In the Gloaming

We return from the first 3-day stint of radiation plus chemo as the light leaves the sky on Thanksgiving Eve. We are tired and glad to be getting back home. So far, John is tolerating the treatments well - just tired, plus some hair loss. The big day was Monday, started with the first radiation treatment at 8 am, then to see oncologist, 6 hrs of chemo, then another visit to radiation. He said he can't feel the radiation actually occurring - called it voodoo medicine! The radiation oncologist - yep, a different Dr that specializes in just the radiation - wants John on a twice-a-day schedule because he's so young and strong! Yeah! We've been running into a Newberry farmer getting zapped at the same time in the afternoon - he's driving over every day for two weeks. John's also met a fellow he likes in chemo, another vet named Dean.

They've had snow while we were gone...this time it might stick for the season.

Opening Day

Our last trip was Monday, Nov 15th. As one might expect, we saw scores of vehicles pulled over along the stretch. The drivers parked before dawn, out in the bush looking for that big swamp buck.


Then we had to grab a quick shot of this crazy contraption in Munising. 








John had 4 appts that day, starting with being tattooed for radiation. He said something witty about cross-hairs being put on his chest the same day so many people were hoping to see deer in their cross-hairs. We were leaving town by about 3 in the afternoon. 

Back home - a welcoming scene...putting up the best little town Christmas lights anywhere!

John's 63rd Birthday

Today is John's Birthday. It's also the Birthday of the US Marines - in 1775!. On our travels, we went to Tun Tavern and picked up this shirt. He wears it once a year! 




Happy Birthday John and may you have many, many more.

Quick Trip

On Monday we met with the oncologist. Blood work looks good. Will go back next Monday - have a full day scheduled, four different appointments. Then home until the following Sunday night, when we'll start the three weeks of radiation in Marquette.

Daylight saving ended this weekend, so although we left early, it was in growing light and lifting fog. We are having a mild stretch of weather, very nice for November.

And so we begin...

Hi.
Simply, I am the wife of a man who is newly diagnosed with lung cancer. We live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For treatments and some doctor's visits, we will travel to Marquette, 100 miles to the west. The drive is beautiful - rugged and wild. Some of the way you have an awesome view of my favorite water body, Lake Superior. Some of the way, you travel through the interior of the peninsula, on Michigan State Highway 28, or M-28. There is a 25 mile portion that is ABSOLUTELY straight and flat, namely the Seney Stretch. The Stretch is widely known and variously beloved and bemoaned. It can be experienced as boring, or a fun place to let the car's engine wind up to top speeds! Many a Yooper (person who is from the UP - for those uninitiated) has fought drowsiness on the stretch. Most have inched down it through mind-numbing blizzards, lost in the headlights and flakes.

The reason the Seney Stretch can be flat and straight is that it transects a huge swamp. Some think it all looks the same...it doesn't, really, if you look. I have a favorite scenic vista near the Fox River crossing. Today is the first day I pulled over and took a photo. I intend to photograph the same view on each of our crossings. We'll watch the seasons change this view and we'll write about our trips, observe the stretch and the Fox. I expect there will be many shared scenarios with the changing, with John's journey, with our perspectives and lives. Come on along for the ride.