WOW!!!!  It's been over a month & I feel like lots has happened & nothing has happened all at the same time.  I just completed part 2 of Chemo #3 & I'm still feeling really good.  Maybe I should qualify that a smidge....I am not nauseated 70% of the time & rarely feel horrible & let's be honest...that's all that really matters when you're going thru this mine field.  I have however started feeling some effects from my daily shots (post chemo to build my blood)...large joint and muscle pain...mine has focused in on my right hip joint.  It's pretty miserable and has put the brakes on my 1.5 mile morning walks.....that really sucks!!!  The 3rd round of chemo this week was just the same old routine...until the other shoe dropped.  IT wasn't a horrible drop...I just got smacked in the face with the fatigue!!!  I could hardly put one foot in front of the other by the time that treatment was over and it hasn't gotten much better...so I am suspecting that this is the new norm.  I will gladly take this any day over nausea and puking....just saying.  I am finding that I am feeling well enough to be distracted doing other things and not taking the time to rest when I am tired or to just sit and ponder and that is a great loss to me.  I am just not feeling bad enough to justify just sitting around without my mind going into over-drive on of all the things I could/should be doing....much to VoR's annoyance and frustration.  I am trying but I guess this time the "feeling good" is definitely a doubled edge sword.

I have also had worse & more frequent headaches.  The weather has been a contributing factor since it has been all over the map with crazy systems and pressures....If you doubt my word for it...just ask anyone from Texas, Florida, Louisiana or the Rocky Mountains...they will set you straight.  On this weather topic for a second...Harvey hit us a little close to home as my brother and his ailing wife live just outside of Houston so we were keeping pretty close eye on what was happening there too. My heart goes out to all the other victims of the other storms and fires that went on during this time too.  All this crazy weather & natural disasters are right out of control but lucky for us we were created as a resilient people.  We will learn the lessons, compassion for others, band together to help those affected, turn to the Lord, and grow stronger for the experiences.  We need to go into this recovery with nothing but love in our hearts, looking for opportunities to switch our focus and look for the needs of others not what we think we are entitled to...anger and frustration will rear their ugly heads at times...we must look beyond that knee-jerk reaction of anger and see the hurting soul inside and find a way to help and lift it.  If we look to Christ as the example and try to emulate Him in our daily interactions think how truly blessed we would all be. IN every disaster that happens there is a "hive" of these yellow hand print shirts that quietly show up without the fanfair and news coverage.  They come in ready to work and help the hurting thru physical and emotional support and loving hands to labor with loving hearts to show they care....plus a tear-filled hug or two just for good measure....but ask any victim from where they have served and they will tell you...."they made all the difference".  Far beyond the hours and hours of selfless labor they provide...they send a stillness to the hearts of those they help and are a true shining example of Christ's love for each of us.

Now back to my little corner of the world...One day rolls uninterrupted or changed from the day before, for the most part. Then you throw in a doctor’s appointment or a test...& on those days you get to take a “Road Trip!!!  It's pretty sad when trip to the doctor is a much anticipated outing…OYE!!  

I did have a week of excitement as Random Wisdom and her precious little family came to visit. We had a lot of fun and it was great to watch the working mind of a 2 yr old againl….fascinating really.  They actually were impacted by “Harvey” and got rescheduled and rerouted and they arrived 2 days early….I AM NOT COMPLAINING!!!  VoR took some time off work and did all the “touristy” stuff with them and got the Poutine, Timbits & Beaver Tails that are mandatory staples when any of the children visit….and not just once…numerous trips each visit.  IT WAS A BLAST!!!  

I have gotten myself involved with a local project called “the *Blinging* it Forward Project.  They collect used jewelry from women all over the country and then take it all apart and rebuild it into new pieces (bracelets, earrings & key chains) for women in battered women shelters in the city.  I don’t profess to have a ton of talent when it comes to this kind of stuff but I wanted to jump in and do my part….giving back too….I spend a few hours every day working on whatever tasks need to be done for them while I try my hand at some designing.  It is a lot of fun….keeps me occupied & they really appreciate my help. Then you throw in the  gratitude from the women on the receiving end when they get their new stuff, and it's a win win!!! You will probably hear me talk about it a lot in the future.  It is such a GREAT & rewarding project!!!  Thanks to them for letting me be involved and for allowing me to do  my small part.