Wednesday, January 28, 2009
(Dave is transcribing this:)
My dear friends,
Two days after my 'good news', I started not to feel so well (on Saturday). At the moment I'm at the UW Hospital. Evidently, sometime on Saturday I went through a severe bowel perforation. I guess the chemo worked too well and burned a hole through my colon. I've never been through such extreme pain in my life, even after having two babies without even a Tylenol. In the middle of the night on Saturday, Dave insisted we go to the hospital, and he called 911 for an ambulance. It was snowing, but the ambulance got me to the UW Hospital early Sunday morning. I had to have emergency surgery, where they removed my nasty colon. I proably will have an ileostomy bag for the rest of my life, but since it got rid of what was the source of my constant discomfort and pain, I'm not so sure I'm terribly upset about this. What does upset me is how weak I seem to feel, but I guess its only 3 days from surgery, and I'm still in ICU. The good news from the CT/PET hasn't changed any, and in fact there was still a little 'hot spot' on my colon, but it's now gone! They got me up to walk today, which was painful but I walked across the room and the nurse promised me an M&M if I did it. She brought me a whole (small) package, not just one - 'I can't believe I ate the whole thing'!! This means I won't be on chemo until I recover from the surgery, which also may be a good thing, as I'm ready for a break from the chemo. But it may actually be eaiser for me to deal with the chemo in the future, since it bothered my colon the most, andits gone! My husband is a good writer, but I"m not sure I trust him (verbatim transcription!!!!!!)
I want to thank the people that have found out and visited me-- you are so wonderful! I'm praying for a speedy recovery because this is not very much fun. (The morphine they gave me gave me good dreams, but now they've taken it away! But the oxydodone also does the same thing. Then I wake up and realize I can't move very well and can't go home yet. I know Apolo misses me, but my Mom is here to help. But there is no way I could be at home right now).
So I hope to get back toTYPING MY OWN blog soon. What a journey this is.
My dear friends,
Two days after my 'good news', I started not to feel so well (on Saturday). At the moment I'm at the UW Hospital. Evidently, sometime on Saturday I went through a severe bowel perforation. I guess the chemo worked too well and burned a hole through my colon. I've never been through such extreme pain in my life, even after having two babies without even a Tylenol. In the middle of the night on Saturday, Dave insisted we go to the hospital, and he called 911 for an ambulance. It was snowing, but the ambulance got me to the UW Hospital early Sunday morning. I had to have emergency surgery, where they removed my nasty colon. I proably will have an ileostomy bag for the rest of my life, but since it got rid of what was the source of my constant discomfort and pain, I'm not so sure I'm terribly upset about this. What does upset me is how weak I seem to feel, but I guess its only 3 days from surgery, and I'm still in ICU. The good news from the CT/PET hasn't changed any, and in fact there was still a little 'hot spot' on my colon, but it's now gone! They got me up to walk today, which was painful but I walked across the room and the nurse promised me an M&M if I did it. She brought me a whole (small) package, not just one - 'I can't believe I ate the whole thing'!! This means I won't be on chemo until I recover from the surgery, which also may be a good thing, as I'm ready for a break from the chemo. But it may actually be eaiser for me to deal with the chemo in the future, since it bothered my colon the most, andits gone! My husband is a good writer, but I"m not sure I trust him (verbatim transcription!!!!!!)
I want to thank the people that have found out and visited me-- you are so wonderful! I'm praying for a speedy recovery because this is not very much fun. (The morphine they gave me gave me good dreams, but now they've taken it away! But the oxydodone also does the same thing. Then I wake up and realize I can't move very well and can't go home yet. I know Apolo misses me, but my Mom is here to help. But there is no way I could be at home right now).
So I hope to get back toTYPING MY OWN blog soon. What a journey this is.
// posted by Janet @ 1:08 PM
18 comments
Friday, January 23, 2009
Yep, I am Getting Better!
Yesterday, I went through both a PET scan and a CAT scan. They do not seem to have a DOG scan, at least not yet. Let me say, the tests are not fun. It took three hours and my bladder had to be catheterized which is a most unpleasant experience. In addition, they make me drink this Barium stuff which tears my stomach apart all night and into the next morning. The best thing I can say is that when you are in excrutiating pain, the results of a couple of tests are not foremost on your mind.
This afternoon, we went in to meet with my oncologist to find out what the results reveal about my situation. The nervousness in addition to my stomach ache was unbearable until I had this vision of all of your prayers flowing into me. Seriously, I pictured this in my mind and felt like I was going to be OK. I do believe this is God's Peace which passes all human understanding except that I understood it. I do not have the "passes all human understanding" part figured out yet. I work on it everyday.
The good news is both scans showed that the new chemo drug is working to shrink my tumors. Everything looked much better than last time. In fact, according to the radiologist, the new chemo is working quite well. The plan is to continue the same regimen four more times or two months and then repeat the CAT scan. I am so relieved. The last scan which showed increasing tumor size was difficult to handle and going through two more months of chemo after that knowing the last chemo stopped working was not so easy. I can handle two, four or even six more months of this if I know the chemo cocktail is having a positive effect. The liver tumor experts at UW want more shrinkage before they go in and start zapping individual tumors with whatever new technology they have. The other good news is that they did some type of geno-typing on the biopsy of my colon tumor and it showed that drug number three up my oncologist's sleeve should also work on getting rid of or controlling my cancer. He told me this was good news to file away for the future.
Yes, I do have to continue with chemo. But things are going in the right direction and I am getting better. This is a long and difficult tunnel I am traveling through but I'm gonna be ok with God's help and with all of the thoughts and prayers flowing into me from all of you!
Yesterday, I went through both a PET scan and a CAT scan. They do not seem to have a DOG scan, at least not yet. Let me say, the tests are not fun. It took three hours and my bladder had to be catheterized which is a most unpleasant experience. In addition, they make me drink this Barium stuff which tears my stomach apart all night and into the next morning. The best thing I can say is that when you are in excrutiating pain, the results of a couple of tests are not foremost on your mind.
This afternoon, we went in to meet with my oncologist to find out what the results reveal about my situation. The nervousness in addition to my stomach ache was unbearable until I had this vision of all of your prayers flowing into me. Seriously, I pictured this in my mind and felt like I was going to be OK. I do believe this is God's Peace which passes all human understanding except that I understood it. I do not have the "passes all human understanding" part figured out yet. I work on it everyday.
The good news is both scans showed that the new chemo drug is working to shrink my tumors. Everything looked much better than last time. In fact, according to the radiologist, the new chemo is working quite well. The plan is to continue the same regimen four more times or two months and then repeat the CAT scan. I am so relieved. The last scan which showed increasing tumor size was difficult to handle and going through two more months of chemo after that knowing the last chemo stopped working was not so easy. I can handle two, four or even six more months of this if I know the chemo cocktail is having a positive effect. The liver tumor experts at UW want more shrinkage before they go in and start zapping individual tumors with whatever new technology they have. The other good news is that they did some type of geno-typing on the biopsy of my colon tumor and it showed that drug number three up my oncologist's sleeve should also work on getting rid of or controlling my cancer. He told me this was good news to file away for the future.
Yes, I do have to continue with chemo. But things are going in the right direction and I am getting better. This is a long and difficult tunnel I am traveling through but I'm gonna be ok with God's help and with all of the thoughts and prayers flowing into me from all of you!
// posted by Janet @ 3:59 PM
17 comments
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
Taken this morning right after the ceremony.
Yesterday, I sent Dave on a task after my chemo. He was to find an American flag for us to hang on this momentous day. And he did and here it is draped in our Puget Sound fog.
Obama's speech was powerful to me. People were quiet, wanting to gather every emotion and hear every word. It is one for the books to be studied. I could have listened to him for another hour.
The music played immediately before the swearing in was by Izaak Perlman on violin and Yo Yo Ma on cello with other musicians I am not as familiar with. Apolo was curled up on the couch with me but the sound of the stringed instruments got him involved in the celebration of the day. He started to sing and howl along with "Simple Gifts." It was so funny that in the process of trying to video him on my new phone, I almost missed part of the swearing in. Oh well, and Apolo is afraid of the new flag, too.
I am grateful to have this day of historical events to pay attention to. On Thursday, I have new scans scheduled and on Friday we find out the results. Always, this is anxiety producing.
Again, I ask all of you out there for your prayers and thoughts for my family and me this week. They do lift me up and give me strength.
Taken this morning right after the ceremony.
Yesterday, I sent Dave on a task after my chemo. He was to find an American flag for us to hang on this momentous day. And he did and here it is draped in our Puget Sound fog.
Obama's speech was powerful to me. People were quiet, wanting to gather every emotion and hear every word. It is one for the books to be studied. I could have listened to him for another hour.
The music played immediately before the swearing in was by Izaak Perlman on violin and Yo Yo Ma on cello with other musicians I am not as familiar with. Apolo was curled up on the couch with me but the sound of the stringed instruments got him involved in the celebration of the day. He started to sing and howl along with "Simple Gifts." It was so funny that in the process of trying to video him on my new phone, I almost missed part of the swearing in. Oh well, and Apolo is afraid of the new flag, too.
I am grateful to have this day of historical events to pay attention to. On Thursday, I have new scans scheduled and on Friday we find out the results. Always, this is anxiety producing.
Again, I ask all of you out there for your prayers and thoughts for my family and me this week. They do lift me up and give me strength.
// posted by Janet @ 10:22 AM
12 comments
Saturday, January 17, 2009
My Favorite Inauguration Story
George Hickman, age 84 of Seattle, has been invited to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Mr. Hickman was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the segregated black air force that served and bravely fought during WW2. They were not allowed to be mixed with the regular Air Force made up exclusively of white men. When they returned from the war, they were excluded from victory celebrations, parades, and in fact were spat upon. This story affected me because my own father would now be 85 and he served in the Air Force during WW2 as well. But of course since he was white, his experience was totally different after the war. He had been a POW but was considered a hero and received benefits to go to college where all of the veterans were held in high regard.
Mr. Hickman is taking his 22 year old grandson with him. Get this: Mr. Hickman's grandparents were slaves in our country. Just think about that. His Grandma and Grandpa were slaves and he has the opportunity to attend the swearing in of the first African American president of the United States.
Mr. Hickman worked at Boeing for 29 years. His current job is as host and usher for the UW Huskies which I assume he does for fun. He is loved in the athletic department and they took up a collection for him so he would have the funds to get to Washington D.C.
What a great story and what stories he must have about his life experiences!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008638983_webairmen16.html
George Hickman, age 84 of Seattle, has been invited to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Mr. Hickman was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the segregated black air force that served and bravely fought during WW2. They were not allowed to be mixed with the regular Air Force made up exclusively of white men. When they returned from the war, they were excluded from victory celebrations, parades, and in fact were spat upon. This story affected me because my own father would now be 85 and he served in the Air Force during WW2 as well. But of course since he was white, his experience was totally different after the war. He had been a POW but was considered a hero and received benefits to go to college where all of the veterans were held in high regard.
Mr. Hickman is taking his 22 year old grandson with him. Get this: Mr. Hickman's grandparents were slaves in our country. Just think about that. His Grandma and Grandpa were slaves and he has the opportunity to attend the swearing in of the first African American president of the United States.
Mr. Hickman worked at Boeing for 29 years. His current job is as host and usher for the UW Huskies which I assume he does for fun. He is loved in the athletic department and they took up a collection for him so he would have the funds to get to Washington D.C.
What a great story and what stories he must have about his life experiences!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008638983_webairmen16.html
// posted by Janet @ 2:49 PM
1 comments
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Entertainment
For several years now, Kaley has thrown a large Christmas party for her friends. This year when she asked me if she could once again have her party, I said yes. Again, I thought I would not be on chemo. When I learned otherwise, the party invites had gone out and I did not want her to cancel her popular party. Even though my life is totally off kilter, I have this great desire for my husband and children to continue as best they can with their normal activities. Her party was after New Year's because her best buddie, Alexandra, who helps her with the event did not return home from Peru after visiting her grandparents until January 2. Kaley did all of the cooking and preparations; Dave did some housecleaning and shopping and I watched. Usually, I mingle a bit with the kids as they arrive but this year I did not want to frighten them with the "Nick Nolte" effect so I retreated to my bedroom for the evening.
And to be honest, my blood draws have shown my potassium to be low. My oncologist put me on a prescription supplement that caused stomach cramping. During much of Kaley's party, I was in bed attempting to figure out and deal with this one of a number of issues that crop up for me. Nevertheless, her party was a great success even without Nick Nolte.
The siblings: Two sets of siblings who have known each other since Lucas and Arthur were in kindergarten together. At the time, Martina was a baby and Kaley and Alexandra were three years old. L to R, Martina, Kaley, Alexandra, Lucas and Arthur.
Andrea, Alexandra, and Kaley. The threesome who throw the yearly shindig.
Sunday was not such a good day for me. I had felt quite well during the wonderful visit with my Mom and brother. About a week after my chemo, when the drugs treating the side effects wear off, I have a difficult time. Let's call it extreme gasiness. The chemo inflames my intestinal system so what might be normal gas under normal circumstances instead can cause me intense pain. We watched the Golden Globes on Sunday evening and while Steven Spielberg was receiving his lifetime achievement award, I was doubled over and unable to function. I quickly got ready for bed, took some pain medication and within a few minutes in bed, I relaxed and was able to watch until the end.
We were rooting for Leonardo DiCaprio especially after Kate Winslet had won two Golden Globes and I did not want to miss a thing. Kaley, Lucas and Magali had seen their latest movie, "Revolutionary Road." Evidently, the movie is an intense drama and not particularly entertaining except for the fact that Leo and Kate give astounding performances. Kaley has been a huge fan of Leo and Kate since "Titanic." Kaley was in the fourth grade when this movie first came out and it was a huge hit with the pre-teen and teen aged girls. I loved the movie as well and had no problem taking Kaley to the theater more than once to see it. In fact, her 10th birthday party was an entire row of fourth grade girls at the theater for "Titanic." Kaley was dressed in a lime green sweater set and lime green straw hat. She was so darn cute, in charge of the situation and excited. Needless to say, seeing the outcome of the Golden Globes with both actors nominated in their first ever reunion after "Titanic" was a priority for us. We were supremely disappointed that Leo lost to Mickey Rourke.
Under normal circumstances, Dave and I have seen several of the nominated performances for the Golden Globes and the Oscars. This year is not normal though I probably could manage a movie now and then. For me, it has been more comfortable to wait for the DVD's to arrive in our mailbox through Netflix. Last night, Dave, Kaley and I watched Mama Mia. I had heard that people either hate it or love it without much in between. I knew I would enjoy it and I expected Dave to hate it and leave the room. But no, he LOVED it and felt like it was totally entertaining. I loved it as well. Kaley.....?....well, she enjoyed watching it with us but to her the music and the singing were so bad that it detracted from the pure fun of it.
Seriously, Pierce Brosnen and Meryl Streep acting completely ridiculous---what is better than this?
For several years now, Kaley has thrown a large Christmas party for her friends. This year when she asked me if she could once again have her party, I said yes. Again, I thought I would not be on chemo. When I learned otherwise, the party invites had gone out and I did not want her to cancel her popular party. Even though my life is totally off kilter, I have this great desire for my husband and children to continue as best they can with their normal activities. Her party was after New Year's because her best buddie, Alexandra, who helps her with the event did not return home from Peru after visiting her grandparents until January 2. Kaley did all of the cooking and preparations; Dave did some housecleaning and shopping and I watched. Usually, I mingle a bit with the kids as they arrive but this year I did not want to frighten them with the "Nick Nolte" effect so I retreated to my bedroom for the evening.
And to be honest, my blood draws have shown my potassium to be low. My oncologist put me on a prescription supplement that caused stomach cramping. During much of Kaley's party, I was in bed attempting to figure out and deal with this one of a number of issues that crop up for me. Nevertheless, her party was a great success even without Nick Nolte.
The siblings: Two sets of siblings who have known each other since Lucas and Arthur were in kindergarten together. At the time, Martina was a baby and Kaley and Alexandra were three years old. L to R, Martina, Kaley, Alexandra, Lucas and Arthur.
Andrea, Alexandra, and Kaley. The threesome who throw the yearly shindig.
Sunday was not such a good day for me. I had felt quite well during the wonderful visit with my Mom and brother. About a week after my chemo, when the drugs treating the side effects wear off, I have a difficult time. Let's call it extreme gasiness. The chemo inflames my intestinal system so what might be normal gas under normal circumstances instead can cause me intense pain. We watched the Golden Globes on Sunday evening and while Steven Spielberg was receiving his lifetime achievement award, I was doubled over and unable to function. I quickly got ready for bed, took some pain medication and within a few minutes in bed, I relaxed and was able to watch until the end.
We were rooting for Leonardo DiCaprio especially after Kate Winslet had won two Golden Globes and I did not want to miss a thing. Kaley, Lucas and Magali had seen their latest movie, "Revolutionary Road." Evidently, the movie is an intense drama and not particularly entertaining except for the fact that Leo and Kate give astounding performances. Kaley has been a huge fan of Leo and Kate since "Titanic." Kaley was in the fourth grade when this movie first came out and it was a huge hit with the pre-teen and teen aged girls. I loved the movie as well and had no problem taking Kaley to the theater more than once to see it. In fact, her 10th birthday party was an entire row of fourth grade girls at the theater for "Titanic." Kaley was dressed in a lime green sweater set and lime green straw hat. She was so darn cute, in charge of the situation and excited. Needless to say, seeing the outcome of the Golden Globes with both actors nominated in their first ever reunion after "Titanic" was a priority for us. We were supremely disappointed that Leo lost to Mickey Rourke.
Under normal circumstances, Dave and I have seen several of the nominated performances for the Golden Globes and the Oscars. This year is not normal though I probably could manage a movie now and then. For me, it has been more comfortable to wait for the DVD's to arrive in our mailbox through Netflix. Last night, Dave, Kaley and I watched Mama Mia. I had heard that people either hate it or love it without much in between. I knew I would enjoy it and I expected Dave to hate it and leave the room. But no, he LOVED it and felt like it was totally entertaining. I loved it as well. Kaley.....?....well, she enjoyed watching it with us but to her the music and the singing were so bad that it detracted from the pure fun of it.
Seriously, Pierce Brosnen and Meryl Streep acting completely ridiculous---what is better than this?
// posted by Janet @ 12:45 PM
3 comments
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Floodiness
We seem to be having 100 year floods every year now. You cannot have foot after foot of snow in the lowlands and the mountains with a warm up to 50 degrees without serious consequences. Mudslides, avalanches, and rivers over their banks surround us on all sides. For a while, all of the mountain passes were closed and I-5 was closed between Portland and Seattle. The Puget Sound area was totally isolated. We also made the national news. Our area was spared because the hills are steep enough for the water to have a direct route into the Sound. But 10 minutes away, in the Snohomish Valley, it was an entirely different story. The Snohomish River flooded the entire valley and eaked its way into the town of Snohomish. Yesterday, Dave took my brother, my Mom, and Lucas to take a look. They came home with some pictures:
Closed Road--water where it should not be.
Lucas thought this was hilarious---not such a good parking spot.
Snohomish River, Snohomish, WA
We seem to be having 100 year floods every year now. You cannot have foot after foot of snow in the lowlands and the mountains with a warm up to 50 degrees without serious consequences. Mudslides, avalanches, and rivers over their banks surround us on all sides. For a while, all of the mountain passes were closed and I-5 was closed between Portland and Seattle. The Puget Sound area was totally isolated. We also made the national news. Our area was spared because the hills are steep enough for the water to have a direct route into the Sound. But 10 minutes away, in the Snohomish Valley, it was an entirely different story. The Snohomish River flooded the entire valley and eaked its way into the town of Snohomish. Yesterday, Dave took my brother, my Mom, and Lucas to take a look. They came home with some pictures:
Closed Road--water where it should not be.
Lucas thought this was hilarious---not such a good parking spot.
Snohomish River, Snohomish, WA
// posted by Janet @ 2:28 PM
2 comments
Friday, January 09, 2009
Yesterday Was My Birthday!
I turned 56 yesterday. Birthdays are a premium as one ages and especially so if one is sick with a serious illness. I still cannot believe I am in the pickle I'm in but it is what it is.
My Mom and my only sibling, my brother, flew out here to be with us for my birthday. I have felt pretty good. When they made the original plans, I thought I'd be off chemo and feeling somewhat my old self again but that was not to be. Last night, I made reservations at Ivar's for seven members of my family. I have not been out to dinner since before my diagnosis last June and I was a little scared. I still do not enjoy food and I do not always feel very well. But I was determined to enjoy myself watching my family enjoy a meal out. Celebrating my birthday was important to me.
Earlier yesterday, between rain drops, my Mom, my brother, Dave and me took Apolo to Picnic Point Beach so he could swim and have fun. Also, I wanted to go to a beach for my birthday. I could not believe all of the storm debris. I found some small but lovely pieces of driftwood to bring home and Apolo had the time of his life. Nobody was there so we let him run free. I was a little tired after the outing and hoped I had not messed up my plans for the evening.
However, I perked up by the time of our reservations and our dinner out was highly enjoyable. They had a white King Salmon choice that agreed with me. But then, my brother secretly ordered for me a slice of chocolate decadence with a candle as a surprise. Shockingly, I ate the whole thing. I still cannot believe I ate the entire slice but I did and luckily, I seem to be ok today. Going out to dinner is one of the activities I have liked the most in my life. Although, I did not savor the food for the amount of money it cost, I still had a wonderful time with my family and they had fun and appreciated being able to be out with me.
I turned 56 yesterday. Birthdays are a premium as one ages and especially so if one is sick with a serious illness. I still cannot believe I am in the pickle I'm in but it is what it is.
My Mom and my only sibling, my brother, flew out here to be with us for my birthday. I have felt pretty good. When they made the original plans, I thought I'd be off chemo and feeling somewhat my old self again but that was not to be. Last night, I made reservations at Ivar's for seven members of my family. I have not been out to dinner since before my diagnosis last June and I was a little scared. I still do not enjoy food and I do not always feel very well. But I was determined to enjoy myself watching my family enjoy a meal out. Celebrating my birthday was important to me.
Earlier yesterday, between rain drops, my Mom, my brother, Dave and me took Apolo to Picnic Point Beach so he could swim and have fun. Also, I wanted to go to a beach for my birthday. I could not believe all of the storm debris. I found some small but lovely pieces of driftwood to bring home and Apolo had the time of his life. Nobody was there so we let him run free. I was a little tired after the outing and hoped I had not messed up my plans for the evening.
However, I perked up by the time of our reservations and our dinner out was highly enjoyable. They had a white King Salmon choice that agreed with me. But then, my brother secretly ordered for me a slice of chocolate decadence with a candle as a surprise. Shockingly, I ate the whole thing. I still cannot believe I ate the entire slice but I did and luckily, I seem to be ok today. Going out to dinner is one of the activities I have liked the most in my life. Although, I did not savor the food for the amount of money it cost, I still had a wonderful time with my family and they had fun and appreciated being able to be out with me.
// posted by Janet @ 3:36 PM
8 comments
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Triumphant
Triumph and triumphant. I like these words. Now that we enter a new year, I do believe I want to incorporate them into my daily life. Saying the words out loud gives strength. Of course, the words are found in Christmas carols and this is why they came into my head this morning. Many issues lurk before me and my prayer is to be triumphant in dealing with everything.
Dave and I were reminiscing with Lucas and Kaley about our childhood Christmases. We give them the creeps about growing up so closely together. They liken our marriage as between cousins or something similar. But I assure them that even though we went to the same elementary school and grew up three blocks from each other, we have no DNA in common. True, Kaley was born with a funny toe but neither of my children has webbed feet. Dave's parents moved to Montana from southern Kansas in the 1940's. My Dad's English immigrant parents, after a stint in Washington State, moved to Montana in 1917. And my Mom's family has been in Montana since Civil War times.
Anyway, we were remembering that back in the 60's, all of the church choirs in Helena would join together and sing at Christmas in the Civic Center. Dave was in his children's choir at the First Christian Church and I was in the children's choir at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. We did not know of each other's existence. Both of us participated in the concerts and they made lasting impressions on us as adults. Specifically, I recall walking down the aisles through the audience singing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." Our robes were all different colors and the joining of our voices was exciting especially for the children like us involved. All of the choirs in the city singing together is one of my most beautiful Christmas memories. And it is for Dave as well. Our kids could not believe the story.
As for "triumphant," I sewed a button on Kaley's coat this morning. Seriously, with my gimpy fingers, I had trouble threading the needle. I then dropped the button and Kaley had to crawl on the floor and retrieve it from under the couch. But I managed to accomplish this meaningful task for my darling child. Life is good.
Triumph and triumphant. I like these words. Now that we enter a new year, I do believe I want to incorporate them into my daily life. Saying the words out loud gives strength. Of course, the words are found in Christmas carols and this is why they came into my head this morning. Many issues lurk before me and my prayer is to be triumphant in dealing with everything.
Dave and I were reminiscing with Lucas and Kaley about our childhood Christmases. We give them the creeps about growing up so closely together. They liken our marriage as between cousins or something similar. But I assure them that even though we went to the same elementary school and grew up three blocks from each other, we have no DNA in common. True, Kaley was born with a funny toe but neither of my children has webbed feet. Dave's parents moved to Montana from southern Kansas in the 1940's. My Dad's English immigrant parents, after a stint in Washington State, moved to Montana in 1917. And my Mom's family has been in Montana since Civil War times.
Anyway, we were remembering that back in the 60's, all of the church choirs in Helena would join together and sing at Christmas in the Civic Center. Dave was in his children's choir at the First Christian Church and I was in the children's choir at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. We did not know of each other's existence. Both of us participated in the concerts and they made lasting impressions on us as adults. Specifically, I recall walking down the aisles through the audience singing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." Our robes were all different colors and the joining of our voices was exciting especially for the children like us involved. All of the choirs in the city singing together is one of my most beautiful Christmas memories. And it is for Dave as well. Our kids could not believe the story.
As for "triumphant," I sewed a button on Kaley's coat this morning. Seriously, with my gimpy fingers, I had trouble threading the needle. I then dropped the button and Kaley had to crawl on the floor and retrieve it from under the couch. But I managed to accomplish this meaningful task for my darling child. Life is good.
// posted by Janet @ 1:44 PM
5 comments
Thursday, January 01, 2009
New Year's Day
As usual, we have been watching the Rose Parade. I remember back in the day when color TV's first came out and people were excited to be able to view the Rose Parade in color. The Rose Parade was the standard. Now it is HD and digital and blah blah. All I know is that even regular TV these days is infinitely better than the first color TV's. When we were first married, we still had black and white. It was what we were used to and the picture was much clearer than color in those days.
My spirits were down in the previous couple of days but I was better yesterday afternoon, last night and today. First of all, UPS finally came through and delivered the rest of our Christmas presents last night. We were able to have another little Christmas before my children headed out to their New Year's Eve party. The TV and the newspapers have covered the problems UPS has had. Frankly, I think they failed. FedEx did fine. UPS should have put out trucks and extra workers the minute the roads were passable on Friday but they did not do anything extra until last night, finally.
Going Together to the Same Party in Seattle! Mom liked that!
Secondly, my husband is a scientist which we all know. Although, he works as a toxicologist and public health infectious disease person, his original PhD is in pharmacology. He has studied the liver extensively and knows a whole lot about every drug pulsing through my system. He discovered a newly published research paper about Celebrex. This arthritis drug has been known for a while now to prevent colon polyps but the new research indicates it also may have a positive effect on reducing colon cancer tumors. Dave contacted my oncologist yesterday who had not seen the paper but was willing to add Celebrex to my daily cocktail of medicines. The prescription was filled last night. In addition, it should help reduce my gut pain. Yep, taking that pill last night felt like another gift dropping out of the sky.
Our New Year consisted of watching Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN. We had a little champagne and did not make it until midnight. However, our poor puppy could not handle a few neighborhood fireworks so Dave spent about a half an hour with him to stop his crying. I was asleep. Some time after that, I heard a big boom which did not wake up the dog or Dave.
Concerned Puppy Last Night!
And with that, we entered this New Year. Happy New Year to you all!
As usual, we have been watching the Rose Parade. I remember back in the day when color TV's first came out and people were excited to be able to view the Rose Parade in color. The Rose Parade was the standard. Now it is HD and digital and blah blah. All I know is that even regular TV these days is infinitely better than the first color TV's. When we were first married, we still had black and white. It was what we were used to and the picture was much clearer than color in those days.
My spirits were down in the previous couple of days but I was better yesterday afternoon, last night and today. First of all, UPS finally came through and delivered the rest of our Christmas presents last night. We were able to have another little Christmas before my children headed out to their New Year's Eve party. The TV and the newspapers have covered the problems UPS has had. Frankly, I think they failed. FedEx did fine. UPS should have put out trucks and extra workers the minute the roads were passable on Friday but they did not do anything extra until last night, finally.
Going Together to the Same Party in Seattle! Mom liked that!
Secondly, my husband is a scientist which we all know. Although, he works as a toxicologist and public health infectious disease person, his original PhD is in pharmacology. He has studied the liver extensively and knows a whole lot about every drug pulsing through my system. He discovered a newly published research paper about Celebrex. This arthritis drug has been known for a while now to prevent colon polyps but the new research indicates it also may have a positive effect on reducing colon cancer tumors. Dave contacted my oncologist yesterday who had not seen the paper but was willing to add Celebrex to my daily cocktail of medicines. The prescription was filled last night. In addition, it should help reduce my gut pain. Yep, taking that pill last night felt like another gift dropping out of the sky.
Our New Year consisted of watching Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN. We had a little champagne and did not make it until midnight. However, our poor puppy could not handle a few neighborhood fireworks so Dave spent about a half an hour with him to stop his crying. I was asleep. Some time after that, I heard a big boom which did not wake up the dog or Dave.
Concerned Puppy Last Night!
And with that, we entered this New Year. Happy New Year to you all!
// posted by Janet @ 10:14 AM
5 comments
Links
ARCHIVES
- 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004
- 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004
- 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004
- 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004
- 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
- 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
- 06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004
- 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004
- 08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004
- 09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004
- 10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004
- 11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004
- 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005
- 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
- 02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005
- 03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005
- 04/01/2005 - 05/01/2005
- 05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005
- 06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005
- 07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005
- 08/01/2005 - 09/01/2005
- 09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005
- 10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005
- 11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005
- 12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006
- 01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006
- 02/01/2006 - 03/01/2006
- 03/01/2006 - 04/01/2006
- 04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006
- 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006
- 06/01/2006 - 07/01/2006
- 07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006
- 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006
- 09/01/2006 - 10/01/2006
- 10/01/2006 - 11/01/2006
- 11/01/2006 - 12/01/2006
- 12/01/2006 - 01/01/2007
- 01/01/2007 - 02/01/2007
- 02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007
- 03/01/2007 - 04/01/2007
- 04/01/2007 - 05/01/2007
- 05/01/2007 - 06/01/2007
- 06/01/2007 - 07/01/2007
- 07/01/2007 - 08/01/2007
- 08/01/2007 - 09/01/2007
- 09/01/2007 - 10/01/2007
- 10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007
- 11/01/2007 - 12/01/2007
- 12/01/2007 - 01/01/2008
- 01/01/2008 - 02/01/2008
- 02/01/2008 - 03/01/2008
- 03/01/2008 - 04/01/2008
- 04/01/2008 - 05/01/2008
- 05/01/2008 - 06/01/2008
- 06/01/2008 - 07/01/2008
- 07/01/2008 - 08/01/2008
- 08/01/2008 - 09/01/2008
- 09/01/2008 - 10/01/2008
- 10/01/2008 - 11/01/2008
- 11/01/2008 - 12/01/2008
- 12/01/2008 - 01/01/2009
- 01/01/2009 - 02/01/2009
- 02/01/2009 - 03/01/2009
- 03/01/2009 - 04/01/2009
- 05/01/2009 - 06/01/2009
- 06/01/2009 - 07/01/2009
- 07/01/2009 - 08/01/2009
- 08/01/2009 - 09/01/2009
- 09/01/2013 - 10/01/2013
- 10/01/2013 - 11/01/2013
- 12/01/2020 - 01/01/2021