Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Health Update

Monday I had scheduled appointments with my radiation and medical oncologists. Everything checked out alright. My white blood cell count is still below normal, but it is rising. The same is true for my red blood cell count, but it has a bit more ground to cover to get back to speed. The medical oncologist tends to think that by the next visit things should be in the low end of normal.

I was waiting patiently in the office room when the doctor arrived. He had recently read my surgeons note on the surgery outcomes. His quick glance lead him to believe that I had recently had my first surgery, not my concluding one. (I need to preface that he sees a huge amount of patients so I don't blame him for not specifically knowing where I am in my treatment process without chit-chatting with me and catching-up) Anyway, he proceeds to tell me about my adjudvant therapy and the need to start right away. He swirlled back in the rolling examination chair at my response. I really was about to be really pissed off. About that time we both realized his mishap and things were alright. Funny moment though.

Well, my next CT-Scan is scheduled in November and I see all my doctors around that time and the beginning of December. Things are going better that I had expected so I am extremely blessed to be where I am. Thanks to everyone for the continued support.

Josh

Monday, July 7, 2008

In case you care...

Here's what Wikipedia says about the MacPherson clan motto:

"Motto: Touch not the catt bot a glove. 'Bot' means without. The 'glove' of a wildcat is the pad. If the cat is 'ungloved', its claws are unsheathed. The motto serves as a warning that one should beware when the wildcat's claws are 'without a glove'. It is a reference to the historically violent nature of the clan and serves as a metaphorical warning to other [clans] that they should think twice before interfering with Macpherson business."

So there!! Don't interfere with me lest I unsheathe my claws. :) Kimberly
PS MacPherson is my dad's mom's maiden name.

Vacation

We had an AWESOME vacation last week at a cabin we rented in Macon Co., NC at 3500 ft elevation. It felt like October, sunny and cool. Our cabin overlooked Lake Nantahala.

View from the cabin:



We found it on vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner). It was a GREAT place to stay, close to the Great Smoky Mtns. National Park (though we didn't go there), close to the Appalachian and Bartram Trails, close to the Nantahala River, and all kinds of other cool stuff.

View from the cabin at sunset:



We rafted on the Nantahala the first day we were there. (It made Kimberly feel old because she first did that 16 years ago.) Then we went to look at waterfalls around Highlands, NC. This is Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi:



On the way back, we stopped at the Scottish Heritage Museum in Franklin. Apparently there are more people of Scottish heritage in NC than anywhere besides Scotland. Kimberly got a MacPherson tartan scarf and a book on the history of the MacPherson clan, whose motto is "Don't touch the cat without a glove." (Don't ask me why, going to have to google that one).

Then we were joined by our friends Wade and Mary Cox and Westbrook (2 yo) and Llandis (9 mo old). Westbrook is quite talented at kicking the "pink ball," shown here with him and Llandis sitting in his popup soccer goal.



We took the kids to a playground which had an awesome view, like everywhere else around there. Josh and Westbrook played on the slide:



We visited the camp where Wade went as a child, The Mountain.





On the way back, Josh jumped off a cliff into the (freezing cold) Cullasaja River.



Here is Westbrook with Dino Bear and Fireman Bear. Note they are wearing the same undies as him; this was his idea.



Here is Llandis getting her first bites of mashed up banana (she is ridiculously cute):



On the 4th of July, Wade's brother Sean joined us for an evening of grilling out, watching fireworks, and music. Here he is playing the harmonica with Westbrook:



Here is Kimberly listening to Josh play the guitar:



On July 5, Kimberly and Josh went to watch the sunrise at Wayah Bald, which is over a mile high. Note the fleeces, and we were shivering. It was beautiful. We sat there for a few minutes and then noticed a strange noise wafting up from below.... then freaked out when we realized it was snoring. But it was okay, just some campers, possibly some hikers on the trail.



Here is a group shot of all of us:



We are ready to go again, let us know if you want to join us, or if you decide to rent from the same landlord because we get $50 for referring you. :) It is truly a spectacular place to rest, relax, and have a great time. Peace everyone.

Josh and Kimberly