I was doing math (home school) in my bed with Rissy and feeling very relaxed because the house was so quiet and peaceful.  You'd think after all of these years I'd feel concern instead of peace when 3 little girls, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a bird aren't making a peep.  But . . . peace I felt.

Abreeana wanted JoAnn, for some reason, and when she went to the kitchen (and passed the dining room) she found Sushi in the back of the dining room table chewing on something.  That's when we discovered she had gotten into the suitcase the girls had packed to go to Stephanie's house.  Packed with their clothes was their vitamins and pills for three days.  The total was 9 multiple vitamins with iron, 18 omega 3 fish oil pills, 3 Singulair tablets, 3 Clariton tablets, and (gasp!) 3 of Luci's psych pills.  Sushi had eaten all of the vitamins, all but 4 of the fish pills, all of the Singulair, all of the Clariton, and (double gasp!) all of the Invega - Luci's psych pills.  We checked all around the room and no pills were on the floor.  She had also ingested parts of the ziploc bags containing the pills.

I called our vet who was out of the office.  The tech told us to give her 2 T of peroxide to induce vomiting.  We did and she did.  I would never have guessed a living thing could ingest peroxide and not be harmed!

We took her to the Critical Care and Emergency Vet Hospital and they kept her for 8 hours.  The girls and I prayed fervently for her life while Sushi was gone.  *I* had to call the pharmacy AND poison control to find out what to do for her.  Not exactly sure why the vet didn't do that, but he would have charged more money if he had placed the calls. 

I called Jesse and JoAnn back with the info the vet needed and we waited.  They gave her two injections to induce vomiting again and then charcoal.  We picked her up at 8pm and she was eating and drinking and ready to go.

They said, other than some accelerated heart beats, she was VERY okay.  I told them we had prayed and they said that must have been effective since Luci's medicine was SO DANGEROUS for a child to take 3 - much less an animal.

It's another day and I'm happy to be off of yesterday's roller coaster ride!

My bone pain has started to subside.  I still have the pain, but it's moved to my lower legs (including my knees) with only small, occasional twinges in my hips.  The hives are still a bother and I'm using cortisone cream on my legs.  The little spots that crop up (my ribs, middle of my back, etc.) aren't as bothersome as the huge area on my calves. 

The girls are at Stephanie's until Saturday afternoon.  They don't have to go to the therapist today (she's out of the office) and that will give them more time to enjoy Stephanie's pool in our sultry mid 90's temperatures.  Summer is definitely here!

Yesterday, I called about the chemo bill and I DO owe them $12 (not $13) and, in the future, we found a way to work around the discrepancy of the final bill and what I'm charged at the desk.  $20 a month in co-payments is nothing compared to the total amount of the bill - ya know?!

Last night, while JoAnn and I went to pick up Sushi, a neighbor brought Jesse sacks full of groceries.  It was a sweet gesture and the church thought of everything (mayo, ketchup, eggs, milk, sugar, flour, etc.)  Although we aren't in need of groceries, it was a very, VERY kind gesture.  I told Jesse that I hoped she hadn't seen our garage pantry.  He said he just let her come into the kitchen.  Like me, he was afraid her reaction to our pantry would have been, "Gosh!  You have more in your pantry than the church has in theirs!"  LOL!!!  I'm sure there are some things I can pass onto Stephanie.  We already have enough flour and sugar stored to last us the rest of the year - but I don't think Stephanie has those things right now.  Jesse and JoAnn went to the grocery store on Tuesday and now we have eggs and milk overflowing from the refrigerator!  I'll have to think of something I can make using milk.  Maybe potato soup or corn chowder and some pudding mixes!  We've never cared for milk after it has been frozen.

JoAnn said Marie is on her way over here.  She's bringing her yellow lab, Zoe, for Sushi to play with.  It's so hot and muggy outside, I don't know how long Sushi will last in the heat!

Time to move on with my day.  "My day" - what a joke.  I should say, "Time for me to take a bath and lie down in bed with a book!"

Thanks again for all of you who prayed for Sushi's recovery.  All of our prayers were heard and answered!

Be Blessed  ~

I woke up feeling quite a bit better, but continued to rest in bed - talking with the girls, Chirper (yes, I talk to him!!!), reading my Bible, and, generally, keeping myself quiet.

                          
                                        (Bottles of Nivea and Curell lotion from Rissy)

Jesse went to work early and JoAnn had to take Rissy in to pick up her daytime leg braces and orthotic shoes (nothing fit right, but that's another story).  Stephanie came over to stay with me while the other "adults" were gone. 

                          
                                     (She slowly read all of her cards from her sisters)

She and I talked a bit about different things, while she sat next to me in bed.  She looked through the box of books Lori K brought me on Sunday . . .  a huge selection of those hard bound condensed version books Reader's Digest puts out, usually 4 - 5 stories in each book.  Stephanie and I love them.  In fact, Stephanie said, "I love when Lori brings you books because they are gifts for *me* too!" 

Through the morning and early afternoon, I felt okay, as far as bone pain, but decided I needed to take it easy.  So I did.  I was sure that resting would help me to not have any severe pain, again.

                        
                                         (Lots of cards and little gifts from her sisters.
                                  The pets were in the middle of everything, like always!)

Imagine my surprise when my legs began to ache in the late afternoon and I felt chilled . . . like I had a fever.  The truth was, I DID have a low grade fever that continued to climb as my knees and lower leg pain continued to escalate.  Oh joy!  Not again?  Yes . . . again . . . mainly in my lower legs and down into my feet.  (big sigh - rolling my eyes)

                           
                                                         (A relaxing CD from Luci)

By dinner time, I was back on Percocet and AFTER dinner had to take a Morphine tablet.  I took a warm bath which did nothing for the pain, but made me feel more comfortable living with myself.  Whew-eee - stinky me!!!

JoAnn monitored the alternating pills and how many hours between each one, because the pain was bothering me enough that I felt confused about what type of pill I took last and what was safe to take after so many hours.  JoAnn has a sheet of paper that has each of my pills (from vitamins to pain meds) listed; and, she writes what I take at what time.  Thanking the Lord for a sister-in-law who has worked in the home health care profession and is experienced with administering drugs.  {{{{{{{{{{{{JoAnn}}}}}}}}}}}}

                              
                                        (Before the number "31" was inserted in the cupcakes.
                                                The "31" candles were stolen from a cake
                                                      my friend Kathy made Stephanie!)

While taking my bath (around 9pm), I noticed my hives had come back full force.  No WONDER my legs hurt AND itched!!!  So, to combat the nausea that the Morphine and Percocet can cause, I took 2 Benadryl which would also reduce my ugly hives.

This morning, I spoke to the nurse in the chemo room (where I go for chemo therapy).  She said her niece had had the same problem each time she received Taxol chemo drug and the Neulasta injection, which is what helps regenerate white cells.  She (Linda, the nurse) knew my pain was real and horrible.  She also said there was very little I could do for it.  Heating pads and warm baths just don't reach into the bone marrow, which is where the pain originates.  The heat *can* help sooth the muscles that tense up when the pain starts, and the application of heat to those tense muscles is about all you can do.  AND, Linda ALSO said the pain can last longer than 72 hours in some people.  She said her niece had pain each chemo treatment and it lasted 7 to 10 days.  Oh!  DOUBLE joy! 

So, that's something y'all can pray about on my behalf, the pain I might experience over the next couple of months

                             
                          (We sang the unique family birthday song AND the usual Happy Birthday song)

Didn't I say IF there was a 1% group that experienced certain weird side effects, I'd be in *that* group???  I remember thinking "that" - whether or not I actually wrote it down in my blog!  I'm always the one with the unexpected and "hardly ever happens" things!

Speaking of writing things down . . . Lori K gave me the most awesome birthday gift.  She copied (and had bound) my blog postings from the first year, 2007.  She printed pictures AND comments left for me after I posted an entry.  It was such a neat "journal" for me to reread AND (as Stephanie said) to leave for my children and grandchildren to read, someday.  She's so clever!

                              
                                            Stephanie is in love with Abreeana and thinks Jennifer
                                                (Abreeana's Mom) should give her to Stephanie!

Today is Lori K's actual birthday and I will call her later.  She's suffering at church camp (about 25 miles north of here) in 100 degree temps this week.  What a brave soul!  It's so incredibly muggy.  When I open an outside door the hot dampness feels like someone took a shower with the door closed in a small bathroom.  REALLY heavy air.

                                       
                              (Another JanaLyn picture of her decorated with birthday trimmings!)

We don't have any place we have to go for the rest of the week.  Stephanie is coming this afternoon to pick up her little sisters.  They will spend a few days at her house like they did a few weeks ago.  We will have to have a "discussion" about apartment behavior before they leave.  Also, a quick course in swimming pool etiquette because Stephanie had a few embarrassing moments with them last time.  They've always been with us or in their own backyard when swimming, and they don't know about NOT asking people (strangers) if they can use their raft, etc.  My fault for not teaching them.  Those lessons have never been necessary in the past.

                                   
                                                  (Stephanie and me *with my wig* and Tango)

I'm going to get off of here and make a few phone calls.  I have a bill from the chemo people I need to check.  It's over $25,000 (after being adjusted and reduced) for FOUR chemo treatments!!!  They want us to pay $13 and I'll gladly pay it, if I really owe it.  The one shot that is hurting my bones (Neulasta) is $6757.00 per shot!!!!  You'd think, for that price, they'd figure out a way to take away its side effects!!!!

Be Blessed  ~

                          
                          (The next time I make these, I'll put them in the frig before stacking them!)

I had a HORRIBLE time with bone pain and now understand why they give you Percocet for pain after chemo.  Boy oh boy!  They've warned me about bone pain (after the shot they give you the next day to build up your white cell count) and I've experienced hand, feet, wrist, & ankle pain . . . but NOT bad enough to use much Percocet.

Apparently, the new chemo drug mixed with the "next day shot" caused me an experience that will last a lifetime (the reason I typed nothing yesterday).  My hips, sacrum, pelvic bones, and upper leg bones hurt like when you are in labor.  I'm talking "natural childbirth labor" and not "epidural labor" . . .  When I told the nurse my serious comparison to labor and that on a scale from 1 - 10 I was exeriencing a "10 pain", she took me VERY seriously and told the doctor.

The pain started Friday night and I went without sleep.  Saturday I could barely focus and Saturday night was more of the same.  At least when you are in labor you know there is an expected end and it will be all worthwhile when that baby arrives.  Can't say the same for this.

Lori (from Ohio) came to visit and, while she was here, my chills stopped, as did the pain.  Actually I was sweating.  I had a lovely visit with her and we exchanged birthday gifts - a tradition we've established for many years.  After she left, I became VERY chilled (again) with my teeth chattering.  It continued through Sunday night.  I called the "nurse on call" around 11pm Sunday night because I began to break out in hives on my lower legs.  When I took my temperature, I found my fever was over 100 degrees (they tell you to call when it's more than 100.5), which is quite high for me with a normal temp of 98.0 and the fact I don't usually run a fever unless I'm VERY sick.

The on call nurse recommended I try Benadryl to help me sleep, take the nausea away when I took her recommended TWO Percocet pills, AND it would help the hives.

Another very long night.  By morning (yesterday - Monday) I called my doctor's nurse to tell her how much I was hurting, to report my fever that kept fluctuating, and the hives that were spreading up behind my upper legs.  It took her 4 hours to call me back and, through tears, I was sure she had forgotten me.

After she DID call back, and heard me doing labor breathing while the shooting pains ravaged my body, she said she felt the fever and hives were due to the intensely high level of pain I was experiencing.  She prescribed Morphine and the pain FINALLY subsided.

I feel much better today, but part of my upper left leg has gone numb (like Lidocaine has been placed on my skin).  They warned me about my hands and feet tingling and going numb, so I guess that's what my leg is about.  Leave it to me to experience foot and hand numbness in my upper leg (rolling eyes!)  AND, the nurse said I could very well experience this same intense pain with each chemo treatment.  Yippeee!

Please pray for me that this pain stays gone and that I can manage it in the future with the two pain drugs.  I have a pretty high pain threshold and so you KNOW it was bad if I agreed to take Morphine.  Morphine scares the pants off of me and I can assure you, I would never take it for a little amount of pain.

Stephanie's birthday was lovely.  I'll start sharing pictures each day this week.  Her "biggest thing" she wanted to do for her birthday was play with Tango, our cockatiel. 

Last minute I made a stack of cupcakes into a mini birthday cake and she loved it and her gifts from her sisters.

I think I had better go rest.  Just stopping by to show off pictures and say, "hey!"

 
Be Blessed  ~

                                        
                                     (Back in the days when I used cloth diapers and plastic pants!!!!)

Stephanie is coming over late this morning to do some laundry and open presents from her sisters and a paltry gift box from Jesse and I.  She said she'd stay and watch her sisters while JoAnn takes me to get my shot this afternoon, and then she has to leave.  Her long time friend (Jenni, from high school) said her mom and dad wanted to have a nice birthday dinner for Stephanie, since I'm not able to do that this year.  I'm happy for her.

                                                    
                                                           (Age 2 1/2, at Christmas)

I've thrown 29 birthday parties for her.  Some parties, some dinners with just family.  When she turned eight, I was in the hospital after loosing a baby and having a C-section.  I think this is the second time I've NOT done something for her and it feels weird, but she is being wonderful about making me feel NOT GUILTY!

                                     
                                                                          (Age 6)

Her sisters took great delight in picking out gifts this year for their oldest sister.  Nothing expensive, just some things that she will like using on a daily basis - at least they HOPE she will like everything they bought!  JoAnn took them shopping for gifts and cards before she left to go home for 2 weeks to Tacoma.  I like getting things done ahead of time - otherwise, I stress.  I especially stress since I'm homebound and have no control over making purchases!

                                   
                                                        (Junior Prom - age 16)

I raised her as a single parent for most of her life.  We've had our struggles and we've had our happy times. 

        
        She was with a friend when the snack machine gave her Gold Fish (something she hates)
                                                           instead of chocolate cookies!

I'm seriously thinking of making a batch of chocolate cupcakes and making a "cupcake cake" for her today.  Five cupcakes on the bottom in a circle, then 3 cupcakes on top of that, and one cupcake on the very top with a candle.  That can't be hard if I use a mix and pre-made frosting.

                              
                                                     Me and Stephanie on her 21st birthday.

She's been concerned these past few months, and a comfort - especially these past few weeks.  And, she's offered to take her sisters a couple days a week so they have a fun summer (parks and her apartment pool, etc.) and get out of the house a bit.

                                
                                             Stephanie on the top left next to step-sister Nikki,
                                                            then an UN-happy Rissy
                                          (Rissy was reprimanded for pulling Annamarie's braid!)
                                                  Luci and Annamarie on the bottom row.

Yesterday's oncology visit was good AFTER I talked myself into being grateful that someone invented chemo therapy!!! 

The doctor said she couldn't feel the lymph node tumors at all, the long, thick cord shaped tumor had shrunk a WHOLE BUNCH, and she felt the bigger mass in the left side was also shrinking.  She thought the large mass shrinkage was remarkable enough to take a measurement.  She will continue to measure it on each visit  based on yesterday's size.

My red blood count showed me to be slightly anemic but good enough to have another round of chemo.  So far, no side effects from the new chemo drug.  The oncologist (as did the chemo tech nurses) reiterated that I had done marvelously well on the two harsh drugs and she thought this new one wouldn't cause me many problems.  I'm praying that I will NOT suffer from neuropathy in my hands and feet, and I am taking the L-Glutimine that the doctor recommended to make those side effects minimal.  I don't know when to expect the effects to appear. 

I was there a little over six hours yesterday.  That's ONE reason I don't look forward to chemo therapy.  This current drug takes 2 hours to run and they give me FOUR things to take away side effects before beginning the chemo drug.  PLUS, yesterday, I had to receive the bone building medicine.  That's a long time sitting hooked to an IV.  I read my Bible - Matthew, and I think I got to the 18th chapter!!!  Jesse brought me an Arby's roast beef sandwich at one point and I ate half, started the test of the new drug (to be sure I'd tolerate it okay) and so I put my sandwich away because one side effect is extreme nausea.  Like I said, so far - so good.  I finished the sandwich with no ill effects.

Well, I think I've talked myself into making those cupcakes for Stephanie.  If I'm gauging things right, there may be enough batter left to make us one round layer cake!

My good friend (met online), Lori K,  arrives this week-end for church camp.  Why they come from Ohio to Oklahoma is beyond me.  This is the Church of Christ group I've mentioned before that is filled with absolutely awesome people.  Maybe that's why Lori's family makes the long trip each year!  She plans to visit me on Sunday afternoon.  I can hardly wait!

                           
HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE!!!!!!

Be Blessed  ~

No, no!  I must remember to think of something positive . . .

I am grateful someone (many) discovered and invented chemo.  It keeps so many people alive after cancer.

Okay, enough of my Pollyanna broadcast for the day!!!

                                
                                  (Chirper took Sushi for a walk and decided to be in charge of the dog!!!)

I'm trying to work up an appetite.  I have to leave in 45 minutes and I'm just not hungry this early in the morning.  But, I will be there for five hours, today, and need to eat something so I can survive on snack foods while I'm there.

Annamarie complained of a headache and then dizziness last night, so she has a 2pm appointment with the doctor, again.  Stephanie took her in on Monday and they said it was a common cold/allergies.  Apparently they were wrong. 

AND, Rissy saw her neurologist yesterday and we found out she had a low grade fever.  Everyone is worse than they are letting on.

JoAnn did a bang up job last night of making a Mexican dinner.  Tacos, beef enchiladas, beans and rice.  You ROCK JoAnn!!!

I washed and remade our king size bed yesterday.  Also, I finished wrapping Stephanie's birthday presents (tomorrow), got some new bills in order, balanced the checkbook, AND (drum roll please!) got together my questions and stuff to talk about with the oncologist this morning.  I listed 19 symptoms that happened after the last chemo visit.  I thought of one more but forgot it; so, the list will remain at 19!!!

                                     
                           (At one point, he had her leash wrapped around Sushi's feet - like roping and tying a calf!!)

I better run.  I need to pull on some clothes and try really hard to eat something!

Be Blessed  ~

===========================

Yesterday evening, we had someone from church stop by to try to fix the faucets in our bathroom.  The problem all started with my sink and the cold water faucet handle breaking off.  We bought two new sets (for Jesse's sink and mine) and someone came to install them.  Unfortunately, he took Jesse's apart first and then determined the problem was more difficult than he had anticipated.  So, for the past month we've had my broken cold water side and just a hot faucet attached and nothing at all working on Jesse's sink.  Last night, the friend from church got Jesse's sink hooked back up and now we will wait for a "real plumber" to come and change out the faucets.  Apparently, the faucet connections are soldered to the water supply pipes.  Not as easy of a job as unscrewing connections.  It will require blow torching the connection apart . . . and I'd kind of like to keep my bedroom as it is, without it being burned to the ground!  LOL

                         
                                                       (Abreeana LOVES our pets)

Having all of these people stopping by our house for the past week, reminds me of a funny story.  Jesse told me that one of the neighbors stopped him outside yesterday and asked if everything was okay with me.  Apparently, when cars started appearing at our house, he had become concerned.   

*  Friday Santos and his family came, Marie was here, someone from the church came with dinner, and many different cars bringing dinner had come all week. 
*  Saturday Stephanie came, then Jesse left and brought back JoAnn from the airport.  Marie came by.  Then, Santos and ALL of his family arrived. 
*  Sunday, Stephanie came to get Annamarie and she stayed to do laundry.  Then Jesse's Aunt Marry and Uncle Bill came . . .  

Mind you, these were vehicles with Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida tags!  I guess the neighbors thought I had died!!!  The thought made me laugh, anyway!  At least last night, the neighbors could assume it was friend and not foe!

NOTICE TO EVERYONE WHO READS MY BLOG: 
I had to change my Xanga status.  I was having a problem and became upset because of things some had "done", "said", "etc." and decided to make my blog private - for Xanga users only.  If the problem/s continue, I will have to lock it to "Friends Only."  I hate to make *any* changes, at all, but for my mental health - it has become necessary.  *Some* have to spoil it for *ALL*, I guess!

JoAnn is taking Rissy back to the neurologist this afternoon.  I don't know what he'll do because we STILL HAVEN'T gotten Rissy set up with an orthopedic doctor.  Late, yesterday afternoon, the referring doctor's nurse called back (the one that said she'd call me right back at 8:30am!!!) to say she was working on getting us an appointment.

Tomorrow is the new chemo drug.  I have to prepare my list of things to tell the doctor.  Not so much questions this time as I need to tell her the effects the last treatment had on me.  I wouldn't have mentioned those things, except JoAnn said it might help a patient in the future.  Good thinking, JoAnn!

                          
                                                      (You can't see meeeee!)

I took a nap yesterday afternoon.   Another funny story.  I have a documentary DVD on the Amish.  I've tried to watch it a couple of times and each time have fallen asleep.  It happened again yesterday.  I don't know if it is the gentle voice of the Amish gentleman narrating the story or if I only lie down to watch it when I'm tired.  At any rate, I kept nodding off and awaking to watch a part (and thinking, "I remember seeing this before") and then zonking out again!  I told Jesse something was wrong with the DVD and it must have some subliminal message under the narrator's voice!  He told me to try watching it the next time insomnia plagues me!

==============================

I made Belgian Waffles and bacon for breakfast today.  Never got around to making the pasta salad yesterday or the evening before.  JoAnn had the ground meat out to make a Mexican dinner of beef enchiladas, tacos, and bean & rice.  Instead, it was "sale night" at Popeye's chicken and that's what we ended up eating - JoAnn's treat.

                                     
                                                                  (Heeeeere I am!)

Today's To Do List:
*  Wash our sheets and give Jesse new pillows
*  Balance the check book
*  Finish getting Stephanie's b-day gifts in gift sacks
*  Compile questions or info for the onologist, tomorrow

Be Blessed  ~

I fell asleep at a reasonable hour, but awoke at 1am with another headache.  For someone who has spent all of her life headache free - life sure is catching me up quickly!  That's 3 headaches in the past 10 days.  HIGHLY unusual for me.

I finally got up at 1:40am and got in a hot bath.  Anything to relax my neck and help my headache.  It didn't!  Around 2am I took 2 headache pills (Fiorinal #3) and went to sleep a little after 2am. 

                                
                                                  Abreeana and JoAnn - fresh off the plane!

2:30am, Annamarie came in to say her nose was stopped up.  Jesse picked her up from Stephanie's place yesterday afternoon because she tested negative for strep and the doctor felt it was an old fashioned cold, maybe allergies.  She's back home, but banned to her bedroom with her nasty cough.

I gave her a Sudafed and fell back asleep rather quickly.  BUT . . . at 4am she woke us up saying she needed the "throw up bucket" - a pink hospital bathing tub I had by my bedside.  I handed it to her, Jesse went to the bathroom to check on her and I fell asleep again. 

At least I was able to keep going back to sleep!

  
            (I'm not sure if Annamarie was getting Sushi away from Abreeana or forcing her to kiss Abreeana!!!)

I woke up a little before 6am and that was the end of the night for me.  I waited until 6:30am to get out of bed; but, clearly, I wasn't going to fall back asleep.

"Walking zombie" would be a good description of me, today!  Well, I've never actually *seen* a zombie, nor have I "seen" a *walking* zombie, but I feel pretty out of it!!!   Does that qualify as "zombie" material????   LOL

                                      
                                                JoAnn saying good bye to her son, Santos.

Jesse isn't working today.  He and JoAnn have gone to the store for a few items and some fresh vegetables.  I had planned to make a pasta salad for tonight and then marinate some chicken in Zesty Italian salad dressing for dinner.  I just left the kitchen where 2 packages of ground beef and 1 package of ground turkey are thawing.  Someone, obviously, has plans for tonight's dinner that don't include my idea!!!!!

They better let me cook while I can!!!  After Thursday's chemo, it will fall on JoAnn again!

Little Abreeana and Luci have gone with JoAnn and Jesse to the store.  Annamrie is in her bed and Rissy is in her room watching "I Love Lucy" DVDs!  Oops!  I just remembered, Rissy is grounded from TV or videos today.  Her room was in total disarray last night and we are tired of reminding her to be tidy.  Oh well, she is no longer watching "I Love Lucy" - sorry Riss'.

                                      
                                                  Santos' oldest girls, Espie and Noelle.

We have a chance of rain all week (higher chance tomorrow) and I wonder if we will ever get our small pool purchased and set up.  It will be too late before you know it.

I spent this morning trying to get appointments for Rissy set up.  She never has gotten her shoes or leg brace.  AND, the pedatrician's office has never referred us to the orthopedic surgeon.  We've been waiting for both things since late April (rolling my eyes).  I finally was able to get an appointment next week for the shoes and brace to be given to us.  I'm still waiting for the ped. doctor's office to call back.  At 8:30am she said, "Let me make a quick call and I'll call you right back."  Glad I didn't hold my breath!

Luci finished her math book yesterday.  Yay, Luci!!!!  The first one to be done with school!!! 

Annamarie doesn't feel well and her few pages await her. 

Rissy is doing a bunch of pages each day in her math book so she can be finished with the last math chapter ASAP.  Unfortunately, she will still have to do several weeks of spelling before she is totally free of the burden of school! 

I'll let them go without school in June and July and won't start up again until the first of August.  I'm suspecting my surgery will be in September, so they will have a short break at that time, too.

                               
                                                     Abby and Luci - so cute together!

I really don't have anything I *have to* do today - a good thing, since I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer!!!  I might read more in my book.  This one is taking FOREVER for me to finish.  It's interesting, but I don't think I am dedicating much time to reading books.  I have mainly been reading my Bible and then vegetating or staring into space.  I'm pretty sure that's where I'll fix my gaze today - space - seeing I'm sleep deprived again!!!!

                                
                                             One of the last pictures of me before my hair loss!

I need to help Rissy with her school work - the dreaded MATH BOOK!!!!!!

Be Blessed  ~

JoAnn's son (Santos), his wife (Christy), and youngest daughter (Abby) arrived Friday afternoon.  They stopped by to see Christy's mother, Marie (my interim caretaker), and we visited briefly.  They were exhausted from driving here (without a break) from east Florida.  I'm glad it was them and not me!!!  Jesse wasn't here, he was working.

Sushi was SO EXTREMELY GLAD to see her Auntie JoJo again!  Sushi *AND* the girls gave her big hugs. 
                       

JoAnn rarely sees her granddaughters from Santos (since they live in Florida and here) and she enjoyed time with them, especially the youngest Abby.
                

There were lots of hugs and stories exchanged.  Santos and Jesse started telling stories and . . . well . . . you had to be there.  Jesse is pretty much a guaranteed good time - such a funny person, but *SANTOS* could be a stand up comedian! 

They started talking about Santos' sister, Jennifer, when she was a teenager, and it was all too funny.  Santos did his impression of Jennifer (as a teenager) with headphones on (listening to her music) and it was so accurate, with funny dialogue punctuated in between his hands covering his ears (like he was wearing headphones, listening to music, and singing to the music).  All of us were crying from laughing so hard.  Honestly, it was like free tickets to a show.  I wish I had thought to grab my camera earlier.

Unfortunately, the time to say good bye arrived and there were lots of hugs and more pictures taken.

 
(all of the cousins)

  
Santos and Christy

I got a few more close up  pictures . . .

                        
                                     Cousins, Abby and Luci - don't they look like sisters???!!!!

. . . and then the big good bye as their Suburban drove off, headed back to Florida.

Sunday, Jesse and JoAnn's aunt and uncle from Texas, and my mother-in-law, dropped by.  These are some of my favorite people (Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill) and we had a nice visit.  They, too, are usually funny to listen (especially Aunt Mary and the way she tells stories) and we looked at a lot of family pictures they had brought with them. 

Aunt Mary has had breast cancer, her twin (Martha) has had it, and Martha's daughter has had it.  Aunt Mary was incredibly sweet (no joking with me) and was a huge supporter and understanding ear for me. 

My biggest surprise happened when they were all in the formal living room and Uncle Bill came back to the den to sit with me. 

He told me a story about someone's wife who chose a less aggressive treatment for her cancer and (when it was too late) later the aggressive therapy.  He said he had known 8 people diagnosed with cancer and they were all alive except the friend's wife.  He said, "You will be okay.  Don't give up hope, you've chosen the right way to treat your cancer.  We are praying for you and Aunt Mary prays for you every day."  It was very touching for him to make a point of being so serious and reaching out to me to encourage me. 

Of course, I totally forgot about my camera and didn't take pictures.

Saturday night and Sunday I slept like I had been given anesthesia.  I can't believe I was so tired each night and Jesse thought it was because of the two days worth of company.  I enjoyed myself a lot and - if company makes me sleep soundly - bring on the company!

Stephanie fixed us all breakfast before leaving with Annamarie on Sunday.

I have no plans for today.  Like I said, it was an active weekend and I enjoyed the company. 

Friday night, someone from the church brought food and stayed to visit Jesse and I until 9pm.  It was a nice visit, as was time spent with all the other people we saw this weekend.

Abreeana is two and has changed so much from last summer.  She walks, she talks, and is a general, all around, doll baby.  Just absolutely adorable.

Hope everyone had as good of a weekend as me. 

I feel very grateful for Jesse's family.

Be Blessed  ~

JoAnn arrives tomorrow in the late afternoon with our niece, Abreeana (2yo).  At some point, her older sister, Aolani (8.5yo) will be coming to stay.  I think Aolani's coming the first week in July. 

Our three girls are still with Stephanie.  So far, so good!  Annamarie called last night and we missed her call.  She left a message on Jesse's phone.  The night before last, the girls called to tell him good night.  Jesse is the one that has always tucked the girls in at night and prayed with them.  They must be missing that routine.   I'm sure they are having loads of fun, too!

Since I'm not able to do a lot of things physically (well, truth be known, I can't do much mentally these days, either!), I have concentrated on my camera and using some of the fine features and settings.  I've never had the time to "read the book" and have used "automatic focus" for years.  Having no children to photograph around here, and seeing that the house looks exactly as it did yesterday morning (!!!), I went outside looking for something interesting. 

There were lots of shadows today as the sun rose in the sky.  A BEAUTIFUL clear, blue sky.

Yesterday was a much better day for me, physically.  Well, mentally, too.  It's hard to keep a positive attitude when you feel rotten.  I usually play the "Pollyanna Glad Game" and can always find something to think about that "could be worse" - which makes me feel glad!  Today, I still have some "yuck" side effects, but NOTHING like Tuesday and Wednesday.  Those days were the worst ones since I was first diagnosed with breast cancer and they ran me through a battery of tests!  THANK YOU, LORD, for good days!!!!

                                             
                                                                                (me)

Jesse is trying to work fast and hard to finish all of his lawns today.  He may have to let some spill over into Saturday; but, on Saturday, he has to take out a tree and trim a bunch of tall hedges.  He'll have help, but he's focusing on finishing everything before JoAnn's plane arrives.

I was able to do a load of laundry last night (my own) and putter around the house a bit.  I'm not able to do much without becoming short of breath, but I'm fearful my muscles will deteriorate if I don't do *something* to use them.  Reaching in the washer and dryer is *something* and, at this point, that counts!  If only I could remember NOT to bend over.  Yesterday, I dropped to the floor (on purpose) to look under the china cabinet.  Sushi was barking and clawing at the underside.  I thought she'd lost a toy under it, but I found Chirper.  How cats squish themselves up, I'll never know.

Anyway, Marie told Jesse (thanks, Marie!) that before she could get up, I had jumped up from the other sofa and was on the floor (upside down) looking underneath the china cabinet.  Yes, I was VERY dizzy when I stood up; but, there was a door frame handy for me to grab hold of and steady myself.  I threw a pillow at Marie when she told Jesse.  I keep forgetting that I'm not supposed to do certain things - one of those things is doing stuff that is guaranteed to make me "black out" when I stand!!! LOL

I have a list of things for Marie to help me with today, and Jesse has a list of bills for me to pay.  It may take me all day.  It's so difficult for me to concentrate.  I think there are only four bills, so you can imagine my zany brain and how it sits in a funk.  My vocabulary is . . . "interesting" . . . I say words I don't mean (words that have NOTHING to do with what I'm saying) and have that feeling that I've chosen the wrong word, then realize I *have* chosen the wrong word, but (for the life of me) can't think of the correct word.  The frustrating part is that I *KNOW* I've made a mistake.  I stare into space with that "deer in the head light look" searching my brain (unsuccessfully) for the correct word.  I just can't figure things out!!!!  The *correct word* escapes me.  Then, at some inconvenient time (like in the bath tub) I remember, "Aha!  NOW I know what I was trying to say!!!  But, there is no one around to tell.  By the time I dry off and get dressed, I've forgotten my *aha* moment and I am back to living in my confused state of being!!!  

Living in my head is so very lovely these days!  I just laugh at myself.  I mean, what else are you supposed to do?

I slept well last night.  Except for some horrible dream I had, in the early morning hours, about radiation therapy.  I must have been sleeping in a bad position and had shooting pains in my neck.  Not only was the "treatment" barbaric and painful, the doctor informed me that the side of my neck (no, I'm not having radiation in my neck - it was just a dream), where I had had radiation, would turn white and my hair (like I have tons of it left!) would turn blue.  As I left the treatment room, a man with a white neck and blue  hair was coming in for his second treatment.  Wild, huh? 

Radiation therapy is so far off, I've given it little thought.  And, I'm not fearing it - not that I'm aware of, anyway.  So, I'm guessing my pillow wasn't doing its job, and I must have had a stiff neck while I slept.  I woke up at 5:30am and contemplated not going back to sleep.  Not for anymore of THAT dream!!!  I tend to dream in great details or in epic proportions.  You know, dreams that feel like they last all night?????
                           
                               

I hope the girls get to swim at Stephanie's apartment.  Today is supposed to be in the upper 80s and tomorrow will in be the mid 90s.  The temps at night have been cool (60s, I think) and that chills the water.  BUT, the hot weather will be here just in time for JoAnn to arrive, they are predicting *really* hot weather.  She said Tacoma has been warm, but I doubt it has been anything like our summer heat!

Because of my medications, I can't be in the heat or the sun, so I stay inside (pasty white body and all) and only go out in the mornings.  Mosquitoes would eat me alive if I went out at night. 

My "summer of confinement" . . .

thus, the reason for my interest in photography and my thrill over the small things . . . .

like it being Furrrr-ri-daaaay!!!

Be Blessed  ~

  
Everything in the house is "strangely" in order and untouched.  Waaaay weird for me!

Pastor C.J. and his family stopped by last night before his church service to give us Communion.  He is such a character and made me/everyone laugh.  He can sure tell some good church stories!

  
Jesse and I sat next to each other last night for dinner at our large kitchen table.  Usually we are spread out to manage children (much like sitting at two ends of a church pew with the children squished in between us) !!!  After holding hands and praying before eating, I remarked that this might be a glimpse at what retirement will be like - just the two of us!

                          
                                     With all of the people bringing food this week,
                                  my stove looks lonely, too (and ALSO very clean!).

This morning, the couple across the street (whom we affectionately refer to as Mr. & Mrs. A . . . ) knocked on my door and brought food and prayers for me/us.   He is a pastor (from India) and prayed fervantly for me, my family, and our household.  Very nice surprise.

I didn't sleep all that much last night.  But - some sleep is better than none.  I took a pain pill before bedtime, the first one since they surgically put my port in last April.  I think it took the edge off of my pain and I feel much better this morning.  Still kind of weak, short of breath, and hoarse; but, SO MUCH BETTER than I felt yesterday: AND, no pain!  I'm sure everyone's prayers have been of great benefit to me - as well as my pain medication.

                          
                            One of the few unscathed roses left from the rainstorms the other night. 
                                                   Most of the flowers were beaten to a pulp.

Jesse left early and made me promise to stay down until Marie could get here.  I dilly dallied with the computer and dutifully sat.

I DID walk into the backyard and saw the rose bush (and its beaten up flowers!) and a hole (either the girls or Sushi) has been digging at the base of a stump.  Marie said she found that Sushi has been burying and retrieving bones in our yard.  I've never had a dog do that, before.  Finally, a dog that's normal!!! LOL

Short of one lone dandelion, I saw nothing much of interest to me; but, the fresh air was nice for a change!
                         

Marie said she'd go to the store for me later today.  I have no apples left and that's one thing that *sounds* and *tastes* good to me.  *Anything* juicy, actually!

                          
                                                  All that is left, today, of the three girls!
                                     Don't these squirt guns look pathetically lonely???!!!! LOL

Be blessed  ~