DAY 73°. Mostly clouded this morning then becoming partly cloudy. Much cooler with highs around 70°. North winds 15 to 20 mph.

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Time Change “Spring Forward”

LOOKING at the empty parking lot this morning I thought “Did we get the wrong day to move our clocks forward?”

THEN when Ella’s key failed to unlock the door we wondered if the automatic unlock would open at eight or, if it hasn’t reset for the time change, would we have to wait for nine o’clock?  Fortunately, it automatically unlocked at eight.

ELLA is tasked with making the coffees and setting up the coffee bar nearly every Sunday. Frankly if it hadn’t been for her obligation I would have stayed home today. Diarrhea and lack of sleep have me worn down.

I WAS needed to teach/lead the FROG adult Sunday school class today. I would have abdicated that responsibility today for the opportunity to stay home and sleep. As it was I dismissed class early because I needed to run to the bathroom.

WHEN I found Ella she asked if I wanted to go home. Someone else was going to handle the coffee bar and clean up and put away after church. After another trip to the bathroom I was ready to go home.

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ONCE home (and another trip to the bathroom) I nuked a couple of frozen pot pies; beef for me and chicken for Ella.

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AFTER eating I lay down to watch today’s worship service on Cross Tracks Church’s Facebook page. I was asleep before the first music. An hour or so later I woke and watched the rest of the service.

I SLEPT off and on between more trips to the bathroom. That was my afternoon and evening.

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THE LIFE church from across the toll road provided an evening meal and live entertainment and message tonight. Ella went while I stayed home. I’m not eating again until after tomorrow’s radiation treatment.

NIGHT 47°. Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Cooler with Lows in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Y’all have a goodnight and God bless you

©2023 Thomas E Williams

IT was a rough night running to the bathroom off and on. Last time was about three thirty this mornings.

BREAKFAST of bacon, eggs, and toast.

DAY 82°. Mostly cloudy this morning then clearing. Areas of fog this morning. Not as cool with highs in the upper 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

TWO of the women have birthdays tomorrow so there was cake today at the morning coffee. Unfortunately, Thursday afternoon’s laxative was still working so I had to go home.

ELLA had a prescription to pick up. I had a document that I needed to fax. (More on that later) so off we went.

THERE was one car three when we arrived. They were in the left lane. We went to the front of the right lane. By the time we got our meds, there were four or five cars in the left lane and the behind us. 16 minutes can seem to go on forever when I’m waiting in line.

THE UPS store is only a three minute drive from Walgreens. With my cover sheet and page to be faxed. I waited in line for a few minutes. It seemed to take the fax forever to send and print the receipt. I was very antsy because I could feel another bowel movement coming on. UPS has no public restrooms.

THERE was a Lamb’s Tires in the same parking lot. I walked in the door and said, “It’s an emergency. Where’s your bathroom? ” The guy at the counter nodded toward it. I thanked him and rushed inside. I made it in time.

IT was now lunch time. We drove through Golden Chick and ordered their “All The Shrimp” deal. Twenty shrimp for $13.99. We took the shrimp home, opened a can of Pork And Beans and a bag of corn chips. Chopped some celery from the stalk and lunch was ready

NIGHT 59°, mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

I spent the afternoon and evening running every ½ hour to hour to the pot

I pray I get better sleep tonight.

©2023 Thomas E Williams

DAY 19 OF RADIATION THERAPY

THIS mornings drive for treatment took 52 minutes to go 23 miles. Is my math right? Does that work out to about 23 miles an hour?

DAY 79°. Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

ELLA had breakfast 99% done when I walked in the door. I had requested breakfast food for lunch ’cause I don’t eat breakfast Monday through Friday so that there will be nothing in my large intestine to interfere with the targeted radiation treatment. I like breakfast. I like sausage, eggs, and toast. She also had grapefruit and hash browns. Yum.

NIGHT 70°. Mostly clear in the evening then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20%.

Later – Unfortunately the effects of yesterday’s laxative were still active until about eight tonight. Therefore, I didn’t do much of anything all-day but play games, write, read, and watch TV. Nothing that too me fast from the porcelains throne.

©2023 Thomas E Williams

THERE were about a dozen at coffee this morning while we were there. And I’m told that more came and some left and coffee just kept rolling along.

STAYING off the freeway for most of our drive into Austin today. The frontage roads were a lot less busy.

BLUE BONNETS along the highway. This photo doesn’t do them justice.

DAY 78°. Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwinds 10 to 15 mph.

ELLA accompanied me again today. She does this every Thursday because that is the day I actually see the doctor for an update. His report was excellent. I’m right on track.

DAY 18 of radiation. Waiting in the patients waiting area. So far so good.

IT was an altogether nice day. At 81° it was a little too warm but not bad. I see that rain is still in the forecast. However, when I looked at the satellite images, I think it’ll pass us by to the north of Leander.

NIGHT 56°. Cloudy with a Chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers in the evening then showers likely after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lowe’s in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph becoming Northeast after midnight. Chance of rain 70%.

I STARTED calling bingo tonight but the laxative decided that I should be nearer to the bathroom. I had found, and was using, an app on my phone to call out the numbers. I loaded it onto Ella’s phone for her to take over calling when I left.

NIGHTY nite don’t let the bed bugs bite.

THE LORD bless and keep you.

© 2023 Thomas E Williams

WE arrived at Hill Country Community Ministries Food Pantry at about 9:30 this morning. No one was ahead of us. We were able to get right in. We picked up our month’s worth of groceries and had time to bring them home and put them away before going to my treatment. Usually I do photographic records of all the food that we received. Today, however, I forgot. Plus, I didn’t want to take the time. I just started putting stuff away. Especially the frozen and refrigerated items.

Day 72°. Patchy fog this morning. Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

DAY 17
11:52 to 12:25
ELLA went with me today just to be with me.

WE stopped at IHOP for breakfast/lunch. She had French toast with fruit and I had the sample platter. The sampler had two of everything; eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and pancakes plus a single square of hash browns. This thing of only eating once a day is okay until I sit down to eat, them I go into eating frenzy mode.

MY eating schedule looks like this:  Friday I will add a supper along with lunch. Saturday I will eat all three meals. Sunday I eat breakfast and lunch. Following this schedule and the daily doctor ordered laxative keeps the bowels clear for the radiation treatment.

ONCE I’ve finished with radiation treatments I’ll gladly stop the laxative. I’ll also resume three meals a day for at least three or four days a week. But I will also continue with intermittent fasting. I think it is a good thing to purposely deny myself food at times.

Night 61°. Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.

OUR afternoon was too boring to report. Goodnight and God bless

©2023 Thomas E Williams

BELOW 270 pounds! Okay, look I know it is only by a half pound but that still counts, right? Next goal is below 260.

I DON’T know why the sign is reversed in this photo. I’ve taken multitudes of selfies and never had them reversed. Whas’upwithdat?

Day 75°. Patsy fog this morning. Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of drizzle this morning then partly cloudy this afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwinds 5 to 10 miles per hour.

I DID a lot of driving today. From home to HCCM where I scheduled our food pick up for this month then to Murphy USA to fill up with gasoline. Then to The Austin Center For Radiation Oncology for treatment.  I then drove home and picked up Ella. There was some lack of communication between us, I thought she was going to have some sandwiches or something ready so I could eat. Having not eaten since 4:00 pm the previous afternoon. However she had only brought some fruit bars, which I didn’t consider to be sufficient of a meal for a hungry man. We dropped off the food, collected at Cross Tracks Church last Sunday, at Operation Liberty Hill. We then proceeded to McDonald’s in Liberty Hill so that I could get a sandwich, fries, and ice tea. From there we drove to Jerrall Texas to unload the aluminum cans, that we had also picked up last Sunday at church.

WE exchanged 32 lb of aluminum cans for $12.80. (This goes into the Grandies account to support our various ministries) From Wilco metal recycling in Jarrell Texas we headed toward home. Along the way our car pulled into Dairy Queen. Today was our car’s first anniversary of living with us, so I let this minor infraction go. Truth be told, all of our vehicles have had this propensity for pulling into DQ. Ella got a small hot fudge Sundae and I got a small chocolate shake. We had coupons for these items so it was only $5 + tax. From there it was smooth driving all the way home.

Night 64°. Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lowe’s in the lower 60s. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

I TOLD Ella that I enjoyed going for a drive with my best girl. Ahh! 😊 I should have left it there – I didn’t. I said you aren’t just my best girl, you’re my only girl. Ahh! ☺️ I should have left it there – I didn’t. I pointed out that of a subset of one, she was number one. To which she pointed out that she was also the last. Uh-oh! 😨

AT five o’clock Ella went to the community room to play Mexican Train dominoes. My daily dose of laxative had begun doing its job so I did not go to play.

©2023 Thomas E Williams

RADIATION DAY 15

I ARRIVED at 11:57 good traffic day. Only 33 minute drive to get here. Traffic not as forgiving on the way home – 43 minutes.

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DAY 76°. Cloudy this morning then becoming partly cloudy. Areas of fog this morning. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwinds 5 to 10 miles per hour.

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THIS is a little over $75 of groceries delivered to our door this morning. It could easily fit in one shopping bag and carried in one hand. It is hard for me to understand why food is so expensive now. “Blame it on Covid!” “Blame it on the broken supply chain!” “Blame it on the way in the Ukraine!” “Blame it on the Congress!” “Nobody wants to work!” I hear lots of “reasons” but I still don’t understand. Do you?

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TODAY’S discussion was about the
letter from the new manager that was placed at our doors.

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NIGHT 58°. Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lowe’s in the mid-60s. Southwinds 5 to 10 mph.

NOTHING worth reporting happened this afternoon

Goodnight and God bless

©2023 Thomas E Williams

Scripture: John 13:1-17
His Final Lesson
Pastor Michele

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Day 73°. Partly cloudy this morning then clearing. Patchy fog this morning. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

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AFTER Sunday school, worship, and donation collection my bride and I went to Golden Chick for lunch. As we were walking up to the building I noticed the sign saying they have shrimp. I made up my mind that I was having shrimp. Once inside and looking at the menu board, hot wings. Now I was conflicted, shrimp or hot wings? So I ordered 6 shrimp and 6 hot wings. Both were very good. Ella ordered the two piece dark meat and okra. However, she forgot to say broasted so it came fried. Which she ate along with one of my shrimp.

Night 53°. Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lowe’s in the upper 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

GOODNIGHT and GOD BLESS

©2023 Thomas E Williams

TODAY’S weight 273.0. one of the possible side effects of the medication I’m taking to shrink my prostate is weight gain. I’m glad to report that I’m actually losing weight.

DAY 75°. Sunny. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 10mph.

ELLA was still sleeping when I got up and I saw no reason for her not to continue sleeping. I had her coffee perked as well as bacon and toast ready for her. I didn’t fry an egg for her when I cooked mine. At nine this morning I went up for coffee with the usual group and she still slept. That’s something I had to explain to everyone who asked, “Where’s Ella?” She worked hard yesterday and was in pain when she went to bed. Sleep sounds like a good cure.

CABBAGE roll casserole (with no rolling) made with cabbage, pork, rice, diced tomatoes, and topped with cheddar. The recipe from which I took inspiration had it baked for the better part of an hour. I used precooked rice and precooked pork and used the “bake” setting on our large Instapot for about 15 minutes. By the way purple cabbage makes for pretty pink rice. It turned out tasty.

WE played many games of Fast Track today.

NIGHT 51°. Clear. Lowe’s in the lower 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

God bless and goodnight

©2023 Thomas E Williams

TODAY’S session at the morning coffee group was about coffee. Yes coffee. Yesterday the new manager refused to provide afternoon coffee for the group. You might as well kick a wasp nest. Coffee is a sacred right of old people (apparently). Some are talking about calling corporate about this. Others are saying to give the new manager a chance. I’m staying neutral – I don’t drink coffee.

Day 66°. Sunny. High as in the lower 70s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

I LEFT home at 11:19 and arrived at the doctor’s at 12:02 which was just in time for my 12:10 appointment. Tough, it was more like 12:30 when I got under the big machine that is killing those cancer cells. Along with the radiation they also take x-rays. Today the x-ray needed to be retaken. That means I was a little longer in the embrace of the machine.

IT was a little after one when I arrived at my son Arik’s home. He had invited to take me to lunch. We went to a sandwich shop called “Stuffed”. It served really good Cajun food. Still lived in New Orleans for years and he said these are authentic Cajun recipes. He had an oyster po’boy and some gumbo. I had a catfish po’boy and three large fried shrimp.

BEFORE going home I picked up another prescription of Ella’s at Walgreens.

WHEN I got home I found Ella sweeping and vacuuming. She had also been sorting through boxes and rearranging – organizing.

WE played some Fast Track and then I took a nap.

FOR supper I sliced a cucumber and ate it in a sandwich with buttered bread and a little salt. Ella used a picked egg to make an egg salad sandwich and some yogurt.

Night 46°. Clear. Lowe’s in the upper 40s. East winds around 5 mph becoming South after midnight.

Goodnight and God bless.

©2023 Thomas E Williams