It has been quite a while since I have blogged here. More about that later…

We have been trapped by mud in one spot in our gravel driveway. The ground is thawing and lots and lots of mud has appeared, especially in a place near a large boulder that couldn’t be removed when we had the driveway redone a couple of years ago.

Our neighbor came over Saturday and worked on the problem. He brought gravel. On Sunday he brought more gravel. Tomorrow? More gravel. We are grateful.

My friend Harley Chick got stuck in the mud Wednesday while bringing me home from a lovely visit with “Aunt Pat” in Massachusetts. We talked and laughed and ate lunch and fixed an I-pad and commiserated over weather and winter.

Fortunately Harley Chick was able to put her car in reverse, gun it, and get out.

We can actually get out now, as long as we step on the gas. There is an amazing amount of gravel to get through, but it’s not mud!

I’m happy to stay in the house.

As to why I’ve been silent, it’s because I’ve been absolutely exhausted. I’m not sure “exhausted” is a strong enough word to describe how I felt during weeks of cancer-blocking treatments that started in early January. November and December scans (three of them, plus a biopsy) showed that my breast cancer from 2019 had spread to lymph nodes in my chest.

Banjo Man and I were devastated but hopeful that powerful new medications could halt/shrink/contain the cancer.

Unfortunately those medications–pills and shots–made me very, very sick. I was to stay on this cancer-blocking treatment plan for at least two years, then move to something else. Was this how I wanted to live my life? No. What was the point?

I am now taking a break from everything (doctor’s orders) and getting my strength and energy back. It’s a long process to feel better, but it’s happening. Later this month we will start up treatments again, only this time we’ll take it slowly to see how much I can tolerate. January’s “let’s hit it hard with everything we’ve got” plan was just too much. I could barely get out of bed and I could eat very little.

Banjo Man saved the day with fruit popsicles. We are now addicted.

There is another PET scan scheduled for March 14th. A meeting to discuss if radiation is an option. Perhaps a second opinion in Boston. A return to treatments. March is going to be busy.

In the meantime we’re enjoying our evenings streaming tv shows and movies. We splurged on a new walk-in shower and we love it. Last night we actually went out to dinner! We’re looking forward to returning to the lake in May, stopping in Texas on the way. The Funny Grandson has a band concert and we want to be there.

I am sewing again, as of this week. A very brown quilt is on the design wall. Not my favorite creation, but it’s intended for the lake house and I designed it to be masculine.

Will I finish it before we leave in May? I have no idea, but I will try!

Today the sun is shining. It’s a cold day, but Banjo Man and I are about to bundle up and go look at the gravel. I hope to do a lap or two around the driveway and then hustle back inside to add borders to the quilt and make a backing for it.

Is winter over? I sure hope so!