Grettings from Provincetown, MA. We came down to celebrate my leg being the healthiest it has been in six months. We arrived yesterday afternoon. We ate lunch at George's pizza......and walked around Commercial Street. There are some great sales going on. Most things are 50% off. Last night we had dinner at Fanizzi's Restaurant.....I had some amazing chicken pot pie. You are probably wondering why I didn't order fish right? I mean we are on Cape Cod. Well...the truth of the matter is that.....I do not like the way ANY seafood tastes....so chicken it was. I think we are going to check out a movie and probably have dinner at Ross' Grill tonight. Things are really quiet off season in Provincetown...I love it. Oh yes...we ran into Courtney O. last night at Fanizzi's. She was visiting her friend Daniel. Crazy small world we live in huh?

I went to a Walk For Research Planning Committee meeting recently. I am looking forward to being involved with this years walk. I have never been in and around other folks with liver disease...or people who care enough to fight against diseases of the liver. It's nice to know there are other people out there. I don't know why it took me so long to get involved.

I always have great plans for this blog. Each day I come up with something I feel is interesting to write about.....whether it be about our trek on the Chinatown Bus to and from New York in a snow storm....or about the Paulist Center's most recent open letter supporting gay and lesbian community members........or about the premier of the L Word but somehow it doesn't usually make it to this page. Maybe it's because I'm lazy. Maybe it's because work has been very busy all of a sudden. Maybe it's because I recently acquired two new electronic toys (a pda, a digital camera) and have been busy transferring information to and from them. Maybe it's because my life outside of work has been non-stop. I promise I will start writing more.

Updates....hmm......Mom is done with chemo on February 6th. She hasn't been feeling great lately. I think she should take a week off from chemo....but the end is so near......and she just wants to be done with the torture. She is scheduled for surgery on March 1. Luckily she is having the surgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). I was a patient at the BWH for a month ten years ago. My step-dad knows how to get there. The hospital is T accessible.

I am supposed to see my physical therapist Jen tomorrow. We are also supposed to get a foot of snow. I wonder if my appointment will be cancelled. I will call later. I have been good about doing my exercises...I bought new shoes......I have inserts in these new shoes........AND I still have pain in my ankle and foot. Argh!

Helping a friend pack today after work. This friend has asthma and other allergies. Recently she has had troubles breathing in her own apartment. That being said....she found a new place to live last weekend. She is moving on February 2nd. So....I am going over to her allergy and asthma causing apartment to help her pack. It's the least I could do....she was very good to me when I broke my leg. She drove me around........helped me drop off the wheelchair to the pharmacy etc.

Today is January 20, 2004. I saw Dr. Chaglassian two months ago today. When I saw him last he told me that I could run, kick, jump, ski, skate, and rollerblade in two months. Well...today marks that day. I'm still not ready to participate in such activies I think.....I'm scared. Of course my ankle is still bugging me...and my arch. I just want to be able to walk like I did on July 26th...the day before I broke my tibial plateau.

Mom went to see the pulmonologist today. The spots on her lung do not look like cancer. They also don't look like scars. Their best guess is that she may have pneumonia. The wierd thing...she doesn't have any symptoms. She had some blood work done. AND...is scheduled for a ct scan in the early summer. They plan on watching it for two years.

I went to physical therapy for my ankle and foot yesterday. I am to do the exercises two times a day for two weeks and then go in and see her again. I'm planning on buying some new shoes after work. I hope all this pt.....shoe buying...and insert wearing will make a difference.

I think I may have a touch of a cold. I have been feeling a little tired...and achy....and my throat is a little bit sratchy. This cold weather isn't helping either.

I was in New York on Tuesday for work. I didn't get to stay the night...but I did get to have lunch with my colleagues...which was yummy......John's Pizzeria.....tasty.

My mom went to see her surgeon yesterday. Looks like she will be done with chemo at the beginning in February. She is going to have surgery at the beginning of March. The surgery will take place at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. They informed her that this surgery will require two incisions...and probably take some significant recovery time. The surgeon is estimating that it could take four hours. I'm a little scared for her...and for me...but I'm sure she will be fine. I think she'll be happy to have the bag gone...and her stoma closed up.

Happy New Year!

Unfortunately I am at work today. The good news is that I was a little early this morning and will be able to leave a little early.

New Years Eve was fun. Went to a party at Denise and Eddies. Also hung out with some folks at Stephanie's and Courtney's. It was all good.

Yesterday was filled with seeing The Return of the King...watching Wallace & Gromit...consuming Wensleydale Cheese...and eating brunch with Cynthia and Steph.

I get to go home in seven minutes. I'm looking forward to this weekend.

Mom had chemo today.

President Lincoln signed an act admitting West Virginia to the Union, on this day in 1862.

Thomas Edison first publicly demonstrated his electric incandescent light in Menlo Park, NJ, on this day in 1879.

President Truman officially proclaimed the end of hostilities in World War II, on this day in 1946.

Source: New York Times

Happy New Year!

As you know I went to see the podiatrist yesterday. I bought the Spenco Orthotic Arch Supports he recommended at Shore Drug on Belmont Street. "Spenco".....doesn't it sound like "Panko"........the Japanese Bread Crumbs? After work I went to check out Michelson's Shoes in Lexington. The doctor insisted that they sold shoes I would wear. I took a trip there after work yesterday...and he was correct. The people there were very nice and helpful. I told them I would be back to buy some shoes at some point toward the end of the week. I think it's going to be an expensive trip to the shoe store. YIKES!

I arrived early for my podiatrist appointment yesterday. I decided to stop in at the Brigham's Ice Cream across the street from my doctor's office. I got a bagel and a small decaf coffee. As I consumed my yummy bagel I took a look around the room. I hadn't been at a Brigham's since I went with my friend Joanie a few months ago. I grew up with Brigham's, but hadn't thought too much about it in years. My friend Mary P. and I used to eat at a Brigham's on Massachusetts Ave a few years ago. That restaurant closed a few years ago and is now a Boston Market. I remember eating at that same Brigham's before going to a BSO concert with ym 8th grade class. Cynthia and I went to a Brigham's two years ago the day after Christmas. As I looked around the room yesterday I decided that I like Brigham's. It's the kind of place that makes you smile. It has lots of ice cream flavors...and colored sprinkles..and a gumball machine....and ribbon candy....and licorice. I should visit my local Brigham's more often.

I had a great time last night. We got together with my friend Elke at Diva in Davis Square for dinner. I was so happy to see Elke. She and I met at the "little park" near our house in Dorchester 15 years ago and have been friends ever since. Elke moved to Los Angeles a few years ago and I don't get to see her very often. I felt like such a loser friend however. I have know Elke for years...I know her mom..and step-dad.......and her sisters...and cousins...and aunts...and her Omi and Opa. I know all about her asthma..and her allergies to nuts..and dogs and cats. Well silly me went off and bought her a box of Knipschildt chocolates for Christmas...totally forgetting about her nut allergy....and not even thinking about whether or not there were nuts in the chocolates. I felt terrible. She told me she liked the box..and the bag I put the chocolates in..and that she will enjoy "smelling" the box.

I just got back from my podiatrist's office. Looks like I do not need $300.00 orthotics. Yee haw. He told me to go out and buy some inserts for $25.00. I am to go back to him next week and he will manipulate them to the shape of my foot. I hope I bought the right size of insert. It's sometimes difficult for me to buy shoes and the like. I learned today that all of my shoes...except my hiking shoes...are either too big....too small....or have worn too much. I bought my hiking shoes at a store my friend Carlos was working at a few years ago. So.......thanks to Carlos.....even though I have no idea what he is doing with his life right now. Last I heard he had moved back to Puerto Rico. Ok so back to my feet. In addition to buying inserts and new shoes....I will also be seeing my trusty physical therapist Jen a couple of times to work on a stretching program at home. And she thought she was rid of me..............

The tape on my foot didn't seem to make much of a difference. I was happy to take it off on Saturday morning. I'm off to see the Podiatrist again tomorrow. My Christmas was nice. I found out that Mom's last chemo appointment will take place on Friday, February 6, 2003. Finally...the end is near. Mom will finally get to ring the chemo bell. Mom is seeing her surgeon soon. He will determine when she will be put back together.

I went to the podiatrist this morning. I do not have toenail fungus. Yee Haw! The doctor said baby toenails just grow that way. What he did say is that I have inflamed ligaments in my ankle and that I need some more support. The doctor made a splint and I am to wear it for five days. No getting it wet....swimming or walking without shoes and socks. This rules out the trip I was going to take to the steam room this evening. The doctor agreed that wearing the brace for my broken tibial plateau has caused some problems.....and now I'm not getting better as quickly as I could because of my ankle issues. I'm sort of sad about the whole thing. I feel like I am never going to be back to normal.

Saw Degrassi last night. Yup...Joey and Caitlyn finally got back together. It has been almost a decade for those two. Ashley found out that Craig found out that was cheating.

I just found out that Margaret Cho has a blog...........this is definately worth a glance....she is WAY funny. "it's so cold".....ha, ha, ha....she kills me.

We are having our holiday party at work tonight. We are having it at Vinny T's...formerly know as Vinny Testa's. Vinny T's is know for their large portion sizes...........affordable prices and possibility of winning your meal for free. I am looking forward to it....I think it will be yummy.

I was thinking about last years holiday party at work. It was there that I tasted caviar for the first time. I don't remember loving it. I also do not think they will be serving that tonight.

Another first......
Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful flight of a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on this day in 1903.

I finally talked to someone at the Ride today. I was calling to complain that I had been late for work twice last week because of the Ride. Twice last week they had either picked me up at least 20 minutes late......or had scheduled some crazy drop off/pick up....from Somerville to Cambridge.....to Allston....to Waltham. I spoke with someone today....but I have no faith that anything is gong to be done about any of this. He was pretty much like..."yup...yup...wasn't that the day there were crazy road conditions?" I pointed out that that was not the case. Tonight.....they were supposed to pick me up 4:50 p.m. At 5:15 p.m. they still hadn't come. I called and they said it would be another 20 minutes before they could get to pick me up. Let me do the math for you......thats 40 minutes late! They did eventually show up...and yes........it was 40 minutes after the time they were supposed to pick me up. I'm really pissed off....but I'm feeling like there is nothing I can do. I hate not having control.

Partners in Health was featured on Chronicle last night. Did anyone see it? The story focused on the history of the organization, the people who founded it, and the work of Paul Farmer, MD. I mentioned a few months back that Tracy Kidder had written his most recent book (Mountains Beyond Mountains) about the work of Paul Farmer. If you have not read this book....I would suggest taking a look at it. Paul Farmer was my Resident when I was in the Hospital 10 years ago.

I went to my last physical therapy appointment for my broken tibial plateau this morning. My physical therapist and I realized that there wasn't much point to my coming in any longer. Most of the exercises I can do at home. So....I've graduated. Of course I am still very nervous about walking in the snow and ice.....and I do have pain every once in a while...but aside from that.....I'm ok.

I am going to see the podiatrist on Monday. I think I have toenail fungus.......yuk...gross. I am hoping he will look at my ankle and the rest of my foot as well. I have had some stiffness and pain in my foot and ankle since I broke my leg.

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany on this day in 1770.

The Boston Tea Party took place on this day in 1773

Alot has been going on. I have been a busy woman. Went to see Love Actually with Julie and Nicole on Friday night. I really liked the movie. I laughed...I cried. Saturday I went to a class at Simmons. That night we bought our Christmas tree. Yesterday I went to The Paulist Center. John Ardis, CSP read a letter from the Director of the Paulist Fathers about a priest living in residence at 5 Park Street who has admitted to having sexual relations with a minor. I should point out that this priest has never had charges filed against him.....and has been relieved of his ministerial duties for quite some time. Yesterday afternoon I was supposed to go to a Christmas Open House....but I was tired...and afraid of going out into the snow. So...I stayed in and wrote holiday cards. Last night we decorated our tree. I love Christmas. The lights........are so pretty...and the tree smells nice.....and I love listening to Christmas music...and being with friends.

So....I'm not working today. I am not working today...because I am working tomorrow. I'm attending a class at Simmons all day tomorrow. Today we went out for brunch....and did a plethera of laundry. We did a ton of it......but it always seems that there is more to do. We are currently reading...checking our email...and hanging out. I think we are going to go to Kenmore Square so we can get gifts for the respective young boys in our life. I think we are going to check out the souvenir store at Fenway park. We plan on eating a late lunch in the Fenway/Kenmore area.....then we are meeting up with Julie and Nicole to see Love Actually. I think it will be fun.

Mom had chemotherapy at 10:30 a.m. today. She had a chest scan yesterday. Mom said that it went well. She is waiting to get her results.

I left a voicemail for someone at the Ride to complain about my recent lateness due to the Ride. I hope they will call me back. I hear the gentleman I left a message for is out sick today. I wonder if he is out sick every time someone calls to complain. I feel better knowing that I did something.

I had a wonderful dinner at my old bosses house last night. She made tasty soup. It was nice to see her and catch up. She is an amazing medical librarian and she turned me onto the Warrior Librarian website. Check it out...its definately worth a read.

ARGH....I was 35 minutes late for work today...and it was all the Ride's fault. First they picked me up 25 minutes late. When I got on the van there were three people on it. A woman and her son...and another guy. First we dropped the son off at school in Cambridge. Then the driver tells me that we have to drop the other guy off in Allston. He then went on to explain that he wasn't sure why they scheduled it this way...because Allston is out of the way. Tell me about it. So I said...."ok so we are going to Allston first....I need to be at work at 8:00 a.m." At this point it was 7:40 a.m. So....somewhere along the way we ended up on Commonwealth Avenue....up by BU. We dropped the woman off at the T. This woman and her son seem very nice......but I don't really understand them. I have never seen them pay. AND....we always bring the boy to school..and she either jumps out at a red light...and runs to catch a bus....or we drop her off near the T. I literally have seen her run for the bus. I'm not sure which one of them is the eligible Ride passenger. Not to mention that I'm not positive what the destination of their Ride is supposed to be......the school where the boy attends...or a random stop near the T. ARGH. OK...so we dropped the woman off on Commonwealth Ave. Then we took the other guy to where he was was going in Allston. We couldn't find a good place to park....and then the driver had to escort the passenger into the building. This was a slow process. At this point it was clear that the driver was very annoyed...and it was already 8:05 a.m. Eventually he got back into the van...used a few choice words under his breath and we were finally off to Waltham. I got to work late again. This is the second time I have been late this week because of the ride. Needless to say......I'm very pissed off.

Mom has a colonoscopy today. Her last meal was at 2:30 p.m. yesterday. I hope the results will be good.

Mom is also having another chest scan done on Thursday. She is having this done to compare it to another film that was taken of her chest. They want to check on the growth. It as taken this long for them to take another chest scan because they were waiting for pictures that were taken at Mt. Auburn Hospital to cpmare. The hospital never sent the pictures...even with more then one call. ARGH! The medical community isn't as quick as they should be.

I am in the office today. Jut got out of a meeting with our record storage facility. The snow was pretty bad this morning...but I took the Ride and I even got to work early.

I took a shower this morning. I love feeling clean. I used my new burts bees peppermint soap and my teaberry shampoo. I was tingly all over.