Tag Archives: Travel

Chats, Tears & Love

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Last month, in my post ‘Phone Calls‘, I wrote the following –

(note: since the very beginning of my journey with my cancer, all procedures and tests and treatments; all resulted in bad news.  I have not once received good news in the past 1 ½ years.  NOT ONCE)

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Image Provided by: Emedicine Medscape

So, the news of my cancer spreading and growing was received on a Friday; and Saturday Gary made a couple of calls.

What was discussed in these phone calls?

Gary was honest and sincere and direct.  He was caring and sensitive and calm.  He called these 2 people to let them know the truth concerning my current health situation.  He told them I am in a great deal of pain to the point I am using a cane to help me walk.  He told them I have lost almost 40 lbs. and my appetite is not always the best.  He told them the results of the latest scan.

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Image Provided by: Kyrene Foundation

He told them what is to come with regards to my future treatment and the slim possibility of positive results.  He told them more than likely we would not make it to Texas for Thanksgiving.  He told them he felt it important that they (my family) consider making plans to visit me here in Florida.

In today’s post, I write the following –

You remember last month on Father’s Day weekend, I received a surprise visit from my 3 sons?  My heart was happy and the time spent together that weekend is priceless.  It was by far the best Father’s Day I have ever had.

I just recently had more visitors that left yesterday after a weeklong visit.   My dad and stepmom drove from Texas to come visit me.  The time spent with my dad was special and I feel a closeness to him I have never felt before.  We chatted about our relationship and the mistakes we made along the way, and the love we have for each other.  We talked about my current health situation and we cried together and he provided me support only a dad can.

The weeklong visit was fun, special and very emotional and one I will never forget.  My dad has Parkinson’s that has progressed in recent years; he is lovingly taken care of by my stepmom.  She is an amazing lady, who I have great respect for.  I know my dad is in good hands with her, just like I am in good hands with Gary.

Image3Thank you dad, for taking the time to visit me.

I love you,

Terry

about being present – a Visual Recite

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I have added a new category to my blog titled ‘a Visual Recite’.

I have taken many pictures over the years and I share them with you with a recite.

about being present

about being present –

I wrote about wasting time, which I suppose is a part of the great human journey. We’re supposed to wallow, to go through the desert without water for a long time so that when we finally drink it, we’ll truly need it and we won’t spill a drop. It’s about being present.

–          Walton Goggins

Umbrellas

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My category ‘Pictures & Stories’ are posts with me writing a fictional, creative short story about a picture.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas –

As the sun begin to set for the day, the overwhelming feeling of comfort took over.

The daylight hours were coming to an end and soon the nightfall would be upon them.

Their time was limited and they would not be needed again until the next opening.

It was the beginning to the closure.

But the surrounding activities would continue for what seemed like eternity.

They would stand tall, yet unopened and wait again as they always do to be needed.

Excuse me

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My category ‘Pictures & Stories’ are posts with me writing a fictional, creative short story about a picture.

Excuse Me

Excuse me –

‘Excuse me, I was wondering which way to the restroom?’

There was no response to his request and once again he asked ‘Excuse me, restroom?’

Again, no response and no more questions were asked.

The day had been a long one and yes, the water was sparse, but still nature called.

But he was in nature, so if nature called, he could do what most animals do in nature, right?

boat slip

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My category ‘Pictures & Stories’ are posts with me writing a fictional, creative short story about a picture.

boat slip

boat slip –

He informed her: ‘I told you this would be a lost cause!’

She responded: ‘Well, what can I say; this is the address they gave me.’

They both were distraught and tiredness was wearing them down.

The address was correct, it was the correct marina, but what was the boat slip number?  There should have been more information given to them at the time, but nobody offered the information they needed.  The slip number was needed and no one knew it.  As they walked amongst the boats, they knew their efforts would be futile.

He again informed her: ‘We need the boat slip.  I told you this would be a lost cause!’

She responded: ‘Yes dear, I know that.  Now let’s go!’

57 Today

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Gary, Roxy and I hooked the RV on the truck and moved to Tampa a day early.

That took place yesterday and because of it, I am a little late on reading your posts and responding to comments.

I promise to catch-up today.

So, here is a little video of that travel from yesterday, and something important about today.

So, what’s next?

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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.

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Dank

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My category ‘Pictures & Stories’ are posts with me writing a fictional, creative short story about a picture.

Dank

Dank –

Once again alone, Dank the duck sat quietly waiting for their approach.  Would they come this time?  He had forgotten when the last he saw them.  And how did he get left behind?

It seems like yesterday, but no it was already a couple of seasons ago, they were all here on their trek to the south, to the warmer climate.  Dank as usual would not stay with the group, but instead go exploring the surroundings.  He had been there before, but still the exploring brought new exciting adventures.  It only took 1 exciting adventure and they left and he was left behind alone.

Now it was time.  Would they come back this way?  Dank the duck sat quietly waiting for their approach.  Would they come this time?

Central Florida Visit

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A couple of weeks ago in my post ‘Look Forward‘, I wrote the following –

This past Tuesday in my post ‘Seeking a Home Base’, I mentioned Gary and I are searching for a location to plant roots and use as our home base.  A trip is planned in a couple of weeks and we will be visiting different locations that best meet our needs.  The trip will also include visiting a major Cancer Center located in Tampa, Florida.  A referral is submitted and a consultation appointment is in place.

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Image Provided by: thewholeworldatyourhands.blogspot.com

Currently there is much planning taking place for a future move to a more permanent location and finding a new medical facility for my healthcare.  As indicated a couple of days ago in my post ‘Exactly 1 Month‘, I am feeling good with my recovery.  I will admit though, I do not feel excellent as I am having difficulties with some pain and other minor issues.  I am not sure if they are related to the surgery or my cancer diagnoses and if over time I will overcome these minor issues.

In today’s post, I write the following –

We left the Naval Air Station Pensacola RV Park 2 days ago, and stored the RV for the next couple of weeks.

Gary and I are driving to Orlando, Florida today and we will be staying at Gary’s older brother’s home and taking care of his mom while his brother and wife are out of town for a week.  This coming week we will be visiting locations for a possible permanent location to call home base.  I will fill you in on what we are looking at for a permanent residence in a future post.

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 next Monday.

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Image Provided by: moffitt.org

In about 10 days we will make our way back to Pensacola.  Depending on our visits this coming week, upon our return to Pensacola, our plan may well be to hook the RV to the truck and drive immediately back to central Florida.

We feel strongly about locating ourselves in central Florida and we still have plans for some future travel adventures.  The period of our initial stay in central Florida depends on my health because the first part of April is when the next round of image tests will take place.  The results of these tests will dictate our immediate future plans upon our relocation.