A Gold Star

Okay, I know it has been a while. The funny thing is, when I think its time to bring you another update - poof - "Mary Ellard" (my sister's blog) does too. The other night I thought it would be a perfect time to get you some new news and start off the new year right. Well, Mary just happened to be thinking the same thing. And no one, I mean no one in their right mind, wants to follow Mary. It's like being the next singing act after Barbra Streisand on The Tonight Show (of course 30-40 years ago), or being asked to speak at a function and you are given the slot after Anthony Robbins....well, you get the gist. So, I let a few days go by, you have had time to read Mary's blog, you laughed, perhaps you even snickered or spit up some milk (for modernists you ROFLYAO), you commented to someone nearby how hilarious she is (yeah, yeah, we hear it all the time - "why can't you be as funny as your sister Mary"....Mary, Mary, Mary) and then possibly when my blog hits you a few days later Mary's is but a distant memory.

But, I digress. Here it is January 6th already and you have not heard from me since before Christmas.

The summary, for the holidays Dad adhered to the new traditions that he and Bobbie have created. For Christmas Eve Dad goes over to Bobbie's house - she makes him dinner (Chicken Parmigiana) makes him go to church...oh I didn't mean to put it that way, what I meant to say was that Dad willingly escorts his lady friend to Christmas Eve Mass. He spends the night (now, now, it is just so they can get an early start the next day - they probably just play Scrabble).

I guess it wouldn't be right if I left out that I called Dad at Bobbie's on Christmas Eve because I locked myself out of the house. I am what some might call a flibbertigibbet when it comes to my keys and the events that occur because of them. I have done this before. But it was fitting that the first time I did it at Dad's house would be on Christmas Eve. And for the record, I didn't really lock myself out, I just had the wrong set of keys. I must have grabbed my backup set and that set does not have the house key on it. I knew Dad had a spare house key hidden outside underneath a fake rock - I just wanted to verify exactly where it was because of course it was dark and of course it had snowed several inches that morning. He narrowed it down to a small spot - I can not tell you where, because it is hidden! It didn't take me long and I was in. So back to Dad.

He and Bobbie spent Christmas Day down South a ways at relatives of Bobbie's. I have to be careful here because I cannot remember if I gave Bobbie access to this blog....hmmmm, in the interest of all, I will just say they had "a lovely time".....call me later if you want to know how Dad describes it.

So, needless to say, I was solo on the Eve and on the Day. But this blog is not the place for me to lament about my lonely holiday experience - that is for the other Blog - "Alone Again, Naturally" written in pseudonym by Old Maid Marion.

I didn't realize it, but New Years Eve was to follow the same path. Dad went to Bobbies on the Eve, came home early the next morning to freshen up and then they went to New Providence to have dinner with the fam. Now, Dad did invite me to all the holiday gatherings, but I chose to stay home despite the "lovely" invitation. Mary also invited me up North to join her at her sister-in-laws New Years Eve gala, and although very tempted, really, I declined so that I could stay home and watch the traditional "Twilight Zone" marathon.

Again, you will find me crying in my beer (root - and yes, with a smidgen of vanilla ice cream) on the other Blog about my New Year's Eve experience(I guess I should just state for the record that there is no other blog, it is just a prop to get a laugh - you are laughing, aren't you? Maybe not spit your milk out laughing like you would at Mary's hilarious antics, but laughing none-the-less, right?).

Where was I (the parenthesis just confuse me and derail the story)? Oh yes, Dad. He is doing exceptionally well. His cough is all but gone. Between the frequent vacuuming and the humidifier in his room and taking his asthma medication twice a day instead of just once, there is nar a cough to be heard. So, good news, the animals can stay, for now.

The best news is that his radiation treatments are done! Finished last week just before New Years. He brought each of the staff members a bottle of wine to thank them for making this experience tolerable and he got a clean bill of health and certificate to boot. I thought that was very nice for them to do.

The doctor, just days before his final treatment, not only gave him a clean bill of health, but apparently was excited that he was able to give Dad this news. You see, Dad didn't say anything until his last day, but his diagnosis, although treatable, was for a very aggressive form of cancer... but they got it all!!!! And the doctor is happy, Dad is happy, I know you are all happy...we are all happy.

Yesterday Dad was even looking into some local fitness clubs (with pools) to reestablish his exercise regime.

He is still eating well and reading constantly (no surprise), but now, there is no mid afternoon interruption to go to the hospital for daily treatments of radiation. I think he is okay to get that time back.

Dad will now schedule followup appointments with his doctor just to keep an eye on things. He has also said that he would like to get his leg checked out (he knows surgery is imminent) - he has no fear.

I will try not to let too much time pass before the next post - and I will do my darnedest to beat Ms. Ellard to the punch so she will then have to follow me.....and Dad.

Smooches,
K