Updates

I think it’s time to fill you in on the life of J.

First and most importantly, Mulder had his appointment with the oncologist on Thursday, and she said he is a very good candidate for chemotherapy, with a six month protocol having an 85% chance of putting him into remission for at least a year, though he has a marker that often means remission can last longer. We have decided to try this treatment, so he will have weekly appointments for 2 months, then maintenance appointments every other week for 4 more months. It is expensive, I would not buy a dog for that kind of money, but he is part of our family now, and we want to take the best care of him that we can.

Second, I am still going to France. This means I will not be here for 2 of Mulder’s treatments, but Ted can work from home a few times, and Maya’s boss is going to let her work from home 1/2 days while I am gone, so he will be OK. I’ve been so stressed out about this decision, and of course I will never know whether it was the right one or not, we only know the path we take. I think if my cousin were not going to lose all of her expensive time share points if we cancelled, I would have done so. But now, knowing that we have a plan for Mulder’s treatment, and knowing I am going, I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER. Oh, and my cousin got COVID. She is feeling much better and will be cleared to travel in a couple of days, so I guess she has that extra level of immunity now. Now we just have to keep ME from getting it.

Third, my company has extended our ‘Fabulous Fridays’ through the month of September. Of course, I already had 3 of them off for my trip, but that means I will be using less PTO, which is good. For yesterday’s FF, I had a facial. The only other time I have had a facial was when I was 27, and a coworker was working to get her aesthetician license, and gave me a free facial. I broke out after, and didn’t notice any positive difference, so I haven’t been back. Let me tell you, a facial when you are 56 is completely different than a facial when you are 27. And this facial would have been amazing as a 27 year old, it was SO relaxing and felt SO good. I had no idea. And here I am today with skin that looks better than it has looked in AGES. I would totally get a facial every month if I could afford it. As it is, I may get them once or twice a year.

In case you are curious about how I spent my August FF, I spent two of them getting vaccines. One week I got my 2nd COVID booster, and the next week I got my 1st shingles vaccine. Both times I was fortunate, my only side effect was a sore arm. Another Friday I took the other car for an oil change (I had taken the first car in on my first FF), and Mulder and I walked around downtown again. I didn’t take any pictures this time, but I was happy that Mulder is still feeling well enough to do such things. He has shown no signs of illness yet, which will help with his treatment I think. That afternoon I had a massage, using a gift certificate that Ted gave me before the beginning of COVID. It was amazing. I love the massage therapist that I see, she is truly wonderful. The remaining FF, Maya had an appointment to discuss getting her teaching credential with a local college (!) so she took the day off, and we got pedicures. We also got manicures, but since I don’t do anything special with my manicure (no gel or whatever), the polish only lasts a few days, so my hands look the same. Our feet look great, though. So I guess August was my month of self-care. I have really enjoyed having this free time to myself. I hear about companies making this a permanent thing, 4 day work weeks. I doubt our company will go that route, October – March are our busiest times and it might be too much work for people to squeeze in to 4 days. But I am definitely enjoying it while I can.

Lastly, the picture above is my plumeria that I brought home from Maui last year. It seems to be doing very well. Maybe we’ll get flowers someday, though I have heard that can take awhile.

I hope you are well and that summer is not beating you up. We’re going into a heat wave – 95 today, 103 tomorrow, 109(!) Monday, 106 Tuesday, 100 Wednesday and Thursday, finally cooling off next weekend. I hope our 43 year old air conditioner survives. Every year we get with it seems like a gift.