Okay then

 Yes I have another skin cancer (malignant melanoma), but just the one spot on my shoulder and the margins were clear with the hunk that the dermatologist took out.  My mole is just a mole and the pearl removed from my chin is nothing to worry about.  Good thing that I see my dermatologist every three or four months so that the little spots don't become huge surgeries like last September when she removed a spot from my cheek.  That was no fun.  Yes the biologic Rheumatoid Arthritis meds can cause your already haywire immune system to go wonky....and skin cancer is the result.   FYI I take no biologic meds for RA anymore.  I take Tylenol (six a day) and THC gummies which are legal in Minnesota.   The joint damage won't be stopped but at my age does it really matter...the biologics did not stop my pain...they just gave me skin cancer as stated in the adverse reactions.  

In other happenings.  I am making progress in Spring Cleaning.  I have 15 out of 17 kitchen drawers done and a few of the other cupboards.  I should finish up next week ...maybe.   I have been listing and selling a few things on facebook marketplace.  In the evenings I am working on a notebook of family history. I have added what I can to Find A Grave and discovered an error...that I need to work through...if people kept better records there would be less errors...it will take a fair amount of unraveling to figure it all out. 

Far Guy and I share cooking duties this week was; Naan Bread Pizza, Steak and Salmon, fend for yourself and Pork Chops and Rice. 

Far Side

Ground Blizzard

 Yesterday we had what they call a Ground Blizzard.  The winds kick up what snow it can and blow it around.  On our way to my appointment we saw many snow-nados/ snow-devils ...that is snow picked up into a swirling cone the air.  The high yesterday was 13 F or -10 C  the low was -2 F or -18 C  the windchill was brutal.  The weather is headed for the negative numbers for a few days and then it will warm up again...maybe above freezing and rain...I could do without rain and ice everywhere.  Stay cold enough to snow...please. 

Some spots in the road were icy and in some places it was hard to see. 

The epidural steroid injections into my back were not real painful, I expected that they would be more painful.  The Doctor said it will take several days to know if they worked or not.  So far the pain remains...I have a full feeling in my back and a headache...and I am not normally a headachy type person. Time will tell.  It was worth a try. 

I had another biopsy on my face last week, they were atypical cells but the margins were clear...so praise God no more surgery on my face!

Christmas Card Report I was able to take 12 cards from the drying area so my total is 35.  Slow but sure. 

Far Side

Progress

 I mulched the leaves in our yard on Monday and got some mulching done at my baby brothers shop.  I still have more areas to do but it rained a bit on Tuesday.  Our weather went from nice and warm to chilly.

I probably still have time before it snows.  Most of the leaves are on the ground and not in the trees.  One big wind would help me out! 

 

I refreshed all the solar lights in the yard and took care of some odds and ends. 

 

I finished all the Christmas ornaments and they are wrapped up and ready for tins/mailers and bags for deliveries.  I will reveal the design after they have been mailed out sometime in November. 

No progress on the Christmas card yet...the paper, cards and envelopes are ready...I just need to watercolor the design and sign them. 

 

The swelling in my face has gone down, I still have one problem area where a stitch might be surfacing.

Uffda. 

Far Guy had quite a time over the weekend with all the fragrances of flowers, perfumes and aftershaves.  He struggled on Sunday and Monday...but seems better now.  Fingers crossed that we averted a hospital stay. 

Far Side 

Red Leaves

 The leaves are slowly beginning to change.  We have had a few chilly nights and that helps color things up.  Usually we are past peak by now....strange weather. 

I was out mulching leaves and noticed this Oak...a Red Oak with nice fall color. 

I got my stitches out on Thursday, my face feels much better without the stitches, so I am back to mostly normal activities.   I am on a three month recheck program now since I had skin cancer. 

Far Guy got his Flu shot at one of his Doctors appointments this past week.  I did not have mine yet.  He had little to no reaction. 

Far Side
 

Sad News and Good News

 Last week was a week.  It began with my cousin Diane who lived in Alaska her Memorial Service was live on Facebook.   She was 68 years old. She died after heart bypass surgery.  Her Mother and my Mother were sisters. 

This past Saturday was my second cousin Patsy's funeral, she died from a tick bite that went to a bacterial infection and then septic...she was three months younger than me...her  Father and My Grandfather were brothers.  She spent the entire summer on hospice. I sent a card I did not attend the funeral.

Then Little Elvis died on Friday...that hit me hard.  He and I had a special connection. He loved me unconditionally. 

Friday was also a bit of good news, my second biopsy came back with clear edges!  Thank goodness I don't have to have more surgery on my face!   AND all of my eye tests came back okay, the Doc says my eyes show normal aging.  I also learned that I have an appointment with a different Rheumatologist...but not until April of 2025...this is after waiting two months for a referral and being accepted by their Rheumatology Department.  I am doing my PT exercises and I believe it is making a difference...I have PT appointments starting October 10th. My stitches in my face come out on Thursday this week. It is a medical appointment week ...we have six appointments....it is what we do. 

So the good news outweighs the bad I am not on hospice, I am not dead, I don't have to have more surgery on my face, I can see reasonably well and we can make it by ourselves to appointments...and we still have some dogs to love...Sadie, Baxter and Smudge.  

Far Side

Uffda times two

 Wow this little big surgery is kicking my butt.  I managed all the errands in town and then came home to crash for several hours.  Woke up to help with supper and spilled my entire plate of food on the floor.  

Uffda...life is sometimes messy.

Far Side

So...

 So sore from the surgery...or maybe it is the stitches that burn...who knows.  

Yesterday Far Guy went with  me to have lunch with long time friend Susie so we could celebrate our birthdays!  We don't get together often enough.  Susie always makes me laugh!  

I came home and had a five hour sleep.  

Here is an energizer bunny for you...our Great Granddaughter Cee Cee getting ready for jimbasticks. 

Isn't she just as cute as she can be!  I shamelessly stole this photo from her Mom's facebook page. Wish I had her energy!  

Far Side

Tests

 I had a small bigger than I thought surgery yesterday at the Dermatologists Office.  The biopsy on my shoulder came back as atypical cells and the spot on my cheek came back as malignant melanoma. So both spots were taken care of.  I have a considerable amount of discomfort but am glad to have it behind me....keeping fingers and toes crossed that these biopsies come back clear and the huge hole in my face heals well.  They will do some kind of genetic testing on the first samples...some study to see if there is a genetic link to melanoma. 

 Hopefully I can cross this off the freaking list. 

All my eye tests came back okay/normal for aging eyes...cross that off the list too. 

Far Guy is taking good care of me.

Far Side