more windmilling

which means I had a fantastically fun Saturday!

Leaving home just after 6:30 a.m. and not returning until after 10 p.m. made for a long day but it was wonderful. We worked (ha .... ok Paul worked, I watched) two hours north of here, in and around several Chicago suburbs. Saw some beautiful places and met some really nice people along the way. Now that I think about it, maybe I did "work" as I looked up phone number and dialed several customers on our way up there; I collected money for the windmill work and made small-talk with clients while Paul was 40-80 ft. up in the air. I also took pics for him to put on his website. But when you're having fun, it doesn't seem like work :-)

Two of the places were pumpkin patches / farmers markets. At one I got some delicious warm cider and at the other they gave us a dozen pumpkin donuts! I even bought a pumpkin to set by my front door.


It was quite cloudy and cool out, which I had not expected. Thankfully I had a hoody to wear but wish I'd worn jeans and tennies instead of long jean shorts & sandals!

Oh, forgot to mention that I picked Randy up from the airport (in Bloomington) on Friday. He is here to harvest (as he does each fall) and it was great to see him. He of course, was thrilled to see me doing so well.

just a quote

(and to let you know I still feel good today :)


A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour. ~Author Unknown

#6

I just keep goin' back for more :)




Jeremiah dropped me off for treatment today and Aggie brought me home. It went well. It went quickly! I think they do the first one (last week) a bit slower, to be sure you don't have an allergic reaction. I was hooked up by 10:30 this morning (10:00 appointment) and was done at noon. I could feel the Benadryl take effect as soon as she hung the bag - a bit woozy and sleepy.Didn't nap there, I waited until I got home and slept for almost two hours. I feel good though (especially compared to first treatments) no nausea, no headache - yaay!

Attitude is Everything

This was shared on a breast cancer message board that I visit - I love it!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,
And noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
And saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed
That she had only one hair on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and
Noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary, For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

#5

Treatment five - which was actually treatment #1 of Taxol .... with 11 yet to go.

I rode over with Jennifer (sort of like my own oncologist nurse - but more of a friend :-) and Aggie picked me up later to bring me home. If it weren't for the Benadryl they give me by IV, I could drive myself with these. Perhaps they'll lower that dose as things progress (?) I can always hope. It did make me quite sleepy in the middle of treatment. I didn't nap (no surprise there) but probably could have.

Aggie and I went to Perkins for some lunch afterwards. I felt just a little woozy, but was fine within the next hour. Absolutely NO side effects from this one {clapping}!

Let's hope and pray that continues. Will be going each Wednesday from here on out.

September

wow - time just keeps on tickin' tickin' .... into the future ....

I had a fantastic, long Labor Day weekend with Brittany here! She arrived (actually I went to meet / pick her up) around midnight on Wednesday (can't believe it's been a week ago already!). Britt was beaming and giggly and loved seeing my bald head for the first time in person :-) On Thursday we went shopping, as she was in need of some business attire for the new job she's started this week. We decided to call it an early birthday present and were able to fine numerous bargains to stock her wardrobe. Jeremiah met us between his classes, for lunch at Buffalow Wild Wings. It was fun to watch & listen to my kids actually enjoying one another's company and talking like the young adults that they are now.



Thursday evening was Jordan (Jeremiah's girlfriends) first volleyball game. Since he had class and was unable to attend, we thought we would. It was fun - made Britt want to play again! Britt got this picture with her phone while we were there.



On Friday we still had more errands to run, and wanted to get pedicures too. I realized that Britt had never seen the cancer center where I receive treatments. She was here for my surgery, but that was in the hospital across the street - the breast cancer institute is an awesome new facility that I wanted to share with her. So I sent Jenny a text and she said come on over, she'd love to show us around! We walked through what I do for each appointment, where I weigh in and have my BP & oxygen levels checked; then down the hall to where I meet with my oncologist and on over to the chemo lounge. It was actually kind of fun to see the nurses on my "off" week, and to have them meet Brittany. Snapped a couple of pictures in the upper lobby before we got on with our day.





Friday evening we went over to see Mallory (at Sabrina's) so that I could meet baby Kale. Britt has gone on and on about how cute he is and she was right - he is an adorable and sweet baby boy! I will never forget Mallory's parents bringing her by our house on her way home from the hospital (when she was born) and Britt was just six months old. . . . so it is super sweet to see these girls at this stage in their life - enjoying and treasuring it together.







On Saturday we went out to visit with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Aggie for awhile. Later that afternoon was Mallory's brothers wedding reception. When I realized the next day, that I'd not gotten a picture of Brittany and I at the reception, I was quite disappointed! You'll just have to take my word for it - we looked awesome! Te he . . . .

Sunday afternoon, we went to visit the twins that I babysat. Britt was amazed at how big they'd gotten and how Mikaela is walking all over now! They are just adorable little girls & it was good to visit with their mom.






Britt and I watched several movies in our "spare" time while she was here. It was such fun to just sit and visit / hang out and spend so much time together! She wanted me to make Spaghetti Bake before she left, so I did that for lunch on Monday. As I was doing so, she was packing up and I began to get sad :( I could tell that goodbye would be different this time .... because she was different this time. She's grown closer to God and she's surrounded herself with good people. She's maturing and making changes for the better; more stable and smart, a calmer spirit about her; all of that is awesome to see and warms a mama's heart! Just can't put into words how much I enjoyed her visit. But we said our goodbyes (and had our cries) and I sent her on her way.

Jeremiah went to work then on Monday afternoon, so I busied myself with laundry and cleaning, to fight off any sadness. Yesterday I took my car to have its tires rotated, oil changed and cleaned inside and out. While I was waiting on that, Jeremiah talked me into seeing a movie between his classes. So we saw Avatar in 3D. I'd never seen it. He has it on blue ray but had not seen it in the theater. It was a much better movie than I'd expected, I really liked it.

Tomorrow I start my new treatment of Taxol. This will be once a week for 12 weeks. Fingers crossed and prayers said, that it'll go well and I'll have very few side effects. Many people say this is easier than the treatments I've already been through (?) We shall see. Either way - I can do it!

what a wonderful weekend!

Sorry I'm late in posting an update - was wiped out after my weekend away. It was oh-so worth it though, I had an absolutely fantastic time!

Paul and I went to Lake Sara (in Effingham) on Friday evening.
There were 9 adults and six kids altogether. These are friends he's had for 30 years .... so it was nice to be included. I tied a scarf on, on our way down there and he chuckled .... said it's whatever - he didn't care one way or another. Not arriving until after dark, they had a bonfire going and we sat around chatting for the next few hours. I awoke early the next morning to the smell of fresh baked biscuits.


To go along with that, was delicious sausage gravy, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and fresh fruit. There was more than enough food all weekend! Burgers, hot dogs and sweetcorn on the grill, pulled pork, homemade ice cream and on and on . . .


Saturday morning we all went boating - Paul has a boat, as does one of his friends.
We pulled kids on tubes / saucers and enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine.

Two of the guys recently bought a house on this lake (in MAJOR need of renovation!) so we explored the property and house, all giving our two cents on what should be done with it (some said burn it down & start over :) That afternoon when one boat went back out, some of us stayed back at the cabin.


While the guys were playing a washer game, drinking beer and sharing stories under a shade tree, I grabbed a blanket, threw it down nearby and took an hour long nap. It was divine. Paul went skiing that evening when the lake waters were smooth.
I actually considered giving it a try (hadn't skied in probably 20 years) but decided I'd better not. Having just had chemo on Wednesday I was definitely not 100% yet.

Sunday morning I took my first ever canoe ride and then we went boating again.


Pulled all of the kids on tubes once more, before loading things up to head home the middle of the afternoon.

Monday I was absolutely wiped out! Awoke with a headache and it stuck with me most of the day :( I did take a nap though, and was much better yesterday (Tuesday).

Today I'm excited that Brittany's coming home for the weekend! I will meet her tonight and she'll return to KC on Monday. We have some shopping and pedicures planned and she's requested a couple of favorite foods while she's here. Today I will grocery shop and meet Jeremiah for lunch after his classes at Parkland (week #2 of college - so far so good!)

Ya'll have a great Labor Day weekend!
~ love and hugs from me ~