Town

 Town was not too busy for a change, many of the tourists have gone and soon the Snowbirds will take off and it will be even quieter. 

No waiting in line anyplace....bank, Walmart pickup, Aldi, Hugos and Main Street Meats....where the young guy always calls me ma'am. 

The bank got a new potted plant for Fall. 

Far Guy had his usual Thursday Infusion to protect his lungs and then he came home to rest and nap.  He had a hard time sleeping the past couple of nights.  

Supper was mashed potatoes, hamburger gravy, carrots and raspberries.

Minnesota Weather: Highs 73F or 23C Low was 61F or 17C eh. 

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Waiting

 I waited for Far Guy to have his Pet Scan.  They have these cool cubbies/pods/whatchamacallits with outlets and a charging port.  The Pet Scan took over two hours.  I read my book.  There were several different waiting areas and I was all alone in the area I chose. 

They have a robotic floor scrubber that was having troubles staying on course.  Finally someone showed up with a phone and moved it out of the area. 

Anyways...Far Guy had his Pet scan and blood work. 

We saw the Oncologist yesterday for the report.  Great news on the breast cancer...it is under control and almost gone comparing the June Pet scan to the August scan!!  The Doctors says he considers it a Stage Three now not a Stage Four...good news!!  

We are awaiting an appointment for a biopsy of Far Guy's Thyroid.  It has nothing in common with the breast cancer....so it is NOT a metastasis as the Dr originally thought.  It is something else...and the biopsy will tell the story.  So we wait for an appointment and then after that we wait for about two weeks for the biopsy results.  Then the Dr and Far Guy can decide what the next plan will be. 

We are very thankful for the good news and thankful for everyone that has been praying for Far Guy!

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Getting Ready

 For Winter.  There is no doubt that Winter will come to Minnesota sooner or later.  Yesterday we pre bought all the propane for our furnace and fireplace for the Winter.   Check that off our list.  The pre buy program works well for us, we know up front what the cost will be for the whole year.  We usually order more than we use ( just in case it is extremely cold Winter) so they carry over the credit.  Last year it cost $904 to heat our home for the year. We think that is very reasonable.  We never have to call for fills either as the gas company monitors the tank. ( I don't have to traipse back there to check the levels and then call them.)  We usually keep our thermostat at 74 degrees during the Winter, if we are gone we turn it down to 70.  We do not like being cold. 

We are both anxious to hear what the Oncologist has to say at the end of the week.  We will be happy when the next battle plan is in place.  We both want to move along on this fight with Cancer...we want to win the battles and eventually the war!  Being patient is hard...and being THE patient is even harder. 

Yesterday I was busy all day except for a restful reading, watching TV nap time.  Laundry and some cleaning was calling my name.  Far Guy did some woodcarving. 

Supper was left overs in the fridge! 

Minnesota weather: High was 68F or 20C Low was 50F or 10C eh!  There were freeze warnings for way Northern Minnesota.

A huge snow drift at my parents home a few years ago. Photos found on my Mom's SD cards.

Here is my Dad walking back from the bird feeders after someone had snow blowed a trail for him.

It has been a number of years since we have seen that amount of snow. 

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Delphiniums

 My Mom used to grow some really tall Delphiniums. She put a wire cage around them to keep them upright. 

They were very pretty.  My Dad used to drag the water hose over there and then rest in that chair. 

Years ago there was an elderly lady that lived along the West Shell Lake Road that had a huge planting of Delphiniums in all colors...it was very impressive this time of year....now when you go by that place it is just a sandy parking spot.  I never stopped there but always slowed down to see the flowers. 

My cousin Geraldine had some really pretty plantings of Delphiniums along her deck at her old place. 

Minnesota weather:  High was 81F or 28C Low was 61F or 17C eh!

We had brats, sweetcorn and raspberries for supper. 

Far Guy felt good enough to visit with a couple of former co workers. 

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August 13, 1994

 Yesterday would have been my Father In law's birthday.

This was his last birthday on earth, he died a couple of weeks later from complications after a simple surgery...they called it multi system failure...he was 80 years old. 

In the photo Far Guy, Marvin and Jen....three generations.  As I recall we had angel food cake with berries to celebrate.  Marvin was a wonderful man who we still miss very much.

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Good news!

 The oncologist says the tumor is still shrinking, the cancer meds are working.  In two weeks Far Guy will have a pet scan and a Dr visit and the Dr will have a plan. All the prayers are working!

Far Guy has some of his appetite back…maybe that is Andy’s good cooking. Ribs on Monday night and last night was BLTs and green beans. 

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Sunday

 We had a quiet Sunday with no company.   I did some laundry and some odds and ends.  I had a long afternoon nap, Far Guy napped for about 15 minutes.  I win the napping award! 

This week we have five medical appointments, most are Up North.   Good thing we have lots of "stuff" up there, so there are only a few things that we need to take along.  Sadie will be happy to see us. 

I started Physical Therapy last week and it tires me out in no time.  I have the same Physical Therapist that I had last Fall when we were chasing the pain.  This time we are working on strengthening my back muscles and lots more walking. 

I think this is one of those Spidery Zinnias. 

Minnesota weather: High 72F or 23C low was 56F or 14C eh!  We had a couple of smoke free days...but the wildfire smoke is coming back in for a few days this week.  

We had english muffins, fried eggs and raspberries for supper.  I had a piece of Pork Sausage...Far Guy did not.  He is still losing weight.  He is eating many small meals a day, but his stomach doesn't like most foods.

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Andy and Tilly

 Our son in law Andy took Far Guy's Desoto to the local car show on Saturday morning.  Far Guy did not feel good enough to attend.  However we are happy that Andy could go and show Tilly off! 

Photo by fellow blogger and neighbor Leah!

Andy reports that many people stopped to talk with him!  Some people he knew from Robotics too! 

We enjoyed seeing them all...Andy, Jen and Sadie.  Jen helped me do some of the hard housework...vacuuming, cleaning the tub and scrubbing the bathroom floor and helping me change the sheets on the bed.  So wonderful to have helping hands! 

It was a nice day in Minnesota the high was 79 F or 27C and the low 59F or 15C eh! 

We sat outside part of the afternoon visiting with Cousin's Bonnie and Wayne and in the evening with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.

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Old Craft

 Before I had surgery Sara at Punkin's Patch sent me an email...are you aware of the witchcraft!  I was and I ordered a kit. 

Can you guess what old craft it is?

It brought back some great old memories for me. 

We had another quiet day at home. Far Guy is just not feeling well. 

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Yellow

 We saw some Canola fields and a number of Sunflower fields on our travels this week.  I was driving so there are no photos...you will have to imagine the solid intense yellow of the Canola and the pops of yellow color dotting a Sunflower field.  Both made me smile. 

From my archived photos..I have just a few photos of sunflowers! 

Far Guy's Infusion was postponed from morning to afternoon...I picked up the walmart order, fruit from Aldi and went by the Meat Market, bank and pharmacy.  My key fob stopped working at Aldi...yes stuck in the parking lot with no way to get in the car...I took the fob and whacked it against the palm of my hand a couple of times and may have said some kinda not magic words...and it finally worked.  I drove straight to the car dealership and had one of the parts guys replace the battery in the fob.  Usually I get some kind of notice that the fob battery is going bad...not this time.  

We had corn on the cob for supper along with a small burger no bun with cheese on top and a orange to raise Far Guy's potassium.  Far Guy is getting a little bit of an appetite back...progress is slow...but still progress. 

It was a smoky day from the wildfires.  Our high was 75 F or 24C our low was 51F or 11C eh!  We did not sit outdoors. 

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Cooking Day

 Friday was a cooking day.  My baby brother and his bride brought over fresh picked produce from their garden.

New potatoes and carrots joined a hamburger patty for an oven meal that cheese will be added to before serving. 

We used to do these all the time when we were camping.  Some people called them Hobo Dinners...our girls called them gore~slop...yes they made up a word for them.  Some people add onions...I do not.

Then I cooked up green beans, cooled them and Far Guy vacuum sealed them for me.

Potatoes were cooked, cooled and sliced for potato salad.  

I pulled a chair up to the fridge and straightened it up...now I have a bit of room again.

We stayed indoors because of the wildfire smoke. 

Far Guy felt a tiny bit better after a couple of naps. 

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Helpers

 Paige, Cole and Savannah came to help us out yesterday.  The house is clean again, recycling done, weeds sprayed, ants sprayed, our car vacuumed out...now we can relax a bit.  My baby brother came by and mowed our lawn again.   We are so appreciative of all the help!

I am feeling better, but I can sure tell when I overdo...either doing too many "things" or walking too much.  I still cannot bend over or twist or turn...and that is really hard for me.  I still have some numbness/pain especially across my buttocks and down my left leg and across to my big toe.  It makes walking a bit tricky sometimes.  I still have pain at the surgical site too...and a tiredness when I overdo.  I am not over my UTI and have asked the Doctor to prescribe a different med.  I saw my Rheumatologist last week...he offers no help for me, he just says "You have failed all the arthritis medications so I cannot help you." Alrighty then.  I asked him about my Ferritin level being so high and he said "We will check it again in three months." So no help for the extreme fatigue or the extra pain in wrists and knees.  I am not sure why I waste my time with him ( he is not a helper).

Far Guy is still struggling with nausea, burning mouth syndrome, acid reflux and tummy troubles. He is a trooper...he ate a bit more yesterday.  Trying to find food that he will eat is a challenge.  He gained a half a pound.  He is awfully skinny...he weighs 137 now. 

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Saturday all day

 Saturday was a day.  I cleaned part of the bathroom that didn't involved bending over, put a few things in their proper place and did some laundry.  I had a long nap in the afternoon.   We had Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for supper. 

Minnesota weather: High was 74F or 24C and the low was 53F or 12C eh!   Far Guy sat outdoors for awhile.  He is still mostly miserable with the side effects from the cancer drugs.

Last Tuesday I took a photo of Jen holding Baby K.  Baby K is growing.

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29 how can that be?

 Twenty-nine years ago we became Grandparents for the first time! 

Savannah and me!  Photo taken in 1996.

Savannah and her Grandpa. 

A year later we found a Merry Go Round Horse for her to ride.

Savannah and her Mom in 1997.
 

Happy Birthday Savannah!  We love you now and forever! 

Grandma and Grandpa

 

The eyes have it

 Far Guy has a bacterial eye infection, worse in one eye but starting in the other, an eye doctor was seen and antibiotic drops have been started.  Far Guy's immune system is not what it used to be. 

When we were in town we picked up a pizza for supper.  One less thing to worry about.

Hope I don't get it...the eye doctor said it was contagious.  Uffda. 

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Flowers

 Yesterday there was a nice patch of Gaillardia blooming in the flower gardens at the clinic.  Far Guy had his infusion and I had a blood draw.  I picked up an order from Walmart of things Far Guy thought he could eat and went to the Bank. 

I was supposed to have a Physical Therapy appointment, I confirmed it and everything...then a scheduler called at 10:30 AM to schedule the appointment ..I told her I had an appointment at 11AM...she said she had no record of my appointment (she must have cancelled it before calling me).  Go figure.  Is the entire medical community on drugs or what?  I am now scheduled in about a month. Oh well the wheels of medicine move slowly and sometimes not at all.

Far Guy and I were both tired after our morning out. 

Back at home I did some laundry and had a nap.  Supper is Chicken Alfredo...I may have a salad. Lettuce doesn't agree with Far Guy lately.

Yesterday was a very warm day our high was 86F or 30C our low was 68F or 20C eh!

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Oh my

 Last night at supper..Far Guy said.."look at that."  There were six half grown baby skunks outside of the living room window.  Oh my.  Glad they didn't spray anything. 

Ain't life grand.  Just when you think you have a few things under control...you don't.  I grabbed my camera and got a couple of photos out of the kitchen window. They peeked in all the ground floor windows....so glad none of them were open! 

Oh a lighter note.  I made pork chops and a baked potato for supper.  Jen went back home in the afternoon after we were all stocked up with groceries and supplies. She cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed. AND made us a pan of lasagna and Far Guys famous Italian sausage cheezy dip.

It was a nice day outside the high was 75F or 24C the low was 53F or 12C.  I had a nap in the afternoon. 

Far Guy is still struggling with the Cancer medications.

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Home again

 After my post operative checkup, Jen and Andy packed up our car and Jen lead us home and unpacked our car.   The Doctor said I had a lot of arthritis in the L4 L5 region and that is why I was in surgery such a long time.  I am healing well but cannot twist or turn yet or use the lawn mower or ride in Ranger Blue.  I am to keep walking and concentrate on building up the muscles in my back and legs....I will see the Physical Therapist later this week. Tuesday marks 4 week post operative. Tylenol is managing my discomfort.  I still have numbness and pain in my left buttock, down my left leg and across my foot...it may or may not go away.  Time will tell. 

Far Guy is having numerous side effects with his cancer treatment. Nausea and stomach cramps are the worst.  He got some pills for nausea yesterday from his Oncologist.

Jen is staying a bit to get us settled in ...groceries etc...thankful and truly blessed to have her with us!

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Uffda

 Far Guy started his cancer fighting medications on Tuesday evening July 1. Our insurance denied the meds. Luckily the pharmaceutical company has a program that he qualified for. 

Here is $19,655 worth of medication. It is $351 a pill and he takes two a day. Uffda. Thank goodness for the pharmaceutical company program that makes our cost zero.

He is struggling through some side effects.  Sure wish he could catch a break. The side effects could go away after a month or so. Uffda.

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Book Club : July

 Yesterday was a busy day. I accompanied Far Guy back to our home in the woods, I kinda rested there while he went to his Infusion appointment.  My baby brother sprayed for ants outside for me. I got to pet Baxter and Smudge and then I relaxed in my recliner until Far Guy came back and then we drove the 2 1/2 hours back to East Grand Forks. I did well in the car but appreciated the rest at home…I also had a nap in the car on the way back.

We got back just in time for July Book Club the book was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

I give it a 4 out of 10 for subject matter and the writer an 8 out of 10 because it is well written. The gals mostly agreed. 

We had a quick supper and then we played POOL with Sadie to tire her out after she had a quiet day sleeping at home! It was a hot day the high according to the car was 91 F.

After reading the book for book club we should all be doubly thankful that we live in the United States of America! Happy 4th of July!!

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