Thursday, April 29, 2010

So here's the short of it,
I've got  my phone +

And here's the long.

Well, I've got my phone nearly programmed as I need it.  I was trying to program my work e-mail to push and remembered that there was something a little different I needed to do.  I couldn't find my directions, I couldn't find it on our HCDE website, and I certainly couldn't remember it.  So I called the apple tech guru who just happens to be on the first floor of my office building - I'm on the 3rd.  He was going to send me the directions, but couldn't find them so he came upstairs and did it for me!  A long time ago when this young man was just a teenager, I taught with his Dad.   I also knew his sister.  I think he was just ahead of my time in that school.  Anyway, we had a nice visit as he fixed up my phone for mail, and he ended up connecting me to the locked wi-fi in the building, something I've never had before. 

I'm playing Words with Friends with both my girls.  I have a game going with Shelley who introduced me to the game, and Liga and I started playing today.  I like that.  I've always liked Scrabble and I also like having that connection. 

Tonight Alan and I went to hear Amy Jill Levine speak at Grace Episcopal Church.  She's been in Chattanooga several times.  I've heard her twice before and Alan remembers hearing her twice as well, although only 1 of those times was in common we think.  She works in the divinity department at Vanderbilt Universtiy.  Tonight's talk was about how Christians and Jews talk about each other in ways that make a wedge between us instead of in ways that could be a bridge. There was a good crowd and perhaps we all learned something. 

Now I'm home; I'm pretty tired and glad that tomorrow is Friday.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

So here's the short of it, 
 Today was Herceptin number 44 only 8 more to go! 

And here's the long

Today I got my phone disaster fixed.  I ended up getting a new phone.  I could have done the out-of-warranty replacement or the new phone for the same amount of money.  I'm really happy to be back in touch.  I still have to get it all talking to my work e-mail.  I may have some time to get that done tomorrow - I'm not sure.  It's basically the same phone phone I had -  I have spent the evening getting it back up to speed with contacts and apps.

Today I went in for Herceptin number 44.  It's so hard to believe that I've really been going every week for 44 weeks.  It's gotten to be such a routine.  Only 8 more to go! What in the world will I do on Wednesday afternoons when it's all over.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

So here's the short of it, 
 Still in withdrawal about my phone!

And here's the long

I was pretty busy today.  We had another work session with our state director today so our nose was to the grindstone until 6:30 tonight.  I missed my phone, but not as badly as I thought I would.  I'm missing my scrabble game with Shelley!

I hope that I can get over to AT&T around my lunch break tomorrow to get this phone disaster resolved.

In the meantime, I have been giving lots of thought to my issues with walking long distances and going up steps.  My neuropathy is still very evident, but is slightly improving.  I can walk for a pretty long distance, but I get tired easily.  The biggest two difficulties are going up stairs and walking on uneven surfaces.  I think the uneven surfaces issue may have to do with the foot neuropathy.  I have a doctor appointment next Wednesday and I'm going to inquire about my difficulty with steps.  I'm thinking it may have to do with my reaction to Taxotere on that fourth treatment cycle when I could barely walk.  Anyway, I'll check it out and see what he has to say. 

Tomorrow is Herceptin treatment number 9 on the countdown to 0!!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

So here's the short of it,
No Phone!

And here's the long.


Well, today I think I broke my phone!!!

I can't even believe it.
I think I'm already in withdrawal.

Alan told me to calm down, and try again in the morning.

I'm in the office all day tomorrow so if anyone needs me they'll be able to find me, but then I'll have to to figure out what to do after that.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

So here's the short of it, 
Mom and I visited the cemetery this afternoon.

And here's the long

I'm still tired today, but didn't take a nap - I'm afraid that I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight.  I puttered around in the back yard for a bit this morning.  I've got a flower bed in the back that I'm thinking about turning into an herb garden - so I spent a little time working on it.

This afternoon Mom and I went to the cemetery for a bit.  It was terribly windy, but also very beautiful.  They've sodded the area where Dad is buried.  It should green up pretty nicely before long.  I was thinking that it's not long before Memorial Day.  The scouts here in the area go to the cemetery and put an American Flag on every single grave.  Dad always thought it was very beautiful. 

Saturday, April 24, 2010

So here's the short of it,
I was pretty tired today. 

And here's the long

Well, today my tiredness really did catch up with me.  I slept until 10:00.  I haven't slept that late since chemotherapy!  When I got up I took a long luxurious shower and then finished unpacking from my trip.  By the time I had a bite of breakfast/lunch a wave of tiredness came over me.  I decided to take a nap.  I'm not usually very good at taking naps - I get tired, but I can't go to sleep.  But this afternoon, in no time at all I was sound asleep and slept for almost two hours.  Alan was saying he thought I wouldn't be able to go to sleep tonight, but right now I'm feeling like I'll be able to go to sleep pretty soon.

Alan and I went and had dinner with Mom this evening.  She had a spinach salad  -- spinach from the garden, and a lasagna from the Angel Food Box for this month. 

This little piggy went home.

So here's the short of it, 
 I'm glad to be home.

And here's the long

I just got home a little while ago.  It's good to be home again.

The conference was really good and today I got in some really good sessions and met some really nice new people.  I hadn't been to the Opryland Hotel in many years, and it was really nice.  I had forgotten just how awfully big it really is.  There were 6,580 something people at the conference, and we all managed to be under "one roof" - well many roofs connected by lovely spaces between them.



I'm headed to bed in just a bit and tomorrow I'm planning to sleep in.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

So here's the short of it, 
Today was a good, long day.

And here's the long

This was a day for me to take notice and remind myself that I'm truly not at my best.  I had a full day of sessions and then this evening a business meeting and a couple of social events that I wanted to attend.  I was going to slowly walk back to the hotel where I'm staying, but it was dark and raining enough that I didn't want to get wet so I caught a cab.  I'm really glad I made that decision!

I've been really lucky.  I haven't had to deal with diarrhea and my nose has not been bleeding the whole time I've been here. That's made it all a lot easier.

I've got another long day tomorrow. I'm looking forward to some of the sessions I have scheduled and I'm also looking very forward to getting back home tomorrow night and be able to sleep until I just want to wake up!  I hope I'm not overstaying my stamina. 

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

So here's the short of it, 
 I'm pretty tired, but had a pretty good day and am looking forward to another one!

And here's the long.
Today was a long day!!

I was up pretty early especially since it's Central Time here in Nashville and I woke up on Eastern Standard Time.  The session I went to today only had four people in it.  Boy did we have a relaxed session with lots of opportunity to ask questions.  I also came away with some good materials for our teachers that I'm eager to share. 

This evening we heard Arne Duncan speak.  Tennessee and Delaware were the first states to win the Race to the Top Grants, and I think it was a kudo to Tennessee for him to be here and speak.   I was pleased to hear him say the phrase "and gifted children deserve to be challenged."  That may be the first time I've heard that kind of language come from someone in such a high position.  I am really hopeful that there will be more emphasis on meeting the needs of our brightest kids - even in our poorest schools. 

Tomorrow starts at 7:30 - if I want to go that early and can go as late as 9:00 PM once all the evening gatherings are counted in.  Tara is headed home sometime in the evening and Vicki isn't coming over until early Friday morning, so I'll have the evening kind of on my own.  I should be fine.  Since we aren't staying on site, the biggest problem is really not being able to go to a room and rest up a bit between stuff - but that will be OK.  There are plenty of places to find a couch or a chair and rest up around the hotel.  I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time in the exhibition hall as well.  I always love to see the new things on the market - and wish I could buy a whole bunch of them too!

I'm doing pretty well.  My back is really hurting a bunch, but I'm going to think that a good night's rest will take care of that. 

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

So here's the short of it,
I'm out of town again, and so far, so good. 

And here's the long

I'm in Nashville; it's been a good, but long day.   I had my Herceptin a day early.  The countdown is really on! Today was 10!!!

We got away from Chattanooga early afternoon and got into Nashville after 5:00 central time.  We've gotten ourselves registered, and had a nice dinner, and now we are settled in to a nice hotel room.  Tomorrow I'm going to hear about a program out of North Carolina called U-Stars.  My colleague, Tara, and I have been seeing the two presenters at these conferences for the last ten years or so.  It's a real treat to hear the latest developments out of their programs. 

I'm really excited about the Keynote tomorrow night.  We get to hear Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education.  I'll be interested to hear what he has to say about educating our students with special needs. I spoke today with the parent of the young man that I nominated as one of the "Yes, I Can" awards. I'm really excited to be in the audience later this week when Hunter receives his award! 

I'm a little worried about being in this huge place where I'm not sure about where the bathroom facilities are and where there are often long lines for getting into them.  I'm hoping that I won't have unmanageable difficulties

Monday, April 19, 2010

Herceptin countdown 10!

So here's the short of it,
Herceptin countdown 10!  Monitors, and going to a conference!

And here's the long

We are facing the return of the monitors!  They are coming to make sure we have corrected all the mistakes they found when they were here in the fall.  Our teachers have been working very hard to make all the corrections.  Today I had to take several files back to a school one more time to try to "get it right".  I know it's difficult for the teachers to do everything that is required of them and then to make sure that all the t's are crossed and the i's dotted on the paperwork.  I think about how all this paperwork came to be - and I understand that it's all about making sure that we are doing the right thing for kids.  But, but, but.....

I'm packing tonight for a quick trip to Nashville.  The Council for Exceptional Children is having their annual conference at Opryland.  I'm headed over tomorrow and will be back late Friday night.  I really enjoy this conference.  There's lots to learn and I always make good connections.  I'm not driving - so I'm feeling like I'll do OK.  We decided to stay off property since Opryland is so expensive, so we're going to have to do a bit of walking.  I think I'll do OK though.

I'm getting my Herceptin a day early - tomorrow morning instead of Wednesday so I can  make it over in time for the pre-conference I'm registered for.  It's the countdown from 10!  I can hardly believe that I've been doing this every week for 42 weeks!  It's a good place to be -10 from the end!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

So here's the short of it,
No gardening at all last year, but this year I have the bug.

And here's the long

Mom's home!  She and her sisters had a great time at Steve's place in Destin.  Check out her blog for a few entries about what they did while they were there.

They headed home yesterday and stopped near Montgomery at a pecan stand.  She had a really nasty fall and spent a few hours in the emergency room at a hospital in Montgomery.  Check out the details on her blog.  

Today we had a return to real spring weather instead of the abnormally warm weather we'd been having.  It was so pleasant outside.  Alan worked in the garden.  He got an electric cultivator.  One of our neighbors was using one the other week and when our gas powered one clunked the electric one was it.

One section of the garden is ready for planting.  Since I'm going out of town on Tuesday I imagine that it will be next weekend before we get the tomatoes in.  I got some heirloom varieties at Crabtree and maybe next weekend we'll find some Celebrity or Better Boys, and Aunt Joyce brought some TFI's that she had started.  It will be a few weeks before they are ready to set out.  Below are pictures of what I hope my harvest may look like!


                                                                                                                                                              

            

Purple Cherokee



                             












Brandywine




Black Cherry



                         







Green
Zebra           

San
Marzano

Saturday, April 17, 2010

So here's the short of it,
Today was a good mix - gardening, massage, and a birthday celebration.

And here's the long
We have really had a very busy day and it's been a good one for me.
Early this morning Alan and I got Dad's truck and drove down to Crabtree farms for their annual plant sale.We arrived before the gates were open and there was already a line waiting to get in.  We parked down near the place where Dad had the Master Gardener's demonstration garden and walked up to the road to the sale.  We saw several people we knew!  There was a fellow there playing the hammered dulcimer, and several vendors there. 

We bought 2 blueberry bushes, several varieties of heirloom tomatoes, and a rosemary plant.  We'd have probably bought much more, but that was all we could carry!  This is our first year to go to the sale.  Next year we'll take a wagon!

Later this morning I went to see Kelly for one of those a life altering massages.  I really do think that going for these therapeutic massages is one of the best things I've ever done.  It's really helping the pain in my lower back, and hip - the pain is migrating into my upper leg, but I think that means that it's working and will eventually make it's way down and out my toes!!! I think it relieves stress and makes my whole outlook so much better. 

Yesterday I had an appointment with my radiologist, Dr. Gefter.  He was extremely pleased with the progress I've made.  He did a very careful breast exam and showed me two spots and had me feel them, and explained that they were fibroid tissue.  I had never really felt them before, but when he pointed them out for me, I could tell.  Anyway, they are nothing to worry about.  He thinks that the tissue that was radiated may continue to grow denser, but that it is really healing very nicely.  I asked about massage near or on the tissue that had been radiated, and he said it was a really good thing I could have done at this point to help lessen the scar tissue that will form.  So he was really a very big advocate of the massage.  So today for the first time, I had Kelly spend about the last 5 or 10 minutes working on that tissue.  She said that she could really tell the difference - the tissue was much more pliable after just that short amount of time.

This evening we went over to Elmcroft for dinner and a birthday celebration.  Pennie and Myra are in town and we celebrated Myra's birthday.  It's actually the 20th, but she'll be back home by then.  After dinner, we went up to one of the rooms on the floor near Mommy Anne's apartment and had chocolate cake and visited.  We had Arvin and Lil, and Miriam there as well as Liga and Valdis.  It was a lovely way to spend the evening.
 

Friday, April 16, 2010

Phytoestrogens

So here's the short of it,
Last night I went to a symposium about phytoestrogens.  I learned that we have very mixed information.



And here's the long

Last night I attended a Symposium lead by Dr. Brooke Daniel of Chattanooga Oncology and Hematology Associates.  It was concerning Phytoestrogens, -What are they?  Where are they?  What you should know.  She discussed the role they play in breast cancer, answered a few questions, and posed a few things that raised even more questions.

It seems that in women who have not ever had breast cancer phytoestrogens can offer protection against the kind of cancer which is estrogen positive.  The theory seems to be that the phytoestrogen is much milder than the estrogen that our bodies produce, so if that estrogen attaches to the cells it prevents the more powerful estrogen from attaching to the cells.  At least that's how I understood it. 

For women who have had estrogen positive breast cancer, phytoestrogens in supplement form or in foods where they are especially high should be avoided.  Most of us are on either Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibiter (which prevents our bodies from making estrogen).  So the object is to keep estrogen away from those cells for which estrogen would fuel cancer. 

Dr. Daniel assured us that there is no way to avoid having phytoestrogens in your diet, and that should not be a concern.  So the advice is to stay away from those foods which have very high concentrations of phytoestrogens, and not to obsess about trying to keep all phytoestrogens out of my diet.  I've not been eating soy since my diagnosis, and so for now I'll just keep that up.  I do miss my tofu teriyaki! 

There was one really interesting take away that I hope everyone who reads this will share with people who have girl children. Of course it is very much conjecture at this point, but apparently many of the researchers are saying that a low fat diet high in phytoestrogens - soy in particular  and flax may be very beneficial for pre-menstrual girls in giving them protection against breast cancer.  - at least the kind that is estrogen sensitive.

So who knows what to do.  Asian women who have diets high in estrogen have a much lower rate of breast cancer than we western women do, but when those women immigrate to western countries and adopt a western diet their risk increases to similar levels as western women. So is it really diet or could it be something else in our western world. On the other hand, these women who eat soy, don't injest it in the form of infant formula, or supplements, or other highly concentrated forms, they eat it in a natural food form.  So it seems we should eat a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in vegetables (preferably locally grown and pesticide-free!) including soy products. Introduce children, (especially girls) to soy products early in their development, as part of their regular diet. But stay away from concentrated or isolated forms of soy derivatives, including genistein pills.

One more time, we heard that the biggest factor in moving forward is lack of money to fund research.  So I'm thinking that maybe we should ask all NFL and NBA teams to donate the proceeds of at least one of their games to cancer research.  

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A long day

So here's the short of it,
I'm pretty tired!

And here's the long

This has been a long day!  I went straight from work to a seminar on Phytoestrogens sponsored by the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.  It was very informative.  I've got lots of information to share - I'll get it up on the blog tomorrow or Saturday.  Then I went to my regular Thursday night come together meeting of families, and didn't get home until a little before 10.  I have to be on the other side of the county from where I live at 7:30 in the morning, so I'll have to get myself up pretty early!

Liga sent me a message after she got home (I wasn't here yet) telling me that Sophie had rolled in something awful.  By the time I got home - only maybe 20 or 30 minutes, she had already bathed and dried her - no small task for this huge dog! 

I'm pretty tired - going to bed pretty soon.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Herceptin

So here's the short of it,
10 Herceptin treatments left to go!

And here's the long

Today I had Herceptin treatment number 42.  I have only 10 more treatments left!! I can hardly believe that I'm so close to the end of these treatments!

I'm thinking that I'll hardly know how to behave on Wednesday afternoons when I don't have to report down to the Erlanger Doctor tower, find an infusion chair, and wait for Lori to come decide which part of my right hand vein she's going to use "this week".

I had a great  work day today and am planning on being in the office all day tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll get lots done!

I saw my first iPad today.  I absolutely love it!  I wish I could figure out how it could take the place of my laptop. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

So here's the short of it,
For some reason I'm awfully tired tonight.

And here's the long

Today was a regular and fairly uneventful work day.  Student observations, meetings with a couple of principals, a meeting that had been rescheduled without me being in the loop and a bit of office time returning phone calls, but I am absolutely tired out.  By the time I got home I was just ready to sit down!  I kept intending to take Sophie for a walk, but that just got away from me.   Alan came in from an evening meeting and said he's really tired too.  Maybe we are still on overload tired from our wonderful spring break trip. 

Mom and her two baby sisters are in Destin, so I'm keeping a check on things down around the curve - so far, so good. 

Some time ago when I was in my chemo fog, I suppose, I opened a Facebook account.  I really don't even remember doing it.  Shelley gave me a Facebook lesson when we visited, and I've gotten a start there.  I really don't understand all about it, but I'm going to see where it goes.  I've already found three or four of my old college friends and believe it or not have discovered several cousins that I now know more about.  I'm not spending much time there, but it should be an interesting excursion.

One of my Chemo Sisters who has been finished with treatment for several years once confided to me that she carries clean underwear with her always because she's never completely regained bowel control.  I'm finding that I am in that same situation, except that I somehow haven't given in to the notion that I am so out of control that I have to carry spare underwear!  I think that I need to get my head around that.  I was driving back to the office today and I barely made it to the restroom!  I'll get there.  My friend just said, "Oh, it's nothing that won't clean up, and you get a few more years of this great life in return".  I thought that was such a wonderful outlook - I'll try keeping that attitude myself!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Honoring students and teachers

So here's the short of it,
Today was a long but good first day back at work.

And here's the long

I had a good day at work today.  I didn't get nearly everything done that I wished I could have, but I still accomplished a good bit.  This evening was the Annual Superintendent's Honor's Banquet where each High School brings the top 10% of their students.  The teachers of the year were honored as well as three teachers from each of the high schools.  Those teachers were chosen by students and represented elementary, middle, and high school.  It is always one of the highlights of the year.  Of course, it meant that I didn't get home until close to 10 this evening, so I'm pretty tired. 

I got to see lots of people all in one spot this evening, and I must be looking much better, since so many people commented on how much better I looked.  It was good to hear that.  I suppose I must have looked pretty dreadful in the fall. 

On the health front my complaints are relatively minor now.  My fingernails are a mess.  They are still separated from the nail bed, and if I don't keep them trimmed really close they rip back way into the nail bed and become pretty sore.  I'm still having diarrhea pretty often and some days (like today) are pretty difficult, but it's nowhere near like it was back in the chemo days, and I'm able to work just fine as long as I scope out where the ladies' room is when I get to my destination.  I didn't have any muscle cramps during the time I was in New Haven, but they started back last night.  I can't tell what it is that's causing them, but I'm sure hoping it's related to the Herceptin!  The neuropathy in my feet may be getting a little better - I can't really tell what's going on except that my feet are feeling different and I'm hoping that means better.  I also still walk up and down steps and on uneven surfaces like a little old lady.  Of course, some of the youngsters I work with (as well as some of the younger teachers) probably think of me as a little old lady!  Tonight I mistook one of our honored teachers for a high school senior!  I'm getting older and they are looking younger and younger! 

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Spring Break is Over!

So here's the short of it,
Spring Break is coming to an end and it's back to work tomorrow.

And here's the long

This has been a lovely Spring Break.  I've had a lovely respite from working and although I could always use another few days, these were spent in a lovely way.  The rest of the year after the break always flies by.  This year, with TCAP coming much later than usual, the year will be gone before we know it.

I've got a couple of things coming up - one is the CEC conference.  It's in Nashville this year - I don't really know if I'd try to go this year if it weren't so close, but we are planning to attend.  I haven't been to this conference as an attendee only, so I'm a bit sad that we aren't presenting this year, but very pleased that we are going to be able to go.

But tomorrow is not about that - it is about a couple of parent meetings that will be difficult ones, and then in the evening the Superintendent's banquet to honor the seniors who are graduating with honors.  That's always a really special occasion.

So tomorrow morning will come, and I'll be back in the swing of things.

 

Saturday, April 10, 2010

So here's the short of it,
We are home. 

And here's the long.

Well, it sure is nice to be home.  We had such a lovely visit with Shelley, Lou, and Max, and came home to be greeted by a lovely Liga, along with the adorable dog and cat.  It's good to be home, and I'm glad that I'll have all day tomorrow to get myself ready to get back into the work routine.

The trip was an easy direct flight, but I'll have to say, I don't have my travel legs back right now, so I'm pretty tired and eager to sleep in a bit tomorrow. Sophie is stretched out across the room from me just snoozing away, Liga is in the recliner next to me doing something on her iPhone, the cat is somewhere, Alan's already asleep, and I've definitely got the "I'm at home feeling". 

Friday, April 9, 2010

So here's the short of it,
Our time here in New Haven is coming to an end.

And here's the long.

It's been a really pleasant visit, and we'll be sad to leave. Yesterday we walked to Ceasar and Romeo's at lunch time.



While we were there shopping around, I found a very unusual looking orange. I know that in our major groceries we only get the varieties that the growers have decided are most productive. There's a gardener's urge to taste the unusual and different varieties. Dad always grew some new variety of something every gardening season. So it was a bit of his spirit that caused me to buy the orange.




It peeled more like a tangerine - Alan and I shared it at breakfast time. It was quite good. I wonder if part of that is because it's spring and I'm feeling better.

Shelley and Lou have been great hosts. And Max has been such fun!

-- Post From My iPhone

Thursday, April 8, 2010

So here's the short of it,
The weather is lovely, the company is great, and the baby is fabulous!

And here's the long.
Max played hooky from daycare again today - and we sure did have a good time.

Two times we've been home by ourselves when he's wakened from napping. I'm still pretty unsure on steps so we just stayed in his room upstairs and played until someone came home to carry him downstairs. We had loads of fun reading books, playing with toys, and giggling together.





One really fun thing we did was play with the camera. He would pose; I would take the picture; then I would show it to him and he would just laugh and laugh.

One more time - I think about how lucky I am. Ten years ago the cancer I had was considered very bad news. Today the medicine is very good and I have every reason to think Max and I (and all my other loved ones) will have many, many more opportunities to have great fun!



-- Post From My iPhone

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

So here's the short of it,
We spent a very happy first day in New Haven.

And here's the long.

How strange it is to travel after almost a year of being so house bound. Of course there was that one very short overnight trip to Nashville.

I'll have to admit I'm really tired - but I don't mind.

This morning Max got to play hooky from daycare so we could enjoy his company. He has such a sweet dispositon. His smile just lights up the whole room!

This afternoon Shelley introduced me to a friend from work who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. This sisterhood is so large - but the tide is turning in this battle. The treatments, although sometimes very harsh, are becoming better and better. There really have been such great advances. I find myself one more time thinking about how grateful I am to all the people who work to make better treatment a reality.

I was so moved by the opportunity to just spend a few minutes with a woman who is just at the beginning of her journey.  At this point I can know with great certainty that my breast cancer has brought me many gifts. One of them came today as I had the opportunity to meet another incredibly strong woman in a way that would have been impossible before now.


-- Post From My iPhone

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Visiting the Stein's

So here's the short of it,
Alan and I will be boarding soon to spend a few days in New Haven.


And here's the long.

We got a great deal on flights to Hartford (Southwest- always a fun time) and are spending a few days with Shelley, Lou, and Max. We're pretty excited.

The flight is delayed. But they are starting to board - the wait hasn't been too long. And the flight is only a couple hours or so. We'll rent a car in Hartford and get there I'm sure after they're asleep.

It will be really lovely to see them with all the chemo and high emotion of Dad's situation no longer at the center of my being. I'm hoping we can have a nice relaxing visit.

I'll have to say that so far the worst part of the trip has been finding out that my Starbucks gift card had a zero balance!

More w/ pictures tomorrow!


-- Post From My iPhone

Monday, April 5, 2010

Sunshine and Myrrh

So here's the short of it,
Today I learned a bit about Myrrh. 

And here's the long

Today was a beautiful day to be out of school - a perfect spring day.  The temperature was quite splendid and the sun really started to warm up.

Jonathan Edwards (my first cousin) was here to help Mom with her taxes and so I walked down to have lunch with them.  It was nice to have a bit of time to visit with him and catch up on how he and his family are doing.  We should all get a chance to see one another again at the end of May when Gaelyn, cousin Marcia's daughter, is getting married at Berea.

My doctor called today - she had given me some samples of Trilipix to take for cholesterol, but they interact with the coumadin that I'm having to take because of that blood clot back when. So she's told me to start taking a supplement - Gugulipid - I'll have to find that.  It comes from the mukul myrrh tree.  I've done a little investigating online about it and I'm pretty fascinated.  It apparently is used to treat lots of things, and has been used for many years in the East.  It was one of the gifts of the three wise men - so there's some good history for using it.  

Tomorrow we are traveling to New Haven to spend a few days with Shelley, Lou, and Max.  We are really excited about spending some time with them. Hopefully we'll post lots of pics.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

So here's the short of it,
Today was a lovely Easter.

And here's the long

What a lovely Easter Day this was.  The weather was nothing short of beautiful.  We took Mom to the Salvation Army's sunrise service at the National Cemetery.  It was held right on top of the hill near the flag.  It was really lovely to hear the service and the music as the sun peeped up over Missionary Ridge.  There was a bagpipe player, and I thought that Dad probably really enjoyed that.  He said one time that the sound of a bagpipe made him believe that there was a genetic memory in us.  That's how he made sense of the haunting beauty he found in the bagpipe.  Afterward the service was over, we made our way over to Dad's grave site - Mom was very teary. 

We also joined her for the Easter Service at First Cumberland.  She was one of the elders who did the communion service.  The whole service was really lovely.  And Dr. Carver, as usual, delivered a good message.  Later this afternoon we joined Mia (Dad's cousin) for dinner.  Her former in-laws, the Glatters, have come in for the week to help take care of Clyde since he's on spring break and she has to work.  All these years since she's moved to Chattanooga, we've heard of the Glatters.  Tonight we had a chance to meet them and share dinner.  It was nice to be able to make that connection.

Lots to do tomorrow, and it's beginning to get a little late.  I'm going to turn in a litttle early tonight.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

So here's the short of it,
Good weather today and good weather predicted for tomorrow.

And here's the long
 
Sarah and Ryan are excited about their little one on the way.  They said it's looking like about the middle of October is the due date.  They were in Nashville today for niece Madison's 1st birthday party.  I'm sure that made it all the more exciting for them as they thought about their little one.  Ryan will be finished with his MBA this spring, so the timing is pretty good!




It's been a beautiful day here in Chattanooga.  We had one little spell of rain - except for that it was mild and just a perfect day to be outside.  Tomorrow is supposed to be another really nice day with just a few clouds and warm weather.

Friday, April 2, 2010

So here's the short of it,
I got to see my cute little pregnant niece today, and later got a great massage. 


And here's the long

Well, the first day of my break has been great.  This morning Alan and I went down to Mom's and spent some time visiting with Steve.  Sarah and Ryan had spent the night as well, so they were there too.  Sarah is looking very cute and barely pregnant.  Ryan is finishing up school this spring, so he's beginning to look for work. Sarah didn't say whether or not she plan to continue teaching.  She's working in a small private school. After they left for Nashville, Steve got us caught up on what's going on with all the kids. It was good to hear all about them. 


Early this afternoon I had a massage with Kelly.  She really worked on my Gluteus. She said that she could feel six or seven places where the muscle was knotted up.  Once I saw the picture (on the right) I understood what she was talking about.  I felt so much better after she was done. I have had a pain free afternoon.  It's only late this evening that I can begin to feel some of the tension returning to that muscle.  She also worked the muscle on the front of my hip and the front of my thigh.  It's become almost a quality of life visit to have Kelly working on me every couple of weeks.  Today I made another discovery (maybe).  Each time I've gone in for a massage the muscles in my back (the ones that seem to be right below my scapula) get really tight and pinchy when I stretch out on the massage table.  Today I realized that I need to spend some time stretched out on my back on the floor.  When I sleep at night I sleep with a wedge pillow, so I'm not often stretched out flat.  No wonder it's kind of uncomfortable. 

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Spring Break

So here's the short of it,
I'm glad that spring break is here!

And here's the long

Work was so not enjoyable today.  Problems, problems, problems.  I'm really glad this day happened the day before my spring break started instead of at the beginning of the week.  It will give me several days to get some space between me and the difficulties and let me be able to approach solutions from a better place!  Anyway spring break couldn't have come at a better time!

Tonight was a lovely start to break.  We had dinner with friends and then had a meeting that was inspiring.  When we got home and I got my phone turned back on, I discovered that Steve and Sarah and Ryan had driven up to Mom's and are spending the night with her.  I'll have a chance to go down tomorrow and get a visit in before they head over to Nashville for Madison's birthday. 

The weather has been just gorgeous.  Springtime is really here!  Tomorrow, I'm going to plan to spend a little bit of time outside!  I'm really looking forward to that.  I'm also scheduled for a massage.  I'm thinking tomorrow will be great.  I'm not really living in the present - I'm thinking how wonderful tomorrow will be.