Appointments coming out the wazoooo...AND

My appointments have become totally ridiculous. The good thing about the appointments at Duke is they are all put into my email. That means I have to keep up with all the others. As it turns out, I have two in the morning - back to back and across town from each other. I'm supposed to fast after midnight and have my blood drawn around 8:15 in the morning. I doubt they will get to me before 8:30 though. I'm hoping to take my last pain medication with Ensure around 12:30am and then just hold on until after they draw my blood to eat and take the pain medication. If the pain gets too bad, I'll just take it with water. Then I have rush across town to get to my physical therapy session. On Monday, I have appointments with my Dermatologist at 8:40am and a Complete Physical with my Primary Physician at 10:00am. Yeah - the two days Page doesn't have to work and I'll be running around for appointments. That is not the way I thought we would spend our time together. I'm going to stop complaining - at least we live in an area that has phenomenal physicians and treatment centers. A lot of the people we see have to come from all over the country to get the same treatments. I am thankful for not only that but for the medical insurance I have that makes it all possible.

So now to the AND. I just heard from my dear friend something she has been keeping from me. That's right - she knows so many of my secrets and she was keeping one from me!! I know she was trying to protect me but don't. She is having surgery on Monday and hopefully they will be mistaken and it isn't Lymphoma. I guess I shouldn't be upset that so many people were aware of this and all of them were keeping it a secret from me until she knew she was definitely having surgery. I told another friend (in an email) that I'm sure already knew that UPSET doesn't even begin to come close..... One of the things we have in common is how we  feel about our children. I want to be there for her and her family as she always is for me and my family. She is one of the most pragmatic people I have ever known. One of her favorite things to say when things get tough is: "It is what it is". I have pretty much had to adopt that same attitude as we are entering the 8th month since my surgery. I have seen a ceramic plaque with those words written on them and I told her I was going to order two - one for me and one for her. She laughed. She told me her youngest daughter is coming to be with her and she told her she "didn't have to do that" and I said - Oh yes she does! She laughed and said - yeah, I guess. As a parent, I do understand. We both want to protect our children any way we can. So now we will try to stay positive while we pray for strength to cope with whatever we have to cope with and try not to panic until we absolutely know we have something to panic about. Right???? Right!!!!! Love you to the moon and back dear friend and no more secrets!!!

Back to the "this is getting old" routine....

All the kids have gone home and now it's back to keeping up with medical appointments. Several of the friends stopped by yesterday after service. It was nice to see all of them but especially Gail. She said they all had a good time in NY. I missed her. I shared with her how funny the girls were when they were cleaning the house. They wanted to live up to her standards. On top of the acupuncture and therapy I had to schedule a visit with my "other" Oncologist who keeps up with my Follicular Lymphoma. My primary doctor's office called to say they had a cancellation and did I want to come early for my physical. I said - sure - what the heck. What are two more appointments - one to get blood work done and the other for the physical. It's funny because I had just called my primary doctor on his personal line Monday. I knew he wouldn't be at work and it had been a long time since I had called in an update with what is going on. He shared something personal about his family that made me feel sad. His Dad was my primary physician from the time I was around twelve until he retired and I was handed off to his son. I went to high school several years with his older sister. That coupled with him being the primary for a large part of mine and BigD's family makes him our friend also. He is about the only doctor who has his own practice by himself in our area.

I had acupuncture today and it went much better than last week.  I still have a long way to go. When I told her the last session wasn't as good as the first one, she explained more about how it works and that at times, the needles "stir up or make angry" the area she is working on. She spent a lot of time with me today and painted word pictures with a soothing voice of how "cooling" the needles were going to be as I did my "Lamaze" breathing. :-) I mentioned that I had a headache and after the visit it was gone. She put a little of the oil on my forehead and it burned. It didn't burn on my neck though. Strange. I almost laughed when I thought to myself, "I wonder when I will be able to push".  I was a little upset that I got lost after BigD dropped me off.  I guess I never paid attention to which way we walked and I ended up in a large bathroom with lockers. There was a woman getting ready to take a shower who told me how to come

into the quiet room from the back wall.  I came in around the same time BigD walked in from the front. I'll just wait out front for BigD from now on. I have enough to think about without adding this kind of confusion to it. BigD went to get the car and I stopped in their little shop and bought the oil she uses on me. I have also ordered it but it was cheaper there so I went ahead and bought a second bottle. I might share it with the kids.  Keith came by after service and before he went on a new study. We walked around the yard. Sadly, one full time around and to the end of the driveway wore me slap dab out. That shows how badly I need to do it. We have tons of clover in our yard now. I'm not sure where it came from because we never have had it.  It reminded me of my childhood home - especially all the bees. It kind of creeped me out as I had a flashback to all those summers I stepped on a bee and was out of commission with a foot the size of a football for three or four days.  My Dad would scrape the stinger out

and tell me that meant the bee would die too.  Of course that isn't true. If my Dad's Mom was living with us at the time, she would run out and take some of the snuff in her lip out and smear it on the place I was stung. If she wasn't there, Daddy would take a cigarette out, slip the paper off, moisten the tobacco leaves and put them on it. If neither one of them was there, Mom would make a paste with baking soda. All of it was supposed to draw out the poison. I'm still having a hard time keeping the pain under control. It really was nice outside today - not too hot at all.

The flowers Ann planted are looking pretty good. I'm looking forward to seeing Roseanne tomorrow and Page Saturday. I hate we have appointments on the Monday she has off but I have to go on that day or not at all because I wouldn't have anyone to take me. Oh well - reason number 445 why I shouldn't be allowed to be the one that makes/keeps up with the appointments. I looked at Page's flights and realized she isn't leaving until late afternoon to go home on Thursday.  Yea!!!!   I'm still thinking about making an appointment for Miya with the cardiologist.  I'm worried about her weight gain and the night I heard her wheezing a little bit when she was sleeping on me.  They might need to change her dosage on her medication.
I will end this post with an Emily Dickinson poem:

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee
And revery.
The revery alone will do

There were people in the house last night......

We had a very nice visit from two old friends yesterday afternoon. Page and Bentley went for three

mile walks every day they were here. When they got back yesterday, I introduced them to Bentley and told him how when I first started studying and Dwight was away in the Navy, they pretty much adopted me. This was taken at their place up on Hyco Lake. I spent many wonderful hours there when I was younger. Both of my children know about my adventures on the back of my Dad's cousin's Harley from the time I was about 10 - 12 until I was grown. They also know that I don't want them to ride now because it is so much more dangerous than it was 50 plus years ago.

Kurt insisted I walk out to Thid's bike and sit on it for pictures to be made. I only kept these two. He does have a very nice bike - Shorty would have loved it. I did enjoy riding back then before the roads were so crowded. I totally understand Thid's love of it and from the way he talks, I think he is very careful and aware of those around him.

Kurt wanted to get a picture of Page2 on the bike too. He took a lot of them but I liked this one the best. I'm not too worried about her ever wanting to actually ride one though. Page also made a Chocolate Eclair Cake.

I took a picture of it but it disappeared somewhere. Everyone said it was great. There were a lot of people in our little house last night. Ann came over early with her Mom, Boy and Biscuit. She re-planted

some of my pots on the deck. Some of the ones she planted before didn't survive. Of course Boy and Page2 were thrilled to be together and entertained each other until late last night. We all love their friendship. Biscuit did a little entertaining herself by showing the things she had learned at gymnastics. She was so cute. The more we clapped, the wilder she got. I can't wait until she takes ballet! Since it was a long weekend, more people came by to see our children and some of then stayed to associate with the ones who were already here.

Leah made a wonderful crab dip for every one to snack on with different chips. Thank goodness we had picked up more KJ Chardonnay and Beer for everyone. BigD grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and made some baked beans. Kurt had made some white Chili earlier. Lee and Ann's Mom and Dad joined us along with Roseanne and her hubby. Then Judee and Mae came followed by Keith who had just gotten back from NYC! So - let's see - we had Ann, Lee, her Mom and Dad, his Mom and Sister, Keith, Roseanne and hubby, Bentley, Page, Kurt, Leah, Boy, Biscuit and Page2. You can't count me since I didn't eat or imbibe of any of the good stuff.  Oops - I forgot, we also had Rose and Wayne

until right before the food was ready. I was glad to see that Wayne was able to rest a little.   They enjoyed Biscuit's performance too.  Mae worried that I would get too tired but it really did feel good to have so many loved ones around me having their fun. I didn't have to do a thing but sit here and enjoy them. Brought back good memories of other times.

Diamond, Pearl, Gold....

I asked Page to bring me my diamond ring, pearl ring, wedding band and BigD's wedding band from the bedroom to see if I could wear them.

This is the diamond BigD bought me from Wayne when he worked at Jones and Frasiers Jewelry store in November of 1965. I have never seen a setting I have liked better than this one. BigD has never been able to wear his ring for any length of time because of the kind of work he does. I had it sized down for me quite a few years ago.

I bought this pearl ring from Wayne and he designed the setting which I love also. The small band is my original wedding band. When BigD bought my diamond, I was so surprised because I had told him to not worry about an engagement ring because they cost so much and I would be happy with just a plain wedding band. It isn't the biggest diamond - a little over half-karat - but it catches light beautifully. I have always loved my diamond but can't help but wonder--when did my hands start looking so OLD????? Page also cleaned Ann's diamond earrings she gave me so I had her help me put them in my front holes. Since I haven't been wearing any earrings in those holes for almost 8 months, I was afraid they would grow back. It was tight putting them in so I'll just leave them in like the smaller diamond earrings in the back holes for the time being.

Family and long weekend...

I love long weekends - especially those that bring my family to me. As of last night, all my babies were in the house! Kurt and family got here last night because he had to work.

Kurt sent me this picture of Page2 sound asleep in the back seat with her beloved Hiro.

Leah gave me these cute kitty earrings.  We do love our cats in this family.

I LUV Page's "graduation from elementary school" picture. I think it is so sweet they make a big thing out of this.

Page2 and Leah gave me a new Matryoshka doll that I luv, luv, luv. I also love the one Page2 got for herself.

I can't believe how tiny they make the smallest little dolls. BigD made one of his famous new recipes of pasta with mild italian sausage and chicken breast in a cream sauce. Everyone loved it as usual.

Having Thid in my house two days in a row has been a real treat. Page made two big batches of fudge - one for him and Page2 without nuts and the other one full of pecans for everyone else. Page and Bentley had just left for their walk when he got here but

Kurt has really enjoyed getting caught up with him. Roseanne sent me a text message telling me she and Garry will stop by to see the kids around 4pm. Ann, Lee, Boy and Biscuit are coming over this afternoon also. Yea!!!!!

Happy Anniversary....

I can't believe I started my blog 3 years ago today. I never dreamed I would have kept it up all this time. I've never been able to keep or maintain the many journals I've started through the years. I always throw them away within a few months. I think it is safe to say, I'll probably be keeping this up at least until I am completely healed if that ever occurs.  I went for my second acupuncture treatment Wednesday and was so disappointed.

I just knew I would feel great on Thursday like I did last week but if anything, I have felt worse. She used different needles and bunched them together more. I did order the White Flower Oil she uses on me. It wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be and should last a long time since you only use a dot or two at a time. After the treatment on Wednesday, I headed over to see my Oncology Nurse Practitioner.

I heard piano music and we looked down to the bottom floor and an older woman had put her purse down and decided to play. Wow - it made me think of my sister Ann. I so miss our conversations. I need to call Naoki and see if they are still planning to come down in July so I can let the kids know because they will want to see them. My Nurse Practitioner told me she read my Surgeons notes about how my throat is still raw from the radiation. She changed her prediction about my feeling better from this weekend to the end of the year. Yeah....made me real happy. Yesterday was a very busy day - I was paid a visit by my cleaning fairies. Deb went home about an hour before Roseanne came over.  Not long after she arrived,

my two cleaning fairies showed up with their little girls! They worked so hard and really outdid themselves cleaning this cluttered little cottage. They knew Gail would be in NY this week with her entire family and knowing our kids were coming this weekend, they insisted they were going to clean for us. They kept saying things about how they wanted to do it as good as Gail. That will tickle her.  I'll be honest, I have no idea where anything in this house is these days but if I had to guess, it might in the office or be on the chest in my bathroom. I was so moved by how kind these two young mothers have been to me and BigD. As the beautiful Vivian Leigh said in the movie - A Streetcar Named Desire - "I've always counted on the kindness of strangers.." with a strong southern drawl. Of course these two wonderful young women aren't strangers to me and the longer I know them, the more I appreciate how special they are.

I enjoyed their two little girls as always. KennaKat was so excited! She wanted me to see her "picture" album/book her Mom had made for her.

I was blown away with this beautiful book. KennaKat wanted me to see that my picture is in the book! What an honor! It's a picture of me and Roseanne from last summer's District Convention we went to in Roanoke with our children.

Of course Biscuit knows her way around my little house - "mi casa - HER casa"! :-) They are going to come over when all the kids are here. Kurt, Leah and Page2 will come down tomorrow after he gets off work. Page and Bentley got here around 4pm today. They made a stop at our favorite Pizza place and brought it home - they were starved. Later tonight, they went to Page's favorite Chinese restaurant and brought it home. I drank a little Won Ton soup. Just the broth of course but I could almost taste it.

Page noticed this pretty yellow shirt laying on the back of a chair. I told her Thid put the shirt over the drawer he made when he brought it over because it was raining. He told me to keep it so I asked her if she wanted it and Bam! YES! I do love the soft yellow color of it. I think it will make him feel good knowing she loves it. Hope he was serious when he told me to keep it. :)

This is a terrible picture but these are our neighbors. I've known him and his first wife since 1967. I was sent to other congregations through out the years but we would see each other at conventions and his wife would call from time to time. Sadly she had a lot of health problems and died awhile back. He married our next door neighbor and they came over this evening to pick up the shower chair he had brought over for me to use when I first came home after surgery. Page was happy to see him and meet his wife.  She liked that they both seemed happy and I'm sure they are.

Rats...

No, I'm not talking about another mouse - it is just how I feel realizing my nails have reverted back to what they were before they were so strong, healthy and fast growing.

Yep - if you look back 7 days, you will notice there has not been much change. No growth at all on any of them. They are not as strong and the ridges are back. Oh well..I enjoyed them while I had them. I called GG in Florida today and got to talk to her for a bit. She sounded real good and said she was having fun with her son and his family. Her youngest daughter came by and we talked for awhile. Things are moving forward and they are trying so hard to do everything the right way. Color me sad. I'm so happy we didn't have to deal with that with Mama.