Cemeteries, Lost Wallet, Runway Rage--and yeh, I still have cancer.

Before I begin this, know that we are home, happy but tired. Now I get to complain.



So we get up Wednesday morning, me depressed that we have to come home and face reality, but happy at the thought of seeing my dog and sleeping in my own bed. We figure we need to get to Boston by 5:00 p.m., as we have a 6:15 flight. Decided to go say goodbye to Andrew at his hotel first.



Knock, knock, knock. Loving caring mother whispers into door: "if you want some money, you will get up." A minute later door opens to Black Tomb of the Stinky Athlete. Andrew: "Hey." Loving, caring mother: "we came to say goodbye." Andrew: "Bye."

With that dramatic scene done, we still have some time before we need to leave and since Ginger, who will now be called Crazy MIL (crazy mother-in-law), had learned of the actual cemetery where they filled Stephen King's Pet Semetary, we decided to go check it out. After driving out into Maine for about 15 minutes we find this very old, and I mean old, small cemetery with most gravesites from the middle 1800's. And yes, it was drizzling and raining but that didn't stop Crazy Mil and the rest of us from exploring. Actually, it was pretty neat to see the old names and read some of the tombstones, but Jim got creeped out early and kept saying "let's go...we shouldn't be walking all over these dead people!" I of course was reading names aloud and found a huge headstone with the name CLAPP on it, and as only as I can do, I say "Hmm...I wonder if she died of the clap?" Jim, at this point, says, "Geeze!!!!!!!!!! Way to tick off the spirits!" so he high tails it to the car, and locks the doors. (I did feel bad after I said that and said a quick prayer asking for forgiveness.) Anyway, that was neat but as soon as we got in the car, Jim says "we are probably cursed now."

So we head for Boston. About 2 hours out, Jim can't find his wallet so we stop at a rest stop and open all the luggage and go through it--dirty clothes, clean clothes, travel bags, you name it, we had it strewn all over the parking lot looking for the wallet. No wallet. I tell Jim he will have to live in Boston the rest of his life. He does not find me funny and pouts the rest of the way to Boston, mad at himself for losing it and a bit anxious about not having ID to board the plane.

Get to Boston--trip on Thrifty Rental Bus to Airport was just as traumatic as first ride. Boob screaming in pain from all the juggling...but we finally check in to see our flight is delayed. The good news is, no big deal about no ID for Jim so he doesn't have to stay in Boston forever. He does have to go through some extra security checks but we figured they may not have known who he was officially but he certainly didn't have any weapons or anything strapped under his t-shirt or Cubs hat!

We finally board the plane at 7:20 and ended up sitting on the runway for about 2 hours because O'Hare called a "groundstop" due to weather. That was awful--they did invite us to come tour the cockpit and gave us pretzels and water but it was still mind-boggling because of stale air and cramped seating. I was sitting next to a rheumatologist so we had quite the conversation the entire flight--and of course I told him about the cancer, to which he asked all kinds of intelligent questions being a physician and all, but didn't offer a cure or anything : ) He did however, suggest that I get my slides sent to some cancer centers just for more information. He was also a Harvard med school professor and was very, very nice. Once we took off, it was uneventful and quick, but we had no idea if we had a flight from ORD to South Bend.

Two good things happened at O'Hare--our flight had not left and Andrew had called with a message that they had found Jim's wallet at the baseball stadium and it was now in his possession. Flight to South Bend was 16 minutes, but of course they lost our luggage so I am waiting for that to arrive today. I think we got into bed at 2:30--boob throbbing but damn, it was good to be home.

Two doctor visits tomorrow. At 8:45 a.m. I see the plastic surgeon, Dr. Messenger for an hour consultation. Then I head to Dr. Nancy's at 11:30. Depending on what we decide to do, it is possible that my surgery might not be for another month. I have very mixed feelings about that, but they assure me it is safe to wait and necessary, since both reconstructive/mastectomy would be done at the same time, it will eventually save time. The good part of that is I will go back to work (hopefully Monday!!!!) until surgery. Also, Crazy Mil leaves for the UP on Saturday and she has been my co-hort in all of this and if we delay it, she may be back in time for the surgery. The bad part is it prolongs the mental side of this--which allows those little cells to keep multiplying and my mind to go crazy. Again, they are telling me it is not a big deal to wait if needed but if still freaks me out.

Lonnie, if you read this, today I received your flowers and they are beautiful. East Main hung on to them knowing I was in Maine --love that about a small town. Anyway, they are so gorgeous I am taking a picture of them. I will call you later but thanks so much. My other plants are doing well too--thanks to Mimi who I think watered them.

I am so lucky to have all of you. And when the luggage arrives, I think the curse of the cemetery will be lifted!

Molly