Happy Halloween !

It was exciting weekend in the sports world and our home was rocking with excitement.  The Ohio State game kept us on the edge of our seats as the fourth quarter proved to be exciting with OSU coming from behind and beating Penn State.  Way to go Bucks !  Then the Bengals came back in the fourth quarter to beat the Colts. And, of course the Astros finished up that excitement by winning game five of the World Series.  I stayed up until 1:45 am. watching as we are in a different time zone and it was worth it.  I spent yesterday yawning and slept like a baby last night.  I am ready for Trick or Treat and more baseball.  

Halloween has always been a fun time for my husband, my children and me.  We have attended many parties over the years and had some great costumes.  It is always fun to look back at pictures and surprising also when at first you don't recognize yourself.  I had a friend pull out some old pictures a couple of weeks ago from a party about 35 years ago.  Oh my we looked so young.  

The nice witch and the Lone Ranger.  My face was a moldy green and my hair looked burnt orange.  Wow,  the Lone Ranger looked great.   My how the days have flown by and I noted my broom stick in the top picture.  I still have a witch outfit and I will be wearing it tonight for  Halloween.  I think I'll skip the moldy face. 

Happy Halloween !
Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth:)

Astros Win Another Game

The Houston Astros are on fire.  We watched another exciting game last night.  Let's hope that tonight we will be celebrating another win.  It was great to see the stadium filled with excited fans.  I still remember attending a few games at that stadium  back in 2011.  My thoughts of baseball are always happy.  Hope the Astros win this world series. 

Life is beautiful !

Elizabeth:)

Showing Empathy For Patients With Financial Burden

Way to go Houston Astros !! The second game of the world series was exciting.  I struggled to hold my eyes open, but as the ninth inning ended with a tie I suddenly became wide awake.  It was a close game and I really enjoyed it.  Ah baseball, it always makes me smile as it has played an important role in my life. I miss the days of taking my children to see the Reds play ball and summers filled with little league baseball.  It is the one sport that our family really loves.  I am looking forward to game three.

Read an article this morning at the social media site KevinMD by Kevin Pho, MD.

Caring for patients all the way (bills included)

Ted Matthews, MBA | Physician | October 26, 2017

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2017/10/caring-patients-way-bills-included.html
   
This article really touched my heart today.  I still sometimes tell my husband I wonder how we managed six years ago during a personal health crisis to live out of state, pay rent on an apartment, maintain a house mortgage, bills for both places, hospital bills and tuition for my son's college.  I feel like it was a miracle, but it was also very intense at times and I wish we had not had this burden to worry about during cancer treatment.  My husband has thanked me many times for taking care of all the finances.  We were blessed to be able to pay for our financial burden.  I think of others who struggle and the fear that they have to live with while trying to handle medical problems.  Worry is an overwhelming feeling  that adds a lot of stress to the body.   It is nice to know that there are doctors who have empathy for patients in regards to financial burdens that do affect the patient's quality of life. 

The last three paragraphs of the article point out some important things that doctors need to consider when caring for the patient.  We always need to remember patients are seeking care for the best quality of life and giving them different care options and payment plans to handle financial burden will be a great gift to ensure that they can enjoy life.  

Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth:)
 

Coincidences In Life

I was in the book store a couple of weeks ago and my eyes wondered over to a book about God winks.  Sometimes things happen to us like meeting someone, an event, or being in a situation and we may think wow that seems like a coincidence or perhaps it was meant to be.  I like to believe it was more than a coincidence and I am a believer that there are winks from God.  Even the most painful situations in life are winks and a gift from God.  If you google God winks several books will come up and they are worth reading.  What a wonderful way to look at life during these difficult times we are living in.   Perhaps today there will a God wink sent to you.

I have always believed in angels and there has been times in my life when I have been introduced to people that have come into my life to change it for the better. These people don't stick around but they teach us something that helps us through difficult times.  I always say they must have been an angel and some how they were there for me at the right time.   I have had some coincidences in life this year that have made me really think about those winks from God. 

A couple of years ago someone told me to build my own support group of people and reach out to my extended family.   I thought at the time it all seemed very overwhelming and prayed for some direction.  It was really strange that shortly after this  a friend introduced me to some women and then little by little I started reaching out to them and before I knew it I had created my own support group. 

I was thinking at a family reunion that I wanted to get to know my cousins better and by some coincidence my dad's sister called me.  It was strange because I never even thought that any of the family got together other than the reunions.  I did not grow up around family and only attended the reunions after the passing of my mother.  Now once a month I meet with some of my cousins and aunts for lunch.  The group seems to be growing each time and I feel the closeness of having people who love me for who I am. 

I believe these things have happened in my life all because God winks at us.  He gets us through the hard times and when we believe good things will happen they certainly will.  

I hope that God will send you a wink today.  No matter how tough your day is there is always a coincidence that makes us grateful for our life.  

Life is beautiful !

Elizabeth:)

Exciting News From LLS

October is slipping away from us and so is our nice weather.  We had a beautiful weekend with temperatures in the seventies and lots of sunshine.  We enjoyed the outdoors and spent some time cutting back clematis vines and disposing of some flowers.  It was bitter sweet as we put the outdoor furniture away.  The forecast for the end of the week shows snow flurries.  Here comes winter and I am not ready.

We were happy to see the exciting news from LLS about CAR-T therapy.  This news is a reminder for us that our donations do make a difference. http://www.lls.org/car-t-cell-immunotherapy

Every time I look at Laney's picture on this blog she reminds me of all the love she gave to our family.  She is always with us and we miss her very much everyday.  We never really get over the loss, but we remember that she loved us unconditionally.  She is always the sunshine in our life.  She is always in my heart.

I like to end on a good note.  Way to go Houston Astros !  We will be rooting for you Tuesday evening.

Life is beautiful !

Elizabeth:)

Light the Night 2017

Thank you to my family and friends for donations to LLS.  You give hope to a lot of blood cancer patients and their families that someday there may be a cure.
 

Light the Night 2017

It rained all day last Thursday and then like a miracle the sun came out and it was a beautiful evening for the Light the Night for LLS.  I got surprised by two of my friends who showed up to walk with us.  I think as of yesterday the total of donations were 275,613 dollars and still counting.  The goal was 329,000 dollars.  It is not too late to make donations so our chapter of the LLS possibly will make their goal. 

There was a nice ceremony before the walk and a salute to the survivors.  It is always nice to see all the lanterns lit up.  

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth:)

New Therapies Presented By LLS

This evening is the Light the Night event for LLS.  We are so looking forward to attending and praying that the rain stops.  It has not rained for a couple of weeks now and we woke up today to grey skies and non-stop rain.  I have lost count of how many of these events we have attended over the years.  We are thankful for the donations that we have received and the research that has paved the way for new cancer therapies.

I just read an article this morning from LLS about the new drug Aliqopa approved by the FDA.  It is for treatment of patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma that have had two prior systemic therapies.  This makes me smile and gives hope to managing the disease.  I hope that it is affordable for patients.  I was unable to find any information on cost.

I will be wearing my shoes tonight to walk. I will be the caregiver walking with a cancer survivor.  There are two sets of shoes to this life story.  Together the shoes have walked many miles in hope that others will benefit from research and live long and happy lives.

God Bless all cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers!


Life is beautiful !

Elizabeth:)

Life Goes On

Twenty eight years ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.  It was a special day and today the reality that he is a grown man has set in.  He was married ten days ago and now a new era in his life begins.  I am definitely feeling the empty nest.  There are no more sounds of laughter and the pitter patter of feet bounding through the door.  The house has been eerily quiet and the absence of my children and Laney is starting to set in.   I use to think that this day would be far away and actually it has come to fast.  I feel as if I closed my eyes for a minute and then the life I knew was changed forever.  It is bitter sweet, but I am very proud that my children are successful and living their life now.  

My son's wedding was beautiful and my husband and I had a great time pretending to be young again.  We however crashed for several days afterward as I realized that even though I think I am young my body let me know otherwise.  It was a hot day for a outside wedding.  We were graced with a freak few days of  90 degrees and 70 percent humidity.  I sweated so much I became dehydrated and had severe cramps in my legs.  I started drinking Gatorade and water a little too late.  I kept my husband up all night worrying about me.  I couldn't decide what was worse the cramps in my legs or the acid indigestion that has been plaguing me.  I have to admit I had so much fun that the misery was worth it.  It felt great to let loose and party, but it is sad that our bodies aren't what they use to be.
  
I spent last week taking it easy and reflecting on how our life has been moving along at lightening speed.  We always need to cherish everyday chase our dreams.   

Life goes on despite all the tragedy that is going on in the world.  I believe it has been very somber for everyone.  We must continue to move forward,  let ourselves grieve the losses of the people who have died from the natural disasters and the massacre in Las Vegas.  We need to start talking about all the good things people do and stop criticizing each other.  We change our thoughts to loving each other and we change the world.  I took some time yesterday to pray and sit outside surrounded by the beauty of my flowers.  Those of us that are far away from the tragedies can help by being kind to one another.  We feel the pain of the loss of others and we are grateful for the sacrifice of others that have given us freedom.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Life is beautiful !
Elizabeth:)