We’ve been in Olympia since Friday, where we met up with son Guy and his girlfriend Joahnna, after Guy flew up in his plane from San Jose. They had a good flight, and we’ve had a nice time walking around Olympia, locating good bookstores and restaurants. We also took a tour of the capitol yesterday – and lovely building with one of the largest collections of Tiffany lamps in the country. Some very impressive fixtures, indeed.
The round of diarrhea from this last infusion I seem to have dealt with pretty successfully, so I think I have now learned to manage the impact reasonably well with the medications that I have. What threw me for a loop was a mouthsore that came on Wednesday and was one of the worst I’ve ever had. The pain was so bad it kept me awake at night and my tongue was swollen enough to make it difficult for me both to swallow and to talk. After trying to manage it for 3 days with Extra-Strength Tylenol, I check in with my trusty consulting nurse service, who suggested getting it checked at Urgent Care here in Olympia. Guy and I had an adventure figuring out how to get there by bus, but managed it, and with a more powerful painkiller on hand, I am now back in the land of the living. It’s absolutely amazing how thoroughly pain can wipe you out.
Now we need to get going to get Guy and Joahnna back in the air, and us on our way. We’ll ride out to the airfield with them to get a look at his plane, and then stock up on a few groceries when we return, because we plan to hang off our anchor for a couple days. Docks are handy, but being quietly by yourself at anchor is even better. So probably won’t check in for several days. Perhaps you can each find your “at anchor” spot somewhere for yourself.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Seattle from the Water Side!
I'm sitting in the Seattle Public Library, which I made my way to from the boat via climbing SLOWLY up several steep hills, and using a bus, catching up on email and using their internet. We got in to the marina about 12:30 today, after a too-quick passage up from Tacoma which got us to Seattle sooner than we wanted to be, so we had to dawdle a bit to be able to check in to the marina.
We finished up two great days in Tacoma, including a very interesting exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum that we saw yesterday--a modern day project to create a hand-written version of the Bible in English, in the format that was originally created by the monks (BIG pages - like 2' wide x 3' tall), and also using the traditional calligraphic methods, writing with hand-cut quills and inks as they were made. However, the illustrations are all contemporary, and quite spectacular. I would not have expected to enjoy it so much, but it was a tremendously intriguing and stunningly executed project. There was also a very interesting vocal installation that was playing a Thomas Tallis 40-voice motet composed for 8 choirs, with individual speakers feeding in the four voices in each of the eight choirs. It was a thrilling experience to stand in the middle of those speakers and hear the entire chorus come in.
This morning we had a nice breakfast chat with Nina Rook, and then got underway. This evening we will meet Phil's usual Monday-night drinking crew down at the waterfront, and tomorrow our house-sitters, Charles & Valerie Reynolds are coming down to see us. Meantime, I'm exploring how to get places and find the things I need. It's quite fun to come at your home town from a brand new perspective.
Wednesday we will head south again, stopping that night at Quartermaster Harbor on the south end of Vashon Island, and Thursday night at a little bay Phil found, somewhat nearer Olympia. Friday we will make our way into Olympia to see how our capitol city looks from the water.
We'll see how tomorrow's Group Health experience goes coming at it from the water side too. I'll post more when I can get to another internet site--probably Olympia.
We finished up two great days in Tacoma, including a very interesting exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum that we saw yesterday--a modern day project to create a hand-written version of the Bible in English, in the format that was originally created by the monks (BIG pages - like 2' wide x 3' tall), and also using the traditional calligraphic methods, writing with hand-cut quills and inks as they were made. However, the illustrations are all contemporary, and quite spectacular. I would not have expected to enjoy it so much, but it was a tremendously intriguing and stunningly executed project. There was also a very interesting vocal installation that was playing a Thomas Tallis 40-voice motet composed for 8 choirs, with individual speakers feeding in the four voices in each of the eight choirs. It was a thrilling experience to stand in the middle of those speakers and hear the entire chorus come in.
This morning we had a nice breakfast chat with Nina Rook, and then got underway. This evening we will meet Phil's usual Monday-night drinking crew down at the waterfront, and tomorrow our house-sitters, Charles & Valerie Reynolds are coming down to see us. Meantime, I'm exploring how to get places and find the things I need. It's quite fun to come at your home town from a brand new perspective.
Wednesday we will head south again, stopping that night at Quartermaster Harbor on the south end of Vashon Island, and Thursday night at a little bay Phil found, somewhat nearer Olympia. Friday we will make our way into Olympia to see how our capitol city looks from the water.
We'll see how tomorrow's Group Health experience goes coming at it from the water side too. I'll post more when I can get to another internet site--probably Olympia.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tucked away in Gig Harbor
We found our way into cozy Gig Harbor yesterday, on the westward side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. We are tied up at yet another reciprocal dock, so have handy access to shore and all we can find by foot and bus. It's a pretty good hike to the "maritime" downtown section of Gig Harbor - about a mile, but interesting stores in older buildings. Today we took the bus up to the "new" part of town, located by the freeway, in order to get to the library and some internet access.
We have met two other Cape George boats in this marina, exchanging ideas and admiring glances. We're always amazed at the different number of ways people have finished them, so it's fun to see them. Back in Port Orchard we had a very unremarkable dinner out on Wednesday night, so tonight we are looking forward to a nicer meal at Brix, which recently won "2008 restaurant of the year" from the Washington Wine Commission. It's a nice stiff walk from the boat, so we make sure we get our exercise this way.
I'm doing pretty well following this last infusion, following the extra shot they gave me--have had a slight queasiness a couple of times, and my body finally restarted its functions this morning, so it looks like this combination may be the best we've tried yet. We'll see how the next couple days go.
Tomorrow we move to Tacoma, where we again have reciprocal moorage, this time reserved for two days (most places are first come, first served). We'll be catching up with two of our Tacoma-based friends while there. We'll see Pat Alley, a BCC teaching colleague who now splits her time between Tacoma and mostly Ajijic, Mexico, where I have visited her. The other friend Nina Rook, from our book group. We'll catch breakfast with her Monday morning. We're looking forward to exploring a bit of downtown Tacoma as well.
Monday we'll make our way up to Seattle to book in to the downtown Bell Harbor Marina, where I'll take care of my last infusion on Tuesday, and also meet with the radiation oncologist to get an idea of what's ahead. This coming weekend, we may end up hooking up with Guy and Joahnna in Olympia. They've been itching to fly up this way, and it looks like Olympia will be a good place to try catching up with them. That's as far as we have our lives mapped out right now.
The boat is being just the therapy I looked forward to. I'm gradually getting it put back together from "work on it" to "use it" status, stowing and cleaning things so that by the time she goes back in the yard, she'll have had the interior maintenance she needs. Our solar panels are working just fine keeping our refrigerator and freezer going, though with all our dock time, we've actually not had to use them much so far. With moorage for free, it's hard to balk at paying $3-4/night for electricity!
I'll check in again when I'm near a place I can.
We have met two other Cape George boats in this marina, exchanging ideas and admiring glances. We're always amazed at the different number of ways people have finished them, so it's fun to see them. Back in Port Orchard we had a very unremarkable dinner out on Wednesday night, so tonight we are looking forward to a nicer meal at Brix, which recently won "2008 restaurant of the year" from the Washington Wine Commission. It's a nice stiff walk from the boat, so we make sure we get our exercise this way.
I'm doing pretty well following this last infusion, following the extra shot they gave me--have had a slight queasiness a couple of times, and my body finally restarted its functions this morning, so it looks like this combination may be the best we've tried yet. We'll see how the next couple days go.
Tomorrow we move to Tacoma, where we again have reciprocal moorage, this time reserved for two days (most places are first come, first served). We'll be catching up with two of our Tacoma-based friends while there. We'll see Pat Alley, a BCC teaching colleague who now splits her time between Tacoma and mostly Ajijic, Mexico, where I have visited her. The other friend Nina Rook, from our book group. We'll catch breakfast with her Monday morning. We're looking forward to exploring a bit of downtown Tacoma as well.
Monday we'll make our way up to Seattle to book in to the downtown Bell Harbor Marina, where I'll take care of my last infusion on Tuesday, and also meet with the radiation oncologist to get an idea of what's ahead. This coming weekend, we may end up hooking up with Guy and Joahnna in Olympia. They've been itching to fly up this way, and it looks like Olympia will be a good place to try catching up with them. That's as far as we have our lives mapped out right now.
The boat is being just the therapy I looked forward to. I'm gradually getting it put back together from "work on it" to "use it" status, stowing and cleaning things so that by the time she goes back in the yard, she'll have had the interior maintenance she needs. Our solar panels are working just fine keeping our refrigerator and freezer going, though with all our dock time, we've actually not had to use them much so far. With moorage for free, it's hard to balk at paying $3-4/night for electricity!
I'll check in again when I'm near a place I can.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I'm away on the boat!
After a great weekend spent with my WELA leadership group, with gorgeous weather outlining the Olympic mountains as we looked west across Hood Canal from our lovely retreat, I came back home on Monday to spent a couple frantic days getting myself ready to leave for the boat for the next month. The WELA group was wonderful, having a great time themselves, with inspiring sessions and late night chats, along with good food (and ample wine & beer, I must say--thanks to all in the group who generously provided it).
Monday afternoon I dropped by the hospital to have them draw blood, the precursor test to be sure I'm ready to start another round of chemo. And indeed I was. Good results on my hematocrit too, which has come enough up to normal that after yesterday I can discontinue the extra EPO shots I've been getting to counteract anaemia. That's good news because it means I won't have to hunt up places to get me to clinics on land where I can get the shots, so more freedom in our comings and goings.
Yesterday's infusion went well. My friend Lili accompanied me and kept me company, doing a great job of assembling my food and hand ice packs. I even discovered I could be somewhat mobile with them on, as I went next door to visit with a friend who was also getting an infusion. Chatted with him for awhile--he's newer to the process than I am, so had a chance to share a few tips on using Group Health and making it through chemo. They also gave me an extra shot of something that may counteract the diarrhea that I expect to hit tomorrow. We shall see.
After my infusion, I ran a couple errands, then had a session with my Chinese medicine/acupuncturist at 4. Home to try to catch up on "afterwork" from WELA and other tasks like balancing a check book that I hadn't balanced for a couple months. Had a late dinner, and got to bed at about 12:40, after printing out some more material about the yacht clubs we hope to explore as we go through the south Sound. A short night's sleep since my body popped me out of bed at 5:30, but I filled all the time getting ready, and with the help of my friend Dusty running me to the ferry, just made it as the last walkon.
Now I'm in the library in Port Orchard using their public internet, where Phil has discovered he can come and play with the internet. Here's where the fun adventures start, discovering the resources you need in each different place. And here's where I get to start relaxing, at last.
Our rough itinerary will be to head from here to Quartermaster Harbor on the south end of Vashon Island, maybe spend a couple days there and perhaps check out Tacoma and visit with friends there. We are due back up in Seattle at the Bell Harbor Marina on Monday and Tuesday, so I can get my last infusion on Tuesday. After that, we'll have to post again, because we haven't planned where we'll go, but I'm sure we'll head further south to explore the territory south of Tacoma.
The weather's been gorgeous - warm and sunny, so we'll hope for a little more of that over the next week. I'm SOOOOO glad to be here!!
Monday afternoon I dropped by the hospital to have them draw blood, the precursor test to be sure I'm ready to start another round of chemo. And indeed I was. Good results on my hematocrit too, which has come enough up to normal that after yesterday I can discontinue the extra EPO shots I've been getting to counteract anaemia. That's good news because it means I won't have to hunt up places to get me to clinics on land where I can get the shots, so more freedom in our comings and goings.
Yesterday's infusion went well. My friend Lili accompanied me and kept me company, doing a great job of assembling my food and hand ice packs. I even discovered I could be somewhat mobile with them on, as I went next door to visit with a friend who was also getting an infusion. Chatted with him for awhile--he's newer to the process than I am, so had a chance to share a few tips on using Group Health and making it through chemo. They also gave me an extra shot of something that may counteract the diarrhea that I expect to hit tomorrow. We shall see.
After my infusion, I ran a couple errands, then had a session with my Chinese medicine/acupuncturist at 4. Home to try to catch up on "afterwork" from WELA and other tasks like balancing a check book that I hadn't balanced for a couple months. Had a late dinner, and got to bed at about 12:40, after printing out some more material about the yacht clubs we hope to explore as we go through the south Sound. A short night's sleep since my body popped me out of bed at 5:30, but I filled all the time getting ready, and with the help of my friend Dusty running me to the ferry, just made it as the last walkon.
Now I'm in the library in Port Orchard using their public internet, where Phil has discovered he can come and play with the internet. Here's where the fun adventures start, discovering the resources you need in each different place. And here's where I get to start relaxing, at last.
Our rough itinerary will be to head from here to Quartermaster Harbor on the south end of Vashon Island, maybe spend a couple days there and perhaps check out Tacoma and visit with friends there. We are due back up in Seattle at the Bell Harbor Marina on Monday and Tuesday, so I can get my last infusion on Tuesday. After that, we'll have to post again, because we haven't planned where we'll go, but I'm sure we'll head further south to explore the territory south of Tacoma.
The weather's been gorgeous - warm and sunny, so we'll hope for a little more of that over the next week. I'm SOOOOO glad to be here!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I am still here!
My apologies to all of you who have checked my blog and worried because nothing was there, and to those of you who have sent emails and not gotten a response. The time since I returned from Arizona has been incredibly hectic, with as much time spent away from Seattle as here, first in Anacortes getting the boat prepped to go, and then the last two days en route by water from Anacortes to Everett.
So let’s catch up. After I fell off the cliff described in my last blog, I did recover, slowly. I was able to put in two fruitful days on the boat from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday. Then Thursday afternoon I experienced a new bout of diarrhea—are you beginning to see the pattern I finally see? About 2-3 days after each infusion, on it comes. It took me an afternoon to figure out that’s what it was, and then I hopped on it with the heavy-duty meds. I had to stay pretty close to a bathroom on Friday, but woke up Saturday morning feeling like my “fever had broken.” I was just fine. Which was fortunate, because that night we had Phil’s birthday party, a dinner for 9 at the house.
All went well, but it was a bit of a scramble to wrap up the party and then get myself out the door Sunday morning, “permanently” on the way to the boat. With some helpful patience from Phil and my friends, Charles and Valerie, we finally got underway late morning. They dropped us in Anacortes in the early afternoon, and we spent from then until Tuesday morning frantically working to get done what needed to be done prior to launch. I put in quite a long day on Monday, so fell into bed quite exhausted—not a good idea in my current condition, but so far don’t seem to have suffered any damage.
Since Tuesday, Phil and I have been enjoying the boat in its intended environment, and having a wonderful time. I was reminded why I had been pushing so hard to get this time—somehow the movement of the boat in the water and the pace of life on board is very soothing to me. We spent the first night in Oak Harbor (where Phil managed to run us aground on a sandbar on the way in, fortunately on a rising tide so we got off within an hour). We walked into town Wednesday morning, for groceries and a haircut for Phil. The woman who gave Phil his haircut volunteered to let me borrow her car to run the groceries back to the boat—only in a small town would someone make an offer like that to a total stranger! Yesterday we went into guest dock at the Everett Yacht Club, in the Port of Everett. Everett has done a surprising amount of work on its waterfront, and it has lots of promise, plus some nice amenities even now. We happened to arrive on potluck night at the club, so joined the local yachties for drinks ($2/drink, mind you!) and dinner. Today our loyal transit drives, Charles and Valerie, picked me up in Everett and returned me home, so I can drive to Hood Canal tomorrow to conduct the last session of my leadership program.
So there you have it. I’ve just been swamped, and when I wasn’t swamped, away from any internet connections. My health is generally pretty good – I’m not quite whole, and I don’t have the energy I usually do, but I’m able to get the tasks done that I need to.
I will be with my leadership group until Monday afternoon. Then I’ll come back to Seattle for another infusion Tuesday morning, and an acupuncture treatment Tuesday afternoon. I will post another message Tuesday evening before I return to the boat on Wednesday morning. After that the postings may be a bit sparse, as they’ll depend on my ability to find a place where I can connect to the net.
So let’s catch up. After I fell off the cliff described in my last blog, I did recover, slowly. I was able to put in two fruitful days on the boat from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday. Then Thursday afternoon I experienced a new bout of diarrhea—are you beginning to see the pattern I finally see? About 2-3 days after each infusion, on it comes. It took me an afternoon to figure out that’s what it was, and then I hopped on it with the heavy-duty meds. I had to stay pretty close to a bathroom on Friday, but woke up Saturday morning feeling like my “fever had broken.” I was just fine. Which was fortunate, because that night we had Phil’s birthday party, a dinner for 9 at the house.
All went well, but it was a bit of a scramble to wrap up the party and then get myself out the door Sunday morning, “permanently” on the way to the boat. With some helpful patience from Phil and my friends, Charles and Valerie, we finally got underway late morning. They dropped us in Anacortes in the early afternoon, and we spent from then until Tuesday morning frantically working to get done what needed to be done prior to launch. I put in quite a long day on Monday, so fell into bed quite exhausted—not a good idea in my current condition, but so far don’t seem to have suffered any damage.
Since Tuesday, Phil and I have been enjoying the boat in its intended environment, and having a wonderful time. I was reminded why I had been pushing so hard to get this time—somehow the movement of the boat in the water and the pace of life on board is very soothing to me. We spent the first night in Oak Harbor (where Phil managed to run us aground on a sandbar on the way in, fortunately on a rising tide so we got off within an hour). We walked into town Wednesday morning, for groceries and a haircut for Phil. The woman who gave Phil his haircut volunteered to let me borrow her car to run the groceries back to the boat—only in a small town would someone make an offer like that to a total stranger! Yesterday we went into guest dock at the Everett Yacht Club, in the Port of Everett. Everett has done a surprising amount of work on its waterfront, and it has lots of promise, plus some nice amenities even now. We happened to arrive on potluck night at the club, so joined the local yachties for drinks ($2/drink, mind you!) and dinner. Today our loyal transit drives, Charles and Valerie, picked me up in Everett and returned me home, so I can drive to Hood Canal tomorrow to conduct the last session of my leadership program.
So there you have it. I’ve just been swamped, and when I wasn’t swamped, away from any internet connections. My health is generally pretty good – I’m not quite whole, and I don’t have the energy I usually do, but I’m able to get the tasks done that I need to.
I will be with my leadership group until Monday afternoon. Then I’ll come back to Seattle for another infusion Tuesday morning, and an acupuncture treatment Tuesday afternoon. I will post another message Tuesday evening before I return to the boat on Wednesday morning. After that the postings may be a bit sparse, as they’ll depend on my ability to find a place where I can connect to the net.
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