keeping busy

Hi everyone,

It's been a mostly good week. There was one incident with nausea that came out of nowhere on Saturday night (Amy Beth, it had nothing to do with the fantastic dinner you made, I swear) but it was over almost as soon as it arrived. 

Missed out on some apple picking with friends yesterday (still kind of tired and out of if from not having a very good Saturday night) but being such nice people, Melissa and Anne stopped by with some apples that the group bought for us.  Since I have been eating an apple a day (a current craving, not some ill-advised bid to keep doctors away) this is wonderful!  The rest of the week was dotted with some activity here and there (made some dinners, did some cleaning, got out and about a little) but mostly low key since the coming week and weekend will be packed with family.  Mom and Dad (note, they haven't been married for 20 years) arrive together on Thursday with Danielle coming from Texas on Friday and Dana plus her husband and my two 17 year old nephews arrive from Florida on Saturday. 

The big idea is to celebrate birthdays (mine is 10/25, Danielle's is the 29th and my mom's is a week later) so we'll go out to a nice dinner at Quarter Bistro (an underrated Ann Arbor restaurant) and then I want to show the Florida group some good Michigan stuff since it's their first time here.  I'm thinking Henry Ford Museum for sure.  Any other ideas?  They're only in town for a few days so we don't have time for much but we can't just sit around the house with a crowd this size.

The paracentesis on Friday yielded only 1.25 liters (after one week) so the fluid levels are WAY down from just a few weeks ago.  I'm still feeling a little full around the belly area but I battle constipation every day as well (mostly, I'm winning - thankfully so!). 

Chemo resumes this week on Tuesday.  Amy Beth will be spending the day with me this time.  We have a picnic lunch and travel Cribbage planned.  Should be pretty fun for a medical procedure.

I know I sound like a broken record when I say thanks for sending notes and leaving comments but I really do appreciate it as an ongoing concern so I want to continue to say thanks to those who have reached out.  It's been really great to hear from you!  I especially like hearing about all the martinis (and other drinks) being consumed on my behalf.  If you send pictures I will publish them on the blog (with your permission, of course).  We need some more pics arond here anyway.

Thanks for reading - have a great day!