CT Scan Today

John and I went to Providence Southfield early this morning for my CT scan. Everything went fine, and I am very thankful for prayers. They said that Dr. Malviya should have the results in a few days, but I do not expect to know anything until my appointment with him the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

Afterward, John took me to breakfast at a place James told us about in Royal Oak, Cafe Muse. Scrambled eggs with mushrooms. Yum. I kept thinking about food these last few days when I could not eat!

Decorations on My Face

Reflections
Time to catch up again. I will start "light". About two weeks ago, I felt a little something on my face. Hair. I took off my glasses and moved closer to the mirror. Little eye lashes were beginning to grow. And eye brows. And even nose hairs.

The top of my head had more hair too. Earlier, there was a little hair that looked more white. Now there was a little hair and a little more color. And when I pushed up my sleeve, my skin did not feel as smooth as it had. Ah. Little arm hairs were beginning to grow.

Hair has not been all that important lately. But it was fun to notice.
(And no, at least so far, it is not curly, as some had predicted.)


Back to my story...
Way back in October, the plan was for my sister to meet at my house and spend the night, then drive me up to our folks' for our mom's retreat. As it turned out -Big surprise- they were both in the hospital that Saturday: Mom in West Branch, and Bonnie in Erie, PA. It seems Bonnie had a heart attack, and had angioplasty on Sunday night. She seems to be healing, and has started heart rehab. (exercises). We sure missed her at the retreat (and visiting at my house and along the way).

And yes, my mom was released from the hospital that Monday, and I drove us on to the retreat that day. I think she was glad to attend (good speakers, good food, good company), but was plenty tired.

I stayed with them a week and a half for her stress test appointment that next Tuesday. The good news from that was they did not find a heart problem, so were going to try adjusting medicines.

Thanks for caring and praying for them both!

Back Home
The day after I came home, I went to my Dr. Malviya appointment. It did not take all day, and I really had a good time seeing him. Plus, of course, an appointment usually proceeds a chemotherapy session. And this time, there was none.

Afterward, I have been doing some normal-person things. I have been taking yoga at church on Wednesday nights. I did have a more extensive blood draw Oct. 29, in anticipation of my CT scan, and also for my thyroid-check with my family practice doctor (Dec. 7). I finally had a dental check-up (with my same dentist from before I moved, Dr. Andress!), as I could not go during chemotherapy.

Dr. Malviya said to stay active, so am I trying to be intentional about walking. Sometimes I think I am busy. But I always feel better when I do walk. (Once I walked to church for a women's meeting, about three miles, but got a ride home.) I have a soft-pattern of walking one day a week with a classmate/neighbor. What good company!

This weekend, I got to help pass out free hot chocolate in front of the church at the Royal Oak "Holiday" parade. It was very cold, great weather for hot chocolate! A few people wanted to make donations, and it was great fun to emphasize that it was free, "Merry Christmas!" A grace-filled experience. John walked in the parade with a group from church dressed in their costumes for the Dec. 7 "Bethlehem Marketplace". (Tonight between events, John and I walked through the sets being built in the church basement. I'm really looking forward to this!)

This evening was a Royal Oak Community Thanksgiving Service, that I attended and John participated in. So we moved our Disciple Bible Study, usually in the evening, to the afternoon. This week's theme was "Comfort", which was wonderful after reading about exile. This coming week, the theme is "Worship", as we read Psalms (they are poetry, to be read aloud).

Thankgiving
This week, my folks are coming and staying at our house, and we will eat Thanksgiving dinner together at Allan's. Bonnie and Charlie are also planning to come, weather permitting. And from an even farther corner, we are hoping Carrie will be able to make it as well.

I have not been eating solid food this weekend in preparation for Monday morning's CT scan. So I am enjoying thinking about and planning food for later this week!