Friday, December 18
Thursday, November 19
The End of Rochester. For the most part...
Hello everyone!
I finished Chemotherapy last Wednesday and finished radiation on Friday! Below is a picture of me ringing the "Bell of Completion" as I have been calling it. The grandparents arrived on Wednesday and were able to join me for pictures!
I finished Chemotherapy last Wednesday and finished radiation on Friday! Below is a picture of me ringing the "Bell of Completion" as I have been calling it. The grandparents arrived on Wednesday and were able to join me for pictures!
Over the weekend we visited family in Iowa. It was very nice to see everyone! Lindsay's baby shower was on Sunday, I wish her and the baby the best!
Dan and I are back in Port Townsend now. Not enjoying the rain too much but I guess it's better than the cold!
Friday, November 6
It's been a happy week. Renee has only six days of radiation left: one this afternoon and another five next week. The weather in Rochester has improved. Today it's sunny with a high of 59 degrees! The only dark moment of the week was Tuesday evening when Renee's iPhone was stolen. Bummer, yes--but the sunshine and beginning of a new month have kept us in a good mood.
I've been working in the portrait studio on Tuesdays. I also applied for a couple photography internships in Atlanta and New York. I'm really hoping the one in Atlanta works out. The photographer and his wife are great people and I think I could learn a lot from them. I've also been trying to learn Adobe Flash with the help of the Lynda.com tutorials. It cost $25 dollars, but I decided that was a low price for a new skill set. With so much free time I hope to have a new website up in the next week.
We fooled around on the lower level taking pictures earlier this week. Here are some photos...
I've been working in the portrait studio on Tuesdays. I also applied for a couple photography internships in Atlanta and New York. I'm really hoping the one in Atlanta works out. The photographer and his wife are great people and I think I could learn a lot from them. I've also been trying to learn Adobe Flash with the help of the Lynda.com tutorials. It cost $25 dollars, but I decided that was a low price for a new skill set. With so much free time I hope to have a new website up in the next week.
We fooled around on the lower level taking pictures earlier this week. Here are some photos...
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| From Renée and Rochester |
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| From Renée and Rochester |
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| From Renée and Rochester |
Tuesday, October 27
Rain turned to snow briefly last week. It happened quickly. A morning rain shower became snowflakes, then a small snowstorm within an hour. Luckily, both Renee and I had recently invested in fur-lined rubber rain boots and don't mind walking through snow.
I'm at the clinic now, in the "portrait studio" at the moment. Things have turned out a bit differently than I'd imagined, but I'm still happy to be working with Mayo. I've had one event photography assignment and will shoot another on Halloween night. The last two Tuesdays I've been in the portrait studio taking employee badge and passport photos. There are usually 5-20 people drifting in per day. At three minutes per person, we have plenty of time for reading. I just finished my book and have time to type a few paragraphs and share some photos between mug shots.
snow...
suits...
sister...
I'm at the clinic now, in the "portrait studio" at the moment. Things have turned out a bit differently than I'd imagined, but I'm still happy to be working with Mayo. I've had one event photography assignment and will shoot another on Halloween night. The last two Tuesdays I've been in the portrait studio taking employee badge and passport photos. There are usually 5-20 people drifting in per day. At three minutes per person, we have plenty of time for reading. I just finished my book and have time to type a few paragraphs and share some photos between mug shots.
snow...
suits...
sister...
Thursday, October 22
Week Four---Half way through treatments---
Today marks my half way point through radiation! I still am not having any side effects (including hair loss) and am exercising more than I did before being diagnosed.
I have been going to lap swim the last few days and swam forty-five laps yesterday. (Note: Yes I am bragging.) In the evening I took a Ballet class that was a little harder than I expected, as Ballet always seems to be, but the stretching exercises felt nice.
The weather includes rain, rain, and... rain. I am sort of enjoying the dismal weather, only because the leaves have not fallen yet and still have their color. It also helps to have rain boots to splash through puddles with along my way to the clinic...
I have been going to lap swim the last few days and swam forty-five laps yesterday. (Note: Yes I am bragging.) In the evening I took a Ballet class that was a little harder than I expected, as Ballet always seems to be, but the stretching exercises felt nice.
The weather includes rain, rain, and... rain. I am sort of enjoying the dismal weather, only because the leaves have not fallen yet and still have their color. It also helps to have rain boots to splash through puddles with along my way to the clinic...
Friday, October 16
Three 1/2?
Okay, time to update again....
Cousin Abby visited on Tuesday and Wednesday. We drove out to visit the Mayowood Mansion but it is only open for tours on Saturdays. Walked around Mayo to check out some of the many art pieces...
I am still feeling well and had enough energy to go swim today. We took the bus out to the Rochester Recreational Center and swam laps. I haven't been able to submerge my head in water since pre-biopsy and it felt great!
Dan is playing soccer tomorrow morning and has a photography shoot in the afternoon over at St. Mary's Hospital. I am hoping to sleep in and attend an afternoon ballet class. (Yes, it's a little different from my summer Hip Hop class!)
I also met with my RN care provider who is monitoring my progress and any possible side effects. She offered Dan and I her car for Sunday. We probably can't get too far away in that short of time period but it will help us to explore Rochester a little more. That is, if there is anything to explore in Rochester...
I am still feeling well and had enough energy to go swim today. We took the bus out to the Rochester Recreational Center and swam laps. I haven't been able to submerge my head in water since pre-biopsy and it felt great!
Dan is playing soccer tomorrow morning and has a photography shoot in the afternoon over at St. Mary's Hospital. I am hoping to sleep in and attend an afternoon ballet class. (Yes, it's a little different from my summer Hip Hop class!)
I also met with my RN care provider who is monitoring my progress and any possible side effects. She offered Dan and I her car for Sunday. We probably can't get too far away in that short of time period but it will help us to explore Rochester a little more. That is, if there is anything to explore in Rochester...
Wednesday, October 14
Week Three
The past week involved many appointments including meeting with a social worker, RN radiation "educator," a radiation care provider, and having a weekly blood draw, as well as continuing radiation sessions.
The social worker is available to provide local and nationally based resources. The radiation educator is helping to provide information about side-effects and prevention techniques. I met with the assistant to the head of the Mayo radiation department who will be monitoring my radiation treatments throughout the time I am in Rochester.
Abby drove up from Des Moines yesterday. Last night we went to dinner together, looked at photos on Abby's computer and went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. This morning we drove to see the Mayowood Mansion, walked around the clinic area a bit, and went to see the Rochester Art Gallery. It was great to see Abby and we hope to visit her in Iowa soon.
The social worker is available to provide local and nationally based resources. The radiation educator is helping to provide information about side-effects and prevention techniques. I met with the assistant to the head of the Mayo radiation department who will be monitoring my radiation treatments throughout the time I am in Rochester.
Abby drove up from Des Moines yesterday. Last night we went to dinner together, looked at photos on Abby's computer and went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. This morning we drove to see the Mayowood Mansion, walked around the clinic area a bit, and went to see the Rochester Art Gallery. It was great to see Abby and we hope to visit her in Iowa soon.
Monday, October 5
Week Two
Hi everyone!
Aunt Dar and Uncle John visited us over the weekend. On Saturday we drove to Winona, Lake City, and crossed the Mississippi into Wisconsin. It was really nice to see them and we enjoyed spending time with family and traveling outside of Rochester.
Dan will be doing some testing this week as well. He has been having similar symptoms as those that lead to my original diagnosis and is having a MRI, video EEG and neuropsychology testing. Nothing to be worried about, he just wanted to checked out while in Rochester. Dan's also been talking with the media services department at the Mayo Clinic about photography opportunities. We bought some dress shirts and shoes last week for his interview and training.
Below are pictures of our new apartment, which is about a ten minute walk from the clinic. Dan and I share a single bedroom with two twin beds, bathroom, and a mini fridge/microwave. Downstairs there is a large common area that contains several couches and a pool table. The kitchen and laundry room are also shared.
Sunday, October 4
Go Iowa! Whoo.
Aunt Dar and Uncle John came up from Iowa this weekend to visit. We drove to the upper Mississippi river and stopped at some neat places along the way.
More soon... This has been a very busy week for Renee and me, lots to do. Thanks for your patience!
More soon... This has been a very busy week for Renee and me, lots to do. Thanks for your patience!
Monday, September 28
Hello everyone!
We were originally going to name this blog Renée in Rochester but decided that the subject of the blog was broader than that—about our lives in Rochester and Renée specifically. So, I will be writing a bit too, and together we'll try to share our time here.
It's been windy. Wind gusts of up to 45mph have been blowing through town. The temperature is expected to dip to a low of 32 degrees tonight. I asked a nurse today when snowfall usually came here and she said she'd love for snow to come in late October. "Last year it didn't snow for months. The wind-chill was forty-below but we didn't have snow until December."
Here's some pictures from the last week:
In good spirits. Near St. Mary's Hospital on the way to Caribou Coffee.
Morning at the Ronald McDonald House.
Dinner.
And by popular demand... the mask. Renee's radiology mask was molded to meet the contours of her face and attaches to the table so that each radiation session will radiate the same area. Each of the markers bolted to the mask allow the radiology techs to pinpoint the location of her head to align the machine (using lasers on the ceiling...yes lasers on the ceiling, how cool is that?)
Nah. Not that one. We're just getting ready for Halloween. Here's the real one...
More soon!
We were originally going to name this blog Renée in Rochester but decided that the subject of the blog was broader than that—about our lives in Rochester and Renée specifically. So, I will be writing a bit too, and together we'll try to share our time here.
It's been windy. Wind gusts of up to 45mph have been blowing through town. The temperature is expected to dip to a low of 32 degrees tonight. I asked a nurse today when snowfall usually came here and she said she'd love for snow to come in late October. "Last year it didn't snow for months. The wind-chill was forty-below but we didn't have snow until December."
Here's some pictures from the last week:
In good spirits. Near St. Mary's Hospital on the way to Caribou Coffee.
Morning at the Ronald McDonald House.
Dinner.
And by popular demand... the mask. Renee's radiology mask was molded to meet the contours of her face and attaches to the table so that each radiation session will radiate the same area. Each of the markers bolted to the mask allow the radiology techs to pinpoint the location of her head to align the machine (using lasers on the ceiling...yes lasers on the ceiling, how cool is that?)
Nah. Not that one. We're just getting ready for Halloween. Here's the real one...
More soon!
Sunday, September 27
The First Post
Hello everyone!
I have finally gotten around to posting and will try to remember all that has gone on this week with flying, moving, removing, doctor's appointments etc. I hope to post at least once a week or if there is any big news. Dan may also be posting as time goes on...
We flew out of Seattle on 9/22 into Minneapolis and took the shuttle down to Rochester where we slept in a downtown hotel. The next morning we took a taxi out to the "guesthouse" we had rented and dropped off baggage before heading back to Mayo clinic for my first appointment of the day.
I met with Dr. Marks, a medical oncologist who will be managing me while I am doing Chemotherapy for the next six weeks. I was prescribed Temozolomide, or "Temador", which is a once daily pill that supposedly has seen less side effects in patients. Hopefully this will be the same with me! http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601299
Thursday I met with my neurologist/ neuro-oncologist Dr. Lachance. I also had blood work done, which came back "normal." I also received another MRI, which appeared normal for post- brain surgery procedures.
On Friday I met with the Radiologist Dr. Brown to go over radiation treatments. I will be going in five days a week for sessions that are each about twenty minutes long. After our appointment I was fitted for a face mask that will help to make sure I am in the same position during each treatment.
We also found a new apartment on Friday! The other house was much farther than expected and, being without a car, would take us about a half hour to get to Mayo by bus. The new place is in the Old Town Hall complex, which houses a mixture of students and Mayo employees. There is a shared kitchen and living area/common room on the main floor. The bedrooms are furnished with two twin sized beds, desk, closets, bathroom, tv and mini fridge. We were able to get a handicapped corner room that is larger than others that were available. I'll send pictures once we move in on the first.
Yesterday Dan and I had an exciting day at the mall. (That's about all there is to say about this "exciting" adventure...) Mom also flew in from Seattle and will be staying until next Friday.
I have finally gotten around to posting and will try to remember all that has gone on this week with flying, moving, removing, doctor's appointments etc. I hope to post at least once a week or if there is any big news. Dan may also be posting as time goes on...
We flew out of Seattle on 9/22 into Minneapolis and took the shuttle down to Rochester where we slept in a downtown hotel. The next morning we took a taxi out to the "guesthouse" we had rented and dropped off baggage before heading back to Mayo clinic for my first appointment of the day.
I met with Dr. Marks, a medical oncologist who will be managing me while I am doing Chemotherapy for the next six weeks. I was prescribed Temozolomide, or "Temador", which is a once daily pill that supposedly has seen less side effects in patients. Hopefully this will be the same with me! http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601299
Thursday I met with my neurologist/ neuro-oncologist Dr. Lachance. I also had blood work done, which came back "normal." I also received another MRI, which appeared normal for post- brain surgery procedures.
On Friday I met with the Radiologist Dr. Brown to go over radiation treatments. I will be going in five days a week for sessions that are each about twenty minutes long. After our appointment I was fitted for a face mask that will help to make sure I am in the same position during each treatment.
We also found a new apartment on Friday! The other house was much farther than expected and, being without a car, would take us about a half hour to get to Mayo by bus. The new place is in the Old Town Hall complex, which houses a mixture of students and Mayo employees. There is a shared kitchen and living area/common room on the main floor. The bedrooms are furnished with two twin sized beds, desk, closets, bathroom, tv and mini fridge. We were able to get a handicapped corner room that is larger than others that were available. I'll send pictures once we move in on the first.
Yesterday Dan and I had an exciting day at the mall. (That's about all there is to say about this "exciting" adventure...) Mom also flew in from Seattle and will be staying until next Friday.
Today was pretty relaxed and was mainly spent walking around the downtown area. We did stop by K-Mart and mom tried on a children's dinosaur costume. I was trying to convince her to be puff the magic dragon for the Kinetic Ball at Halloween....
The seasons are definitely shifting and I am enjoying the wind and changing colors of the leaves. I am hoping that winter does not come too fast and that treatments go by quickly. I will try to keep everyone updated the best that I can! Love you all....
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