OK Moving on....

As each 3-month check-up approaches with the oncologist, I always have a little anxiety and a little excitement. That happened again on Tuesday, as I met with Dr. Ali, my main cancer man. I can't believe that during my appointment, we talked a lot about how HE needs to exercise! He was telling me that his problem is that he is lazy. WHAT??? This very busy oncologist who takes such wonderful care of so many people sees himself as lazy? Well, I had a good little talk with him about giving up just 20 minutes a day to take a good walk. I am following up with a little note of encouragement. I have noticed he has packed on a few pounds around the middle since I first met him. So I will see if I can help motivate him to take as good care of himself as he takes care of his patients. Now my report is good so far. The cancer-marker bloodwork will be back probably today. That's the biggy that tells if there are any unwelcome cells floating around. The rest of my bloodwork is good. My greatest concern right now is bone density, as I lost over 10% of my bone mass during chemo and radiation, and I was already in that osteopenia category like most of us almost-60 gals. So I will have another scan and maybe have to get on that medicine Sally Field takes. Hopefully not. Are all you gals taking your Calcium plus D every day?

Mario arrived home from the senior retreat Wednesday afternoon, smiling, but looking a little haggard. He needed a shave, and for some reason when he does these things, he comes home with his hair slicked back like a greasy Mexican. He reported that the group had a good retreat and the kids were well-behaved. He expressed the opinion that spiritually, kids get 5 times more benefit from the TEC program we have right here. I am glad to have him back. I don't like being alone, especially at night. But I was a big girl and made it on my own.

Carrie had an appointment with a chiropractor, and whatever adjustment he made has made her feel 100% better. He told her something was out of place, and he put it back, and she instantly felt relief from the pain she's been having since the fall on the steps a week ago. Great news for her! I think she has been able to stop using the pain meds and muscle relaxers too.

I am working at church on a program called "Best Practices for Parishes." It is a program that results from a Paulist long-range study of what the characteristics are of successful parishes. We are doing a self-study, and I am in the Catechesis group. I believe I may possibly end up on the Parish Council as a result of this. It would be a good activity for me. Only problem is the group meets at night. I am usually on the couch by 7 with not much operating capital left in me. So I would have to figure that out. They only meet once a month. I should be able to do that, if I am called to this work. We'll see. I do enjoy it, and my past experience makes it a good fit for me.

We are lucky to get in on refinancing our house at 4 1/2 % next week. It will cost us a little over $1000 to refinance, but John figured out that we will save about $14,000 in interest if we do this. Who would think interest rates would get that low? Amazing.

Tomorrow I meet Judy and Justine for walking and lunch. Friday, my old buddies Suzie Longo and Sharon Mackenzie are meeting me for a belated birthday lunch. On Jan. 17, it was cold as hell, and Suzie didn't feel well, so we postponed. I don't mind. Spreading out one's birthday celebration is fun. We will go to dinner at Mexican Maya Restaurant Saturday evening with George and Betty. So that's what's up with us over the next three days. Nothing on Sunday but Mass and lunch with the kids. Carrie's gang are possibly heading to St. Louis for a fun day at the zoo on Saturday if it is warm like they are forecasting. First trip to the zoo for Nolan. He will love that.

Finally made a reservation for Phoenix. I will go March 31-April 7. I am glad Southwest runs those $99 fares. And now that Chris and Maria live just 10 minutes or so from the airport, the trip is not so hard for me. I have decided that I will not go more than 3 months without seeing them. And now that Makenna is taking steps, I am anxious to see that.

Sadly, my early favorite for American Idol is already booted out. I liked David Osmond. But he apparently didn't have what they wanted. He has MS, so maybe he could not cope with the long days. They didn't show his group audition, so who knows what happened. I still like the oilman Jeremy, and I picked up on another fellow named Adam I think, dark hair, exotic rock-star look, and can sing. The program still baffles me as to what they are looking for. Some they keep that make no sense to me; others obviously talented get the boot. Just don't get it! But I will continue to watch. Something to do and talk about when we're walking. And I guess when the finalists are chosen, we will have another family contest to pick the winners???