...Chemo infusion #6! (after a wonderful excursion south)

Weeks busily went by since the last post. There's really fun stuff to share as I've recently returned from a road trip to Chincoteague Island, VA (CIVA) with an afternoon/overnight in DC/Silver Spring on the way back!
From the time Ed told me about Assateague Island, where the wild ponies live on the Atlantic's edge, I looked forward to a time we would enjoy it together. Internet research helped a lodging plan come together about a week in advance. We drove south Wednesday morning and after several toll roads through PA, the juxtaposition of the final rural roads that led to CIVA stands out. We arrived at Snug Harbor and the proprietor had steel drum & marimba music piping...it was a positive, welcoming greeting! After discussing the possibilities of renting a double kayak (the first time the wind seemed calm) and where to paddle, also where to eat, we headed into our cool, pine-walled, one bedroom cabin. It was welcoming and cozy, as is the best way to describe a double bed. The setting, calm atmosphere, and the easy vibe between us is memorable. Our dinner and first evening at Snug Harbor were great.
Thursday, I was awake earlier than Ed and got breakfast going. It seemed calm and was sunny. A nutritious, substantial breakfast would be requisite of a paddle in the bay...and after we ate and packed up beverages & lunch & snacks, a double Old Town kayak was under our butts and we were underway in Chincotegue Bay. Basia, a proprietor, upon spotting a herd of ponies in the distance revised initial paddle plan for us and with very marginal experience, but good collaborative skills, we weaved away toward the big red barn building far in the distance. We got better as we made progress, but fought a bit of a wind initially. We were proud of our first goal met: arrival on the private beach section adjacent a herd of wild horses and ponies and foals! We drank, ate, and observed. There were quite a few motorized vessels going out to the ocean, a couple in two kayaks, the shoreline, waterfowl and the horses to marvel at...and we did. A foal ran back and forth and started a little ruckus across a small channel...an egret next to a marsh behind us seemed to gaze in the water; we took it all in peacefully. When we paddled away, we went up the little channel and hung next to the ponies while they stood in the water in a herd. It was fabulous! The entire day was...and the paddle ended up encompassing 4.5 hours and between five to six miles. We became quite a good team at some point in time after the stop on the beach. It was sunny, relatively calm, and warm toward hot. We arrived back to shore tired, thirsty, sunburned and accomplished! After showering, resting under a tiki hut and enjoying some beverages, we made it out to eat a barbecue outdoor meal that was recommended and then drove out to Assateague Island and saw the Atlantic. A shoreline park back on CIVA was where we stopped to take in a gorgeous sunset. Indeed, we had a stellar day.
On Friday, we slowed our pace after such a rigorous day and after packing the car and checking out of lodging-stop-one, we explored CIVA more, including walking throughout the historical island museum, eating organic salads and sandwiches, then crossing the bridge and spending the remainder of the day exploring Assateague Island. We chose a recommended trail that made us the choice target to itty, bitty biting bugs. Suffered, especially my head. After visiting the Nation Park interpretive center, we spent the rest of the day relaxing, shell collecting and wandering into the Atlantic. I love the Oceanside and Ed! After checking into our room in a comfortable bay shore motel, we ate a fantastic dinner at a nice place and thus had another grand day and night during which memories were created along the way.
Saturday morning we awoke to rain, ate comp. breakfast provided by motel and decided to go to the NASA museum just over the causeway. We had a good time taking it all in for hours. What a well put together museum, particularly given it was feeless. We shopped together back on CIVA. Upon return to our room and showering the sand and funk of the day away, we took our trolley tokens we had gained days before and rode to eat a diner-style meal, only to re-board the trolley car to our next stop: Island Creamery, for ice cream! T'was super yummy! Next we caught the trolley for a last ride back to the motel.
Breakfast at motel, packing up room and driving off toward Silver Spring, we're how the remainder of this leg of the journey ended on Sunday. It took a long while to negotiate accidents and road work, but we made it to the Greek music concert at Lincoln Hall, nearby the Capitol, in time to see all of Karpouzi's performances. Len is an integral piece to the three piece band, as is Margaret, who I met years ago. Each set covered a different area of Greece. It was mind expanding music, with enough similarity to the Italian music I grew accustomed to, but know little of, to remind me of my maternal grandfather playing his wooden "whistle" and stomping his foot. Cool, as was driving with Lisa navigating us to her house. Lisa, her dad and stepmom, who I finally met!, and Len, began scurrying around dealing with dinner preps. Clearly they put a lot of loving energy into getting so much ready to heat up or cook on the grill. The Greek dinner was a feast that all enjoyed. I spent a little time talking w Lisa, and soon thereafter, headed upstairs to bed. Despite tiredness, it was difficult to sleep.
Monday morning was the last of the trip... Sadly missed saying goodbye to Len or Lacey who had already headed off to work. With Ed's daughter and son-in-law pending arrival to his place, he had a goal of getting home late afternoon. More strange traffic snarls made such a goal impossible, but it was what it was, a pretty drive and home to myriad chores by 7:30 pm.
Chores are always tedious when home from days away: mail of my own and mother's to sort and address, garage newspaper topped with dog poo and pee, to be cleaned up, vacuuming, meal, laundry to do, suitcases and stuff to reintegrate...and I kept at it til too exhausted. I soaked in bathtub, came out more relaxed! Got laundry going and was asleep before midnight.
Yesterday was spent further accomplishing...laundry, limited phone calls, eating, shopping for foods, meeting up with Ed and his family briefly, then home to complete laundry, prep for chemo, etc.
And here I am. Infusing away. This is it!! Unlike others I know, I had the oomph to complete entire course of treatment. And I am admittedly tired, often. The high humid heat is difficult for me. But I'm doing! I wish I was better, but am glad to be no worse. Logistics are not fully made, but I'm working on it from here, best I can. Tomorrow Vit C is at 10:30... Need a ride from my house to here & will bring car home w me at that time. I'm realizing that I should not try to drive myself home today.
I am not worrying now at the homestretch. Body is worn down, but all things considered, it could have been much worse. I'll work on nutrition and exercise to mend...and will be gleeful! Now...back to sleep, induced by Ativan.