Margaretsnews
Thursday, October 04, 2007
 

I have to say that I am truly enjoying this week off from chemo treatments. Well, maybe “enjoying” is too strong a word. I can say that it sure does feel good when the beatings stop. There are still issues; they're just not as difficult to deal with.

My feet still swell when I forget to take the diuretic—it takes a couple of days to kick in, so when I miss a day, I have to wait for results. In the meantime, my poor feet look like balloon feet, and they are tender to the touch. Walking around is uncomfortable, but once I get up and get moving, it gets easier. And it’s not like I’m walking very far or very fast anyway. I still can’t breathe well, can’t walk and talk at the same time (could be a blessing!) and can’t carry anything over about a pound easily. I feel fairly certain that the next meeting with Mr. Needle is quickly forthcoming, but I have bigger fish to fry at the moment.

My bigger fish involve family members. Both parents are currently in the same hospital, one for a scheduled procedure, and the other for illness. I decided to share this information because this blog is a record of events for me for my progress, state of mind and attitude. While I don’t record every detail, I do record enough so that when I look back, I can remember exactly what happened when, how I felt, and what I did. I can only imagine, at this point, how my parents’ health will affect me, and I wanted to open that door for future thoughts. (The scheduled procedure is doing very well. The illness remains serious.) Mom and Dad are just down the hall from each other, so visitation is easy. Fortunately, there are other family members here on extended leave to help care for them during and after the hospital stays are over. I am very glad they are here. Due to my superior coping skills and rational thinking abilities lately, I am dealing with this new development by stomping, yelling, and swearing. A lot. (Note: my parents and the dog are safe.)

Yes, life really is like a box of chocolates.

 
Comments:
I hope Mom and Dad get well soon. As for you young lady... You need to keep your chin up and keep plowing ahead. but then you knew that. You have the constitution of a superhero my friend, and we as friends can can only hope that if adversity come into our lives we can be half the person you are. You are truely an inspiration. May the Good Lord Above bless you and keep you this day. Ohhh and the boys too.. lol
 
Yep,
if I could I would add a chapter in the book, "Profiles in Courage"
because you deserve one!
 
Due to my superior coping skills and rational thinking abilities lately, I am dealing with this new development by stomping, yelling, and swearing.

Uhm... I think you're missing something here, not to trying to be judgmental but, uhm, you should really think about adding throwing things to your coping skills. I recommend stuffed animals and things of that nature. They make a satisfying sound when hitting the wall and don't break into a million pieces that have to be cleaned up.

Love ya
CC
 
Stomping yelling and swearing are very therapeutic. And then you can start fresh another day.

I always hate biting into Turkish Delight when I was hoping for orange cream. So I'm sending you a virtual box filled with only the chocolates you adore.
 
Now isn't that just typical! You devoted more words to illnesses that aren't yours than you did to your own. And, yes, I understand the helpless feeling of having family ill and you can't make them get better.

I hear throwing things that break helps. Somehow the sound of breaking is therapeutic.

A real suggestion: Keep a calendar for medicine taking and check it off when you take it. It helped my MIL. Of course it didn't help much during the time she lost it.

Oops, another suggestion: Be careful about going on hospital visits. Thar be gerrrms in hospitals, says the person nursing a 3-week old cold caught from ungrateful germy 4th graders.
 
Margaret, you have the most superior coping skills of anyone I know. I'm withholding comment on the rational thought thing . . . ;-)

I used to know a woman who vented her anger and frustration by opening all her kitchen cabinets and then slamming them shut, one after the other, as hard as she could. She had sturdy cabinets. I tried it once and all I did was scare the dog. Then I felt worse.

A friend of my SIL used to save up large glass wine jugs (that they accumulated rather quickly was part of her problem, IMO) and then crush them in her trash compactor. She said the sound of glass exploding under pressure was very satisfying. She was a little scary sometimes.

Whatever works. I sure hope you are making time to care for yourself and not just everyone else.

Love and hugs,
B
 
Margaret- to paraphrase an old commercial.."Take good care of yourself you belong to us (CB's)"

Stay in that chair and rest, I am thrilled to hear that you have others to help with your parents.

I am hoping that the cooler crisp days of fall bring a smile to your face. We are bringing shovels to Mr. Needle if he isn't nice to you.

I shall increase the good Wapak thoughts and prayers sent your way.
 
Yes, stomping and swearing are excellent coping skills! But, given that you currently tire easily, I thought you could use another less vigorous stress-releaving activity....

Popping virtual bubble wrap!
http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/popnow.shtml

((((HUGS)))) for you and your parents!
 
Thank you all for your kind and funny words!

I rather like the throwing things idea; the fact that I throw like a girl would add an air of mystery to the anticipated landing of such an item. And, ooooo... bubble wrap!

As of today, Mom and Dad are both much better and are both looking to get sprung early in the week! WOOOHOO! (Of course, that may be the jump from the frying pan into the fire. . .)
 
Hey Margaret,

Bubble wrap is pretty satisfying, I must say. If you ever want to try something different, you could always rearrange Henry VII's face.

http://www.r3.org/alexwarp/henry7.html

I'm glad the 'rents are doing better -- sounds like toughness runs in your family. And take care of yourself as well!
 
Margaret, I'm going with the stomping and yelling stuff, along with the slamming the kitchen cabinets!! I love noise when I'm pissed! Just make sure the dog is outside and the doors are closed (don't want the dog scared).

Sooo glad to hear the parents are better. And very glad to hear that family members were there to help (or at least there for moral support).

Hang in there - remember Lance Armstrong. You're as tough as him - right? CBs think so!
 
"Yes, life really is like a box of chocolates."

Full of nuts and chews when what you really wanted was just a nice, smooth creme? Yeah, life is just like that.

The rents do belong here now, because they are going to affect you're reactions a lot. I'm happy that you have family to buffer some of that for you, but they can't buffer the feelings.

I keep saying, "Hang in there," but after more than a year, you seem to have mastered the technique. Don't beat yourself up over the outbursts. Make you apologies, make sure their object knows you're sincere, and move on. As one who can beat themselves unmercifully with guilt, I know whereof I speak.

Love you.
 
Stomp, scream, kick, yell and throw things all you want. And take care of yourself. We're here.
 
no, no, don't stomp, that'll hurt the feet. but throwing things is very theraputic.

you are a truly brave woman, and i- as are all CBs- am honored to know you.

i hope the parents continue to do better.

-OH
 
I'll loan you my Dammit Doll for when you need it. It doesn't hurt anything when you whack it against something, and makes a satisfying "whap" sound when you hit it. Just don't pull it's legs apart. It will rip and send most of the men in the immediate vicinity running for cover (I don't know why - they just did - er, do).

Sending positive thoughts your way.
 
CB love is like no other!!

It's good to have a soft place to fall. And there are margaritas here.
 
sending you hugs and margaritas and nice comfy fluffy bunny slippers so you can stomp all you want and not hurt your feet.
 
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I decided to put a blog together for 2 reasons. I have cancer and am undergoing treatments. I wanted a record of events, and I also knew I wouldn't be able to update everyone constantly. You know how it goes: the first person who calls gets very good information. The 10th person gets, "I'm fine, kinda tired. Can we talk later?", which I thought wasn't fair. The response has been awesome; I never expected this kind of success. Thanks, Blogger! And thanks to all who read, respond, and care.

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