Twenty-one days ago, I achieved my goal! Part Two: How We Got It Done! Love and caring, two great ingredients in my determination.

Two of our fine friends from California, Danielle and Meehan, decided to go with my sons Lamont and Leland and me to make my goal of walking from the Larch Mountain parking lot to the Sherrard Point viewpoint. In fact, Danielle graciously drove us in her Toyota Highlander! After a detour brought about by a July 4th parade in Corbett on the Historic Columbia River Highway, we circled around and found a paved road all the way to the Larch Mountain parking lot.



I made a mistake asking you to remember the rotting tree trunk in yesterday's post--I thought it was the one I had them stand on and around for this photo on the 4th of July. Nevertheless, this is a sweet photo of Meehan, Leland, Lamont, and Danielle.



Because I was surrounded by caring people who love me, I had no problem getting to the steps. Once there, I listened to everyone's advice and encouragement and just put one foot up on a step, then the other one beside that one and made my way up each set of steps that appeared on the path. I didn't let myself think about walking back down them yet because I knew in my heart that I'd be able to cope with that when the time came. It's that love and caring that got me there. There's young, energetic Meehan already at the top of the steps.



When I stopped to rest for a few seconds, I decided to take this photo of the trees off the side of the path. I didn't notice that there was no path underneath that railroad tie step until I selected this photo to post here. Glad that I didn't!



This moment that I stopped and took this photo allowed me to have a look at where I'd be going on the way back to the car in the parking lot. Thankful for that moment. Once again I'm thankful I didn't notice that those steps appear to have empty air beneath them there on the grassy edges at the edge of the path.



I found a spider at work. Over the few seconds that I took several photos, the spider moved around a bit.



We're getting higher now, into the clouds which you can see here through the trees.



My son Leland knows how to distract me from the fact that I'm high up on a mountain top! Let me also tell you that each of us was proud of our layers--it was cool up there in the clouds!



Meehan, being fearless near the top. We didn't have to climb up that rock--there were well-formed steps with railing and chain link on each side.



A tiny cluster of pretty flowers called my name when I saw it beside the steps to the viewpoint.



While the absence of the blue sky day that I had dreamed of made me sad, I still found the clouds slowly drifting through the trees amazing! From the Internet about the trees:

Larch Mountain contains some of the largest old-growth forest strands left in the Columbia River Gorge area, characterized by the presence of many nurse logs. Dominant tree species include pacific silver fir, grand fir, Douglas fir, and western hemlock.



Lamont at the top of the Sherrard Point viewpoint.



Here I am, at the top! I made it! Meehan took this photo for me with my iPhone! It felt terrific to be there in the clouds! That's my best California bud in the background, Danielle. She's Meehan's proud Auntie!



I decided that since I couldn't see distant mountain peaks, I'd take advantage of what I could see--close up--taking photographs carefully over the railing or through the chain link fence.



I even looked down, too!



Thank goodness for a zoom lens!



Another photo that makes me proud to have a zoom lens.



Look at the lines in those rocks! Amazing sight to see atop this extinct volcano. From the Internet about Larch Mountain:

Larch Mountain is the remnant of an ancient shield volcano, with broad slopes covering tens of square kilometers. It is currently the tallest peak in the Boring Lava Field, a volcanic field active during the Plio-Pleistocene time frame. Active between 1.8 and 1.4 million years ago, the volcano is composed mainly of basalts, although the summit at Sherrard Point is composed mainly of iron-rich andesite. Larch Mountain's basalt is tough to distinguish from the surrounding Columbia River Basalt, although the Columbia River Basalt is slightly lighter in color and less brittle. Sherrard Point is the eroded remains of the original volcanic plug.

Sherrard Point was exposed during the last glacial period, when the majority of the mountain's peak was destroyed by glaciers. The glaciers carved a large cirque into the mountain, forming a large lake. Over time, the lake was filled with sediment, and today the area is now a large meadow.



Equally amazing, the lines in the remains of this tree.



I couldn't get enough of these tiny beauties beside the rings in that tree trunk. Wow!



On the way back to the car, one more photograph of the beautiful forest.



Found on the path; I wonder what kind of bird used to have this particular feather?



You can see the descent of the path to the left of these rotting tree trunks.



Yes! Here are the four people who helped me overcome my visceral fear of heights: Lamont, Leland, Danielle, and Meehan. You for rock! Thank you so much for helping me achieve my goal and make great memories!



This photo of a happy me with equally happy Danielle and Meehan gives you an idea of the size of the forest, the paths. We used the path on the left, both directions; Leland asked me if I cared if he took the path on the right back to the car. Of course I told him it was fine with me, to be careful. I have my foot on the low retaining wall where I rested back in 2012, steeling myself for the walk back to my Zipcar.



Love this photo of my sweet sons on each side of me. I am blessed!



We're almost to the parking lot. I really like the determination to survive for years and years that I see in this tree trunk, curved up amid the towering nearby trees, seeking light. That's what we all need to survive--determination.

The best stamps I ever bought!

Celebrate, y'all! I got an unexpected phone call from Dr. Johnson last night--he's my oncology radiologist. Unexpected because although I'd had a follow-up CT scan on Monday, my appointment with him is not until next Thursday, May 12.

So, I answered the phone thinking, this is it. I'm gonna find out that I need to come back in for more tests. Why else would I get a call a week before the appointment?

Wrong! The news he gave me: No abnormalities revealed on the CT scan; I'm calling to let you know so that you'll have a great weekend; see you next Thursday!

Thank you for your continued prayers, love, and concern. Y'all are the best!

Speaking of the best, I had already asked Lamont and Leland to join me at the Blue Diamond for nachos on Cinco de Mayo, so I was able to give them this good news in person, complete with celebratory toasts, hugs, smiles, pats, you name it.

Oh, I have to tell you that I bought those stamps Monday on my way back to work from the CT scan. I intended to save them for when the Portland Trail Blazers win a game in the NBA playoffs, second round. I believe they fit this situation perfectly!

UPDATE and post Chemo Round Five dining last night

UPDATE: Slept almost eleven hours last night. Amazing! Today I've taken my post-chemo meds, had breakfast of baked frozen Grands buttermilk biscuits and frozen Jimmy Dean sausage links and Twinings English Breakfast tea. Then I got dressed and walked over to Albertina Kerr to enjoy the roses as they continue to bloom before shopping at their thrift shop, AK's Closet, and their gift shop which concentrates on jewelry, AK's Jewel Box--at least I think that's the name. I enjoyed myself and didn't spend too much money! The chemo went straight through yesterday, thanks to figuring out how to use Ativan and close monitoring of my blood pressure so that we didn't have to pause the Taxo--it still took from around 9:20 a.m. until about 3:04 p.m. to empty that bag, then the Carboplatin took 30 minutes after it was hooked up. Finally, after flushing the port in my chest and pulling out the needle, then covering it with a medicated band-aid, we were outta there and leaving the parking garage at 4:10 p.m. Hooray!



Over the last few days, I'd made up my mind that my post-chemo meal would be at my favorite neighborhood spot, the Blue Diamond. Here's what I knew would taste just right to my chemo-impacted taste buds. I ate half the deli turkey sandwich and salt-less tater tots. Yummy! I didn't photograph my treat to myself, two huge scoops of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and two cherries.



Lamont's chicken strips and fries, from the Happy Hour menu. They smelled real good.



Leland's cheeseburger and tater tots. He likes his ketchup straight outta the fridge, nice and cold. I do, too! Thanks, Janessa, for always remembering!



My hand-decorated leftover box! For Halloween, no less! Thanks, Janessa!

UPDATE and the Portland Oregon sign

UPDATE: Chemo Round 5 is tomorrow. Please pray that all goes well with this round, that I don't have any blood pressure spikes or hives. Thank you!



Another photo I'm glad that I took through the bus window yesterday morning.



One more, without the tree blocking it. I really like this sign and the fact that I get to see it very often.

Yesterday Leland bought me a polarizing filter for the lens so that I'll be able to alter the reflections and get clear shots of what I'm trying to photograph through the windows. I've got a couple of sweet sons, first Lamont found the perfect soft had for me on the day of Chemo Round 2 after I'd lost my hair; now, Leland's decided that I should have the best chance possible to take fine photos. Thanks, sons! I love you so!

UPDATE and I went to the Blazer's pre-season game!

UPDATE: I made a meatloaf from scratch today and baked three potatoes. Now one of the potatoes is gone, as well as part of the meatloaf. Gone, as in enjoyed bite by bite! Work tomorrow 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, too. Thanks for your continued prayers, love, and concern. 



Right after I sat down in my seat, I took this photo with my iPhone--pre-game-shoot-around. Here's how I got to my seat. First, Lamont let me know that he'd pick me up at 5:30 p.m. so that I would be there in plenty of time for the 6 p.m. start of the game. Then, on the way I called the phone number I'd been given last April for the wheelchair escort. It didn't work, so I asked Lamont to let me out at the curb, and I walked slowly to the entrance I always use.



Once I got inside and through security, a Portland Police Bureau officer complimented me on my hat! Sweet! Thanks, Lori, for making it for me! Other employees smiled at me, but I'll bet it was my hat that got them going!

Next I talked with some Guest Services guys, Jose, Pecola, and Braheem, who made certain that a wheelchair appeared quickly to whisk me away to my entrance. They also let me know that I had been given an incorrect phone number last April. Now I've edited it and know that once I appear at that gate, Pecola says he'll have a wheelchair waiting for me and/or send one out to the curb for me, if need be. I want to walk when I feel good enough to do so. I also found out that before the wheelchair escort leaves, I can make a reservation for the return of the wheelchair, say a specific time or when the game ends, etc. That's great to know!



The Blazers didn't play very well until the 4th quarter when all of a sudden we were totally in the game. This young man, C.J. McCollum, scored 18 of his 26 points in the 4th quarter and OT! This is a photo of my big ol' TV screen when C.J. was being interview after the game.

I had asked Leland to pick me up at 8:15 p.m., so the wheelchair arrived back at my gate at 8:05 p.m. The game was very close, and right after we got outside, I checked the app--it looked like we had a chance! The wheelchair escort LaShawn waited with me on the sidewalk until Leland got there. By the time we pulled away, the game had gone into overtime! And when I got home and turned on my big ol' TV, the Blazers had the lead and went on to win! Who cares if it was just a pre-season game? The players leaned a lot tonight, I'll bet. I liked that they never quit!

How nice all of these men were tonight, from my sons Lamont and Leland, to Pecola and Braheem and LaShawn, plus Jose who also had been nice and helpful for me several times four years ago. I cannot forget to mention the usher at my section, Paul. What a great guy! I was very tickled to recognize him as I approached. I hope that I feel good enough to go to the home opener on October 28!

UPDATE and I tried to get creative Saturday morning taking photos in the roses at Albertina Kerr

UPDATE: I went to the Fred Meyer with Lamont today and walked quite a bit throughout the very large Hollywood store, using the grocery cart to provide rest when needed. That was good for me, to work on stamina. However, when we got home, I found myself exhausted which means that my oncology pharmacist's prediction that fatigue would set in even more between Chemo Round Four and Round Five has come true. I shall not give up. I shall walk and rest and repeat until I accomplish however much I am able to manage. I shall not overdo anything so as to put myself in jeopardy. And, as always, I thank you for every single prayer, for your love and concern.



I held my camera among the small blossoms in a large pot placed between two benches on the south side of the front walk up to the doorway of the Albertina Kerr Center. Sitting on the other bench and twisting myself to the right, not wanting to crush any of the flowers and not being able to see my tilt screen very well in the bright sun so I had no idea where the focus might lock, I held the camera as still as I could, depressed the shutter button half way, heard the focus sound, and took one photo after another, repeating the steps until I had to sit back and rest, enjoying the smell of the roses blowing in the breeze. None of the photos are exactly what I hoped to accomplish with such a haphazard process, but I am pleased with this one, so I'm sharing it with y'all.