The sun is out to great me today! Hope all the fathers feel the warmth and love the Son brings!!
I got a call from my brother yesterday and he reported that all is well at the cabin so I don't have to drive up to check it out. So I don't know what I'll do today. Maybe I'll go anyway.
I had a great time yesterday with the LEW (League of Extraordinary Women) which I am an official member. I have a framed plaque to prove it. Yesterday we inducted two more honoree's, Pat Rippley and Marilyn Quarberg....and I have pictures to prove it. A good time was had by all.
When I got out of bed and opened the door to get the newspaper the sky was entirely covered with clouds. But an hour later I don't see a cloud....only brilliant sunshine. How wonderful. The sun always makes me feel better. I did some shopping yesterday, and then went to Billy's in Anoka for a retirement party, and today I'm going back to Anoka to the old post office for a retirement tea. Hats mandatory! The retiree gets to wear a special hat and then gets to save it for the next one to retire from the college. I think I was the second one to wear the hat and it has been worn by 3 or 4 since I did. This hat is a flower pot with the flowers coming out the top of the hat. (or bottom of the pot) It's really cute. I'll have to take a picture for you to see. They still haven't given us the permit, so no digging has occurred.....but we have hopes of getting it on Monday with digging to start on Tuesday....that is unless they can figure out something else to delay us. I'll go up to the cabin tomorrow after church to check for storm damage, but I'll be back home for the evening, as I have to be home for chemo early Monday morning. Till tomorrow, love and prayers, m
I came home from the cabin yesterday afternoon, just hours before strong storms and tornado's hit. I don't know if the cabin or trees sustained any damage, but I know they were saying that a tornado was spotted near Annandale. I know that could be in any direction of Annandale, and I haven't heard what specific damage was done in that area. So I think I will go back up either tomorrow afternoon or Sunday morning after church. The struggle for the permit might come to fruition today, and digging begin on Monday....but I'm not holding my breath. We've been promised it so many days already and they've come and gone without a permit in hand. I am feeling great No complaints on the health front. Janet will be coming with me on Monday for round 9 of chemo. Hopefully she'll keep me laughing. She has been a God send for all of this journey. Thank you God! and thank you Janet! Going to do some shopping today, and have a retirement party for one of the maintenance guys at the college, and tomorrow is a retirement Tea for his wife and another support staff that I worked with for most of my 28 years at the college. Love and prayers, m
So far not a cloud in the sky, but they are warning us of severe storms later in the day. But right now I'm just enjoying the sun while it's here. It's been so long since we've had a completely sunny day....I've forgotten what that would be like. I think I'm being teased with little snippets of sun here and there as a promise of a sunny day!! As my son reminded me yesterday....it's not the flight...it the safe landing that God has promised. So far it's been a pretty bumpy trip. I drove to the cabin yesterday afternoon, and had dinner on the deck and then fed all my birds and chipmunks and squirrels, and enjoyed a few hours of peace and quiet as I talked to mom and Gene and God. Saw a beautiful sunset, and retreated to the boathouse to watch the Twins win. As they are predicting storms for the late afternoon, I think I'll start for home shortly after noon. I took a couple of pictures of the site where the addition will be, after they removed six trees earlier this week. I know six trees sounds like a lot, but I still have 22 cedar trees, and numerous other trees on the lot. We still do not have a permit in hand, and are trying to figure out what the hold up is now. The builder thought he would have it by yesterday and that they would start digging today, but as of 5 p.m. yesterday he still hadn't gotten it. They did however deliver a port-a-potty to the site last night. So we have hope it may start at some point in time. We are now about 4 weeks behind the original schedule. I think I need prayers for a permit too!
My lungs are SPOTLESS and the cancer in the rectum has shrunk considerably, but it's working so good....the Doctor wants me to continue the chemo...so I'll have another round next Monday. He is also contacting Mayo and they will decide what they want to do next. He said after he talks to them, they will contact me. So I don't know if I'll have more than one more treatment of chemo, or if it means 4 more....the doctor wasn't exactly clear about that. I was hoping I'd be done with chemo, and I know I should be happy it's working, but I'm disappointed....even with the great news. He kept reinforcing that it was a good thing, and I believe it is, but I just wanted it to be done. I need to change my perception from "there is still some cancer there"....to "it's almost all gone". So please keep praying for me, and all of you who adopted my spots, please switch to the spot in the rectum. No Butt's about it!!! I know your prayers got rid of all 75 spots in the lungs, I just need a little more help! Love and prayers, m
I expected the sun to be shining brightly this morning, but instead it's covered by fog! Last night I went to Nick's baseball game (which Nick stole home for the winning run) and took Colie, Allie and Matthew. It had stopped raining earlier in the day, and the sun was shining. But during the game one gray cloud floated in and we had a sun shower.....but the best part was the rainbow that showed itself after the short rain. It was so bright and defined, and it was complete! I'm sure it was sent just for me....after the rain the SON will shine. I feel God is telling all is well. My apppointment to see Dr. Londer to get the results of the PET scan is at noon today. So I will make a second entry today with that results. So till then, Thank you for your continued support of prayers and love. m
The weather report says we will see the sun tomorrow....but we have to put up with one more day of this rain stuff. My allergies are starting to complain too! Red itchy eyes when I got up this morning....well actually they started turning red yesterday. Mold and mildew must be growing everywhere like the mushrooms in my yard. Other than the allergies and the lack of sun, I am feeling well. As the days go by the effects of the chemo are lessening. Fingers less sensitive to the cold and Constance is behaving. (In regards to Constance, I've watched what I'm eating (no sugar and no dairy) so it's really me that is behaving.) I didn't have any plans for this morning, but just got a call from Janet, and she is coming over to get folding tables for another sale, so she can uncover the tables she wants to sell. She has 2 dining sets and even though she had signs on them....people couldn't see them cause they were covered with dozens of other things that she was selling. Maybe this will help sell them. So I have company coming and I'll probably have to get dressed. If the weather or rain clears out this evening, I'm taking Nicole, Allie and Matthew to Nick's baseball game. So cross your fingers for no rain between 6 and 8 this evening. Oh, and Happy Anniversary to Annie and Doug. Wow, the summer of 1991.....3 weddings in 5 months! It was just one big party!! Love and Prayers, m
Today is the day I've been waiting for....I get my PET scan. I'll be wearing my "SPOTLESS" shirt. I stayed in bed as long as I could, so I wouldn't be up looking for food and drink. I have to leave in about an hour. So I'm ready to go. The weather just hasn't gotten any better....they say we will have rain in about an hour, and we are expected to get rain again tomorrow, and finally they are predicting sun for Wednesday....but I'll have to see it to believe it. Off to see the wizard....with his scanning machine!!! Love and prayers, m
I'm beginning to wonder. The weather man this morning wasn't giving out any hope for today, and a slight bit of hope for tomorrow before it rains again tomorrow night. I think they thought by Wednesday we might see Sun and some warmth might sneak in. Next weekend so far is looking good. Other than the weather....I'm sipping my only cup of coffee I'm allowed for the day, and then I'll jump into the shower and get myself to church. It's good my lungs solar panels are fully charged and all those spots are already gone, or we'd be in big trouble doing it this last week. Don't have any plans for the day other than not eating sugar and drinking lots of water for the scan tomorrow. I'll have to find something to do.....but that shouldn't be hard. Love and prayers, m
Was off to Janet's early this morning to help with the last day of her Estate sale. It was so dreary and cold that not one customer showed up till 9:30 or so. Then we had several shoppers between then and 12:30 p.m. and then it started raining and all the people went home. I had packed and planned on going directly to the cabin from Janet's, but just couldn't make myself go in this weather. So I'm back home. We (Judy, Janet, Ev and I) sat and talked about all the funny sales we had over the last 3-days, and then it progressed to funny memories of our childhoods and pretty soon we were all laughing so hard the tears were running down our faces. So all and all a good time was had by all, despite the weather. Cousin Karen reported that Switzerland only had 3 days of sun in May....I'm afraid our June will be the same way. But she was sending sunshine....we can only hope it makes it here. I continue to feel well and strong. Tomorrow I have to prepare for the PET scan which means no caffeine or sugar 24 hrs prior to the scan. I also am supposed to drink lots of water. Then Monday morning, no food or beverage 6 hrs prior to it. I have to report in at 10:30 but I won't have the scan till 11:30 or so, as they inject me with a radio active dye and then they have to wait about an hour before they do the scan. By the time I'm done, I'll be starving and looking for my coffee and lunch! Looking for sunshine...I changed the background to my blog hoping that would help, love and prayers, m
I'm not moving fast this morning, it's raining, it's pouring, the old woman is snoring! Actually, I am out of bed, but I'm sure no one will be rushing into the garage sale at 7:30 this morning. So I called in late. It has rained over 1 inch early this morning already and it will continue to pour till about 10 a.m. Hopefully then it will dry out for a few hours and Janet will have some customers. Constance settled down later last evening, and seems to be behaving this morning. I need to hit the shower and get dressed for the day. I'll write later if I have any real news. Thanks for reading and praying. Love and prayers, m
Sorry this is so late in coming. I left home at 7 a.m. and didn't get home till 5:30 p.m.. Spent the day helping Janet with her estate sale. She got rid of a lot of stuff, but you can hardly tell anything is gone. The weather was horrid, cold and damp, but she had a steady stream of people all day. I almost said customers, but there are a lot who just walk through and walk right back out. I'm sure they have something particular in mind, and she didn't have that thing. She cooked up a pot of beef stew for lunch, and with the cold....it tasted great. We could have sold it for a fortune. I'll be back helping her again tomorrow, so don't look for an update till late again. Tomorrow I will dress a lot warmer, as they aren't predicting much better temps, and more rain. Hopefully we'll have shoppers.
As for me, I'm doing fine....although Constance has had diarrhea all day. I've just taken imodium, and am sure that will help.
It's my little sister's birthday today and called and talked to her, but she was somewhere in Arkansas on top of a mountain and the reception was crummy. I did get to tell her I love her, and know she is having a happy day!
Nothing new on the cabin front! So I am assuming all is well. Love and prayers, m
Just a couple of pictures to show you where the addition is going to be. It will wrap around the existing deck and be a 22X27 addition with a walkout built into the hill. When done, you won't beable to see the deck from the back where we park. I'll try and post pictures as we go along....an idea one of my readers suggested, and I thought you might enjoy.
A sunny day tucked in between forecast of rain tomorrow, and yesterdays wet day. I appreciate it anyway I can get it. Yesterday was what I think was my down day after the last round of chemo. I layed pretty low. Enjoyed having friends over to watch gorgeous George on a DVD. I made popcorn and peach ice tea and curled up in my favorite chair for the afternoon. I'm feeling well this morning, didn't oversleep quite as much, and have plans for the day, to force me to get dressed before noon. I am meeting the builder at the courthouse to go over the final blueprint, get the new revised bid and actually get the permit in hand. Away we go!!! Later this afternoon, I will meet with the colo-rectal support group over at North Memorial, and then get ready to spend the next two days with Janet and her estate sale. I need to set my alarm and get up early both days. Just hoping the rain will be spotty. Thunderstorms are supposed to hit Thursday afternoon. So hopefully the garage door will be closed by the time it hits. Hope you all have a great day, Love and prayers, m
But that don't matter to me!! The yard and gardens look great! For some reason, I slept in again this morning, and because of the gray, wet skies, I'm still not moving very fast. I do feel well, and wonder if today is the day I have the big let down, as I didn't take any of those steroids this morning. I made a mistake and took a whole one yesterday morning, instead of 1/2, so we'll see what happens. I have a quiet day planned. Friends Bonnie and Lois are coming over to watch a movie with me this afternoon, but other than that, I'll be laying low. I'm sure George Clooney will make my day. Last night I went to the farewell reception for President Pat Johns, and it was so nice to see and hug lots of friends. Many said they were reading my blog and praying for me. Some hadn't seen me in a while and were so surprised as to how well I looked, others didn't even know I had been sick. I'm such a people person, that even though I was there to say goodbye to Pat Johns, it helped lift my spirits up, and charge my batteries. Thank you for being there for me, I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Love and prayers, m
Sorry for the delay, but it was the blog site that was keeping me from blogging this morning. They finally got the problem fixed. As the day progressed it's gotten better and better. We finally got approval to start the cabin and not take the deck down till July 12, or by July 12th. They will give us the permit as soon as Rory the builder goes and gets it....he needed a new drawing by the architect, which we were able to get done over the internet, and I now have a final plan, and the builder can figure out the final bid for the job and start working on it. Whew!!! What a rollercoaster! The sun has been shining all day, and it is beautiful out. Going to the farewell reception for the President of Anoka Ramsey, and looking forward to visiting with lots of old friends. Need to find something to eat before I go. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, Love, m
What could be better? I got an email from Aunt Loretta's granddaughter (Kim Weimer) late last nite, and she said Loretta would be going home today, so that is good news. I'll try and call her later this afternoon, and she if she did go home and get an update on what happened. I know your continued prayers have helped. As for me, I slept well last nite....even over slept this morning well over an hour late. It's sunny but cool and my finger tips are tingling as I type this, but not bad....actually the warmth of the computer helps them....that and the coffee cup. I've been watching the birds, and I am now sure that I have wrens nesting in one of the bird houses, and both mom and dad seem to be busy going in and out (I assume feeding babies). The seed bird feeders got ravaged again last nite....I think I have a raccoon attacking them during the nite....but I've learned not to fill them....they only get one scoop each time I fill them. Luckily they don't bother the hummingbird and oriole feeders. So I keep them coming back Meeting with the kids about the removal of the deck to get our permit this evening. Tomorrow, I need to contact the architect, and then I'm going to a reception for the President of the college I worked at (ARCC's Pat Johns) as he is leaving and becoming the President of Superior Community College in Duluth. I was on his hiring committee years ago when he bacame President so I think it only fitting that I be there as he leaves. Nothing else to report, I do appreciate your prayers, and thanks again to Jeanie to let me know someone is reading this. A few others commented in emails and over the phone, so I know you are reading, and I guess I write more as a diary to get my feelings out....but I like knowing you are out there praying for me too! It's been a long haul, but all the spot removers have done their job. Thank you all! Love and prayers, m
Elaine just called to say Loretta is back in the hospital. She had some kind of spell and was unresponsinve last night. She was taken to the hospital and by the time Mike and Elaine got there, she was responsive. The doctors don't know what the problem is but are going to do tests, etc. and hope to find the cause. Elaine was about to call the hospital to see if there was anything new. Prayers are needed! Will let you know when I find more out.
I guess we have a chance of showers all day, but I'm going to the cabin anyway....to try and figure out how we can make those new steps and landings work. I need to stare at it for a couple of hours....and feed my birds etc. Just relaxing, and sitting on the deck is so healing for me. I know mom and Gene are there with me. I'm feeling well. Not having as extreme side effects as I had a few days ago...so that is good. Yesterday was a tough day emotionally....I was up and down all day. But I slept well last night, and asked God to help me through, and I feel He is! Got my shopping and laundry done, and worked on filing in the computer room, and my desk is clear! So that's a good sign. I'm off to the cabin. I'll check in with you all, tomorrow. I assume someone is reading this. Love and prayers, m
Well, today has been good and bad. The good news is I'm unplugged from what I believe to be my final round of chemo....PET scan will tell the tale. Other good news is we got the variance for the cabin addition this morning, but it is contingent on taking out the decking we have next to the boat house....and if we want to keep on schedule we have to have it out by June 14th so we can get the permit to build. So that only gives us 10 days. This will be lot of work in a short period of time....but at this point, I'm willing to pay to have it done if that is what it takes to get this show on-the-road. I will meet with an architect next week, and they can start taking out the trees next week, so that the excavation can start as soon as we get the permit. The sun has been in and out and then came out again by noon, so it kind of resembles my day. I know the Son is with me carrying me like He has this whole process. My side effects from the chemo have increased with each round, but I'm sure the chemo has done it's job. I'm holding my weight so far, and may have to soon watch what I'm eating to keep it down and continue to hold at my normal weight. The other interesting thing about this day, is that it was three years ago today that Gene died. Although I miss him so much, I have been able to move into a life without him. He is always with me in my heart....and I feel his presence here with me. So it is in my mind this day my cancer dies, and we have the variance we needed to proceed with a new addition to the cabin and move on to bigger and better things both in my health, life, and at the cabin. I am grateful for all of your help in this process, and I totally feel "SPOTLESS" and ready to move on. Thank you, thank you! Love and prayers, m
