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Ah! Sunday! Church and couch. I couldn't go out in that heat now, could I? I did get over to Lynn's after supper to bring Rebecca her "quickly bought at Food Lion" gifts. They fed me some cake. Between the lobster in Gloucester and the cakes I've been eating, is it any wonder why certain people (Walter) from church have told me that they are glad to see that I'm gaining weight?!? I told him that that was never a compliment for ladies! Off to Pawley's Island tomorrow (Tammy's beach house). I hope this flight is better than my last one! Love, P.
A restless day today. It was too hot to go out and do anything. I did some laundry and began to chip away on cleaning my kitchen. There wasn't anything good on TV till the golf came on at 4 (though I did watch the 3rd place match in soccer). Thank goodness Lynn called and invited me over for supper. I was reminded that Rebecca turns 8 on Monday. I'd better get her a gift before I head to Tammy's! Happy Birthday, Brian (my #2 "brother")! Sorry, no gift for you, bud. Love, P.
Stefan had a chance to review my scans with the radiologist today. There are actually 2 new lesions, but I had over-estimated the size. Each new lesion is only about 1/7th of a inch. He left messages with both the neuroradiologist in Pittsburgh and the neurosurgeon at UVA. I'm going to Tammy's beach house on Monday for the week, so he said to give him a call when I get home. With two lesions instead of one, I suspect that gamma knife in Pittsburgh will be my best option. Love, P.
Scan day today! I didn't plan this scan very well. My oncologist was out of the office all day, and my radiology buddy was off today. I got lucky when they found my radiologist hanging around, so he looked at my films. He did not have a printed copy of the films to compare to the last time, but he saw only one new lesion. It is very small, located behind my right ear area, and is quite close to the skull. There was no sign of brain swelling or new bleeds. I told the office to have Stefan (oncologist) call me. He called this evening and had not been in to look at the scans. He will know more after he looks at them, but he plans to talk to the gamma knife gang in Pittsburgh AND the neurosurgeon at UVA for their opinions. I hope he gets back to me on Friday, because I leave for Tammy's beach house on Monday! Love, P.
It's nearly 11:00 p.m. and I finally got home from the airport. My flight was delayed for over three hours in New York (White Plains). Unfortunately, most of that three hours was in the plane (small propeller) on the tarmac. I, of course, did not have my cell phone and was finally able to convince another passenger to lend me his. Other than missing out on my luggage I made it back and must now go to bed. Love, P.
Mom & I hit the road South at 8:10. I'm glad we weren't headed East on I-84 - there was an accident that had them backed up about 10 miles! We got to Ronni's for lunch and then Mom headed on. I see that she made it (based on her Guest Book note). I got to fully relax outside on the patio and read a book while Ronni did her Home-Office work. It's only 8 PM now, but sitting in a car for 4 hours is almost as tiring as golf! Love, P.
We got a chance to play golf today. Again, I got extremely tired by the 13th hole and started getting 9's on the holes. My score really climbed. Oh well! We got back to the Browns' and when I saw my chance for lobster dinner going out the window on my last night, I bailed for my cousin's house. I'm getting ready to sit down for my last lobster feast . Leaving for Connecticut in the morning. Home on Wednesday. Love, P.
After rain all afternoon and night yesterday, who knew what to expect for today's party? It started out cloudy but muggy. We had about 10 minutes of light rain, and then the sun came out. It got quite hot. The lunch was catered and very well done with 2 salads, chicken, pork, beef, and fruit for dessert. I talked to a few people who knew about my cancer and had read the Journal. There were between 80 and 90 people there. We all wore color-coded name tags - we wore green since we were related to my mom's mom, the other 2 groups wore red or blue tags. I did not know that they had done this in 1994. The red group only had 2 people and a friend in '94 and went all out this year with all but 1 member here (I heard he lives on the West Coast). Everyone seemed to have a good time. Love, P.
What happened to the weather? Today was cold and rainy. More cousins arrived all day today. It is calling for a hot and muggy day tomorrow with possible "showers" in the afternoon. Of course, today was supposed to be sunny with a "slight chance of a thunderstorm", and it was 62 degrees and rained all day. This evening, we had a fish chowder supper outside under the tent with 40 of us. There will be 80 here tomorrow. Kat and I went to the art colony section of Gloucester (at Rocky Neck). We both had a lobster lunch without her kids (who were with Bob, my mom, and Aunt Barb on a land and sea tour of the area. They passed us in the boat while we were sitting outside having lunch (before the rain). It was fun waving and knowing they couldn't get to us! Love, P.
Drew, his wife Cathleen, and their 2 kids came today for lunch and a trip to the beach. It was their youngest one's first time on a beach. He's 1 1/2 and loved stomping in puddles and pointing to the seagulls. They left after the beach trip, tired but happy. Barb and Jeff arrived this evening. They both rode on Harleys and weren't sure how long it would take them. Barb has never driven on this long of a trip, so they thought they might have to stop overnight somewhere. Instead, they made it and joined us out at a local lobster place for supper. Hooray for lobster! Happy Birthday, Megan Colville! Love, P.
A fun day today. We went to Janie's golf tourney. She played with my mom, her sister Mernie, and a good friend from her younger days. She got me paired up with a LOOOOOOONG hitter. We had a blast! She and Mom got 3rd. My partner, Karen, and I were tied for 7th but ended up taking 12th prize (there were 5 teams tied with us) and they must have counted back from a hole we did poorly on. Karen heard about my cancer and told me that I better continue to fight hard because she wanted me to come back next year to be her partner. They served us a great lunch afterwards. It was just a blast! I hope to see Drew and his family tomorrow. Mid-70's and "slight chance" of a shower on Sunday, Barb. See you soon. Love, P.
Mom arrived for lunch at Ronni's. We had the best chicken salad that I've had in a long time. Mom got a tour of the house, and we hit the road. Many, many hours later (actually only 4) we arrived at Gloucester. Kat and family were away at the beach when we got there. I checked the menus at the house and at the cottage, and decided on the chicken at the cottage. I'm now waiting for our meal to be done. Kat has me hooked up on her computer. I WILL have my own room for the first 3 nights - hooray! Love, P.
Have the days always been this wonderful? Did I go for years without noticing what was around me? Ronni has a sitter who took her kids out all day. We had hours to sit on the 80 degree (not 57, Barb) back porch. Ronni kept asking to make sure there wasn't something else I wanted to do more, but I was so content where I was. Mom arrives tomorrow for lunch and to take me up to Gloucester. I hope she doesn't get too lost! Love, P.
A perfect weather day today. Ronni and I headed out to look for decorating ideas. We then had lunch, and David came home early from work to take Sean & I golfing. The course was so wet from yesterday's rainstorm, that they were not allowing golf carts. Since everyone was using pull-carts, they were out of them, too. David offered to carry my clubs along with his. I took a bunch of clubs out to make my bag lighter. That also gave me the built-in excuse that since I was not playing with a full set of clubs, poor scoring was almost expected. I was fine until the 5th or 6th hole, when I began to get tired from walking. We decided to only play 9 holes, but by the time I hit the ninth hole, I was like a piece of wet spaghetti. I stayed awake through supper, but plan to go to bed very soon. Love, P.
8 AM - I woke up this morning and remembered that I FORGOT MY JOURNAL ENTRY YESTERDAY! Oops! I've done very well thus far, with the only skipped days a few times when I was in Australia and New Zealand. Ronni worries that my loyal fans will think it was the Colvilles' (she and David, not Lou and Al) fault. I told her I'd be able to get people to believe that, if I wanted to. We could also blame my sister {the Webmaster), who did not call me last night to remind me that my Journal page was empty. I wouldn't need to explain that I didn't ever give their phone number to her. More realistically, it is because I am now 41. So, here I am the next day, feeling guilty, and typing away. Happy Father's Day, and Happy (now belated) Birthday to Pops. David and I went to his soccer game yesterday. Very nice watching a bunch of sweaty men with good legs running around soccer field. They played very well, but lost 0-1. We came home and watched golf and saw Tiger win his second Major of this year. He makes it look so easy -I suspect that I'll be winning some Majors very soon myself! I will TRY to put in another entry later today. Love, P.
I am now in Connecticut at Ronni & David's. I flew in at White Plains and was picked up there. We watched Tiger in the third round of the US Open. My theory of his hats was disproved today. He wore the Nike stripe in the front and didn't play a fantastic game (even par). My theory had been that he plays worse when he wears the hat with the "TW" in front, and plays well with the Nike in front. So much for my detective work! David is cooking us some turkey on the grill. Time to dig in! Love, P.
We had the Lake Monticello Member-Guest Tournament in golf today. It was a bit rainy when we started, but never really poured on us. Mom & I were paired with a twosome who actually won the thing. We all had fun, and the sun stayed away till the last 4 holes, so I didn't get as hot. This evening, I took Mom (actually, she took me) to my 2nd Fridays Movers & Shakers party. We went dressed in our red and white striped shirts and blue shorts outfits for Flag Day. Mom had so much fun, she's thinking she can come down every month for the party! Happy Birthday, Rosanne! Love, P.
Mom, Dad, & I played 18 holes today at their course and finished just before the rain started. Dad then headed home and Mom & I came south. I had 11 messages on my machine. Thank you for the birthday wishes, cards, and messages. Can I make it to 42? Love, P.
Still very hot today. Mernie & Janie took me to Barb's house today. She was off work, and they have only been there once (before she and Jeff had their garage built). They checked things out and headed back to Albany. Barb & I had lunch and then saw "The Sum of All Fears" (good). We then went to visit my deceased grandmother's youngest sister, whom I haven't seen since Grandma's funeral (1996). My parents were kind enough to save me the last part of the wine to have with supper. The weather will be much less hot tomorrow, so Mom, Dad, & I will play 9 or 18 holes of golf at their club before our ride down South. Dad has allowed me to beat him once in golf before, so I do not have to win tomorrow. Based on my recent play, that is a good thing! Love, P.
Boy, did our team ever look good! We were all dressed alike. Mom wore red socks so she would stand out as our "captain". My tee shots started out better than last Saturday, but it just got too hot! After playing 12 holes, I bowed out. There was no way that I could finish the round. I sat inside the clubhouse until the rest of the team finished. No prizes, but we had fun. Barb is off work tomorrow. It is supposed to be 90 degrees again, so we will probably go to a movie. Back to VA on Thursday. Love, P.
It was a nice hot day to stay in the air conditioning! I read a book. Too hot to go out - how will I play 18 holes tomorrow? My Aunt Janie (Gloucester, MA) and Aunt Mernie (near Albany, NY) have arrived today to play in Mom's Member-Guest. We expect to lose big-time, but we will LOOK lovely in our matching outfits of red and white striped shirts and navy shorts. That way, if we are passed out from the heat, people will be able to match us up! Love, P.
What a fantastic birthday celebration! The Bear (Dad) made 5 pounds of steamed shrimp and Mom made tenderloins. She even made chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. (My request). I even got them to agree to only put 4 + 1 candles on the cake, rather than 41. David (nearly 4) gave me a special battery operated Tonka Power Digger. He did want to take it home with him, but Kat convinced him that it was a present for ME. This birthday was so much more happy and full of joy than last year when my diagnosis was so recent. Each day that I live is a gift from God! Love, P.
Mom & I went to play golf today at her course. I remember last year how tough her course is and how I prefer to NOT play it. I'm not going to say exactly how badly I played, but it was VERY bad. I kept telling the team that "a bad rehersal makes a good show", and I was holding back until the tournament on Tuesday. It was a lovely day and was not too hot or too humid. They are calling for mid-nineties on Tuesday. That will be interesting! We are having my birthday meal tomorrow with Barb, Kat, Bob, and the boys. It is so nice to be turning another year older! Love, P.
I'm now at Mom & Dad's house. Mom & I played 18 holes at Glenmore today before heading North. I lost by 5 strokes (121 vs. 116), but we played as a TEAM. Traffic is always bad on Fridays, but we made it. My wonderful father has gotten tenderloin, corn, tomatoes, and mushrooms for me. What will he and Mom eat?! Love, P.
My Mom got here at about lunch time. Lynn had invited us over for a "Happy Birtday" (she was running out of icing and had to leave the "h" out) cake. Both girls helped her make the cake. It was delicious! We had supper plans tonight at Glenmore. Joan Godsey, Lou & Al Colville, Mom & I had a wonderful meal there! I tried the New England lobster alfredo on spinach pasta. Boy was that ever good! Another day of eating well. We head to PA tomorrow. Love, P.
This morning, a friend of mine from "The Movers and Shakers" came over to work in my yard. She brought her own tools and made a huge change to the area near my front door. It looks great! The other two female ER docs and I had supper and margaritas in Charlottesville tonight on the Downtown Mall. We sat outside with a cool breeze and talked and talked and talked. As we were thinking about dessert, Mike Ashby (my former boss) came by and sat with us and had some beer. The whole evening was great. Julia drove me home, and we found that Bob and crew had come while I was out and put my furniture back in place. Yipee! Love, P.
I've been yawning all day. I tried to take a nap after golf but couldn't fall asleep. Will I be able to sleep later in the morning? Doubt it. Oh well. Mom will be here in 2 days. Hooray! Golf was pretty good. I had 3 bad holes, but 2 pars and a few bogeys. I shot a 111 (and I beat Joan). Love, P.
Bob has still not been able to put my furniture back. My first floor is so empty that it echoes! The odor is getting less and less offensive. I slept over here last night. Tonight I was invited to the Hopkins' house for grilled kebabs. They told me that I had to bring my photos from NZ and Australia or they wouldn't feed me. They had peanut butter pie for dessert - a fair exchange! Golf tomorrow. 3 clubs, one putter, and one wood - this could be interesting! Love, P.
I should have gone to church today! My golf play in the tournament was just pitiful. The winning team was 15 under par. Our team had even par. I am 1 year out from the day I had scans which shown brain and lung melanoma! I was diagnosed 1 year ago yesterday. Amazing. Always tired, but still ticking. Mom is coming down on Thursday to pick me up for a trip to PA. I'll treat her to supper at Glenmore ("Spend-more", as Kathy calls it) and we will play 18 holes Friday before hitting the road North. Love, P.
I went to Rebecca's piano recital today. There were about 25 kids there playing small numbers. Rebecca played "Ohm Pah Pah" and did very well. They then served snacks. I was good and did not have a snack. Pops and I watched the golf today, and I stayed over there till after supper. I was then allowed to WALK ON MY FLOORS. They look very good, except for the splotch of polyurethane right inside the front door. I have not showered over at the Colvilles', because they want me to clean up after myself. The shower in my basement is too small to shave my legs in, so I came over here to put in my Journal entry and shower upstairs. My shotgun start tee time tomorrow is 8AM. I believe I'll sleep next door again tonight. It still stinks over here! Love, P.
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