All Systems Go!

Mom had an appointment with her oncologist, Dr. Chan, on Tuesday. He liked the results of her blood test from Monday. He said the numbers from the transfusion on Thursday were holding, he could find no other problems, so he gave Mom the green light to go to Las Vegas on Friday! He wished her luck and wants her to come in for a blood test the day after we return so he can see how the trip impacts her blood count. He recommended Mom use a wheelchair while moving around the casino to conserve her energy for winning! He also recommended a flu shot when they become available, she is current on all other vaccinations including hepatitis A.

I will try to post about Mom's escapades in Las Vegas while we are there, though I have been told there is no free wi-fi in the hotel. Since I'm not a gambler I will be paying for wi-fi access. I guess they don't give you free wi-fi so that you spend more time gambling.

It's been pouring on and off yesterday and today. There have been floods on Maui and the Big Island with flood warnings for the rest of the islands except Kaua'i, they'll get theirs tomorrow. When the first downpour hit Tuesday evening, Chibi came running in to the house. It's hard to believe she used to sleep outdoors in the cold rain of Washington a few years ago. She is such a wimp now about the rain, preferring to sleep indoors when it is wet out. Here's what it looked like this morning when I was running errands. Good thing I have a lot of experience driving in the rain!


Today Mom's mahjong buddies set up a special game day for her since she has not played since the diagnosis in early July and misses playing. Cassandra, the director of the senior center, had 2 sets sanitized yesterday and set up a space in the conference room for them to play in. (Tuesday is the usual mahjong day, this was set up special so she would not be exposed to a lot of potentially sick people.)

L to R: Sandy, Barbara, & Mom

A few of the players went out to lunch with Mom after mahjong. We went to On On Chinese Restaurant. Mom had the minute chicken cake noodle; the cake noodles are their specialty. Here's my partially eaten lunch special.

Clockwise starting with the steamed rice, crispy gau gee, sweet sour spare ribs, & beef choy sum noodles

Here's Xander helping Mom keep up with the news. He has never been an outdoor cat so he is perfectly fine with staying indoors when it rains.


A check for one of the accounts that Mom closed came in on Monday. We went to deposit it yesterday after seeing Dr. Chan. She wanted to get some money back, $7000 to be exact. I talked her down to only $2000. She wanted it in $5's and $10's; I talked her into a mix of $100's, $50's, $20's, $10's, and $5's, much to the relief of the teller. I'm hanging on to the envelope so we know where it is. And today Mom doesn't remember she made the withdrawal! (She already has $500 in her wallet that she keeps forgetting about.)

I found this interesting non-dairy milk substitute at Longs Drugs today. I haven't tried it yet. Will give you a review when we get back from Las Vegas.


Happy Birthday to Maria! Happy Belated Birthday to Marcie, Dan, Duane, & Bryan!