mudpies's Blog

Hi again
Mar 31, 2012 | 6:09 PM PST

Wow!  It's been so long since I've even visited GG, I'm ashamed of myself.  So much has happened since I was last here.  Where to start? 

The oncologist convinced my mom to accept treatment.  I'm afraid I think it was cruel of her to even suggest it.  The chemotherapy was very hard on her, causing infections and dehydration.  She had to be hospitalized several times between Christmas and the end of February.  She began radiation the second week in March and became dehydrated again following the first treatment.  I spent the week beginning the 17th with her while she underwent her second week of radiation.  There were no ill effects during that time, but she was more tired than usual.  She hates the fact that she has to be fastened to the table by means of a mesh mask to immobilize her.  The treatments are very brief, but I'd hate the process too.  She had five more treatments this week and needs nine more.  Apparently her mouth is becoming sore, a side-effect that was anticipated.  I wish she had a better quality of life at this point, but perhaps it will pay off in the end.

C goes for blood work and a check-up quarterly and his cancer has not progressed to the point where he needs treatment.  I'm hoping that will continue.  It's been more than fifteen months since he was diagnosed, so that's really encouraging.  I do notice that he tires more quickly and that he has lost a bit of weight, but his oncologist is not unhappy with his situation.

I'm looking forward to knee replacement in early June.  Hopefully that will result in increased mobility.  It's frustrating to be so damned slow.

It's been a very strange winter and spring here.  The weather is up and down from one day to the next, but it's definitely been much, much milder than normal.  I've got canteloupe seedlings started.  And I planted watermelon and tomatoes in Jiffy cells on Monday.  The watermelon and tomatoes are in seed starting trays on the windowsill.  The canteloupes have already gone to my mini indoor greenhouse.  C plans on making straw bale 'nurseries' for them down at the farm as soon as the soil warms some more.  I had the large windows in the front of our house replaced and we saved the glass to top the nurseries. 

I've painted the foyer and the upstairs hallway and bathroom over the past month.  I used melamine paint in the bathroom and have been very pleased with the hard surface, but does that stuff ever reek!! 

Well, my friends, I'd better sign off for now.  Hopefully I'll be more faithful with my blog this year.

Happy gardening to those of you who live in more temperate climates and happy planning to those who don't.