Sunday Already?!

Yikes, how can it be Sunday night already? Guess time does fly when having fun. Lots of good things packed into this weekend, including various outings with friends, one of which featured s'mores! Still, while I hate to draw the curtain on this weekend, I have two great reasons to get the work week underway:
1) By Friday, I'll be half-way through my radiation treatments -- hoorah!
2) On Friday, I'll be heading to Ashley, OH to enjoy another Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop

Definitely two high points for the month of October:)

Pic o' the Day

No need for Paul Harvey - I think you know "the rest of the story!"

She's on a Tear!

My sweet golden girl is acting out, showing her displeasure at my long days away from home, from her. This afternoon, Sedona left piles of of shredded newspaper on the kitchen floor for my neighbor Clark to clean up. This evening, while I was at dinner with friends, Her Naughtiness tore up a magazine in the upstairs hallway. Of course, she knew she'd done wrong -- gave me that hang-dog look as soon as I stepped through the door. Might be time to schedule her for some therapy: increased walks at the park, random rides, and a day at the doggie spa.

Long week. Very happy the weekend is here. Rest is needed for what promises to be a crazy week ahead.

Pic o' the Day

How much is that doggie in the window?
Maybe a bargain price if she continues her wicked ways!;)

Happy Birthday RJ

I wrote the following for Jonesy -- my lover of baseball, my Cleveland Indians fanatic -- more than 20 years ago for his birthday.

Happy Birthday, my dear, you now are the ethereal one.

Diamond Dust

The sweet season of summer sandlot dreams is

entering the ninth inning and

wanna-be Sultans of Swat are

performing their swan songs.

The slowing staccato of crickets warns these

dream boys that their playgrounds will soon be

sacrificed to Autumn's frost and

Winter's white.

Even the balladeers -- 

translators of this ethereal, ephemeral game --

will be in hiatus;

their boys of summer stealing home

(for a short-stop) trading

leather mitts for woolen.

What a Day, What a Day!

"Remember, OSU hospitals are teaching hospitals." I forget who imparted those warning words to me after hearing I'd selected said institution for treatment, but I recalled them today with a chuckle. For the umpteenth time, I was asked if it was o.k. for an observer to be in the room while I, of course, was in a state of half undress. Since day one of this CBitch journey, my philosophy's been if it's going to help that observer be a better nurse, doctor, technician, whatever, then what the heck. Bodies, we all got 'em!

This also was one of those days that put life in perspective. One of those days that reminded me that what once would have seemed like a major catastrophe was not. One of those days where a reassuring text and intuitive phone call were the equivalent of a life jacket tossed to a drowning woman.

For me, it's these "little" things inserted amid life's upheavals that have had the truest effect on me being able to peel away pretense and be outfitted in peace. Without those "little" graces, life would be, well, not life.

Speaking of graces, one of the most precious was waiting patiently at home for me tonight, joyfully wagging her tail and carrying a prized toy in her mouth. With her patented squinty-eyed look, my girl leaned in against my chest and just loved on me. Wow.

Pics o' the Day

Two views of the dome -- slow, but steady growth!

Laying the Foundation

Woke up a little early today and, after the morning pet-fest with Sedona, spent a little extra time with my devotional. In the course of reading suggested scripture, I came across two passages from Psalms that really encapsulate where I am now spiritually and emotionally:

• Psalm 13:6 "I trust in your faithfulness. Grant my heart joy in your help, that I may sing of the Lord, 'How good our God has been to me!"
• Psalm 16:8-9 "I keep the Lord always before me; with the Lord at my right, I shall never be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure."

Today, I enter the second week of radiation. Today, with the love and faithfulness of God, I am well armed to handle the challenges along life's path and it feels so good!

Pic o' the Morn': I might have shared this shot before, 

but the rainbow effect felt appropriate in this context. 

Taken on a flight back from an event in Cincy earlier this year.

Sunday Delights

It was a Sunday of worship and fellowship -- fellowship that included a hike in the woods with Sedona and two enthusiastic, energetic, and fun young gentlemen. We tromped along finding sticks that made for great swords, examining acorn and hickory nuts, and discussing the merits of whistling and the different ways to whistle.

Now, as the evening draws to an end, I sit here contemplating the week ahead and finding it odd that I have to remind myself that I must go to radiation every day. Weird. Two more fingernails have succumbed to the chemo kiss. Fortunately, no other nails have "colored-up" like the three on my right hand, so I'm hoping that's the end of any further nail deterioration. And, positive news on the hair front: growth is now visible without a magnifying glass!

Sleep is knocking on my door -- something I hate to give into on the one hand, but on the other I'm glad it's once again establishing itself as a more regular visitor to my bed!

More than Satisfying

I'm not going to claim a win yet, but I think sleep is beginning to come back to my corner. Fell asleep quickly last night, woke up briefly and just as quickly went back to sawing logs until 9:30 a.m., which is when Sedona decide she needed to be petted!

My eyes are really droopy now and upon posting this puppy, I'm off to bed.

It was a very good day Saturday. One that included chores and some grocery shopping as well as a cozy fire in the evening to take the chill off the house (thank you, John). But best of all was the mid-day phone call that unexpectedly resulted in being asked to be a godparent. Such a request is a first for me; I promise my friends that this is an honor and responsibility I will take very seriously. Ironically, I was going through some old pix a couple of weeks ago and came across the one below. My future godchild is a little older now :), but still just as sweet (even when she's being ornery!)

Appropriate Pic o' the Day

Riley and me

One Week Down and Five to Go

The first week of radiation went pretty smoothly. I'm tired, but tired is o.k. when it isn't accompanied by feeling like dookie. I'm definitely improving because I have the urge to do some cooking and baking. Of course, the weather -- the seasonal switch from summer to fall -- has something to do with this compulsion. That change also makes me want to buy pumpkins and potted mums, light spice-scented candles and kick up leaves.

I've brewed some Sleepy Time tea, left today at the house for me by my sweet friend MB.

Night, night.

These Pics o' the Day might be the canine equivalent of TMI, but...

Don't let that innocent face
fool you - it's amazing what
she consumes and expels,
thank goodness!

Anyone want to claim these socks?
They aren't mine though they briefly belonged
to Sedona until she urped them up in the yard!:)

It Ain't Pretty, but It's Growin'!

Nothing notable from this angle...

And so begins documentation of my hair-regrowth journey. I know I should do something scientific like schedule taking the pix every X number of days while standing in the same place, and photographing the same area of my scalp -- but that isn't going to happen. Instead, I'll post a "hair pic" when the mood strikes. If I haven't said it already, I'm grateful that my eyebrows and "eye-winkies" didn't totally disappear. But, even if they had, I'd still be grateful. God has taken the CBitch's attack on me and turned it into blessings on multiple occasions -- can't wear blinders to that fact.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God ..." Romans 8:28

...got a little closer and: Shazam!

My radiation treatment was once again uneventful (no complaint!). I did enjoy time prior to my appointment in the waiting area with a lovely woman who serves every Wednesday as a volunteer. She's 81 and was diagnosed last year with breast cancer for which she received 34 radiation treatments at the Spielman Center. Kay said she wanted to give back. Some day that's going to be me.

Here's a shout-out to my park pal, TS: thinking of ya, my friend. Hoping and praying all goes well tomorrow, and the next day, and the next ... See you soon! :)

Postless

Not much up to posting tonight because I can't keep my eyes open.

Thus I leave you with a photo of another who craves her beauty sleep ...

Pic o' the Day

Lickety Split

That perfectly describes my time receiving radiation this morning. Got in at 8:45, changed and headed to "the table." The technicians moved me a little here, a little there and zap zap -- I was radiated and out the door in five.

Got to work earlier than I have in many a week. Again, this should be an excellent way to get me back in shape for a more traditional arrive time at the office.

I really enjoyed the end of my day. Headed over to a restaurant near home and met up with my Taft gal pals. Felt like a big hug walking in and seeing the girls.

Now, lickety split, I'm heading off to la-la land. Tired.

Pic o' the Day

My girl's always making me smile.

Aglow in Anticipation

Well, not really, but I am anticipating tomorrow so that I can get this radiation chapter underway and out o' the way. I visited the radiation oncology folks on Friday so they could double check my alignment and put a few more marks on me for good measure. These other marks, fortunately, are not tattoos, and will presumably come off, lo these 30 days of radiation.

While the hair growth I am noticing shows promise, the cools temps these last few mornings remind me that I have a long way to go. To that end, Sedona and I meandered up to Dick's Sporting Goods and I bought a couple of fashionable noggin covers. I keep hearing in my head one of the lines from T'was the Night Before Christmas,"... mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap ..." Be it kerchief or cap, I'll be wearing one of them for awhile!:)

Eeww ... gross! Another gift from chemo.
But, like the hair,
these too will grow back!

Last Days of Summer

Enjoying the outdoor dining delights of Papa Boos on Buckeye Lake. A real treat being out here -- the cool night air with an exceptional sunset capped the day.

A Day of Beauty

Headed off to a women's retreat this a.m. Saw a sunrise for the first time in a long time - so lovely. As I waited for my carpool pal, I watched geese fly over in the trademark V formation. I know they are considered to be a nuisance, but I think they are beautiful.

Our retreat is out at Buckeye Lake. One of the women in our group graciously opened her family's new weekend home to us. We are spending time studying the power of our words, how easily we can tear down or build up.

Captain Kim taking us on a spin!

Took a break this afternoon and went for a short boat ride on the pontoon -- a bit brisk but wonderful!

All a Tingle

To the casual observer it might not appear as if much is going on up top o' my noggin, but I'm noticing some definite changes. The scalp is tingling; texture-wise it feels somewhere between a fine and medium sandpaper grit! With luck, my cranium will be sporting a nice little downy coat by the end of November.

I continue to experience some chemo "aftershocks." The nail beds on three of my fingers are not looking so pretty; one in particular is giving me some issues. Thank goodness I've never been big on long, manicured fingernails! Sleep is also still crummy. I tried no electronics, I tried herbal teas, I tried reading before bed, heck, I even tried warm milk. Melatonin was recommended by a few, but the doc recommended otherwise. I think there are a variety of things playing into the restless sleep, but I'll save those speculations for another post and go try to capture some of that elusive shut eye! :)

Pic o' the Day -- A photo from earlier this summer. I think it's a black swallowtail butterfly. 

Makes me think of transformation and rebirth ...

Sunshine on My Shoulders

10:25 p.m.
Earlier this afternoon I made myself leave the office to soak up some sunshine. What a good idea. Later in the day, after work, the Donster and I went to our favorite park. Another good idea. Once again, a visit to the park resulted in a fortuitous meeting -- this time with a long-time friend, one from high school that I last saw at our class reunion last year. I love life. :)


A post from this afternoon...

Chris Columbus statue on the southwest
quad of the Statehouse.

Enjoying a brief break from the office with a stroll on the Statehouse grounds. Getting to take those kinds of walks are one of the many reasons why it's nice to work Downtown again. It's also great for people watching and running into friends I haven't seen for awhile.




Pic o' the Day was taken at last night's gathering of home church peeps - you can't buy this kind of solidarity!

It's a Fraroriety!

Sweet Surrender

The cooler temps and dew-ridden mornings seem to be coaxing some life out of my drought-stricken yard. I'm hearing more birds burst out in song, the hostas are sending up purple blooms, and wee insects such as the one featured below, are making an appearance. Testimonials to endurance, patience, and the promise.

September has not been many favorite month for a long time. So many sad things over the years have happened during its span of 30 days. Of course, today is to be remembered for the great tragedy we experienced as a nation.

I decided this morning, however, to reclaim September. There is so much beauty in this ninth month of the year. To spend it in melancholy is a waste. To spend it in mourning also is to turn away from the very good things that past Septembers have given me -- a beloved birthday, a cherished anniversary. Today, I am letting myself be nurtured by September's cloudless morning sky, streaming sunshine, and thirst-quenched grass.


As only a mother can understand her daughter, I dedicate today's Pic o' the Mornin' to my mom, who will recognize the whimsy in my subject matter.

Ephemeral

"Therefore, we are not discouraged; ... for this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison ... for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18

"Make New Friends ...

... but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." That little ditty has played in my head more than once the last couple of years. At one time, my pool of close friends seemed to be set -- I thought I neither wanted nor needed to add to that inner circle.

Hah, said God.

Thanks, said I.

I will be forever rich because of my long-time and newly embraced friendships -- the silver and gold treasures of life.

Vid o' the Day: I can't get enough of her -- hope you all feel the same!

Dog Day Afternoon

Sedona and pal, Trixie

It was Sedona Day, all day. With the cooler temps, she got to go with me on all my errands. Later, we visited with our pals across the river. What a beautiful day it was just hanging out on the patio, enjoying good conversation, watching the kids play, and laughing at the jealous antics of our sweet pups.

Since we're on the topic of dogs, I want to share that Golda did find her forever home. According to her new family, Golda loves letting the kids hang all over her and was even a good sport about being dressed up as a bee, superhero, and hula girl!

Dogs enrich our lives on so many levels. Without Sedona -- her affection, loyalty, humor -- my world would be so different, and not for the better. In our house, I'm glad to make every day Sedona Day!

Pic o' the Day

Professor Jones with an advanced degree in puppy love!

TGI this EOF

This is the best every-other-Friday (EOF) I've had since May 18! An excellent day to be in at the office. An excellent day to leave the office and begin a weekend that won't be about recovering from a recent chemo treatment.

Ah, a cold beer and bag of pretzels never tasted so good!


P.S.  To anonymous: 1) Dust off your grammar book, 2) if you have a dictionary, look up "irony" and "hyperbole," and 3) no, your comment isn't posted 'cause the only ugliness allowed on Bosomundheit is the CBitch.

Vid o' the Day: This mpeg was recorded September 7, 2002. Six days later we lost Lindsay. While watching this video makes me sad, it also makes my heart happy because those two loved each other so very much.

The Tattooed Lady

The tattoos are the bull's-eyes in the green crosshairs.
One on my chest, one under each arm.
Such a fashion statement!

The next phase of treatment is radiation. I went for my "simulation" yesterday at the Spielman Breast Center, which is where I'll go every day (Mon-Fri) for 30 days starting Sep. 17. Yesterday's gig was to determine exactly where to target the radiation. If only they'd asked, I could have saved them the time and told them: the right bosomundheit!;) During the process three little permanent tattoos were applied to my body, which will serve to ensure proper alignment for each treatment. Kind of disappointed though -- if I'm going to get inked, I'd like to have the option of how the tat appears!

I neglected to bring my camera into the room, so no pix from this experience, but I promise to be more diligent the next time. That said you'll only get to gander at the machinery as I'll be a little more exposed during radiation treatment versus chemotherapy!

Dr. Allison Quick

If I had my way, this rodeo would be getting started on the 10th. My radiation oncologist (Dr. Allison Quick), however, insists on being thorough and making sure everything is properly planned. Geez, can't a girl just get radiated and be done with it?!;)

What a Day!

I had a few appointments today and took the day off work, which made me feel guilty. I felt even more guilty when, before the first appointment, I took my pup to the park. But something happened at the park that made me realize God saw things differently. Let me tell you why.

As an off-leash Sedona and I ambled along the path, I stopped to pick up acorns from beneath a bur oak tree and attempt some artsy photos with my iPhone. The caps on these acorns are whimsical and I couldn't resist collecting a bag full! We resumed walking then half way round the park my girl took off after another dog, much to my mortification. Fortunately, the husband-and-wife owners were not offended; their dog also was a golden, so all was good. We exchanged the usual banter about our beloved four-legged pals, a topic than can go on forever when it comes to goldens. But then the wife very politely and directly inquired about my hair style and that was that -- my day crystalized.

She is one week out from surgery and likely will be going through a similar treatment plan as me. As the three of us talked, my heart filled with compassion, joy at our meeting, and awe at witnessing what clearly was a divinely instigated meeting.

From little acorns grow mighty oaks, indeed.
And, today's devotional referenced a verse from scripture that included this line "... They will be called oaks of justice, planted by the Lord to show his glory." [see Isaiah 61:3 for the full verse]

Make no mistake, dear readers, this was no coinky-dink meeting. I could have:

• Gone  to a different park
• Not stopped to go nuts over the acorns
• Kept Sedona on leash, preventing her from greeting her brethern and drawing together the owners
• Allowed my guilt to get the better of me and gone into the office for a couple of hours before my appointments
• Simply been lazy and told Sedona we weren't walking today

God has a path for us. Today, I clearly walked mine.

On the Verge?

I think I'm feeling sharper these last few days, but is it my imagination, reality, or a little of both? I know that in weeks past, pending chemo treatments were a bit like the Sword of Damocles, casting a physical and mental pall over everything in my immediate future. That sword now removed, and despite upcoming radiation, I feel a sense of anticipation or eagerness returning to me about work and every-day-life. I pray that this sense of renewal sticks with me through radiation. And, if it doesn't, I firmly believe it will return upon completion.

On another note, this nighttime electronics abstinence isn't working. I think modification to include evening electronics in moderation is in order, otherwise Bosomundheit is going up in flames!

Pic o' the Day: A dive into the archives yielded this sweet photo featuring one of my nieces and nephews. Today, they're still just as sweet, but certainly a wee bit older!

DiAnna & Andrew

My Gift Basket Runneth Over

Funny how the act of serving others becomes a gift to the server. I got the chance this afternoon to dish up meals with friends Rick and Rene to about 50 kids who live in the south Linden area. Making it even more fun was having assistance behind the counter from four of the neighborhood kids. The meal and subsequent teaching were part of a weekly program supported by Xenos Christian Fellowship.

What a gift to me that God has opened the door to this and other service opportunities. I am blessed.

Gift Pic o' the Day!

Holiday Weekends

Meet Golda

It feels so much more acceptable to fritter away a Saturday when there's a Monday holiday. Had a nice, laid back day that included connecting a homeless pup with, I hope, a new family. Also took time to hang out with one of my gal pals, her mom, and daughter. As for the evening, well, I dedicated it to my sweet Sedona, and the TV, and the computer -- a bit of a binge on the electronics, I'm afraid. 

I am feeling good, a little swelling going on in the hands and ankles, but nothing major. My appetite is returning and the taste buds, too. It's really sinking in more every day that there's no more chemo in my future -- that the every-other-Friday ritual is over. I am incredibly grateful that my body was strong enough to carry me through the treatment so successfully. 

He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. - Isaiah 40:29