Vacation Weekend

Farmer's Market
We squeezed a lot into Saturday. We made our first (quick) trip to Royal Oak's Farmer's Market. John usually has Saturday morning appointments.

Woodward Dream Cruise
I have heard about this, but could not imagine what it was like. We figured we would at least experience some of it our first year here. Wow, what a lot of (old) cars!

My favorite part was the car with paint that looked a deep purple color, but seemed to change to a deep green as I moved around it.

We also saw our nurse friend, Robin, who spent some time as our guide, and who also reminded me that chemo makes skin need extra care in the sun! (We did not stay very long.)

African World Festival
We specifically wanted to see the Soweto Street Beat (drumming program from South Africa) (and to eat the food). We enjoyed meeting Peter and Isabelle, and participating in the drumming and even a bit of Zulu dancing (generous description). It was fun!

I also bought a head wrap, and the woman at the booth wrapped it around my head for me, explaining directions as she went.


Kensington Community Church
Where does a minister go on vacation? This morning it was Kensington Community Church. Their theme was the work of volunteers in the Body of Christ. (It got John and I brainstorming...) I also bought a book that Jim W. had recommended some time ago, Blue Like Jazz. So now, it is on my reading list, as soon as I am done with my current one...

Zoo

Yes! We went to the Detroit Zoo yesterday! Since we went late in the day, we only stayed about half an hour and saw a fraction of the park. We still saw plenty: animals, beautiful gardens, concert-in-picnic area, colorful birds in the aviary, otters swimming. I kep thinking, "My mom will like this, so I hope she can come see it soon!"

CT Scan Day & Other Days

Chemotherapy #7 Afterward
I last wrote two weeks ago, the day of chemotherapy #7. I have felt really pretty good. I only noticed my stomach feeling affected once, but I walked it off, and did not have to use the anti-nausea medicine (which is binding). My feet did not feel as affected as I remembered from last month, so I think the vitamin B6 Dr. Malviya suggested may be helping. (He said 50 mg, but I could only find 100 mg., so I was cutting them in half. At my last appointment, he said to just take the whole tab, as they are water soluble anyway and will just leave my system.)

Hope
Also, at my last appointment, I commented that I would like to say that I have HAD cancer. Dr. Malviya smiled, and said that people frame things how it works best for them. But scientifically (I am paraphrasing), it would be more accurate to use the past tense after five years. So, I suppose a long-term goal would be birthday #58.

Also, at my last doctor's appointment, I asked if I could go on my mom's traditional women's retreat (Win-some Women) in October (as in my understanding, I would have had my chemotherapy #9 by then). He asked how long I would be gone, and I said less than a week. He said to GO! So my sister Bonnie registered us today! (We do have to wait for an acceptance letter.)

Wednesday, July 30
...I had my Neulasta shot, which brings on some aches, but is SO valuable in helping me to be strong enough to be around people! It was good to see Robin back in the office too.

Thursday
...the day I expected to be the lowest, I mostly hung out at home. I missed Kent's call, but did see sparkling Candy.

Friday, August 1
... I would have loved to have seen Theresa and Kathy's ukulele group (had I gotten around early enough, but as it turned out, needed my sleep). John and I did stop by Ford Field later to see how Lloyd was doing with set-up for Saturday's classsmate gathering at Dearborn's Homecoming.

His work was done, but we hung around a bit there, and also ran into Kent! I was hungry (Is that the steroids, or do I just enjoy food that much?). So I had corn-on-the-cob, plus an Italian sandwich with green peppers and onions. I know I have been somewhat careful about eating "healthy", but it did have vegetables and tomato sauce.

We also had picked up Saturday's cake that morning and brought it to John's mom's to be refrigerated until Kathy would pick it up on her way to Homecoming on Saturday midday.


Saturday, August 2
Homecoming and Reunion
Edsel Ford High School 1973

I expected this to not be my personal best timing, as I did not expect peak energy. But I loved seeing people at the daytime Homecoming and evening Class Reunion, so they helped me to soar above expectations.

People came from a distance too, ex.(at Homecoming) Janey from Grand Rapids (who also spent the night with us), Terry and Tom from Chicago (who also brought flowers!), John and Jon from Chicago, Susan from Chicago, Kent from Florida, Janis from Florida, Cheryl from California, Len from Colorado, Gary from Connecticut, and Larry from New Jersey.

That evening, I gave thanks 1) that God is always with us; 2) that God always loves us; 3) and for the gathering and food.

Reunion Clothes
I have a little personal joke that may be becoming less private.
I have a Homecoming dress that is the traditional garment I wear each year to Homecoming, my sugar sack dress. It started out just as something that would be both comfortable and covering from all day in the sun. Now, I think people might not recognize me if I wore something else.

I also have a Reunion dress that I have worn for three Reunions. I did not start out to make a tradition. I bought it ten years ago at a good sale. Five years ago, I realized I had not worn it much, and Who would even notice or would care what I wore? So I decided I would wear it again, and that if it fit, I might just keep wearing it!


In Person
I enjoy the email communications I have with classmates. But I noticed a deeper satisfaction from seeing them in person. There is no substitute for sitting down face-to-face, and it is good to do so now and then!

Bill A.
Life's road is not all highs. I also received email that our Florida friend, Bill A. (an e-mail buddy, but from my parents' age), was in the hospital, seriously ill. He is since doing better, a serious prayer recipient.

Clare - Sad news
a.k.a Grandma Genitti, died last week, and I saw (my Italian) family at visitation, but could not also make the funeral. Dear Clare sure had spunk!

Rest of last week - Friday and Saturday
We enjoyed two wedding celebrations (John officiated), one for Matthew and Amanda and one for Dave L. and Marion. In the first, the groom's father was his best man. In the second, the best man was the groom's son. Good family times to be welcomed into.

Another fun part, we met and sat with Elaine Eason Steele and Anita Peek at the Saturday reception. They are involved with the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development. What good conversation!

Cliftine
Sunday, I attended a Memorial Service at Dearborn Free Methodist Church for Cliftine, and saw many dear "old" friends (including Cheryl H., now in Illinois) and family members from my childhood Calvary Baptist Church.


Hospitality
Our Royal Oak church continued to be a welcoming place. John and Sheryl S. hosted a "Meet and Greet" last Monday night, where a fun and lively group gathered.

As for food
....Both Candy (Shepherd's Pie) and Kip (Tabouleh) each provided delicious and healthful dinners! Much appreciated!

Monday with a New Neighbor
Walking with another person really helps me to get out, especially in my maze-neighborhood! So classmate Sue C., who now lives within walking distance (almost), came over to share a walk!

Tuesday, CT Scan and Blood Draw Day
Sunday, after the memorial service, John Sullivan told me his Tuesday 6:30 a.m. men's prayer group would pray for me. I loved and appreciated that. Sometimes, I do feel a sheer white fear, but it is mostly passing, thanks largely to dear people who pray for me.

My previous CT scans had been at the Novi campus of Providence Hospital, and my most recent blood draws had been from Beaumont Hospital, so we had to find our way to new places and with new faces at the Southfield Providence now (because of moving). Everyone was kind and helpful. Before, I drank three large cups of clear tasteless liquid contrast. Here, I drank one milkshake-type cup of barium contrast.

I wondered if they could do the whole thing with one poke, get out the blood they needed, then use the same hole for the IV. It made sense enough to ask the question. But no, they do not do that. Oh well.

Since I had fasted for a day and a half, I looked forward to eating lunch! So John took me out! Lucky me, as now he is on vacation for a few days.

Today
I also finally joined the zoo (online) today. Last winter, when we first heard we had been assigned to move to Royal Oak, the first thing I thought about the new place was "They have a zoo!" So today was my catch-up-on-blog day, and maybe a zoo day. We still may go if it stops raining. (It stays opened later on Wednesdays.)

Results of CT Scan
According to my notes, I noticed that Gail (the nurse) called the day after my last CT Scan to say it was clear. So it is a good thing that Jasmine (CT tech) told me Dr. Malviya would have the results in "3-5 business days". So by the time they get back to me, it could be longer. I am glad she told me that so I did not expect them today.

How long is chemotherapy?
The last I knew, I expected 8-9 cycles. But nothing is set. And the results of this CT Scan are important in determining direction. Hopefully, all is clear! No new tumors. (There is no simple blood test to tell if treatment is working.)

Prayer Thought
Someone recently wrote to me about the "ask, seek, knock" scripture. She wrote about a young relative who held on to that passage through a fast leukemia diagnosis and death.

Reflection...
1) Ask, seek, knock in response to a loving caring God, with the awareness that it is not necessarily a recipe to get whatever we want in our time, but it directs our attention to the One who provides life.

2) Ask, seek, knock in a personal unique response to that mighty loving God.
Regardless of circumstances in anyone else's life.
They may get what they want.
They may not.
But if I do, it is not at someone else's expense and it does not upset a heavenly balance.
(It certainly occurs to me, why should I get health and not someone else?)
It is a mystery.
I do not understand and cannot explain any lack in the world.
But we still ask, seek, knock... expecting God's answers and blessings and abundant life.
I do believe that is what He wants.

Vanity
Another seeming random thought.
For much of my life, I had long hair.
I had heard stories that my Grandma Ryan once had hair long enough to sit on.
Mine seemed to stop short of that goal, but it was long all through my growing-up days.
Sometimes, other children (or even adults) would say something like,
"Don't ever cut your hair," or "I'll never speak to you if you ever cut your hair."
My hair seemed to give me value.
I would like to think I was completely humble about my appearance, but of course not.
However, now, with no hair (or only a bit of fuzz), I realize that my hair was not my source of pride.
One does not need to have anything special to experience vanity.
So vanity or humbleness are more inner attributes and not dependent on physical features.

Time to close for now.
Once again, thank you.
Thank you for reading, for caring, and mostly for praying.

Chemotherapy #7

Today was Chemotherapy # 7.
8:00 a.m until about 1:30 or so.

All went fine.. just one needle poke.

Before the steroids wore off, and in case my feet start hurting or getting numb, I wanted to get a load of laundry done.
So that is done!

Karen and Anna and Russell also brought over a thoughtfully prepared dinner. It is especially fun to see them, as it is also a little time to visit.

We also had a lovely "Meet & Greet" with a group from the congregation last night, graciously hosted by Josh and Liz. I had to leave early though when I remembered I was due for a dose of steroids at 8 p.m., 5 tabs 12 hours prior to chemo. The second dose was at 2:00 a.m., 5 more tabs 6 hours prior to chemo.

By now, my face is starting to feel the "chemo burn".

Tomorrow I return to the clinic for my Neulasta shot (for bone marrow protection). Then I expect to feel more aches and for my feet to be affected. However, I do expect to feel much better in about a week!

In the meantime, my Homecoming/Class Reunion events are thrown in the mix. I will be glad to see everyone!

Looking Back at Two Days

Looking back to Friday's doctor's appointment and spending time with the Waiting Room Gang.

I usually bring John, plenty of reading material, a snack, my phone, and now, plans for a walk. I hadn't planned, or was sure I wanted to, make new friends in the waiting room. Some of the other patients might be pretty sick, and I wasn't sure I wanted to hear about all their struggles. (I am reminded of a study John and I led last year, A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion by Trevor Hudson. I did not expect to connect so closely. )

But sometimes we do chat, and this past Friday, after John left to do the wedding, a couple asked if I had children and how old they were. So I moved closer to them. Including patients and support persons, there was a whole little group. Sometimes we paid attention to the TV nearby, including a news item that Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, had died. I knew something about it, but had not read it. I asked them if it was very depressing. They said it was very uplifting. But of course, it was very moving. I commented that we all know this life does not last forever. And one responded "And we knew it a long time ago." Tears came to my eyes and I brushed them off my cheeks. A few more overflowed. I am usually pretty chipper there, but I realized my feelings, in general, must be about skin-deep right now.


Looking back to Saturday evening's sermon

John connected two texts: one was "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7) The other was about Abraham taking Isaac to be a sacrifice, and then God providing the lamb. I thought as I listened, that questions may come out of our situations (other worship practices may have included child sacrifice). But God provides the answers. (No, God did not want child sacrifice as part of their worship.)

Always, God provides the answers, whatever the source of the questions.

Doctor Appointment

Yesterday, I saw Dr. Malviya in preparation for Tuesday's chemotherapy. No problems were found.

I always bring something to read while waiting. I also chatted with Mom & Dad and Bonnie on the phone. But I also dressed for a walk, and walked around the block that Providence covers. Then John needed to leave to do a wedding, and I chatted with other patients and families for a while, including Linda and Al, who were there for her 4 1/2 year check-up. James and Sarah came to sit with me a while. Then John came back in time for going into the exam room. We were done by 9:00 p.m. (there about 8 hours). Again, no complaints. Just glad to be here.

I asked Dr. Malviya what time his day started.
4 a.m.

Catching Up

My Dad

Where did we leave off, and where do I need to fill in?
My dad was in the hospital in Bay City, after having emergency surgery 7 a.m. July 7.
My sister Bonnie came up and stayed with my mom in a Bay City motel.
John and I drove home late Monday, July 7.
My brother Allan left that night as well.
And that is when Carrie wrote a blog entry for that day.

That Wednesday, Bonnie drove the folks back to their house and helped settle them in. Then on Friday (July 11), she drove herself home to Erie, PA . Dad is quite sore, but thankfully, seems to be continuing to heal. He saw the doctor on Tuesday July 22.

I know that many people prayed for him and we appreciate that very much. Thanks too for dear Jan M. who drove Mom to the Bay City hospital and stayed with them and took good care of them while the family was getting up there.



Real Moving Thoughts

Recalling thoughts from the farewell activities.... I very much appreciated the goodness and kindness there, and realized that the good and the bad in a situation do not cancel each other out. They are all real.


Gifts
Food Gifts, Unpacking and Cleaning Gifts, Yard Gifts

Gifts of Food
We have been welcomed with "yummy" (as Karen C. says) meals from new friends Amy T., Donna Y., Joan J., Florence F., Shirley S., and Carol M. and Karen C.! How appreciated!

Before Chemo # 6, I realized that I was walking around the house or working in the kitchen humming. Humming! I am quite sure that without all the loving prayers and generous help, I would not hum so easily. Thank you!

Gifts of Unpacking and Cleaning
Debbie V. and Chris came over on June 30 and helped unpack and organize and shelve some books. They even brought lunch! (So glad to hear Debbie's daughter Laura is home from her year in Argentina now!)

July 11, Carol B. came all the way from the Lansing area to help. She cleaned and helped me tackle kitchen area things that were out of boxes, but had not yet found a home. She also walked with me. It was wonderful to see her, and she helped me get a step further.

Yard Work
Kathy and Bill C. (and others) have been over countless times, planting and caring for flowers and doing other yard work. How beautiful and welcoming!

You can see why I might hum!


Nesting
I sometimes find I am into "nesting" mode, making a new home for myself and my family here. The boxes are more concentrated now, but even when they were all over, more than one person commented that there seemed to be a sense of serenity here. Yes.

The Otts
To add to the fun, our first overnight guests Bishop Don and Jan Ott visited and participated in a welcoming ceremony at church two weeks ago. How fun to see them! He (who considers April 1 a holiday) did, however, introduce himself to my new neighbors as .. well, they still are unsure who he is. ;)


"Meet & Greet"
The church has organized home gatherings for our family to meet with small groups of church members. I understand the first scheduled one has been rescheduled for September, as we ended up out of town that day. The first one we attended was at the home of Patti and Noel, who it turns out, also know classmate Mary Ann W.!

This week, we gathered at the home of Pam and Andrew. What a lovely way to begin to know people! I do not remember all the names, but I am learning some.




My Medical Month

Tomorrow it is time for my monthly doctor appointment already, and am not caught up on last month!

I saw Dr. Malviya on June 27. I overheard another patient on her cell phone say she was at her "A.D.D., All Day Doctor". Ha! Indeed, I was there about 8 hours, but without one complaint.

Sheuli's Gifts
When Dr. Malviya came into the exam room, he immediately noticed my new purse on the ledge, a farewell gift from Sheuli that she brought back from her family visit to India. It is beautifully embroidered with beads and sequins and little tassels. I knew he would appreciate it!

As I remember Sheuli, I also remember that on her face, there was another gift: her gift of tears.
Dear Sheuli, I love you!


Each month, I type up a list of questions for my doctor visit. One was to help me understand better the number of cycles of chemotherapy. At first, I thought there would just be six cycles (with one infusion every four weeks). He explained that six was the basic number of cycles. After that there is about 10% more benefit. So it sounds like if the toxicity becomes too much, then the basic benefits are still done. (But for now, I think I am looking at 8-9 cycles.)

He said to watch for neuropathy of hands and feet, and he also suggested vitamin B6.

Basically, so far, so good with how I am doing.

Chemotherapy #6
It was scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, but a nurse called Monday night and asked if I could come Tuesday instead. Of course! Last time, day #3 was my hardest. So I figured this would give me an extra day to recover before Sunday. Plus, if I kept the Tuesday schedule, I would have an extra day to recover after chemo #7 before my Class Reunion on August 2.

I suppose I have been noticing some of the cumulative effects more this month. Thankfully, there was no nausea. But I may be more tired, and I did notice more numbness, especially in my feet. I am not sure if "numbness" is quite the right word. My feet ached, but did not seem to appreciate the usually very welcomed massage from John. Thankfully, my feet seem to be mostly better as the days pass.

I need to keep moving. I have been moving my fingers, and playing the piano some. As for my feet, I have not established a walking habit since moving in. Maybe I am afraid of getting lost and running out of energy! Anyway, I need to keep moving!

One small exercise. When I thought of things I would miss and things I would not miss, I listed my first-floor laundry. The laundry here is in the basement. However, that has worked out well so far, as it gives me more reason to go up and down stairs!

Tomorrow
Tomorrow is my next doctor's appointment already. Last time, it was a good opportunity to walk. I asked Maureen the receptionist, and she said he was not in from surgery yet, so I had plenty of time. So I walked for a while outdoors, then walked the halls of Providence Hospital (the Cancer Center is on its campus, but is a separate building) , as I did not want to get sunburned.

John has always been with me. He brings his computer and gets work done, or maybe he reads a book. He recently finished a biography of Harry Truman by David McCullough. Tomorrow, he will be with me for a few hours, then has to leave for a wedding. I think James will come to sit with me in the meantime!

James, by the way, took us to dinner last night for our anniversary!