Occipital Stimulator Surgery Scheduled

The Turtle Migration Has Started

Finally I am scheduled for surgery to implant the "permanent" occipital stimulator. I have to be in Cleveland June 29th for presurgical testing/interview and the surgery will be performed June 3oth. Now if I can just get the working stimulator instead of the dud stimulator!

The annual turtle migration has started, with a big old snapping turtle getting all tuckered out in the road in front of the house. His shell was a little over a foot across, and I've heard that they grow about an inch a year, making this a 12 year old turtle. Not sure how long they live - tortoises live long lives, but I don't know about turtles.

My brother and I got him into a garbage can (my armadillo trapping experience came in handy) where he couldn't escape and liberated him down at the creek. It was a stinky ride the mile or so to the creek, as Mr. Turtle decided to go to the can in the can so to speak. He was quite snappy but soooo tired he just couldn't get to where he wanted to go. He seemed a bit dehydrated also.

We got him to the creek and my brother gently scooted the turtle out. Mr. Turtle got in the water so quickly I didn't have a chance to get his picture on shore - just barely got a picture of the bubbles as he headed downstream. Mr. Turtle paused and looked back at us like "Thanks" before he went under on his way to the good life at the bottom of the creek. I won't be going wading barefooted in that section for awhile!

I was able to work today. Exciting times - going to build some education materials for online classes! I LOVE learning new software. Also part of the conversion data is ready for me to work on so I get to flex some brain cells! The bosses were so nice about my scheduled surgery. I think I won the boss lottery when I got this job, although I have to admit my old boss Lester would have fit right in.

I had my followup appointment with my oncologist yesterday morning and what I expected to be a short report - yes you don't have any cancer, turned into yet another MRI ordered and more appointments. I was told once more that radiation therapy could not be the cause of my pelvic pain and other problems I have from ennervation in that region. I said I would be very happy if radiation therapy was not the cause of my pain, because then there would be something I could do about it, but everytime I get past this point with a specialist they then decide that yes, radiation therapy is the cause, and no, there isn't anything they can do. Maybe this time will be different and I'll actually get some treatment.

On a sad note, my Aunt Nadine died this morning. Nadine was about four years older than my mom, making her in her early 80's and had been very frail for the last few years. My mother came from a family of 14 children, and now there are only two of them left - my mom and her younger brother. Aunt Nadine had a close and loving family and we all will miss her. She was a strong woman and had one of the most beautiful vegetable gardens I had ever seen. She could grow anything - had a green thumb for sure - and made wonderful blackberry cobbler, homemade noodles, and ham and beans. I think she will be gardening in heaven, right alongside her husband Guy. I'll be driving my Mom back home (even after all these years its still home in my mind) for the funeral this weekend.