Movin' Along

Larry had two weeks of chemo which left him drained, nauseous, and quite miserable.  We both were beginning to wonder if the end goal balanced out the effects of the treatment.  He is down 15 pounds since the last visit; he hasn't been eating like normal.  Might have to go shopping for some skinny pants!  After 13 days, he finally had a good one--still weak, but feeling better.  Yesterday's doctor appointment was to be another treatment, but Larry's platelet count was too low for it.  He is now scheduled for one on Monday.  On May 5th we had scheduled a fishing trip with Jason and the gang (including Scott) to Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. Doc said to "go for it" and his treatments would be scheduled around the trip.  That's good news because Larry really wanted to go.  Perhaps that will be our "new normal" for awhile...

Back to Chemo

It was expected.  The only unknown factor was the "when."  The cancer has grown and manifested itself in more lymph nodes in Larry's legs, groin area, and stomach.  Yesterday the doc started another series of chemo.  Mentally we had prepared for this; our philosophy has been live the good days and accept the bad.  This morning, the day after the first chemo treatment, seems to be a good one!  We are hanging in there and taking it day-by-day.

The Party's Over

This is our last week here in the Keys...thirty days of pure heaven for us.  This month was filled with visits from family and friends which we loved!  The last guests left this morning, and we leave early Saturday.  One more fishing day on Thursday, then we get back to reality!  Ugh! Life is good for us so we can't complain.  Larry has been in good health for much of this trip; he did have a few days of being under the weather, but managed to enjoy himself no matter what!  Hopefully our trip home will be uneventful and we arrive in one piece!  I guess we'll see all the family for the get-together in late May.

The "Key Life"

Today we mark exactly two weeks of living in the Keys.  The  days have been totally relaxing and enjoyable, filled with morning walks, kyaking the Bay, fishing for snappers, and just relishing the days of warm weather and lots of sun!  The kids arrived for a visit on Thursday (Scott/Tina and Glenn/Donna) and will leave on Monday.  Today we are heading to Key West to do the "Duval Crawl"--bar hopping along the main drag!  And...shopping too (of course)!  On Sunday we boat out on the sea with Capt. Dan for a full day of chasing the yellowtails; we're hoping for a cooler-full to bring home.  What a life---but somebody has to do it!

Florida Life

On Monday, February 19th, Larry and I left Illinois for some fun and sun in Florida.  Our first stop was my sister's home, Jan and Lee, in North Port which is close to Sarasota.  It's always good connecting with family members.  We did get in 18-holes at their golf club, Myaka Pines.  I didn't golf well, but I did try!  We took in some sites, the huge flea market at the Red Barn and also Warm Mineral Springs complex which is toted as the Fountain of Youth discovered in 1513 by Ponce de Leon.  Next visit we have to dip our bodies and see if it really works!!

On Saturday morning the 23rd, we said our goodbyes and took to the road for the Florida Keys.  The traffic became horrendous in Islamarada due to their annual Nautical Flea Market.  Got stuck in traffic for an hour and half. About 3:00 p.m. we landed at our home away from home--simply gorgeous.  It's all about location and we surely do have that!  We're right on the water, Gulf Side (or as they say here, Bayside.)  These last two days we've been vegging out in our backyard--swimming in the bay, kyaking, bicycling, fishing from the dock, etc.  Feels mighty fine to relax... Our guests won't be here until the 7th of March; then we'll get real busy.

Chapter 5

Well  this is the finale of our trek through Costa Rica.  After a four hour road trip from Quepos, we arrived Saturday in Alajuela at 4:30.  The seven (yes, seven!) room hotel (the Margarita) is toted as a bed-and-breakfast; it's deliciously quaint, and thoroughly delightful!  What a surprise...we have a terrace view of the Poas Volcano in the distance.  The room is huge and soooo comfy.  Today (Sunday) we are just relaxing and regrouping for our flight tomorrow.  This afternoon we'll venture into town for cocktails and early dinner.  Since our flight leaves at 7:00 a.m. we have to get up super early for the 15 min. ride to the airport.  Arrival in St. Louis should be 3:00 p.m.  Looking back these past three weeks, the time has flown.  Larry and I have shared so many new experiences on this trip.  The memories we are taking with us will last us forever!

Chapter 4

Our time at Manuel Antonio Park and nearby Quepos is at an end.  We've spent a great week in our "treehouse" which I found astonishing!  Larry had to put up with no AC, but at night time we really could sleep without it!  Since our house is almost 100 ft. up in the treetops, the breezes from the nearby ocean cooled us off.  Every morning we enjoyed our cups of coffee on the deck, just watching the birds and animals in our treetops 10 ft. from our chairs.  Lovely and thrilling.  I probably took a bizillion photos!  Most of all the monkeys came three times to our pool area and deck and trees.  They were the light-orange/brown squirrel monkeys and the white-faced capuchin monkeys.  How exciting to hand-feed them!  They weren't afraid of us at all!  From here, the Manuel Antonio park is only 6-8 minutes up the road.  Fascinating!  We hired a certified guide and did over a 2 hour hike thru it.  There we found the howler monkeys at play.  It was difficult to get them on the camera but we did the best we could. Several magnificent beaches line the Pacific adjacent to the Park.  Long, long stretches of surf and sand.  Everyone knows how much I like the sea and sand!  The road is sprinkled with tons of restaurants and entertainment.  One of my favorite enjoyments is shopping in the local markets. Such interesting fruits and veggies!  The pineapple and bananasd are to die for!!!  If only we could take some home! We did cook at the house on occasion.  Their meat selections are "interesting" as well.  Often you would find stomach and tongue both done up in some kind of stew which they call cassados.  Those we didn't venture into.  Their sausage though is far better than ours back home.  Overall, we love the typical Tican food and regularly we ate at their "mom-and pop" places called sodas.  Cheap too!  Tomorrow we head north to Allajuela where we will stay 2 days.  On Monday we fly home.  Eager to get back but not eager to leave wonderful Costa Rica!