Gary and I are getting out a little to explore the surroundings of our new location.
When my body allows, we go out and find new areas to discover.
Several weeks ago, we drove not far from the MacDill Airforce Base and parked to take a walk.
Our destination was ‘The Tampa Riverwalk’.
Gary was having some fun!
I wanted to share some pictures with you of our walk that day.
A week ago in my post ‘Central Florida Visit‘, I wrote the following –
This coming Monday I will have an appointment with a new Oncologist Dr. L. with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Per U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Cancer rankings 2016-2017, Moffitt Cancer Center is ranked #1 in the Southeast and in the state of Florida and #6 in the nation. After visiting their website and the recent communication I have had so far has me impressed with them and my hope is this feeling will continue after my appointment this Monday.
In a little over a week we will make our way back to Pensacola. Depending on our visits next week, upon our return to Pensacola, our plan may well be to hook the RV to the truck and drive back to central Florida.
In today’s post, I write the following –
That appointment with a new Oncologist Dr. L. with Moffitt Cancer Center took place this past Monday. This visit and the unplanned additional visits had Gary and I extremely impressed and enthusiastic about having my continued cancer care taken over by this new facility. If you read my post ‘Pain Explained?‘, a couple of days ago, you know this week was filled with many tests at my new healthcare provider location. Results of these tests and a course of action will be provided to me early next week.
This past week Gary and I had plans to view some possible locations to live and plant roots for a home base. Because of the results of my CAT Scan last week, and the awaiting of results of this current week’s tests; our plans have changed some and the searching is on hold for now. So, what’s next?
I mentioned in a past post that Gary and I brought his mom to Orlando, Florida back in December. She lives with Gary’s younger brother who lives near Pensacola, Florida. Because the younger brother is having health issues we brought mom here to Orlando to stay with the older brother.
Monday of next week, Gary and I will depart from Orlando and take mom back to the younger brother. Tuesday of next week, I will have my last appointment with my current Urologist Dr. P. in Pensacola. Wednesday of next week, Gary and I will hook the RV on the truck and make our way back to Tampa, Florida.
For the past 8 months we have lived at the RV park on the Naval Air Station Pensacola. For the unforeseeable future, Gary, Roxy and I will live at the RV park located on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Next week will be a busy week; we are moving to a new location, but more importantly test results and doctor’s visits to determine what is to come next in my battle with cancer.
As my body is recovering
My brain is discovering
Aches and pains are starting to subside
Relief and comfort are increasing in strength
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Prior to my surgery, as you know many of my posts were scheduled during my downtime
Within the past week, several of my posts were written well before my surgery
My body lets me know when I need movement, rest and time on WordPress
Trust me, I am listening to my body while it is recovering
As I am recovering, I am catching-up on past posts you have written
This time on WordPress allows my brain to continue to be discovering
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By end’s week, my hope is to be current on reading and responding
But let’s not forget, during this time my body dictates rest and time on WordPress
Because of my surgery, my mind is full of new topics and subjects to write about
The brain though discovering, is finding difficulty to translate them to words
My body is recovering and my brain is discovering
Movement of both is good and rest of both is good; time on WordPress is good
As my body is recovering
My brain is discovering
Aches and pains are starting to subside
Relief and comfort are increasing in strength
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It is the last day – the day before we leave for good – never to return here again.
In my post ‘Home For Sale‘, I wrote the following –
I will admit, as much as I am excited about moving forward, I am somewhat sad about leaving this current home. 13 ½ years, this house we have called home. I still remember seeing this home and walking through the front door for the first time. It only took a few minutes and I told Gary “This is it, this is the one!” We had previously spent months viewing properties and this one immediately stood out and I knew it would be our home.
In today’s post, I write the following –
Tomorrow is the day the new owners take possession of this house, our home for the past 13 ½ years. The house is empty except those items that we are leaving behind for the new owners.
I can remember back to that year we bought our home; Halloween, October 31st, the papers were signed. Prior planning included some painting to take place before we moved into our new home. Gary and I were living in an apartment complex where we met someone that we hired to paint a couple of the rooms in our new home. The painting was to start that Halloween day. Gary and I were very excited about the new home, the new chapter we were starting and making the house a home; making it our home.
We checked in on the painter that evening and to our surprise not much had been accomplished, and what was completed so far; was a mess – it was a very bad job. And then there were the beer cans everywhere and the total lack of attention to being careful with someone else’s belongings. The painter was fired on the spot and there Gary and I sat with a partially painted room in an empty house that was to become our home. I sat there and remembered back to a time when I was younger and helped my dad with renovating his rental properties. I performed all sorts of jobs including painting! I told Gary, I can do the painting, and that I did.
That first night Gary and I stayed up all night painting a couple of rooms. They turned out beautiful and Gary was thrilled and amazed at the quality paint job I did. Little did I know at that time, I would eventually paint the whole house with some rooms being painted twice!
So 13 ½ years later, the last day is here – the day before we leave for good – never to return here again.
The new owners are painting, this I know – they will make it their home, with their colors.
While we were here we made it our home with our colors.
In my post ’18 days and counting!‘, I wrote the following –
The PODS container was delivered yesterday. Items we are keeping and storing are now starting to make their way into the container. Much downsizing has taken place over the past year and a little more to go with regards to ridding of un-needed items. Tomorrow we are having an Estate Sale and hope to downsize considerably more items. The PODS container will be sitting in our driveway for 2 weeks at which time it will be picked up and stored.
In today’s post, I write the following –
The PODS container will be picked up this Thursday. Since it was delivered, we quickly filled it, with no room to spare.
A week ago this past Saturday, we had the Estate Sale and it was a success and in that 2 of 3 larger items we had left sold. These 2 items were a brass bed with mattress set and the baby grand piano. Last week we sold additional smaller items and the last remaining large item sold this past weekend; a couch. This past Saturday we had a moving sale and sold our remaining smaller items.
These past weeks we have continued our downsizing and with the combined garage sales of last year, we have rid of approximately 90% of our possessions. Remember we lived in a 3,800 sq. ft. home and are moving into an 5th wheel with about 300 sq. ft. Possessions we are not taking with us in our 5th wheel are in the PODS container that is about 200 sq. ft. Having much less possessions is an amazing freeing feeling. I am glad Gary and I decided to downsize considerably and decide to ‘go tiny’ in our next living situation. I am unsure what the future holds for us with regards to where we finally end up living on a permanent basis, but at this time, the ‘go tiny’ works for us.
With 1 week to go, the house is nearly completely empty. By Thursday, the last item to be placed in the PODS container will be the one and only remaining mattress. For the past 2 weeks it has been on the floor in the master bedroom for us to sleep on. After Thursday once the PODS container is picked up, I guess we will be sleeping on the floor. Friday we plan to bring the 5th wheel back home and park it in our next door neighbor’s driveway. They will be out of town this next weekend and are allowing us to park the 5th wheel there. We will load the 5th wheel with the remaining items from the house and be ready to leave promptly on Tuesday of next week once house closing papers are signed.
With 1 week to go, a year’s effort of downsizing is coming to an end. This chapter that Gary and I have experienced for quite some time is coming to an end. And the next chapter soon will begin.
In my post ’18 days and counting!‘, I wrote the following –
My final appointment with my urologist Dr. F. was last week at which time I received all my medical records for my next doctors. 
When we leave Dallas on August 2nd, we will make our may to Pensacola Florida the location of my next surgery. My new primary care manager is selected and appointment scheduled for August 8th. Because Gary is a military veteran and I am his spouse I have access to the healthcare system at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Once the primary care manager appointment is complete, a referral will be submitted then an appointment will be scheduled with the urologist at the Naval Air Station medical facility. Once the urologist consultation takes place, we will proceed with the best course of action to take care of my bladder cancer.
In today’ post, I write the following –
In less than 2 weeks, Gary and I will be in Florida!
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When we depart on August 2nd, we will drive our first day to Monroe, Louisiana and stay overnight at an RV park.
Then next day we will drive to our next destination of Pensacola, Florida.
In Pensacola, we will park Max (the 5th wheel – our new home) at an RV park within the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Because Gary is a military veteran; we benefit from discounts on the park rental and also have access to most facilities on the Naval Air Station such as commissary, gym, and other important services.
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Our home for the next several weeks or months is directly across the street from where the Blue Angles are headquartered. My understanding is they practice on Tuesdays & Wednesdays for about 55 minutes each day. I look forward to seeing them and hope to take some pictures or videos of their practice.
Our new temporary home will be located in walking distance from the beach of the Gulf of Mexico.
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The sand, sun & water should make for a great combination when it comes time for me to recover from my next surgery.
At this point, I have no date for the next surgery. You know the one; where my bladder is removed. At this point in time, I am assuming I will be having a radical cystectomy.
Cancer.org has the following –
Radical cystectomy: If the cancer is larger or is in more than one part of the bladder, a radical cystectomy will be needed. This operation removes the entire bladder and nearby lymph nodes. In men, the prostate and seminal vesicles are also removed.
My understanding is prior to this surgery; some people will go through several weeks of chemotherapy. In a couple of weeks, I should know details of the procedure and all that it entails upon my appointment with my urologist.
In 18 days, we will say goodbye to our home of almost 14 years.
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In my post ‘Exciting times ahead‘, I wrote the following –
Let’s get caught up on the other important events taking place. The house appraisal was completed a little over a week ago and the results were all good. The home sale continues to proceed without issues and we are still on the calendar to close on August 2nd. Gary and I continue to downsize possessions while we also have administrative duties taking place such as updating address on all our accounts. In 2 weeks a PODS container will be delivered and parked in our driveway. The PODS container will be packed with items and possessions we are keeping for our future home. Once the PODS container is filled, it will be picked up and stored locally here in the Dallas area until we are ready for it.
Image Provided by: spearfruit.com
In today’s post, I write the following –
The PODS container was delivered yesterday. Items we are keeping and storing are now starting to make their way into the container. Much downsizing has taken place over the past year and a little more to go with regards to ridding of un-needed items. Tomorrow we are having an Estate Sale and hope to downsize considerably more items. The PODS container will be sitting in our driveway for 2 weeks at which time it will be picked up and stored.
Last week Gary and I had the pleasure of meeting one of the future owners of our home. The future home owners had an appointment to have painters come to the house for an estimate. The future owners will be repainting several rooms in the interior and needed access to the home. Gary and I decided to stay and we met the wife/mom of the family that will be moving in shortly. She is extremely excited about moving in and loves this home very much. Gary and I know, when we leave our home, it will be a home for a vibrant young couple with very young children. We are happy.
My final appointment with my urologist Dr. F. was last week at which time I received all my medical records for my next doctors. When we leave Dallas on August 2nd, we will make our may to Pensacola Florida the location of my next surgery. My new primary care manager is selected and appointment scheduled for August 8th. Because Gary is a military veteran and I am his spouse I have access to the healthcare system at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Once the primary care manager appointment is complete, a referral will be submitted then an appointment will be scheduled with the urologist at the Naval Air Station medical facility. Once the urologist consultation takes place, we will proceed with the best course of action to take care of my bladder cancer.
The days are coming and going and many activities continue to take place. This chapter will soon be over and the next one will begin.
18 days and counting!
From my post ‘Exciting times ahead‘, I wrote the following –
Last Friday, we officially bought our RV for our future travel adventure. Our plan is to take possession of the RV Friday of next week at which time we will move it from the current site which is where we bought it to a RV park owned by the RV Dealership. We plan to stay in the RV for a couple of nights to become accustomed to our new living arrangement.
In today’s post, I write the following –
Today is the day we are taking possession of our RV and moving from the RV Dealership to an RV park for just tonight only. This is the day I will drive and tow the RV for the first time. Originally when Gary and I decided to embark on this travel adventure we had decided to buy a travel trailer.
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A travel trailer was lighter and it could be hitched to the back of the truck without much effort involved. Also no changes to the truck itself would be needed. We searched several dealerships and found one we really liked. We were waiting to buy it until we knew we had an offer on the house.
We decided to take one more look at a different dealership and then we would make our decision. After additional thinking about our plans and our wants and needs, we decided the travel trailer may not be our most desired RV. Upon further research, we decided we would buy a 5th wheel instead of a travel trailer. The 5th wheel is larger, but is a light weight 5th wheel, meaning our truck can handle towing It. We did have a 5th wheel hitch installed in the bed of the truck a couple of weeks ago and earlier this week we had one additional change to the truck to help make the towing easier and smoother.
Tomorrow morning, we will move the 5th wheel to our home for an overnight stay and then Sunday back to the RV Dealership storage facility. During the time it is parked at our home, we will pack some items that we will be taking with us to our next temporary destination.
There are 25 days left before the new owners take possession of our current home. Today, Gary and I take possession of our new home.
The last several weeks were busy with the surgery, recovery and the downsizing and packing.
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The next several weeks will continue to be busy as we continue to downsize, pack and prepare for the big day.
I think back to a year ago, when about this time, Gary and I were coming back to Dallas from our first of several trips to Florida to look for a new location to start a new chapter in our lives. Little did I know a year ago, our plans would be different, very different!
This past weekend I sneaked a post in. Because of the United States celebrating its Birthday this past weekend, I did not want to spoil the fun in celebrating; so I sneaked a post in.
I awoke this past Saturday with a post ready to publish for that day. I decided to change that due to information I received the day before and felt a need to record a video and publish it instead. I scheduled the video post, and a little later decided not to publish it because I felt I might ruin some readers weekend with a ‘downer’ video. I went back to my original post and published it instead.
Later that day, I watched the video I had recorded earlier and felt a need to publish it, so I sneaked a post in later Saturday afternoon. I figured it being Saturday and a US holiday weekend, many readers would not see it. Many of you did see that post and watched the video. I am grateful for you taking the time to watch the video and taking time to leave a comment.
I often will quote words from previous posts I have published. And seldom will I ask readers to go back and read a post. I understand we all have busy lives and often posts we write may be missed by readers. But, this one time, if you missed that Saturday post; I am asking you to go read it and watch that video. Not because I think it is a good video; no because it is an important video. The events of Friday and the explanation in that video changes the dramatics of my blog. Trust me when I write these words – this blog will never be totally about despair, negativity, doom & gloom, sadness and why me? Yes, there will be those times I may publish a post that will relay these feelings and emotions. Those posts will be far and few because I write more about the positive, the goodness, the strength that comes from within me.
This blog is about my life with the good and the bad; and with this next challenge comes more strength and more courage.
So today for those of you that missed that sneaked in post, I am letting you know about it now. It was important for me to post it Saturday, but as I mentioned I did not want my ‘downer’ video to affect your holiday weekend. For those that missed it this past Saturday, here is the post ‘Jumped the gun & About face‘.
It is an important video to me, I felt a need to record it and I felt a need to share it with you.
My weekend was good; Gary is packing and I am performing miscellaneous activities around the house to prepare it for our very near move.
My friends, for those that had already viewed the video, I thank you for viewing and I thank you for your comments.
My friends, for those not having seen the video: after you view this video, know I am optimistic and know that I am thankful for you!
In my post ‘Inspection, Procedure & Follow-up‘, I wrote the following –
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I had another appointment with my urologist this past Wednesday. Dr. F. viewed the results of the IVP procedure and it was determined there is no blockage in my ureter from my right kidney. There will be no stint inserted into my ureter prior to my next surgery. Dr. F. indicated the cancer and scar tissue are very close to the ureter opening. Upon my next surgery Dr. F. will insert a temporary stint in my ureter, then remove the cancer and scar tissue, then remove the stint.
In today’s post, I write the following –
The date for my next surgery has not been determined. I should find this out on Monday, once Dr. F. returns from vacation next week. My hopes are the surgery will be the last week of this month or the first week of July. After my last surgery, it took about a week for me to really feel better, I am hoping for the same this time around also.
On the home front, with the inspection completed came a few items the future owners wanted fixed. These items were resolved and the future owners accepted our counter response. The house appraisal is scheduled for Wednesday of next week. Then it may take a couple of weeks to receive a response back and hopefully all will be good with the results.
Gary and I also are continuing the downsizing of possessions. You might remember between last year and several months ago we had a total of 4 major garage sales totaling 12 days in which we sold many items. 
We also use smartphone apps ‘letgo’, ‘OfferUp’ & ‘5miles’; these have proved to be successful in selling some items. We also have a very good multi-neighborhood website where classifieds are listed and seen by thousands of people. Once again this is another site that has proved to be successful in selling items.
There are certain items of value that we will keep and store. Our plan is to store these items in a pod from PODS. They will drop off a pod in our driveway and Gary and I will load it, then the pod will be picked up and stored for us until we are ready for it. No matter where we decide to live in the future, PODS will move and deliver the pod to our location. This form of storage and moving is much less expensive than using a traditional moving company.
The home sale continues in a positive direction. The downsizing continues to take place and the surgery and recovery will be here soon.
As August 2nd quickly approaches, there continues to be many more activities to take place. Some packing will soon start and there is the continued taking care of the yard, pool and home that never ends.
Life is busy now, but soon the adventure starts and the fun begins.
"Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. Enjoy life fully and find contentment in your Middle Ground" Val Boyko
Thirty Years of Wonder
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Without a Doubt is Doubtful
Welcome to my blog. I've started this blog to share my thoughts, help myself come to terms with what has happened to me over the past 4 years and hopefully it will help someone who is reading this.
Living Life. Paying Attention.
home of the elusive trope
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Cindy Knoke
