Might as well finish what has happened

When I was last here, (writing about my 2009 experiences) I managed to break my ankle, right after Thanksgiving. Not cool. 5 days in Washington Hospital, Fremont after operation, 1 plate, 6 screws. No walking for 2 months.

Returned to Texas, Cindy driving but me not helping. We had Aidan, 4 yrs old and Matilda, the dog. Slow going. Once we got to Flagstaff we began to encounter snow. The last day was long and dark and slick. I don't know how she did it, but, Cindy got us into Little Elm, through the ice and snow that was everywhere, even the driveway was covered in it.

2010 was not a happy year. So glad I did not celebrate. By March I developed an internal infection from one of my numerous operations. They could not find which bug was having it's way with me so sent me to a rehab hospital for a month of antibiotic shots. At least I was able to continue my rehab from the ankle break there.

In August I decided that TX was not the place to be. Hot and then hot again. I jumped in my car with son Charles who flew out and drove to California with me. After a nice drive we arrived back home in Union City. I stayed a while to visit with the boys, then left to visit friends and head north on 101.

It was nice to visit with friends I had not really seen since high school and reminisce about what we did, or didn't do and who we still knew or knew about.

I left Santa Rosa and slowly worked my way up to Washington State along the coast. It was a peaceful drive and not crowded like when you are near metropolitan areas. There were excellent fir trees and some deciduous trees all growing so close together that it was almost like a deep and dark cave. Whenever I came out of the trees it was sunny and beautiful. The ocean views were stark and wild. But the fog decided to come in and cover the ocean from the higher parts of the road. Farther on it was a higher fog that made everything dark and damp. Once I got near Astoria, the traffic got heavier. Naturally I almost went the wrong way and headed toward Portland, when all I needed to do was cross the river. I did manage do do that and made my way up 101 to Aberdeen, WA and then on to Ocean Shores to visit with my sister and brother-in-law.

Lots o' public domain books

Where have I been - again?

It has been a long time since I was here.

In 2008 I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. So after 2 separate operations on my colon and liver (where it had extended it's tentacles), I began chemo-therapy. With my daughter Lucinda's help I stayed "with it" while living at her house. At least I thought I was OK. My chemo lasted until Sept.4, 2009. Now I have appointments every 3 months with the Oncologist, Dr. Kinsella, who was so very nice and helpful to me. I would recommend her and her clinic to anyone needing treatment for cancer. When my appointments become every 6 months, I am considering moving back to Union City.

Lucinda, her son, Aidan and I traveled to Union City by car in November, 2009. It was a fun trip, as long as I was not driving. I had not done so since my diagnosis. Lucinda took Aidan to children's science museums along the way. We also went to the Grand Canyon. Aidan was so happy.

We arrived in Union City during the early days of November. We had avoided most storms on the way. Only the Tehachapi Pass gave us moisture and driving through clouds. Our plans included trips to friends and relatives in California and Washington.

More on my "adventures" in California in my next post...