Snow in New Orleans... unbelievable! (and an update)

The Cathedral in Jackson Square

 

Jackson Square with Snow!

This probably won't mean much to many of you... but for someone being born and raised in New Orleans, this is unheard of. Yes, we got a little snow once maybe in my lifetime there... but never like this! Supposedly they had 10-12 inches!  Hurricanes yes! Snow no!

Anyway, I loved these pics. Got many more from family and friends there, but liked these best, so thought I'd share.

Now for my 'update'. First of all, I will say that it isn't easy to share personal info - perhaps it's the English in me. But even though I wouldn't put any of this on Facebook (and may be deleting that social media soon- but hesitant as although I don't post on it much, I get pictures of family and friends that I wouldn't otherwise see), I do feel Ok posting on my blog - that I think only a small hand-full of people read.

Anyway, I did see and talk with my Oncologist this week. It's not the same one I had for my BC (he retired years ago). But I did like this man. He was quiet, laid back, and we 'talked' for a bit. I brought with me a list of questions. He answered them all well, and asked me a million questions too. He has my old records, and the report from the pet scan. From what he knew at the time, since I've never smoked and don't drink, he didn't 'think' it would be lung cancer... possibly my BC metastasized to the lung, but no way to really know without a 'biopsy'. 

I explained my thoughts... 'why at almost 80, do anything? Why poke the bear and wake up something that's probably been there for years?' He understood, but asked me "if it did turn out to be cancer (and it might not be... could be inflammation or scarring), how would I feel about knowing it was there and not doing anything? Told him I guess I won't know until I'm at that point.

So... after talking a bit and talking to DH, he said that he would like to look at the CD of the pet scan himself (he only had the report from the radiologist), and go over my past records,  and we will talk again in 2 weeks. This sounded fine with me.

Then... the very next day he calls me himself and says that he got hold of the CD and thinks that it may be fine to just wait and watch for a while... if this was OK with me. It is! So, we will meet again in 2 weeks and talk to set up a schedule. I will have another list of questions ready - of course (Beware the woman with a list!).

Update done! Probably TMI... but it is what it is. I don't mind sharing this with my 'family of bloggers' as I've learned that sometimes you'all have info that could be pertinent to the situation... and that's a good thing (and could add to my questions).

So, I guess this is it for today. I'm writing this on Friday, but won't post it until Saturday in case I come up with more to talk about.

Hm-mm, I did want to post this. As most of you know, I don't watch the news anymore... but do hear about what's going on from DH, kids, Facebook, and internet (and I do know that some don't agree with this backing off). But I handle things this way because it helps keep me sane and my bp and anxiety down for now. I'm not sticking my head in the sand. Anyway, I came across this and thought it kind of says how I feel, so thought I'd post it.

Have a wonderful safe warm weekend!  And thanks so much for reading...

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

All's well that ends well... so far anyway

I don't have a lot to post here... been 'out of sorts' lately with health issues that required meds. First meds didn't work, and Wednesday doctor called in new meds. So far they seem to be working as I'm out of bed and feeling almost normal again. 

The 3 doctor appointments I had last week (Oncologist, Dentist, and Eye Dr) had to be cancelled and need to be rescheduled. Hopefully  I will get those done before the end of January.

But I wanted to say that I ended up last Sunday at an Urgent Care run by Texas Health - which I've used once before when I came down with Covid last July (on the weekend - like this time - when no doctor offices are open). I have to say that I have nothing but praises for these people. They are kind, and caring, professional, and efficient (very little to no waiting). The place itself is modern, well-staffed, and especially clean - and they're open 8am to 8pm 7 days a week.

So, needless to say, Christmas has still not been taken down. It was scheduled for this week... but hey... (DH did take down the tree). He and my grandson took good care of me as they did the cooking and cleaning all week. I truly wonder what people who live alone do when they're sick... guess they manage somehow, but it must really be difficult.

Anyway... since I spent a lot of time in bed... I found some cute things on Facebook and Amazon that I will post here. I was looking for a gift for a good friend who's birthday is coming up. I found this on Amazon... it's something I have and use a lot, so I thought she might like it.

They are easy to use and make your fried eggs perfectly round... which is great for BELT sandwiches (Bacon, Egg, Lettuce, Tomato).

and... 

and...

Anyway, I kind of liked these 3, but will keep looking.

Then I did see these 2 things that aren't something I need, but thought they would be extremely useful for those who no longer have an ironing board, but may need to do a 'touch up' on occasion.

ironing pad for your washer 

and this...

This would be great for those who actually walk to their grocery to shop... or maybe it would be good just getting your groceries from the car to the house.

and this may be my new front door mat (old one is getting a big scraggly)

and last but not least (if you're still with me ) 2 memes I liked: 

and... 

Have a good weekend! And thanks for staying this far (didn't plan to post this much).

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

We have snow!

We have snow! Not a lot... but continuous. I imagine if it stays like this all day, we'll have some pretty pictures. At the moment, it's only 10 am and I'm still in pj's and not about to venture outside. 

I know our snow is nothing compared to those further up north. Ours is just pretty and a chance to stay home... (schools closed, appointments cancelled, etc.) for a day or two. It'll all clear up in 24-48 hours. 

Started this Thursday morning. It's now Friday and even though it's snowing off and on... very lightly, I think it's over. We have coverage... maybe 1-2 inches, but not as much as expected. I will post my friend's video (which she took yesterday at her place - about 30 minutes north of us).

The birds were out in force looking for food and taking their bits from the cat food out back. We also threw out peanuts and bread - which the Blue jays and Crows quickly took away.

Here's the video I promised: (and remember to first click on the arrow and then click on the far right square to get it to enlarge... much prettier that way) (Then hit the Esc to get out of it) ;)

It's Saturday now and the sun is out. Our snow should be melted and gone by this evening. But it's still cold... 28 F now. 

Hope the rest of you are staying warm. I know you've probably got much colder temps and more snow... so do be careful out there. 

DH made a huge batch of his wonderful red beans and rice - perfect for these cold days... and I made some corn bread muffins to go with it. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(and praying for those caught up in those horrible California fires...)

a quick update... and a few pics

This will be just a short update on my recent MRI and Pet scan since several of you have asked me to keep you updated. The MRI showed something in my lumbar vertebrae - but it is considered benign. It was probably caused by some trauma and may be the reason for my occasional back pain, but nothing to seriously worry about. 

The Pet scan however showed some findings in my lungs that "could be malignant unless proved otherwise" (Radiologist report words).  So they are sending me back to my old Oncologist group to be checked out. To be honest, I'm not worried. As I told my PCP, I've had these nodules/fibrous tissue/scarring in my lungs for 24 years  and I've had a chronic cough for that long. They called it a Radiation cough. They kept an eye on it for a while, then stopped. Why worry about it now? 

But I will go and see what the Oncologist has to say. 

Closing this with some sayings and memes I like:

and...

and this cute picture of knitted frogs:

That's it for now.  Apparently we're in for some cold weather... be careful out there, stay warm, and remember to check for those little critters that may be trying to keep warm inside your car engine.

... and big critters too?

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

January 1, 2025 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! Happy New Year!

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Happy New Year 2025 Everyone!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

 

Wishing you all... and the world... a happy healthy hopeful 2025!

the end of 2024...

I wanted to post something to mark the end of the year 2024... but not sure what to say. 

When I'm starting this (Sunday) I still haven't gotten the results of my tests. In one respect, I take that as good... no news is good news. In another, it is the holidays and doctors as well are busy with their own families. But in truth, it doesn't matter too much - for as far as I'm concerned life will go on as usual... until it doesn't, right?

The pandemic changed a lot of things... some good, some not... and in some respects, it continues to change things. 

The widening of the division between our country's 2 major parties and the recent election has changed things. 

Climate change (whether you believe it or not) is changing things.

I guess what I'm trying to communicate here is that I'm entering 2025 guardedly? Cautiously? Not sure what to expect. I know they say to not dwell on the past, not worry about the future... just live in the present. Easy to say, not so easy to do. But I'm trying. How about you?

Change has always been around. I was born in the summer of 1945 and yes, many of us have witnessed many many changes over the last 80 plus years. But these days (I guess because of technology) the changes seem to be happening expeditiously (is that the right word?). I wonder if they're happening faster than we can keep up? 

There's a book out that Bill Gates recommended called "The Coming Wave" by Mustafa Suleyman that I read a sample of and bought the book for DH. It talks about AI (it's benefits and risks). It's a warning about the risks that fast-developing technologies pose... 

So possibly more smart-minded people feel this uncertainly. And it's not just us 'aged out older ones' that feel this inability to keep up (although we try). So many things that have real potential to make this a better world - are hard to control. 

I'm a big believer in Science and I want all this research to continue... (stem cell research, cloning, AI, space travel, the Internet, etc.) But we've never been able to have complete control over these things. We've never even been able to have regulations that adequately control guns or immigration. IMO none of these things are bad, they just need to be regulated more efficiently.

But eventually all this uncertainty will fall into younger hands. Since this younger generation has been born into this technological world, perhaps they will be more knowledgeable as to how to control it. I sure hope so.

So I'm going into 2025 with hope... hope that we will weather the next few years well and that the younger generation will eventually take over the reins with confidence and the desire to keep our country united and strong. 

Merry Christmas and Happy 2025 to Everyone!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(And don't forget 'Rabbit Rabbit White Rabbit' on January 1st!)

Good Morning! This may be long... but Merry Christmas a day late

It's been an awfully busy last few weeks. Seems like there wasn't time to sit and think... just keep going. Most of it was family and Christmas related, but some had to do with tests that my doctors wanted run... that were stressful for me. I don't feel 'stressed' most of the time, but apparently my body feels otherwise and lets me know in weird ways (migraines, IBS, and recently waking up to headaches, chills, fast heartbeat, and breathing issues). 

I went to my 6 month Cardiologist appointment and EKG and told him what was happening. He said it was "stress"... and I thought, "no... you're wrong." But once home, I googled stress symptoms and all those things (even the chills) can be caused by stress. Maybe he was right.

I was stressed out over the MRI and the Petscan... not for the results (which I haven't gotten yet), but for the tests themselves. I can't lie on my back for any length of time without coughing (chronic radiation cough which I've had for 24 years) and I'm 'a bit' claustrophobic... so 30 -45 minutes lying still could be a problem. But I didn't realize that my body apparently was more stressed out than my mind. My mind always says, "just do it!" and I guess my body screams "NO!" in the middle of the night. (I'm such a weenie!)

Anyway, dealing with that as well as trying to get everything organized for Christmas, goodies all baked, gifts mailed out and/or delivered, etc. has kept me going non-stop. We didn't do a big Christmas dinner, but I did prepare dinner Christmas evening for six with dessert and coffee after opening gifts. It was fun, but what bothers me is that it's getting harder to do. 

Sharing these memes:

And here's a pic of one of the 'goodies cannister' I filled (filled 10).

and here's a pic of the delicious bread a neighbor brought over:

so-oo good!

and of course our ferals got new toys on the back porch... and the heat lamps have been on for them all week.

and I will leave you with a picture of my feet as I enjoy the fire these days...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

May your 2025 be happy, healthy 

and full of love, family, and friends!

(...and thank you for being there for me)

Hugs (virtual),

Rian