Poster and Owls

Today I presented my poster on my Geriatric Anxiety Inventory at the poolside poster session.


Afterwards we walked one last time around the Hilton's artificial reef, where we saw a green turtle, and the dolphin pool. But then we left to go in search of wildlife in the wild...



We drove north along the shore and spotted humpbacked whales just off-shore. We then drove to the Saddle Road, which goes across the big island and has some great habitat. There we spotted the Hawaiian subspecies of Short-eared Owl - a great bird.

Conference at the Hilton, Hawaii

Today was the first day of my conference, the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Meeting, held at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the big island of Hawaii. The Hilton was a sprawing complex of four large buildings connected by both a monorail and by a canal. I liked riding the boat around (sort of a mini-pelagic trip). We saw some definitely introduced specias (like the African Grey-Crowned Crane, but also native birds like the little wandering tattler.

Today I spoke at Monique's symposium - here you see our large and riveted audience....

On the Big Island of Hawaii

Having flown to the big island of Hawaii yesterday evening, today Tim and I simply checked out the town of Kona, where our condo is located. Managed to get a good photo of one of the Gold Dust Day Geckos that are all over Hawaii - they seemed to really enjoy sitting on the railings of the condo...

Last Day on Kauai

Today we spent our last day on Kauai hoping for better weather so we could take a helicopter tour over the island, but it was not to be. Still, we had fun driving through the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, where we spotted this egret eating a frog.

More Waimea Canyon

Today we went back to Waimea Canyon and had slightly better weather. Managed to see a Kauai Amakihi (see above) as well as other more common birds such as Pacific Golden Plover (below)...


The photo below is a sad commentary on academics on vacation...

Lovely Forest Trails and Waterfalls

Today we went on a short hike on a ridge in lovely forest - and at the end of the hike we saw a chameleon! Very cool. Also saw Wailua Falls, one of seemingly endless numbers of great waterfalls on the island...

Wouldn't you love to live in the house pictured below, right at the top of a waterfall? Fantastic....

Our Friends Arrive...

Today we went back to Kilauea Point with our friends Ken and Monique. This time we were treated to baby Nene's and beautiful red-crested cardinals (above) and more Laysan albatrosses (Ken's photo, below).


We then explored other parts of the island with Ken and Monique...


We ended the day at the Princeville Hotel with Bali Hai cliffs in the background...

Waimea Valley

Today we went birding in the beautiful Waimea Valley on Kauai. The first part of the valley looks like the Grand Canyon; the upper reaches are more lush and feature steep cliffs. Unfortunately the rain was intense in the upper parts of the park, so we'll have to go back another day...

Fun in Hawaii

At last we are here in Hawaii, after very long flights. Our first day on Kauai was terrific - we visited the lighthouse at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and saw the lovely Nene, or Hawaiian Goose, the state bird of Hawaii. We also went to Haena State Park, which we quickly dubbed "Chicken Beach." As there are no mongooses on Kauai, there are a LOT of free-roaming chickens (who are VERY loud in the mornings...)

Off to Hawaii

Today we are off to Hawaii for two weeks. I've got the International Neuropsychological Society meeting on the big island of Hawaii, but before we go there Tim and I are off for a week's vacation on Kauai, the Garden Island. We plan to snorkel, bird, and generally have a great time! I will also get to have a 35 hour birthday today, what with crossing international time zones..

Happy Australia Day!

Today is Australia Day, a national public holiday where people celebrate what is unique and great about being Australian. It generally involves BBQs and time with friends and family.

Surprise!

In a welcomed turn of events, today discovered am definitely NOT menopausal...

Our garden grows!

Over the last few weekends Tim has worked incredibly hard to clear out weeds in our garden, and we have planted a lot of plants from the Greening Australia nursery. Here is what they will look like when they are bigger:
Hakeas (several species) planted along the rear of the fence with our neighbor.

Fan flowers, which line the side of the driveway and (hopefully!) will spill over the wall artistically.

Saw banksia, a native tree with gorgeous flowers that grows gnarled branches with a windswept look.

Native flax lilies, which I've planted around our mailbox.

A groundcover with a great name: Creeping Boobialla.

A Kanaroo Thorn bush

And finally, in back of the house we've planted a "Wheel of Fire" tree, a native which grows about 30-40 feet high with spectacular flowers.

Happy Birthday Joann!

Happy Birthday to my sister Joann!

Endocrinologist Discusses Concerns

Today I saw the endocrinologist at the hospital, for advice about several concerns. First, the doc advised that my symptoms of menopause from the chemotherapy might actually reverse of their own accord, and that 4 months might not be enough time for this to happen. So he ordered more blood tests to check the levels of estrogen in my body. This would be a good outcome but for now I remain "chemically menopausal."

We are holding off making a decision about whether I will take HRT until after the latest blood tests. I am at very low risk for any adverse effects from HRT, including increased risk of breast cancer, so I may consider a short trial of HRT, just to see if it makes me feel better (am still having occasional hot flushes, some disturbed sleep, etc.).


My main concerning symptom, though, has been pain in my hands, particularly the ring and little finger. I am having tests for rheumatoid arthritis (which so far it is not looking like) which is good. However, it might be that I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (which could be a result of the low amount of estrogen in my system due to the chemotherapy). (To see a fact sheet go HERE).

My symptoms are close (for example, tingling, hand weakness) but not exactly matching (for example, worst is my little finger, not thumb) those of classic CTS. So the doc has ordered a nerve conduction test which will diagnose the CTS as well as any peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in extremities, usually fingers and toes, also a side effect of chemotherapy).

So will have further news on this as more test results emerge. For now am resting my hands when I can and am avoiding cutting things (as they are less sensitive and you can cut yourself if you use knives etc. when you have either perpheral neuropathy or CTS).

Bone Density Test and Results

Today I went to have a bone density test. The specific test I had was a Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, previously DEXA), a means of measuring bone mineral density (BMD) using X-rays. DXA is the most widely used and most thoroughly studied bone density measurement technology. I was given the test as chemotherapy can cause decreases in estrogen, a female hormone which among other things helps build up and maintain bone density. There is also the possibility that I am permanently menopausal following the chemotherapy ("chemical menopause). A lack of circulating estrogen in the body means that I am at greater risk to lose bone density.

The bone scanning was quick, about 10 minutes. The area measured was the lower spine (as shown in the above image) as well as the hips (which are both the site which best reflects possible bone thinning as well as being a site at risk for fractures in bones are thin).

The results of my scan were good. My score was just at -1 or slightly above that for the sites measured. A score of zero is average; a score of +1 to -1 roughly accounts for about 70% of people and is considered in the normal range (scores above and below this are considered beter or worse than average). The cut-offs for bone density are as follows:

-- Normal bone: T-score better than -1.
-- Osteopenia: T-score between -1 and -2.5
-- Osteoporosis: T-score less than -2.5

So the docs are happy that my bones are normal. Their advice is to keep taking calcium supplements, do weight-bearing exercise (like walking), eat foods rich in calcium (for example, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, broccoli and salmon) and limit excessive caffeine (which can interfere with calcium absorption). There are many web sites that offer tips on improving bone health, like HOW TO BUILD BETTER BONES and TIPS TO PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS.