Peg Kerr's Blog, page 10
May 24, 2015
Latest biopsy results
We have been back twice to Mayo to follow up with Rob's surgeon. His wound is healing well, but more importantly, the biopsy results indicate his lymphoma has been completely routed from his body. For the first time in two years, apparently, Rob is completely cancer-free. YAY!
Read more details at our CaringBridge post here.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729971.html. There are
comments on the post.
Read more details at our CaringBridge post here.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729971.html. There are
comments on the post.
May 6, 2015
Mayo follow up
Back from Mayo for a followup visit today which turned into an unexpected spot of further surgery for Rob. They REALLY want to make sure that scalp tumor doesn't come back.
But the doctor did say the wound seems to be healing well. It's just a little deeper now (and again, they'll biopsy what was removed today).
I'm relieved. Rob had been experiencing a ramping up of pain the past couple of days, as well as the sort of sensations he'd had before when the tumor was growing previously.
The doctor also went out and picked out the bits of gauze threads I hadn't been able to remove because Rob was too squeamish to allow me to dig them all out. (Since the doctor's not married to Rob, he's more willing to be ruthless). It was a relief to hold Rob's hand and let someone else do the hurting for a change. I HATE hurting him.
Keep sending those hate waves at Athena, people. She's about as stubborn as Rob.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729645.html. There are
comments on the post.
But the doctor did say the wound seems to be healing well. It's just a little deeper now (and again, they'll biopsy what was removed today).
I'm relieved. Rob had been experiencing a ramping up of pain the past couple of days, as well as the sort of sensations he'd had before when the tumor was growing previously.
The doctor also went out and picked out the bits of gauze threads I hadn't been able to remove because Rob was too squeamish to allow me to dig them all out. (Since the doctor's not married to Rob, he's more willing to be ruthless). It was a relief to hold Rob's hand and let someone else do the hurting for a change. I HATE hurting him.
Keep sending those hate waves at Athena, people. She's about as stubborn as Rob.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729645.html. There are
comments on the post.
May 1, 2015
May Day!
I have the lyrics of Jonathan Coulton's "First of May" running through my mind. No, if you don't know the lyrics, I'm not going to repeat them. Look them up.
Off to wash my face in the morning dew. Happy May Day, everyone!
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729514.html. There are
comments on the post.
Off to wash my face in the morning dew. Happy May Day, everyone!
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729514.html. There are
comments on the post.
April 24, 2015
Wound care
it too half an hour for me to take Rob's bandage off, for him to shower, and for me to redress the wound.
I certainly hope I get faster at this.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729049.html. There are
comments on the post.
I certainly hope I get faster at this.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729049.html. There are
comments on the post.
April 22, 2015
Back to Mayo
We were happy to see so many friends at Minicon, and it was great to hear all of your congratulations on our medical news. However, although we didn't say so at the time, we were already seeing signs that Athena (the tumor on Rob's scalp) was growing back. And so instead of going back for follow up in June, we spent three days in Rochester this week. The tumor was surgically removed this morning, and it will be genetically sequenced. Good news, though: still no sign of recurrence of cancer in his abdomen.
Read more about it here on our CaringBridge.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729023.html. There are
comments on the post.
Read more about it here on our CaringBridge.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1729023.html. There are
comments on the post.
March 30, 2015
100 Things 6: English country dancing
It's been a long time since I made a hundred things entry, but I'm trying to resume having a life. For those of you who remember, my goal was to try 100 new things. Last night I went to the Tapestry Folk Dance Center and joined the English Country Dance group. It meets on Sunday nights from 7 - 9 pm. Fiona has been going to the contra dancing on Saturday night for quite a long time, and I've always thought some of the classes offered at the Center would be fun to try.
There were perhaps thirty people there, most my age or older. Everyone was extremely friendly. A number of them who spoke with me said they had been coming for years.
English country dances are elegant social dances from the 17th and 18th century, set to Baroque and Early music. It is somewhat slower than contra dancing, but more technically precise. It suited my purpose to try something to 1) get me out of the house 2) get me interacting with people and 3) get me exercising. This neatly fulfills all three goals. I had a great deal of fun. Although it was my first time there, the experienced dancers were kind enough to say that I acquitted myself very well. I used to do folk dance in gym in high school, and I liked it quite well, and I think that experience helped. So did my ballet and karate experience, as it taught me how to quickly learn a form, a routine. I think I'm reasonably graceful, despite the fact that I'm carrying a few extra pounds.
The leader led us through four or five dances. One, I remember, was called Dover Beach. Most originated centuries ago, but one, called Angels...something...was choreographed in 2011.
I hope I'll have the opportunity to learn "Mr. Beveridge's Maggot" which was used in the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. (Yes, that's really the dance's name--in the 18th century "Maggot" was a word that was used to describe a fanciful or whimsical thing.)
Verdict: it was definitely fun, and I certainly plan to go again. Next time, I'll bring water and wear a long skirt.
{Take the 100 Things challenge!}
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1728654.html. There are
comments on the post.
There were perhaps thirty people there, most my age or older. Everyone was extremely friendly. A number of them who spoke with me said they had been coming for years.
English country dances are elegant social dances from the 17th and 18th century, set to Baroque and Early music. It is somewhat slower than contra dancing, but more technically precise. It suited my purpose to try something to 1) get me out of the house 2) get me interacting with people and 3) get me exercising. This neatly fulfills all three goals. I had a great deal of fun. Although it was my first time there, the experienced dancers were kind enough to say that I acquitted myself very well. I used to do folk dance in gym in high school, and I liked it quite well, and I think that experience helped. So did my ballet and karate experience, as it taught me how to quickly learn a form, a routine. I think I'm reasonably graceful, despite the fact that I'm carrying a few extra pounds.
The leader led us through four or five dances. One, I remember, was called Dover Beach. Most originated centuries ago, but one, called Angels...something...was choreographed in 2011.
I hope I'll have the opportunity to learn "Mr. Beveridge's Maggot" which was used in the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. (Yes, that's really the dance's name--in the 18th century "Maggot" was a word that was used to describe a fanciful or whimsical thing.)
Verdict: it was definitely fun, and I certainly plan to go again. Next time, I'll bring water and wear a long skirt.
{Take the 100 Things challenge!}
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1728654.html. There are
comments on the post.
March 24, 2015
Links for reading
An interesting article, a review of a book about literary fame here.
The always wise Jim Hines (
jimhines
) has a pithy list outlining the nature of depression, here. Much of it looks extremely familiar.
I have been busting a gut laughing at the Twitter hashtag TedCruzCampaignSlogans. Especially now that on the first full day of his campaign, CNN has pinned him into admitting that he, the tireless hater of Obamacare ('We must repeal it!') is going on Obamacare himself now that his wife has left her employer, Goldman Sachs to join him on the campaign trail, and so his family has no healthcare coverage. The delicious, delicious irony.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1728261.html. There are
comments on the post.
The always wise Jim Hines (
jimhines
) has a pithy list outlining the nature of depression, here. Much of it looks extremely familiar. I have been busting a gut laughing at the Twitter hashtag TedCruzCampaignSlogans. Especially now that on the first full day of his campaign, CNN has pinned him into admitting that he, the tireless hater of Obamacare ('We must repeal it!') is going on Obamacare himself now that his wife has left her employer, Goldman Sachs to join him on the campaign trail, and so his family has no healthcare coverage. The delicious, delicious irony.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1728261.html. There are
comments on the post.
March 20, 2015
Jane Eyre .... and Japanese
For reasons that are complicated and a little personal, I have been thinking about Jane Eyre this week. I convinced Delia to watch the most recent movie production of it, with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, which I think is damn near perfect. Then I started listening, obsessively, to the gorgeous soundtrack of the Broadway musical Jane Eyre, composed by Paul Gordon, first performed in 1986. I've had it on constant repeat, listening to it at least fifty times this week. I must admit, I find the voice of Marla Schaffel not quite satisfactory. And after Mia Wasikowska's luminous performance as Jane, Marla seems just a little too old to me. But James Barbour, an old familiar face on Broadway, did a marvelous job as Rochester.
And then, of course, as you do, I went looking on Youtube, hoping to find videos of the performance. Unfortunately, performances of the original cast are scanty. I found videos of about four songs.
Here is part of the proposal scene, unfortunately chopped in two parts</a> parts, which gives you an idea of how much fun Balbour had ripping up the stage:
Here is a rather poor recording of the entire proposal scene:
It was frustrating that I could only catch glimpses of the show. But...but! I found that the same show was also translated and then performed in Japan. Since I know the entire book by heart now, it's extremely interesting to listen to the songs sung by a Japanese cast--when I can't understand a single word--and yet I know exactly what they are singing. The videos are much clearer.
What fun to see a Japanese Byronesque Rochester.
Here's the link to the Japanese playlist. It only has about a third of the songs, but if you know the story, it's well worth watching.
It's fun to compare a couple of scenes in English with the ones in Japanese.
Compare the Japanese Rochester's proposal here with the one above:
Then there's this scene, which takes place right after Rochester's proposal. Compare the first two minutes of this video, in English:
(it continues through the aborted wedding and then another angst-filled Rochester song)
with the same scene in Japanese:
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1728134.html. There are
comments on the post.
And then, of course, as you do, I went looking on Youtube, hoping to find videos of the performance. Unfortunately, performances of the original cast are scanty. I found videos of about four songs.
Here is part of the proposal scene, unfortunately chopped in two parts</a> parts, which gives you an idea of how much fun Balbour had ripping up the stage:
Here is a rather poor recording of the entire proposal scene:
Jane Eyre the Musical (Broadway) "Proposal" from Thisbe on Vimeo.
It was frustrating that I could only catch glimpses of the show. But...but! I found that the same show was also translated and then performed in Japan. Since I know the entire book by heart now, it's extremely interesting to listen to the songs sung by a Japanese cast--when I can't understand a single word--and yet I know exactly what they are singing. The videos are much clearer.
What fun to see a Japanese Byronesque Rochester.
Here's the link to the Japanese playlist. It only has about a third of the songs, but if you know the story, it's well worth watching.
It's fun to compare a couple of scenes in English with the ones in Japanese.
Compare the Japanese Rochester's proposal here with the one above:
Then there's this scene, which takes place right after Rochester's proposal. Compare the first two minutes of this video, in English:
(it continues through the aborted wedding and then another angst-filled Rochester song)
with the same scene in Japanese:
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1728134.html. There are
comments on the post.
March 18, 2015
Spectacular news
This is amazing. We went down to Rochester, and the doctor's report on Rob's PET scan, six weeks after radiation ended, includes the phrase, "There is no evidence of residual lymphoma."
!!!
Read the details on our CaringBridge post here.
What an unbelievable almost two years this has been.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1727761.html. There are
comments on the post.
!!!
Read the details on our CaringBridge post here.
What an unbelievable almost two years this has been.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1727761.html. There are
comments on the post.
March 10, 2015
Latest on the cancer saga
The tumor on his head has shrunk to skin level. Rob's heart is slowly improving. Next step will be testing/PET scan in Rochester on March 17.
See more at the CaringBridge post here.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1727495.html. There are
comments on the post.
See more at the CaringBridge post here.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1727495.html. There are
comments on the post.
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