How can chemo be FUN!?

My good/great friend from Dublin Elementary School was my #2 chemo driver. What a fun day we had together. Thank you Carrie Kovach. We spent 6 1/2 hours together. We talked, giggled and laughed to WHOLE time. Carrie brought a wonderful lunch and tons of delicious goodies. She made sure my mouth, hands and feet stayed iced cold throughout the afternoon. This is to prevent nerve damage.

The treatment was done at Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. My locations vary do to availability of infusion beds. The area was bright and the interior design was lovely. My beautiful and talented daughter in law, Courtney, just recently changed jobs. She will be working on health care designs at her new architectural company, MKS. I’m sure her future projects will be also be filled with special small details that make patients feel uplifted.

Carrie and I loved the nursing staff. Each one came in several times to check on us. As the afternoon progressed they noticed how much fun we were having. Then they discovered we were kindergarten and third grade teachers. No wonder! Our discussions turned to them, their families and children. Some had questions and concerns about their kids. We responded. Some wanted to share goofy stories and we did as well. Each nurse remarked that they usually do NOT hear laughter from their patients. We were all having a good time with open and honest dialogue. Upon discharge, Carrie and I went to the nursing station to praise their care and thank them personally. They, thanked US. 😁. Saying that their day was so much fun and our laughter and joy were contagious.

Give love, receive love. Pass joy along...everyone benefits. This chemo day was just great. THANK YOU CARRIE! Now, everyone else...pass it on. As the Christian children song lyrics suggest🎼: “ I’ve got joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.

Scarves, hats and happiness galore

What a wonderful evening with friends. Thank you for your love and support. Notice Shari Bence in the photo next to me. She has a new sassy do also. Thank for the solidarity Shari. The evening was filled with laughter and joy. I now have a plethora of choices from classy, comfortable, stylish and of course a few hilarious ones. Isla and Finn will love the light up holiday hats. My head will stay warm at night with the solid cottons and I’ll look covergirl ready with others. Carol made a matching hat and scarf...it’s oh so lovely. Andrea got her special one from the Temple Mount in Isreal- very touching. Pam drove all the way from Traverse City. Thank you to all those attended and planned this great event. I am surrounded by love and joy. My grateful is a cup overflowing!

Round one is done

I’ve learned so much in such a short time. Thank you to college friends, Kathy, Tina and Julie for their love and support last week as it wasn’t easy. Navigating new meds, side effects, pain and fatigue was daunting. I feel much more prepared for the next round. In many ways I’m looking at this as a pregnancy: the outcome won’t be a beautiful baby, but the blessing of remission! Let me explain: The side effects include extreme fluctuations in body temperature, my taste and smell sensations change- sometimes several times per day, my abdomin is a bit swollen, plus I’m tired, achy and having difficulty sleeping.That sounds pretty familiar to many moms😊.

I will have between 3-6 chemo treatments prior to surgery. PLEASE PRAY for the number 3. Although I will do whatever it takes- the less suffering the better. I spent a cozy snow day indoors, rocking to my favorite Christian tunes. Stay safe everyone.