Skyrat (Gina)’s blog

Bacopa

The 4th went off with no problems.  Barney spent the biggest part of the time cowering under my desk or with the better half.  He even spent some time in bed with me.  He's much more himself this morning.  I don't know what it is about fireworks, but I know they bother a lot of dogs.

It was another hot day yesterday and supposed to be a bit hotter today.  I am ready for the cooling rains, but haven't seen any rain in the forecast.

The better half is going to be having lunch with a buddy.  I am invited, but not feeling up to it.  That's just the way things go - some days are better than others. 

Reflections

Even though I have missed a day of posting, there has not been much going on that I've noticed to write about.  We are having a hot spell that I am anxious for it to pass.  Sunny days that I should be out looking for photos to shoot.  While the nausea seems to have abated the past few days, I am having more pain and exhaustion.  If this is chemo side effects, I should see an improvement next week before the 14 days of Cytoxin start again. 

So, as you can see, nothing exciting here.  I almost didn't do a blog again today because of the lack of things to say, but decided it's one more day to look back at down the road.

Barney making friends

A day of excitement for Barney!  Oh what joy - so many dogs to meet!  He spent a lot of time in the beginning dancing on the end of his leash trying to meet the dogs behind and in front of him.

Barney heeling

But then it was time for work.  Barney did a fairly decent job of heeling considering the amount of traffic through the park and all the people and dogs.  Not sure which way his face is facing in this shot.  LOL  But I think he is looking at the DH.

Barney heeling1

Of course, he couldn't help but pull a little, things were moving too slow for him.  The poodle you see is the only other dog that was about Barney's size or a little bigger.  Barney was the smallest dog - but definitely not the most vocal.  That was a relief!

Barney dancing for friends

And, of course, he could not resist the temptation to try to get closer to the other dogs.  They did insist on a bit of distance between the dogs, and that worked...kept them from getting into arguments or distracted too much.

Barney getting a treat

Barney was actually much better behaved than I had expected from him.  Sitting is not his forte though - if he stops, he lays down.  LOL  He figures that's good enough.  Personally, I do too.  If he never sits on command or just because I stop walking, laying down is a fine alternative.  Barney did make it through his first day very well, and I am looking forward to seeing how his next class goes.  Oh yeah, the better half made it through the training too.

Barney 8mos1

Barney moved.  He decided, apparently, that I was no fun anymore.  So, the other evening after I'd laid down and the better half was up, he moved his bed in the living room by the better half, and carried his toys, one at a time in there.  I have not yet convinced him to move back in here with me.  LOL

I did make myself go out to lunch with the neighbor and really enjoyed myself.  By the time I got home, I was ready for bed, so I took Barney out for a bit and played, then put him back in his crate and laid down for a couple of hours.  It was nice, once again, sitting out enjoying the conversation.  We were joined by one of her friends and later her husband.  Fortunately, he had places he wanted to go, so we left.

Another beautiful day ahead and today is Barney's first day at school.  I do plan on being there, camera in hand, for this.

View

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A view from the outing the other day.

I have not been feeling real well for the past couple of days.  I am hoping that it is just the final side effects of chemo.  Even the screens moving on the computer causes something like motion sickness.  I am just tired, back and legs hurt, and the stomach is always in an uproar.  Doesn't stop me from eating - but I have to work to keep things down.

I go today to see the onc, then I might get a 2-week break.  I hope so.  No more chemo pills or infusions for a while.  I keep thinking that I would just like to get up one day and feel good.  Have the energy to enjoy a whole day!

Barney 8mos

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It's been awhile since I posted pics of Barney.  He is coming along pretty good as far as behavior and I can see a little of the dog he will be.  He is still such a puppy though.  I did get him outside for a bit yesterday and let him sunbathe which we haven't done in a while.  As you can see, he really enjoyed it.

Barney 8mos sunbathing

The better half took me by McD's yesterday so I could get the quarter pounder I've been craving.  We also had a chocolate milkshake.  I think the milkshake was a bad idea after I drank it - but then, anymore it seems that it's a hit and miss with the eating and drinking.  I felt like I had been hit by a truck yesterday and today doesn't look much better.  Today is the last day of the oral chemo, so maybe things will settle down and the energy will come back and the stomach will settle down.  I know everybody gets tired of hearing how tired I am...even the betterhalf...so I won't go into that.  LOL

We still need rain - the days are pretty and warm.  But we are much drier than we should be. 

Rock pigeon

I did get out a bit yesterday morning.  This pigeon was on a dock right below me - thought it was a different angle than I usually get. 

In keeping with the way this last round of chemo has gone, I feel horrible this time of week.  Nothing specific, like with the last round of chemo, just don't feel real chipper with the general pains, tiredness and desire to just sleep.  Just two more days of Cytoxan and this round will be over.  I have to keep reminding myself of that - I am still doing chemo, just orally instead of by infusion.

It did get warm yesterday.  I'm hoping it won't get quite as warm today.  I enjoy the sunshine, but I love the cool breeze. 

Another rose

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Got a bit lazy yesterday and didn't get a blog done.  I was up for the biggest part of the day - just not very motivated.  This is the Relay for Life weekend, and I just don't have the energy or the strength to go take part.  I feel horrible for that - I should be right there supporting all the cancer survivors and those fighting cancer.  But, as with last year, I just can't do it.  It is overwhelming when you see the number of people - and this is a small community.  So, like an ostrich, I hid my head in my covers and stayed home.

I began to wonder if the world had stopped because Michael Jackson died.  Was there nothing else newsworthy?  I thought this morning I would get up, and it would be much like Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett - but, it still seems that there is no news other than Jackson's death.  I'm sorry...I guess I just don't feel the way so many people do about death.  Regardless of how you choose, who you are, wealthy or poor - when you die, you are just another cold body on a slab.  The glory is in what happens to your soul.  And when a celebrity dies and so much is made of it, I can think of several normal, every day people who so much more deserve the recognition.

Not sure what today will bring.  I do know that I need to go somewhere and take pictures of something besides the flowers in my yard.  LOL  I remember my friend saying that she was becoming very dissatisfied with her photos because they all looked the same.  She was a fantastic photographer - but so limited in being able to get out...and she was right.  Her photos were fantastic, but they all began to look the same.  I am feeling that way about mine now.  I do not do artificial water, so when there are water drops on the flowers, it is from the rain. 

Columbine

I had Columbines the past few years, none this year.

The better half and I went to the puppy class last night.  There was a little too much showing what the dogs can do than I would have liked.  We weren't to bring our dogs for this first class - it was more training the owners, so the DH got his training while I watched.  I am anxious to see if Barney will be able to remain in the class or not.  He is getting much better at not barking at people walking by the house, and will just watch other dogs walking by quietly now, but getting him out amongst a mess of people and dogs is going to be interesting.

I did get up and get Barney registered with the city.  Figured it would be a good thing since the animal control officer for the city is giving the classes...and registration is just $5, while I know the fine is much larger than that.  LOL  However, that was all I managed to get done yesterday til the puppy class and then I did sit through that hour.

It's still nice and cool, a bit damp, but good weather.  It's good for reading or getting out and getting things done.

Salmon rose

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This is the rose I call a salmon rose. Don't know what else to call it - it is not red, it's not orange, but a cross between the two. 

Had the last chemo infusion yesterday - YaY!!!!  Now, I will have onc visits twice a month to keep track of the tumor markers.  The news on the tumor markers were that they took a 10 point drop, so the onc thinks they are on their way down, and that is the affect of the first chemo treatment.  If the chemo has worked, the makers will steadily drop.  Then, I will be in remission and flirting with NED once again. 

I plan on a busy day today.  I need to go to the store and pick up some essentials, stop in at my old office and visit and file an AFLAC claim, get Barney registered with the city and go to a puppy training class with the DH this evening.  The local dog catcher is giving puppy training classes, and the better half feels that Barney could benefit from this, so Barney is going to learn how to behave.  LOL  At least, that's the idea.  We go to this first class without Barney.  It is going to be interesting and funny when Barney gets around all the other dogs.  hehehe  He is like a ping pong ball.

It is trying to rain today - we need it.