Gift Ideas For The Home-bound, Ill, Those Hospitilazed, Those Undergoing Chemo

And anyone else you might be visiting  that you want to cheer up.

Yes, I think too much...........about stuff that may not matter. 

tic tacs

lip balm

treats for their furry family

purse tissues

small, bright bouquet

home made soup

favorite hot or cold drink from a fast food place
 stop in for a visit and just talk 

single serving size of sherbet or ice cream

assorted hot drinks for the Keurig (it's nice to offer drinks to visitors)

unscented toiletries

coloring books are all the rage (I don't color)

candy to suck on
ginger ale
ginger candies

While you are visiting offer to:
(maybe JUST DO IT)

clean his/her glasses

water the plants

feed/walk pets

fill the Keurig

wash the dishes

put the dishes away

switch laundry loads
throw clothes in the dryer
fold the laundry

carry something up or downstairs 
take the person shopping, some place fun, go out to lunch

Just some things that popped into my head

Cutting Back and a COnfession

I am cutting back on activities of late.......b/c of heath? weather? or what? Since my sinus infection I seem to be more tired. I don't like to be out at night after 8PM. I like to be in bed by 7PM......I play my games, read, or watch TV.......besides that it is dark so early.

Last week I did not go a local live production. I knew it was going to be good....but didn't want  to go out at night. 

It's cold.............50 is cold to me. I turn the thermostat up to 74 when I am at home.....have to remember to have Kev turn it down at bedtime.

Next weekend I have several reasons not to go to a scrapbook retreat....I get tired so easily. It is only October.....I hope winter goes quickly.

I am cold, tired, and slow.

I have started physical therapy for my neurorpathy ...hope it helps. I am tried of not driving, walking like a drunken sailor, and slurring my words. 

Wish me luck!!!!
I want to make a confession..............I have ACCIDENTALLY deleted one of your posts, I hate it when I do that. Sometimes I check comments on my Kindle and my thumb hits the delete button....and it is gone.....:-( so sorry....I love comments!

Can't Sleep? Me Neither

Millions of people can't sleep so we aren't alone, but we still don't like it. It's 2:12, 3AM, 4 and after.....

What do I do?

I lay there and feel: cozy and warm, slight nausea

I crave: a pickle, Bubbies sauerkraut, Mexican food, seltzer water

I hear: a quiet house, wind rustling through the leaves, as it nears 4AM there is a car or 2 driving past

I see: darkness, I have my eyes shut

I want: 10 more years without pain, God's will, to cry (but I can't)

I think: about writing this post and the Zometa treatment I have the following day

As is almost 5AM I fall asleep, and NO I did not fall asleep early the next night.

I really just want to stay home, in my leggings and sweatshirt, covered up with my blanket and read. Life is OK....'cept for one thing......

Synopsis of the Week

    

Nausea ✔

Cold      ✔

Cold/sinus getting better  ✔

Tired, always    ✔

Fall weather  ✔

Yes, it's time to find my sweaters and pants. I'm still wearing my leggings, I have a new pair of boots that look great with them.

Tomorrow  is supported to be cooool......no problem....no hurricane here, we are so lucky here in the Midwest. 
Were taking the boys
 to the pumpkin patch/corn maze tomorrow.
Yesterday I had lunch with my grandson at his school. We ate and then he read to me. That was really nice. He's the only one that attends that elementary school this year.
Other than that is was a BAD day.....but after today I think it will be OK.
I am still so very tired about lunch time. Today I kept moving and did not lay down. Napping is not normal for me. I don't know if it's my cancer or the weather. 
I have lots  of plans for next week: therapy so I don't walk like I am drunk, I'm hungry for homemade meatballs, shopping (lucky Kevin LOL), etc. 
Good Night.....more next week.

Pain

the dictionary definition of pain is: 

• : the physical feeling caused by disease, injury, or something that hurts the body
• : mental or emotional suffering : sadness caused by some emotional or mental problem
• : someone or something that causes trouble or makes you feel annoyed or angry

Pain is not only felt physically, it can be felt emotionally......that hurts too.  Worry is a form of pain...will I be OK? What is going to happen? Do you care about me? Who will care for me? What is happening to me? Am I getting worse? Why can't I remember -fill in the blank???

I am not going to talk about physical pain because i don't suffer from it. 

But, sometimes aren't there days when you just want to take 15 minutes to cry for yourself?

I have been feeling more like that lately.The cooler weather? My emotions? Cancer?

The sinus infection I have?

If you're  a friend of mine you probably haven't heard me speak of it.......and you probably will not: b/c I don't want to burden anyone, I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, and I do not have a reason. I just want to vent and see if anyone else feels this way.

It's Not Over Yet

It's Sunday night, but it won't be over until tomorrow. No matter how old or young, how healthy or sick you are the time just seems to fly by.

The weekend started out with a visit to my sister's. It's an 80 mile trip and too far for my sister to drive, so my friend was nice enough to drive me. We had lunch and visited. Hopefully we'll be able to gather together before Christmas.

OK. it's Monday night so the weekend is over, I get so tired at night that I am ready for bedt at 8pm.

Before we came home our grandson J called me and asked to spend the night.........About a thousand phone calls later we were able to make arrangements. Mom hasn't let him come over for months....the babysitter was sick (so it was convenient for her). Hubby leaves his phone downstairs and does not hear it..... One of my pet peeves.........I can't reach him. Thank goodness my girlfriend was able to stop over and talk to Kevin.

Grandson J made his 'famous' crazy bark.

Another Pet peeve - I don't like putting the dishes away, neither does Kevin.

Saturday I had plans to make my Paper Pumpkin kit from Stampin Up, Jalen went along and only 3 others were there, It was very nice. I was tired saturday night, in fact I have been sooooo tired since last weekend. Sunday I vegged and did not even get dressed, it certainly felt good.  

Kev bought cookie dough from work and promised the guys cookies, so sunday night he made some.

  Today we saw some. so after I finished at the grocery store I took some time to read on the deck.

It was a pretty, sunny night....

 No pretty colors yet, but soon...

Yes, I really need to catch up on my reading.

A Book, Bingo, My Back, Baking, Bruises

This is a great book! I would not chosen it on my own, thinking "it's too sad'. It was recommended by one of our members. I am so glad. Until twelve years old Martin was a 'normal' boy. He got sick and no one knew what was wrong, he couldn't talk, eat, or control his limbs....very frustrating. For nine years he just sits in a chair wherever his is placed. He's deemed to be on the lowest end of of the intelligence/rehabilitation scale. Finally he sees flashes of light of his past life and knowledge just appears to him. One of the workers, at the home he spends his days in , takes notice of him, of his eye contact, and she wants to have him tested.

He's tested for the ability to communicate and it is determined that he has the ability. He's outfitted with a word/letter board and finally a laptop. He spells words, learns words and their meaning, he learns to 'speak' the laptop application. Martin works for hours at learning. He studies, works part time, gives speeches, travels, etc. He faced the struggles of every young man, only at an older age. Eventually he works full time and marries.

 

Another interesting fact is that, although he was not raised a christian or church goer, he knows Jesus and talks to him. How can  you not believe???

Last night I went to bingo with a friend.....no one at our end of the table won, but it was a nice group. If I go again I'll have to get a dauber, maybe a pretty metallic one???

All day yesterday my back was so sore, I didn't do anything to it. (sad face) The day started out good, with a call from my son.

I couldn't bend over to pick anything up and I could barely stand up straight when I walked. I was hoping my errands and walking would help, but no. I tried to sleep on my other side last night and today it is better. Cancer? or normal everyday pain? maybe I should go back to the chair yoga at the senior center.
I feel like I cough more.....is it a cold? cancer? Yes, this is how we think.
I am not really a big pumpkin fan but I want some pumpkin bread, I think I have all the ingredients here, I just took my last loaf of chocolate zucchini bread out of the freezer. I know I should flush all of my sugar down the toilet. (cancer loves it)
I've noticed a few light bruises lately.... I've NEVER bruised before unless I really got hit.What is that about?
Friday morning I am leaving for a Christian retreat: "Live, Laugh, Love". It's in Three Lakes, a couple of hours up north. We've gone before and always enjoy it. This is the first year I am not driving. (sad face) 
I guess I need to do some laundry and start packing.
Thanks for checking in with me................what's next?

Waiting....

Yes, I guess I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Friday I saw my cardiologist and all is well. In 6 months I'll have   an Echo and  my bloodwork and doctor's observations and visit will be more in depth.  

Monday I saw my oncologist and was happy to hear that my bloodwork is good. The numbers that we want to go down are!!! One test mainly, for my liver was over 2000 when I started, pretty darn high, it is now over 300, 117 is normal. YEAH!!!! Both of my tumor markers are coming down....one is near normal. But no, the cancer will not be cured.....but we can pray to control it for many years!!!!!!!  My prayer. This almost makes me want to return in another month for more bloodwork, but my appointment is for another 6 months. I guess it is good that the dr does not think he needs to see me every 6 weeks or so.
I'm just afraid....when will the numbers go in the opposite direction??? When will the other shoe drop? How long can I continue to do the things I want (to a percentage of what I really want to do)? Since I don't drive any distance I am not going very many places, seeing many things. I've said it before and I will say it again "I miss doing things with my friends". I am still me!!! I am an introvert and am comfortable with doing/going by myself, but that has boundaries now. I work slowly, I tire easily, am tired after supper,  I go to bed early and sleep late. I can tell my body is different, nothing I can really explain....but some things have been affected.  I try to get my 5000 steps a day, some days I do.  My appetite is pretty darn good though!
This is my journey and I'm stickin' to it. I am not complaining, just telling it how I see/feel it. 
Thanks for coming along.

A Doctor and Garden Today'v

Friday I and my friend took a ride to Milwaukee to my cardiologist. Strangely I wake up in the wee hours of the morning and it takes me awhile to go back to sleep, so I was really in a deep sleep when I heard crickets....my text sound....before 7AM .....my fault....I don't turn my phone off at night...usually it's not a problem. I guess my daughter had some free time before work and sent me a photo of my grandson.

I had about 8 more minutes to sleep so I was able to wake up slowly.

As usual I was 5 minutes late to pick up Carolee, my driver. Tis the season for orange cones (road construction) in Wi, but we arrived in plenty of time for my lab work. My dr is usually on time  so my appointment doesn't take much time. He said all seems good, my heart and kidneys that is....cancer??? seeing my oncologist next week.

After lunch we did a teeny bit of shopping...both of us are trying to move things out of our house...not into it. After St Vincent de Paul and Trader Joe's stops we headed home. She didn't buy a thing, I got a few things at Trader Joe's.

Doesn't this dessert look good?

Before we went home we also stopped at the gardens by the lake. It's been a few years since I've been there.

Tons of flowers and they are beautiful!!! 

It's beautiful and peaceful, I could walk around for hours and could have taken 100's of photos. 

Thoughts On Thursday

Do you know what bothers me?

Why do I have such a problem with my balance? Is this forever? Is the nerve damage to my foot permanent? I'd like to be able to walk....I tripped and fell into Lake Superior and I tripped Tuesday  while watering my tomatoes and doused myself with water. What if I fall down the steps?

Every time I cough I wonder if I am getting worse. Sometimes I get a 'funny' feeling in my left chest area, what does that mean?

Will I be able to have tomatoes and flowers next year?

What will the winter be like?

What if I can't get my lymphatic system working?

Are the chemo pills helping? I guess my next blood test will tell.

I think about cancer every day.....I am aware of it.....I don't fret about it....it's just there.....a fact of life I am not happy about.

Thanks for modern medicine and friends who don't leave me behind.

Macaroni is Macaroni

And Noodles are noodles................unless  you are my husband....and then you might think they are all spaghetti??? I never even had spaghetti on my list!

 I had written noodles on my list...........................you know like you might use for chicken noodle soup???? I wanted to go to the grocery store with Kevin but my son and daughter were on the way over so I stayed here.

The following day I found a box of macaroni  in the pantry.................husbands???

Yes, I often find things that I don't want in my cupboard. Hubby doesn't watch the sodium levels, and if I liked it 6 months ago he thinks I still like it and will continue to buy it......... He is trying but I guess I need to write more specific grocery lists. 

Sunday started out cool and cloudy but by late afternoon it was warm and sunny outside. I took my Kindle and found my comfy chair. Later a friend came over with shrimp salad for supper :-)

A couple of hours later the sky got dark, it started to rain, and the wind picked up. About 20 minutes later, the lawn was filled with branches, and the power was out so we settled down for a quiet evening. 

The 'natives' are getting restless.......The last day of school is later this week and the students and teachers are 'killing time'. My grandson wants to attend summer school...last year I took him but this year I can't drive. I guess it is just too hard for mom to take him,....dad doesn't live with them. He is in the gifted and talented program, but............I hate to see his enthusiasm and talent wasted.

I have a dr appointment this afternoon. I am being switched to another oral chemo pill, wish me luck! I can't wait to see what the new side effects are............(she says sarcastically).

Just A Few Thoughts On Thursday

*This has been a long, cold, boring spring. We desperately need sunshine and at least 60 degree temps.

*Fortunately this chemo is quite different compared to my last one. In 2014 the chemo was a killer....to my body and to some of the cancer cells. I am fatigued but not totally out of it. So far I have eyelashes and fingernails. I have to be sure to put Aquaphor on my nails to keep them hydrated.

*I finally remembered to talk to dr about my peripheral nueropathy (drop foot in right foot) and he looked at me and the first thing he said was "Don't cross your legs". I, then, remembered that it was what he and the therapist said to me 2 years ago. So I will become the 'uncross your legs' police again and see if that helps. Two years ago I'd tell everyone. So for now, I move in slow motion.

*I've also decided that if I don't want to wear a turban or hat at home, I won't. If others don't like it they can put at blindfold on, agree? It doesn't matter. 

*Time to get dressed for my lunch date with my boys. Today is the last time for bookmunchers (at school) with the students so Deb and I are attending. I have to make 2 different stops for their lunches, but it's ok. They get about 15 minutes to read and then we eat. I can, now, stand and put some make up on. Before it was such an effort to clean up and put make up on. It was nice not to have to wash it off tho.....I'm getting lazy. ha ha ha

Have a good day!!!!

Thanks for stopping in. 

Good Morning!

I'm up early today. Boy, did I sleep good last night, I didn't even move once I got into bed (early). As you know, Monday I had surgery for a pluerix drain. 

My emotions have been raw lately, I am not surprised, with all the drugs I am on. I am hurt, angry, and can get teary eyed over people who profess to love me but yet ignore me. It hurts me when I don't get a message, text, card, call, any acknowledgement, or anything from some people. 

I was thinking about my upcoming surgery yesterday, it wasn't a major procedure, but still something new to me. 

My sister and her friend came to visit in the morning, at least that got my mind off of the afternoon. The surgery was scheduled for 1:30 with nothing to drink after 7:30. Damn, I was thirsty!

We were at the hospital at 12:30, the nurse asked all the questions. Then the anesthesiologist asked them again and explained what he'd be doing. The surgeon came in to talk to us and said they were running behind.

Damn, I was thirsty and anxious! I just wanted to get it over with so I could have an ice tea............oh yes, the nurse was aware of what I wanted. I was starting to be a wimp and tears were rolling down my cheeks. I hate it when I do that.

Finally, the nurse came in to get me.....I just wanted this to be over with. The last thing I remember was having oxygen put over my nose.............bye, bye.

I woke up to a lot of talking.........no sure who or to whom.

I got back into my room and the dr had already spoken to Kev. I sorta remember what was happening. I had a lot of gas pain circling from under my rib cage to my back. The nurse, Patty, was super nice. Tears started to fall again when she said she had lots of scrapbooking supplies and I commented that I had 9 grandkids that I had hoped to complete scrapbooks for.

I know she got my ice tea, or someone did. My first swallows were of sweet tea...but I was so thirsty. Someone fixed that for me tho. She did get me something for my gas and also for pain. I think the last time I had pain pills was when my back was out 11+ years ago. No, nothing when I had my lumpectomy or port placement.

Finally I felt good enough to go home.

I did take one pain pill last night, but I am sure I don't need anymore. I slept so soundly last night....I didn't wake up until morning nor did I mess up the covers. 

The incision is under my arm on my side (so I am told). I do have some discomfort.

The home care nurse is supposed to call today. She will come tomorrow to check on the incision and she'll be the one who drains the catheter. I THINK I will be able to do it later.

Friday is the last day I have to  go to the clinic to have my port flushed.  YAY!!!!!

Kevin was with me all day yesterday and he stayed home again today. That man has been through so much......cancer twice with me and his first wife passed away from metastasized breast cancer also.

Yes, I am breathing better, but not 100%. I will never be 'normal'. 

Over a liter of fluid was drained yesterday and I am not sure how long that will last...........a week maybe? At least now I won't be miserable for so long, I can have it drained when I need it done.

It's strange to be able to breath 1/2 way decent, I am so used to walking a few feet and then plopping down.

Thanks for your prayers and concerns!

I have a better post planned for tomorrow :-)

Some Cards

So many friends have been so faithful in sending me cards, some from friends I don't even know. It's really nice to find a card or 2 in the mailbox, many with heartfelt messages. 

 I like Cinderella's quote, don't you?

This is just a sampling of the latest cards I've received. 

Thank you!

This week has been quiet, guess that's a blessing. I have to go out every day to have my port flushed....getting dressed and walking to the car is a pain in the **. It's still so very hard to breath. Yesterday a friend took me and then she stayed here for a while and helped me make some soup. 

Tomorrow I have labs, dr appt, and chemo. I am wondering what the dr is going to say about my breathing??? I don't think the thoracentis is an option anymore. 

This weekend we're expecting company so Kev did some cleaning. I kinda asked him to do it.....he doesn't like being told what to do.....but things are different now.

My cough is better today. It is worse when I lay down at night. I'm taking pseudoephedrine and cough for an hour or 2, but then I sleep most of the night. Yes, that IS an improvement.

Happy Hump Day!

part 2 of My Cross

I'm not sure what happened with my last post, but it got 'all goofy'. So please read that post first, then this one will make sense.

Kevin brought up my already packed hospital bag, sadly I have learned to pack a bag so all he has to do is add my chargers to it, grab it, and go. We sat, we waited, we stared at the tv and no one came in after the initial check in procedures, Guess I should be ok with that. One good thing about this hospital is room service; you order what you want & when you want it, from 6:30am to 6:30Pm. I ordered the chicken stir fry and it was just as good as it was in Feb when I was there.

After Kev left I kept the tv on and tried to read a little. I go to bed really early......8 ish....so was dozing when the nurses came in before 9 to check vitals, etc. I don't remember the times or the order  of events but I was running a fever, had a bad cough, and needed my evening meds. I do know I had my port accessed and had blood cultures from there and my arm. I was given an IV antibiotic....all this somewhere in the middle of the night. The time really didn't matter, I couldn't sleep anyway. I wanted to go home to my bed so badly I was almost in tears. Sometime after 2am I fell asleep, but then it started all over. I do my best sleeping in the morning, so I'd 'wake up' for what was needed then roll on my side and try to doze off again. I remember going down for x-rays before 8, when I woke up in my room I was still wearing my glasses. I was tired. Shortly after that the nurse asked me if I wanted to see the priest, I am not catholic so I said 'no'. She comes back in and tells me it's my pastor. Of course I see him for a few minutes....then I try to sleep some more. 

At one point when checking my oxygen level it's determined to be low, so I get some oxygen too. It did help.

Around 9 I decided it's time to start the day. Just as I was looking at the menu the kitchen calls to see if I want breakfast....I try an omelet. Breakfast is not my best meal and they were not real eggs, but I did manage to eat about 1/2. The weight keeps falling off so I know I need to eat.

I found out that my doctor would be in over the noon hour so I let my hubby know. He took Thursday and friday off to be with me. I'm a pretty quiet hospital patient (except when coughing), I don't turn the tv during the day, I sit in the chair in a quiet room and read or stare out the window.

We arrived home about 2 and I immediately went upstairs for a nap. I did get some sleep, ate dinner, watched tv and went back to bed. 

I slept pretty good that night......so nice to be in my own bed. 

to be continured. 

A New Week (and some answers)

Yes, time marches on......and it's Monday again......to me one day is just like the other.

The weekend was quiet, except for my coughing, especially at night. Even though I started taking Robitussin last night for mucus, I am still up most of the night. I might be a little better, but my ribs and chest are feeling it today. I find that if I sleep on my left side I don't cough as much....weird. My doctor's nurse said that taking it was OK, in fact, he often prescribes it. 

A couple of friends did stop over to visit this past weekend.

My breathing seems a bit better today too!

Yay! It was warm enough for me to sit outside and have lunch today. The sunshine felt sooooooo nice. A cooling trend with some rain is on the way, actually just normal temps. 

Today was my first day with Meals on Wheels. It was a nice big meal consisting of: baked chicken, squash, baked potato, dinner roll with butter, carton of milk, and dessert. I did not eat the squash because I did not feel like seasoning it. I'll try the dessert a bit later, I was too full at noon. I am going to try the Meals on Wheels program to see if that helps me to eat better. Food is more appealing if it is cooked and set before me. Guess what? Next Thursday is liver and onions.....I like liver. Right now I am taking meals 4 days a week.....I may change that. 

Tomorrow my girlfriend is taking me shopping, I have one pair of pants that fit. Hopefully some of the capris I have packed away will fit, I don't need a lot of clothes. I am not that excited about shopping, it's a lot of walking. I'll need to push a cart to keep me going, wish me luck.

Now to answer a question or 2:      

I bought my turbans from The America Cancer site and some from Amazon. 

We live in a tri-level and yes, if my breathing makes it too hard for me to get upstairs to the bedroom, we're going to set up a bed in the lower family room. Of course, I prefer my own bedroom.

Nothing else exciting is planned for this week. Hope you have a good week!

It's Not Always Prettty

This roller coaster ride called cancer is not always pretty. Consider this a warning that this will not be my (trying to be) usual upbeat post.

Friday was a pretty good day but late that afternoon I could hear Kevin in the bathroom....all of a sudden my stomach just started to turn.....any way, thank goodness Kev ran up with a waste basket for me. I've been able to keep my nausea under control but, apparently not, my weak stomach. 

Later I went upstairs to watch TV/read in bed early, 8ish. I laid down and coughed, and coughed and coughed.....for 4 hours. After sleeping for a few hours I was up again with that same stomach issue. I made it to the bathroom. Thankfully I did get some more sleep that morning. 

I have to weigh myself every morning and usually I've been loosing weight....but after today I saw that I had gained 8# in two days...not good....most likely I am retaining water. I took an extra water pill....and they work! Hopefully I'll be able to walk up the stairs tonight without being so out of breath. The last several days I've been coughing more and have been more short of breath.

This afternoon I had another coughing spell and ended up using the waste basket to throw up in. I cough so hard that I just can't help it. I think it could be my lungs. I hope this is not the new normal.

 Guess who'll be sleeping with  bucket by her bed?

This is not fun..........not knowing what to expect each day. 

I am afraid to go upstairs and lay down.

How Am I?

That's a common question when someone has a health condition....how is so & so? I can imagine that friends & family get tired of being asked. Sometimes there is nothing new to say. 

That's one of the reasons this blog had turned (once again) into                                                 a cancer blog.  

People who don't see me often can know exactly how I am doing. I try not to sugar coat things, but I will spare you the gory details.....at least for now. 

After 4 rounds of chemo I am feeling somewhat better and feel like getting out of the house. I really can't do anything strenuous or walk very far, I get too pooped. I clomp along with my right foot, very slowly. I move in slow motion because I tend to be unsteady (& lightheaded) sometimes. Kevin does 99% of the housework. 

I'm not really nauseous but my stomach is not right either. Most of the time I don't really care to put anything in my mouth. I am having a hard time maintaining my lowest, ever adult weight. Kevin asks me every day what I ate.

I don't sleep very good, I wake up in the wee hours of the morning and try to get back to sleep.....sometimes it doesn't come until Kevin leaves for work after 5. I started taking melatonin last night....oh my...lotsa dreams. Dr says to give it 7 - 10 days. I'm always tired, or my eyes are........my mind runs in circles. 

I really miss my hair; my short, curly, oddly colored hair. I liked it...but it's gone. 

Last night we went to Buffalo Wild Wings to meet a former co-worker of Kevin's. That was the first time I had been out of the house  for something other than medical reasons. Previously I had no desire to leave or even get dressed. I put make up on and found a winter hat to wear, it was snowing and I thought a straw hat would look a bit out of place. (I'm looking up in this photo, the cap underneath doesn't show that much).

I actually ate nachos and 2 bites of a cheeseburger. 

As we were leaving I noticed that Van had the size sticker still on the back of his jeans. When I took off my sweater after we got home I was surprised to see that I had it on inside out. I think Kevin was dressed properly. What a motley crew we were. 

What do I do? I spend time on the computer and read a lot. I wash the dishes and will start doing the laundry. No day time TV for me. L.A.Z.Y

Emotionally I am OK also, or maybe good.......I'm getting better. Who wants to deal with the kind of diagnosis I received? I'm trying, I am. 

I am thankful to have the support of family and good friends.

Your prayers help too. Thanks!

If It Isn't One Thing, It's Another

Another week is over.

I completed my 3rd chemo and am suffering the side effects.

I did get a good night's sleep last night.....ahhhh  :-) so I am sure today will be better.

Hubby was up early this morning doing laundry and dishes. All of our clothes are clean....just a bit wet. You see, the other day our dryer died......and the new one won't be delivered until the middle of next week. The store doesn't stock that gas dryer....they are expensive!.....so Kev is off to the laundromat later this morning to dry everything. The things that guy does for me. We got a new washer last June, and this dryer can't be more than 5 years old. sad, very sad.

Now, the ice cuber on our refrigerator is not working. If you know me, you know I LOVE ice, I like lots of ice in my cold drinks. I'll have to ask Kev to dig out the ice cube trays from the basement. It's just a little thing, but what is ice tea without ice???

We are supposed to get snow today, I did see flurries earlier.... MAYBE the lake will keep us warm enough to only get more rain??? I think everyone is depressed because we have only seen rain/clouds recently. 

It's April and everyone is going on vacation.....everyone but me. My girlfriend is leaving for AZ. Another friend is going on a bus trip out east to see the Biltmore Manson. I and a friend were supposed to be on that trip :-(  Carolee and I would have had  ton of fun with Carla. I am the one who REALLY wanted to take that trip, I've wanted to see the Biltmore for several years.  But it's not happening. Kevin did cancel his bowling trip to Reno, he doesn't want to leave me for 4 days. I am sure someone could have looked in on me and I would have been OK, but I am still glad he's not going. 

So, instead of going on trips, and to grandparents day, and to my granddaughters's dance recitals I am going to chemo and dr appointments. 

Oh yeah, I had other trips planned that were canceled and more that may have to be cancelled. I am glad that last summer was a good one and that I was able to do as much as I wanted. 

As long as I am in complaint mode, here's more: my weight is down again. I am hoping it's just water weight from my lungs. That seems to be improving. I still get pretty darn winded but I can sleep on my left side now, a few days ago I could not breath when I tried to lay on my left side. In case I didn't explain earlier, that's why I use a wheel chair if I have to walk any distance, I am just too winded (from my lung problems).

And that's the way it is!

As I See It

It may be the end of March, but it's not to late for a snow storm in Wi......unfortunately. It's wet and heavy and the estimates I've heard say about 6". It's still windy and it look like a 'wintery mix' is still coming down. This is what I see from my table as I sit at my computer, when it hits the patio door it melts and runs down. My poor birds........nothing in the feeder for them. 

These darn shrubs are invincible :-(  When they are not bogged down with heavy, wet snow they cover up 1/2 the window and I hate them. This summer I NEED to have them removed!

I did remember to weigh myself today and I gained 2#. That's something that doesn't make most people happy....it's good for me. I can't believe how skinny I look.......or maybe I was just fat. I always was thin, very thin, but after I married Kev he fattened me up.....or I just got older and fatter. 

I've graduated to washing the dishes and have plans to clean one bathroom today. No, I was not doing a thing! But I live here and can't let Kev do anything IF I can help. 

Friday my son and his children are coming to visit.

I'm glad I'm feeling better b/c Monday I have a full day. During the day I have a dr appt out of town and then a Feel Better Look Good meeting in the evening. I didn't want to do both on the same day but the next meeting was a month away, and by that time I will be out of hair :-(

I've been doing a lot of reading.....the last 3 books I read were mostly about being pregnant and babies (no, I didn't realize it when I chose those books) so I think I need to change my genre and find a good murder mystery.

Yesterday when I opened my front door to get the mail I found a 'care package' sitting there: dessert, card, crossword book (I don't do other word/number games). Cool, huh?

The other day my friend took me to the clinic for my blood work. After that we (she) did a little shopping. I needed smaller pants, they fit! It's always good to get out of the house and go somewhere other than a doctor's office. 

Unfortunately my WBC is still too low for a treatment, hope it's OK by next Wednesday. I hate chemo but I know it has to be done. On the other hand the numbers that were sky high are lower and lower....that's a great thing!!!!

And that's how I see today!

Happy Easter weekend!

Thank you all for your wonderful comments.