Places We Have Called Home In 2020/2021

52

February 7, 2021

Temperature 72 Degrees

And The Rain Came Down

Worship At Our Home Church In NJ

Forms, Forms, And More Forms

My oh my did it rain last night.  There was also a lot of thunder and lightning.  At least that was what I was told when I woke up this morning.  I slept through it all.  Well, not all of it.  When I woke up at 5 am there was a tremendous flash of lightning right over us that lit up the hallway and our bedroom like it was day light.  Then the thunder that followed really was a show stopper.  Most impressive.  Later, I also found out that we had been under a tornado watch the whole night.  Now how about that.

As for today, absolutely picture perfect.  Today being Sunday . . .

we began our day as we usually try to, with worship at our home church, The Colts Neck Reformed Church.

Our first song.

There was special music by the Morning Bells bell choir.

Pastor Debbie delivered the morning message and then led us in communion.

Then we closed with this song.

After worship we spent the afternoon filling out reams of forms.  I’ve submitted two applications for second opinions:  first, to the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institue; second, to Orlando Proton Therapy Center.

Hopefully, I will hear from one if not both of them sometime this week.  After I meet with either or both of them we will be able to make an informed decision as to what I will be doing and when.

As for Ms Naughty, she has been missing since she lost her head the other day!  It just may be that she has run her course.  I mean, first it was flamingos, then her, I wonder what someone is going to think up next.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  In the evening I watched a bit of the Superbowl which turned out to be the blow out that I thought it would be.  I didn’t leave it on for long.  Well, time now to call it a night.  Sleep tight.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020/2021

53

February 6 , 2021

Temperature 69 Degrees

Ms Naughty

It is so nice not to have a heater on either at night nor in the morning.  This morning was not too cold but not too hot but just right.

Well, there’s our girl above ready for the rains that are supposed to come.  It is getting harder to find her since they seem to be putting her out only at night.  Today she was nowhere to be found but then again the rumor was the wind took her head off last night!

As for the rest of the day we did absolutely nothing.  I did some more reading and research.  I’ve basicly decided what I want to do.  But I’m reserving final judgement until I get my second opinion.  Hopefully, I’ll have that in another week or two.

While I was reading Ms Barbara was inside making a full crockpot of meatballs.  Later in the day our afternoon meal was spaghetti and meatballs.  Another oh so delicious meal so much so that I ate  way too much.

That was our simple not very exciting day on The Road of Retirement.  Hey, every day can’t be full of spit and fire.  We’re taking them as they come just as I’m sure everyone else is.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020/2021

54 – looking good!

February 5 , 2021

Temperature 71 Degrees

Ms. Naughty

Doing Cancer Research Then Making A Decision

Ah, another early morning since I had an early morning doctor’s appointment.  The temperatures have finally come around.  Yesterday we needed the heat pump.  Now, today by afternoon we might need the A/C!   What a wonderful world.

Before leaving the park we took a short side trip and . . .

guess who we discovered?  Ms. Naughty all decked out standing next to the Mardi Gras tree.  Glad she had her sweater on since it was still just a bit chilly this morning.  I wonder where she will turn up next?

Yesterday I continued my research on. . .

Prostate Cancer and everything one needs to know about it.  I read the book to the right  from cover to cover yesterday afternoon.  I’m part way through the book on the left.  Both are eye opening and very helpful in my understading the disease, the treatments available, and the side effects that are possible.   I’ve already learned so much and in turn feel much more confident that I can beat this and live a full and rewarding life afterward.

Both books were part of a packet of information sent to me at no cost from The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.  The Institue offers a promising alternative to traditional radiation. A lower risk of side effects, more precise treatment capabilities, and an impressive success rate make proton therapy an option for patients with Prostate Cancer.

Today the research continued.  My appointment this morning was at The Advanced Cancer Treatment Center with Dr. Clayton Alonso.  From the moment we met I felt comfortable and at ease with Dr. Alonso.  He was a wealth of information and took the time to answer each and every one of our questions, and addressed our numerous concerns.  At no time duiring our appointment did he try to rush us but rather he was patient and understanding from start to finish.

So what did we learn?

we have some time before we have to start treatment, six months at the most but no more

if we start treatment now we would not be able to leave until sometime in May

without going into a long and boring explanation as to why, I can only have external beam radiation

the question yet to be answered is, what type of external beam radiation?  There is photon and proton.  Each has it own benefits and possible side effects.

deciding which treatment plan I go with will in turn determine where I will receive it

So what are we going to do?  Absolutely nothing until we get a second opinion.  Then we’ll make our decision.  Toward that end we are sending a preliminary application to The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.  Since they are located in Jacksonville if an in-person visit is required, that is doable since we are only a couple of hours away.

So that is where we are now in terms of my Prostate Cancer.

Now how about this?

This is an online jigsaw puzzle that Ms Barbara completed and which is now the background on my computer screen.  This is only one of many puzzles that she has completed.  Honestly, I can’t do them because I simply don’t have either the patience nor the eye to see how different pieces fit together.  She’s really good at them.

That brings us to the end of another day on The Road of Retirement.  It marked the beginning of a long road that will be full of further research which in turn we know will lead to an educated decision of what treatment will be best for me.  What’s the old saying?  A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step?  Today we took that first step on the journey of beating Prostate Cancer.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020/2021

56 – thinking positive

February 3, 2021

Temperature 60 Degrees

Just Another Day In Paradise

So the coldest mornings are here.  This morning it was 35 degrees when we woke up and tomorrow morning we are supposed to be in the 20’s.  After that so we are told it is onward and upward in terms of temperature.  I sure hope so.

Yet how upset can one get when this is the view out the living room window in the morning.  Abundant sunshine and a beautiful blue sky.  I never tire of this view.

The winds have finally died down to a gently breeze allowing me to put all the awnings back out again.  That’s my reading chair on the patio in which I spent a good deal of the day today reading my book.  A funny thing, the trailer behind us in the first picture above was dropped off the beginning of January but we haven’t seen a person there since then.

Another piece of disturbing news, since last October there have been 7 deaths in the park.  All have been of natural causes.  As someone said, you have to relize most occupants of the park are plus 80 so it is not unusual.  Point of fact EMS was called today for an individual in distress who was eventually transported to the hospital.

While I was outside enjoying the sun Ms Barbara was inside making a big crock pot full of beef stew for our afternoon meal.  Along with a loaf of Italian bread it was a spot on meal for today.  It was oh so delicious.  Oh yes, I went back for seconds.

In addition she made chocolate chip muffins to go with our cup of coffee each morning.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was another absolutely enjoyable day in Paradise.  We’re taking it day by day and looking forward to when we can go slides in and jacks up.  Until then I just need to take a deep breath and as I’ve been reminded – thank you – to let God’s plan unfold in my life.  In the meantime we’ll spend each day holding hands and singing our song.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!