Here's a pic of Rita's aftermath in our back yard. Luckily, it's not much to cry about. Our hearts go out to all those who had real life changing damages. Here's a link if you want to see more.

What, more chemo?

It's been such a busy time, as you might imagine, at my house with evacuaees coming and going. I barely read emails any more. Today I spent hours trying to locate my brother Tom, but still no luck.

My sisters have been home to Jefferson Parish to look at damage and collect some things for the long stretch it's been predicted they'll have to stay out.

Here's an update on my health. I finally returned to the surgeon August 31, when I had the first group of ten evacuees, but before my sister, niece and nephew came. I got good news there - the original pathology report was wrong. The margins around the tumor were negative, so he did get the whole tumor and I won't have to have any more surgery. On the other hand, there were three positive lymph nodes, which we knew already. For this reason he recommended I have the two chemo treatments I skipped. The oncologist naturally agreed.

Tomorrow I'll have chemo number seven. I'm hoping the final two treatments won't be so bad, now that I'm physically stronger. Of course, I won't be so strong by Friday, but whatayagonnado?

While at the surgeon's, he pulled the drain out of my side. He twisted the tubing and pulled out the drain which had a lip to keep it in, like a plug, and it hurt so bad I yelled, "Owwwch! You bastard!" He said, "What did she say?" And his nurse cracked up and said through giggles, "She called you a bastard!"

Here's my big Pollyanna comment: while it's devastating what people have suffered from Katrina, and what has happened to my family, with the rug yanked out from under them, we took Sunday to cook dinner for all that landed in the surrounding area and had a real Thanksgiving Dinner. Yes, we had turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes, but mostly it was thanks-giving that our family made it out okay.

Is it any wonder where I get the silver lining attitude?

Sharon is Safe

Just checking in to say Sharon got out of New Orleans and is safe and on her way to Natchitoches. I cannot express how happy I am that my family is safe. The only one missing now is Tom. I don't really know if he's missing or just hasn't called anyone because that's the way he is. I can't afford to expend a lot of energy worrying when he may not bother to check in. He was in Hattiesburg, which was flattened and we have no way of knowing if he left or stayed.

Now I'm waiting for Sharon, Brie and Gabe. Everyone has a story and I hope I have the time and opportunity to write about them.

The World has Turned Upside Down

As if dealing with cancer weren't enough, my entire family and friends have to face running from a hurricane and then the prospect of losing all they own. I'm sure everyone knows what is happening in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We were all completely unprepared for what has become a warzone. There are stories to tell and certainly this eclipses my health issues at the moment.

My family did decide to leave the area before the storm and everyone made it out safely, except one. We are still unable to have any communication with my sister, Sharon. She's an x-ray tech at the only open hospital on the West Bank side of the Mississippi river from New Orleans. I've been told that the hospital is locked down and under guard.

I've been too busy with evacuees and trying to get news of unaccounted family and friends to think about blogging. I had a house full of evacuees. Six adults and four children.

Any one who might check here that we haven't made contact with, please email and let us know you are all right. I am wondering about the fate of friends who have scattered to the winds.