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...

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...

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...

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.

Week Two

Hi everyone!

Radiation and chemo have begun and I am remaining healthy and feeling good. I will be meeting several times this week with radiation care providers, social workers, having my first weekly blood draw, and also attending an "educational session" on the process of radiation treatments. I am just hoping that I continue to feel as well as I have this week...

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.

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!