Some Days Are Better Than Others

She is in some deep thought....

Today is Tuesday, June 14, 2011. The weather here has been just gorgeous! YES, it has been hot buy a dry hot which is real unusual for us. Sinus have been really acting up too not sure if that has anything to do with the dry weather or not. I do know that I am enjoying the weather. I know that I am not suppose to be hanging out in the sun, but it makes me feel so warm, just that warm fuzzy feeling all over. Like a new pair of socks makes you feel.

Well ladies, we have 22 treatments down and 14 to go! Whoot, doing the happy dance! I am not one to take pain pills, I like to be in control of me, not a drug. But, the pills that she has given me I have learned to take two when I get home and get busy with what I need to do. Usually eating is the first thing I really need to do, I am starving when I get home. By doing this I don't seem to be as sore or as stiff.

The PT has really helped my arm. It isn't where it needs to be, however it sure is moving better and not nearly as painful. This lady, Vicki is wonderful, I love her! I have to be honest, when I was in pain all of the time from my shoulder and not able to move or use my right arm/hand, I was really having thoughts about all of this treatment and what kind of life I was going to be living. I believe in quality not quantity . She told me that I should have had PT from the time of surgery and things would have never gotten this bad. It is like a door that hasn't been opened in four months, it has to be moved and worked everyday. So it is getting there, has to be worked every day and some days hurt more than others. Looking forward to the day that I don't have to work it so much and it just joins the rest of my body in working together.

Thank you to all that helped Leta to adopt her little fella! He now has a new home and a new mama to take care of him. I still don't have a picture to share with you. If she is anything like I am with trying to make a camera work, it could be years before we get to see him. And as promised, the winner is Rue (Jen)! So if you would please let me know which bracelet you would like and send my your snail mail, I will get it out to you! Again thanks to everyone that helped!

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessing~

Middle of The Third Week

These 2 know how to enjoy the summer!

Today is Thursday, June 10, 2011. The weather has been just gorgeous, hot but gorgeous! There has even been a nice breeze to enjoy. The critters are really enjoy it the birds and squirrels are all over the yard, there are turkeys over the fence too.

This week is the third week of radiation and Wednesdays are slap crazy. It started at 8:30 with my first dose of radiation, then to the radiation doctor, then over to PT, from there to ENT, then to draw blood and then back for my second dose of radiation. Most Wednesdays are that way. Wednesdays are the double dose of radiation. Felt a little rough yesterday when I got home thinking it was the heat, but after a nap, thought other wise. Twenty-three more doses to go, the last one should be June 29.

Still trying to get the quilts finished up, damn this just zaps the energy right out of you, if I get the laundry, dinner, dust or vacuum done, I have done just about all I can do for the day. Not liking that, love to be working on my crafts and don't seem to even be able to sit at the sewing machine or ironing board.

I would like to ask a favor of you that would like to help a friend out. Leta has had cancer three different times now and different types, she is my hero. Anyway she volunteers at the animal shelter. There is this little three pound dog there that has been adopted twice and brought back both times. She says, "his little lipstick doesn't close up all the way." She is on disability is under going breast cancer treatment, and would like to adopt him, however the fee is $105 which there is no way she has. If you feel the need to help her save him, they want to put him down, she has a paypal account at witchywoman1922@gmail every dollar will help to adopt him. I will put up a picture of his as soon as she figures out how to work the camera to do it. LOL

Everyone that donates will be put into a drawing for a bracelet of their choice from my Etsy shop. It doesn't matter the amount of the donation, just make sure to add BBW Blog to the Paypal transaction so that I know to add your name.

I hope to get some things done or finished up today. Really not liking this laying around doing nothing. They have started the farmer's market down town again here, so I hope that this Saturday I will have it in me to get my butt up and down there. Everyone needs to support them now that it is back, including me, no matter how I feel.

I love our down town shops, the shop owners are the coolest folks you ever want to meet. Last summer we were not here and then I got this junk, it feels like it has been years since I have been there, keeping my fingers crossed that I get there this Saturday.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Three More Days

Today is Saturday, May 14, 2011. The weather has been just gorgeous, we did jump right into summer though, temperatures have been close to 100. Suppose to get thunder storms today so going to get at least one load of laundry on the line first thing this morning.

I have set up a dental appointment for Monday to get my teeth cleaned before radiation starts on Tuesday. I don't need any more issues with any other parts of my body than I already have. The leg is healing pretty good. There is no more sting and only a very small scab in the very center that will fall off soon I am sure. The arm still has a ways to go and not sure why. It seems like it is taking longer to heal than the leg.

This sense of urgency has all of a sudden made this attack on me to get things done right now. The only thing I can figure is it has to do with the radiation starting on Tuesday. I am not looking forward to this at all. I have decided that I will not be doing the chemo therapy. If nuking me 6 times a week doesn't do the trick, so be it.

George is not handling this well at all, the thought of me going to Gainesivlle by myself every day is making him crazy. There is just no way that he can take me every day. He works fifty miles from home and Gainesville is another 50 miles away, not to mention we just can't afford him to miss that many hours a week. I am going to do a little checking to see if I can have treatment here in Lake City rather than having to drive 100 a day, which is just crazy, not to mention expensive. My dentist put that thought into my head. Love that guy!

Michael (son #4) made a request for a blue berry cheese cake a couple of days ago so I made him one this morning. He has been a life saver these last couple of weeks. He has showed up every night after work to help his dad with what ever he has been working on. Of course his wife and daughter come along, a terrific bonus for me. A female to talk to!

Got the chickens really cleaned up and the coop cleaned out yesterday. The boys have been taking care of them and boy have the hay and feed bill gone up. It took 4 wheel barrels to haul off the hay yesterday, that is entirely to much hay being used. Also got 3 blue berry bushes planted yesterday that Michael had gotten me for Mother's Day. Two loads of laundry, the living and dining room cleaned up, dinner and groceries. Needless to say I slept through the night last night, didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 4:30.

Want to get my mother in laws quilt finished up this weekend. It is missing one sons children pictures, because he "couldn't find them after the kids had finished them", sorry not buying this story. So I just reworked it do be able to finish it without his. The back is all but finished, so to put two more rows on the front and then to make the binding out of the left over fabric and put it together.

Time to get busy if I want to get things done. George is working today so I have until this afternoon to make things happen. Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, productive weekend!

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessing~

Today is Monday, May 2, 2011. I truly can not believe how fast time moves. The weather has been super nice,hot but not so hot that you can't enjoy it.

They officially totaled the Jeep and after seeing it, I am so thankful that both of them guys walked away from that mess. Now to find another car. I hate car shopping! So I have started that hunt.
I had found these slippers on Etsy a while back, but it is for the pattern and not the finished slippers. So I had posted on my Facebook about them and a very special friend of mine, she is currently battling cancer for the third time and third different type. She is truly someone that I look up to! Anyway she let me know that she did crochet by pattern and to get the yarn sent to her so that she would have something to do. Needless to say I have the yarn and buttons ready to go. Here is a picture of the slippers and the scarf.
You can get this pattern here, Genevive for only $4 bucks!

This scarf pattern can be purchased here at RobynRenee for only $4. It is just so very cool!

The skin graft went well, and it stings like I knew it was going to! I don't think there are any drugs that will take that sting away. The dressings and staple are all removed now and it is time to start working my right arm. It doesn't bend the way it use to or turn over the way it use to. So I do think I am going to have to really work are getting it to move again. In less than 3 weeks I will start 6 weeks of radiation. From what I have heard from folks and read, the first half isn't to bad, its' the last half that is really bothersome. I have to eat no matter how bad I feel, if I start losing weight and not eating, they will put in a feeding tube and I have already dodged it once.

Woke up this morning to Usama Bin Laden had been killed and had a been buried at sea. Talk about a long time coming. I am so very proud of our men and women who fight for our freedom everyday.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

One Done One To Go

Today is Wednesday, April 20, 2011. One day before the big 49th birthday. Not feeling bad about this one, 30 was the tough one for me. The weather has been just gorgeous, warm and lots of sunshine.

One quilt is done and the other one is almost finished. Have one child that he nor his wife seem to have time to sit for 20 minutes with their children and let them color a picture. So I will use some of the extra ones that the other grand kids had done, no big deal, they are not going to stop me from getting this done. Hope to have it finished up tonight.

Need to work on getting the laundry done up and the house cleaned up. Not really much to do, but I will feel better when it is done. I don't mind saying that tomorrow is really bothering me. I just have this horrible feeling that this skin graft is going to be worse than the 12 hour neck surgery. I can deal with hurt, but that damn stinging, that is another story. I would rather you hit me than to scratch me. I just can't imagine what my thigh is going to feel like after them have taken a cheese slicer to the skin, I can feel the sting already. Usually I handle pain pretty good, a very high pain tolerance, but not sure about this. How am I suppose to shower or get a bath with one arm wrapped and a thigh too? That bothers me too, the thought of not being able to get under running water to get clean. I went without a shower or bath for two weeks when I was in ICU, just not a good feeling.

One the way home from work yesterday, George totaled the Jeep. He and his buddy are alright, or at least the hospital didn't keep them overnight. No broken bones, although his buddy needed oral surgery. He hit the window, how I don't know with a seat belt and an air bag. George said the inside of the Jeep just exploded. I haven't seen it, son #4 is going to get the personal things out of it today and get pictures for me. I will share when I get them. George is so upset, that was our most dependable source of transportation. The truck is down while is he rebuilding the carburetor, and the bug the crankshaft. So needless to say this is not the time for it to happen, but we are so blessed that they are alright. A cop seen the whole thing and couldn't believe that the guy turned right in front of George, like he didn't even see him. I really thought that he would be super sore this morning, but not complaints. I keep telling him we are getting to old to break bones, we just don't heal like we use to.

I need to get going if I plan on getting the things I want to get done finished. Just the thought of having me arm out of commission again, well it is just maddening. It has been two months since the second surgery and I feel pretty good, time to get something else done, to make me hurt. LOL

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Getting There, I Think

Today is Thursday, April 14, 2011. The weather has been so nice, warm with little rain. We had a little shower day before yesterday, but it didn't last long. You know when summer is here, the grass requires cutting once a week.

I have gotten all of the fabric cut for my grand daughters quilt and all but the binding for my mother in laws. The drawings are coming out great on the fabric. Should have all of them back by Friday. We are getting pictures of the kids doing their drawings so that I can send her pictures with her quilt. I need to have both of them done by Thursday. Feeling the pressure just a little bit here. I should have grand daughters done by Saturday and mother in laws Wednesday, as long as I get all of the drawings back.

Went to the doctors yesterday, or the "sleep doctor" for pre-op for next Thursday. It truly amazes me that they ask the same questions over and over again. We had just answered these questions on paper that were turned into this person that sat and asked these questions again. They are putting this information into a computer, so where is it going that every time you go into the doctors office they need to ask the same questions again. If this is what electronic records holds, it is a waste of money.

Ladies if you have to renew your drivers license, be prepared! My license had to be renewed, before next week, so we went Wednesday before the doctors. Now you have to have your drivers license, 2 pieces of mail coming to you are your address,social security card, your birth certificate and your MARRIAGE LICENSE! Not that you didn't have to have your marriage license to get your social security card changed you also need it to prove to DMV that you were married. I have had a Florida Drivers License for 25 plus years and now I need to prove who I am. May the Gods help us all! I need to let mama know that she is going to need all of these things before July so she can start gathering them up. Poor George doesn't get mail in his name, he has until August to get some. Maybe a bank statement has both of our names on it, at least I think it does. When she told me that I needed my marriage license, I couldn't believe it. So we went next door to get a $3 certified copy, it was cheaper than going clear back to the house and then back down town again with gas at $4 a gallon. The lady couldn't find our license in the computer. So after about 30 minutes she finds it, who ever entered it into the computer spelled George, "Geroge". The lady was nice enough to correct it and not charge us for the copy. After about an hour and $58 later, I had a renewed drivers license. Not that I have been able to drive since February, my car is a standard, hoping that within thirty days I will be able to drive again.

I had ordered some bracelet blanks to be stamped. Cat over at In The Light of The Moon has an etsy shop catcreations92b where she creates the most wonderful jewelry. I love her stamping, it looks handmade and not machine done. So I contacted her to see if she would consider stamping these for me. Bless her heart she agreed and they turned out fabulous!
So I ordered a stamp set and am going to start practicing stamping these to go with the stoma covers/bibs. Also going to include instructions for CPR on us neck breathers. I am excited about doing them because the possibilities are endless. Denise my home health nurse was impressed with them and glad that I finally had one and was wearing it.

I had better get moving, it is already after ten and haven't sewn the first stitch. Still have to get young son going on his school work. He so struggles with math so we are working extra until he gets it, before moving on to something else.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

WOW Did We Get The Storms

Today is Wednesday, April 6, 2011. WOW did we get the storms yesterday! We were under tornado watch from 2:30 in the morning until 10. The thunderstorms rolled in at ten minutes til 6 and talk about a light show. The ground was just vibrating, which brought young son and Doc up and out of his room. They decided to come out to the living room where I was and go back to sleep on the love seat. Those two are something else, son #5 never moved, not sure that he even heard the thunder or felt it for that matter. By afternoon the sun was out and so was the pollen again, it looked like it was snowing. Needless to say, I stayed in the house.

George got the phone call yesterday that I will have my skin graft on my birthday. Gee thanks doc! This surgery I think is going to be the one that really hurts like you know what. I just can't imagine having road rash on my thigh. I am thrilled to be getting this done so that within a month I will be able to have my hand/arm back into commission again, I really do miss her. LOL I did learn that if I take off the splint protector thing that I can type, so that is what I have been doing. It is hard to hold a pen yet, but I will keep working at it.

My neck is so tight and stiff, my head wants to lean to the left and not straight up like it should. I know that I have to work on holding it straight, but dang it, talk about a rubber band feeling. I pull it up and as soon as I quit thinking about it, down it goes to the left again and the shoulder comes up to meet it. There were nerves that were cut and others that were not but still are not the way they were prior to surgery. My right shoulder looks like it is out of joint, but it is the nerve that I guess holds or supports it, so I have to work at getting my right arm up and over my head. I never put much thought into what condition my arms, shoulders and neck would be in after this surgery.

Some things just don't change, I now have stoma covers started, and three quilts. I really miss my sewing. Changed that blade in my rotary cutter, wow what a difference that made. I can cut fabric now. Not so much pressure needed to cut through the layers. I have only cut myself three times. All from not closing it when I lay it down and bump up against it while moving the fabric around. The fabric in the picture is going to be used on my grand daughters quilt along with other retro prints, she loves them. That's my girl! Also started one for Georges mom, going to be dong it in primary colors with white squares. The white squares the grand kids are going to make pictures on and I will iron them on to the white squares. She retired a few years back from being a school teacher so I thought this would be most fitting for her. The kids draw their pictures on heavy paper with Crayola Crayons for fabric, then you just iron the pictures on to the fabric.

My daughter came over last night, and taught son #5 and George how to do a pony tail. I don't know why I didn't have her teach them weeks ago. She is so funny the first place she heads is to the frig to see whats in there. We had just finished eating it was a late dinner, home health nurse was running late and then I had to go get groceries so needless to say we didn't eat until almost eight. I was starving. She grabbed a plate and sat there talking and eating, then she needed eye brow rings so she went through a few boxes of them to get what she needed. She tickles me, she misses eating dinner at home, we always sit at the table and talk about our day.

I need to get moving into a forward direction the sun is coming up, looks like it is going to be a pretty day.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessing~