Social Media During This Journey

I have avoided putting anything on Facebook during this journey for a variety of reasons.  I have only shared anything with the wonderful group of people I belong to on Rita's Virtual Diner.   None of them live in Arizona and they have all been supportive.

I have loved Facebook for the connections and being able to reconnect with friends and former classmates.  Unfortunately, in today's politicized environment, a lot of people have no qualms about saying anything that they want no matter what kind of hurt it could bring.   

And that is why I am blogging this.  Anyone can get to my blog, but it isn't out there everywhere.  Plus writing is helpful to me.

Judy's birthday is Jan. 31 and she asked if she could post something.   She doesn't have the "following" I do.  Hers is mostly just good friends.  I was fine with her posting something and in her typical way, what she wrote was amazing.   I was totally fine with it and all the people who responded were so supportive and kind. 

For some reason, I didn't put it on my blog.  It touched my heart and I want to have it available for anytime I want to read it or if anyone else wants to read it.  

Here is what she posted:

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday is my birthday and all I want this year is prayers and support for my sister, Sheila. Sheila was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer a few months ago. She and her doctors remain positive about her recovery. She continues to serve on the school board of the Gilbert Scool District with love and courage. However, her chemo and radiation treatments have brought many challenges that she faces with the same determination to make things better, as she has always done in her life. Please surround her with your love and support…

 I love this and thank her for it.

 

TO BE CONTINUED...............! 

 

Four Down--Twenty Three to Go!

Today was the first day that I drove myself to radiation..   After the doctor's appointment yesterday, I am finally so relieved that all my preparation is going to work  and I won't have to worry about that anymore.  I really do feel good. I get a bit overtired if I push it, but driving to this appointment is really not a problem.  Dave is more than willing to drive me and I had to convince him that I could do it myself.   I promised him that if I felt the least bit tired or shaky, I wouldn't even attempt it.  I do know my limitations and I am not going to take any chances.  It is about a 20 minute drive, a 20 minute treatment and then drive home.   There isn't much traffic at the time I go so it was easy.

The hardest part for me was that I have to get up at 7:00 (not in my retirement goals) and start drinking water in order to fill the bladder.  It takes between 60 and 90 minutes for that to happen.  Believe me, it isn't on my list of things to continue when this is over.  I can honestly say that it truly does take this amount of time with water.   I was going to ask the doctor if I could drink Coors Light instead because I have never had one when I didn't have to go the bathroom immediately.   I was fairly sure he would say NO, so decided to skip that question--maybe next Wednesday when we meet again!

I took a shower, put on my  BIG GIRL DEPENDS (just in case the water decided it didn't need that much time), got dressed and headed to the doctor's office.  There were no problems whatsoever and the radiation went fine.

I will have to make up for the two that didn't work last week, but that is just a blip in the overall scheme of things that I can handle.  I am just so relieved that we  were able to get everything worked out yesterday.   I am supposed to keep my stress level to a minimum as much as I can (which is harder than one would think), but this definitely has been a plus not to worry about.

Got home all in one piece and was able to do a few things around the house before the fatigue set in.   So right now I am resting.   My dear friend, Jill, is coming over early this afternoon and we hope to go out for a bit to someplace close that has an outdoor patio.  For me, the social isolation has been the most difficult part to handle.  So I am definitely resting for my time with Jill as we always have fun and she has been such a good friend and such a support to me during these past months.

So THANKFUL THURSDAY for me!

TO BE CONTINUED........................!

Wonderful Wednesday News

The last week has been frustrating with starting radiation and having some issues that can't be discussed on social media (at least I am not willing to discuss them).   Last Friday, they stopped the radiation about three minutes into it because I had some internal issues that I had to take care of. Needless to say, I was upset and disappointed.  The doctor called me Friday as soon as I got home and told me what to do for the weekend to prepare for Monday.  It was not a fun weekend as I was very worried even though he told me not to worry and we would get it worked out.  So this past weekend was not one of my best.   Worry is not a good thing when undergoing cancer treatment--nor anything else.

I did everything the doctor said to do over the weekend.  My appointment is at 9:10 every morning so I am getting up and drinking water at 7:00.   Believe me, drinking several glasses of water that early in the morning isn't my idea the way to start out the day.  However whatever it takes I will do.

Monday morning I was so nervous when they started the treatment, but everything went smoothly.  Same thing for both Tuesday and today---I did everything right.  

Wednesday is my "doctor" day and they let Dave come in with me.  We first went over all of the issues regarding the radiation and worked on a continued plan which will be much easier for me to maintain.  I am behind two treatments, but they will be made up later.  I need a total of 27 and I have had three successfully so need 24 more.  Before my appointment, the thought of 24 more almost did me in.   He said I may need a break sometime during the treatment but we would decide that as we go along.  After the 27 treatments, I will get a week's rest and then two brachytherapy sessions in one week and another the following week.   Will get a bit of a rest and then finish the last three chemo sessions.  I must say that chemo for me is a piece of cake compared to radiation.  Never knew that.

Then we went over the results of the PET Scan which he had called me about to tell me it came out very positive.  AND IT WAS EXTREMELY POSITIVE.  I love both my doctors, but this doctor is no nonsense and he couldn't have been more positive about how things are going and feels that I have an excellent prognosis.  

After I got home, I was planning on going to lunch at my dear friend, Bonnie's house.  I drove over to Mary's house and met Judy and Dotty and we all drove together to Bonnie's.    What a wonderful time we had.  We all taught together at Patterson many years.   We laughed and reminisced and had a wonderful time.   It was "food for my soul" as I haven't gotten out much.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY!!!

TO BE CONTINUED...............!

 

Good News in the Year of the Tiger!

 

Just after eight o'clock this morning, I received a call from Dr. Chowdery, my radiation oncologist.  He just wanted to let me know  the results of the PET scan from last Friday.  He told me that everything was clear and looked very good.  He also said that he knew I was worried and wanted me to know about the results to ease my tension.  I hung up and cried--not just for the good news, but for the kindness of this doctor who is very busy and wanted to alleviate my stress.

When I had the scan in December, there was something in a lower lung lobe and something in two areas in my spine.  The radiologist who read that scan, stated that he felt that one was a "bone island?" and the other just possibly a small infection.  However, because of the cancer, he recommended that another scan done (which was the PET Scan) to rule any issues out.  Dr. Chowdery agreed with him.  He also felt that there were no problems, but it was best to make sure.

Needless to say, this was such a relief in so many ways.  I didn't say much to anyone, but I was worried.  I had a lot of questions for the doctor, but I didn't want to take up his time because I knew he just made the call to alleviate my  worries.

Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year.  I normally don't pay much attention to it, but saw several posts on Facebook about it being the "Year of the Tiger."  For me, that is an excellent omen.   My 21 years as principal of  the Gilbert Elementary TIGERS were the 21 best years of my career (I loved everywhere I was, but Gilbert El was special).  So I am positive that this "Year of the Tiger" is going to bring me health and be an incredible year for me!

 

TO BE CONTINUED................!

 

Happy Birthday, Judy!

Today is Judy's birthday.  Since we can't got out very much because of lack of social distancing and masks, we celebrated here at our house on Saturday night.  I know that we didn't have her favorite dinner or one that she picked out because I have been whining so much about wanting crab legs.  Fortunately, they were on sale (but still very expensive) at Frys.   Dave doesn't like crab legs so we got a couple of nice steaks at the butcher shop for Dave and anyone else who wanted a little more to eat.

Kerri fixed the baked potatoes and cooked the crab legs in the pot we have.  They were perfect.   Judy made her typical great salad and Patrick barbecued he steaks on the grill.  I did nothing and it wasn't even my birthday.   Cameron had other plans so he missed the great dinner.  

I have to say that the crab legs really hit the spot with me.  They are one of my favorite foods and it is unfortunate that they are so expensive.  I need to start learning to fix  fish as I haven't done that much and it is really good for me right now.

Dave wanted to get some kind of cake for Judy to thank her for all that she has done for us and to celebrate her birthday.  As I have said before, I am not sure what we would do without her support and love.

We called Baskin Robbins and they had plenty of cakes already made.  Patrick went to get one and they were nice enough to write "Happy birthday, Judy" on it.  Our only mistake was taking the cake out so late that it made it very hard to cut it between the ice cream and frozen cake.  If all else fails, read the directions, but even that wouldn't have helped us.   We had birthday candles but only lit one and didn't put it in the cake.  We had her blow it out away from the cake.

Below are the pictures of the cake when we first took it out and then trying to cut it more than 30 minutes late.   I must say it was delicious.  Judy did take what was left home so she got something.  I feel badly that I didn't even get her a card this year.  I will make it up next year and hopefully we will be able to go out and celebrate in the near future.

So happy birthday, Judy.  I am glad you were born and I am more than grateful that "we" were able to adopt you.  I will never forget the day you came home from the hospital--I think about six weeks after your were born.  I could hardly wait to get home from kindergarten to meet you and hold you.  I remember sitting in the little red rocker holding you in my arms.   That was  one of the best days of my life!

TO BE CONTINUED...............!

Angels of Hope!

 

I belong to this incredible group on Facebook that my dear friend who is an author and storyteller started a bit after the pandemic hit.  Every week a different member is the host for the "virtual diner."  Usually there is a theme that the host does for the week.  When it was my turn, I used the Butte cookbook that has the history of the origin of so many foods that miners who emigrated to this country brought with them.  

Many of the members are storytellers, retired librarians and teachers from all over the country.  We post what we are having for dinner that night.   We have shared recipes and become friends.   I look forward to reading and sharing each evening.   As with any group, there are always people that you find you have a lot in common with.

When I first found out my cancer diagnosis, this is the only group on social media that I shared anything with and still is.   The support has  been incredible.

One of the members in particular has reached out to me as she is a cancer survivor.  She sends me a message of positivity almost every morning.   Since she lives in Georgia and gets up early, the message is there when I wake up.  We have "chatted" about so many things and she has been such a support.  Although we have never met, I feel as though she has become a good friend and I believe she feels that way about me.  We have much in common and that is always helpful.   She is a retired librarian and we both believe in the importance of libraries and the availability of books.

This afternoon Dave went to pick up the mail.   We hadn't gotten the mail for a few days and there  were several cards from Georgia.  As I opened them, I have to admit that I got very teary.  Most had a handwritten note and some kind of "angel" enclosed.  I immediately knew that this was Judy's doing.   I messaged her and she told me it was an angel ministry that helped her during some difficult times.  I know that receiving these today meant the world to me.

Judy, thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your caring, concern, and knowing what I am dealing with at this time.  You are truly the best and I can't thank you enough.  You are absolutely an ANGEL in my life and I am so grateful! 

TO BE CONTINUED..............!

National Holocaust Day

I was thinking earlier this week when it was National Holocaust Day. It brought back some memories of the year I taught in Germany in the late 70s. I will never forget when we visited Dachau, a concentration camp in Germany. It is hard to explain this but from the minute we went in until we left, I could feel the evil. It was pervasive throughout the time we were there. Although there was that awful feeling, I absolutely believe it is something everyone should experience if they have the opportunity. We don’t ever want to repeat this awful time in our history. 

 

Another memory I have is about the little village we lived in. We were the only Americans who lived there. Cars belonging to military had a distinct license plate. One Sunday morning there was a knock on our door. There were two couples from New Jersey and the women were sisters. They had seen the car and knew we were Americans. They had grown up in the house next door until the mid thirties when their father was able to get them to the US because they were Jewish and he could see what was coming. It was the first time they had been back to Germany since they were small children. I invited them in and we had a wonderful conversation. I learned so much. 

 

I have thought about this a lot during the week and decided to share this experience. It is important that we never forget.

 

TO BE CONTINUED.................!