Some memories of folks in the past weeks!

The Diocesan Staff Family - What an incredible group of people with whom I work. I am so blessed to have these folk in my life! Thank you all for your support of me during the time of my cancer recovery!
Mary Linton Smith and Sue Smith (My St. Mary's College roommate and her daughter from LaGrange - Members of Holy Innocents, Moss Hill - Mary Linton is a Sophmore at Converse and is Co-Chair of Relay for Life at Converse. She has been attending National Conferences for Relay for Life. Thank you Mary Linton for your dedication to the Cancer Society work.
Trinity Church, Chocowinity Christmas Caroling - what a wonderful group! They are ready for the road I do believe. Thanks for sharing the spirit of Christmas with Dad and I. The Rev. Sonny Browne, The Elks, The Pooles, The Deans and The Taylor's - some of our kin folk!

Third Treatment in December

DECEMBER 14, 2006 - My third chemo treatment was on this day. This time during treatment I began to have a headache. I did not know that I would have that headache for a week at the time. The staff were most kind as always. I left the treatment knowing that my next treatment will be on Jan. 5th. I will be able to get through the two weeks of Christmas without chemo treatment until the new year!

I have to admit the third go round has been tougher. I had the naseau feeling for a full week with my energy feeling most depleted. I took more medicine this time after treatments and have slept alot which is the side effect of these drugs. I have felt more exhaustion with this treatment and for some the accumlative effect takes place with fatigue more present. After the initial week of fatigue, headaches and quizziness, I began to feel better. It is a mystery what is happening to me.

UPDATE ON CHEMO TREATMENTS

Friday, November 25, 2006

My second chemo treatment was given the day after Thanksgiving. As Dr. White had suggested, it would be nice to have a Thanksgiving meal before I had my treatment. She was correct and Dad and I were well fed and enjoyed the company of our neighbors, Greg Purser and Everett Duncan, who are also members of Trinity Church in Chocowinity. With several other joining in the evening meal, it was nice to be a table with others for this meal.

On Friday, I went in for my treatment with a hat on that my dear college friend, Butterball, had sent to me from Columbia, S.C. The hat was of a TURKEY! What a hoot! I did enjoy enjoy wearing it to the nursing home and then to the treatment clinic to at least have a funny experience as I began the next round of treatments.

Once again, Dr. White, was a delight! We were pleased to see that my blood counts were good and the second treatment began! The treatment nurse, Cindy, was so kind as I quizzed her with each step she took with the medicines I was given. It really is amazing how much anti-naseau meds are a part of the plan to help with the effect of the two drugs I am given. I must say they are working but have not prevented me from having feelings of great quizziness. I have had those quizzy experiences each time though it still is tolerable.

After this second treatment, I did feel ok but not as well. Days after the treatment I did begin to feel worse but prompting me to take more anti-naseau drugs which put me to sleep. After the first week of the second treatment I begin to feel a more normal. Once again, I am amazed at what these drugs are hopefully doing within my entire body.

The day of my second treatment I went to see my dear friend, Vicki Peterson, in Greenville after my treatment. Vicki and her husband and Mother are in a picture under my posting of my reflections on family and friend back in October. A brain tumor was found and she has undergone surgery since my second treatment. She is dealing with an aggressive tumor and will be undergoing chemo and radiation treatments as well.

Please keep my dear friend Vicki and her family in your prayers. Vicki is such a wonderful person with whom my friendship is deep from many years of youth ministry and camp which we have shared. I truly know that prayer has brought me far and for Vicki and all of her family I pray for their strength and courage in the time ahead.

Sorry...I am having a hard time with spacing and inserting pictures. I will post this piece anyway but harder to read. My apologies.

Time to catch up with everyone!

It seems that the last time I wrote was over a month ago. Alot has happened during that time. I have not either felt like writing during this timeframe or seem to have gotten several things in the way of my creative writing time.

In November just after my last posting, I was delighted to have my Father return to his home in Chocowinity after being in a nursing and rehab center in Greenville the day before Thanksgiving. As much as we both are most grateful for all those who have taken care of Dad during his stay, of course, being back home was what we both wished he could do. It has happened and for this we are most thankful.

With Dad returning to Chocowinity, I have stayed with him at his home as he settles back in. We have had lots of home health care staff who have been helping with his ongoing health issues upon his return. We have been adjusting to this return and feel it has been a good one for both of us. My pace of going to the nursing home has changed from daily to being stable with staying home and resting as the body has needed.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

On this Christmas Day eve I write to wish all of you a blessed and joyful Christmas season! I hope that each of you have had a day in which good memories have been made for your family and you.

In our family we celebrate the twelve days of Christmas, from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th. We have begun our time of celebration and truly I celebrate this day in thanksgiving for the birth of our Lord as a babe arriving as our Saviour in our midst. The blessing of this time of year comes to us in so many beautiful ways. It is a time of reflection of how a child blesses a family and changes lifes. Yes, Jesus, did just that. He blessed his family 2000 + years ago and today his birth blesses the family of the world.

My Father and I took our first big journey since all of our health issues began in August up to the mountains to be with my brother, Mark, and his wife Laura. It was indeed a journey for us since it had been many months since we had gone afar. We made the trip fine though we both were quite tired on Christmas Eve. Today we have had a more relaxed day after catching up on several nights of good sleep. As much as people love this time of year it is also an exhausting time for many with travels involved. For all of you who are traveling this Christmas season, I hope it is safe and enjoyable. For those of you, who are staying home, I hope you have a wonderful time with your Christmas celebration as well.

For today....I wish you all a very Holy and Blessed Christmas!