October 21, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Radiation.

I knew something was not right because my back was hurting. My Oncologist spoke with the radiologist about the lesion on my back, which had gotten larger. She wanted it measured. During the last scan it was 11. Now it is 17 so it clearly had grown, even though I was on Ibrance. The cancer on my back is the same place orinally, which evidently is a bad sign. So today we decided to use radiation on that spot. Tomorrow, the Radiologist will call me to set it up. As always, when you have one appointment with a doctor it turns into more appointments. So far I have no idea what is involved. My anxiety is that when I had radiation after my lumpectomy, the radiation clipped my left carotid, which mad my left carotic artery hard. That was when I lost my words so I must be sure that nothing else will be impacted with the radiation. But I will proceed with the radiation, along with the Ibrance and letrozole. So here I go again with yet another procedure. The sooner the better for me.

October 20, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. The World Series.

I have paid attention to the games of The World Series since I was in the 6th grade. I attended a small elementary school and two of the teachers liked baseball. Many afternoon games were played so if a game was on, the radio was on and we got to listen to the games while we worked. Also my father enjoyed baseball. When the Salvation Army held meetings for the officers in Toronto, my father always skipped a session to watch a baseball game, much to my Mother's chagrin. So I grew up listening to the World Series on the radio. For many years I paid very little to what as happening in the world of baseball because I was too busy. But I always watched the games of The World Series. This evening was the first game of the 2020 World Series, between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers won the first game 8 to 3. I watched the whole game, except for cooking dinner and walking around the house during the commercials. I saw some spectacular plays. These teams were number 1 and 2 in the league, which does not always happen. So the teams are good so we should be treated to spectacular games. So far the game was not disappopinting. I enjoyed the whole game. I suspect the series will go to 7 games. I am all set to enjoy every game. For some reason, I love watching the World Series, perhaps because it reminds me of my father and my youth. But no matter the reason, I am set to watch every game of The World Series 2020.

October 19, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Living in Mississippi.

Living in Mississippi has many blessings and I am happy to be living here. One aspect that pleases me is that I live in the Central Time Zone, whioch means that Antiques Road Show come on at 7:00 not 9:00 as it does in Nova Scotia. And the baseball games who start at 7:30 Eastern Time comes on at 6:30, thus my bedtimes can be early. And I like the collection of trash. They pick up twice a week, with recycles coming the first day and the secon day picking up anything you put out. And you pay with tax dollars. When I am here, the weather is fine so I am happy with the weather. Peopl;e here exercise early in the morning all year because much of the year during the day it is too hot to exercise so folks have gotten into the hapbit of walking and running early. The best part of living in Mississippi is the people. Everyone is friendly and polite and kind. A friend once called Mississippi backward but that is not the society I see. Literature is in the air and people talk books all the time. The society is very civilized and the races actually seem to like each other. You will note that there was no rioting and looting in Mississippi. The Mayor of Jackson annoiunced to the BLM group who appeared to protest but had a full pallet of bricks downtown that no rioting will be allowed. The Mayor is black and he meant what he said. The police were out in force and the bricks were removed. BLM folks moved on. So the best part of living in Mississippi is the people. I am surprised to be living in Mississippi. But I am enjoying myself.

October 18, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Front Yard Concert.

Friends Carrie and Brooks held a front yard concert this evening. I knewe they had done them in the past but did not know they were holding one today, until I went for a walk. Invitations were sent when I was away so I never received an ionvitartion but I just happenened to go for a walk around 4:00 when folks were gathering. Carrie spotted me and invited me so I stayed. And I enjoyed the music. Carrie and Brooks started these events after going on a cruise and getting to know the musicians. They made a plan to host a concert outside and invite friends and relatives. They charge people $20. which goes to the musicians. People bring lawn chairs and beverage while they provide ice. Today they were holding two sessions because you are only alloweds a certain number for an outside event. Carrie cooks dinner for the two musicians and they stay overnight in their guest rooms. The musicians have stuff to sell too. I always thought it was a splendid idea and now that I attended tonights performance I agree with the concept. I loved every minute. Being talented and a musician does not make for an easy life. The two musicians who performed tonight are from New Orleans which is a big town for musicians. The two young men were talented and good. One on a guitar and the other on a bass. They were professionals in every way. But the last few months have been difficult. All their gigs were cancelled and stayed cancelled. This week, for the first time since the shutdown they have worked, playing backyard concerts to limited people. And Nov.1 they will cut another disc. The studios were also shut down. But they were pleased to drive from New Orleans to perform for us. The weather was perfect and I just got lucky to be out walking at just the right time.

October 17, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. A Different Day.

I am always surprised when I go through a whole day and speak to no one, nor do I see anyone. Today was a day opposite to yesterda. Today I was home indide my house all day. But what is most unusual is that I enjoyed myself being alone all day. Several days in a row might be difficult but today was no problem. I try to spread up the people who come to help, just so I have some company. And I reach out to friends to have lunch or coffee with me. But many days I am by myself. Much to my astonishment I quite enjoy my own company. All morning I read. I subscribe to National Geopgraphic History and Molly enjoys reading it too. As I will see her tomorrow, I wanted to finish reading the issue to take it to Molly. I keep some structure to my days by completing my excercises and my walking. Even though the day was pleasant I decided to walk inside which I did. Today there were two baseball games which were exciting. The Dodgers forced the 7th game of the series this afternoon while the Astros lost to the Rays who now will now be in the World Series. I watch the games intermittantly. For a late lunch I ate my leftover lunch from Amerigo which pleased me because it reminded me of my pleasant lunch with Eleanor, and necause all I had to do was heat it up. Fortunately, this house is pleasant and I like being here. The boats are still on the water and the bird sounds are noisy. But mostly I hear myself or the television. Today I enjoyed a day all by myself. And as my father used to say when he was alone, I enjoyed my own company.

October 16, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. My Day.

I look ridiculous. On my feet are my heaviest wool socks and Ken's fleece slippers. I am wearing my night shirt plus a flannels large nightshirt that used to be Kens. This is all to keep me warm. Today had a high of 63. Right now it is 51 and soon will drop to 48. I should turn on the heat. But tomorrow will be a mild 73 and the day before will get to 83 so I hate to turn on the heat, only to turn back the air conditioner. So I am wearing my winter clothes. The house itself is not really cold at 72 but I know it will get colder. I was watching the baseball game with a wool blanket on my legs. This day feels like a Nova Scotia day. This morning I had coffee with friend Carrie who lives down the street. Then I had lunch with Eleanor, where she look me to lunch which was a lovely treat. Finally Christina and Molly came over after school. I had ordered too much applesauce so they came to pick up the extra case. And she fixed my repeat order. Whew. And we planned our Thanksgiving dinner and cancelled our annual party the first week in December. We made a date to take Molly shopping for her birthday gift and Christina read several pieces I did not understand. We made great strides. And we also had a good visit. My day was full and pleasant. To top it off, I have been watching baseball. Houston won, to force a 7th game in the series. If the Dodgers win their game, there will be a second 7th game. That game is still being played but I am hopeful. My day was everything a person would want an 82 year old to have. And I am grateful.

October 15, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Feet.

I have been blessed with good feet. Other friends have problems with bunions or corns on their feet which causes them problems. My feet are easy to fit for a shoe and my gait is normal so my shoes do not wear out. Over my many years, I have been fortunate to have no troubles with my feet. They have never caused me pain...until now. When I was in Texas the right side of my right side of the ball of my foot started hurting. I thought I knew what was the matter and I told Suzanne. I told her it was a planter wart so she went to the drug store to get some stuff. And she pretended to be a nurse and put on bandages and things to cure the wart. The padding helped the pain so I was able to walk comfortably and I brought the pads and tape back with me. When Suzanne Googles the problem, it said the physician should deal with the problem. On Saturday I called Dr. Flowers, Ken's dermatologist, the lady he saw every few months. He had that bad skin so was always visiting the good doctor to remove cancers. I on the other hand, had seen her in 2014. At that time, she told me not to come again unless I see that a mole was growing, so I stayed away, except I was always with Ken. She disagreed with my diagnosis. I have a corn that is hurting because it is on the bottom of my foot. She pared it down and it felt better. And she told me to use a corn medication and a donut padding to protect the foot. Now Kashina and I must visit the drug store to get my supplies. Actually, the same thing happened to me a few uears ago in Mexico. Rita attended to my foot and it seemed to get better and no longer hurt. But clearly, the same symtoms came back. Dr. Flowers said I should get used to always wearing that padded donut and to wear it the rest of my life, along with a tape to hold it in place. Right now my foot is not hurting. But I will do as I am told. A hurting foot is not pleasant.