I found out that my prostate biopsy came back indicating cancer was present. I am not happy about this development, but prostate cancer is quite common in men of my age.
Surgery to remove the prostate is indicated, but the question of radiation therapy is still not clear. On February 5th I will undergo two more tests, one of soft tissue and the other of bone tissue, to determine if the cancer has spread outside of the prostate. If so, radiation will be added to the treatment. If not, surgery without radiation will be the path forward. I will get the results of these tests on February 15th. I am not looking forward to the next couple of weeks!
But life goes on. Pam has been busy painting the library, a detail-intensive task, and working on the art deco design she has chosen to add interest to the walls. Here are a few photos of this work-in-progress.
Before any painting can begin Pam has to go around with spackling compound and fill in gaps, dings, and other defects. Then she uses an artist’s brush, the kind you would use in a paint-by-number project, to touch-up paint on the window frames and other woodwork. Only then can she apply paint to the larger wall areas. There is a lot of up-and-down the ladder work to get things done. (I would take a photo of Pam painting these walls but she says I have enough shots of her painting things and wouldn’t allow any more.)
I was not nearly as productive this last week. I did work on a number of small projects, though. Going through a few boxes I found my work clothes which I had brought back from The Lot when I closed up The Box (RV trailer) for the winter. These went into my closet and various drawers. I unpacked my snowmobile suit and boots which had been in storage in the garage attic. These will help keep me warm when I go out to push snow around. Lumber was purchased and I built the first of the ‘large window’ inserts for the house’s bay windows. This first unit went into the Media Room upstairs and the next will go into my bedroom bay window. Boxes that had held Christmas decorations, now sorted and stored in plastic totes, were broken down for yesterday’s (Friday) recycle pickup. (Recycle pickup happens every other Friday.) A Monday night snowfall had to be addressed Tuesday morning so I spent some time cleaning the alley access, mailbox access, and sidewalks. I try to take a daily walk of at least one mile. The RAV-4 was taken to a u-spray car wash. More slides were scanned. Some editing was done on my digital music collection, deleting songs that I just didn’t care for, mostly heavy metal or duplicates. And, just for S & G, I went though my mail box, deleting old mails and old sent mails. It never fails to amaze me that even in retirement the amount of junk that builds up in my mailbox is surprisingly large.
Although I have not installed any more insulation in the garage, I had the heater going while I was working on the Media Room window insert. After about 10 minutes of running I shut the heater down as it had warmed the space to a comfortable working level. Previously I had to keep the heater going continuously to be comfortable. The insulation is already paying off in more comfort on these cold days.
Some time was spent watching birds at the new feeder. The local feathered community has discovered it; now it is not uncommon to see from one to two dozen birds at the feeder at any given time. Recently we spied a finch and jay among the more common sparrows and chickadees.
From time to time we are reminded of the very rural nature of Elma.
The days fill up and go by fairly quickly, but we both miss working outside on different projects. Outside time is now relegated to letting the dogs out to run/do their business, keeping the catio cats supplied with food/water/heat, getting the mail, or to shovel snow. Whoopee.
Photo Archive
2003, Aspen Hot Air Balloon Festival
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
Himself’s prostate cancer diagnosis is not welcome news. We will “deal with it.”
The refresh project in the library is progressing, but very slowly. The shadowy light in the room this time of year only allows about 2-3 hours of fine detail painting per day. Which is about as much time as I can force my eyes to concentrate anyway.
Be Well. Happy Trails.
I can finally get your blog and pictures instead of waiting to go to work to see the pictures I am reading about. Pam you sure are working hard and looks good!! I especially like the way you put a lace valence on the outside of the curtain. More snow today to deal with. And it is heavy!!
Deb:
Thanks for the note. I am glad you can now see the photos on your computer. You may want to check out the Galleries and Video pages and take a look at some of those collections.
Yes, Pam is putting a lot into upgrading the library. The amount of detail work required around the old moldings and ceiling is quite high but looks good when completed.
I spent about 4 hours this morning cleaning up after last night’s snow. One disadvantage of a corner lot, you have more sidewalk to clear than other lots might have.
Good to hear from you!
Jer
Deb –
The lace valances are “holding” the space for tailored valances (I need to sew). Once I start painting the art deco stencil onto the walls, the lace kinda competes with the somewhat-busy wall treatment.
The lace valances will be repurposed to fill in a large doorway opening into the parlor bedroom. Nothing is wasted, always another way to use what we have.
But – yikes – January is gone and the library isn’t very far along in the refresh. More detail painting and wall repair than I had initially thought – slows me down!
The library is coming along nicely! I know the hours and hours Pam has spent on it which would drive me crazy.
The diagnosis I am hoping will be a bump in the road. Very treatable but crappy in all of the appointments, etc. After it’s all done, it will be done and you will be fine, Jer.
In the meantime, how to keep motivated and productive during these winter months? Audio books are my saving grace!
Living during the COVID with not much to plan or look forward to pretty much sucks. But, we will get through this too.
Becky:
Thanks for the note. Yes, Pam is putting in a lot of work in the library but it is already looking better than the original ‘mustard yellow’ paint job.
There may be an alternate treatment from the Mayo Clinic that I am looking into. It is called Proton Radiation Therapy, more targeted than regular radiation and no need for surgery. After I take my tests (Feb 5th) I will see if I am candidate to get receive this type of treatment.
Motivation in winter is an issue since I like working outside so much. However, I have indoor projects, such as scanning slides, to keep me busy as well as a limited number of small jobs to do both in the house and in the garage.
Today I took my ATV out for a short run around town, mostly to deliver a payment to the propane supplier. I have been getting in my daily walk, about 14 blocks, but with sub-zero temps coming in at the end of the week I may miss a few days. Then there is always Your Tube…
Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the encouraging words!
Jer