Calm before the storm

Actually, the weather was absolutely perfect today, and will be for the foreseeable future. It's interesting how 70 degrees feels like 100 in Seattle! Everyone is out walking, riding bikes, sunning themselves. It's glorious. I'm happy it's sunny because I'm getting nervous about my upcoming surgery. Gloomy weather right now would really put me in a funk.
I'm back from my wonderful San Juan Island wine cruise, and I am still working on the story. So much happened it's hard to get it all down. It was the best short vacation I've ever had. Depression set in almost immediately when I returned to the reality of my apartment and upcoming doctor's appointments.
It's hard to explain, but I felt like I had a family again on the boat. With only 12 crew and 18 passengers, in close quarters, you become pretty good pals. And since I haven't had a job in awhile, the fact that it was a learning and working cruise I felt like I had a purpose. I hate not feeling useful.
So, I'm not a bad-ass sailor - yet - but it sure was cool being a part of it. I won't go into the details here - when the story is done I'll link it to Facebook, but if you're not on Facebook it will be on WaveJourney.com for sure within a week or so.
I did have a wonderful little victory this week. I had an essay published in High Country News, a magazine in Colorado - and they are actually paying me! So, it's my first published, paid, magazine piece. I hesitate to talk about it too much because it's about my perspective as a mother whose son is fighting the firestorm in Colorado. Taylor rarely, if ever, reads my blog, so I am talking about it here - he doesn't like me talking about him, but if he does stumble upon it, I think he'd be pleased. It's at hcn.org under "Writers on the Range," and it's called "A Different Voice on the Phone."
I realized it was there as I was walking back to get my Herceptin treatment Tuesday, and my blood pressure shot up! It was kind of funny. My blood pressure is really good, by the way.
My white blood count is still low, and that's probably why I was so exhausted when I got back from the cruise. Well, that and the cook rang the breakfast bell at 7 a.m. and we were at it all day, either sailing or going onshore to taste wine, then drinking wine and eating into the night. Tough gig, right?! I even jammed on uke with two of the crew who brought their ukes! They were brothers, both in their 20s, seasoned sailors, little darlings.
So next week I see my original breast surgeon for a check up, then I have my pre-op with Dr. Isik the 11th. The first procedure, the delay, is July 16. My dear Jim, my friend forever in Tacoma, is going to take me to that appointment and bring me home, because they will knock me out. I don't have to stay in the hospital for that one. Then on the 21st, Laurie arrives for the first "nurse" shift. I've made a reservation for brunch at the Book Bindery (one of my faves) for Sunday, to show her my appreciation, and eat a nice meal in case I don't wake up from the big one on the 23rd!
I am exercising, cleaning, organizing, writing - just trying to accomplish as much as I can before I have to lay low. I did not gain any weight on the boat, because we were pretty active when we weren't eating or drinking! I dread being down for the count, but I look forward to the result and getting back to normal. Normal with scars. My friend Sarah says they will be scars I should be proud of. That's a tough one to grasp right now.