Giving Thanks

Laney and I have spent the last week enjoying each others company and giving thanks to life, love and happiness. My computer has been ill ever since I posted Laney's picture.  I teased her and said she blew up the internet.  I think she was just wanting my attention.  She has spent a lot of time following me around and we were able to get a few walks in  last week since we had some warm weather for this time of the year. I believe that warm air decided to move elsewhere.

Thanksgiving day was one of the warmest on record with highs in the 60's and lots of sun.  My husband and I managed to walk several miles on Thanksgiving day before we set down to a delicious dinner at my daughter's house.  Then we ended it with a game of scrabble which my daughter took the honor of winning. It was a day filled with gratitude and thanks as we gathered with family to celebrate life.  And, we gave my husband the honor of carving the turkey, as we gave thanks to God for  another Thanksgiving together.

My husband and I are trying to get back on track with our training for our half marathon.  It is now nine weeks until we walk in San Antonio and we are trying to increase our pace and distance as the weeks are passing by quickly.  We managed to bundle up Sunday and last eve as we braved the cold and walked outdoors.  I was amazed at how warm I was at the end of the walk and peeled off layers of clothes to cool down.  I liked walking outside and we were able to enjoy the Christmas lights that people have put up. They seem magical when you walk by them. It is a different perspective of the lights than what you see from a car as you drive by.  I'll try to continue walking outside until old man winter chases us back to the indoor track.  As we walk we give thanks to all who have been a part of our lives, friends, family, and a spoiled dog named Laney.  Life is beautiful!

Home At Last

 
Well we finally made it home to see Laney.  She was pleasantly surprised as she flipped around on the floor, tail wagging.  I guess she wasn't miffed at us after all.  She seemed very happy to see us.  A true friend.  I told her she could make guest appearance on the blog. This is one of my favorite pictures of her. This was taken summer of 2012.

An Angel

Today has been an emotionally packed day. My husband's and my emotions have been all over the place. We received good news from the doctor, as all his test results were good.  A  reason to celebrate as he continues to be in remission.  Now he is resting quiet as he receives a maintenance treatment.  We are so blessed and thankful to all at MD Anderson!

I was reading someone else's blog about being a caregiver and it brought me to tears.  I remembered how back in 1997 that I was in shock over my husband's diagnose. We were living a happy life with our two children and then out of nowhere we felt like a semi hit us. But, I do recall that we continued to live our life as normal as possible. We made a pledge to each other to keep positive for our children and ourselves.  It was hard at times as people sometimes say things to you without thinking of how harsh they sound. I know you understand if you are a caregiver. It is an emotional roller coaster especially when it is your spouse. Everybody's life around you continues and you try to be grateful for each day.  I still feel that even today as we are blessed with remission that each day is to be lived to the fullest. We go to bed exhausted most nights. There are no maybe we should wait. We remind ourselves that life is like a timer, so have fun and enjoy each other before the buzzer.

I am blessed that after 15 years and three relapses with Lymphoma, we are still are in love.  We endured my mother's illness at the same time my husband was going through chemotherapy in 1997. I think back now and realize how strong I really am.  I was constantly being pulled in two directions and doing what I felt was the right thing to do. Today my husband reminded me that  I was his angel. I am glad that he feels that way, as I feel that he has been most patient with me as my emotions are  all over the place.  Some things  are meant to be. Loving my husband through all the rough times was meant to be. We are blessed with two great children and one spoiled dog named Laney  Life is beautiful!!

Nervous Giggles

I have the nervous giggles today as I sit in a commons area at MD Anderson  waiting for my husband who is having medical tests done. I developed the giggles at just the right time as I was feeling anxious  as something had triggered a thought from the past.  For a few moments  I thought I would start crying. Thank goodness for my friend who sent me a hilarious e-mail that redirected my thoughts and made me start giggling.

I have noted that the last couple of visits to MD Anderson have made me a little anxious. And yet this place is like a safe haven to us.  Many smiling faces have passed my husband and I, as we sit and wait in between test. There is an enormous amount of energy here and blessings  from a lot of people. I remind myself of how blessed we are to be here. A volunteer has seen my husband napping and told us of a quiet place that we can rest until our next appointment. She was like an angel that appeared out of no where. I appreciated her help even though my adrenaline is pumping too much to sleep.

I was thinking of Laney and how she would love seeing all the people here today. She loves people and people are always drawn to her.  I find comfort in thinking about her and I am glad that I have pictures. of her on our I-pad.

We have been  awake since before the roosters and we have been at MD Anderson seven hours. They have just announced a two hour delay for CT scans.  I hope my giggles are contagious as I see people growing anxious. My blessings to all who work at MD Anderson. As we sit here waiting, I am reminded that because of these dedicated workers  my husband is still here to share life with me.  Gratitude and thanks to all!

Great State of Texas

I am always amazed how many people drive big trucks in Texas.  As many times as I have been here I am still in awe of big trucks and how fast everyone drives.  We had to drive downtown today and I always wonder where all the people are going and why they are in a hurry. Some people like to weave back and forth between lanes. It seems like a game to see who can be the fastest or first in line.  I read somewhere that even when we speed we only arrive a few minutes earlier.  It seems to me that I can spare the few minutes and drive safely. I pray the people in the big trucks see us in our little car.  I always laugh as I think about the saying that everything is big in Texas. I guess it's true.

I am enjoying my visit with friends in Texas and feeling blessed to have arrived safely at their home.  Maybe next visit I'll arrive in a big truck so I will feel like a Texan. Anyways, I do love Texas. I always feel at home when I am here.  The hospitality is also big in Texas.  I have noticed that even though people are in a hurry they seem very friendly. Life is big and good in Texas!

We fell off our walking schedule as we spent two days traveling in the car.  But, today we were able to get outside and walk.  The weather here is warm to us, and I laughed as I overheard native Texans talking about how cold it is.  I will gladly give them my winter coat and snow scraper if I can stay here until spring.  It would be great to stay if Laney were here also.  Maybe she will surprise me and show up in a big shiny truck in my dreams.  In the mean time, I'll have to Skype her and reassure her I'll be home soon. 

On The Road Again

We are on the road again and I am already missing Laney. This trip is for my husband's medical care at MD Anderson.  We are blessed once again in more than one way to make this trip. Hoping to enjoy a couple of days to relax and visit with friends in between office visits.  It seems as if time has passed quickly since the last visit. There is no airplane flight this time as the last trip I felt like we were crammed in the plane like sardines.  The stress of delayed fights, running through the airport in flip flops to catch connecting flights, and someone else's child that screamed for 45 minutes was enough for me. I much prefer the peace of my own car.  My husband's only wish is for a chauffeur.  Maybe next trip he'll get lucky.

I was reminiscing just recently with friends about taking a spontaneous road trip. It is a trip where you have no plans and no reservations.  I remembered back in 2007 after my husband's Lymphoma had returned we were uncertain of what was going to happen.  It was one of those trips where we literally threw suit cases in the trunk and headed east towards the coast.  We had no plans except that we wanted to see Boston and New York.  My husband had grown up in New Jersey and had been to New York several times.  My yearning to see the big city set us in that direction.  With no plans we saw a sign for Niagara Falls and ended up stopping. It was an awesome stop. I highly recommend it. Then there was a stop in Boston to take a step back in history.  A great city to see and good food. Then off to New York which I will never forget. We arrived at night and the sight of the city from the Brooklyn Bridge  was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. There must be thousands of buildings and lights.  We spent a couple of days there walking all over the city and sight seeing.  It is overwhelming if you don't like crowds.  I myself love the city.  The last stop was to spend a couple days on Virginia Beach.  We had spent some time there with our children and it was relaxing to end the trip on the beach.  I have to say that the trip was one of the funnest trips I have ever taken.  We were enjoying life without an agenda.  Life is beautiful when you share your dreams with the one you love.

Election Day Eve

Laney and I have spent the majority of the afternoon before election day outside in the sun.  We were trying to enjoy the sun which finally decided to come out of hiding.  The last week has been dismal gray and rainy. We got wind and rain from Sandy as she pushed her way inland. I am feeling grateful that we did not have damage from storms as some people were without electricity.  Praying for all the people on the east coast as they sift through what is left of their homes.

My husband and I managed to walk 8 miles on Saturday.  We wanted to do more, but during the week I had done some light jogging that left me aware of some muscles. The muscles we forget we have until we use them.  Let's say I was very aware of them and felt like I was dragging my body around the track.  I slept like a baby Saturday night.  I'm feeling better today, but tomorrow I'll probably be crying for Advil. It won't be for my legs, but for my arms as I just finished raking leaves. I'm grateful for warm sunny fall days to play in the leaves.

So it's the day before elections. Yeah! Yeah! and Yeah!  Maybe after tomorrow we won't get fifteen calls a day from election committees. The phone has made Laney a nervous wreck, as she jumps around and barks every time it rings. She doesn't understand why I don't answer it.  I don't need anyone else to help me make an election candidate choice. What I do need is someone to make them stop the calls.  May the best man win!  Don't forget to vote.  God Bless America!!