Today we were dealt a new hand. Not one that anyone would welcome, but as we all know, we must play the hand that we're dealt.
Pam, our oldest daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer [as I was in 2002]. She's scheduled for surgery Thursday morning July 17 in Georgia. As much as we'd like to...we aren't able to be there with her physically, but in spirit we will be....I'll be holding her hand. She's following in her Mom's footsteps in more ways than one...I knew 10 days before I shared the news with my family, because I didn't want them to worry. Her Dad and I and her baby sister live here in FL and her other sister also lives in Georgia. Last year she was widowed. When she called this afternoon to tell us, all of the arrangements had already been made...Who's driving her to the hospital, who'll be waiting/sitting vigil during her surgery, who's going home with her, who's staying...etc.. When her late husband, Donald died, we learned that she has one of the best support systems you could wish for. She's a 5th grade teacher and her support system consists of family, church, staff and students' parents from the schools that she has taught, the staff and parents at her current school and a multitude of friends. And the amazing thing is how well they co-ordinate and work together.
She understands that we can't be there now because her Dad is getting treatment for his latest cancer. Her 23 year old daughter, her sister, niece and nephew will be there for her, as well as her big support system. And we will talk every day. Everyone is fine with that.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
One Of My Best Surprises
I had one of my best surprises on Friday evening. I was where you will find me most evenings after dinner, sitting here at my computer.
I hear this little soft voice say "Hi GNana" and I think I must be dreaming as I look up and coming into the room are our 2 great grandsons. And as I usually do when my family sneaks up and surprises me. I'm up and yelling "OMG!! OMG!! I don't believe this! I don't believe this! OMG!! OMG!!". Their Grandmother, Toni, our # 2 daughter had driven down from Atlanta with her son and his 2 sons. We hadn't seen the boys in 2 years. We speak with them on the phone often and see pictures of them, but I did miss them more than I realized till I saw them. I swooped them up and hugged and kissed them till, as little boys do, they wriggled out of my arms. And then their father, our oldest grand, Bruce, came into the room and I started all over again. Meanwhile, Toni is taking pictures with her video camera. Toni said when they were sneaking in with the camera ready, she said "Let's see how loud she's gonna scream this time".
It gives them pleasure to surprise us like that. It has happened many times before but the little boys were the last ones in the family to witness my response to the surprise visits. I love my family so much. And I pray that it continues to happen.
They left a couple of hours ago, going back to GA. Word's can't express how happy it made me to have them visit, even though it was a short one. We managed to squeeze in some happy moments, including going to the pool for a few hours, a visit to a local aquarium store that's like a mini aquarium. The boys loved being so close to the huge sharks in the big tanks like you find in a real aquarium.
God is good ...All the time!!
I hear this little soft voice say "Hi GNana" and I think I must be dreaming as I look up and coming into the room are our 2 great grandsons. And as I usually do when my family sneaks up and surprises me. I'm up and yelling "OMG!! OMG!! I don't believe this! I don't believe this! OMG!! OMG!!". Their Grandmother, Toni, our # 2 daughter had driven down from Atlanta with her son and his 2 sons. We hadn't seen the boys in 2 years. We speak with them on the phone often and see pictures of them, but I did miss them more than I realized till I saw them. I swooped them up and hugged and kissed them till, as little boys do, they wriggled out of my arms. And then their father, our oldest grand, Bruce, came into the room and I started all over again. Meanwhile, Toni is taking pictures with her video camera. Toni said when they were sneaking in with the camera ready, she said "Let's see how loud she's gonna scream this time".
It gives them pleasure to surprise us like that. It has happened many times before but the little boys were the last ones in the family to witness my response to the surprise visits. I love my family so much. And I pray that it continues to happen.
They left a couple of hours ago, going back to GA. Word's can't express how happy it made me to have them visit, even though it was a short one. We managed to squeeze in some happy moments, including going to the pool for a few hours, a visit to a local aquarium store that's like a mini aquarium. The boys loved being so close to the huge sharks in the big tanks like you find in a real aquarium.
God is good ...All the time!!
The New Hand We Were Dealt
The polyps that the doctor removed back in June were cancerous and another biopsy was done a week later, which showed that Sanford's polyps had high grade cancers. Wait...the news isn't as bad as it sounds. The doctor plans to treat the cancer, not with chemo nor radiation, but with the vaccine BCG.Which has been used to successfully treat bladder cancer. It was used for his initial bladder cancer. It is a cancer that requires close follow-up, which is what the doctor plans to do. The doctor's optimism has rubbed off on us.
We're comfortable with the hand that we were dealt. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we will keep you in ours.
We're comfortable with the hand that we were dealt. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we will keep you in ours.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
June- the busy month --The Red Hat Society's 10th Anniversary Celebration
June was a very busy month for me... two doctor appointments, preparations for my trip and major problems with my computer... Once again it took several full days to resolve the PC problem. The router that I have been using and having problems with periodically, ever since we got it, added to the problem. AT&T said the problem had to be resolved by Belkin and Belkin said the problem had to resolved by AT&T, which forced me to purchase a new router. When I signed up for their service, AT&T failed to advise me that there could be compatibility issues using the Belkin router that I had. That worked to my advantage when I complained to the billing department as I ordered their combination modem/router.
After I installed the new AT&T router, I found that Murphy's Law was still with me... my printer wouldn't print. Just when I needed to print documents and confirmations and the like for my trip to the Red Hat Convention on June 20... I could not print anything. I sent everything to Colette in emails and she printed and brought them to me. After I returned... I investigated and learned that one of the printer's cables had become disconnected. Duhhhhh......
The CONVENTION
When you hear of a transportation mechanical delay you think of airplanes... well we had a 3 and half hour Amtrak delay on the way to the Orlando Convention. In addition to missing two group photo shoots, we arrived just after the dinner buffet had been removed from the ballroom where the meal and after-dinner show took place. Fortunately, I had cell-phoned ahead from the train and notified them that we would be late... they were kind enough to set up a table for us with all of the foods that were served at the buffet. After we were seated, When I told them that there were 3 more ladies outside that had arrived just after we did... they were brought in and joined us for dinner.
I and many others expressed disappointment... I didn't have as much fun as I did at the last convention. I'm not exactly sure of why... probably a combination of everything including my travel companions; and perhaps I expected too much because it was the Red Hat Society's 10th Anniversary and Annual International Convention. It left a lot to be desired in the overall planning. One would think that after 9 years they'd have everything down to a science.
It was beautiful and colorful. The theme was Sparkle of the Decades... Clothing worn was the same as what they wore in 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980 and the final night was the gala where the attire was 'Dress to Impress'. And out came the silks, satins, feathers, beads, bling and hats like you just wouldn't believe. Youcansee it in some of the pictures.
The entertainers were imitators of the entertainers of those decades... They were excellent!! To name a few of them: Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, The Village people, the Blues Brothers. Elton John and there was music of the Temps, Tops, The Jackson Five and MANY others. Those ladies in all their finery was up and out there in their bare feet dancing like old times, sometimes for 2 hours non stop.. It was a sight to behold... women of all ages and sizes having the time of their lives. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what went on that weekend : http://picasaweb.google.com/Bunnierl/DecadesOfSparkle04
After I installed the new AT&T router, I found that Murphy's Law was still with me... my printer wouldn't print. Just when I needed to print documents and confirmations and the like for my trip to the Red Hat Convention on June 20... I could not print anything. I sent everything to Colette in emails and she printed and brought them to me. After I returned... I investigated and learned that one of the printer's cables had become disconnected. Duhhhhh......
The CONVENTION
When you hear of a transportation mechanical delay you think of airplanes... well we had a 3 and half hour Amtrak delay on the way to the Orlando Convention. In addition to missing two group photo shoots, we arrived just after the dinner buffet had been removed from the ballroom where the meal and after-dinner show took place. Fortunately, I had cell-phoned ahead from the train and notified them that we would be late... they were kind enough to set up a table for us with all of the foods that were served at the buffet. After we were seated, When I told them that there were 3 more ladies outside that had arrived just after we did... they were brought in and joined us for dinner.
I and many others expressed disappointment... I didn't have as much fun as I did at the last convention. I'm not exactly sure of why... probably a combination of everything including my travel companions; and perhaps I expected too much because it was the Red Hat Society's 10th Anniversary and Annual International Convention. It left a lot to be desired in the overall planning. One would think that after 9 years they'd have everything down to a science.
It was beautiful and colorful. The theme was Sparkle of the Decades... Clothing worn was the same as what they wore in 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980 and the final night was the gala where the attire was 'Dress to Impress'. And out came the silks, satins, feathers, beads, bling and hats like you just wouldn't believe. Youcansee it in some of the pictures.
The entertainers were imitators of the entertainers of those decades... They were excellent!! To name a few of them: Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, The Village people, the Blues Brothers. Elton John and there was music of the Temps, Tops, The Jackson Five and MANY others. Those ladies in all their finery was up and out there in their bare feet dancing like old times, sometimes for 2 hours non stop.. It was a sight to behold... women of all ages and sizes having the time of their lives. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what went on that weekend : http://picasaweb.google.com/Bunnierl/DecadesOfSparkle04
This was one of 'Those' days
Today I was up at 5 am .. my DH had to be at the Outpatient Surgical Center at 6 am for removal of 3 polyps on his bladder. We are praying that they are benign... This will be one of the longest weeks in my life, till next Wednesday when we go to see the Urologist for the biopsy results.
I'm not a worrier... I believe in the power of pray. I believe that if you pray, you don't need to worry and if you're going to worry... don't bother to pray.
Because he had a kidney removed last year and is a 5 time cancer survivor, within the past 14 years... I sometimes find it hard to be as optimistic as I once was. We've been married almost 60 years, which explains why I'm feeling anxious. As we get older, we subconsciously worry or think 'what if' more than we did when we were younger.
I'm not a worrier... I believe in the power of pray. I believe that if you pray, you don't need to worry and if you're going to worry... don't bother to pray.
Because he had a kidney removed last year and is a 5 time cancer survivor, within the past 14 years... I sometimes find it hard to be as optimistic as I once was. We've been married almost 60 years, which explains why I'm feeling anxious. As we get older, we subconsciously worry or think 'what if' more than we did when we were younger.
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