IMIQUIMOD 5%

So, after having half my scalp removed on November 4th... then another spot removed Jan. 4th, my doctor decides to have me remove another superficial basal cell carcinoma using IMIQUIMOD cream. Starting on Jan. 11 I'm to treat the area 5 days / week for six weeks. After the first week I had sinusitus (Kathy had a bad cold, so I figured it was from her), but I was also experiencing nausea. Of course Nyquil and Sudafed can do that to you, right? The head cold went away, but my stomach continued to feel sour constantly; plus I had no energy to do much of anything. There were other aches and pains, fever & chills - blah, blah, blah. So, finally I got the paper work out that came with the IMIQUIMOD - well guess what - all of the above are typical side effects. I have 7 more treatment days to go - plus an unknown number of days before the toxins will be flushed from my system. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

So, for all those who have suffered days, weeks, and months of nausea - fever, chills or flu-like symptoms - bleeding, blistering, irritation, sores, swollen lymph glands, trouble urinating or any other allergic reaction - YOU HAVE MY SYMPATHY!

Bangor, Maine or Bust

OK, so I made to to Evanston, Wyoming on my way to Rapid City and then Sioux Fall, South Dakota. That'll be about 1700 miles for two years of walking. And that will be about half way to Bangor, Maine. A total of 3600 miles. So, should I go for it? Sounds pretty ambitious doesn't it. One day at a time.

The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett

Have any of you read this book? Kathy gave it to me for Christmas and I just finished it. Still thinking about what it means to me. Don't think I can remember so much treachery in one book before. Of course the good guys win in the end, but not before tons of death and destruction - yikes.

Coincidence?

So, the other day I'm talking to Jacque.... she tells me about how Raw Honey can help with allergies. I'm thinking Kathy has trouble with allergies, so, I go on a hunt to find raw honey in Fullerton (not an easy job). After several calls I find a guy who has a local bee hive and he, somewhat suspiciously, agrees to bring some to us. Somewhere in all this I'm talking to Nikki.... telling her I've been in a foul mood because of a homeowners insurance inspection that caused me to dispose of lots of wood laying around the house (I was NOT in a holiday spirit). Nikki said maybe we should go to a Holiday Play or something. Then my neighbor (woodworker guy, Don) asked me to take care of his dogs, Murphy & Lucky, for the second time in three weeks.
So, the guy with the honey shows up - he's very nice - gives us some honey - and suggests that we go see his daughter in the The Nutcracker, playing Saturday night at Fullerton College Theater. This is a local ballet school performing in conjunction with Cal State Fullerton's orchestra.
Somewhere in here I decided to put up our Christmas lights, and Kathy has begun to trim our Christmas tree. I'm slowly beginning to feel a little Christmas spirit. Then after taking care of the dogs, Don sneaks into my garage and leaves gift certificates for dinners and movies (notice the purality). So, we had a delicious chinese dinner and then went to see The Nutcracker. The performance was great. Turns out the honey guy's daughter played both Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy - and she was spectacular. Even though she attends Cal State Fullerton, she has been to New York and Boston (to name a few) to study ballet. Now it's Sunday morning and thanks to Jacque and Nikki and a little coincidence - It's Beginning to Feel a Bit Like Christmas - except that, at eleven oclock, it's already 78 degrees.
FYI, I've passed Salt Lake City (somewhere around Summit Park on I80) heading for Rapid City, SD. That's 692.8 miles (but who's counting?)

My Wife Knows Her Place

Last weedend Kathy and I were doing typical stuff, she in the house, me outside. We had discussed dinner and had decided to eat at home. Kathy usually prefers cooking to cleanup, I'm good either way; but the cook don't clean. That said, I came into the house about 6pm hungry and hoping to sense hot food; but nothing. Every once in a while (not often, you'll see why) I like to flex my masculin bravado. So, finding Kathy in the kitchen, I said, in my deepest baratone, "WOMAN, WHERE IS MY DINNER"? She turned with a sweet smile on her face and said, "Are you sure you're in the right house"? It took me several minutes to stop laughing.