Adventure #5 - MDS?

Yup, time to update on the health front.

I had my last chemo back over the New Year, nearly 20 weeks ago. For the past 20 weeks, my blood counts have stayed dangerously low, in the critically deficient range. I have been feeling a bit better, but fear of germs and my energy level keep my activities somewhat tempered. As you can see from the past posts, life is still full of fun, adventure and surprises! I miss getting to travel though, as there are some people FAR AWAY that I love VERY MUCH. I will be risking it this summer though, getting on a plane, augh, scary, GERMS! Babies . . . hugs, laughter and play!!

Anyhoo . . . this business with the marrow not recovering prompted my doctor to consider the reasons why and suggested that we need to look into something called Myelodysplastic Syndrome, or MDS. It is basically a failure of the bone marrow. Another type of cancer. I knew going into this that once you had one cancer, your chances of getting another were increased. This one, in fact, is often brought on by chemotherapy, which is a very toxic process. I sure hope it is not MDS, but in reading literature from the MDS website and the MDAnderson website, it is possible. Regardless, something is wrong and probably needs to be addressed.

I have spent the past few days with weepy eyes and great peace as well. No matter what, all will be well, it is promised. I hang onto that and the fact that I have an incredible husband (give that man a gold star) family and friend support and probably more people than I can imagine praying for me, and I have my faith, which I am so thankful for. I must rest in that and keep a positive attitude.

My doctor is giving me some time to see if I might still spontaneously recover my counts, hope springs eternal! Thank you for the prayers, they mean so much to me and each day I sit quietly in a special spot with an icon of Jesus calming the waters in my line of vision and I take in all those prayers, consciously, purposefully and thankfully.

Adventure #4 - Road Trip

This one hasn't happened yet but will soon. One of my big brothers is turning 60 next week and I have been given an opportunity to spend some time with him. I have four brothers, so this is the ONLY picture I have of just the two of us. Wonder where the older brother is???? Of course the younger two hadn't arrived yet.

Adventure # 2 - Moody Blues

A few years ago, the Moody Blues were in town and I insisted we get tickets. Hubby REsisted telling me I would NOT want to go. I spoiled his BIG suprise by telling him there was only ONE reason I would stay home and guess what, that is exactly what was being planned behind my back! Yes, the son and grandson were coming for a visit. No brainer, NO Moody Blues.

This year the Moody Blues were again coming to town and in celebration of nearly 40 years since our last concert, yes, WAY back in 1971 when we first met, we got tickets. Second ROW tickets, with the bonus of chatting with them before the concert. Awesome!!!



Second row seats, so cool! For a little while I was 18 again!!

Adventure #1 - March MADNESS!

Hubby invited his friend of 55 years and his lovely wife to join us for March Madness Final Four after hearing that was a dream of his, sort of on his "bucket list." Gotta admit, hubby was pretty pumped as well, we bought four tickets the minute they went on sale last year! We were also blessed to be able to stay in our friends fancy two bedroom, two bath loft while we stuck our friends in our 400 square foot efficiency in the same building! The difference in a nutshell . . . we have a little $80 TV with a 15" screen in ours, our friends (where we stayed) have a high def. wall mounted, AWESOME TV that must be over 40 inches in theirs. Our friends spent most of the time with us in the fancy loft, they only slept in our little loft.

We had a weekend of GREAT FOOD, a little shopping, a Gospel Breakfast in place of church (hey guys, it's allowed), a FREE Kenny Chesney concert within walking distance of the loft and of coarse basketball! The weather cooperated and we just had a crazy blast.

Funny thing is . . . we ended up NOT going to the final game. First because I was feeling a bit puny after all that fun and asked to be left behind. Second, our guests were willing to be flexible, and third . . . did I mention that awesome TV??? It all worked out fabulous, as we had a WAY better "view" on that great TV and the next morning was gonna be EARLY and we are OLD! I know some of you understand.

So the guys went out and got some great BBQ, popped a cork and we had the best time following the game on that GREAT BIG FABULOUS TV!!! I can't remember who won, but I sure know I had a great time. Go BUTLER????? I know they were in there somewhere.