May 6, 2009
So Many Thank You’s
I have been trying to keep up with writing Thank You notes to those who have done little and big things for me. I got way behind when my Father passed away and I spent most of Sunday night trying to get caught up on them.
I don’t think I have ever written so many thank you notes, except for a marriage. The number of thank yous that I have written became apparent as I used up all the ink in one pen, switched to another and Monday morning, I used up all the ink in that one! Do you remember the last time you emptied a pen? I don’t; it is a good thing that I have lots of pens around. /
The pens might be used up, but my gratitude is not!
I know that every person that I send a thank you to would say the same thing, “You don’t need to do that; I know you appreciate it.” But as long as I am able, I will continue to thank those who have been a blessing to me. In fact, I have a “Blessing Book” . And if you have received a thank you from me, then your name is in my blessing book, for everyone to see.
Mother’s Day
Oh My Goodness! Yes, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10th. You still have time to get your card and get it in the mail. But don’t delay because Mother’s Day is the US Post Office second busiest time (after Christmas); or actually, it might be THE busiest time. Letters and cards can still be mailed for $.42 this week. As of Monday, May 11, it will cost you $.44 to mail a letter.
May 5, 2009
A & W Root Beer
A & W Root Beer is celebrating their 90th anniversary. They are celebrating it by selling you their famous Root Beer Float for $ .90 ; that is 90 cents. This promotion is good until May the 9th. You can bet I’ll get at least one!
It might make a good dessert after my Mexican meal!
Cinco de Mayo
Today is Cinco de Mayo, May 5th.
Does anyone know of a good Mexican Restaurant around? I haven’t found one since I moved here and I love good Mexican food! Cheese and onion enchiladas and maybe a margarita or a beer! Since I have cancer, I can eat anything I want and not get fat!
May 4, 2009
Sailboats for Rent
My Father was a sailor, not with any Navy but he sailed for pleasure and for racing. He grew up on the shores of one of the Great Lakes and that is where he learned to race sailboats. When he moved to California, he became busy with earning a living and providing for his family and so this love of his was put on the back burner. I was with him the day that he rekindled his love of sailing. It is a day I will never forget, because it was the day my love of sailing was born.
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and the entire family went for a little ride in the car. Somehow, we ended up at Newport Beach Harbor. When my Father saw a sign that said “sailboats for rent” he just couldn’t resist the lure of the wind in the sails and he rented one of the small little boats. The entire family climbed on board still dressed in our “church-going Sunday best”; this was long before jeans were common attire for any family member.
My Father was completely at ease as he took the little sailboat out of its slip into the waters of the busy harbor. The entire family had a crash course (without any crashing) on sailing terminology and strict instruction on what to do and what not to do when the command of “Stand by to Come About” was given. In retrospect, I don’t think I have ever seen my Father so happy as he was that day at the helm of that little skiff. He was in his element and loving it!
Years later, he moved to “the beach” and bought a sailboat. One worthy of racing and capable of winning, with the correct skipper, which he was. He and my Brother amassed hundreds of sailing trophies. He could out sail men in more expensive boats, better equipped boats, men with more physical strength, and men half his age and younger! He knew all the rules and just how far they could be taken without being broken. He knew how to take advantage of the wind and his opponents weaknesses. And perhaps most important, he knew the capabilities and limits of his beautiful winning boat. He was particularly proud of the fact that an article about him was published in a local paper.
And so it was his last request that even in death, he have one last ride on the waves of the ocean he so loved. I will tell you the story of his beautiful Memorial Service at Sea in another post as it will be a long one, as all the beautiful elements that comprised it deserve to be told in their entirety.
May 3, 2009
Doing a Little Better
I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that the side effects of this chemo session are not nearly so severe this time. Well actually the side effects are the same, I have just figured out how to minimize them. Time to go back and lay down. Thank you for your prayers.
May 2, 2009
Michael Douglas
Yes, this post is about Michael Douglas, the actor…and me! He was on Jay Leno the other night and his appearance reminded me of something. We actually attended the same University at the same time. And…since I was a Speech & Drama Major our paths did cross several times.
We were on stage together in a performance… And I clearly remember that for some obscure reason, he had me come to his dorm room… but I can’t remember why or what happened! Gosh, I could have been Catherine Zeta-Jones-Douglas!!!!!
Oh, BTW, his cute little chin cleft was not nearly so noticeable in college and he was very baby-faced….makes one go H-m-m-m!
May 1, 2009
Chemo Update
I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer which is explained in an earlier post. My third Chemo was yesterday, Thursday and went as scheduled. An early morning appointment with my Doctor, then 5 hours of being hooked up to the IV “tree” while my life-saving drugs are administered into my Portacath.
You may recall that the CA125 (the cancer tumor marker for my carcinoma) normal levels are 30 or below. My first one was 2000, one week later it was 2577. 2 1/2 weeks after my first Chemo, the level had dropped in half to 1244. This week, after my second Chemo, my CA125 level was an unbelievably LOW number. It was 83!!!!!!!!!!! So much closer to normal (30 or below) than my initial CA125 level of 2577!
CA 125 of 83! The level was so low that both my Son & I looked at each other and had the exact same thought…”It must be wrong, maybe they should run it again?” The Doctor said that if it had shown up in the normal level, she would have ordered it re-done, but since it wasn’t normal she felt it was an accurate reading. We shed tears of unbelievable joy. Since there were several other people who saw me cry, I shared with them that it was good news we had received — because it could have just as easily have been bad news and I didn’t want them upset about anything as they were also hooked up to “Chemo Trees”. One of these women made the correct assessment — “It’s miraculous!” she said. And she is right. I am on so many “prayer lists” and Portland Firefly wants to THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. It is working; God is answering these prayers for His purpose in me. Where will it lead?
My next procedure will be major surgery in mid-May. I am actually looking forward to the information that the surgery will provide to the Doctor and subsequently to me. I am not looking forward to the surgical recovery, but there are those who are available to help me where needed.
Thank you to all of you Prayer Warriors out there who are helping me have the strength to go through this process. Portland Firefly again deeply thanks you….
