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I slept pretty good, waking up when the radio came on. I got myself ready for the day while Daniel snored on.
Uneventful drive and on into the hospital.
Work was busy, but a somewhat better day overall. I was a bit "spacey" at intervals throughout the day, and never felt like I "had it all together". I don't know if that's from chemo, or fatigue, or what, but I hope it resolves. Unnerving at times.
We finally clocked out, and I headed home. Daniel was home, having rested most of the day, doing little things. We visited, I wrote here, and I'm ready for bed.
No plans for tomorrow, as my new favorite words were heard shortly after 5 pm. "No Jurors Needed". I hope I can sleep and feel rested.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Monday 8.4.2008
The best words someone can hear when instructed to call after 5 pm: "No Jurors Needed"
So I had to get up and go to work instead. I was sleeping when the alarm went off (really, the radio comes on), and I awakened and looked at the clock. It had been on for 10 minutes already. Out of bed, dressed and ready, breakfasted, lunch gathered, out the door and down the highway. I stopped at Kipp Road Meijer to refuel. $43.00 later (hey, gas went down. It's been $48 for a tank) and I continue on my way.
It's dark in the morning now, with the morning stars shining brightly, then insistingly struggling to be seen as the daylight oozes steadily from the eastern horizon. This morning was a beautiful stripe of oranges and deep blues as I traveled south. The corn and soybean fields lend to this view, then trees, then buildings, and the highway curves away and I need to pay attention to my driving. I thanked God for this beautiful morning, with a heart full of gratitude and humbleness for my well-being and for the people in my life.
I arrive at the j.o.b., park, and make sure to listen to the birdsong on my way into the building. The workday was challenging for me, in that we had a full unit with lots of visitors. I got pretty tired about 4:30 or so, but kept on keeping on. The last couple hours went pretty fast, and I thought one of the night shift people was really early. Not!! Cool. Almost done.
Clocked out, back to the car. Home.
I'm thankful the deer and other critters were not "underfoot", so to speak.
Daniel wasn't home yet, finishing the Special Olympics outing event. I fixed myself a bite to eat and ate it. He got home around 8:50. We visited a bit, I wrote here, and I'm off to bed.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
So I had to get up and go to work instead. I was sleeping when the alarm went off (really, the radio comes on), and I awakened and looked at the clock. It had been on for 10 minutes already. Out of bed, dressed and ready, breakfasted, lunch gathered, out the door and down the highway. I stopped at Kipp Road Meijer to refuel. $43.00 later (hey, gas went down. It's been $48 for a tank) and I continue on my way.
It's dark in the morning now, with the morning stars shining brightly, then insistingly struggling to be seen as the daylight oozes steadily from the eastern horizon. This morning was a beautiful stripe of oranges and deep blues as I traveled south. The corn and soybean fields lend to this view, then trees, then buildings, and the highway curves away and I need to pay attention to my driving. I thanked God for this beautiful morning, with a heart full of gratitude and humbleness for my well-being and for the people in my life.
I arrive at the j.o.b., park, and make sure to listen to the birdsong on my way into the building. The workday was challenging for me, in that we had a full unit with lots of visitors. I got pretty tired about 4:30 or so, but kept on keeping on. The last couple hours went pretty fast, and I thought one of the night shift people was really early. Not!! Cool. Almost done.
Clocked out, back to the car. Home.
I'm thankful the deer and other critters were not "underfoot", so to speak.
Daniel wasn't home yet, finishing the Special Olympics outing event. I fixed myself a bite to eat and ate it. He got home around 8:50. We visited a bit, I wrote here, and I'm off to bed.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday 8.3.2008 72nd Gushen Family Reunion
After being awake about half the night, awake, asleep, awake, asleep, Daniel got up and left this morning for the golf outing for the Special Olympics. I slept another hour, getting up about 9:30.
Breakfast, and got things ready to go. Frank, and maybe Keesha, was to be here around 11:30. He called about 10 after saying he was on the way. Ok. I decided to put together a fruit salad real quick, and finished putting the deviled eggs together. Frank arrived before I was done, but we were on the road by 11:50.
We had a nice drive, and arrived at Imerman Park about 1:45. Somehow, I had it in my head that we were to gather at 1, eat at 2. Really, we gathered at 12 and they had started eating at 1. So, we were late. Another 2 vehicles came in when we did. Misery loves company?? There was plenty of food, though, and with the new stuff that we had brought there was even more. Yum.
Lots of hugs and smiles; people I hadn't seen since last year, some for several years, and maybe some I won't see again. I value these annual gatherings, the fellowship and camaraderie.
After the reunion was over, Frank and I went over to Tom and Kathy Sue's house, as it is literally around the corner and across the river. We had a nice visit there before heading on back to Holt.
Daniel was home when we got there about 9. He had a good day, too. Frank came in for a few minutes, then went on his way. I had a bite to eat, then wrote here.
I had called the courthouse this morning--no jurors needed for Monday, so I called the girl who was going to cover for me and told her I would be available to work tomorrow. (I got called for Jury Duty for Ingham County for this coming week....)
So, Daniel is up tomorrow for the final day of the Special Olympics outing, and I am up early, too. He's off to bed, and so am I.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
Breakfast, and got things ready to go. Frank, and maybe Keesha, was to be here around 11:30. He called about 10 after saying he was on the way. Ok. I decided to put together a fruit salad real quick, and finished putting the deviled eggs together. Frank arrived before I was done, but we were on the road by 11:50.
We had a nice drive, and arrived at Imerman Park about 1:45. Somehow, I had it in my head that we were to gather at 1, eat at 2. Really, we gathered at 12 and they had started eating at 1. So, we were late. Another 2 vehicles came in when we did. Misery loves company?? There was plenty of food, though, and with the new stuff that we had brought there was even more. Yum.
Lots of hugs and smiles; people I hadn't seen since last year, some for several years, and maybe some I won't see again. I value these annual gatherings, the fellowship and camaraderie.
After the reunion was over, Frank and I went over to Tom and Kathy Sue's house, as it is literally around the corner and across the river. We had a nice visit there before heading on back to Holt.
Daniel was home when we got there about 9. He had a good day, too. Frank came in for a few minutes, then went on his way. I had a bite to eat, then wrote here.
I had called the courthouse this morning--no jurors needed for Monday, so I called the girl who was going to cover for me and told her I would be available to work tomorrow. (I got called for Jury Duty for Ingham County for this coming week....)
So, Daniel is up tomorrow for the final day of the Special Olympics outing, and I am up early, too. He's off to bed, and so am I.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Saturday 8.2.2008
What a lovely day today!! Even though I didn't sleep as well as I thought I would after working the last two days, I dozed off again this morning after Daniel left for golf. I had a slow morning, enjoying breakfast, listening to the birds, watering the plants. Soon it was time to get showered to go for my massage appointment.
I went to see Leah, Mason Massage. She had my "client sheet", and asked how I was doing. "Good," I told her. "The base of my neck across the shoulders feels really tight." She asked about the fullness in my arm/shoulder/breast, and, while she doesn't do the breast thing, she did do a little bit on the arm, armpit, and on the backside of the armpit/shoulder area. She said she could see where it was full, and she spent a little time on it.
That was after she worked on the right side of the neck. Holy Tight Muscles, Batman! Sheesh. She worked on that until it softened somewhat. Of course she does both sides, and as part of the process, I was lying face down.
With my arms alongside me, she tried to bend the left arm and bring it up to the small of my back. Now, you know I've had issues with a frozen shoulder, and also a torn supraspinatous ligament or tendon, and had treatment in January of 2007. My arm has not gone behind my back for almost 2 years. My arm went behind my back. Hey!!! Wow, she said. Does that hurt?? "No, not really," I replied. I was so surprised. She put it down alongside me, then picked it up and moved it again, watching the range of motion. My hand was resting in the small of my back. Wow! Yes, it felt more like a stretch in the shoulder joint than pulling, tugging or hurting. We talked about the healing, and think that maybe the "frozen shoulder" has "thawed". After all, I was told that a frozen shoulder is self-limiting; meaning that it will resolve itself in 1-3 years. The tear in the rotator cuff won't heal itself, though, and I'm not sure when or even if I am going to pursue having it repaired.
About 10 minutes more, and I was done. I paid her, confirmed appointments through October, and will schedule into November and December with a phone call. (Yes, she is that booked.) I went on my way back home.
Wow. A couple motrin and a tylenol, I drank water for a couple hours after, and flushed out. I showered, and my nipple sloughed off again. The whole breast has been achy, and the itchy-ness moves around, but mostly seems to be where the tumor and tissue were removed. I guess that makes sense, huh?
Dan came home about 5. We visited, I putzed around with laundry and other household tidbits. I made a grocery list; Dan was tired, so I went out by myself. I got what I needed, came home. Dan helped put things away, then went to bed.
I did food prep for the Gushen Family Reunion tomorrow at Imerman Park. It's a nice gathering of a great group of people I'm proud to say I'm related to.
I'm a little tired tonight, with a sore shoulder complex and achy breast. Not complaining, happy to be here. And feeling better.
Thank you for reading, for continuing to check in. Hugs.
I went to see Leah, Mason Massage. She had my "client sheet", and asked how I was doing. "Good," I told her. "The base of my neck across the shoulders feels really tight." She asked about the fullness in my arm/shoulder/breast, and, while she doesn't do the breast thing, she did do a little bit on the arm, armpit, and on the backside of the armpit/shoulder area. She said she could see where it was full, and she spent a little time on it.
That was after she worked on the right side of the neck. Holy Tight Muscles, Batman! Sheesh. She worked on that until it softened somewhat. Of course she does both sides, and as part of the process, I was lying face down.
With my arms alongside me, she tried to bend the left arm and bring it up to the small of my back. Now, you know I've had issues with a frozen shoulder, and also a torn supraspinatous ligament or tendon, and had treatment in January of 2007. My arm has not gone behind my back for almost 2 years. My arm went behind my back. Hey!!! Wow, she said. Does that hurt?? "No, not really," I replied. I was so surprised. She put it down alongside me, then picked it up and moved it again, watching the range of motion. My hand was resting in the small of my back. Wow! Yes, it felt more like a stretch in the shoulder joint than pulling, tugging or hurting. We talked about the healing, and think that maybe the "frozen shoulder" has "thawed". After all, I was told that a frozen shoulder is self-limiting; meaning that it will resolve itself in 1-3 years. The tear in the rotator cuff won't heal itself, though, and I'm not sure when or even if I am going to pursue having it repaired.
About 10 minutes more, and I was done. I paid her, confirmed appointments through October, and will schedule into November and December with a phone call. (Yes, she is that booked.) I went on my way back home.
Wow. A couple motrin and a tylenol, I drank water for a couple hours after, and flushed out. I showered, and my nipple sloughed off again. The whole breast has been achy, and the itchy-ness moves around, but mostly seems to be where the tumor and tissue were removed. I guess that makes sense, huh?
Dan came home about 5. We visited, I putzed around with laundry and other household tidbits. I made a grocery list; Dan was tired, so I went out by myself. I got what I needed, came home. Dan helped put things away, then went to bed.
I did food prep for the Gushen Family Reunion tomorrow at Imerman Park. It's a nice gathering of a great group of people I'm proud to say I'm related to.
I'm a little tired tonight, with a sore shoulder complex and achy breast. Not complaining, happy to be here. And feeling better.
Thank you for reading, for continuing to check in. Hugs.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday 8.1.2008 Relay For Life, Jackson, MI
Happy Birthday, Daniel!! 58!! Woo Hoo!!
I was up this morning, ready to put on makeup, when the phone rang. Uh-Oh. It was my turn to be on-call. I was surprised, but sometimes that's how it goes. So, I took my clothes off, put my pj's back on, climbed back into bed, and was just dozing off again when---
The phone rang. Man. "We need you to come in...." Ok. Now, I don't mind being on call, and I don't mind being called in. However, being called in right away like that is a bit annoying. Because now, I'm going to be late, and miss report, and maybe the worst part, the challenge of a parking place. I got ready and headed out.
And as I thought, I had to park in the back of the lot. No shuttle, and walked the 2 blocks to the hospital. We had a good day. Busy in an odd way.
Tonight is the start of the Relay For Life, a 24 hour fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. My friend Lisa from the hospital invited me out to Cascades Park to walk the Survivor's Lap, or the Victory Lap. I was honored, and told her I was scheduled to work, so I wouldn't be able to come out for that 6 pm event. She also told me she had gotten a luminaria in my honor. Whoa. That's awesome. I'm humbled. Lisa asked if I'd like to light it. Wow. I took a breath. Yes, I answered. I would.
So, I tried to be finished with the j.o.b., and just at 7:05, a doctor comes on the floor for a consult, and would like someone to go to the patient's room with him. Ok, that's me. And off we went.
He did his thing, we chatted business, he left, and so did I. I clocked out, went back to the change room, changing into one of the pink shirts I had received as a gift (with a pink ribbon on it), white shorts, pink ribbon socks, my "friends" necklace from one of the night shift girls, the pink ribbon stretch bracelet, the silver charm bracelet from the party, and carried it in the small pink backpack/shoulder bag . The good luck pink ribbon stone in my pocket and pink ribbon visor if I needed it. Dan picked me up at the front door.
We went out to the park, found a place to park, and wandered around. We found the Survivor's Tent, where I signed in, and was given a purple survivor's shirt, a booklet with names of the participants, survivors, and honorees (memoriams), another stretchy bracelet thing, and we were both offered a box lunch. Wow, that's nice. No thanks, we'll just be on our way...
We had missed the opening ceremonies and the survivors lap, and now the participants were just walking around the track building their lap totals. It was about 8 o'clock, and the luminaria lighting was scheduled for 9. We looked at all the team tents; there were 105 teams or so this year, making Jackson's Relay one of the largest in Michigan. And there were a lot of purple shirts. Neither Daniel nor I had been to an event, so this was new for both of us. I saw a lot of familiar faces, and chatted with a few people. Soon the announcer directed us to return to our team site for the luminaria lighting.
It was well into dusk, and 9 o'clock. If I remember, I think she (the announcer) read something, told us to light our luminaria, and maintain as much silence as possible for the solemnity of the ceremony. A bagpiper played. Daniel was next to me while we waited for a lighter. When it was passed to me, I stepped forward and lit mine. Very humbling. I'm glad it's "in honor of" and not "in memory of". Though we all know, cancer can happen to anyone, and it can be our demise. Lisa and I both lit the luminaria for our co-worker Evelyn, whose cancer snuck up on her and took her to the Lord while I was early in treatment. I knew she wasn't feeling well, then heard she was gone. Just like that. And we've had a couple other co-workers that have been treated and survived within the last few years. We lit their candles, too. When they were all lit, it was pretty dark out, and the hundreds of luminaria around the track were a very impressive site. The announcer said the walkers could resume walking, and it was life started up again. Lisa hugged me, and I thanked her for inviting me out, for the honor of a luminary, and being able to light it.
.
Lisa and Me, in front of their team's site, Cromley's Little Angels.
Dan and I left then, and we walked about half-way around the track to get to where we parked. Pretty awesome. Daniel was moved, as was I.
We got to the car and on our way. We were almost to the expressway to go home, when he remembered "Your car!!" We had to go over to the hospital to pick up my vehicle! We had both been so caught up, we forgot. Fortunately, we were only a few miles away, and went back over to the hospital. I showed him the parking situation. "Unbelievable," he said. (I think that's his new favorite word.) I got into my car, and we both headed home.
We got in, I had a bite to eat, and we went to bed. Dan has a golf thing tomorrow morning. I'm planning to rest, with a massage at 2 pm, and groceries sometime.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
I was up this morning, ready to put on makeup, when the phone rang. Uh-Oh. It was my turn to be on-call. I was surprised, but sometimes that's how it goes. So, I took my clothes off, put my pj's back on, climbed back into bed, and was just dozing off again when---
The phone rang. Man. "We need you to come in...." Ok. Now, I don't mind being on call, and I don't mind being called in. However, being called in right away like that is a bit annoying. Because now, I'm going to be late, and miss report, and maybe the worst part, the challenge of a parking place. I got ready and headed out.
And as I thought, I had to park in the back of the lot. No shuttle, and walked the 2 blocks to the hospital. We had a good day. Busy in an odd way.
Tonight is the start of the Relay For Life, a 24 hour fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. My friend Lisa from the hospital invited me out to Cascades Park to walk the Survivor's Lap, or the Victory Lap. I was honored, and told her I was scheduled to work, so I wouldn't be able to come out for that 6 pm event. She also told me she had gotten a luminaria in my honor. Whoa. That's awesome. I'm humbled. Lisa asked if I'd like to light it. Wow. I took a breath. Yes, I answered. I would.
So, I tried to be finished with the j.o.b., and just at 7:05, a doctor comes on the floor for a consult, and would like someone to go to the patient's room with him. Ok, that's me. And off we went.
He did his thing, we chatted business, he left, and so did I. I clocked out, went back to the change room, changing into one of the pink shirts I had received as a gift (with a pink ribbon on it), white shorts, pink ribbon socks, my "friends" necklace from one of the night shift girls, the pink ribbon stretch bracelet, the silver charm bracelet from the party, and carried it in the small pink backpack/shoulder bag . The good luck pink ribbon stone in my pocket and pink ribbon visor if I needed it. Dan picked me up at the front door.
We went out to the park, found a place to park, and wandered around. We found the Survivor's Tent, where I signed in, and was given a purple survivor's shirt, a booklet with names of the participants, survivors, and honorees (memoriams), another stretchy bracelet thing, and we were both offered a box lunch. Wow, that's nice. No thanks, we'll just be on our way...
We had missed the opening ceremonies and the survivors lap, and now the participants were just walking around the track building their lap totals. It was about 8 o'clock, and the luminaria lighting was scheduled for 9. We looked at all the team tents; there were 105 teams or so this year, making Jackson's Relay one of the largest in Michigan. And there were a lot of purple shirts. Neither Daniel nor I had been to an event, so this was new for both of us. I saw a lot of familiar faces, and chatted with a few people. Soon the announcer directed us to return to our team site for the luminaria lighting.
It was well into dusk, and 9 o'clock. If I remember, I think she (the announcer) read something, told us to light our luminaria, and maintain as much silence as possible for the solemnity of the ceremony. A bagpiper played. Daniel was next to me while we waited for a lighter. When it was passed to me, I stepped forward and lit mine. Very humbling. I'm glad it's "in honor of" and not "in memory of". Though we all know, cancer can happen to anyone, and it can be our demise. Lisa and I both lit the luminaria for our co-worker Evelyn, whose cancer snuck up on her and took her to the Lord while I was early in treatment. I knew she wasn't feeling well, then heard she was gone. Just like that. And we've had a couple other co-workers that have been treated and survived within the last few years. We lit their candles, too. When they were all lit, it was pretty dark out, and the hundreds of luminaria around the track were a very impressive site. The announcer said the walkers could resume walking, and it was life started up again. Lisa hugged me, and I thanked her for inviting me out, for the honor of a luminary, and being able to light it.
.
Lisa and Me, in front of their team's site, Cromley's Little Angels.
Dan and I left then, and we walked about half-way around the track to get to where we parked. Pretty awesome. Daniel was moved, as was I.
We got to the car and on our way. We were almost to the expressway to go home, when he remembered "Your car!!" We had to go over to the hospital to pick up my vehicle! We had both been so caught up, we forgot. Fortunately, we were only a few miles away, and went back over to the hospital. I showed him the parking situation. "Unbelievable," he said. (I think that's his new favorite word.) I got into my car, and we both headed home.
We got in, I had a bite to eat, and we went to bed. Dan has a golf thing tomorrow morning. I'm planning to rest, with a massage at 2 pm, and groceries sometime.
Thank you for reading. Hugs.
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