Wearing Red in honor of my sister and Heart Health!
Let's keep moving!
Photo from Saturday.
I could hardly believe I forgot to wear red on Friday. However, I searched through some moving boxes and found a red shirt, washed it, and wore it Sunday. Also, I did wear red on Saturday! John and I skied in a park within walking distance. I was dressed rather warmly for the day, and the snow was wet in spots. But it was good to be out, even for one loop!
I drove up north to my parents' Wednesday for my mom's cataract surgery on Thursday. She seems to be healing well. The doctor and staff took good care of her. And my dad has been taking excellent care of her, including scrubbing up like a surgeon multiple times per day to administer her pre- and post-op eye drops.
I wore the Bar Harbor, Maine sweater from Bonnie to represent Bonnie, who had her own doctor's appointment that day.
The surgery was at the hospital in Alpena, so I had a chance for a brief "Hello!' with classmate Terri Caruso, who works at a bank up there.
Mom was recuperating so well that I slipped out a couple times to cross-country ski through their field and into the woods. Deep, pure, quiet, crisp, clear, cold, beauty.
I drove home Saturday, just as John was finishing up at church, and we returned the car that was very kindly and generously loaned to John by the Bryans.
(A note from John's cyber-pen). The song from the musical, Godspell, lifts three prayers: "to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly". Laura called from her parents this morning to tell me the news that her mother's cataract surgery went very well. They were due at the hospital in Alpena at a very early hour, completed the procedure, then enjoyed breakfast before returning home to Fairview.
God is good.
And this has been a year filled with God's grace. So, what a way to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Laura's cancer surgery: to be able to drive North to offer care to her mother and father at the point of Leoda's eye surgery.
So, Laura's mother will see more clearly; and all of us who have eyes open to the goodness of God especially in the midst of challenge can see, crisp and clear, the goodness.
Today is my one-year anniversary from the cancer surgery.
I had not thought much about it.
However, Tuesday afternoon, my friend Jan K. appeared at my door - with flowers!
How beautiful!
And what a long trek!
It was so good to see her!
And so I celebrate, with thanks!
Walking
I am trying to keep walking. But there is a lot of ice out there!
However, Monday night John and I walked 5.4 miles. Felt good!
Worry/Calm
Sometimes I have been so worried, thinking about cancer, cancer, cancer.
That comes and goes.
Through Sunday's Disciple study, and Monday night's walk, I was reminded again not to spoil today with worry. There are mottos for that: "One day at a time." "Make today count". "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." Ha! Good advice!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Back: Sue Chevalier; Denise (Gallinat) Pentescu; Kip Garwood-Tull
Front: Laura; Kathy (Holden) Harrison; Theresa (Darany) Smith
What fun! Some of us had not seen each other in many years!
As it turns out, Theresa and I are both celebrating our one year anniversaries (cancer surgery) this week!
And Theresa, I love that you always bring your camera! Thanks!
(Toes, really, but I will get to that... )
Here I will respond to two Comment Writers:
(under my entry "P.S")
Dear Bob and Deanie,
What a road you are on!
Thanks for letting me know what was up with you.
And thank you so much for faithful care and prayers!
Best wishes and prayer in Deanie's recovery and in your caring for her.
I am thankful for support you are receiving as well.
Also best wishes as you make decisions about possible future living arrangements.
In Christ's healing love,
Laura
Dear Deb,
Thank you so much for writing!
I am honored.
I am glad to "meet" you and for your progress in your journey!
I wish and pray the best for you!
Wow, we both have Dr. Malviya.
As for toe numbness and how long to continue chemotherapy...
I can only tell you about my experience.
As you may have read, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last January, and had a hysterectomy.
I was not focusing on numbers, so may earlier have omitted some statistics.
Dr. Malviya did suggest openness, so in case anyone does not know, here they are as I know them.
My Staging is 3A.
That means the cancer was found beyond the point of origin.
Loose cells.
But they were not found to be settled any particular place.
All visible cancer was removed in surgery.
My Life-Expectancy Percentage, as he gave it back then:
In 5 years, 50-60 %
(Because of loose cells and because of the type of cells, papillary serous)
I was prepared to hear him say something lower, so I found hope in that number.
My perspective is that numbers are like I have said about my hair:
"It is what it is. It is neither more important, nor less important."
Who knows?
When I went to my 35-Year Class Reunion in August, someone looked in my eyes and said,
"See you at the 40-Year Reunion."
I am looking forward to that.
With that said, I will go on to say that I had no trouble agreeing to nine sessions of chemotherapy.
I should also say that I have not had horrible experiences of sickness with the chemotherapy.
It certainly affected me. But I was thankful, thinking it could have been much worse.
As for my toes... I tried to keep moving them, either walking or just wiggling them when I was sitting. I sometimes used little warm water soaks, at Dr. Malviya's suggestion. He also mentioned a Dr. Scholl's little foot spa, but I never decided which one, and ended up not buying one. I used (and still wear) warm socks. He made a point of saying "nylons" were too thin (not a problem for me).
My secret medicine for this though is probably my husband, who would rub my feet at night. (Still does) Keep that circulation moving!
I still have just a bit of numbness, but Dr. Malviya's question to me seemed stronger, "Do you feel your feet when you walk?" Mine were never that bad.
As I said, this is my experience, and the ideas may not be new at all to you.
Perhaps we will meet in the office some day.
Best wishes and prayers in your decisions and healing.
Laura
