Park it, Please

Other than feeling like I'd been kicked in the ribs, back, and legs, I felt o.k. today. :) It's going to be a challenge, I know, to get through to August 24 (my last chemo), but knowing I'm so close makes it easier to bear. I think the prayers I need most are that the veins in my left hand hold out -- it'll be a real bummer if those puppies aren't receptive to the catheter twice more.

On a more pleasant note, the lovely drive home from work nixed vague thoughts of flaking out on the couch this evening. Instead, Dona and I took a ride to the park and enjoyed a leisurely stroll. We've both missed our walk routine, so this was just what the doctor (and veterinarian) ordered!

Sedona's always curious about what
might be going on inside church!

She's watching the kids jump off the
diving board at the pool. I think she
wouldn't mind doing the same:)

Pics o' the Day

Getting from There to Here

Got home from work today and literally collapsed into bed – my body ached and I was beat. An hour or so later, having found neither relief nor sleep, I resolved to continue lying there and throwing myself a pity party. The world’s smallest violin was about to cue up when 1) Sedona sat up and stared down at me with an unsympathetic what’s-wrong-with-you look in her eyes, and 2) I glanced over at my dresser and saw a little silver acorn given to me this weekend by a friend, reminding me that from little acorns grow mighty oaks. Translation, at least for this instance, get up and get moving 'cause inertia ain't working! Well, the Xterra needed refueling, so ...

On my way back to the house, the windows rolled down and Sedona happily letting her gums flap in the wind, I received God's grace. Instead of a symphony of one teeny, tiny violin performing at my pity party, I was accompanied by a cacophony of singing insects, cool night-scented breezes, and a beautiful moon for rejoicing in the tapestry of life.

My body still aches and I’m still tired, but my soul is refreshed.

Pic o' the Day: One of my favorite photos from the trip I took to the Sierra region of Ecuador in 2010. Guess you could say the mountain captured my heart ...

A Note before Good Night

Quite happy to report no "hot hands" this weekend following Friday's round of reduced Taxol Treat. I'm experiencing some swelling and tingling in those extremities, but no flaming fire like the first time. Thank goodness! Fatigue and general achiness have plagued me today, along with a so-so appetite. As a result, for most of the afternoon I've looked forward to this moment of heading off to sleep. Hoping for a good nights rest so I can have a productive day at work.

Me with Custer, a Chesapeake Bay retriever

John & Grizzly Bear, Jay's dog.

Pics o' the Day: John and I had our photos snapped with a couple of the celebrities from yesterday's show at the Natural Resources Park!

Feeling "Fair"ly Good!

Note: This was written Saturday evening, but I forgot to hit the publish button until after midnight ...

Was a little tentative about how I might feel this morning, given the reactions I had to the first Taxol Treat. The morning progressed and things seemed o.k., so headed down to the Ohio State Fair, or more correctly, the Natural Resources Park at the state fair. 

I went today with a singular purpose: to join in paying tribute to a friend I loved, Jay Reda, who was stolen away by the Cancer Bitch. I also went out of love for another friend, Michelle, Jay’s wife, who kicked the Bitch. The tribute took place just before the retriever dog show that Jay started at the park eight years ago. And, appropriately, the tribute continued as the team went on to entertain park visitors with the working dog skills of their Golden, Labrador, and Chesapeake Bay retrievers.

Div. of Wildlife Chief, Scott Zody,
presenting Michelle with a
Wildlife Conservation Award in
honor of Jay.

Michelle with the boys,
Griz & Bruin

It was a great show, but we sure missed you, big guy.

Pics o' the Day

Eight Down, Two to Go!!

Taxol Treat number two is underway. Moderately loopy from the Benadryl infusion. Dr. Lustberg reduced the Taxol dosage to help with my hands-of-fire side effect -- I'm all for that!! Also pleased I got the corner office again today! :)

Andrea, the Komen walking Machine!

Other high notes, my friend Mary Beth provided transport this morning and is with me now. Yes, MB from the marathon brunch in June. And, my gal pal Cindy B. came in for a visit! Another sister friend, Andrea S., will be by later with lunch and a ride home. I love the Stefanie Spielman Center, but home is better!

Hhmm, at a point where typing is becoming a challenge to the brain. Will catch up later!

Girlfriends rock!

Pics o' the Day

MB & me!

Twas the Night Before Chemo and ...

... I'm at my kitchen table, working to get some things done before being sent off into La-La land tomorrow with Taxol Treat number two. Wow, hard to believe I'll have had six total chemo treatments after Friday. Actually, it's still kind of hard to believe I'm even having to go through this malarkey. And, not only me going through it, but the crap it's put my family and friends through is just lousy. Cancer (any medical affliction) truly impacts more than the patient -- its powerful vortex sucks in anyone who cares for that individual. Puts a pain in my heart.

I'm glancing over at Sedona right now who is staring out the sliding glass door. She wants to go outside and it's just after 11 p.m. -- the witching hour for skunks, I've come to believe. Hate to deny her a yard pass, but thinking she's gonna have to hold it until the morning. Either that or I've got to put her on the leash and walk her around; maybe that's a kinder resolution!

Pics o' the Day were taken just as today's late afternoon storm drew its shutter over downtown. The photo really didn't capture the dramatic darkness that folded over us. No blue sky anywhere, it was like night descending.





Also, the Komen 3-Day Walk in Cleveland is almost upon us. If you've been thinking about supporting my friend Andrea, and ultimately me, in this walk then time is a wastin'. Click Here to Help Us Kick the Bitch, and thanks to all who've already committed to making this a win for so many!

Lost and Waiting on the Found

Help Us Kick the Bitch

I've lost my creative mojo. No more clever turns of phrase. No thinking outside the box. No ..., well, hell, I can't even creatively come up with another way in which I apply my creativity -- pathetic! The floodgates have closed. The taps turned off. Lost is my trademark in business (and leisure). Damn, sure hope this is temporary or you'll find me working as a Walmart greeter!

This one with my friend TC is
not amusing, just sweet

This one with my friend Chris,
on the other hand, is very amusing!
And sweet in its own way:)

On the other hand, I can still offer up amusing pix. Just check out these Pics o' the Day for confirmation!

Signs of Life

Help Us Kick the Bitch!

Yes, I am here and doing fine. I can't believe I haven't posted for almost two days -- what a slacker! Work's been busy, which is good, and I've felt much better overall, allowing me to be more like myself at the office this week, which is great! With that, however, I've neglected my blog and dear blog readers. All work and no time for reflection makes for some dull posting material, I'm afraid.

Because it is now late, I'm making this a brief post with the promise of something scintillating to say -- or at the very least, something a little more entertaining than this missive.

Until tomorrow, my friends.

Pic o' the Night

Sedona patrolling the perimeter!

It's All Relative

Help Us Kick the Bitch

I bought a bill of goods about Phase II chemo and have no one to blame but me. This revelation presented itself while trying to reconcile how crummy I felt all last week (and even some yesterday) with the oft repeated promise of how Taxol would be much easier on me. I've decided it's just something the docs and nurses peddle to help keep chemo patients going mentally. It worked until my brain cleared enough for a closer examination of the b.s. statement. Sucks. Ah, well, it is what it is. I just have to put my head down and power through. Only three more treatments, only three more treatments, only three more treatments ...

Slept in today, took the morning slowly, read the newspaper, and did a little office work. I also made a small batch of marinara sauce from tomatoes out of my sweet neighbor Clark's garden. The sauce smelled outstanding, but into the freezer it went for a day down the road when my taste buds and tummy will truly appreciate what they're being fed!

Pics o' the Day are of female and male gold finches taken this morning as they feasted on wildflower seeds in my garden (don't know the kind of flower). 

No Title, No Pic o' the Day

I read a story in the Dispatch today that literally brought me to tears. No, it wasn't from any of the coverage about the shootings in Aurora -- that tragedy is worth more tears than our country can possibly shed. It was another front page story, this one below the fold, and it was about the power of forgiveness. The tears that streamed down my face as I read the article were out of profound wonder and humbleness of God's grace.

Perhaps, in a way, the tears were about Aurora and Columbine and Oklahoma City and Virginia Tech and Fort Hood and all other horrific, senseless, human-instigated tragedies of this world.

Forgiveness doesn't excuse, but it does have the power to change lives.