San Tan Mountains
I feel guilty even writing that we have been enjoying temperatures in the 70’s during our stay in Arizona while the rest of the country seems to be mired in yet another round of snow storms after having survived yet another polar vortex. (Not to say that we don’t cool off over night–but it’s worth it to awaken to blue skies and sunshine, even if there is a slight chill in the air.)
I met with a new oncologist a week ago Friday. He was very nice. But oh how I miss my Norris Cotton Cancer Center at DHMC. And Dr. Ernstoff, Nancy Crosby, and gang. Finally had my three-month CT scan yesterday after three calls to the not-so-nice scheduler (“I have 127 orders on my desk…”) and, I’m almost embarrassed to admit, a not-so-nice message for the doctor. Come to find out, he was on vacation. For those of you who are not familiar with my journey with ACC, it is laden with delays due to doctors who are on vacation.
My scan was at SMIL. No “e.” They were efficient and friendly. I didn’t even mind when the tech asked me if I had nipple rings! (You don’t want to know. But the answer is no.)
Now the wait for the results begins. I’m definitely spoiled by DHMC, where the doctor has the report on his desk within an hour of the scan. Funny how much we have come to rely on the results of the CT scan every three months. It’s a report card of sorts. But one with life or death significance. If you haven’t been there, I imagine that sounds melodramatic.
Today we visited Changing Hands Bookstore (and an art store) in Tempe and earlier we made it to The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale. We are starting to get serious about painting and writing–the two activities we have planned to focus on. I have managed to write about ten lines on my “Claire” novel and Steve has produced a first draft of a watercolor of the San Tan mountains. Our excuse is that we have been busy with the kids after school and with going places during the day. It’s wonderful to be retired and not just on vacation!
Tagged: Changing Hands Bookstore, CT scan, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dr. Marc Ernstoff, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, retirement, San Tan Mountains, Scottsdale AZ, Scottsdale Medical Imaging, Tempe AZ, The Poisoned Pen
Karen Whalen 
Karen, as always you totally inspire me in a thousand ways. Believe it or not, I too have been writing. It seems I do much better when I get settled into a routine in sunny Florida. We stay quite busy. I am finding my best writing time to be early early in the morning, prior to Mike awaking. That is when I can get in the creative mindset to write. I have so much to learn, especially discipline to just do it, just write from my heart, just do it!!! YOU ARE DOING IT AND I AM EVER SO PROUD OF YOU! Please know, I am praying for good results and think of you always, so why don’t I just pick up the phone and call you??? I miss you!!
Miss you, too! Can’t wait for you and the gang to mosey up to NH this summer. It sounds as though you are writing more than I am–awesome! Believe it or not, we still haven’t settled into a routine here yet. Feels as though we are on vacation still and not retired…except for when we can’t remember what day of the week it is! When I was having my scan done I did a lot of thinking about my book. Now I need to translate that into the written word. Love to you and Mike!
If only I could imagine a scene in which someone asks Jeremy if he has nipple rings! Even better than “boxers or briefs”!
Hoping to “see” you Thursday,
h
Heidi: That would be perfect–though I do love the “boxers or briefs” for Jeremy. Of all of your characters, I think I have the best feel for him. If you don’t see me tomorrow night, hopefully you’ll be able to hear me! I imagine you will arrive in a rental car. 😦
Karen
So glad you two are enjoying winter! Dana has the same two doctors that you do at Dartmouth and really likes them too! Waiting to hear your Good results. Thoughts are with you. Brenda
Brenda: Nice to hear from you! I didn’t realize Dana was a fellow patient at DHMC. Hope all is well with him. Crazy how there seem to be so many of us. It is much harder dealing with my health care out here than I thought it would be. Take care and give my best to Dana.
Karen