Keeping your sunny side up.

Since last week, I have been doing research on cancer treatment outcomes.  Our closest hospital has a "worse than expected" survival rate and low nursing staff ratios. 

We spoke and determined it was not the right place for the love of my life to have treatment, surgery or recovery.  We have an appointment and may have some preliminary testing done, but have already made an appointment for a second opinion at a regional cancer hospital.  I have learned that many patients get a second and even a third opinion.  Each hospital has a different approach.  One has you seen by a surgical oncologist first, others have you see the medical oncologist.  Some do 90% of the footwork for you, others hand you a flashlight and have you find your own way.

The best advice we have received has been from cancer survivors.  Keep a positive outlook. 

Cancer in the one you love.

We got good news and bad news yesterday.  The good news was no problems in the colon. Great!  The bad news, adenocarcinoma in the distal esophagus and the gastro esophageal junction.  Not pretty. The kids couldn't look at the computer generated photos.  

We spent today researching and going over everything our gastroenterologist explained.  With my medical background, I was able to process what was about to happen.   I was numb, after all, it is not My cancer.
I put the negative and pity party thoughts away.  I'm not going to help my husband by falling apart.  I've read the first couple of days you go through a process accepting the cards you've been death.

 I'll let him do that.  My job is to research, research, research, the treatments and protocols and the doctor and hospital ratings.  Ok, I'm a pro at this.  I spent years healing my son with autism, my daughter with her rare neurological illness. Years of collecting information and being the patient advocate.  So, I"ll put together another looseleaf binder, a printed list of questions for the oncologist, the surgical oncologist, the radiologist etc. I'll read pages from the National Cancer Institute, support groups, speak with friends I know who have dealt with cancer. 

He looks at me at the dinner table and asks me to call our attorney for an appointment.  He wants all his ducks in a row.  If this helps him feel in control, good.  My goal is to keep him from needing to worry about any of that stuff.  He's not checking out on me.  The treatment for this is scary, but I'm not going to let him off the hook that easily.  The prognosis is half and half, but no copping out is allowed.  We are on a mission to defeat this cancer, and kick it out the door.

Rites of Spring

This Easter Sunday marks the emotional start of Spring. A time for renewal and rebirth. The greening of the grass, buds and flowers on the trees, plants and the traditional daffodils, crocus and tulips in bloom. This year all these signs came together in rapid fashion, thanks to our uncharacteristically mild winter.

There a small signs that the economy is improving. A new home is being built next door to mine. Folks have been actively looking at homes for sale and homes have been selling. As a Realtor, what I see feels good. It is not a boom but a slow steady forward progression.

This is renewal time for my blog as well.

Let's hope that the warm winds of Spring keep spreading.

Our new Groundhog friend!

Just after the floods abated, we began seeing a ground hog meandering in the field behind the house. He is now a daily visitor, which leads me to believe there is a burrow nearby and possibly, a young groundhog soon to appear.

I plan to get a photo of our him/her and will post it. Who cares if a Groundhog is a giant member of the squirrel family. We think its pretty cool that we have one living here.

Pennsylvania has Phil. We have Hopkinton Harry/Harriet.

Road Closures in Hopkinton, Rhode Island

After the historic rains and floods in our neck of the woods, we are dealing with how to get there from here. Below is a list road closures.



As of Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 3:30 p.m., the following roadways in Hopkinton are closed:

Chase Hill Road at Ashaway Road
Woodville Alton Road at Collins Road, up to Alton Bradford Road
Rt. 3 at the Westerly Town Line
Rt. 3 at Reynolds Farm
Woodville Road at the Richmond Town Line
Dye Hill Road from the bridge between Woody Hill Road and Saw Mill Road
Bank Street
Marshall Driftway
Burdickville Road at the Charlestown Town Line
Laurel Street
Alton Bradford Road at the Westerly Town Line
Alton Bradford Road at the Richmond Town Line

There is no surprise that the bridge over Brushy Brook is out. Just look at the Video.

Incredible Flooding

Here in Hope Valley our babbling brooks are rivers and the rivers are white water rapids. We received nine inches of rain after having two previous storms of three inches plus. The ground is saturated and there is no place for the water to go.

We've had a huge problem with flooded, washed out roads and bridges.

The phrase "You can't get there from here", is frighteningly true. I've met more folks who were lost and couldn't find there way today, than I have all last summer during tourist season. I heard the phrase "Where an I?" More than once as folks try to navigate around the flooded roads to get where they need to go.

The photo above is Brushy Brook where it crosses Dye Hill Road taken at about 6:30 p.m. March 30, 2010.

When it Rains this much

the brooks and rivers overflow. The roads flood, as water tries to find a place to go. Thank goodness it stopped raining this morning. It will give the water time to flow from the brooks to the ponds, rivers and eventually the ocean. Hopefully, most of this will happen before high tide.

Get ready, this is just the beginning of spring.