CHANGE OF PLANS

If you want to make the gods laugh, it's said, tell them your plans.   I can add:  If you really want to make them crack up, then write a blog post about those specific plans. 

Because of medical reasons, those plans have changed or at least been postponed since I wrote this post at the end of last week.  We'll now be hanging around right here in Fern Ridge for a couple more months anyway.  

We are warm and dry (at least when we're inside.  And the sun is even shining as I write this) and among family and friends.   And this part of Oregon is not a terrible place to spend the Winter.  It rains and can be gray, but temperatures are relatively mild and chances are very good that there won't be anything we have to shovel. 

We'll probably have time to do some side trips -- maybe to another part of the Oregon Coast or to Portland.  There are lots of things in the Eugene area that we'll now have time to do.  And it will be a treat to be around family for the holidays.

So I'll still be blogging.  Come back to see us.  Just don't bother to visit the "Where we are now" page, because it will still say the same thing it's been saying for a while now.

More details click below.

We kept our Oregon doctors when we became full-time RVers.  On Monday of this week, Bill got some unexpected lab results from his last medical appointment, which was with his urologist. He had prostate cancer surgery six years ago.    It was very successful surgery, with no lasting after-effects at all.  At first he had to have a blood test every three months, then every six.  His PSA count had stayed low all that time. And last Fall when we were here, the Doc said he didn't need to have the blood test for a year. 

I guess we got a little too complacent.  He remembered a couple of weeks ago that he hadn't had that blood test or seen that doctor.  We expected the same news we've had over the years.  (The first year, we held our breath every three months, but lately we've gotten too used to good news.)  Ooops.  It was a different kind of news this time. 

The numbers are up; and the next step is a course of radiation treatment. This isn't something that absolutely had to be started today (the numbers weren't that high).  In short, we could go on with our plans knowing that we would need to find a new urologist in Florida within a few months -- or go ahead with the treatment now (under the care of a doctor he knows and trusts).    There really wasn't any choice in either of our minds.  You really just want to attack this head on and not have it hanging over you. 

Once the preparations for the treatment are completed, the radiation itself involves a short visit to the Center every weekday for 40 days, with usually minimal if any side effects at the time. 

 So we are here and it is a pretty darn good place to be, all things considered.  In fact, under the circumstances, it's the best place of all.

 

 

Comments

[Chatty Crone]

Oh my gosh - I reread this - I must have been really tired. Of course you need to stay with your trusted doctor. My husband had this - he had surgery in 2003. I am sorry it has come back again. Thoughts - prayers - hugs - best wishes are all being sent your way. Sorry. Senior Momnet.

[Carletta]

Sorry to hear the news about Bill's illness.
Sending prayers your way that this is over and behind you before you know it.
(((hugs)))

[Chatty Crone]

So is your husband sick? I guess you might come later to Florida? It is not worth traveling sick.

[Krystal]

I am so sorry to hear that it was bad news this time. Sending healing vibes his way and peaceful vibes your way.

[Margot at Joyfully Retired]

Sallie, I'm sorry to hear of your husband's temporary set-back. Send him our best regards and know we will say prayers for him. I like the way you are looking at the positives in this situation. You are right in that Oregon has much to offer. Many people come to Oregon for it's beauty and here you are for more of it.