FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 05:12 PM, EDT
Happy Halloween
Ally is 1/2 done with radiation!!!
Things were a little delayed today, apparently not uncommon with the anesthesiologist she had today. That is annoying.
She did well in the clinic today; weighing in at 19 pounds!!! These are pounds she has put on all by herself!
We were told today that after radiation Ally would be scanned. Many times.
Trick or Treating has just begun and Ally is not so sure what to make of it.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The weather where
you are
Is not the weather where
I am
For you are far away
and I am not
I am just here
Snow falls, wind picks up in one place
Pumpkin vines wither, glazed
with frost, in another
Vast sweep of plains and mountains
Gold and purple between us
and time, and time, and time
And yet, the weather
of the heart is steady
and sweet
jjl
30 October 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 05:38 PM, EDT
Another good day for Ally. We are seeing very little side effects (she is eating a bit less and has cut down on her apple juice consumption).
The report from the Grandparents is that things went very smoothly at the hospital today. I am glad things have seemed to settle down there. It was tough when things were delayed and messed up because we have received awesome care at the NH hospital 98% of the time in the past and we expected the radiation to go just as smoothly.
We are now looking forward to Ally's reaction of the trick-or-treaters she will see through the window!
I hope she doesn't cry!
If. . . .
I'm not unhappy with my life at all. But if I knew then what I know at this moment, it would be very different. I'd have given up writing and painting, and I'd be an entomologist. Studying these critters. Known as Orchid Mantises. What a way to spend a life!
1/4 cup coconut oil 1 7-pound green pumpkin, peeled, one inch cubes
1 cup finely chopped purple onion
1/4 cup finely chopped garlic 2 tsp basil 2 tsp dill weed
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined and minced
1/2 pound lump Surimi1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 pound Gruyere, or mozzarella, finely grated
. Place the pumpkin in a large pot and cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil. Continue to cook over medium-high heat until the pumpkin is very tender, about an hour. drain in a large colander. Using the back of the spoon, press on the pumpkin to release as much liquid as possible. Discard any liquid.
In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the pumpkin, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Add pumpkin mixture to the shrimp,Surimi , green onions, and parsley and gently stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Transfer to the prepared dish and spread the grated cheese evenly over the top. Bake in a 350 degree oven, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
Serve immediately. 8 to 10 servings*Cooks note: any type of bland squash can be substituted for the green pumpkin in this recipe (merlitons, yellow squash, or zucchini). Long green Italian squashes would work great too. Regular pumpkins can also be used (not the kind for pie, but the big, bland ones more often used for Jack o'lanterns). Butternut or acorn squash does not work with this recipe. The original recipe uses 1 (7 pound) green pumpkin.
** Surimi is "faux crabmeat" -- real crab can be used also. Surimi fits my budget better. . . .
*** This is based on an Emeril recipe with a lotta changes
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2008 03:25 PM, EDT
Ok....so we had a few scary moments today. It all started last Friday when we noticed Ally's central line looked a little different. It looked like it had pulled out a couple centimeters. We were able to flush her lines and her night time IV fluids went in okay, so we were not that concerned. This morning when I pointed it out to the radiation nurse she put a call in to the cancer clinic. Ally's oncologist said we needed to contact the surgeon who placed it. The surgical team requested an x-ray. So...after explaining to the x-ray receptionist that no, Ally can't wait in the waiting room because she has no immune system 3 times we were finally led to the back. The nurse practitioner that was with me took a look at Ally's line and said it might have to be replaced (with only 3 weeks of treatment left) which would mean surgery. AHHHHHHH!
20 minutes later, as I am driving down the highway my phone rings...the surgeon looked at the x-rays and everything looks good! YEAH!!!!!!!
Scary moments, but everything turned out well!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
White Grandmothers, Black Grandsons
I've thought a lot about that in this last year. I thought about it when I wasn't supporting Obama. He was my second, almost reluctant, choice. He felt too middle for me. Too conciliatory. Too willing to listen to those who have been destroying my country, our country. I came to support him slowly -- about mid primary season, because I kept watching and listening. This is a man who has kindness, and brightness, and a sense of community and unity. This is a man I am proud to hope will be our next president.
By all rights, he might have been my first choice. Not because of his white grandmother, but because of my black grandson. A little boy I totally adore. And whom I fear for. I watch how far this country *hasn't* come in race relations. I don't have to face that for myself. But I do for my grandbaby -- what will be *his* pain when it first slaps him upside the head? And in what way can I prevent that? In what way can I cradle that hurt, and possible anger? I would love to have a black president just for him. And for what it would mean for how far we have progressed, and a marker on the way to the day when it won't matter any more because it won't exist. Neither the hurt, nor the hate.
_________________"The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love."
~~ William Sloane Coffin
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2008 05:35 PM, EDT
Ally did great again today. She did have to get the IV antibiotic (a 1 hour infusion) and she will get it at least one more time before we can switch her back to the oral medicine. Oh well.....we are at the NH hospital anyway.
Things ran smoothly today and it seems all the kinks are out.
At the Cancer Clinic today Ally was super cute and charming all the people she came in contact with (as usual). Her doctor was gushing over how great Ally looked and how she was responding to treatment. In fact many people were gushing over Ally to the point where it was almost, ALMOST, embarrassing. We know she is the super coolest.
I'll try to post more over the weekend, but if I get busy playing with Ally I might not have time. :-)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 05:06 PM, EDT
Grammy and Grampa said Ally did really well today and things happened on time. We saw that the anesthesiologist that has been causing us problems is scheduled for only one more day, Monday, the day Mommy is bringing Ally up for radiation.
Today we found out Ally does not need blood tomorrow! (Did I mention the blood drive at my school yesterday was in her name? It was!) Grammy and Grampa are willing to do a 4th day in a row of bringing Ally up to the hospital tomorrow because we are not sure if she is getting an antibiotic or not. She was originally scheduled to get a 1 hour antibiotic infusion, but her blood counts are good enough to switch her to a twice daily oral med 3 days out of the week...something we can do at home! We are not sure if the orders have been switched and the prescription called in though. Grammy and Grampa are willing to go so Daddy doesn't have to miss a lot of work tomorrow.
Ahhhhh the crazy schedule we all keep. Luckily the pump has been nice to us at night (only one beep at 1AM this week) and Ally has been sleeping until at least 4AM. Sleep is good!
I haven't mentioned this before because I was not sure if it would "stick", but back when Ally had massive mouth sores she couldn't really use her pacifier and she hasn't gone back since! She is paci free! She now brings Oscar, her pig, everywhere with her.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008 06:58 PM, EDT
So, on top of being late the anesthesiologists decided they did not like to dose of anti-nausea meds Ally has received the last 2 days, so they decided not to give her any today. (Eventually the nurses got her a 1/2 dose.) Showing up later will not work, as the group got a talkin' to when they showed up 10 minutes before she was scheduled to go under. 10 minutes later she was still not under, no anesthesiologist was there. When someone finally showed up there was talk of "traffic". Here is the thing with that: Ally was scheduled to be there for 8:30 today (an hour and a half later than the other days) because they hold a meeting every Wednesday that they REFUSE to move, even when they have very small children who are not allowed to eat, waiting. So, why was this person saying stuff about traffic when he should have been in a meeting? These are the same people who kept Ally in pain for a full day after her surgery. They are not our friends, and if things are not better tomorrow supervisors will be spoken to.
On a better note my school held a blood drive in Ally's name. There were 60 slots open for the whole drive. By the looks of the list about 30 teachers throughout the district signed up. Plus many people from the public just showed up. So, my appointment for 3:20 to give blood really happened closer to 4:20. Then, because I almost passed out I hung around for about 40 more minutes sipping juice, snacking on cookies and putting my feet in the air. Good Times! I made a video of Ally that was playing in the background, that everyone found cute! I am hoping for the full results of the blood drive soon (how many people and how many successful donors, etc.)
Time to bathe the little one.
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