Update 3

Today I had the fitting(?) for the radiation. They have to fit you with a coarse face mesh and fasten it to a table around your head, and let it meld to your head. My claustrophobic friends would have dropped dead right there. (right, Kathy?) Then they measure your head and figure the angles. The funny thing is that after they did the cat can (5 quick minutes) they took the mask off - and I always thought my nose was on the big side but it looked small. Funny how you perceive yourself. I had a head scan once, for headaches and they said I had a thick skull - Is anyone surprised?

Any way this part doesn't seem so bad - But anything that doesn't involve stomach upset is cool with me. The hair will be gone, fatigue is a probable, and then he said there may be some short term memory loss. He looked very confused when both Gene and Ryan cracked up....When they could speak, they said "How will we tell?"
I don't remember names, I always had to write in my calendar why the kids were grounded and for how long, and if I didn't have a dayrunner.....But now, my friend, I am going to say: Well, I had radiation, you know - and look
'Piiieeetyful" and if you let me get away with that....I'll sell you Arizona beach front (at an obscene profit).

So, weather permitting, I go in for the first treatment tomorrow at 8 am. The Dexamethasone, a steroid, has fixed the vision issues and is supposed to stop any swelling around the tumor. I feel like a slacker right now. Strong and healthy. And what passes for normal for me...

So here is my visualization for my friends that like alternative healing: Picture the old Wizard of Oz wicked witch of the West - Green and icky - That is the brain tumors and "I'm melting, melting" - That's my vision and you are welcome to share it!

Gene and I went out to a fine Kansas City restaurant - Lidia's and they gave us a very romantic corner table - It was so fun.
Today I voted, ate at the local cafe - rumor mill already let everyone know so that was easy, ate lunch at Panera Bread, and then got to have coffee with Leah at work - weather had us the only customers - So I am feeling very spoiled and self- satisfied.

So here is the plan - I want to see Leah, Daiquiri, Josh, Kathy, and Ryan graduate. I plan on going back to school in the fall - I only have 3 semesters to graduate myself. I am going to be very unsatisfied with 3 Associates and no bachelor's and may have to haunt Missouri Western.

Then I am planning an Irish Wake at a pub in Weston - so start saving up stories to tell over a jar of whiskey. With this five year plan, you should have plenty of time. I may ask my friend, Sarah, to videotape it for future generations. That should be a hoot. I have a colorful past.
Life is good - Love to all.

Lori