Awesome Discovery....

   While drying my hair the other morning I made an awesome discovery......my hair is growing back. My bald spot should be gone hopefully in a few months. We just might have to have a, "Hair growing back party".....whoopie

Two months to the day....

   Yesterday was two months to the day of my last chemo. Doesn't seem possible that it's been that long. My appointment with Dr.Olivarez went great. Red & white blood count was good. She was very pleased with the progress that I've made at getting back to normal. She was a little concerned about my Bell's Palsy and this cold that I have. She reminded me that my immune system has and always will be low and I will always be acceptable to colds and virus.   Going to acupuncture has really progress my healing. Most people can't tell unless you talk to me and see that the right side of my mouth doesn't move as well as the left. I no longer need a straw to drink from a glass and I can almost chew on that side again. I'm a believer in acupuncture.....
   Saturday, Sarah and I spent the day in Chicago. We had a great time together. It did rain for a few hours but it didn't stop us from doing what we had planned. Sarah had an agenda for us and  we were able to do and see all that she had planned. I spotted an old church on Michigan Avenue and wanted to check it out. The architecture caught my eye and I just had to go inside. When you walked into the sanctuary it was so peaceful. The stone carvings, the high ceilings and the pipe organ with over six thousand pipes were breath taking. There were fourteen carved angels seven foot tall that topped the piers along each wall. Each stained glass window told a story. We've decided to go back next year and take a tour of the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
   From walking on busy streets, people darting in and out of stores. With everyone in a hurry to get the best deal, to bumping into you and with taxi horns blasting going into the church was good for the soul. As soon as you closed the door the only noise you heard was the creaking from the old pews when someone stood up.
In the hustle and bustle of life it's good to sneak into a quiet place.

What is being normal like?

   Just when you think life is getting normal again you're handed another set back. Last Thursday morning I woke up with a mild ear ache. Didn't give it much thought and went on about my day. Friday morning the pain was back. Later that evening the pain was behind my ear at the base of my skull. It wasn't bad just enough to let you know something wasn't right. I have a high pain tolerance so I just brushed it off.
   Saturday morning things were evident that there was a problem. As I brushed my teeth the right side of my face wasn't working like it should. I figured I had a sinus infection. I headed to work and as the morning went on my face seemed to become tight and drawn. I was having a hard time talking and smiling to my customers. By afternoon I noticed my right eye was red and wasn't blinking like it naturally should. I knew something was going on and I needed to see a doctor.
   After what I've been through the last ten years living with cancer and spending this past summer taking chemo nothing surprises me. You just learn to roll with what's placed on your plate. I also know that you don't wait to see a doctor. Waiting for it to go away only allows the problem to get worse. Within two minutes of seeing the doctor he told me I had, Bell's Palsy. I wasn't surprised as I knew what the symptoms were. We talked about the treatment and the side effects and how long they would last.
   By the time I got home later that afternoon my right eye would not close. The doctor advised me to wear a patch at night to keep my eye moist. We naturally bat our eyes and never think a thing about it.The average person blinks their eye 20 times a minute. For now, I can live with a crooked smile and a tilted nose. But my eye not closing is bothersome .
  It's been almost a week now and not much change. Today was a first-Sarah said my eye looked a little better. I go for my second acupuncture treatment in the morning. So lets hope that will speed up the healing process.
 
  

Election.....

   Uniontown doesn't have elections...thank goodness. We like it that way and sure hope it never changes. A few years back when I had Mountain Memories  I really worried about town elections. I had years of problems. Even to this day as I drive by the old shop the problems are still there. I use to complain till I was blue in the face. I might as well been talking to a concrete wall. The town would tell me it's the states problem and the state would tell me it's the towns responsibility. Daddy and I worked at fixing the problem as often as we could. A few times we would be out working and the town employees would drive by and try not to look our way. I mean come on, we see you driving by don't try to duck down in the seat. The least you could do is get out and make an effort regardless of who was the responsible party. Just a few minutes would have been appreciated. But its not my problem any more.    
   Will you vote with your chosen party or will you jump the fence and vote for the person. Crothersville has many folks who would do a great job but they choose to set on the sidelines. Setting on the sideline never gets the job done. Make sure to vote tomorrow...it's one of the privileges of living in the United States.

Time flies....

   Time flies....how many times have you heard or said that? The last few weeks have flown for me. I"ve had a list of things to get done and been working hard at crossing them off my list before the first snow flake falls.
   Thomas and I have been laying new wooden floors and ceramic tile in the house. We put this off during my chemo and we've been working hard the past few weeks. I was off yesterday (Wednesday) and I worked in my gardens preparing them for winter while Thomas laid the last of the tiles. It was warm enough that I was able to hang clothes on the line.
   We finished up at the house and we had a few things to do out at Linda's house. Once again Denise fixed an awesome supper for us. After dinner we talked about the scholarships that Denise was working on. I was trying to remember all the ones Sarah applied for. Sarah applied for one and you could only apply if you were 4 foot 11 or shorter. Seemed there was a little old lady out west who never grew taller than 4"11. She had a ton of money and wanted to spread it around.
   The one thing that I notice most after having chemo is my energy level. I can remember working in my gardens, mowing grass and being busy for most of the day. I would work non-stop and only rest a couple of times to enjoy a drink of water. Now I need a break about every 20/30 minutes. But I'm thankful that I'm still able to do the things that I enjoy.
   A belated thank you to all my friends who sent me birthday wishes....xo
I was given a book by a good friend tilted, "When You Need to Know Your Strength"-messages of hope and healing for people living with cancer. One of the quotes states,
   When it feels like the whirlwind might blow you away, think of how deeply rooted you are by love, how held down you are by the people who care about you.

Adventures........

   Today would have been my third Wednesday, chemo day. Thomas was all smiles this morning, "No, chemo for us baby," Yea, no chemo for me.
   The past week has been eventful to say the least. It started with painting Linda's front door. Daddy had a 59 year old tree cut down, I had a couple of meetings, my ex mother in law passed away and I ended the week visiting with Cindy. It was one of those weeks where emotions were high and low.
   It's always good to spend time with Linda, to catch up on girl stuff and just be able to relax and enjoy a beautiful fall day with a friend. The sugar maple  was one of five trees that Daddy planted back in 1952. Just like all of us age was catching up with the maple tree as it had the other four before. To be on the safe side Daddy decided to have it cut down rather than a storm taking it down and falling on the house. Back when my girls were little Daddy hung a swing for them to enjoy. We found part of the chain that had growed into the limb. I helped carry smaller limbs to the burn pile and stack some larger ones to be split for fire wood. Even though Daddy is 85 he can still swing a mean ax!!
   Sarah, Sandra and I attended Mamaw Ruth's funeral on Friday. As the pastor begins to talk about Ruth's life, he tells the story of what the dash represents on our tomb stone. Those of you who read this blog know what the dash means--it's your journey, from the time you take your first breath till you breath your last.  The pastor did a great job talking about the things that Ruth enjoyed and the struggles with her health in the last few years. No matter what was going on in Ruth's journey she always had a smile on her face.
   Even though Cindy and I either talk or text each other every day it's always enjoyable to hang out with her in her kitchen.  Marty, her husband will come in every now and then to see who or what we're talking about. Most times he'll hang out with us. Cindy and I have been friends since the first day of kindergarden. If I reveal the year we started school that will give our age away.
   I looked through my notebook of poems and quotes and this one talks about how you spend your time....
                              
              Lord, I have to much to do, but it's all important. Help me to set priorities so that I don't
feel lost in the pace and the pressure. Give me the wisdom and energy to accomplish what's necessary
without wasting time or effort. Help me make the best use of my day, remembering that time is
a precious gift from you........

Life is good.....

    I headed to the back porch swing with a piece of persimmon pudding in hand and Bristol followed me out. As we set down you could just see the top of the sun as it slid behind the trees. The sky looked like you had taken a paint brush and made a few swipes across the sky. Different shades of orange and yellow against the clouds and what was left of the blue sky.  I told Bristol, "look at your surroundings Bristol, what more could a person want". He must have agreed with me cause he turned around and gave me a big lick. He must have been feeling the same. The quietness of the evening, the sun setting, the field's of soybeans that had been harvested the day before made you aware of all your blessings. It's times like these that are far better than any meditation book.
   Life is good....life is getting back to normal. My list of blessing's are long, Thomas, Sarah, Sandra, Daddy and Mom. My circle of friends and my BFF's who have lifted me up with their thoughts and prayers. My home and my puppies (kids). Everyday we should take a few minutes and remember all those who have been a blessing to us. As you set in your quiet place reflect back on your day and those who have crossed your path. Look around at the sky, the trees and even the grass. Each is a blessing for us to enjoy.
   It's suppose to be a beautiful fall weekend. Get up from your couch and get outside and enjoy the blessings.