from the hellacious month she has had, and that time is and rest are of utmost importance at this stage of the game. She is still in and out of it.
Her brother Bobby visited briefly this morning, but Anne doesn't remember seeing him. Erika is here for a day from Connecticut, got here yesterday, and Anne didn't remember it this morning.
We pray for Anne to feel better and turn the corner.
Once we got settled in Gibson yesterday afternoon things went downhill. I'm thinking it will be best going forward that only one person can be in with Anne at any one time. Conversation itself seems to exhaust her. There were 3 of us here yesterday afternoon, and evening, and she was glad to see folks, but she was 'junk' last night to the point we were afraid to leave her for the night. She has not been able to push the red button on her own, a worry when it comes to leaving her.
Later, once she was able to shut down the lights and have quiet, she went right to sleep and did so like a baby, and she snorred away to dreamland. She did so for 2 hours between 9 and 11pm, was stable, and then I felt comfortable going home.
This morning they informed me that Anne wanted me to get in here to sign a consent form. Anne hasn't been doing that. Just to sick. It was for a CT Scan that they said she was strong enough to have done. Well, I got here and they had cancelled it. Saying that her labs etc. have been improving so much that they don't want to do the CT Scan after all. Not sure I get that, where her belly is still bothering her so much.
Anne is in a recliner now, and her legs are up with 4 pillows holding them there. She said it makes her legs feel good. Her legs are bursting at the seams with fluid, and actually weeping drops last night. They will soon start some diarhetics to treat that, being careful not to dehydrate her again.
Her kidney labs are back to nornal. Her liver labs are still elevated, but coming down. She still has the clot, but they have taken her off of the Heparin drip and changed it to a twice a day shot in the belly of something else, which is a positive sign according to her nurse today who I like very much. I know the Heparin shot to the belly always hurt her, but this one did not.
The only IV drip left is the antibiotic which fights the staff infection. Her white blood count is down to 8.6 today, which is a normal range. She has fought this down from over 19 this week. I said yesterday that she had that infection licked, but not quite I guess.
She has basically had her eyes half open all this week with the sickness. It is troubling. She only makes brief comments on occasion. One can see her drifting in and out. However, when the nurse came in to share the results of the labs, Anne's eyes opened wide and I was so happy to see that. It didn't last long, but what a relief......
When I got here this morning we had a solemn talk about how she is, and what she is thinking about. It was an honest talk, and she was glad to have that with me.
Dr. Evans told me he feels she'll recover from the hellacious month she has had, and that time is and rest are of utmost importance at this stage of the game. She is still in and out of it.
Her brother Bobby visited briefly this morning, but Anne doesn't remember seeing him. Erika is here for a day from Connecticut, got here yesterday, and Anne didn't remember it this morning.
We pray for Anne to feel better and turn the corner.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Bye bye ICU, Hello Gibson, 1pm
I never thought we'd be happy to arrive at Gibson Pavillion, but it is happening for the second time this week. Christmas Eve I was relieved to have Anne admitted, and today we are released from ICU back here, a good thing. We are extremely grateful to the staff in ICU. It worked like clockwork for Anne, and took care of her in what seemed a short time. We couldn't have written the script any better and I'm thankful to them. Job well done.
Anne and the doctors in ICU have licked the staff infection in Anne's blood, and her kidneys continue to improve. She's in a wheelchair right now being brought here to her room 564 at Gibson. Day light awaits her here on the 5th floor.
Her white blood numbers over the past 4 days have gone from 19.4, to 17.6, to 14.8, to 11.4, and today to 10.6. I think it means they are winning over the infection. Blood cultures are coming back negative now.
She still cannot have a CT scan, her kidneys are not that well, but soon they will check for the status of the clot, and do some checking into her belly pain. She is back to square one as far as belly pain.
Anne and the doctors in ICU have licked the staff infection in Anne's blood, and her kidneys continue to improve. She's in a wheelchair right now being brought here to her room 564 at Gibson. Day light awaits her here on the 5th floor.
Her white blood numbers over the past 4 days have gone from 19.4, to 17.6, to 14.8, to 11.4, and today to 10.6. I think it means they are winning over the infection. Blood cultures are coming back negative now.
She still cannot have a CT scan, her kidneys are not that well, but soon they will check for the status of the clot, and do some checking into her belly pain. She is back to square one as far as belly pain.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
ICU update, Weds 2pm
Hi friends,
Anne survived the surgery last evening that would remove her medi-port. They took her in at about 7pm for that, and I figured it was a good time to go since she'd be groggy following the procedure. Dr. MacGillivary called me after he finished and said it went well, and that he removed the fluid from her abdomen. He said they will certainly test the fluid, but that it appeared perfectly normal to his naked eye. Nothing concerning about it.
Today she was sitting up when I got here, and it was a sight for sore eyes. My Dana came in with me today, she called and said "I'm going in", and she'd stay for a couple hours with me and Anne. Anne's not flying around the room, don't get me wrong, just sitting up for the first time in a long time. Her eyes are still half closed, she appears exhausted, she's in and out of contiousness, and her body is fighting the infection as best it can. Her white blood count is elevated, not super elevated, but enough so that they know her body is fighting hard.
They say her kidneys are slightly better as evidenced by her increased ability to produce urine. She had produced none overnight at home Christmas eve, and none for a couple days in here thereafter. Yeah.
Here they've accomplished one goal of taking her off of the meds that were managing (maintaining/increasing) her BP. Now it is a little elevated, running between 140 and 175 (on the higher end of that), but it's not driven by drugs. A good thing.
I reminded the nurse and doctor that her BP meds were discontinued when she was admitted, due to a low BP. Now they have ordered a beta blocker, something that should help to bring her BP down some.
Yesterday I learned that they were treating with Heparin (blood thinner) to take care of a blood clot discovered in the inferior vinicava (sp??). That's a vein near the kidney.
I asked when they'd be able to check the status of the clot, to see if it was shrinking, moving, or desolved, since it was found Monday night (they had forgotten to tell me). They said the best way to check it is by a CT Scan. They cannot do one of those tests at this time however, because her kidneys are not functioning well enough. Reason being a CT Scan uses a strong dye, and the only way for the body to get rid of that is thru a healthy kidney.
Anne is 'afibrile' (sp??), which means she has no elevated temperature.
She is basically sleeping, resting, making a few comments to the peanut gallery when she awakens, dozing off again, snoring, resting, and fighting the fight of her life.
I'm encouraged that they have been at liberty to say they think she is a little bit better, also that her BP is getting back to normal, and that her kidneys are functioning better.
I thank all readers for being there, interested and keeping up on how Anne is doing. Thank you for your continued prayers. It helps so much.
Anne survived the surgery last evening that would remove her medi-port. They took her in at about 7pm for that, and I figured it was a good time to go since she'd be groggy following the procedure. Dr. MacGillivary called me after he finished and said it went well, and that he removed the fluid from her abdomen. He said they will certainly test the fluid, but that it appeared perfectly normal to his naked eye. Nothing concerning about it.
Today she was sitting up when I got here, and it was a sight for sore eyes. My Dana came in with me today, she called and said "I'm going in", and she'd stay for a couple hours with me and Anne. Anne's not flying around the room, don't get me wrong, just sitting up for the first time in a long time. Her eyes are still half closed, she appears exhausted, she's in and out of contiousness, and her body is fighting the infection as best it can. Her white blood count is elevated, not super elevated, but enough so that they know her body is fighting hard.
They say her kidneys are slightly better as evidenced by her increased ability to produce urine. She had produced none overnight at home Christmas eve, and none for a couple days in here thereafter. Yeah.
Here they've accomplished one goal of taking her off of the meds that were managing (maintaining/increasing) her BP. Now it is a little elevated, running between 140 and 175 (on the higher end of that), but it's not driven by drugs. A good thing.
I reminded the nurse and doctor that her BP meds were discontinued when she was admitted, due to a low BP. Now they have ordered a beta blocker, something that should help to bring her BP down some.
Yesterday I learned that they were treating with Heparin (blood thinner) to take care of a blood clot discovered in the inferior vinicava (sp??). That's a vein near the kidney.
I asked when they'd be able to check the status of the clot, to see if it was shrinking, moving, or desolved, since it was found Monday night (they had forgotten to tell me). They said the best way to check it is by a CT Scan. They cannot do one of those tests at this time however, because her kidneys are not functioning well enough. Reason being a CT Scan uses a strong dye, and the only way for the body to get rid of that is thru a healthy kidney.
Anne is 'afibrile' (sp??), which means she has no elevated temperature.
She is basically sleeping, resting, making a few comments to the peanut gallery when she awakens, dozing off again, snoring, resting, and fighting the fight of her life.
I'm encouraged that they have been at liberty to say they think she is a little bit better, also that her BP is getting back to normal, and that her kidneys are functioning better.
I thank all readers for being there, interested and keeping up on how Anne is doing. Thank you for your continued prayers. It helps so much.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
ICU Update, 4pm
Hi Readers,
Anne is doing better. She is in and out tho, confused sometimes, etc.. The infection is being treated, and her BP is good. She has good color in her face.
An unfortunate thing is that she's going to have her medi-port removed tonight. It will be done in Surgery so she can be sedated. It could be done bedside, but that would be with more of a local anesthetic, and more painful for her.
Aside from that they have found some fluid around her abdomen from the Hernia repair surgery. It is normal to have this, but they want to extract some and test it for infection. In fact, they will try to remove most of it while they are at it, using a needle. This will also be done tonight while she's in Surgery having the port removed. It's a "relatively small thing" to remove the medi-port, but I don't feel good describing it as such, what with all that Anne has gone thru already.
Pray for Anne tonight friends. Of course we aren't thrilled about another surgery at this time, but there's really no choice, it has to be done. I have talked with the surgeon and put him on alert, so he knows all of our concerns. The rest is in God's hands.
Anne is doing better. She is in and out tho, confused sometimes, etc.. The infection is being treated, and her BP is good. She has good color in her face.
An unfortunate thing is that she's going to have her medi-port removed tonight. It will be done in Surgery so she can be sedated. It could be done bedside, but that would be with more of a local anesthetic, and more painful for her.
Aside from that they have found some fluid around her abdomen from the Hernia repair surgery. It is normal to have this, but they want to extract some and test it for infection. In fact, they will try to remove most of it while they are at it, using a needle. This will also be done tonight while she's in Surgery having the port removed. It's a "relatively small thing" to remove the medi-port, but I don't feel good describing it as such, what with all that Anne has gone thru already.
Pray for Anne tonight friends. Of course we aren't thrilled about another surgery at this time, but there's really no choice, it has to be done. I have talked with the surgeon and put him on alert, so he knows all of our concerns. The rest is in God's hands.
ICU Update, 1pm
Dr. Tracy Mae came to talk with me.
First of all, she confirmed that they do have good luck in solving blood infection problems all the time.
The central line they put in Anne's chest last night is like a temporary medi-port. They do not want to use Anne's real medi-port for fear that it might be the cause for infection. The central line will only be used for a couple days, but they can check volumes and metrics they need to monitor thru it, and they can administer meds thru it.
They are consulting with Dr. Ebrahim today to consider removing the medi-port Anne had installed earlier this month. Reason being it is plastic and infection can 'stick' to it. Sounds like a 'no brainer' to me, unfortunately for Anne she likes having the medi-port, something to do with hating IV's, and they are no fun to have installed.
First of all, she confirmed that they do have good luck in solving blood infection problems all the time.
The central line they put in Anne's chest last night is like a temporary medi-port. They do not want to use Anne's real medi-port for fear that it might be the cause for infection. The central line will only be used for a couple days, but they can check volumes and metrics they need to monitor thru it, and they can administer meds thru it.
They are consulting with Dr. Ebrahim today to consider removing the medi-port Anne had installed earlier this month. Reason being it is plastic and infection can 'stick' to it. Sounds like a 'no brainer' to me, unfortunately for Anne she likes having the medi-port, something to do with hating IV's, and they are no fun to have installed.
ICU, and a little better today
Mornin (OK, good afternoon. Details,details...)
Anne is a little better today, albeit totally wired up in a very technical environment, where she needs to be closely monitored.
Her legs have those pressure stocking mechanisms on them. They installed what they called a central line in her chest last night right after she got here. I will find out more about that today. There's alot of wires connected, but she's resting comfortably at this moment, snorin' away.
She'll wake up and ask what time it is, or ask for a drink occasionally. She wasn't doing these things yesterday so I'm encouraged.
Anne has a staph infection in her blood. I haven't been updated by a doctor yet, but I asked for that, and the nurse told me they clear up infections like this all the time.
Her BP is getting better. The nurse said the goals today are to work to get her off the meds that are stabilizing her BP, and to administer antibiotics in order to clear up the infection. As I said, Anne is a little better.
It's not a comfortable room for visitors, nothing like the Gibson Pavillion, and I don't think that visitors would benefit Anne right now anyway. I'm pretty sure she just needs to focus on herself now, and on breathing and resting.
Anne is a little better today, albeit totally wired up in a very technical environment, where she needs to be closely monitored.
Her legs have those pressure stocking mechanisms on them. They installed what they called a central line in her chest last night right after she got here. I will find out more about that today. There's alot of wires connected, but she's resting comfortably at this moment, snorin' away.
She'll wake up and ask what time it is, or ask for a drink occasionally. She wasn't doing these things yesterday so I'm encouraged.
Anne has a staph infection in her blood. I haven't been updated by a doctor yet, but I asked for that, and the nurse told me they clear up infections like this all the time.
Her BP is getting better. The nurse said the goals today are to work to get her off the meds that are stabilizing her BP, and to administer antibiotics in order to clear up the infection. As I said, Anne is a little better.
It's not a comfortable room for visitors, nothing like the Gibson Pavillion, and I don't think that visitors would benefit Anne right now anyway. I'm pretty sure she just needs to focus on herself now, and on breathing and resting.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Move to ICU
It's been a trying day. Anne has had good care in Gibson. When I got in here around 10am she continued to sleep for over an hour. On waking up I noticed she was dead tired. Her eyes were not opening all the way, and she seemed confused a couple times. She wasn't herself.
She had a couple of spasms of maybe trapped gas pain in her upper abdomen this afternoon, and just about climbed out the side of the bed in pain each time.
Dr. Evans is the oncologist today in Gibson Unit 3, and it seems Anne has finally convinced some one that her tummy is in some serious distress. She got thru to him and he began putting the wheels in motion to find out what is going on in there. One of Dr. MacGillivary's surgeons came in today too, and I was impressed with her. She seemed eager to get to the root of the problems too.
At one point this afternoon everyone in the area was suddenly in Anne's room. There was alot of activity and apparent worry. Doctors came out of the woodwork. Her heart (remember, strong like bull) was racing, and her blood pressure was undetectable (due to the racing). An xray was going on, a catheter being put in, and a doctor from ICU was invited up to observe and evaluate the situation.
Dr. Evans ordered more stomach xrays/ultrasounds, since that is what Anne complains about most. Blood cultures have been taken and are being evaluated. They're concerned and looking for an infection, which was unexpected to me since she's not had any elevated temperature. It could be anything, but I am feeling more confident that they'll find what is wrong soon, and of course I pray that she'll respond to any treatment. There's no doubt, she's fighting...
Around 4pm up at Gibson it was decided that she belonged in ICU. It scared me, but now that she is here she is being stablized, and I'm impressed with those taking care of her, and with the condition of the area. It is on the ground floor of MMC and it's like new.
The people helping her are amazing. They kept me out for about an hour as they got her settled, then Allie came to see me and took me in. Anne saw me coming and waved at me when I walked in. That was HUGE relatively speaking, for this day. Anne's sense of humor is showing thru too. She dozes in and out tho.
They are treating her with antibiotics and I was sure to share her list of alergies with them. She can only use a few antibiotics and they were on top of that. Also, she cannot lay flat, which I worry about all the time, even at home (risk of aspiration), and they are aware of that. One thing we don't need at this time is any self inflicted pain. I feel she is in good hands, but I'm at the same time very concerned.
I think she is better than she was earlier today. I think she can rest here in ICU. The blood culture results take 24 hours. We'll know more before long.
She had a couple of spasms of maybe trapped gas pain in her upper abdomen this afternoon, and just about climbed out the side of the bed in pain each time.
Dr. Evans is the oncologist today in Gibson Unit 3, and it seems Anne has finally convinced some one that her tummy is in some serious distress. She got thru to him and he began putting the wheels in motion to find out what is going on in there. One of Dr. MacGillivary's surgeons came in today too, and I was impressed with her. She seemed eager to get to the root of the problems too.
At one point this afternoon everyone in the area was suddenly in Anne's room. There was alot of activity and apparent worry. Doctors came out of the woodwork. Her heart (remember, strong like bull) was racing, and her blood pressure was undetectable (due to the racing). An xray was going on, a catheter being put in, and a doctor from ICU was invited up to observe and evaluate the situation.
Dr. Evans ordered more stomach xrays/ultrasounds, since that is what Anne complains about most. Blood cultures have been taken and are being evaluated. They're concerned and looking for an infection, which was unexpected to me since she's not had any elevated temperature. It could be anything, but I am feeling more confident that they'll find what is wrong soon, and of course I pray that she'll respond to any treatment. There's no doubt, she's fighting...
Around 4pm up at Gibson it was decided that she belonged in ICU. It scared me, but now that she is here she is being stablized, and I'm impressed with those taking care of her, and with the condition of the area. It is on the ground floor of MMC and it's like new.
The people helping her are amazing. They kept me out for about an hour as they got her settled, then Allie came to see me and took me in. Anne saw me coming and waved at me when I walked in. That was HUGE relatively speaking, for this day. Anne's sense of humor is showing thru too. She dozes in and out tho.
They are treating her with antibiotics and I was sure to share her list of alergies with them. She can only use a few antibiotics and they were on top of that. Also, she cannot lay flat, which I worry about all the time, even at home (risk of aspiration), and they are aware of that. One thing we don't need at this time is any self inflicted pain. I feel she is in good hands, but I'm at the same time very concerned.
I think she is better than she was earlier today. I think she can rest here in ICU. The blood culture results take 24 hours. We'll know more before long.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas to All
Merry Christmas All Readers,
Well, where do I begin? You probably noticed the tone of last nights post. I was feeling helpless and worried, and it may have worried you.
Well, it was a rough night, and during that time I held off on calling the VNA nurse to ask her to come early today. Then around 5am it hit me, just how poorly Anne was doing, not getting better, and whatever we were trying to do at home wasn't working.
I called MCCM 'hot line' maybe 5:30am and the on-call doctor called me right back. I told Dr. Hedlund what was happening, and asked her to please 'pave the way' for Anne to be admitted to the Gibson Pavillion (Cancer Unit) at Maine Med. She was agreeable and said, "Head on into MMC Admitting, and I'll see you at Gibson in a few hours". Anne and I were so relieved that we would not be taking the ER route.
It was tough to get Anne ready to go. She was just unable to do it, being so weak and worn out tired. Dressing was about all we could handle. I knew there was no way she'd be able to walk down to the driveway and car.
I called 9-1-1 at maybe 7am and began negotiations with them to just get some help getting Anne situated in our own car. They have a tendancy to want to 'take over' the situation, call the shots, and take and leave the patient at the ER. But, I said "No, we only want help to get in the car". I convinced them that from there I'd provide a smooth ride, safely find Maine Medical's front door, a wheelchair, and that we'd be all set. They accomodated us, and I'm eternally grateful for their assistance.
The VNA nurse (by the way) called when we were leaving the house and was ready to come over. I told her she didn't need to, and I'm glad she caught up with me.
Anne and I have been here at Gibson all day in Room 555. She is getting excellent care. It's a huge single room. You could eat off of the floors here. What a relief !
She was dehydrated when we got here (even with all the extra water weight) so the fluids are running. I'm impressed with Dr. Hedlund and all of the staff. They understand because they specialize in taking excellent care of nothing but cancer patients.
They've taken a chest xray and a host of other tests since we arrived, checking Anne all out. We don't have alot of specific news yet. Her bladder is basically empty though, hence the fluids. I'm confident that Anne is clearly better off and resting comfortably, in good hands, right exactly where she needs to be.
Well, where do I begin? You probably noticed the tone of last nights post. I was feeling helpless and worried, and it may have worried you.
Well, it was a rough night, and during that time I held off on calling the VNA nurse to ask her to come early today. Then around 5am it hit me, just how poorly Anne was doing, not getting better, and whatever we were trying to do at home wasn't working.
I called MCCM 'hot line' maybe 5:30am and the on-call doctor called me right back. I told Dr. Hedlund what was happening, and asked her to please 'pave the way' for Anne to be admitted to the Gibson Pavillion (Cancer Unit) at Maine Med. She was agreeable and said, "Head on into MMC Admitting, and I'll see you at Gibson in a few hours". Anne and I were so relieved that we would not be taking the ER route.
It was tough to get Anne ready to go. She was just unable to do it, being so weak and worn out tired. Dressing was about all we could handle. I knew there was no way she'd be able to walk down to the driveway and car.
I called 9-1-1 at maybe 7am and began negotiations with them to just get some help getting Anne situated in our own car. They have a tendancy to want to 'take over' the situation, call the shots, and take and leave the patient at the ER. But, I said "No, we only want help to get in the car". I convinced them that from there I'd provide a smooth ride, safely find Maine Medical's front door, a wheelchair, and that we'd be all set. They accomodated us, and I'm eternally grateful for their assistance.
The VNA nurse (by the way) called when we were leaving the house and was ready to come over. I told her she didn't need to, and I'm glad she caught up with me.
Anne and I have been here at Gibson all day in Room 555. She is getting excellent care. It's a huge single room. You could eat off of the floors here. What a relief !
She was dehydrated when we got here (even with all the extra water weight) so the fluids are running. I'm impressed with Dr. Hedlund and all of the staff. They understand because they specialize in taking excellent care of nothing but cancer patients.
They've taken a chest xray and a host of other tests since we arrived, checking Anne all out. We don't have alot of specific news yet. Her bladder is basically empty though, hence the fluids. I'm confident that Anne is clearly better off and resting comfortably, in good hands, right exactly where she needs to be.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
It's Christmas eve, after 9pm. Anne is resting in bed.
This has been a tough few days since I wrote on Dec 21. At that time it seemed that Anne was bouncing back ever so slowly. Since then tho, she hasn't been feeling well, and I have to say I'm worried that she hasn't gotten better for the past day and a half. She has no energy. She still has alot of excess fluid weighting on her hips. The swellling in her ankles has gone down slightly.
Since starting on the flulid pills late Monday Anne has lost between one and four pounds each day, except for one. She gained a pound today, so I called to report that to the VNA nurse. She said I shouldn't be alarmed if Anne doesn't loose weight every day. She needs to loose about 15 more pounds tho to get back to her normal weight. I think there must be something else that will help.
I spoke to the nurse about my fears as far as how Anne's progress has slowed down. That Anne is exhausted with the slightest activity. Has alot of belly pain and some nausea, which we continue to try to manage with meds.
I'm concerned with Annes total lack of energy. Today she came to lay on the bed in the afternoon and did not return to the living room. Tonight when she got up to get under the covers I helped as usual and asked how she felt, and she said "I feel like that was alot of work".
Food just isn't appetizing to her anymore. I'm worried she needs something she's not getting.
I considered taking Anne into the ER today, and we discussed it, but she didn't want any part of that. She doesn't think they'll help her. It's a lousy process anyway, to go in there, spend hours being checked by strange ER doctors, spend hours having to review your life's history with them so that they can take a shot in the dark or admit you into the hospital next business day. I must say tho that Anne's life history usually scares the crap out of most ER doctors to the point where they don't dare to touch her.
The VNA nurse I spoke with today said the on-call nurse Anne (we know her) will call and come tomorrow. She'll evaluate Anne and help us to line up any kind of support that Anne is not getting that she needs. I'm worried that what we're doing for her at home now isn't helping her. I entertain thoughts that Anne could get better care at the hospital, and that they would be able to help, maybe find something wrong that we don't know about and take care of it.
Please pray that Anne turns the corner and finds strength tomorrow. I continue to tell her that this will happen and she will feel better. She is discouraged today.
This has been a tough few days since I wrote on Dec 21. At that time it seemed that Anne was bouncing back ever so slowly. Since then tho, she hasn't been feeling well, and I have to say I'm worried that she hasn't gotten better for the past day and a half. She has no energy. She still has alot of excess fluid weighting on her hips. The swellling in her ankles has gone down slightly.
Since starting on the flulid pills late Monday Anne has lost between one and four pounds each day, except for one. She gained a pound today, so I called to report that to the VNA nurse. She said I shouldn't be alarmed if Anne doesn't loose weight every day. She needs to loose about 15 more pounds tho to get back to her normal weight. I think there must be something else that will help.
I spoke to the nurse about my fears as far as how Anne's progress has slowed down. That Anne is exhausted with the slightest activity. Has alot of belly pain and some nausea, which we continue to try to manage with meds.
I'm concerned with Annes total lack of energy. Today she came to lay on the bed in the afternoon and did not return to the living room. Tonight when she got up to get under the covers I helped as usual and asked how she felt, and she said "I feel like that was alot of work".
Food just isn't appetizing to her anymore. I'm worried she needs something she's not getting.
I considered taking Anne into the ER today, and we discussed it, but she didn't want any part of that. She doesn't think they'll help her. It's a lousy process anyway, to go in there, spend hours being checked by strange ER doctors, spend hours having to review your life's history with them so that they can take a shot in the dark or admit you into the hospital next business day. I must say tho that Anne's life history usually scares the crap out of most ER doctors to the point where they don't dare to touch her.
The VNA nurse I spoke with today said the on-call nurse Anne (we know her) will call and come tomorrow. She'll evaluate Anne and help us to line up any kind of support that Anne is not getting that she needs. I'm worried that what we're doing for her at home now isn't helping her. I entertain thoughts that Anne could get better care at the hospital, and that they would be able to help, maybe find something wrong that we don't know about and take care of it.
Please pray that Anne turns the corner and finds strength tomorrow. I continue to tell her that this will happen and she will feel better. She is discouraged today.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Coasting....
Another week has passed us by since updating the blog. We must be coasting. Anne is getting better and better, little by little, as far as the surgeries on her tummy.
We had a couple visiting nurses at our place last week, and on Thursday one of them discovered that Anne had gained 20 pounds of water weight, just since Monday. Anne knew her clothes were getting tighter. We knew her ankles were swollen when she came home from the hospital a week ago Monday, and we knew how much difficulty and pain she was having moving around, getting out to the car, etc, but we never realized how much fluid was in her body causing these problems.
We mentioned the swollen ankles on discharge from the hospital, but no one there thought it was a big deal that day. We called our PCP last Thursday very concerned about the swelling, but they had no time to see Anne until Tuesday this week. We negotiated for Monday. Anyway, that's when we finally got scripts for fluid pills and compression socks, collected those things (the compression socks proving to be almost impossible to find) and they are beginning to help Anne with this problem. She is finally beginning to feel some (not much) relief, eating slightly better, etc..
Anne is still reluctant to embark on more chemo treatments, scheduled for today, it being Dec 21. She is apprehensive about it. So, we want to delay this for at least another week. That'll allow Anne more time to heal, and it will make for a more enjoyable Christmas weekend for her. As you remember, the last chemo treatment lasted 3 days and made Anne sick for 6+ days. Hard to look forward to doing that again, that's for sure.
There may not be much news from here for the next few days. We hope you all are able to read this and keep up with Anne's progress, and we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Our best to you and you're loved ones. Thank you for your prayers. It means alot and feels good just to know you're there.
We had a couple visiting nurses at our place last week, and on Thursday one of them discovered that Anne had gained 20 pounds of water weight, just since Monday. Anne knew her clothes were getting tighter. We knew her ankles were swollen when she came home from the hospital a week ago Monday, and we knew how much difficulty and pain she was having moving around, getting out to the car, etc, but we never realized how much fluid was in her body causing these problems.
We mentioned the swollen ankles on discharge from the hospital, but no one there thought it was a big deal that day. We called our PCP last Thursday very concerned about the swelling, but they had no time to see Anne until Tuesday this week. We negotiated for Monday. Anyway, that's when we finally got scripts for fluid pills and compression socks, collected those things (the compression socks proving to be almost impossible to find) and they are beginning to help Anne with this problem. She is finally beginning to feel some (not much) relief, eating slightly better, etc..
Anne is still reluctant to embark on more chemo treatments, scheduled for today, it being Dec 21. She is apprehensive about it. So, we want to delay this for at least another week. That'll allow Anne more time to heal, and it will make for a more enjoyable Christmas weekend for her. As you remember, the last chemo treatment lasted 3 days and made Anne sick for 6+ days. Hard to look forward to doing that again, that's for sure.
There may not be much news from here for the next few days. We hope you all are able to read this and keep up with Anne's progress, and we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Our best to you and you're loved ones. Thank you for your prayers. It means alot and feels good just to know you're there.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Decompressing ??
Holy Cow, Anne came home from the hospital Monday, and now it's Thursday . WOW. Hard to believe.
On Tuesday evening Anne indicated she was worried about chemo starting on Weds, and rightly so. Thinking about it, it clearly wasn't time to start chemo, what with her stomach pain from Fridays surgery. She was still recovering, and it would have been disastrous if she had had any dry heaves from the chemo. So, we delayed those Dec 14 treatments, and rescheduled for a week later, Dec 21st.
That decision took the pressure off. I feel as though I'm decompressing. For 3 days now we haven't had to travel to town, something we've done every day since Nov 28. It's been a relief for me, and Anne is in the same boat, and able to recover slowly but surely.
She walks using a walker right now, and it's a real challenge to travel out to the car, down the road, and back into the house.
This morning she got Erika's b-day present ready to mail, and the card, and she was worn out from that activity.
Anne still isn't eating very well, she isn't hungry, and she wakes up in the night with acid in her throat, and pain in her stomach. Maybe she's afraid to eat. She manages with pain meds, and if we time it right it helps alot. Last night she moaned about every 4 hours, I woke and I got her a pain pill, and it was a good night. No upset stomach.
This week off from traveling has been good. I had arranged to have Weds-Friday off from work and it was a blessing. Next week we have chemo treatments to look forward to. Think about it. It's a heavy load. I wish it wasn't so tough on Anne. We'll move ahead tho and continue on down this road, this battle, or what ever you call it. There's no doubt though, it's worth it. We're here for each other.
On Tuesday evening Anne indicated she was worried about chemo starting on Weds, and rightly so. Thinking about it, it clearly wasn't time to start chemo, what with her stomach pain from Fridays surgery. She was still recovering, and it would have been disastrous if she had had any dry heaves from the chemo. So, we delayed those Dec 14 treatments, and rescheduled for a week later, Dec 21st.
That decision took the pressure off. I feel as though I'm decompressing. For 3 days now we haven't had to travel to town, something we've done every day since Nov 28. It's been a relief for me, and Anne is in the same boat, and able to recover slowly but surely.
She walks using a walker right now, and it's a real challenge to travel out to the car, down the road, and back into the house.
This morning she got Erika's b-day present ready to mail, and the card, and she was worn out from that activity.
Anne still isn't eating very well, she isn't hungry, and she wakes up in the night with acid in her throat, and pain in her stomach. Maybe she's afraid to eat. She manages with pain meds, and if we time it right it helps alot. Last night she moaned about every 4 hours, I woke and I got her a pain pill, and it was a good night. No upset stomach.
This week off from traveling has been good. I had arranged to have Weds-Friday off from work and it was a blessing. Next week we have chemo treatments to look forward to. Think about it. It's a heavy load. I wish it wasn't so tough on Anne. We'll move ahead tho and continue on down this road, this battle, or what ever you call it. There's no doubt though, it's worth it. We're here for each other.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, Discharge Day
Anne called and woke me this morning, all excited to come home. They had ordered her some breakfast, and told her she'd be discharged.
She looks and is feeling better than she has for some time. So happy for Fridays surgery, that it has helped her so much. The other procedures last week didn't afford so much relief, and it was discouraging, but this hernia fix has made all the difference.
Anne called me twice more before I got here. She's very excited to roll out of here.
I'll be giving Anne an especially smooth ride home. They have taken good care of her in here, and she'll get more of the same at home.
More later friends !!
Thanks for reading, and for your kind thoughts and prayers. Know that Anne is so much better today !!
She looks and is feeling better than she has for some time. So happy for Fridays surgery, that it has helped her so much. The other procedures last week didn't afford so much relief, and it was discouraging, but this hernia fix has made all the difference.
Anne called me twice more before I got here. She's very excited to roll out of here.
I'll be giving Anne an especially smooth ride home. They have taken good care of her in here, and she'll get more of the same at home.
More later friends !!
Thanks for reading, and for your kind thoughts and prayers. Know that Anne is so much better today !!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Feeling better without the hernia
It's Sunday. I got in here to see Anne around 9:45am. I want to thank Bobby and Deanna for coming in last night between 5 and 7pm. It helped us out alot, I got home early, and I know Anne was glad to see family.
Anne is definately feeling better, still with pain tho, and not ready to go home. They haven't given any solid food yet because she hasn't passed gas yet. Positive or Negative??? HAHA
She isn't using any IV at the moment, rather they've converted her to oral pain meds. We need to be sure to keep ahead of the pain tho, by getting her the pain pills on a timed schedule. Also, they aren't concerned about dehydration at the moment, so no fluids are flowing. I'm concerned tho because her feet and ankles are swollen, but the nurses aren't too worried.
Anne was able to walk down the hall and 'around the block' today using a walker !!!
She IS getting better. I can tell she feels better without that hernia, so our prayers were answered.
We're hoping she'll stay on plan with the chemo, scheduled to start-up again on Wednesday. We may not be looking forward to it, but we know it's best to keep on schedule.
The nurse just came in and told us her potassium level is down, so, the IV will be used once again to administer some of that.
Anne is dozing in and out. She enjoys watching the Patriots game, as usual for a Sunday.
Anne is definately feeling better, still with pain tho, and not ready to go home. They haven't given any solid food yet because she hasn't passed gas yet. Positive or Negative??? HAHA
She isn't using any IV at the moment, rather they've converted her to oral pain meds. We need to be sure to keep ahead of the pain tho, by getting her the pain pills on a timed schedule. Also, they aren't concerned about dehydration at the moment, so no fluids are flowing. I'm concerned tho because her feet and ankles are swollen, but the nurses aren't too worried.
Anne was able to walk down the hall and 'around the block' today using a walker !!!
She IS getting better. I can tell she feels better without that hernia, so our prayers were answered.
We're hoping she'll stay on plan with the chemo, scheduled to start-up again on Wednesday. We may not be looking forward to it, but we know it's best to keep on schedule.
The nurse just came in and told us her potassium level is down, so, the IV will be used once again to administer some of that.
Anne is dozing in and out. She enjoys watching the Patriots game, as usual for a Sunday.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Day after hernia repair
Happy Saturday everyone,
First of all, I want to mention that Erika called last night. She survived thyroid surgery yesterday. She was in the OR just about the same time Anne was. She said she couldn't talk long because her voice wouldn't hold out. Stands to reason, after all I'm sure they 'slit her throat'. So, I was surprised that she herself called up. She sounded good, and it was great to hear her voice.
For Anne, she didn't remember anything that happened after surgery yesterday, or anything from last night. Today I reminded her about Erika's phone call.
Anne looks as though she's doing well. She has pain from the surgery, but Dr. MacGillivary said to expect it for a couple days. There are 14 holes in Anne's abdomen. I'm not sure, but I suppose 4 or 5 are like a 1/2 inch gash. One of them was used for a camera, and the others are for the tools which move the mesh and position it inside to where it needs to be. The rest of the holes are smaller, stitch holes from where the mesh is secured to the muscles inside, all around the area.
Anne has a push button she can use to administer pain medicine, as needed, to some limit of course. She's used it several times since I've been here. I've been told the holes in her tummy will look like a clock.
Anne told me she has been up and walking in the hall. Good stuff.
I was thinking at home this morning, I don't ever remember Anne being released on a weekend in the past. She may have insisted once, but I suppose if you're here on a Friday and don't get out, then chances are you might be stuck for the weekend. She isn't interested in going home today anyway. All good. She isn't getting around that well yet.
They've changed her pain medicine from dilotted (sp?) to fentanyl. They did this because Anne was very confused overnight on the dilotted. They said the fentanyl will be better as far as leaching thru her system faster, and managing the pain too.
First of all, I want to mention that Erika called last night. She survived thyroid surgery yesterday. She was in the OR just about the same time Anne was. She said she couldn't talk long because her voice wouldn't hold out. Stands to reason, after all I'm sure they 'slit her throat'. So, I was surprised that she herself called up. She sounded good, and it was great to hear her voice.
For Anne, she didn't remember anything that happened after surgery yesterday, or anything from last night. Today I reminded her about Erika's phone call.
Anne looks as though she's doing well. She has pain from the surgery, but Dr. MacGillivary said to expect it for a couple days. There are 14 holes in Anne's abdomen. I'm not sure, but I suppose 4 or 5 are like a 1/2 inch gash. One of them was used for a camera, and the others are for the tools which move the mesh and position it inside to where it needs to be. The rest of the holes are smaller, stitch holes from where the mesh is secured to the muscles inside, all around the area.
Anne has a push button she can use to administer pain medicine, as needed, to some limit of course. She's used it several times since I've been here. I've been told the holes in her tummy will look like a clock.
Anne told me she has been up and walking in the hall. Good stuff.
I was thinking at home this morning, I don't ever remember Anne being released on a weekend in the past. She may have insisted once, but I suppose if you're here on a Friday and don't get out, then chances are you might be stuck for the weekend. She isn't interested in going home today anyway. All good. She isn't getting around that well yet.
They've changed her pain medicine from dilotted (sp?) to fentanyl. They did this because Anne was very confused overnight on the dilotted. They said the fentanyl will be better as far as leaching thru her system faster, and managing the pain too.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Hernia Repair Day !!
Hi readers,
We were up between 2 and 3am with Anne having pain, but this morning at 8:30 we arrived at MMC for the hernia repair, and Anne had pink cheeks and smiles. Finally this day has come. We're hoping she'll feel alot better after she gets past this surgery. Then, there will be only one thing to think about, chemo-therapy. As you know, this is the last of several things (procedures and surgeries) that have happened to Anne during the past 2 weeks. It's been alot.
At 10:45am she was taken into surgery with her Dr., Dougald MacGillivary. Yes, that should ring a bell, he did the esophagectomy 1 1/2 years ago. This surgery was expected to take more than 2 hours. Now it's 1:40pm.
Speaking of the devil, Dr. MacGillivary just came out and said it went very well. He said Anne might be a very uncomfortable for a couple of days. He said she should spend the night here at least tonight, and we'll go from there.
She'll be in recovery for at least 1 1/2 hours, then I can see her.
I'll write more later.
Thanks for being there, and for your prayers.
More to come....
We were up between 2 and 3am with Anne having pain, but this morning at 8:30 we arrived at MMC for the hernia repair, and Anne had pink cheeks and smiles. Finally this day has come. We're hoping she'll feel alot better after she gets past this surgery. Then, there will be only one thing to think about, chemo-therapy. As you know, this is the last of several things (procedures and surgeries) that have happened to Anne during the past 2 weeks. It's been alot.
At 10:45am she was taken into surgery with her Dr., Dougald MacGillivary. Yes, that should ring a bell, he did the esophagectomy 1 1/2 years ago. This surgery was expected to take more than 2 hours. Now it's 1:40pm.
Speaking of the devil, Dr. MacGillivary just came out and said it went very well. He said Anne might be a very uncomfortable for a couple of days. He said she should spend the night here at least tonight, and we'll go from there.
She'll be in recovery for at least 1 1/2 hours, then I can see her.
I'll write more later.
Thanks for being there, and for your prayers.
More to come....
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday Morning, a good one
Good day,
Anne is home from treatments this morning, she's had lunch, a pain pill, and is off to dreamland for the afternoon while I go to work.
The ride went well, and she's doing better than yesterday. Real glad there was no snow on the ground this morning around here. It's a nice day.
Tomorrow mornin we get to Maine Medical Center at 8:30 for her hernia repair surgery at 10am. They will have fluids connected to her there, so no special hydration appointment needed tomorrow. If she feels it's needed over the weekend I'll make those appt's tomorrow.
I'm reminding Anne to call Erika later tonight. Erika is also having a surgery in the morning tomorrow. Good luck Erika !!, and we'll talk later. Thinking of you and love you very much !!
Anne is home from treatments this morning, she's had lunch, a pain pill, and is off to dreamland for the afternoon while I go to work.
The ride went well, and she's doing better than yesterday. Real glad there was no snow on the ground this morning around here. It's a nice day.
Tomorrow mornin we get to Maine Medical Center at 8:30 for her hernia repair surgery at 10am. They will have fluids connected to her there, so no special hydration appointment needed tomorrow. If she feels it's needed over the weekend I'll make those appt's tomorrow.
I'm reminding Anne to call Erika later tonight. Erika is also having a surgery in the morning tomorrow. Good luck Erika !!, and we'll talk later. Thinking of you and love you very much !!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
General TSO's Chicken !!
Hi all,
It's the first chance I've had to write today.
Last night Anne called me as I left the job. She asked if I was interested in picking up some 'take out'. I was pleased that she was up for it, however cautiously optimistic.
After 7pm we had Chinese food at home, it was late for her to eat. Let's just cap this off by saying it was an awful night with Anne being up for the most of it while I just listened to her struggle.
She was pretty wiped out this morning. We had twin dentist appointments at 8am and we made it to them. After that, Laurie visited at the house and it was a blessing. Anne had her eyes closed for alot of that time, but I know she was happy to spend time with family.
At noontime Karolyn arrived ready to take Anne to her hydration appointment at 1pm. We couldn't get it scheduled for the morning this time. On their way home Karolyn took Anne to the church so she could pick up the Treasurer's mail, then they shopped a bit at the grocery store. So, Anne was very active today on the whole, and even on the way home from hydration in Scarborough. All good.
I worked earlier than usual today, an early dismissal day for the kids, which means the teachers had a big meeting together this afternoon. So, 'After School Program' today was 5 hours long, not 3. It was fun.
Anne tolerated a one egg omlette and piece of toast for supper tonight. She was exhausted after that, and now she's gone off to bed.
In the morning we have a hydration appointment at 9:30, so we'll be up and away by 8:45.
It's the first chance I've had to write today.
Last night Anne called me as I left the job. She asked if I was interested in picking up some 'take out'. I was pleased that she was up for it, however cautiously optimistic.
After 7pm we had Chinese food at home, it was late for her to eat. Let's just cap this off by saying it was an awful night with Anne being up for the most of it while I just listened to her struggle.
She was pretty wiped out this morning. We had twin dentist appointments at 8am and we made it to them. After that, Laurie visited at the house and it was a blessing. Anne had her eyes closed for alot of that time, but I know she was happy to spend time with family.
At noontime Karolyn arrived ready to take Anne to her hydration appointment at 1pm. We couldn't get it scheduled for the morning this time. On their way home Karolyn took Anne to the church so she could pick up the Treasurer's mail, then they shopped a bit at the grocery store. So, Anne was very active today on the whole, and even on the way home from hydration in Scarborough. All good.
I worked earlier than usual today, an early dismissal day for the kids, which means the teachers had a big meeting together this afternoon. So, 'After School Program' today was 5 hours long, not 3. It was fun.
Anne tolerated a one egg omlette and piece of toast for supper tonight. She was exhausted after that, and now she's gone off to bed.
In the morning we have a hydration appointment at 9:30, so we'll be up and away by 8:45.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Hi all readers,
It was an OK afternoon Monday, not good, Anne didn't feel well. I worked 3 hours (back after a week off) and she slept while I was gone. Anne had a salad and tolerated it ok for supper. She made it herself. It was a tough evening, and just an OK night overnight. We're on a roll.
Guess where we are? MCCM getting hydration. It's Tuesday am.. Anne had toast this morning and it worked for her.
We're trying to mix the nausea meds and give them on more of a timed schedule today, whether she needs it or not, trying to stay ahead of it. She needed a pain pill today after the hydration started. I ran for gas and picked up a repair at GM Pollack after she drifted asleep. This way I can take her straight home when we're done here. We find the smoothest road surface and drive like there's an eggshell between my foot and the gas peddle, it makes the ride better for her.
Anne is not so sick today. She's miserable, but better. Does that make sense? Positive or negative??? Who knows at this point? Poor kid.
Today her friend Karolyn is coming to sit with Anne at 1pm at home. I'm going to see Carli and Emma's Xmas concert. I'll work after that at 2:45pm for 3 hours. Thanks to you Karolyn !!
We're looking forward to a better night tonight. I see it coming. This particlar chemo mix from last week has played havoc with Anne like nothing else. The Drs here promise to shake things up next time (Dec 14-16) to try and make it better. It's hard for me to imagine Anne going thru anything again like the last 7 days have been, nor me.
The stress is out of her face right now as she rests. I'm encouraged.
Thanks for reading.
Love to all.
It was an OK afternoon Monday, not good, Anne didn't feel well. I worked 3 hours (back after a week off) and she slept while I was gone. Anne had a salad and tolerated it ok for supper. She made it herself. It was a tough evening, and just an OK night overnight. We're on a roll.
Guess where we are? MCCM getting hydration. It's Tuesday am.. Anne had toast this morning and it worked for her.
We're trying to mix the nausea meds and give them on more of a timed schedule today, whether she needs it or not, trying to stay ahead of it. She needed a pain pill today after the hydration started. I ran for gas and picked up a repair at GM Pollack after she drifted asleep. This way I can take her straight home when we're done here. We find the smoothest road surface and drive like there's an eggshell between my foot and the gas peddle, it makes the ride better for her.
Anne is not so sick today. She's miserable, but better. Does that make sense? Positive or negative??? Who knows at this point? Poor kid.
Today her friend Karolyn is coming to sit with Anne at 1pm at home. I'm going to see Carli and Emma's Xmas concert. I'll work after that at 2:45pm for 3 hours. Thanks to you Karolyn !!
We're looking forward to a better night tonight. I see it coming. This particlar chemo mix from last week has played havoc with Anne like nothing else. The Drs here promise to shake things up next time (Dec 14-16) to try and make it better. It's hard for me to imagine Anne going thru anything again like the last 7 days have been, nor me.
The stress is out of her face right now as she rests. I'm encouraged.
Thanks for reading.
Love to all.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday Mornin Update
We went straight home from MMC on Sunday. I've learned, it's not worth trying to squeeze in any errands during these trips. Anne always ends up paying the price. All this riding is hard on her.
On getting home Anne sat and said, 'I'm exhausted'. Next thing I knew she was up trying to cut sweet potatoes, asparagus, and cut a game hen in half. I chipped in and we got everything cut and covered in olive oil and some salt, spread them on a foil covered baking sheet along with the 2 game hen halves. We baked it 1 hour at 350 degrees. It came out great.
Thing is, Anne hasn't done anything like that since before last Monday's ERCP. She was back in her element, and feeling well enough to do stuff, or so it seemed. It seemed good. Problem is, she req'd a pain pill afterwards, afterall, we are on a roller coaster for sure.
We really didn't pay attention to the Pat's game Sunday afternoon because we had Dana for company. That was a treat.
Then, I really enjoyed the meal, while Anne had just a little bit of it. As I've said, the good Lord didn't take her appetite when he gave her the cancer. Almost wish he had. Yes, she paid the price for having eaten.
Anne had a better evening than usual, sleeping and watching a little TV.
Low and behold, she had a lousy night in bed with a sour stomach bothering her overnight. She was sick on getting up in the morning too. Dry heaves, nausea, etc. She did ask for a piece of toast and jelly. That was followed by diareah and she was just ill in the morning.
With that, we made arrangements and now we're back at MCCM in Scarborough noon Monday, getting anti-nausea meds and hydration. We spoke with oncologist Julie, and she wants to prescribe an anti-nausea med to replace the compazine. It will be Phenergan (promethazine), Yes, it rings a bell. Keep you're fingers crossed.
Hydration appointments have been made for every morning this week with the exception of Friday when we go to MMC for hernia repair surgery.
More later friends. Pray for the best for Anne. It really helps. Thanks for being there.
On getting home Anne sat and said, 'I'm exhausted'. Next thing I knew she was up trying to cut sweet potatoes, asparagus, and cut a game hen in half. I chipped in and we got everything cut and covered in olive oil and some salt, spread them on a foil covered baking sheet along with the 2 game hen halves. We baked it 1 hour at 350 degrees. It came out great.
Thing is, Anne hasn't done anything like that since before last Monday's ERCP. She was back in her element, and feeling well enough to do stuff, or so it seemed. It seemed good. Problem is, she req'd a pain pill afterwards, afterall, we are on a roller coaster for sure.
We really didn't pay attention to the Pat's game Sunday afternoon because we had Dana for company. That was a treat.
Then, I really enjoyed the meal, while Anne had just a little bit of it. As I've said, the good Lord didn't take her appetite when he gave her the cancer. Almost wish he had. Yes, she paid the price for having eaten.
Anne had a better evening than usual, sleeping and watching a little TV.
Low and behold, she had a lousy night in bed with a sour stomach bothering her overnight. She was sick on getting up in the morning too. Dry heaves, nausea, etc. She did ask for a piece of toast and jelly. That was followed by diareah and she was just ill in the morning.
With that, we made arrangements and now we're back at MCCM in Scarborough noon Monday, getting anti-nausea meds and hydration. We spoke with oncologist Julie, and she wants to prescribe an anti-nausea med to replace the compazine. It will be Phenergan (promethazine), Yes, it rings a bell. Keep you're fingers crossed.
Hydration appointments have been made for every morning this week with the exception of Friday when we go to MMC for hernia repair surgery.
More later friends. Pray for the best for Anne. It really helps. Thanks for being there.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Mornin everyone,
It's Sunday and we found our way, as planned, back to Maine Med for some hydration for Anne. We'd hope she'll not need it soon, maybe tomorrow will be the day.
Yesterday on the way home from MMC Anne was hungry so we stopped to eat. She ordered a cobb salad (half sized) and enjoyed some of it. In minutes afterwards when the car rolled she was in pain. It wasn't a good ride, and once situated at home she was still miserable and remained so all afternoon and evening, all the while trying find the right mix of meds. She slept most of last evening until she went off to bed. At one point we had an emotional release together. A long time coming and much needed.
She had a so-so night but got up at 3am with nausea, so we got her moved to the living room. She used all of her nausea meds at that time, then later at 6am one Compazine, and one Zofran at 7:30.
Anne had a couple of things to eat this morning, a banana at home, then a couple nab crackers in the car on the way in. They didn't bother her too much. On leaving the house for Portland, she took an Ativan for the ride. Also this morning, we washed her hair, then she changed up and got ready to leave before I did. All good.....
When they hooked up the bags this mornin we reminded the RN that something apparently made Anne sick yesterday immediately after it started. We questioned the use of the Decadrone/Zofran mix. Anne uses Zofran all the time, but I can't recall her using any Decadrone. I asked that they don't use any Decadrone today, and the RN complied. Subsequently, Anne hasn't been sick with the medicines today. We keep learning and asking questions, and get lucky once in awhile I guess.
Anne slept comfortably with hydration flowing till noon as I read the sports page. On waking up, she said she was hungry and asked for some creamy soup, or something. I found some cream of broccoli and she enjoyed a little, but then became sick and as a result has taken one of her pain pills. We wonder if it's the hernia causing this pain with eating, and hope the surgery this coming Friday will afford relief for this on-going problem.
Shortly now we'll be heading home. I hope for a good ride home for Anne. She'd like to watch the Pats today, as usual. We're planning to fix a game hen today, but I don't know how much eating she'll be able to do. We pray that after Friday she'll be able to satisy her appetite with no pain.
It's Sunday and we found our way, as planned, back to Maine Med for some hydration for Anne. We'd hope she'll not need it soon, maybe tomorrow will be the day.
Yesterday on the way home from MMC Anne was hungry so we stopped to eat. She ordered a cobb salad (half sized) and enjoyed some of it. In minutes afterwards when the car rolled she was in pain. It wasn't a good ride, and once situated at home she was still miserable and remained so all afternoon and evening, all the while trying find the right mix of meds. She slept most of last evening until she went off to bed. At one point we had an emotional release together. A long time coming and much needed.
She had a so-so night but got up at 3am with nausea, so we got her moved to the living room. She used all of her nausea meds at that time, then later at 6am one Compazine, and one Zofran at 7:30.
Anne had a couple of things to eat this morning, a banana at home, then a couple nab crackers in the car on the way in. They didn't bother her too much. On leaving the house for Portland, she took an Ativan for the ride. Also this morning, we washed her hair, then she changed up and got ready to leave before I did. All good.....
When they hooked up the bags this mornin we reminded the RN that something apparently made Anne sick yesterday immediately after it started. We questioned the use of the Decadrone/Zofran mix. Anne uses Zofran all the time, but I can't recall her using any Decadrone. I asked that they don't use any Decadrone today, and the RN complied. Subsequently, Anne hasn't been sick with the medicines today. We keep learning and asking questions, and get lucky once in awhile I guess.
Anne slept comfortably with hydration flowing till noon as I read the sports page. On waking up, she said she was hungry and asked for some creamy soup, or something. I found some cream of broccoli and she enjoyed a little, but then became sick and as a result has taken one of her pain pills. We wonder if it's the hernia causing this pain with eating, and hope the surgery this coming Friday will afford relief for this on-going problem.
Shortly now we'll be heading home. I hope for a good ride home for Anne. She'd like to watch the Pats today, as usual. We're planning to fix a game hen today, but I don't know how much eating she'll be able to do. We pray that after Friday she'll be able to satisy her appetite with no pain.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
OK, Hi everyone,
Saturday, 11:30am and Anne is comfortable being hydrated at MMC, in the ol' Gibson Pavillion. When they first hooked her up she felt sick, but she got past that. It's a nice facility we are familiar with from 2 years back. We're high over Portland on a sunny day with a beautiful view. I wish Anne was more in the mood to take it in and enjoy it. Some other time....
Last night Anne really enjoyed the Holiday Celebration put on by her peers at the Town Hall. Lot's of folks did alot of work to make that happen and it was a real good time. Anne didn't make it to the end. We rushed out early after the meal. She wasn't feeling well but she attended, she was proud to have made it, and I'm glad she did. It was time well spent. I'm sure she felt alot of love all around her. Thanks to Tom for helping us get to the car on the way out. What a gentleman!
On the way home, again last night, she was awful sick for the ride. Then it was a long walk from the driveway to her living room chair. Got her calmed down with the TV on, then she woke at 10pm, doing pretty well. I let her go into bed by herself. It was a big deal. Before, while the chemo was running she couldn't even walk from the living room to the bedroom, so she was better than that now, and felt accomplished I'm sure.
Ten minutes later I checked on her and she was on the edge of the bed, doubled over, struggling in pain again. It seemed she took her nightly meds as usual and began to suffer. She enjoyed the food at the event earlier, said she didn't eat very much, but that may be taking it's toll on her now. It's hard to tell. Drugs finally calmed her down so she could sleep.
No matter how poorly she felt, I'm sure that Anne completed her nightly bedtime ritual with Beasley, our cat. It involves treats, shaking both right and left paws over and over on command, and giving high fives to each other. It's a real fun show. Anne is truly amazing when it comes to raising and relating to our pets. She trained them, they're an important part of her life, and their routines are serious business in this house, so as for them being well behaved. I've learned alot from her. Incredible stuff.
We were up twice overnight, 2am and 5am. She needed meds both times. I've been afraid and cautious with the Ativan because of the warnings that it is dangerously habit forming. However, we've learned here from the RN this morning that her pills are of a low dose, .5mg, and that 2 pills could be taken together on the schedule on the jar. It does say 'take 1' tho, darnit. Duh, it really pays to ask alot of questions, and to use the drugs appropriately to manage her pain. We keep learning.
You guessed it, she was uncomfortable at home after waking up this morning (Sat.), and it was so for an hour or more till we left to come here to MMC for the 10:30 hydration appointment. Once here they administered Zofran and decadron for anti-nausea, then the 2 hour dose of sodium chloride was started. It's the big bag of fluid that Anne sometimes refers to as 'a lobster roll', or 'steak and potatoes'. Gotta keep you're sense of humor.
She began to squirm and fuss in pain right after the infusion started, so I reported it. Anne stated that the Ativan is the only thing that really helps. This is when the RN explained that it's ok to use 2 of them. We took another one (one was taken in the car on the way in), and soon the frown turned to a bit of a low stress smile. Now she is in dreamland. I pray she'll continue t improve this weekend, and have a good week ahead.
Remember, on Friday she has another surgery (arthroscopic (sp??))scheduled to fix the incisional hernia. She'll get thru it, but it's hard to look forward to the next 2 months with chemo happening every 2 weeks, perhaps making making her 'pay' for 4-5 days each time. Doesn't seem fair that she 'pays the price' when she eats too. This is the 'battle' everyone talks about, she knows it, and she's super strong and courageous. Lord forbid she tries to take too much without complaining. That's not one of her strengths. I pray she speaks up every time she needs to.
I hear her snoring now, her face is relaxed, a good thing.
More later, all out love to you all.
Saturday, 11:30am and Anne is comfortable being hydrated at MMC, in the ol' Gibson Pavillion. When they first hooked her up she felt sick, but she got past that. It's a nice facility we are familiar with from 2 years back. We're high over Portland on a sunny day with a beautiful view. I wish Anne was more in the mood to take it in and enjoy it. Some other time....
Last night Anne really enjoyed the Holiday Celebration put on by her peers at the Town Hall. Lot's of folks did alot of work to make that happen and it was a real good time. Anne didn't make it to the end. We rushed out early after the meal. She wasn't feeling well but she attended, she was proud to have made it, and I'm glad she did. It was time well spent. I'm sure she felt alot of love all around her. Thanks to Tom for helping us get to the car on the way out. What a gentleman!
On the way home, again last night, she was awful sick for the ride. Then it was a long walk from the driveway to her living room chair. Got her calmed down with the TV on, then she woke at 10pm, doing pretty well. I let her go into bed by herself. It was a big deal. Before, while the chemo was running she couldn't even walk from the living room to the bedroom, so she was better than that now, and felt accomplished I'm sure.
Ten minutes later I checked on her and she was on the edge of the bed, doubled over, struggling in pain again. It seemed she took her nightly meds as usual and began to suffer. She enjoyed the food at the event earlier, said she didn't eat very much, but that may be taking it's toll on her now. It's hard to tell. Drugs finally calmed her down so she could sleep.
No matter how poorly she felt, I'm sure that Anne completed her nightly bedtime ritual with Beasley, our cat. It involves treats, shaking both right and left paws over and over on command, and giving high fives to each other. It's a real fun show. Anne is truly amazing when it comes to raising and relating to our pets. She trained them, they're an important part of her life, and their routines are serious business in this house, so as for them being well behaved. I've learned alot from her. Incredible stuff.
We were up twice overnight, 2am and 5am. She needed meds both times. I've been afraid and cautious with the Ativan because of the warnings that it is dangerously habit forming. However, we've learned here from the RN this morning that her pills are of a low dose, .5mg, and that 2 pills could be taken together on the schedule on the jar. It does say 'take 1' tho, darnit. Duh, it really pays to ask alot of questions, and to use the drugs appropriately to manage her pain. We keep learning.
You guessed it, she was uncomfortable at home after waking up this morning (Sat.), and it was so for an hour or more till we left to come here to MMC for the 10:30 hydration appointment. Once here they administered Zofran and decadron for anti-nausea, then the 2 hour dose of sodium chloride was started. It's the big bag of fluid that Anne sometimes refers to as 'a lobster roll', or 'steak and potatoes'. Gotta keep you're sense of humor.
She began to squirm and fuss in pain right after the infusion started, so I reported it. Anne stated that the Ativan is the only thing that really helps. This is when the RN explained that it's ok to use 2 of them. We took another one (one was taken in the car on the way in), and soon the frown turned to a bit of a low stress smile. Now she is in dreamland. I pray she'll continue t improve this weekend, and have a good week ahead.
Remember, on Friday she has another surgery (arthroscopic (sp??))scheduled to fix the incisional hernia. She'll get thru it, but it's hard to look forward to the next 2 months with chemo happening every 2 weeks, perhaps making making her 'pay' for 4-5 days each time. Doesn't seem fair that she 'pays the price' when she eats too. This is the 'battle' everyone talks about, she knows it, and she's super strong and courageous. Lord forbid she tries to take too much without complaining. That's not one of her strengths. I pray she speaks up every time she needs to.
I hear her snoring now, her face is relaxed, a good thing.
More later, all out love to you all.
Anne made it to the event at the town hall. We couldn't stay till the end. It was good fun for her to see everybody. And, lots of folks worked hard to put on a great event.
It was a very tough night, and we'll be heading in for hydration treatment in about an hour now. Anne isn't feeling well.
Pray for her strength and courage, and that she will begin to feel better soon now that the chemo is not running. We'll write more later this morning.
It was a very tough night, and we'll be heading in for hydration treatment in about an hour now. Anne isn't feeling well.
Pray for her strength and courage, and that she will begin to feel better soon now that the chemo is not running. We'll write more later this morning.
Friday, December 2, 2011
2nd and 3rd day with the chemo pump
Even though they took great care of Anne at MCCM yesterday afternoon they couldn't help her on the way home. She began to feel sick during the ride. She did have an OK evening tho, and she enjoyed watching some TV.
Last night overnight was a better night for both of us. Me, I didn't wake up once. She did wake up sick tho and moved to the living room recliner in the middle of the night. She was sleeping there when I got up at 6am.
She woke up in pretty good shape today, looking good, and there was no stress in her face. She wasn't interested in eating very early, but when she got hungry I made what she wanted, a scrambler and a piece of toast. She enjoyed that but shortly thereafter she was miserable and was having dry heaves. We called MCCM to let them know we wanted to come in right away for hydration. They said they had no seats available, but they could take us a few minutes earlier than our scheduled appointment at 11:40.
We got there at 11:15 and they took her right in. You know the routine, anti-nausea meds (Ativan) followed by a 2 hours of sodium chloride. She's resting now with eyes closed, good color and no stress in her face. That's good considering a few minutes ago her smile was completely upside down. Before we finished she bacame pretty sick. With that, these folks have scheduled appointments for her to get hydration at 10:30 on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. We'll go to Maine Medical Center, the Gibson Pavillion for this. Scarborough MCCM chemo room will be closed on the weekend. Let's hope Anne feels wall enough going forward so she won't need to use either of these weekend appointments. Would be nice to have a break from going in to town.
Anne and me were invited to a holiday function with her co-workers and friends at the Town Hall tonight at 6pm. It's a murder mystery dinner. She really wants to go. Time will tell. I'm betting she'll make an appearance for a little while. She has her heart set on it.
Thanks to all of you for being there, for your continued prayers, and for keeping up with us. We know you're there and it means so much.
Aside from all that, want to let you know we realize the blog can seem very impersonal, and sometimes a real hassle for those with a telephone or slow PC. It's a life saver for us tho, in terms of making the latest information available to all of you. If it is difficult for you to use, know that we're grateful that you continue to read. If you can, get your hands on a relatively new laptop and you should have no problems. For example, my Toshiba is 3 years old and when I open the blog all the pictures load in 5-10 seconds. I can then drag the scroll bar, and blast right past all the pictures to the latest post. I'm still trying to find a way to move the pictures down below the postings to make it easier for everyone to use, but it is not looking good. I've updated to the latest version of IE and updated to the latest blogger interface, but still cannot do this.
Last night overnight was a better night for both of us. Me, I didn't wake up once. She did wake up sick tho and moved to the living room recliner in the middle of the night. She was sleeping there when I got up at 6am.
She woke up in pretty good shape today, looking good, and there was no stress in her face. She wasn't interested in eating very early, but when she got hungry I made what she wanted, a scrambler and a piece of toast. She enjoyed that but shortly thereafter she was miserable and was having dry heaves. We called MCCM to let them know we wanted to come in right away for hydration. They said they had no seats available, but they could take us a few minutes earlier than our scheduled appointment at 11:40.
We got there at 11:15 and they took her right in. You know the routine, anti-nausea meds (Ativan) followed by a 2 hours of sodium chloride. She's resting now with eyes closed, good color and no stress in her face. That's good considering a few minutes ago her smile was completely upside down. Before we finished she bacame pretty sick. With that, these folks have scheduled appointments for her to get hydration at 10:30 on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. We'll go to Maine Medical Center, the Gibson Pavillion for this. Scarborough MCCM chemo room will be closed on the weekend. Let's hope Anne feels wall enough going forward so she won't need to use either of these weekend appointments. Would be nice to have a break from going in to town.
Anne and me were invited to a holiday function with her co-workers and friends at the Town Hall tonight at 6pm. It's a murder mystery dinner. She really wants to go. Time will tell. I'm betting she'll make an appearance for a little while. She has her heart set on it.
Thanks to all of you for being there, for your continued prayers, and for keeping up with us. We know you're there and it means so much.
Aside from all that, want to let you know we realize the blog can seem very impersonal, and sometimes a real hassle for those with a telephone or slow PC. It's a life saver for us tho, in terms of making the latest information available to all of you. If it is difficult for you to use, know that we're grateful that you continue to read. If you can, get your hands on a relatively new laptop and you should have no problems. For example, my Toshiba is 3 years old and when I open the blog all the pictures load in 5-10 seconds. I can then drag the scroll bar, and blast right past all the pictures to the latest post. I'm still trying to find a way to move the pictures down below the postings to make it easier for everyone to use, but it is not looking good. I've updated to the latest version of IE and updated to the latest blogger interface, but still cannot do this.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
First night with the chemo pump
Hi all,
It hasn't been easy getting re-acquainted with this chemo-therapy (poison) again. Anne didn't have much fun last evening or over night, up several times and ill. This morning she fought it as hard as she could, but was just miserable. Mid morning we called MCCM (Maine Center for Cancer Medicine) and they suggested we get in there for 1pm for hydration and anti-nausea meds. Anne is trying to 'put the fluids' to herself, but it's hard. This is like deja vu, it's coming back to me now, the sickness and need for hydration thru the IV port.
We headed into Scarboro, parked at MCCM and started walking in. Anne walked very very slowly clutching my sleeve and struggling. Then she grabbed me and we stopped before being rescued by a kind person who ran for a wheelchair.
They immediately got her situated in the chemo room and the anti-nausea meds, then the sodium choloride for hydration, were flowing. She quickly appeared ok, so I ran to the car to pick up this laptop. When I got back she was doubled over and ill.
They switched her over to some Ativan (lorazepam), a relaxer mixed with another anti-nausea med, and when that was done it was back to the hydration (sodium chloride). It will flow for 2 hours. They have been right there with her since she sat down in the chemo room, and very responsive to her needs.
This is so hard for her but she fights it with all she has. If she crys I know something is drastically wrong. She did and it scared me.
Now her eyes are closed, in fact she's asleep, and her color is back in her face.
They said that in 2 weeks when she comes back for her second treatment, they'll give her a booster of some 'super duper' anti-nausea stuff, along with the chemo. They say it will cover her for the 2 days of having the pump running at home. Let's hope so. Can you imagine having to use all these drugs and trying to get better.
From 2 years ago I remember rushing her to town, sick and needing hydration, over and over. Poor kid hasn't had much of anything to eat since Monday, trying yogurt and chicken/rice soup starting Wednesday, neither working out that well.
We hope for a better night tonight, and look forward to having the pump disconnected tomorrow.
The battle is under way.
PS. For curious minds, the chemo drugs being used are as follows: A mix of Oxaliplatin (aka Eloxatin) and Leucovorin (aka Citrovorum Factor) for 2 hours (at MCCM) once every 2 weeks, followed by 48 straight hours of Fluorouracil (aka 5-FU) using a portable chemo pump.
It hasn't been easy getting re-acquainted with this chemo-therapy (poison) again. Anne didn't have much fun last evening or over night, up several times and ill. This morning she fought it as hard as she could, but was just miserable. Mid morning we called MCCM (Maine Center for Cancer Medicine) and they suggested we get in there for 1pm for hydration and anti-nausea meds. Anne is trying to 'put the fluids' to herself, but it's hard. This is like deja vu, it's coming back to me now, the sickness and need for hydration thru the IV port.
We headed into Scarboro, parked at MCCM and started walking in. Anne walked very very slowly clutching my sleeve and struggling. Then she grabbed me and we stopped before being rescued by a kind person who ran for a wheelchair.
They immediately got her situated in the chemo room and the anti-nausea meds, then the sodium choloride for hydration, were flowing. She quickly appeared ok, so I ran to the car to pick up this laptop. When I got back she was doubled over and ill.
They switched her over to some Ativan (lorazepam), a relaxer mixed with another anti-nausea med, and when that was done it was back to the hydration (sodium chloride). It will flow for 2 hours. They have been right there with her since she sat down in the chemo room, and very responsive to her needs.
This is so hard for her but she fights it with all she has. If she crys I know something is drastically wrong. She did and it scared me.
Now her eyes are closed, in fact she's asleep, and her color is back in her face.
They said that in 2 weeks when she comes back for her second treatment, they'll give her a booster of some 'super duper' anti-nausea stuff, along with the chemo. They say it will cover her for the 2 days of having the pump running at home. Let's hope so. Can you imagine having to use all these drugs and trying to get better.
From 2 years ago I remember rushing her to town, sick and needing hydration, over and over. Poor kid hasn't had much of anything to eat since Monday, trying yogurt and chicken/rice soup starting Wednesday, neither working out that well.
We hope for a better night tonight, and look forward to having the pump disconnected tomorrow.
The battle is under way.
PS. For curious minds, the chemo drugs being used are as follows: A mix of Oxaliplatin (aka Eloxatin) and Leucovorin (aka Citrovorum Factor) for 2 hours (at MCCM) once every 2 weeks, followed by 48 straight hours of Fluorouracil (aka 5-FU) using a portable chemo pump.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Back to Grand Central (chemo) Station
Hello all,
At 9am today we left home to return to Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, Sarborouth to start Anne's chemo treatments. It was a challenge to make the 9:45am appointment this morning. Anne was dragging a bit what with the past 2 days at Maine Med and all that she accomplished there, but we got to the parking lot here on time and got a handicapped parking slot in front of the door.
We learned we'll be having 2 hours of chemo while were here, and when we leave Anne will have a chemo pump attached and working for the next 48 hours. On Friday we return, just to have that disconnected. That'll be the routine every 2 weeks for the next 2 months. Then they'll evaluate the progress of the treatment by comparing a CT to the one taken on 10/20. If necessary, the treatments can then be altered or continued for up to 6 months.
When we first set down, they administered anti-nausea drugs, followed by steroids which facilitate the anti-nausea meds. Then the chemo was 'hung' and it will flow for 2 hours. We'll leave then with plumbing attached.
Anne didn't eat sunday night or Monday. Since Tuesday night she has been OK'd to eat soft things, chicken noodle soup, yogurt, cooked cereal, etc. With that she's had very little, but some, stomach pain after eating, nothing like it's been for the past 18 months. We're wondering just how long the bile duct had been clogged, regardless it is clear now and it's a good thing.
At 9am today we left home to return to Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, Sarborouth to start Anne's chemo treatments. It was a challenge to make the 9:45am appointment this morning. Anne was dragging a bit what with the past 2 days at Maine Med and all that she accomplished there, but we got to the parking lot here on time and got a handicapped parking slot in front of the door.
We learned we'll be having 2 hours of chemo while were here, and when we leave Anne will have a chemo pump attached and working for the next 48 hours. On Friday we return, just to have that disconnected. That'll be the routine every 2 weeks for the next 2 months. Then they'll evaluate the progress of the treatment by comparing a CT to the one taken on 10/20. If necessary, the treatments can then be altered or continued for up to 6 months.
When we first set down, they administered anti-nausea drugs, followed by steroids which facilitate the anti-nausea meds. Then the chemo was 'hung' and it will flow for 2 hours. We'll leave then with plumbing attached.
Anne didn't eat sunday night or Monday. Since Tuesday night she has been OK'd to eat soft things, chicken noodle soup, yogurt, cooked cereal, etc. With that she's had very little, but some, stomach pain after eating, nothing like it's been for the past 18 months. We're wondering just how long the bile duct had been clogged, regardless it is clear now and it's a good thing.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Dr. Wu installs Anne's medi-port
Hi everyone,
Anne has been doing very well today. They had her spend the night last night because of the rigorous surgery done on her insides yesterday. Dr. Howell stated again this morning how much work they had done, and how tricky it was to clear her bile duct. He reiterated that it was however, FIXED. I told him we didn't want him getting bored, and Anne said she came to him so to make his life interesting. He is a fantastic doctor.
At 11am today Anne was taken to surgery with Dr. Wu to install the medi-port. She was cheerful when she left the room. Dr. Wu called me while I was in the cafeteria at 12:15. She said Anne did well, and is in recovery for an hour or so more. She expects it all went very well and that Anne will get to go home later today.
We learned that the medi-port will be used as early as tomorrow, so that's a positive takeaway. No IV's will be done to Anne for awhile.
Thanks everybody for reading and for your messages. They help so much. I read all of them to Anne and they are a blessing.
Pray for miracles as Anne fights one day at a time, to put out "one fire at a time".
Anne has been doing very well today. They had her spend the night last night because of the rigorous surgery done on her insides yesterday. Dr. Howell stated again this morning how much work they had done, and how tricky it was to clear her bile duct. He reiterated that it was however, FIXED. I told him we didn't want him getting bored, and Anne said she came to him so to make his life interesting. He is a fantastic doctor.
At 11am today Anne was taken to surgery with Dr. Wu to install the medi-port. She was cheerful when she left the room. Dr. Wu called me while I was in the cafeteria at 12:15. She said Anne did well, and is in recovery for an hour or so more. She expects it all went very well and that Anne will get to go home later today.
We learned that the medi-port will be used as early as tomorrow, so that's a positive takeaway. No IV's will be done to Anne for awhile.
Thanks everybody for reading and for your messages. They help so much. I read all of them to Anne and they are a blessing.
Pray for miracles as Anne fights one day at a time, to put out "one fire at a time".
Monday, November 28, 2011
Successful ERCP Today !!@@!!
This morning Dr. Howell successfully cleared Anne's clogged bile duct. He told me it was a difficult challenge. It took 1 1/2 hours longer than the usual. He told me it would make her feel better. Our prayers were answered this morning. We knew we had found the right man for the job.
Anne will spend the night here, and tomorrow morning have surgery to install the medi-port.
Anne will spend the night here, and tomorrow morning have surgery to install the medi-port.
Hi, It's late 2011 and we're back to blogging
Hello readers,
It's been awhile so lets see if we remember how to update this blog. We haven't done this since our whirlwind USA tour this past winter. Unfortunately we're here updating this to let you know that Anne's cancer has returned. It is called recurring esophageal cancer. This girl has no esophagus anymore, as you know, but that's what they call it. The oncologist says the cancer was undetectible last May, apparently it layed dormant, now it has come alive in two small spots in Anne's chest. We are encouraged that there is treatment. New chemo-therapy drugs that we're not available a year ago. Please pray that Anne responds well.
Back in September Anne began to experience shortness of breath. She told me in mid-October. We saw our PCP, Pamela Courtney, and Anne described the problem as a feeling of having a 'belt round my chest'. A catscan was done 10/20 which showed a 'shadow' in her chest and a blockage in the bile duct in her tummy.
Dr. Stern performed an ERCP at Mercy Hospital in Sept/2011 to try and dredge out the blockage in the bile duct. He was not successful because he 'couldn't find the door'. As you know the furniture in Anne's chest and stomach has been re-arranged. Anyway, he didn't get the job done.
At end September Anne found she had an 'incisional' hernia bothering her. It's located at the top of her tummy, on the incision where the esophagectomy was performed. We have seen Dr. Dougald MacGillivray who is scheduled to fix the hernia on 12/09/2011.
Meanwhile we are at Maine Medical today with Dr. Howell (the best around) who is performing another ERCP at this very moment, 11/28, to solve the problem in the bile duct.
Anne decided she wanted to see her Cardiologist, Dr. Carl Sze, in late October. She felt her symptoms were similar to last year when she had troubles with fluid around her heart following the esophagectomy. Over time he performed several tests (echo, chemical and resting stress tests, etc.) and determined, in Anne's words, that she has "heart like bull". He gave his blessing to Anne having hernia surgery in December. It was good news to hear that Anne's heart is especially strong.
On Nov 10, 2011, Thursday, Dr. Milspaugh was called on to perform an EUS (electronic? ultra sound), to examine and do a biopsy of the 'shadow' found on 10/20. This day he informed us he found cancer in a lympthnode next to Anne's heart. To me it felt as if a dark could had come over head. No matter how terrifying, Anne remains strong, determined to "put out one fire at a time". I don't know how she does it. It's a special quality she has, but I pray it rubs off on me so I never do anything other than encourage her.
We called our Encologist, Dr. Kurt Ebrahim right away when we got home Thursday night, and were able to have a petscan scheduled the following Weds., 11/16, and a visit with him on Friday, 11/18. He reviewed the petscan with us in detail and showed us 2 spots of cancer in Anne's chest. (He gave us the good news that there is no cancer in Anne's bile duct)!! He said the spots would cause shortness of breath because one of them is swollen next to Anne's windpipe. The other, as I said, is next to her heart. He said there would be no radiation treatment this time, and no surgery, however, there are new cancer drugs that we'll treat this with, beginning Nov 30. He will examine the cancer to determine whether there is a certain kind of protien in it, then he'll prescribe the appropriate chemo-therapy, "cocktail" as they call it. He states there is no cure, but we'll work together to 'manage' the disease and prolong Anne's life. Dr. Ebrahim has never 'pulled any punches". Your prayers are very helpful and we know that the Good Lord is in control and will intervene. Everything is possible.
Today is Nov 28. I'm back blogging from the waiting room. Anne will soon be out of the ERCP procedure with Dr. Howell. He told us she must spend the night here tonight. We didn't expect that. Believe it or not, Anne is due here at 9am tomorrow to have surgery with Dr. Wu to have a medi-port installed in her chest. This is needed to facilitate chemo-therapy treatments (as well as any other needed IV's). Chemo starts day after tomorrow. I don't know how she does it.... Another bump in the road that Anne will bravely travel.
Through all of this Anne has never utterred the words 'Why me?', never once. She's an amazing person, determined to fight and live. I believe there's no doubt she will out live any forecast. Comically, she lifted her leg in Dr. Ebrahim's office and asked him, "Do you see any expiration date on the bottom of my foot?" She keeps her sence of humor and strong will. Prayer warriors are much needed, that's you,,, especially this week and the coming 1-2 months.
Thanks for being there and thanks for you're continued prayers as we fight "one fire at a time." Most important for the moment, pray for success today and for Anne to feel well.
It's been awhile so lets see if we remember how to update this blog. We haven't done this since our whirlwind USA tour this past winter. Unfortunately we're here updating this to let you know that Anne's cancer has returned. It is called recurring esophageal cancer. This girl has no esophagus anymore, as you know, but that's what they call it. The oncologist says the cancer was undetectible last May, apparently it layed dormant, now it has come alive in two small spots in Anne's chest. We are encouraged that there is treatment. New chemo-therapy drugs that we're not available a year ago. Please pray that Anne responds well.
Back in September Anne began to experience shortness of breath. She told me in mid-October. We saw our PCP, Pamela Courtney, and Anne described the problem as a feeling of having a 'belt round my chest'. A catscan was done 10/20 which showed a 'shadow' in her chest and a blockage in the bile duct in her tummy.
Dr. Stern performed an ERCP at Mercy Hospital in Sept/2011 to try and dredge out the blockage in the bile duct. He was not successful because he 'couldn't find the door'. As you know the furniture in Anne's chest and stomach has been re-arranged. Anyway, he didn't get the job done.
At end September Anne found she had an 'incisional' hernia bothering her. It's located at the top of her tummy, on the incision where the esophagectomy was performed. We have seen Dr. Dougald MacGillivray who is scheduled to fix the hernia on 12/09/2011.
Meanwhile we are at Maine Medical today with Dr. Howell (the best around) who is performing another ERCP at this very moment, 11/28, to solve the problem in the bile duct.
Anne decided she wanted to see her Cardiologist, Dr. Carl Sze, in late October. She felt her symptoms were similar to last year when she had troubles with fluid around her heart following the esophagectomy. Over time he performed several tests (echo, chemical and resting stress tests, etc.) and determined, in Anne's words, that she has "heart like bull". He gave his blessing to Anne having hernia surgery in December. It was good news to hear that Anne's heart is especially strong.
On Nov 10, 2011, Thursday, Dr. Milspaugh was called on to perform an EUS (electronic? ultra sound), to examine and do a biopsy of the 'shadow' found on 10/20. This day he informed us he found cancer in a lympthnode next to Anne's heart. To me it felt as if a dark could had come over head. No matter how terrifying, Anne remains strong, determined to "put out one fire at a time". I don't know how she does it. It's a special quality she has, but I pray it rubs off on me so I never do anything other than encourage her.
We called our Encologist, Dr. Kurt Ebrahim right away when we got home Thursday night, and were able to have a petscan scheduled the following Weds., 11/16, and a visit with him on Friday, 11/18. He reviewed the petscan with us in detail and showed us 2 spots of cancer in Anne's chest. (He gave us the good news that there is no cancer in Anne's bile duct)!! He said the spots would cause shortness of breath because one of them is swollen next to Anne's windpipe. The other, as I said, is next to her heart. He said there would be no radiation treatment this time, and no surgery, however, there are new cancer drugs that we'll treat this with, beginning Nov 30. He will examine the cancer to determine whether there is a certain kind of protien in it, then he'll prescribe the appropriate chemo-therapy, "cocktail" as they call it. He states there is no cure, but we'll work together to 'manage' the disease and prolong Anne's life. Dr. Ebrahim has never 'pulled any punches". Your prayers are very helpful and we know that the Good Lord is in control and will intervene. Everything is possible.
Today is Nov 28. I'm back blogging from the waiting room. Anne will soon be out of the ERCP procedure with Dr. Howell. He told us she must spend the night here tonight. We didn't expect that. Believe it or not, Anne is due here at 9am tomorrow to have surgery with Dr. Wu to have a medi-port installed in her chest. This is needed to facilitate chemo-therapy treatments (as well as any other needed IV's). Chemo starts day after tomorrow. I don't know how she does it.... Another bump in the road that Anne will bravely travel.
Through all of this Anne has never utterred the words 'Why me?', never once. She's an amazing person, determined to fight and live. I believe there's no doubt she will out live any forecast. Comically, she lifted her leg in Dr. Ebrahim's office and asked him, "Do you see any expiration date on the bottom of my foot?" She keeps her sence of humor and strong will. Prayer warriors are much needed, that's you,,, especially this week and the coming 1-2 months.
Thanks for being there and thanks for you're continued prayers as we fight "one fire at a time." Most important for the moment, pray for success today and for Anne to feel well.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Byron, NY ( and side trip to Niagara Falls)
Today we traveled as planned from Port Huron, MI , across Ontario, thru Niagara Falls, and on to Byron, NY. We used Canadian Hwy’s 402, 401, 403, Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway, QEW, 406 and US Hwy’s 104, 98, and 262. It was a 255 mile drive. We passed thru Paris, London, and Niagara Falls all in one day, the same day the Royal Wedding was happening. Now we’ll stay 2 nights in Bryon at the Southwoods RV Resort.
The trips thru International borders today were like the last time. Good going into Canada, and bad coming back into the US.
Going into Canada first thing this morning a young woman, Customs Official, had a conversation with us after crossing the Blue Waters Bridge in Port Huron. She quickly said, “Go ahead and have a nice day.”
Getting into the US at the Lewiston, NY border crossing there was a delay in traffic of over an hour. Then, once we made it up to the gate, the US Customs Official questioned us and took the time to go thru our RV. Shortly thereafter he let us proceed thru. We didn’t have any of our produce or dog food confiscated this time.
The highways thru Ontario were very good compared to those in the western Canadian provinces. It sprinkled all along the way. Most of the sites we saw today were of farmland and golf courses, except for Niagara Falls, read on. Oddly enough we passed two places along the highways today where we saw men practice driving Trotter horses like those you’d see at Scarborough Downs. I got a blurry picture.
Anne drove most of the Canadian portion of the ride today, about 175 miles worth of it. I had to pull her off of the steering wheel today. I did that when we exited the highway and had our lunch. I don't remember where we were but it was somewhere along the QEW highway, somewhere between Hamilton and St. Catharines, Ontario.
We witnessed the wind storm devastation that happened here yesterday near St. Catharine off of Lake Ontario. Huge trees were blown down or snapped, some caused damage to houses and power lines. Most of the problems were seen after we entered the US and followed Hwy 104 from Niagara Falls to Byron, NY.
After crossing the border into the US I exited the highway and scooted maybe 5 miles over to Niagara Falls. We parked on a city street and I got out to walk over to see the ‘Falls’. Last time I saw them we stayed on the Canadian side. That’s definitely the better view but I don‘t remember getting as close to the Falls as I did today.
Our engine light came on today as we sat in the traffic jam at ‘Customs’ coming into the US. We'll try to have this checked out tomorrow. Maybe we’ll be lucky and the light will go out over night tonight.
The owners at Southwood’s RV Resort, Sue and Mike, had been great to us on the phone up until now, and even nicer now that we’re here. As we got set up Mike stopped over and introduced himself. Then he asked me if our unit was wired for Cable TV. When I said ’yes‘, he offered to hook us up with a long cable running over from the next site. He said he has just made a deal with Time Warner Cable for the Resort, but they don’t have all the wiring done yet. So, that’s a nice fringe benefit and a nice thing for him to do. The internet signal works great here too.
Now I'll try to add some pictures to this blog.
We'll leave here tomorrow, Sunday, May 1. We’re planning to go to Johnstown, NY to stay at Royal Mountain Campsite.
The trips thru International borders today were like the last time. Good going into Canada, and bad coming back into the US.
Going into Canada first thing this morning a young woman, Customs Official, had a conversation with us after crossing the Blue Waters Bridge in Port Huron. She quickly said, “Go ahead and have a nice day.”
Getting into the US at the Lewiston, NY border crossing there was a delay in traffic of over an hour. Then, once we made it up to the gate, the US Customs Official questioned us and took the time to go thru our RV. Shortly thereafter he let us proceed thru. We didn’t have any of our produce or dog food confiscated this time.
The highways thru Ontario were very good compared to those in the western Canadian provinces. It sprinkled all along the way. Most of the sites we saw today were of farmland and golf courses, except for Niagara Falls, read on. Oddly enough we passed two places along the highways today where we saw men practice driving Trotter horses like those you’d see at Scarborough Downs. I got a blurry picture.
Anne drove most of the Canadian portion of the ride today, about 175 miles worth of it. I had to pull her off of the steering wheel today. I did that when we exited the highway and had our lunch. I don't remember where we were but it was somewhere along the QEW highway, somewhere between Hamilton and St. Catharines, Ontario.
We witnessed the wind storm devastation that happened here yesterday near St. Catharine off of Lake Ontario. Huge trees were blown down or snapped, some caused damage to houses and power lines. Most of the problems were seen after we entered the US and followed Hwy 104 from Niagara Falls to Byron, NY.
After crossing the border into the US I exited the highway and scooted maybe 5 miles over to Niagara Falls. We parked on a city street and I got out to walk over to see the ‘Falls’. Last time I saw them we stayed on the Canadian side. That’s definitely the better view but I don‘t remember getting as close to the Falls as I did today.
Our engine light came on today as we sat in the traffic jam at ‘Customs’ coming into the US. We'll try to have this checked out tomorrow. Maybe we’ll be lucky and the light will go out over night tonight.
The owners at Southwood’s RV Resort, Sue and Mike, had been great to us on the phone up until now, and even nicer now that we’re here. As we got set up Mike stopped over and introduced himself. Then he asked me if our unit was wired for Cable TV. When I said ’yes‘, he offered to hook us up with a long cable running over from the next site. He said he has just made a deal with Time Warner Cable for the Resort, but they don’t have all the wiring done yet. So, that’s a nice fringe benefit and a nice thing for him to do. The internet signal works great here too.
Now I'll try to add some pictures to this blog.
We'll leave here tomorrow, Sunday, May 1. We’re planning to go to Johnstown, NY to stay at Royal Mountain Campsite.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Port Huron, MI
Today Anne and I drove 171 miles from Harrison, MI to Port Huron, MI. We left at 10:15am and arrived at the Port Huron Township RV Park at 3:30pm. Anne had packed the cooler for the ride, including a nice lunch which we enjoyed along the way. No different than any other travel day the past 4 months. She is something special !!
We passed thru Saginaw and Flint Michigan today. We also passed thru a lot of flooded land. Some roads were closed and we had to adapt and re-route one time. Anne was prepared for that from watching the news this morning. I’m not kidding ya, I don't know what's next. When we set up in Harrison there were tornado warnings all over the area that night, then yesterday and today it has been flood warnings all around this area. Holy cow !
We filled with fuel about 33 miles outside of Port Huron expecting that this ‘gateway to Canada’ would be a fuel trap. The price was $4.11/gal outside town, good relative to what the cost has been lately. Once in Port Huron we toured around town to see the city. After that, ready to retire to the campground, we filled our tank with fuel again. We needed to ‘top it off’ before taking the 255 mile trek across Canada to Buffalo tomorrow. The cost of fuel in Port Huron was up, $4.28/gal. Hurray for us, we beat the system !!
Port Huron is an old place but the city is taking a lot of pride in modernizing itself, especially along the waterfront. It’s called the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway and it runs between Lake Huron and Anchor Bay. Anchor Bay is slightly north of Detroit, and across from there is Lake St. Clair. Lake St. Clair is at Winsor, Ontario, Canada. With a little imagination, Anchor Bay and Lake St. Clair are the same body of water shared by the 2 countries.
There is big double bridge crossing between USA and Canada here. It is named Blue Water Bridge, A.K.A the Bridge to Canada. When we were at the waterfront park in town today we took some pictures of the bridge etc., and sure enough, the water is a very nice bright blue in color. It also has a tremendous amount of current in it. It reminds me a lot of the Cape Cod Canal.
This night at the Port Huron Township RV Park we never disconnected our truck from the RV. We have a nice level, solid, dry site. We have water and electric hooked up. We don’t need sewer hook-up tonight. We don’t have an internet connection here so I’ll write, and save this blog entry on the word processor on my laptop. With any luck we'll have internet connectivity tomorrow night and I can paste this into the blog then
We’ll get up in the morning and drive from here thru Canada to Niagra Falls, NY.
Note: As we drove thru Michigan today the grass became very green. YEAH !!
We passed thru Saginaw and Flint Michigan today. We also passed thru a lot of flooded land. Some roads were closed and we had to adapt and re-route one time. Anne was prepared for that from watching the news this morning. I’m not kidding ya, I don't know what's next. When we set up in Harrison there were tornado warnings all over the area that night, then yesterday and today it has been flood warnings all around this area. Holy cow !
We filled with fuel about 33 miles outside of Port Huron expecting that this ‘gateway to Canada’ would be a fuel trap. The price was $4.11/gal outside town, good relative to what the cost has been lately. Once in Port Huron we toured around town to see the city. After that, ready to retire to the campground, we filled our tank with fuel again. We needed to ‘top it off’ before taking the 255 mile trek across Canada to Buffalo tomorrow. The cost of fuel in Port Huron was up, $4.28/gal. Hurray for us, we beat the system !!
Port Huron is an old place but the city is taking a lot of pride in modernizing itself, especially along the waterfront. It’s called the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway and it runs between Lake Huron and Anchor Bay. Anchor Bay is slightly north of Detroit, and across from there is Lake St. Clair. Lake St. Clair is at Winsor, Ontario, Canada. With a little imagination, Anchor Bay and Lake St. Clair are the same body of water shared by the 2 countries.
There is big double bridge crossing between USA and Canada here. It is named Blue Water Bridge, A.K.A the Bridge to Canada. When we were at the waterfront park in town today we took some pictures of the bridge etc., and sure enough, the water is a very nice bright blue in color. It also has a tremendous amount of current in it. It reminds me a lot of the Cape Cod Canal.
This night at the Port Huron Township RV Park we never disconnected our truck from the RV. We have a nice level, solid, dry site. We have water and electric hooked up. We don’t need sewer hook-up tonight. We don’t have an internet connection here so I’ll write, and save this blog entry on the word processor on my laptop. With any luck we'll have internet connectivity tomorrow night and I can paste this into the blog then
We’ll get up in the morning and drive from here thru Canada to Niagra Falls, NY.
Note: As we drove thru Michigan today the grass became very green. YEAH !!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Harrison, MI
Tuesday April 26 we leave St. Ignace and travel into the mitten of Michigan ending up at Harrison.
It rained as we drove today so we didn't take very many pictures to speak of, but the highways are wonderful here. It wasn't a bad driving day.
We drove around in downtown St. Ignace on the way out of here. It is a tourist town on both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. They have a big catamaren ferry and all. And we did cross the Mackinac Bridge as planned. There is a 20 mile speed limit for trucks so it takes awhile to cross. One lane in each direction was being worked on too, so it was narrow with only the 2 middle lanes open, and cones lining the lanes.
We arrived at Hidden Hill Campground in Harrison safely and we'll stay for 2 nights. There are a couple other campers here. It's a nice place where Dixie can run free in the woods as we walk with her. We checked out Harrison and it's a very neat little town with a beautiful lake.
Thursday we get up and head to Port Huron, MI, north of Detroit, where we will spend one night at Port Huron Township RV Park. From there we'll jump directly over a bridge into Canada for one days drive which will take us across Ontario, thru Niagra Falls and clear over towards Buffalo, NY. This way we avoid driving around Lake Huron by cities like Detroit, Toledo, and Cleveland. Plan has us then staying in the Buffalo area at Byron, NY, Southwoods RV Resort.
It rained as we drove today so we didn't take very many pictures to speak of, but the highways are wonderful here. It wasn't a bad driving day.
We drove around in downtown St. Ignace on the way out of here. It is a tourist town on both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. They have a big catamaren ferry and all. And we did cross the Mackinac Bridge as planned. There is a 20 mile speed limit for trucks so it takes awhile to cross. One lane in each direction was being worked on too, so it was narrow with only the 2 middle lanes open, and cones lining the lanes.
We arrived at Hidden Hill Campground in Harrison safely and we'll stay for 2 nights. There are a couple other campers here. It's a nice place where Dixie can run free in the woods as we walk with her. We checked out Harrison and it's a very neat little town with a beautiful lake.
Thursday we get up and head to Port Huron, MI, north of Detroit, where we will spend one night at Port Huron Township RV Park. From there we'll jump directly over a bridge into Canada for one days drive which will take us across Ontario, thru Niagra Falls and clear over towards Buffalo, NY. This way we avoid driving around Lake Huron by cities like Detroit, Toledo, and Cleveland. Plan has us then staying in the Buffalo area at Byron, NY, Southwoods RV Resort.
St. Ignace, MI
On Monday April 25th we travelled into Michigan from Wisconsin, AGAIN !! It's unusual the way the geography and state borders are layed out up here. It's fun tho. Our drive today was of 265 miles well over 5 hours.
We had planned to stay near Manistique, MI but never ran into the campground we expected to find there, so we just kept going. It was a great day to drive, and the highways were empty and smooth. It's so 'off season' here once again. Things will gear up in another month for sure. Anyway, we followed the shores of Lake Michigan in the sunshine and it was beautiful along the way.
We pulled into an 'unattended' Lakeview RV Park. There were 'late arrival' instructions posted so we read those and pulled into a site, but it didn't work out. Let's leave it at that. So we asked the owner for our check back, it was given to us, and we moved on. We ended up staying in a Truck Stop overnight in St. Ignace for $5. Diesel engines hummed all around us all night long, but they hummed us to sleep and it worked well.
I took off with Dixie for a walk and minutes from the Truck Stop out back we descended a hill and found ourselves looking at the Mackinac Bridge from the St. Ignace Golf and Country Club around sunset. It was well after supper and no one else was around there. We were standing on the deck of the club house, elevated above the golf course, and we took pictures of the bridge. The Mackinac Bridge (Big Mac) is the third longest suspension bridge in the world, and it is designed just like the Golden Gate Bridge, just of different colors, and perhaps even more beautiful. It links Michigans Upper and Lower Peninsulas, running between the towns of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. It crosses the neck at the tops of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
I purchased a future meal, a couple of frozen 'pasties' in a store across the street. I didn't know what these were, but pasties are advertised everywhere around here so we had to try them, according to me anyway. They ended up being hand made meat and chicken pies with peas, rutabaga, potatoes, onions and carrots inside. We have one of each in the freezer and they come each with their own gravy on the side.
We blew a few fuses this night at the truck stop before the Truck Stop owner put us on a 20 amp circuit, up from 15. With the 15 amp circuit breaker the electric heater and microwave at the same time were too much for it. It all worked out and we were on our way in the morning, heading across Big Mac to Harrison, MI and the Hidden Hill Campground.
We had planned to stay near Manistique, MI but never ran into the campground we expected to find there, so we just kept going. It was a great day to drive, and the highways were empty and smooth. It's so 'off season' here once again. Things will gear up in another month for sure. Anyway, we followed the shores of Lake Michigan in the sunshine and it was beautiful along the way.
We pulled into an 'unattended' Lakeview RV Park. There were 'late arrival' instructions posted so we read those and pulled into a site, but it didn't work out. Let's leave it at that. So we asked the owner for our check back, it was given to us, and we moved on. We ended up staying in a Truck Stop overnight in St. Ignace for $5. Diesel engines hummed all around us all night long, but they hummed us to sleep and it worked well.
I took off with Dixie for a walk and minutes from the Truck Stop out back we descended a hill and found ourselves looking at the Mackinac Bridge from the St. Ignace Golf and Country Club around sunset. It was well after supper and no one else was around there. We were standing on the deck of the club house, elevated above the golf course, and we took pictures of the bridge. The Mackinac Bridge (Big Mac) is the third longest suspension bridge in the world, and it is designed just like the Golden Gate Bridge, just of different colors, and perhaps even more beautiful. It links Michigans Upper and Lower Peninsulas, running between the towns of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. It crosses the neck at the tops of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
I purchased a future meal, a couple of frozen 'pasties' in a store across the street. I didn't know what these were, but pasties are advertised everywhere around here so we had to try them, according to me anyway. They ended up being hand made meat and chicken pies with peas, rutabaga, potatoes, onions and carrots inside. We have one of each in the freezer and they come each with their own gravy on the side.
We blew a few fuses this night at the truck stop before the Truck Stop owner put us on a 20 amp circuit, up from 15. With the 15 amp circuit breaker the electric heater and microwave at the same time were too much for it. It all worked out and we were on our way in the morning, heading across Big Mac to Harrison, MI and the Hidden Hill Campground.
Eagle River, WI
On Saturday April 23 we left Cloquet, MN for Eagle River, WI. It was some 205 miles, over 4 hours driving. On the way we passed thru alot of the UP of Michigan on Hwy 2. There were some places covered in fresh snow along the way. We passed ski resorts at Bessimer, Ramsay, and Wakefield, MI.
The Hi Pines Campground at Eagle River was not opened for the season, but we had called them ahead and the owner graciously welcomed us to stay on a seasonal site where the water was turned on. He would be around there working on the place before they're opening day, this coming Sunday. Mark also let us spend time in the clubhouse to use the Wi-Fi while he was out on the property working. He was supernice to us and because of that we were able to use the Internet to do our planning.
Dixie ran free here, all over with the owners dog Asher. Many deer roamed in the campground and the dogs chased them to the woods edge. Dixie took her first dip in the fishing pond.
It's a nice campground in a neat town. Here they have a stadium here where the Annual World Championships of Snomobiling take place every January.
We stayed 2 nights and got some much needed rest. I brought the water hose in over night to avoid freezing lines. The sun came out brightly Easter Sunday and it felt glorious. We went out around noon and brought 2 hot meals back to our place for Easter dinner. We miss our family and church family this holiday.
We will leave here Monday and go back to Michigan's UP. We'll pass thru the border towns of Spread Eagle, WI, then Iron Mountain, MI. Once back on the UP we'll continue on Hwy 2 and we may stop somewhere around Manistique, MI.
The Hi Pines Campground at Eagle River was not opened for the season, but we had called them ahead and the owner graciously welcomed us to stay on a seasonal site where the water was turned on. He would be around there working on the place before they're opening day, this coming Sunday. Mark also let us spend time in the clubhouse to use the Wi-Fi while he was out on the property working. He was supernice to us and because of that we were able to use the Internet to do our planning.
Dixie ran free here, all over with the owners dog Asher. Many deer roamed in the campground and the dogs chased them to the woods edge. Dixie took her first dip in the fishing pond.
It's a nice campground in a neat town. Here they have a stadium here where the Annual World Championships of Snomobiling take place every January.
We stayed 2 nights and got some much needed rest. I brought the water hose in over night to avoid freezing lines. The sun came out brightly Easter Sunday and it felt glorious. We went out around noon and brought 2 hot meals back to our place for Easter dinner. We miss our family and church family this holiday.
We will leave here Monday and go back to Michigan's UP. We'll pass thru the border towns of Spread Eagle, WI, then Iron Mountain, MI. Once back on the UP we'll continue on Hwy 2 and we may stop somewhere around Manistique, MI.
Cloquet, MN
On April 21 we left Thief River Falls, MN and drove 270 miles to Cloquet, MN. We are staying there for 2 nights at Big Lake Campground. It’s actually The Lounge at Big Lake, which includes the campground, with the Lounge up the hill from where we set up, where we can see it from here. There are a few cars there tonight, being Friday night, and once in awhile we can hear where someone must’ve put a dime in the juke box.
The owner turned the water on for us here right after we set up, but guess what...a pipe burst, so that was that. Today, our second day here we took showers being connected to our on-board water supply. Before the day was out we ran the tank dry, so we fall back on gallons of water, and bottled drinking water we have in storage till we can refill the tank tomorrow.
We’ve taken a couple of naps here today as we are pretty tired from travaling, setting up, and breaking down to travel again and again. We are the only ones camping here on the shores of this lake. It is still a cold spring, so not many others are up for camping as of yet.
Today we took a ride into Deluth and we visited the AAA office to pick up the maps we‘ll need to get home. Deluth is on the lower tip of Lake Superior. There were several bridges in the city, and lots of road construction going on causing for many detours.
The NCAA National Champion College Hockey Team plays at the AMS Oil Arena in Deluth and the locals are proud, just as we were in Maine a few years back when our Black Bears won it all. I think Maine may have beaten U Minn/Deluth on it's way to the championship.
On the way here from Thief River Falls we came thru a place called Lake Itasca. It is known as the territory of the headwaters of the Mississippi River. I was looking at the Mississippi on the map, trying to figure out where it actually begins and couldn't make sense of it. It is very hard to trace around where it begins, but it becomes the border between WI and MN.
Tomorrow we head out of here and move on to Wisconsin where we'll stay over at Hi Pines Campground at Eagle River, WI.
The owner turned the water on for us here right after we set up, but guess what...a pipe burst, so that was that. Today, our second day here we took showers being connected to our on-board water supply. Before the day was out we ran the tank dry, so we fall back on gallons of water, and bottled drinking water we have in storage till we can refill the tank tomorrow.
We’ve taken a couple of naps here today as we are pretty tired from travaling, setting up, and breaking down to travel again and again. We are the only ones camping here on the shores of this lake. It is still a cold spring, so not many others are up for camping as of yet.
Today we took a ride into Deluth and we visited the AAA office to pick up the maps we‘ll need to get home. Deluth is on the lower tip of Lake Superior. There were several bridges in the city, and lots of road construction going on causing for many detours.
The NCAA National Champion College Hockey Team plays at the AMS Oil Arena in Deluth and the locals are proud, just as we were in Maine a few years back when our Black Bears won it all. I think Maine may have beaten U Minn/Deluth on it's way to the championship.
On the way here from Thief River Falls we came thru a place called Lake Itasca. It is known as the territory of the headwaters of the Mississippi River. I was looking at the Mississippi on the map, trying to figure out where it actually begins and couldn't make sense of it. It is very hard to trace around where it begins, but it becomes the border between WI and MN.
Tomorrow we head out of here and move on to Wisconsin where we'll stay over at Hi Pines Campground at Eagle River, WI.
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Today, April 20, we drove from Minot, ND to Thief River Falls, MN. We covered over 300 miles due to road closures/detours due to flooding around Grand Forks, ND.
It has not been the greatest of days. It started out slowly as we hunted around Minot for the AAA Office. We wanted to pick up some maps that we now need since changing our travel plans. Well, we couldn’t find the address, and when we called the phone number we learned that the office has closed. At that point we hit the highway and figured we find AAA somewhere ahead of us. We were told there would be an office in Grand Forks, ND.
Driving thru North Dakota and into Minnesota we were surprised to have seen a huge number of oil wells.
We were also surprised, as we passed thru Rugby, ND, that we were on, or at, or in (?) the geographic center of North America. It wouldn’t have occurred to me being so far north in USA, but I supposed I never thought about it before.
Another couple of unusual observation are that the ‘Rest Areas’ on the highways in ND and WI have all been on the left as we drive South and East. You’ll either find the Rest Area in the middle of a divided highway, or you’ll cross directly over the highway to the common Rest Area on the other side.
They also don’t have any overpasses on the highways as we have back home. Rather they have small roads, sometimes dirt, just coming up to and often crossing the state highways. There are right and left turning lanes on the highways at the intersections. Vehicles on-coming to a highway will wait at stop sign to gain access to either direction.
There aren't any guardrails along the roadways either. I guess all of the above these things save alot of money.
Of the hundreds and hundreds of miles of farmland we‘ve gone by the last few days, the vast majority of it has been wet, alot of it totally flooded, so much so that none of the soil has been worked anywhere, so no fields are planted yet.
There are tons of large farm implements being transported around on the highways, probably on their way to be tuned up for the upcoming growing season. The seeding and fertilizing machines are massive, consuming the breakdown lane as well as the travel lane on our side of the roadway, definately a challenge to pass out there. They do move over as far as they can when they see you coming up on them.
Like in Canada, we’re still in big time grain growing territory, and some cattle country. There are huge facilities all over the place with giant grain elevators and loading shoots. The railroad tracks run directly along side or near these facilities.
In northern North Dakota and Minnesota there are lots and lots of Indian territories, and their Tribal Centers. You might think you’re passing a large High School complex only to learn it is a Tribal Center. There are a lot of activities and facilities there for the youth, etc.. I was impressed.
As we approached Grand Forks we made a phone call to find out where the AAA office is. After much effort on the phone we learned that this AAA office has also been closed. We find out there is one in Duluth, MN tho, and we get the address and phone number. We’ll be there in a few days. The Road Atlas will have to do for now.
Today as we approached the Minnesota border Anne noticed what looked like a shortcut, so we took Hwy 29 North before getting to downtown Grand Forks. Plan was to take it 10 miles north to Route 1 East which will take us directlyh to Thief River Fall’s. Well, after on Hwy 29 for three miles we were detoured off of it due to flooding. At that point we didn't know how much of Hwy 29 was closed, we just followed the leader. The detour took us on to adjacent Hwy 81 N which took us well out of our way. Looking occasionally at the GPS I noticed the distance to Thief River Falls increasing more and more. As this turned out, we drove at least 60 miles out of our way.
We arrived at TRF’s and as usual we are the only ones in the campground. The park is set up nicely, but all of the gravel pads are pretty wet, quite soft. We took what we thought was the driest site. I feel like we’ve christened half the campgrounds in USA this spring. Not much socializing going on as we’re pretty much the only campers where ever we go. Not many RV’ers out this time of year in the North.
Once we set up here we found out that the cable TV hookup didn’t work. We adapted and pull in the local channels over the air. Then, as Anne made supper and plugged in a few other things, the power went out. We worked thru the power issue. It's close to freezing and the water is not turned on here. It’s supposed to be in the 50's tomorrow, so it won’t be long now.
We're hoping tomorrow will be a better day. I think we’ll move on from here in the morning. We plan to stay near Deluth, MN next.
It has not been the greatest of days. It started out slowly as we hunted around Minot for the AAA Office. We wanted to pick up some maps that we now need since changing our travel plans. Well, we couldn’t find the address, and when we called the phone number we learned that the office has closed. At that point we hit the highway and figured we find AAA somewhere ahead of us. We were told there would be an office in Grand Forks, ND.
Driving thru North Dakota and into Minnesota we were surprised to have seen a huge number of oil wells.
We were also surprised, as we passed thru Rugby, ND, that we were on, or at, or in (?) the geographic center of North America. It wouldn’t have occurred to me being so far north in USA, but I supposed I never thought about it before.
Another couple of unusual observation are that the ‘Rest Areas’ on the highways in ND and WI have all been on the left as we drive South and East. You’ll either find the Rest Area in the middle of a divided highway, or you’ll cross directly over the highway to the common Rest Area on the other side.
They also don’t have any overpasses on the highways as we have back home. Rather they have small roads, sometimes dirt, just coming up to and often crossing the state highways. There are right and left turning lanes on the highways at the intersections. Vehicles on-coming to a highway will wait at stop sign to gain access to either direction.
There aren't any guardrails along the roadways either. I guess all of the above these things save alot of money.
Of the hundreds and hundreds of miles of farmland we‘ve gone by the last few days, the vast majority of it has been wet, alot of it totally flooded, so much so that none of the soil has been worked anywhere, so no fields are planted yet.
There are tons of large farm implements being transported around on the highways, probably on their way to be tuned up for the upcoming growing season. The seeding and fertilizing machines are massive, consuming the breakdown lane as well as the travel lane on our side of the roadway, definately a challenge to pass out there. They do move over as far as they can when they see you coming up on them.
Like in Canada, we’re still in big time grain growing territory, and some cattle country. There are huge facilities all over the place with giant grain elevators and loading shoots. The railroad tracks run directly along side or near these facilities.
In northern North Dakota and Minnesota there are lots and lots of Indian territories, and their Tribal Centers. You might think you’re passing a large High School complex only to learn it is a Tribal Center. There are a lot of activities and facilities there for the youth, etc.. I was impressed.
As we approached Grand Forks we made a phone call to find out where the AAA office is. After much effort on the phone we learned that this AAA office has also been closed. We find out there is one in Duluth, MN tho, and we get the address and phone number. We’ll be there in a few days. The Road Atlas will have to do for now.
Today as we approached the Minnesota border Anne noticed what looked like a shortcut, so we took Hwy 29 North before getting to downtown Grand Forks. Plan was to take it 10 miles north to Route 1 East which will take us directlyh to Thief River Fall’s. Well, after on Hwy 29 for three miles we were detoured off of it due to flooding. At that point we didn't know how much of Hwy 29 was closed, we just followed the leader. The detour took us on to adjacent Hwy 81 N which took us well out of our way. Looking occasionally at the GPS I noticed the distance to Thief River Falls increasing more and more. As this turned out, we drove at least 60 miles out of our way.
We arrived at TRF’s and as usual we are the only ones in the campground. The park is set up nicely, but all of the gravel pads are pretty wet, quite soft. We took what we thought was the driest site. I feel like we’ve christened half the campgrounds in USA this spring. Not much socializing going on as we’re pretty much the only campers where ever we go. Not many RV’ers out this time of year in the North.
Once we set up here we found out that the cable TV hookup didn’t work. We adapted and pull in the local channels over the air. Then, as Anne made supper and plugged in a few other things, the power went out. We worked thru the power issue. It's close to freezing and the water is not turned on here. It’s supposed to be in the 50's tomorrow, so it won’t be long now.
We're hoping tomorrow will be a better day. I think we’ll move on from here in the morning. We plan to stay near Deluth, MN next.
Minot, North Dakota
Well, as you may have gathered, we have abandoned our plan to travel home thru Canada. It just didn’t work out for many reasons. Have I mentioned yet that the American dollar is only worth $.96 in Canada. That may be the case, however cost of goods in Canada is very high. The prices in grocery stores were thru the roof. Not sure how natives can afford to live here.
It’s April 18 and today we drove 265 miles from Moose Jaw, SK to Minot, North Dakota. We have stopped to stay at Rough Rider’s Campground in Minot. We chose Minot from a list of 2 campgrounds around here that are actually open. It is early Spring after all, and we are pretty far North. Many campgrounds are opening May 1 or even Memorial Day weekend.
It’s a nice campground, with nice people working here, and full service hookups, electric, water, and sewer, and the water is actually turned on !! This evening tho, I have rolled up the hose and put it away till morning to avoid any possible freezing. We’ll just hook it back up in the morning. Tomorrow we’ll be able to dump our waste water tanks and fill our potable water tank in case we need it when we move on down the road.
They have plenty of RV pull-thru sites and lots tenting sites here along the Souris River. We drove thru what I’d call the Souris River basin for about an hour today just before arriving here. It was kind of like driving thru a shallow canyon, neat.
One interesting thing about this place is that half the campground it flooded. The poor campground owner has build dikes everywhere, along the road, around sheds, etc. That’s right, it’s half under water. Perhaps you’ve heard or read where this part of the world is having these problems. There were a tremendous number of fields flooded today as we drove out of Saskatchewan, and the trend continues in North Dakota.
As we drove our way out of Saskatchewan we exited the Trans-Canada Highway in order to use Hwy 39. It travels in a SE direction in almost a straight line to Minot, ND. At the US Border it changes to Hwy 52.
In Saskatchewan before we reached the US border we passed thru Weyburn. There they boasted of having the largest interior grain gathering facility in Canada.
Regarding the US Border Control, they noticed me taking some pictures around the Customs area. After all, they had asked me to shut the engine off and wait awhile for them. Well, I don’t think they appreciated my taking pictures. They asked me to delete all of them, and they reviewed each picture with me as I did so. Then the officers asked Anne to accompany them as they entered the camper and proceeded to take all of our produce and our dog food. They made me wait in the vehicle. And, they took their time if you know what I mean. Oh well, I don’t think they like their jobs very much. I don't think I would either.
On Wednesday we’ll take Hwy 2 from here to Thief River Falls, MN. From there we plan to head to Cloquet, MN, then into the upper peninsula of Michigan and portions of Wisconsin along the way.
It’s April 18 and today we drove 265 miles from Moose Jaw, SK to Minot, North Dakota. We have stopped to stay at Rough Rider’s Campground in Minot. We chose Minot from a list of 2 campgrounds around here that are actually open. It is early Spring after all, and we are pretty far North. Many campgrounds are opening May 1 or even Memorial Day weekend.
It’s a nice campground, with nice people working here, and full service hookups, electric, water, and sewer, and the water is actually turned on !! This evening tho, I have rolled up the hose and put it away till morning to avoid any possible freezing. We’ll just hook it back up in the morning. Tomorrow we’ll be able to dump our waste water tanks and fill our potable water tank in case we need it when we move on down the road.
They have plenty of RV pull-thru sites and lots tenting sites here along the Souris River. We drove thru what I’d call the Souris River basin for about an hour today just before arriving here. It was kind of like driving thru a shallow canyon, neat.
One interesting thing about this place is that half the campground it flooded. The poor campground owner has build dikes everywhere, along the road, around sheds, etc. That’s right, it’s half under water. Perhaps you’ve heard or read where this part of the world is having these problems. There were a tremendous number of fields flooded today as we drove out of Saskatchewan, and the trend continues in North Dakota.
As we drove our way out of Saskatchewan we exited the Trans-Canada Highway in order to use Hwy 39. It travels in a SE direction in almost a straight line to Minot, ND. At the US Border it changes to Hwy 52.
In Saskatchewan before we reached the US border we passed thru Weyburn. There they boasted of having the largest interior grain gathering facility in Canada.
Regarding the US Border Control, they noticed me taking some pictures around the Customs area. After all, they had asked me to shut the engine off and wait awhile for them. Well, I don’t think they appreciated my taking pictures. They asked me to delete all of them, and they reviewed each picture with me as I did so. Then the officers asked Anne to accompany them as they entered the camper and proceeded to take all of our produce and our dog food. They made me wait in the vehicle. And, they took their time if you know what I mean. Oh well, I don’t think they like their jobs very much. I don't think I would either.
On Wednesday we’ll take Hwy 2 from here to Thief River Falls, MN. From there we plan to head to Cloquet, MN, then into the upper peninsula of Michigan and portions of Wisconsin along the way.
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (SK)
Today Anne and I split the driving in half and we moved on from Medicine Hat, AB to Moose Jaw, SK. It was a drive of 245 miles. We travelled Hwy 1, the Trans-Canada Highway the majority of the way.
We are staying at Prarrie Oasis RV Park. This is the 3rd park in a row that doesn't have their water turned on. The internet signal is poor too, so we still cannot add pictures to our blog.
We are on the verge of driving back to good ol'USA. Both of us are tired of Canada. There are snow showers in the forecast tho, and we have to be careful where we decide to go. It is still cold in the US near here too. The best forecast is actually in Winnipeg, Manitoba which is 2 days away. We'd never be able to get there tomorrow.
Todays ride was thru the praries of southern Canada. Alot of it was like the frozen tundra. They grow and process alot of grains in this part of the world, and we are never too far from the railroads. We have lots of pictures of trains running along under giant grain elevators. Pretty exciting stuff.
There is also alot of flooded farmland here. So wet non of the land has been worked yet.
We have picked up an hour of time as we head East, so we are only 2 hours behind you Easterners now. Yeah ! That actually happened a couple days ago.
It is still in the 30's and 40's during the day, and freezing overnight. We're wishing Spring would have sprung already, after all,,, the boys have started to play ball again. I hear the Red Sox are not actually what you'd call playing.....
We expect to miss the Celtics first playoff game tomorrow evening. BOOHOO. I'll have to listen to it on Twitter maybe. I don't know if the team can just ‘turn it on’ at this point, not the way they've been playing as of late.
Miss you all, and hoping all is well with everyone out there. Will add pictures when we can.
We are staying at Prarrie Oasis RV Park. This is the 3rd park in a row that doesn't have their water turned on. The internet signal is poor too, so we still cannot add pictures to our blog.
We are on the verge of driving back to good ol'USA. Both of us are tired of Canada. There are snow showers in the forecast tho, and we have to be careful where we decide to go. It is still cold in the US near here too. The best forecast is actually in Winnipeg, Manitoba which is 2 days away. We'd never be able to get there tomorrow.
Todays ride was thru the praries of southern Canada. Alot of it was like the frozen tundra. They grow and process alot of grains in this part of the world, and we are never too far from the railroads. We have lots of pictures of trains running along under giant grain elevators. Pretty exciting stuff.
There is also alot of flooded farmland here. So wet non of the land has been worked yet.
We have picked up an hour of time as we head East, so we are only 2 hours behind you Easterners now. Yeah ! That actually happened a couple days ago.
It is still in the 30's and 40's during the day, and freezing overnight. We're wishing Spring would have sprung already, after all,,, the boys have started to play ball again. I hear the Red Sox are not actually what you'd call playing.....
We expect to miss the Celtics first playoff game tomorrow evening. BOOHOO. I'll have to listen to it on Twitter maybe. I don't know if the team can just ‘turn it on’ at this point, not the way they've been playing as of late.
Miss you all, and hoping all is well with everyone out there. Will add pictures when we can.
Medicine Hat, AB
Today we drove 135 miles to Medicine Hat, Alberta. The entire ride was thru the plains and farmland of southern Alberta. Here in Medicine Hat they have the largest TeePee in the world. I haven't seen the big moose yet. Oh yeah, we'll see the big moose tomorrow in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
It's cold here, in the 30's and 40's during the day, and below freezing overnight. It's the second place in a row that hasn't had any water turned on.
We used Highway 3 today but when we leave here we'll immediately pick up the Trans-Canada Highway which is Highway 1. It's some 4000 miles long and I hope it is smoother that the roads we've used in Canada so far. It's hard to take pictures while moving along in the vehicle. Once we get an internet signal strong enough we'll add some pictures to the blog, and you'll notice the pictures are a little blurey. The wi-fi signal has been weak in Canada everywhere we go.
We stopped for the night here at Ross Creek RV Park. The park is un-attended at this time. The sign read as follows, "Sorry we're closed, go ahead and park, power, sewer, no water yet. Leave $25/night in the box."
There is a guy (enteurpreneur) here, a regular, with a tank of water who will fill anyone's on-board tank for $10. Too bad for him, we filled up from a frost-free spicket we found in the park at Fort MacLeod this morning.
We had planned to spend 2 nights here, however the forecast calls for rain tomorrow and snow tomorrow night. I think we'll leave in the morning. Tomorrow we'll drive the rest of the way thru Alberta and stay at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. To put it more in perspective we'll be north of Montana, 2500 miles from home.
It's cold here, in the 30's and 40's during the day, and below freezing overnight. It's the second place in a row that hasn't had any water turned on.
We used Highway 3 today but when we leave here we'll immediately pick up the Trans-Canada Highway which is Highway 1. It's some 4000 miles long and I hope it is smoother that the roads we've used in Canada so far. It's hard to take pictures while moving along in the vehicle. Once we get an internet signal strong enough we'll add some pictures to the blog, and you'll notice the pictures are a little blurey. The wi-fi signal has been weak in Canada everywhere we go.
We stopped for the night here at Ross Creek RV Park. The park is un-attended at this time. The sign read as follows, "Sorry we're closed, go ahead and park, power, sewer, no water yet. Leave $25/night in the box."
There is a guy (enteurpreneur) here, a regular, with a tank of water who will fill anyone's on-board tank for $10. Too bad for him, we filled up from a frost-free spicket we found in the park at Fort MacLeod this morning.
We had planned to spend 2 nights here, however the forecast calls for rain tomorrow and snow tomorrow night. I think we'll leave in the morning. Tomorrow we'll drive the rest of the way thru Alberta and stay at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. To put it more in perspective we'll be north of Montana, 2500 miles from home.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
British Columbia (BC) and Alberta (AB), Canada
On Wednesday, April 13 we packed up, took a deep breath, and drove up the hillside and out of the canyon. We traveled into British Columbia, Canada and beyond to Alberta. We’d drive 230 miles this day, all the way to Fort MacLeod, AB.
Between Moyie Springs, ID and the Canadian border we went thru a town named Good Grief, ID. Of course they had the Good Grief Grill, and that's about all, HAHA.
Next thing we knew we were at international border crossing. After a brief conversation with the Customs Agent (we declared some wine, no guns, and no tobacco) she kindly wished us well and sent us on our way.
We shut down our cell phones and put away our cash. We’ll use credit cards only in Canada so as to let the bank process the transactions and take the exchange rate into account. Unfortunately the Canadian dollar is worth $1.04 as compared to the US dollar. OUCH.
Before long we were riding alongside the Canadian Rockies and OMG I may have never seen anything like it. My Mom once told me how spectacular they were. They did remind me of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.
While in BC and AB we used Highways 95, 3 and 93. There were tunnels, trailer trucks, rocky mountain sheep, rams, elk, and deer to negotiate and avoid along the way as we drove. These were all 2-lane bi-directional highways with the occasional passing lane every 5 or so miles. We literally drove south on one side of this spectacular snow covered mountain range then looped back to head north on the other side. It was a tiring drive though with getting used to the metrics, the wildlife, 18 wheelers, and sweeping hillside turns. At one point we stopped for a 2 pronged ram in the road which had his head down as he looked directly at us coming on.
We went thru towns named Yahk, Moyie, Cranbrook, Jaffray, Galloway, Elko, Fernie, Hosmer, Sparwood, Natal, and Michel. In traveling across just a corner of B.C. though we soon encountered the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass as we entered Alberta, Canada. That's when Hwy 93 took us out of the mountainous region and into what you might call the plains.
We now buy fuel by the litre, at between $1.15 and $1.30 per. AS you know there are 3.8 litres in a gallon.
We finally stopped for 2 nights in Fort MacLeod, AB at Daisy May Campground. Very nice campground hosts there checked us in late. They would turn the park water off at 7pm due to freezing temps. In the morning, SURPRISE, we woke up to 2 inches of fresh white stuff on the ground, and the wind blew about 25 miles (15 km) per hour all day. Good thing we had plenty of water on board. We basically took the day off except for taking a ride to A&W for an ice cream cone.
Tomorrow we drive 135 miles to Medicine Hat, AB. Anne wants to go there to see some giant Moose. I wanted to head to Banff and Calgary, but they had over a foot (35 cm) of snow today.
PS
I will not be able to add pictures till we get a stronger internet connection. I don't know when that will be, but will keep trying. There are lots of cool pictures to add for you to see.
Between Moyie Springs, ID and the Canadian border we went thru a town named Good Grief, ID. Of course they had the Good Grief Grill, and that's about all, HAHA.
Next thing we knew we were at international border crossing. After a brief conversation with the Customs Agent (we declared some wine, no guns, and no tobacco) she kindly wished us well and sent us on our way.
We shut down our cell phones and put away our cash. We’ll use credit cards only in Canada so as to let the bank process the transactions and take the exchange rate into account. Unfortunately the Canadian dollar is worth $1.04 as compared to the US dollar. OUCH.
Before long we were riding alongside the Canadian Rockies and OMG I may have never seen anything like it. My Mom once told me how spectacular they were. They did remind me of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.
While in BC and AB we used Highways 95, 3 and 93. There were tunnels, trailer trucks, rocky mountain sheep, rams, elk, and deer to negotiate and avoid along the way as we drove. These were all 2-lane bi-directional highways with the occasional passing lane every 5 or so miles. We literally drove south on one side of this spectacular snow covered mountain range then looped back to head north on the other side. It was a tiring drive though with getting used to the metrics, the wildlife, 18 wheelers, and sweeping hillside turns. At one point we stopped for a 2 pronged ram in the road which had his head down as he looked directly at us coming on.
We went thru towns named Yahk, Moyie, Cranbrook, Jaffray, Galloway, Elko, Fernie, Hosmer, Sparwood, Natal, and Michel. In traveling across just a corner of B.C. though we soon encountered the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass as we entered Alberta, Canada. That's when Hwy 93 took us out of the mountainous region and into what you might call the plains.
We now buy fuel by the litre, at between $1.15 and $1.30 per. AS you know there are 3.8 litres in a gallon.
We finally stopped for 2 nights in Fort MacLeod, AB at Daisy May Campground. Very nice campground hosts there checked us in late. They would turn the park water off at 7pm due to freezing temps. In the morning, SURPRISE, we woke up to 2 inches of fresh white stuff on the ground, and the wind blew about 25 miles (15 km) per hour all day. Good thing we had plenty of water on board. We basically took the day off except for taking a ride to A&W for an ice cream cone.
Tomorrow we drive 135 miles to Medicine Hat, AB. Anne wants to go there to see some giant Moose. I wanted to head to Banff and Calgary, but they had over a foot (35 cm) of snow today.
PS
I will not be able to add pictures till we get a stronger internet connection. I don't know when that will be, but will keep trying. There are lots of cool pictures to add for you to see.
Idaho
Hello friends. It’s time at last to get caught up on the blog. Sorry that it’s taken so long but you might say we‘ve been living under a rock, or the closest thing to it, actually in a campground in Moyie River Canyon.
So after spending six nights in Deer Park, WA and having several great visits with Anne’s cousin’s family we moved on to northern Idaho. Anne’s Aunt and Uncle live there in Bonners Ferry.
On Monday April, 11 we traveled just 2 hours, about 100 miles. We used Hwy 2 and Hwy 95 between Spokane and Bonners Ferry. We passed thru the towns of Newport, WA, Sandpoint, Naples, and Bonners Ferry, ID, finally settling in Moyie Springs, ID at Twin Rivers Canyon Resort.
Monday late afternoon and Tuesday were spent visiting with Anne’s Aunt Gertrude (Trudy) and Uncle Seward in Bonners Ferry. It‘s a pretty incredible river town in extreme northern Idaho. It’s in a mountainous region with great views and the evergreens are beautiful.
We had read about the Twin Rivers Canyon Resort and knew it would be a challenging drive down to it. I'd learned that any size rig could make it down the mountainside into the canyon as long as the driver was confident. There are switchbacks and sometimes the road is reduced to one lane. Pictures on the blog will have to suffice because words cannot describe the one mile ride down the side of the mountain. That’s right, one mile to ascend maybe 500 feet. Anne has suggested we don’t do anything like that again.
As usual, we were the only RV’ers in the resort. The resort had had a fire in the office this winter, lost all of their reservations, and were a bit slow getting the place opened this season. There were 3 guys trimming trees on the property while we were there though, and low and behold one of them turned out being Anne’s cousin. She had never ever met him. He noticed our license plate and struck up a conversation with me. Small world……… Anyway, the river canyon was beautiful, probably what you’d have in your minds eye when imagining northern Idaho in Springtime.
When we leave here we cross the border into British Columbia, Canada. I so look forward to seeing the Canadian Rockies.
So after spending six nights in Deer Park, WA and having several great visits with Anne’s cousin’s family we moved on to northern Idaho. Anne’s Aunt and Uncle live there in Bonners Ferry.
On Monday April, 11 we traveled just 2 hours, about 100 miles. We used Hwy 2 and Hwy 95 between Spokane and Bonners Ferry. We passed thru the towns of Newport, WA, Sandpoint, Naples, and Bonners Ferry, ID, finally settling in Moyie Springs, ID at Twin Rivers Canyon Resort.
Monday late afternoon and Tuesday were spent visiting with Anne’s Aunt Gertrude (Trudy) and Uncle Seward in Bonners Ferry. It‘s a pretty incredible river town in extreme northern Idaho. It’s in a mountainous region with great views and the evergreens are beautiful.
We had read about the Twin Rivers Canyon Resort and knew it would be a challenging drive down to it. I'd learned that any size rig could make it down the mountainside into the canyon as long as the driver was confident. There are switchbacks and sometimes the road is reduced to one lane. Pictures on the blog will have to suffice because words cannot describe the one mile ride down the side of the mountain. That’s right, one mile to ascend maybe 500 feet. Anne has suggested we don’t do anything like that again.
As usual, we were the only RV’ers in the resort. The resort had had a fire in the office this winter, lost all of their reservations, and were a bit slow getting the place opened this season. There were 3 guys trimming trees on the property while we were there though, and low and behold one of them turned out being Anne’s cousin. She had never ever met him. He noticed our license plate and struck up a conversation with me. Small world……… Anyway, the river canyon was beautiful, probably what you’d have in your minds eye when imagining northern Idaho in Springtime.
When we leave here we cross the border into British Columbia, Canada. I so look forward to seeing the Canadian Rockies.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Moses Lake, and Spokane, WA
On Monday, April 4, we set up in moderate drizzle to leave Black Diamond, WA. We were off to drive East thru 'Snoqualme Pass' in the Cascade Mountains. We planned to stop and stay next in Moses Lake, WA on our way to Spokane. Anne’s relatives there are expecting to see us on Wednesday.
Well, the drive through the Cascades was a challenge as advertised. There have been heavy rains, flood warnings, avalanches and mud slides around some of the passes this week. It did rain and sleet as we ascended, and speed limits were reduced to 45mph. Flashing warning signs were active this day. We could hardly take any pictures for not being able to see much thru the clouds and snow. We could see some treacherous territory though, and we knew we were in some serious wilderness. One section of the ride reminded me of driving thru Franconia Notch, NH.
In reaching Snoqualme Summit conditions had worsened to a heavy wet snow storm. We expected the highway to be wet, but passable. This section of highway had a very grainy gravely noisy surface to it, and it’s no wonder, traction is important. The snow on the edges of the highway was deep enough to cover some of the signage. It was unlawful to pull over on sections of this roadway except to install chains on your vehicle.
On descent, the snow storm ended, the rain stopped and the sky lightened. The low level clouds dissappeared and we continued on in clear weather. Reaching Moses Lake, WA we exited, shopped, and settled at Suncrest Resort RV Park. As usual we had our pick of sites. It was a neat park with level paved sites. There may have been a few construction workers staying there, but few others. We would not unhook this time, rather just sleep and pull out in the morning to move on to the Spokane area a day early. Nothing really to stay here for. We were able to watch the NCAA B-ball championship game, at 6pm no less. Nice.........
We awoke to sunshine and felt relief. We haven't seem much of it for some time. It stayed nice for our drive through Eastern Washington where we witnessed first hand the vast desert in this area. I cannot find where the desert is labeled on the map, or advertised as such, but there are no trees whatsoever for over a hundred miles. Much farmland and crops though. Lots of irrigation equipment, and the crops do thrive. Mostly potatoes, alphalfa, wheat, etc.. In passing through Grant County we learned that it’s the largest potato producing county in America. At least a sign said so. Move over Idaho, and Maine……….
Coming into Spokane we find it’s a neat place to drive down into from the West. A nice small city but a lot more urban residential sprawl than what we see in Portland. There are vistas, views of Washington and Idaho's sno-capped mountains. Crystal clear air quailty.
We ended up 25 miles north of Spokane and have settled in at Deer Park, WA at the Spokane RV Park for some number of nights, maybe 4 or 5.
This is a large park, a 5 start park, meticulously groomed with paved sites and grass between them. All quality services here. We had our pick of sites. Only about 6 other RVer’s here with us, some of which own their site. The cable service is optimal and the internet signal excellent. They do not nickle-dime anything here. Dixie has room to run free and stay out of trouble.
We are right along side a fairway on the Deer Park Golf Course, and the die hards are out playing. It's in the 50's and windy, some sun. Some of the golf carts are enclosed. Sno-capped mountains are in view everywhere, and I can see snowflakes falling from time to time, but nothing sticks.
Today Anne is off on her own to visit with Martine, her cousin Seward’s wife who lives in Nine Mile Falls, WA. They live 18 miles from here. Seward is traveling and will be home Friday.
Well, the drive through the Cascades was a challenge as advertised. There have been heavy rains, flood warnings, avalanches and mud slides around some of the passes this week. It did rain and sleet as we ascended, and speed limits were reduced to 45mph. Flashing warning signs were active this day. We could hardly take any pictures for not being able to see much thru the clouds and snow. We could see some treacherous territory though, and we knew we were in some serious wilderness. One section of the ride reminded me of driving thru Franconia Notch, NH.
In reaching Snoqualme Summit conditions had worsened to a heavy wet snow storm. We expected the highway to be wet, but passable. This section of highway had a very grainy gravely noisy surface to it, and it’s no wonder, traction is important. The snow on the edges of the highway was deep enough to cover some of the signage. It was unlawful to pull over on sections of this roadway except to install chains on your vehicle.
On descent, the snow storm ended, the rain stopped and the sky lightened. The low level clouds dissappeared and we continued on in clear weather. Reaching Moses Lake, WA we exited, shopped, and settled at Suncrest Resort RV Park. As usual we had our pick of sites. It was a neat park with level paved sites. There may have been a few construction workers staying there, but few others. We would not unhook this time, rather just sleep and pull out in the morning to move on to the Spokane area a day early. Nothing really to stay here for. We were able to watch the NCAA B-ball championship game, at 6pm no less. Nice.........
We awoke to sunshine and felt relief. We haven't seem much of it for some time. It stayed nice for our drive through Eastern Washington where we witnessed first hand the vast desert in this area. I cannot find where the desert is labeled on the map, or advertised as such, but there are no trees whatsoever for over a hundred miles. Much farmland and crops though. Lots of irrigation equipment, and the crops do thrive. Mostly potatoes, alphalfa, wheat, etc.. In passing through Grant County we learned that it’s the largest potato producing county in America. At least a sign said so. Move over Idaho, and Maine……….
Coming into Spokane we find it’s a neat place to drive down into from the West. A nice small city but a lot more urban residential sprawl than what we see in Portland. There are vistas, views of Washington and Idaho's sno-capped mountains. Crystal clear air quailty.
We ended up 25 miles north of Spokane and have settled in at Deer Park, WA at the Spokane RV Park for some number of nights, maybe 4 or 5.
This is a large park, a 5 start park, meticulously groomed with paved sites and grass between them. All quality services here. We had our pick of sites. Only about 6 other RVer’s here with us, some of which own their site. The cable service is optimal and the internet signal excellent. They do not nickle-dime anything here. Dixie has room to run free and stay out of trouble.
We are right along side a fairway on the Deer Park Golf Course, and the die hards are out playing. It's in the 50's and windy, some sun. Some of the golf carts are enclosed. Sno-capped mountains are in view everywhere, and I can see snowflakes falling from time to time, but nothing sticks.
Today Anne is off on her own to visit with Martine, her cousin Seward’s wife who lives in Nine Mile Falls, WA. They live 18 miles from here. Seward is traveling and will be home Friday.
Black Diamond, WA
Today we drove an hour from Gig Harbor to Black Diamond, WA. On our way we crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge as we travelled Hwy 16. We also used Hwy 5 and Hwy 18 to get here. We’ll spend 2 nights at Lake Sawyer RV Park. This is pretty close to where Anne’s cousin Richard lives, in Kent, WA.
We were hoping to see the sunrise today but no, there’s still a lot of rain and overcast. Feels like the weather here in the Northwest in Springtime is hopelessly wet and cloudy. Very low clouds and few breaks, and, the forecast is bleak. We feel like we’re in a rut with no end in sight. The weather people on TV are even getting sarcastic about the forecast.
We’ve contacted Anne’s cousin and we’ll visit him at his place today. He’s invited us out to lunch in Kent, then back to his condo to have home made cheesecake and coffee.
We’ll leave here tomorrow and make our way to Hwy 90 East. This route goes thru 'Snoqualme Pass' of the Cascade Mountains, in the direction of Spokane, WA.
When we descend the Cascades we hope there will be a major change in the weather pattern. Today, Sunday, seems brighter, but to tell you the truth it’s hard to be optimistic.
We were hoping to see the sunrise today but no, there’s still a lot of rain and overcast. Feels like the weather here in the Northwest in Springtime is hopelessly wet and cloudy. Very low clouds and few breaks, and, the forecast is bleak. We feel like we’re in a rut with no end in sight. The weather people on TV are even getting sarcastic about the forecast.
We’ve contacted Anne’s cousin and we’ll visit him at his place today. He’s invited us out to lunch in Kent, then back to his condo to have home made cheesecake and coffee.
We’ll leave here tomorrow and make our way to Hwy 90 East. This route goes thru 'Snoqualme Pass' of the Cascade Mountains, in the direction of Spokane, WA.
When we descend the Cascades we hope there will be a major change in the weather pattern. Today, Sunday, seems brighter, but to tell you the truth it’s hard to be optimistic.
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