CA-125 continues to slowly drop

This week's good news was that Judy's cancer markers continue their slow downward trend. After only two treatments this time (because of our trip to Jamaica) the CA-125 went from 114 to 103--or about a 10% drop. Let's hope that the next treatment cycle of three doses will give us another boost. The two treatment dates in this round that remain are on May 25 and June 1, and then Judy will have another one-week break.

Back from Jamaica

How fast vacations pass by! It seems just like yesterday that we left for Montego Bay, and already we're back. We enjoyed four days and nights at the Secrets St. James, an all-inclusive, all-adult (no rug rats screaming in the pool!) resort that is on the luxurious side. We didn't do much else but sit on the beach, take naps, drink quite a few foo-foo drinks, and enjoy the various on-site specialty restaurants that were not of the buffet style that most resorts offer but rather put emphasis on beautifully presented quality dishes. For folks our age who—let's face it—simply don't consume the same amount of food as a 20-year-old, this is definitely the way to go.

The St. James and its sister resort, the Wild Orchid, have been open for less than two months, and the property had some birthing problems that threw a few curve balls into the promised "all-luxury" experience. So, the advertised 5 stars were somewhat reduced. I had a long, frank talk with management, and to make a long story short, we will go back sometime this fall to make up for some (or all?) of the problems that we encountered—on the house. So, when you see another blog entry in September or October or whenever, please don't think we won the lottery—we just provided positive feedback and were dealing with a class-act manager who has quite some challenges on his hands opening this property.

Anyhow, we had a darn fine time, and I am sure the next time around it will not just be great the way it was but perfect, the way it was supposed to be this time around.

Jürgen

After chemo, go to Jamaica ...

While Judy had another round of chemo today, I was down at TTU for my last day of classes for the semester—and forever! Yes, this is it (RETIREMENT!), and Judy commemorated it for me with this telling note that she left for me to find when I got home.

After 26 years of teaching I have decided to call it quits. I doubt that I will miss grading those papers and running my head into a brick wall semester after semester. Suffice it to say that I think that I have done my share to have some positive impact, and now I'm done. My bosses and colleagues were true class acts throughout the years, but my students only seldom were.

What a relief to be done with it!

Tomorrow afternoon we'll jet down to Jamaica for a quick 4-night R&R for lil' Judy, who's ready to lie in the sun and warm up the bones. She's the hard worker in the family, not I—at least no longer. :)

Jürgen