All is Calm...

Hello again friends and family,

As we enter this Holiday season we are so very thankful for all of our friends, our family, 
and our health.  At this time last year I was nearly overwhelmed by the diagnosis and the prospect of going south for extensive radiation treatment.  There were so many unknowns.  This year we can relax a lot more, sit back, and really count our blessings.  We consider all of you to be a very big part of our many many blessings. Your encouragement and support made our journey over the past year a whole lot easier for us.  Thank you!!!

December snow

  We have been back in Alaska for three weeks from our fall trip to Oregon.  It is great to look out over the Sound, particularly during the few clear periods there have been since our return.  Even the calm overcast days are very soothing to the soul.  There has been a lot of snow already this December. The nearly two feet of light fluffy snow on the ground at one time was quite beautiful and very peaceful while it lasted.  Now the forecast is back to rain and mixed rain and snow well into next week.  As is often the case this time of year, it seems the weather can't quite figure out what it wants to do.  A degree or two of temperature makes a world of difference.   It is forecast to cool off a bit next week and although it might be kind of soggy, it looks very likely that we will have a white Christmas.  We are still getting used to the very short days and the early sunsets. 

Since we have been back in Petersburg several folks have asked me how my treatments went during the two months we were gone.  That question made me realize that perhaps a blog update is long overdue.  Looking back, I see we haven't posted since July.  I'm very sorry about that.  I guess I just didn't feel that there was anything new or significant enough to comment on. 

I am happy to report that we did not go south for medical treatment.  In fact, other than a routine injection that I receive every four months as a hormone blocker, and a very brief visit with my oncologist, I had no medical treatment this fall.  Oh wait, I did go to a dentist and also had my eyes examined.  

The visit with the oncologist went something like this: 
O - You are looking good. How do you feel?
Me- Quite well, thank you.
O - Any more problems with side effects after you left last spring?
Me - They pretty much went away after a month or so just as you said they would.
O - OK.  I'll want to be kept in the loop after the end of your ADT (androgen deprivation therapy) next fall, but I hope I never have to see you again.  

That was pretty much it. I had a PSA test during the visit with my urologist when I received the scheduled ADT injection shortly before we left Oregon to return home.  The PSA level was "undetectable", which is exactly where it should be at this point.  By all accounts my cancer is in full remission and a recurrence is very unlikely while I'm still on ADT.  I am scheduled for two more injections, one toward the end of March and one in late July or early August.  After that, we just have to wait and see.  All in all, we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome at this point.  Late next fall the hormone blocker will eventually work out of my system and my hormone levels will return to "normal".  At that time I will be put on an intensive monitoring program tracking both testosterone and PSA levels.  Those tests will determine if the treatment was  successful. There is really nothing for us to worry about at all until then, and even afterward we have been assured that the risk of recurrence is quite small.  

We continue to concentrate on trying to maintain a healthy diet, but have found it a bit more difficult in Petersburg, particularly in regard to organic produce.  The one advantage we have here is that our Alaska freezer has a lot more fresh-frozen fish in it.  Also, our exercise routine here is enhanced by having the water aerobics at the aquatic center for Kathy and the new equipment now available at my favorite fitness center.  Having a much more consistent and predictable schedule makes it possible for us to establish a routine.  Snow/slush removal has also been providing a lot of not-so-welcome exercise for me.  Hopefully there will be some cross country skiing before we leave. Meditation is still on my list of things to look into.    

Our Oregon House

Much of our time in Oregon was spent working on the townhouse we bought last spring.  The interior is now repainted, the new carpet is laid, and the new window coverings are hung.  Those were the three big items on our to-do list, and I'm very happy and relieved to report that all were completed before we returned home. Next time down we can decorate a bit more and then relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  Furnishing the house and replacing Erika and Brad's hand-me-up furniture will be an on-going process.

Our guest bedroom and bath are ready for company.  So, if you are in the Hillsboro area during the same time we are, please stop by.  We'd love to visit and share the area. 

The littlest viking and the mighty oak

 When we weren't working on the house, looking at samples, or lining up contractors, we were often at Brad and Erika's house. Actually, it is Rowan's house.  Brad and Erika are just the caretakers.  What a fascinating time to be involved in a little person's life.  It is hard to believe how much he developed during the two short months we were there.  We were able to spend several full days taking care of Rowan (I refuse to use the word "babysit" because I don't believe you can babysit your own child or grandchild) while his mommy and daddy were at work.  We got out on walks as often as possible to take advantage of the wonderful fall weather. He is very happy little guy and excited by everything and everyone he sees. 

One of our favorite parks with fall colors

Erika's family will be in Petersburg over Christmas.  We are very anxious to see how many new things Rowan has discovered he can do in the past month.  Unfortunately, we will not see Matt's family this Christmas, but hopefully will be able to visit them sometime in the spring.  

We plan to stay in Petersburg until the end of January and then will head south again for an, as yet, undetermined length of time.  No medical treatment is anticipated, other than some dental work and the scheduled ADT injection in March.  

I will leave you with an original healthy recipe that we call Fiesta Rice.  This recipe is still evolving.  We make it frequently as a vegetarian dish with a Tex-Mex flare.  Like the black bean soup recipe in an earlier post, modifications to this basic recipe are only limited by your imagination.  It is very handy to have a big batch on hand because it can be used in a number of different ways.  We often use it as a side dish or as a filling for burritos or stuffed bell peppers.  We also use it as a filler in another great recipe called Tex Mex Lasagna which uses corn tortillas instead of noodles and mashed tofu instead of ricotta cheese (sounds kind of weird doesn't it? - but it is very very tasty!).  Fiesta rice is also very good with diced chicken cooked into it, topped with your favorite cheese, and baked as a casserole and served as a main dish.  That said - we have nearly eliminated both chicken and cheese from our diet.  However, I remember it being incredibly good cooked this way, especially topped with grated pepper jack cheese.

Fiesta Rice 

This is more of a guideline than an actual recipe as I've never used a written recipe to make it.
   
4-6 cloves of garlic minced or finely chopped  
1 medium-to-large onion, diced or chopped
1 large bell pepper (or equivalent amount) diced (we prefer red peppers or a mix of colored peppers for both color and flavor)
1 small-to-medium-sized jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced (more if you like it spicy) 
1/4 to 1/2 cup of cilantro leaves washed and broken or cut into smaller pieces
8 to 12 oz of whole-kernel corn, thawed frozen or canned drained (A small can of Mexicorn is perfect)
1 14.5 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes drained, but save the juice
2 to 3 cups of cooked rice (we use organic brown basmati when we can find it)

1 tsp cumin
1 tsp seasoned salt
1+ tsp chipotle chilli powder or other chilli powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp black pepper

The spice amounts are approximate and should be adjusted to taste.  For example, if the jalapeno is hot you might want to eliminate or cut back on the cayenne.

Saute the garlic in olive oil in a large frying pan or pot. 
After a couple of minutes add the onion, pepper, and jalapeno, and saute until the onion is translucent.

Stir in the corn, black beans, and cilantro and cook until well heated.
I like to add the spices before adding the rice to better blend in the flavors
Stir in the rice and cook until heated through.
Stir in the drained tomatoes until well mixed.  

At this point you can check for consistency.  If it is too dry, add some of the set-aside tomato juice. If it is too moist, try adding more rice.  Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.  The flavors continue to blend over time and left-overs are also very good.  Top with your favorite salsa and enjoy!!  

May you all be blessed this Holiday season.  You are certainly a blessing to us. Thank you again for being part of our journey during the past year and especially for just being you!!!

Happy Holidays!!

     Barry and Kathy