Good Times & Good News

Thanksgiving was lovely. We went up for turkey and fixings with my folks and Grams, then went on to Minneapolis the next day. It was a smooth drive, and all the better to find Pam’s smiling face on the other end. We settled into our borrowed apartment, met Pam for a fine French dinner at Cue, the restaurant at the theater, then enjoyed A Christmas Carol. It had a bit more of the Victorian carols than usual, but Keith had a good time regardless…and I always love it. The new Guthrie Theatre is amazing and beautiful, but inside the main stage it feels just like sitting in the old theater. I felt at home. The next day we had the best breakfast on the face of the Earth at Hell’s Kitchen downtown, took the light rail out to the Mall of America (Keith had not experienced it before), visited the Northern Clay Center, then took a trek out to the lake boonies to see Mike and Christie (did I spell that right sweetie?) and their four adorable kids. Oh, and Gary too—he’s unforgettable.

Now for the news on my cat scan. It looks like my lymph nodes are back to normal, which hopefully means free of Cancer. I will have the other four scheduled treatments as planned (ending January 11^th), then we will do another CT scan and PET scan to make sure I am Cancer free before getting this port out of my chest. Woohoo! I tell you though, it was the standard pulling of teeth to get my results. They did not tell me that they would not give the results over the phone until I called to get them. I had to wait for my next appointment, and they could not get me in before my regular appointment today, so here I am. We are very happy for the news. So, another treatment tomorrow, then just three more after that.

The tree is up, lights are on, and there are 3 and a half (blame Keith for the half) strands of popcorn and cranberries on it looking sparse in a Charlie Brown fashion, so I better go put some ornaments on before bed. Love you all.

Drag Queen Dolly

Well, we had a good time anyway. I really must stop doing my makeup in the bedroom without better lighting. I look less like glamorous Dolly Parton and more like a drag queen—especially in that moment Saturday night when I took off the wig and was left with the overdone face and rhinestones. I will admit though that I am loving the red nail polish. I am still wearing it; it’s called Queen of Hearts, and some of you from way back will know my penchants for interesting paint and nail polish names. I think I will keep wearing it through the holidays—it would just seem sad in January.

Keith is encouraged to find that he looks good in salt and pepper hair, so he’s got that going for him, which is nice. Kenny Rogers, eat your heart out…and the bartender at Rookies (says Jen)…and Chris Crutcher (says Mia and most librarians I know).

I saw a pulmonologist today for some odd numbers on my midway lung function test. Basically, we decided to check my lung function on that part of the test again, in case maybe it was just an off day when I tested last. Since I still don’t have any symptoms, it’s probably just a bleep, but he will take a look at my next CT scan to make sure the lungs look clear.

I have a treatment a week from Friday, then that following Monday I will have a CT scan of my whole body. So now, everybody pray that my CT comes back crystal clear. This is the deciding point for how much longer I will undergo chemo treatments. If it comes back clear, then I have 4 more treatments just for good measure, whereas if it comes back with hot spots of cancer, I will likely have 8 more treatments. I hope to know my results before Thanksgiving—at least I intend to twist someone’s arm up until Thanskgiving day.

I have not been home since I started treatment in the summer, so we are looking forward to going up for Thanksgiving. It’s Dad’s favorite holiday, so it will be nice for him as well; Mom is happy to see me anytime, anywhere. I think Dad likes the fact that as far as holidays go, we barely decorate, there is no shopping involved (except for those cooking, of course), there is less hoopla leading up to it, and the food and family aspect is lovely—plus there is nothing to take down afterwards either.

Keith and I are stoked to also be going up to Minneapolis for the weekend; Mom and Dad make great Ferris sitters, and he needs a vacation in the country. Pam is welcoming us in Minneapolis with a night at the Guthrie Theatre to see A Christmas Carol. I have loved this show since I was a kid, and I am so thrilled to share it with Keith, finally. Oh joy Mr. Fezziwig! Plus it is the new theater, which is exciting yet sad since my memories of shows and ushering are from the old Guthrie. So here is my hello ahead of time to you, my dearest Aunt Pam. Oh, Mike and Christie, Keith plans for us to try to see you to, so be looking for his call any day now.

Love to hear from all of you who email after my blogs—I’m sorry I don’t always get to replying. I know, I’m working on it. Love you all.