Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this final September weekend where we're having exceptionally warm weather.   The flowers are enjoying the rain and the heat.  We went to a local market this past week and picked up a beautiful mum plant, some squash and some mini pumpkins for the house.. Now, we just need the cooler weather to help us believe Fall is really here.  

Joel has spent a lot of the week outside again redoing our garage windows.  On thursday, he went with his colleague group that meets once a month. They s time have a twenty five year history.  He fills the rest of his time with grocery shopping, and cooking and biking. So much energy. 

I spent most of the week close to home.Although we did go to the market to buy the mum plant which was nice.  One trip to Hyvee grocery store....We heard from Mayo clinic on Tuesday that my 1st appointment would be November tenth, which was quite upsetting.  Waiting seven weeks to be seen  when I have an aggressive rare cancer does not seem right. But there are few sarcoma specialists to be found anywhere, even Mayo clinic.  By friday, that appointment had been changed to november third and I will also be seen by an  orthopedic surgeon on october twenty third. We are still hoping that by being on the cancellation list I will get earlier appointments.  To be honest, all of this is turned my stomach into a stress ball which causes a lot of digestion issues.  Which means waking me up at night or early in the morning with stomach pains.  When my body is under a lot of stress, it responds with physical symptoms.  I still have been walking fifteen minutes a day.And attempting to do one or two things to keep the house going, but I also need those morning and afternoon naps.  Wish I could tap into Joel's energy source

 I figured out how to put our P.B.S app on the roku t v this week.  So now we can watch any of the PBS shows on our TV, which is great for us. One show we enjoy is called the Marlow Murder club. Of course, there's All Creatures Geat and Small.  And old favorites like Father Brown and Sister Bonaface. There is also a comedy show called Happy's Place  starring Reba.Mcintyre and that is pretty good.  We feel like these are all better options for us at night.  

So this week, I am grateful for a new mum plant to brighten the front of the house and for pumpkins to make us smile.  Grateful for fall and all the colors and smells and sounds that come with it.  Grateful for an appointment set up and changed to a week earlier, and the hope that we'll still get a better cancellation.  Grateful that we have so many people encouraging and supporting us.  Grateful for the p b s app. Grateful for all the texts, the phone calls and the emails that we receive on a daily basis.  Grateful for all this, and so much more.  

Enjoy your weekend.!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good saturday to you on this September day, in northern iowa, where the leaves are just showing a little color in different places. It is my favorite time of year.  Our resident squirrels have been digging holes in our flower pots to bury winter goodies, which they probably never will find again.And we have a resident rabbit who comes out every evening and grazes on the leaves of our petunia.  Joel and the rabbit seem to have some sort of agreement that if he chews on the leaves and not the flowers, it's all okay.  Our geraniums and black eyed Susan are still flowering .....out of reach to the bunny.

Joel spent a week doing outdoor projects on the house and catching up on office work.  Thursday He and 4 others from Trinity church took a ride around Clear Lake..  That's quite a large lake that they go around.  He also got a couple other bike rides in.  Last night we both made homemade pizza together using a cauliflower crust that we purchased.  We add refried black beans as a topping for sauce, ground turkey, cheese and black olives. Joel adds red sauce to his.   A fun treat!  

I have been trying to do a few things around the house.  I made Joel cookies with a bit of his help. Walking 15 minutes most days.  Making bathrooms sparkle.  It seems right now that I need two naps a day.So that takes up time.  Morning is coming early for me around five o'clock.  We heard from Mayo clinic on wednesday and I answered a lot of questions for 2 different people.  We will hear from them by this coming.Wednesday. I also contacted my lymphedema p t and she wants to be part of the team that will be set up for me.  It is a roller coaster ride of emotions as we walk this journey.  One day at a time..  So grateful for everyone's love and support.  

We have been watching a show on hulu live called Saved by the Barn.  It is actually a show about a sanctuary in Michigan, where they rescue farm animals, mostly. We love stories about animals.And this is very encouraging and very interesting..  it is so hard to find anything decent to watch.   Another good show is on prime video called The Repair Shop.  It takes place in England and I may have mentioned it before.. People bring in family treasures to be restored.  

This week we are grateful that a place like Mayo  clinic is less than two hours from our home.  We are grateful for all the medical people who make up that world.  We are grateful for all the love and support.We have received from people when sharing this latest medical drama.  Grateful that fall is on its way Grateful for all the colors and the smells and the sounds of Autumn.  Grateful and Joel has homemade cookies again and we both have enjoyed homemade pizza.  Grateful for t v shows that distract us at night.  Grateful for bike rides around the lake for Joel.  Grateful for our resident rabbit and squirrels that entertain us.  Grateful for the quiet neighborhood we live in.  Grateful for God's promise to always be with us.   Grateful for phone calls emails and texts. Grateful for all this, and so much more.

Enjoy your weekend.

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this hot and humid weekend in Iowa.   We are heading towards ninety degrees for both days and breaking records I expect. Summer has definitely returned and is not giving up easily.  

Joel got in a couple bike rides this past week, but certainly nothing like last summer.  He's been putting together a cart to hold some of his wood pieces and doing other worthwhile projects in the garage.  He did clean all the floors in the house.This week, which is a project in and of itself.  Mostly he's joined me as we played the waiting game for results of tests.  I have been recovering from the biopsies and the draining of the fluid. Managed a bit of house cleaning too.  And walking. 

Speaking of walking, on Friday, I had a glaucoma appointment at Mayo clinic and the ramp we usually use is closed.So we did a good deal of walking to get to my appointment in the Gonda building..  At least, I got my twenty minutes of walking in on Friday.  We did receive the results of the biopsies on wednesday and were quite shocked to hear that the cancer I have is a rare undifferentiated pleomorphic Sarcoma and probably from the radiation i  had.  It is rare and they do not treat it here.So I will be going to Mayo clinic to see a Sarcoma specialist.  We start all that business on monday.  

The past few weeks have us certainly taking one day at a time.  Intentionally enjoying the moments we have.  Like yesterday when we stopped last minute at a family members for pizza and hugs on our way home.  A memory made.  

So today, I am thankful for another safe trip to mayo clinic in rochester and for a good report from the glacoma doctor.  Grateful for a quick visit with Helen and memories made over pizza.  Grateful for porch sitting, for biking and walking, for laughter and for tears. Grateful for all that Joel gets done in a week to keep this house running.  Grateful for the phone calls that keep us connected to those we love and care about.  Grateful for emails and texts and photos that we get in an instant.  GratefulFor the many, many, many people who are praying forJoel and me. Grateful for all this, and so much more..

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on another chilly September morning. This is my favorite season of the year but I expect we still have a few summer days ahead.  We've heard a few geese and run into a few that have gathered in the grassy area of our association, our park and even our street.  

 Our flowers are still blooming beautifully thanks to the organic fertilizer that Joel has added to them.   Soon we'll have to pick up some mums to add to the garden.  

Last  Sunday we listened to church and then drove over to Clear Lake to central park where we watched the people and the boats.  In one area there were seven sailboats racing.  It is the end of the tourist season.  Outdoor church was just getting over and people were heading to the bathroom.  Unfortunately in women's bathroom the word was getting around that there was only one of the six stalls that had any toilet paper at all.  I happened to be standing in front of that one, but there were others who were waiting in a  line out the door.  Someone was not doing their job.  I usually carry my purse and my purse carries kleenex for those just in case moments where tissue is gone or when the nose gets runny.  Anyway, after our people watching we came back, picked up Culver's salads and came home and ate lunch on our porch.  Monday, my sister, Kay and her husband Danny, came in the afternoon for a visit and strawberry rhubarb pie.  It was a nice, quiet labor day weekend.

Thursday, I had to be at the hospital at seven thirty a m for 2 procedures.  First, they went in through my back and drained fluid out of the chest cavity.  Then about a 1/2 hour later, a different doctor went in through my chest and took biopsies of the mass that they saw in the deep tissue of my chest wall. Both procedures,  using ultrasound,  went very well and I have been home resting ever since.  The results will come this week.  Then they tell me  a PET scan will follow.  The journey is moving And every prayer is appreciated and felt.  We have continued to see God's blessings. Hidden in plain sight in the kind staff and the excellent treatments and the encouragement and prayers of family and friends online and in person.  God is faithful.  Much to be grateful for 

Joel has been busy this week, just keeping busy.... He's been out in his wood shop, creating and reorganizing.  This is his go to activity when trouble shows up.  He Has managed a bike ride or two and kept meat company throughout.  

Today, I am very grateful for all the support over the last few years. I am still here because of the prayers of believers and the skills of doctors.  Grateful for the sun shining and the crisp fall air.  Grateful for all the phone calls and texts and so much more

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

 

It is labor day weekend, the last  weekend of august here in iowa.  My Saturday Scribbles is going to be a bit different today. And even has a title..... "Hidden in Plain Sight".

As some of you know, there was a spot or hazy area found on my lung, whe I had an x-ray for my ribs.  This past Wednesday's, I had a CT scan with contrast and the results were quite surprising.  My PA Oncologist called and told me that there is a large mass, deep in the soft tissue of my chest wall, and there is also fluid between my chest wall and my lung on the right side.  It appears the cancer has returned.  I was told there's no surgery or chemo or radiation for this, it will just be a matter of infusions or medication to hold the cancer back as long as we can.  A biopsy and the drainage of the fluid will happen the end of next week to tell us more.  . And then there will be a PET scan and the usual steps and getting to a final diagnosis.  This cancer was hidden in plain sight.... My blood work was good, my exams were good. There were hints because of my lack of energy. And weakness, but mostly every report i've received this year, has been good.  This cancer likes to hide, it's like a spider web, like cancer. It cannot be felt.  So we wait to confirm what the doctor believes.  We still hope for a miracle.   

Something else entirely was hidden in plain sight during the last three days... Blessings!  The young lady who did my CT ask me what the key was to a long marriage and I was able to share with her that God is the center of our marriage. That we were even prayed together as a couple fifty seven years ago.  A hidden blessing.  When my on oncologist called with the bad news at the end of our conversation she asked,  can I say a prayer for you? And she did.  That was a hidden blessing because even though we have mentioned God over there 6 years, I've been with her she has not.  On thursday, Joels colleague group laid hands on him and prayed for us and this morning, they all prayed at gabby, grandpas. Today we took a short trip to our beautiful East Park.  Even the movie we watched last night to distract us was a hidden blessing.

   I expect there will be a lot of hidden blessings along  this journey. And we have the hidden blessings of all the thoughts and prayers from friends and family.   I'm not going to pretend this is easy. It is extremely hard for both Joel and myself. We cling to hope with the biopsy for the pet scan, for the second opinion, with mayo clinic that we hope to get and we cling to hope most importantly because God is the God of Hope.  

Today, I am grateful for the hopeful,  God guided  hidden blessings in plain sight..  

Saturday's Scribbles

 

Good saturday to you from Iowa, where fall weather is teasing us.   The high today will be around 68 and I am so excited about that.  I know that summer will return....I wish Fall lasted twice as long as Winter!  Still, there is today to enjoy.  

The early part of the week, the weather just did not comply with heat and humidity and heat index was over a hundred one day again.  Joel did not get to ride his bike much but did get some office work done and little projects around the house, because this guy cannot sit still!  He does take a nap every afternoon, though.  Staying active!  Use it or lose it, right?  

Speaking of using it or losing it, we went to a medical equipment store this week. And picked up a very nice sturdy walker that medicare had approved for me.  The physical therapist I see at mayo clinic, wanted me to use a walker when i'm exercising, so that I can move faster and get my heart pumping more.  She thinks that will help with the low energy.  The day we picked it up, we took it right down to the river road path, and it worked well to help me keep my balance. So I continue to walk inside or out, and I did get cookies made for joel this week. Cleaned some.  There is still a little adjustment to the new eye drop, but it's going well.  Next week, I have a c t scan on the lung, and we'll see from there what the plan is, if any.  I've been off the anti cancer drug, 8 days, and what I notice is my mind is more clear.  It will take a while with the energy.If that's the cause.    

Moving on.... Yesterday, we had company in the morning for a couple hours and different  company in the afternoon for a couple hours..  A trip to the grocery store was followed by movie.  

Last night we watched an old movie. Called "6 days and 7 nights" with Harrison Ford and and Anne Heche.  It was funny in spite of sexual references..... We have been enjoying the show Happy's Place starring Reba M8cintyre.. I understand that it's been picked up for a second season.  We have enjoyed some porch sitting, but the mosquitoes have been horrendous this week.  

 We are finally getting to the end of our blueberries after six weeks and surprisingly they have done very well.  Today we'll be our last blueberry coffee cake.   They last a lot longer then the ones you buy.   Most of the time, fresh fruit in America has a different meaning than fresh fruit. Or fresh bread in europe?Where you buy one day's supply and a time.  I do still remember when we went to Washington, stayed in the early 80s, there was nothing that tasted as good as a fresh peach or apple flavored reshly picked. And fresh pineapple in the Philippines? Yum

It's time to put aside this "yawn' today....Grateful for0 getting the new walker to help me with my exercising.  Grateful for t v shows that distract us.  Grateful for walking outside and inside,  for fresh chocolate chip cookies, for joel for his biking, when he can.  Grateful for a friend that stopped by and shared her wisdom. Grateful for company from Minnesota, that stopped in. Grateful for blueberries and memories of fresh peaches, apples and pineapples.    Grateful for a movie that makes us laugh.  Grateful for phone calls from family.  Grateful for texts emails, and so much more.

Enjoy your weekend!

(Please ignore any errors. )