poulsbohemian

122 Days and Counting.

But who's counting.  Just had my second IV of my 5th chemo cycle.  3 weeks left on this one and one 28 day cycle to go.  (please don't check my math) There will be much celebrating.  I'm doing OK but most days,  "Just OK".  My mornings seem to go pretty well but by 1 or 2 o'clock I'm finished for the day.  I've started taking vitamin B12 to hopefully help me get back some energy.  Actually, I thin it's starting to work.  That's a good thing.  Also taking more nausea pills.  That is helping also.

  

There are so many things I want to be doing.  I'm excited to be taking an art class at the Artist's Edge which is just up the street.  It lasts 5 weeks and we are creating "shrines".  Mine is about mermaids and the deep blue sea.  Hopefully I will be able to post a finished picture or two in a few weeks (if I get my homework done.)

So, my sister-in-law, the wonderful Jean, took me to Trader Joe's in Silverdale the other morning.  I had two great guys checking me out, one a regular checker and the other a manager.  As they were bagging my stuff they asked how my day was going.  I asked if they really wanted to know the truth and they said yes.  So, I proceeded to give them the whole story about chemo, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and lastly the fact that "they" had taken both my boobs off.  These guys were great.  They really cared and I felt such great empathy from them.  When I started out they wished me a great day and complete recovery.  Jean wasn't done shopping so I went to sit on the bench just inside the front door.  Suddenly appears the manager with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me.  Need less to say I cried and still tear up as I write this.  Amazing how a random act of kindness can change your perspective.  I already loved shopping there.  Now, I love it even more.  (No , this isn't and ad - well I guess it could be).

Here is a picture of something I did finish this past month.  As I walk each morning I am looking for s couple of nice feathers to add.  And - yes - I know that isn't Mr. Poe, but this guy was much better looking.  This is done on a board about 8"x10".  The base is painted with a house paint sample from Home Depot (love those things)  The little wood pieces on the edge came from my neighbor Glenn's scrap pile.  The shiny round things are furniture tacks. The Scrabble tiles are  from my huge collection of same.  The little piece of paper in the bottom right came from a stack of "spirit" paintings I did several years ago by randomly dropping paints and inks on paper (never throw anything away)  The rest is all papers and copies from my collection.  The birds eye is a stick on plastic thing from the hardware store.  Now I've given away all my secrets.  I'd like to do several of these and get them in my Etsy store.  All it takes is time.  Let me know if you have any theme ideas.

I'm also happy to report that the quilting machine is up and running again.  Yes, ladies, your quilts are actually going to get done, and soon if I have my way.  I can only work on it a couple of hours a day as my surgery is not completely healed, but I'm plugging away at it.

So, next time you hear from me I should be either done with my treatments or really close.  Can't tell you how much I am looking to get back to normal (whatever that is).  My first project will be joining a fitness and nutrition group sponsored by Poulsbo Cancer Care.  This is a new program for folks who have finished treatment.  They've learned that just 10 pounds can make a difference in recurrence and prevention of cancer.  The program includes fitness, nutrition, yoga and meditation.  I'm very excited about getting out there and getting back in shape after the last few years of taking care of Jack and now myself.  

Here's to a great next few weeks.  If you get close, give me call and come visit.