Somedays Are Diamonds.......

 

.....somedays are stone.

We are know it....all the cliches  "windshield/bug", "pigeon/statue".  Somedays are just good ones and others not so much.

Yesterday was a diamond for me.  If you are walking this journey with me just out of interest in my story, or you are looking for validation and understanding in your own (no matter what it is), I hope you find a little here.

After a very rough week last week, I made the trip up the mountain once again to do a follow up from the hospital stay I had here locally and to let my oncology team due their own assessments.  I was feeling so much better and other than the nasty "leprosy rash" things had leveled out, but still, I was nervous.

Rick drove me up and it was rehabilitating to spend one on one time with him.  He is so much like his Dad and like his Dad, he has the ability to make me laugh.  He's also extremely thoughtful and very kind.  All through the day, he shepherded my friend, Judy and I along like we were treasures to be protected.  We don't get that very often.  I missed having Paula along this trip, she is a very positive force for me as well, but the time with Roger's mini-me was so restorative.  It was having him back in a recognizable form for a while.

The oncology team took note of all the vile reactions I had from Round 1 and assured me they would be very proactive in adjusting my treatment to help me along this journey.  They also found I was very potassium insufficient and wanted me to do an infusion (which a a few hours) and none of us were prepared for an all day stay.  After all, lunch had become our primary focus by this point.  So, they simply adjusted the dosage of my oral potassium, gave me some steroids to help send the rash packing and sent me on my way...."see you on the 3rd!"

We did make a stop at their J B Hunt sponsored Cancer Support House which was a lovely facility where you and a friend can stay at no charge if you have a long drive and a day long treatment.  Fully outfitted lovely rooms, fully stocked and equipped kitchen, laundry area, sun room with games, magazines and puzzles.  Beautiful outdoor sitting areas.  And did I mention.....no charge?  I also shopped their well stocked wig shop and found something possibly suitable able a grooming at the hands of my hairdresser.  My hair will likely be gone within the next few days.  I hope I am honest enough and courageous enough to show that to you.  I will honestly try because I think it is important to communicate that nothing is more lovely that Y O U and what you reveal from your inner most being, the part that God formed, adored and shaped.

Lunch was fun and I could taste most of it that's a plus.  I was beginning to think I would be on a permanent lemon diet.  Judy treated Rick and I and we are both so grateful for her ever present huge giving compassionate heart.

We made it home in time to pick up meds and for Rick to go get his little loves (Ryker and Lynleigh) and whisk them away to ball practice.  Their sweet little mama (aka Angel Baby) has been so supportive of me as well and she's raising good people and I'm very proud of her.

Then I was invited to my son-in-law Jeremy's birthday.  That was a good time for me, good food, a lot of laughter and getting to know his family a little better.  Jeremy's mom recently lost her sister, her father, the father of her children and her husband in a very short time period.  These kinds of events are very hard on people.  There seems to be no respite to grieve, accept and process before the rug gets pulled again.  Please include her in your prayers....she really needs them.

It was a good time that I got to spend with Kaylee, Jeremy, Audrey and Logan....missed seeing Max and Ana, but hopefully that will happen soon.  And, I am missing my son a lot right now.  I know he truly struggles with his inability to be present right now but he is doing what he needs to do and I am very proud of his committment to overcoming his own personal challenges.  He has wonderful help in Angie (his intended) in this journey.   He calls her the "Thunderstick" and he isn't wrong!  She's a little dynamo!  

Today I am reaching out to my job to explain the plan going forward and see if it is workable with them.  They have been very good and very patient and I am so thankful for that.  I still need to work for so many reasons that I hope this will also turn out to be a diamond day.

My pups are content at home and that makes me happy....they have contributed  much to making my state of mind better....you can't stay turned inward when little creatures need you to be thinking about them.  They seem to know they also have to be patient and gentle with me.....what a gift we were given in the dog!  I hope I never have to be without one in this life....because for me....when there is no one here.....they are.  That matters to me.

Round 2 is on the 3rd.  My good friend Theresa has signed up to drive and sit and wait that day out with me.  It's a lot and in many ways a bit depressing to observe so I am thankful for her willingness to help with his.  It will give my other designated drivers a loooooong holiday weekend and I'm so glad for that.

This is it for now.  Still need prayers and I actually feel them.  If you can't comment with your name on the blog itself please at the end of your message just write your first name.  Believe me, I know who you are and it helps to know you've reached out to me.  Sometimes I may answer and sometimes not because the danged blog puts me as "Anonymous" as well.  LOL  I should be offended, but I'm still laughing.

Rattlers enjoy the weekend.....I will be waiting and watching for loads of pictures.  Make sure you tag people....some of you guys have gotten OLD.

Remember always.....Save the Last Dance For Me....dum,dum,dum.  Love from me to you.