Good Times in Florida

After Tom's doctor suggested that he take a break from chemo again, we decided to take advantage of the time and go to Florida to see his sons and their families. It's been more than two years, and we now have three grandbabies to catch up with.

We rented a lovely house on a lake near New Port Richey, and arranged for plane tickets and a rental car. The trip down was tough on Tom, but we expected that and planned for a nice, relaxing two week trip just to allow for fatigue. By the second day, he was raring to go - and every day after that we spent with family.

Tom holding his granddaughters Skyla, age 28 months, and Shaylen, 8 months, with son Shawn and daughter-in-law Shannon and a very damp, overheated me. (Why is it that I'm the only one that doesn't look cool???)

What we didn't do was spend much time outside. Typically, Florida in July and August means the temps are brutal - every day was consistently in the 100 degree heat index range. At night, it only got down to around a very humid 80 degrees - that's really hell for Michiganders like us, who are used to summer nights in the low sixties or even the fifties. Thankfully, the house was air conditioned, and we were comfortable.

Seeing Tom's sons, our daughters-in-laws and our two granddaughters and grandson was heaven. Babies grow so quickly, and our grandkids are now nearly three, 2 1/2 and 8 months. I met two of them for the very first time. Here I am with Skyla, who had stolen her baby sister's pink hat I'd knitted.


I'd taken plenty of knitting along to Florida. Not only did I have charity socks to finish, but I brought along enough yarn to make a baby blanket and a white baby hat with ears. I'd already packed the pink hat I'd made for Shaylen, but also a purple bunny that I'd knit for Skyla.

Guess I went on knit-overload, but it surely made me feel good. During the two weeks, I finished the socks, the baby blanket and the white ears hat. Skyla loves her bunny, but Shaylen isn't quite so sure about the hat with the ears.



Here's Tom with his son Shawn and baby Shaylen.



Tom was exhausted but happy every night. The two weeks went way too fast. We just got back two days ago, and we're both slowly getting back to the routine of life. Very slowly. Two weeks from now we go back to the doctor to evaluate what the next step is. In the meantime, we're making the best of every day we have. Above all, Love prevails.

Taking a break from chemo has been good for Tom. His brain fog has lessened considerably, and he hasn't fallen in several weeks.

Thank you all for your positive thoughts, your prayers, and your support. We've had a difficult road, and you have made it so much better for us. God bless.