Riviera Dunes Marina, Palmetto, Florida

July 27, 2015 – July 31, 2015 – We continued to have a lot of rain through the end of July. I planted some seeds on Thursday including: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, chives, and marjoram. We set them out on the top deck of the boat in planters that we bought on Tuesday. Our grandbaby, Emma, has been sick, so we went to the house of Thursday afternoon and Friday morning to watch her while JP went running and ran some errands. We stayed and had supper with them on Thursday. While I stayed with Emma on Friday morning, Rick went in search of a new flag pole for the boat. The one we have now is on the lower level of the back of the boat and the flag that we have is so large that the wind whipping it around has started to wear the name of the boat off of the back! He was unsuccessful in his search on Friday, but will continue to look.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 – When I retired in 2009, Rick was still working and I developed the habit of staying in bed until 9 or 10 in the morning. He has allowed me to continue this practice whenever possible. Since we’ve been in the marina, he has started taking a morning walk while I’m still in bed. This morning, he took his walk and went to the grocery store before I got up. It rained off and on all day.

Sunday, August 2, 2015 – When Rick went looking for a dock hand to help us move the boat to the new slip, he found the office locked up. It was raining again today, so we decided that we would move to the new slip tomorrow. We received a call from Bill and Ruth around noon asking if we wanted to meet them at Pier 22 for brunch. You can learn more about the Pier 22 restaurant (pictured below) at their website http://www.pier22dining.com/

We shared a good omelet and a couple of drinks before returning back to the boat and napping the rest of the afternoon.

Monday, August 3, 2015 – We were awakened by thunder and lightning at 5:45 that lasted a solid 45 minutes. The rain continued all morning. The dock master “Doc” told us that we didn’t need to worry about moving the boat until the weather broke. The news this morning said that the low that has been hanging off of our coastline is now moving northward and that we should have sunshine tomorrow. The news also reported that over 4 inches of rain fell north of Tampa Bay before the day was done. Today is the birthday of two of our friends, Bill Baker and Deborah Ross.

We went with a group of about 20 people to the Top Golf facility in the Tampa area tonight to celebrate. The party included 3 hours of hitting golf balls (with microchips in them) at or into targets from the third level of the facility. It also included a scrumptious buffet. We all had a very good time. You can learn more about Top Golf at http://www.topgolf.com/us/tampa//

Rick had just hit a ball in the picture above. I’m not sure which of the 10 targets he was aiming for. We played two games this evening in a five-some. Rick got the best score in both games even though he hasn’t touched a golf club since 2011.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015 – Monday, August 10, 2015

On Tuesday, we moved the boat to slip S18 and then packed up and drove over to visit Rick’s mother and brother in Ormond Beach.  We returned to the marina on Thursday afternoon.

Riviera Dunes Marina has a social get together on the First and Third Friday’s of the month.

 We had a lovely time and met a lot of people.  The gathering reminded me of the many pot-luck dinners that we participated in while at Compass Cay.  Rick wore his Compass Cay hat and we were pleasantly surprised to talk to a number of people who have been there. 

On Saturday, August 8, 2015, we sent birthday wishes to our nephew, Michael, in the Daytona Beach area.  He will be a senior in high school this year.

After church on Sunday, we met Bill and Ruth at Pier 22 for Sunday brunch.  They had also invited Michael and Christy and the six of us all enjoyed our breakfast.  I had Belgian waffles – delish!  Then we went across the river to the Reef and Grille’s tiki bar and spent another hour reminiscing about all the fun that we have had together over the years.  Not long after returning to the boat, Rick got a call from Captain Barry of Sea Clef.  He told us that they had brought the boat back down to Newport from Maine and that he had driven the owner’s back to Boston and was now returning to Newport.  Barry and Rick had a nice long conversation.  It was good to hear from him.  He also told us that Janine was well and we were glad to hear that.

On Monday, Rick had appointments at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.  The clinical trial coordinator said that the trial he had been trying to get in to had changed as of today.  The new requirements include a shot the day before receiving the “trial” vaccine.  She said that no one could be accepted into this “new” trial until after the Moffitt board approved it, which will be about two weeks.  We were still to come to see the doctor; get another CT scan and have more fluid removed from his lung.  On our way home, we stopped by the house for a short visit with JP and Emma.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 – Monday, August 17, 2015

On Tuesday, we spent the morning with Emma then ran some errands in the afternoon.   We got a surprise from our friends Michael and Christy.  When we had brunch (and more) with them last Sunday, Rick talked about a trip we took to the Northwest and how every time he tried to order Dungeness crab, the restaurant was out – so he never got to try Dungeness crab.  Unbeknownst to us, they talked to the chef at Pier 22 later that afternoon and he arranged to fly in 50 pounds of Dungeness crab.  So, Christy and Michael invited us and the Bakers to join them at Pier 22 for a crab dinner.  She said that she thought it would be Thursday evening, but would have to wait for the chef to call her to let her know that he had received it. 

On Wednesday, we received some confusing information from the doctor that Rick has been seeing at Moffitt regarding the CT scan that was done late Monday afternoon.  Dr. Tan said, “The CT scan report showed that the mesothelioma is measured smaller than it was. So we cannot offer you the clinical trial at the moment.  I think a lot of your symptoms come from the recurrent fluid.  … So, I recommend you see Dr. Robinson, our thoracic surgeon.  He may be able to do a procedure to stop the fluid from coming back, without a tube hanging out, so you can swim (I hope).”

Rick replied to this message with a number of questions.  To which Dr. Tan replied, “I understand this is very confusing to you. What we see from CT scan is not necessarily what is going on. I will put in a request for Dr. Robinson to help evaluate you. He has over 25 years of experience with this disease. He will be able to explain to you all questions and I will see you back soon as well.”  Dr. Robinson’s office called later that day and scheduled an appointment for Rick to come in for an evaluation next Wednesday.

Wednesday evening, we had supper in downtown Bradenton at O’Bricks http://obricks.com/main.html with Nate and Mike Mudd from St. Louis who were in town for the evening.
Symptoms of COPD can be very distressing and the known symptoms of the disease include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and production of a high http://raindogscine.com/anina-en-los-cines/ purchase cialis online ORAC value, which is required to prevent oxidation and preserve cells so as to avert the symptoms of erectile dysfunction and benefit your overall mental health.

We sent birthday wishes to my sister-in-law, Mary, on August 13^th.  She and my brother, Bill, have recently moved to the Denver area.  At 6:00, we joined Christy and Michael, Bill and Ruth at the Pier 22 Restaurant in Bradenton for our Dungeness crab feast. 

We thank Michael and Christy for being so generous and so thoughtful to fulfill this thwarted wish of Rick’s after so many years!  A very good time was had by all.  Thanks to Chef Greg as well.

On Friday, we met Ken and Jackie for supper at the Long Horn Steak House in Bradenton and ran into old friends Jerry and Kathy Rupert as we were leaving.  That is the kind of thing that makes us glad to be back in the area where we lived for 30 years.

Several things happened on Saturday: 

• We moved the boat from the marina to the wall at the Bradenton Yacht Club to attend a wine tasting in the evening.
• I received a call from a close friend of my father’s saying that he had gotten food poisoning earlier this week and was doing better but still pretty weak.  She was making sure he ate well to regain his strength.  I told her that I would call tomorrow. I called my brother, Rick, to fill him in on what was happening.
• Less than half an hour before the wine tasting was to start, we got a call telling us that the yacht club had been hit by lightning which ran down a tree into the ground and burst a water main.  By law, without potable water, they had to shut the club down.  Fortuitously, about 15 minutes later our friends Bill and Ruth called and asked if we wanted to go out to dinner with them.  We joined them for a delicious dinner at Carmines.

On Sunday morning, Dad’s friend called to say that she found him lying on the floor unable to get up.  I told her to call 911 and that we were on our way.  I talked to my brother who said that he was coming too.   On Monday, the hospital staff told us that Dad had a urinary tract infection.  Later they told us that he also had an acute gall bladder infection.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 – Monday, August 24, 2015

On Tuesday, Rick and I had to leave to return to Palmetto.   My brother stayed with Dad in the afternoon.

We went to Moffitt for a consultation with a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Robinson on Wednesday morning.  He told us that another surgery on Rick’s lung would do no good.  He said that Rick’s lung is not expanding when they remove the fluid; instead the cavity between the lung and chest wall is filling with air.  He talked with Dr. Tan about his findings and then told us that Dr. Tan wanted to see Rick on Friday morning to discuss starting treatment.  We returned to Ocala and my brother told us that they are no longer considering gall bladder surgery and they have now determined that Dad’s urinary tract infection has moved into his bloodstream.  They are doing additional cultures to narrow down the exact “bug” in his system.  My brother left shortly after we arrived.  He said that he had had car trouble and came in a different vehicle, leaving his wife at home without a working vehicle.  He was going to try to get his vehicle fixed before returning.  Later, another health care professional came in to talk with us.  She said that Dad’s infection will have to be treated with an antibiotic through an IV for 14 days.  She explained that they would not keep him in the hospital for this treatment.  So, we have determined that it would be best for him to go to a rehab center during this time.  This will also give him a chance to get stronger. 

Thursday afternoon, the doctor told us that Dad had a very serious infection in his blood – a strain of E. coli.  We left the hospital about 6 pm driving back to Palmetto for a morning appointment at Moffitt tomorrow.  My brother will sit with Dad tomorrow.

On Friday, August 21, 2015, Dr. Tan recommended that Rick start chemotherapy today.  After getting 4 prescriptions filled; we drove across Tampa to the Moffitt Cancer Center near the International Mall for his first chemotherapy infusion.  After the treatment, Rick drove us to JP’s house where we enjoyed visiting with the family and stayed for supper. 

We drove to Ocala on Saturday, to my Dad’s home in the forest.  I left Rick there and got in to the Rehab Center just after noon.  My brother, Rick, was there sitting with him and told us about his transfer last night from the hospital to this private room in the rehab center about 8:00 p.m.  Not long after I arrived, my brother Bill, came in.  He and his wife, Mary, flew in to Tampa last night for her mother’s birthday today.  He visited a while and then both of them left to go back to their respective towns leaving me to sit with Dad.  My brother, Rick, went back to his home south of Sanford, in Geneva.  And, my brother Bill, returned to Tampa to join his wife’s family in celebrating their mother’s 80^th birthday.

I left Dad after he had his lunch on Sunday and, while I was driving out to the cabin to pick Rick up, I received a call from his Aunt Tillie and Uncle Jimmy.  They were in Bradenton, visiting a few of the local marinas to see if they found one that they might want to live in after they retire.  I told them that we were on our way back and if they could “hang out” for a few hours, we would love to see them.  We were very happy to be able to have a short visit with them after returned to our marina.  Unfortunately, they would not be able to live here because they couldn’t get their sailboat under the bridge just before the entrance to Riviera Dunes Marina.  We ate supper at the Blu Mangrove here at the marina and went to bed early.

We decided that Rick should stay and get some things done on the boat on Monday while I drove back to Ocala.  My brother, Rick, was also coming to Ocala, so both of us would be spending the night.   Dad was visited by long-time friends, Nick and Linda Krupa before I arrived.  Before my brother arrived, I asked Dad if he wanted to have one of us there every day while he was in the rehab center and he answered, “Definitely”.  So, my brother said that he would stay with Dad Tuesday afternoon while I returned to Palmetto to pick up my husband and returned on Wednesday.  Dad received a call from a motorcycle racing buddy, Paul MacDonald, just before he went to both occupational and physical therapy. 

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 – Monday, August 31, 2015

I visited with Dad Tuesday morning, along with my brother, and then drove home.  I returned to Ocala with Rick on Wednesday.  After dropping him off at the cabin, I went in to the rehab center in the early afternoon.  I went in early on Thursday and left after he had his breakfast and IV medicine when they took him to physical therapy about 9 a.m.  Then, Rick and I drove to Ormond Beach (about an hour’s drive to the east) to see his mother and brother.  It rained while we were there but had stopped by the time we left.  On Friday, I got to the rehab center mid-morning.  I was told that his last day to receive antibiotic will be Tuesday, September 1.  They have to wait 3 days before testing his blood to see if the infection is gone.  That would be Wednesday through Friday, September 2, 3 & 4.  They might take the blood sample on Saturday or Sunday, September 5 or 6 and then it would take a couple of days to get the results back, Monday or Tuesday, September 7 or 8.  Medicare pays all expenses for the first 20 days.  That date would be September 10 (Thursday).  They said that he should be released no later than that date.  Saturday was the first opportunity Dad had to have a shower.  I won’t go into details, but, believe me, it was a process!  I left in the early afternoon, went back to the cabin to pick Rick up and we drove back to Palmetto.  The first thing Rick did was add lines to the boat to prepare for Tropical Storm Erika which might be in our area on Monday or Tuesday.  We met Ken and Jackie at the Longhorn Steakhouse for supper.  On Sunday, after church, we called Bill and Ruth to see if they were going to Pier 22 for brunch.  Ruth said that they had taken their boat to St. Petersburg and were on their way back to Palmetto.  They said that they would call when they got back into town.  We agreed to meet at Pier 22 about 2 p.m.  When Rick and I arrived, we found the place closed for remodeling.  We called Bill and Ruth and it was decided that we would go to a place in Palmetto called Jaxx Playbook near the Walmart in Palmetto ( www.jaxxplaybook.com )  We had a nice lunch and played several games of pool.  Rick called Safelight on Monday morning requesting that we get our windshield replaced because the fix that was done last week is not holding up.  That was scheduled between noon and 5 at JP’s house on Wednesday afternoon.  I called my brother and told him that we wouldn’t be able to get back to Ocala until Thursday morning.  He said that they told him that today was Dad’s last day on the IV antibiotic.  We talked to JP.  He told us that Emma had her two-year checkup today.  She now weighs 22 lbs and is 31 inches tall.  That’s a long way from her birth weight of 3 lbs and length of 11 inches.  We had pizza for supper with the family because that is one of Emma’s favorites.  She got lots of toys and loved each and every one.  Since it is not safe to put a picture of either of my granddaughters on the website, I’ll just include a picture of the birthday cake and some of her presents.  She had “Doc McStuffins” decorations and a #2 cake.