Bags packed

If any of you are in Chicago I highly recommend a dinner with "Da Coach".  Last night's dinner at Ditka's was the best meal I've had so far in Chicago.  Thank you Tom and Carrie.  I'm constantly reminded of the amazing kindness of friends to offer hope, healing, and show me that love is all around.  And tonight Carrie is cooking dinner -  I'll be there at 5:30.

I also received my certificate of completion at my "graduation ceremony" today along with a personalized CDH official challenge coin.  It commemorates the dedication, mission, passion, and spirit of the staff at the CDH Proton Center.  It was a nice lunch and a chance to say goodbye to all the wonderful staff members that I've meet over the last few weeks.

But I'm so psyched to be going home in the morning.  My stuff is packed and as soon as this final treatment is over I hope to be on my way home.  Due to weather difficulties I'm not exactly sure how I'm getting home, but the Former Boyfriend is working hard to make sure I'm home as soon as possible.

It's time to get settled and be vigilant about my self-care.  De-stress, walk the dogs, spend some time with my hubby, eat right, and get back to work.  I'll see you all soon.

Visiting "Da Coach" with Tom & Carrie

Just two treatments to go

My last week in Chicago is turning into a whirlwind week.  Tonight friends Tom and Carrie are taking me to Mike Ditka's restaurant for dinner - it was one of my bucket list things to do while here in Chicago.  And if luck holds out we'll go to Cooper's Hawk Restaurant tomorrow night.  It's a local favorite that everyone at the Proton Center raves about.

I finish proton therapy on Thursday, May 1st.  After 33 sessions of nuclear warfare I get a graduation party complete with a certificate of completion.  I'm so happy this part is over but I will really miss the wonderful caring staff at the CDH Proton Center.  It's the only doctor's office I've ever been in with a beverage bar, fireplace, and live music in the lobby.

Here's a picture of my scorched skin.  It's very sore and starting to itch quite a bit - think of it as the worst sunburn ever on steroids. I'm stretching 4 - 10 times per day to keep scar tissue from forming.  It hurts/burns, but if I don't stretch and keep it moving my skin and underlying muscles will get adhesions and I'll have less range of motion in my arm.

But we're so excited to see this phase come to an end.  The entire focus of our lives this past year has been staying strong and surviving cancer.  It's been a lot to endure for me and even harder on the Former Boyfriend.  Being apart has taken a toll on both of us.

That being said, it's time for blood work and scans. My first week back in Columbus I have five doctor appointments.  Even though at this stage I'm considered NED ( no evidence of disease ) cancer will always be lurking in the background waiting for an opportunity.  Luckily, I have a good team of doctors to help me figure this out and keep it from happening again.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back in Columbus.

Can you say well done?

In the lobby

Weekend!

An uneventful drive home Friday, which is always a good thing. Was expecting a quiet night at home with the former boyfriend but my cousin Gina was in town picking up her daughter Rachel and Rachel's boyfriend Rick. Well that just screamed for a little get together for dinner. No cooking for us though. We hit Oties in old Hilliard and left the cooking to them. Celebration was definitely in order since Rachel and Rick each have just one more semester before they graduate from OSU. And when I go back on Monday it'll be just four treatments left. Yea!

Another farm visit

The past couple of days I've really been in my element.  Today I toured Kline Creek Farm, a living history farm depicting life as it was on this site in the 1890's.  Everyone working on the farm wears period clothing, and several tools are original to the property.  They do not use electricity anywhere on the farm.

The beautiful 1890's farm house and summer kitchen are open to tour and feature original artifacts and photos.  The barns are original to the property and the farm is actively raising livestock including chickens, Southdown sheep, and shorthorn cattle.

Kline Creek uses Percheron horses to work the fields. They produce oats, corn, soybeans and hay to feed the livestock.

And for a silly fact I learned this week:  The Menominee Indians called their prized wild garlic and ramp field located on the southern tip of Lake Michigan Shikako, or " Skunkplace".  Because the area was so rife with ramps and their odor the name lives on in its anglicized form, Chicago.

Tomorrow it's home to Columbus, yea!!!

The farmhouse

Original equipment

A recent arrival

Hanging with the flock

A day at the local horse farm

I spent today at the Danada Equestrian Center about five minutes from my hotel.  It is the former home of commodity trader Daniel Rice and his wife Ada.

The Rices made their mark in the 1965 Kentucky Derby with a bay colt named Lucky Debonair which finished first and won $112,000.  The following year, Advocator, another bay colt and Rice thoroughbred, placed second in the Derby.

Currently the property, somewhere around 700 acres, is owned by the DuPage County Area Forest Preserve District.  Danada has a Kentucky-style barn, with center stalls and an indoor track so the horses can be worked during the inclemet Chicago weather.  Usually there are approximately 30 horses on the preserve.  And you know the horses are well cared for when anyone can go through the stables anytime the Center is open.

Most of the current equine residents are draft horses used for horse-drawn hay and sleigh rides.  Some horses also work on the Danada Model Farm that uses 1950's machinery and practices.  The thoroughbreds and quarter horses at the Equestrian Center are used for summer camp programs where kids and adults can get hands-on experience.

The staff members are open, direct, and like able.  Beyond that they may be the most passionate horse lovers anywhere.

Is that a great face or what?

Charlie & Chopper

The last full week in Chicago

Spending time at home Easter weekend was great, but I definitely got myself off track.  A few too many indulgences...potatoes (carbs), ice cream, a sip of wine here and there, and a very yummy margarita.  I need to rest, reset, exercise/stretch more, and clean up the diet.  Cancer loves glucose.

Thanks to my cousin Thom I'm back in Chicago.  He came and got me on Friday and brought me back in less than ideal weather today.  There are no words to describe how grateful we are, and no way to repay Thom's kindness.  Lots of prayers for his safe trip home. And a couple shots of DuPage Airport, one of the fanciest small airports you'll ever come across.

I've included a picture of the Martin Mitchell Museum.  It's in Downtown Naperville on the DuPage River.  I had the opportunity to tour it last week.  The family made their money in brick and limestone and used the mansion to display their products.  The mansion is so grand it has an upstairs and downstairs bathroom, unheard of in those days.

Once again, thank you all for your love and messages.  I couldn't do this without you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Martin Mitchell Museum

DuPage Airport from the tarmac

DuPage Airport from the front

Happy Easter

It’s been a good weekend.  The weather cooperated so I was able to fly home on Friday with my cousin Thom.  With the extra time I was able to go downtown and see the folks at my office in Children’s Hospital.  What a difference a few weeks makes.  They are remodeling at the hospital and nothing looked familiar.  I can’t wait to get back.

Paul and Deb are up from Florida, and Josh is in from Cleveland, so we had the opportunity to spend Friday and Saturday nights with them – they head back mid-day on Sunday.  Jake, Elizabeth and Caroline coordinated everything so we could all be together.

We’re looking forward to Sunday Easter dinner with our neighbors, Brian and Chris.  They always invite us over for holiday meals.  It’s great to be surrounded by so many caring folks.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Caroline meets the Bunny

After dinner Saturday