Well, I’m still working through stuff posted from last September when I had to go to the hospital for tests because I wasn’t walking right and everyone thought I was having a stroke (except me, that is).

When I got back, I sort of kept up with new stuff but am only now getting around to reading months old material. It’s amazing how stuff piles up.

Whenever I manage to get in a walk plus a bike ride, I get so wrung out that I have to go to bed early. But sometimes I do better. There has to be a way for me to be wonder woman again.

Meanwhile, Ed has been working nonstop on end-of-life duties for his client who passed on the 7th. He has been driving at least four hours a day to her condo and back, taking care of her stuff, and then spends hours on the phone with her innumerable relatives. His slipped disk gets better, then he has a relapse.

Yesterday we traveled to Moffitt in Tampa. I thought I was going to have a test but just saw the doctors – the surgeon and the radiology oncologist. They told me I was doing well and will have the mammograms in April. We got through the driving okay – Ed wore a brace because of his back. At this stage, I would have trouble making this drive alone. It is 2 ½ hours and the route can be tricky. We take I75 – it is an express route, widely spaced exits, cruising speed 80 except for the smops (slow moving old people) who get into the fast line and stay at 60.

I complained about the hot flashes and feeling tired and I told Dr. Laronga, head of the surgical unit, that I was only operating at 60 percent. She laughed and said 60 percent at my age was like everyone else’s 150 percent. But she did understand and told me that in a year, if everything goes well, I might be allowed a low dose of estrogen. But I am hoping not to want or need it because if that creates problems, then I’ll have to go through withdrawal again. (I am convinced withdrawal is responsible for my fatigue and opportunistic illnesses.) She had with her a young man in medical training who got to see me ungowned. He took it well.

So we stopped for gas and the sign on the convenience store said Food Mart and my little brain started: Mard Foot, Mood Fart, Fard Moot, etc. I need a life.

xx, Teal