This is the time of year I look back, take stock so to speak of the past year. I look at the ups/downs and in-betweens to see what lessons I can learn and are there any lessons I can teach. My body let me down this past year, but it is what it is and I'm still moving forward. I have so many blessings and I try to remember this every day. I have an awesome support system and I am ever so grateful for those my life. I have been added to so many prayer circles I know I'm watched over. I have added quite a few people to my prayers and hope they feel watched over as well. Whether or not I attend church or discuss religion, my faith is my basis and my spirituality is mine.
Since my last posting I visited with my former client. I brought her and her dog Xmas presents (wrapped each one individually) which I requested she not open until the actual holiday. I was worried she would be alone and wanted her to have some joy on the actual day. I brought flowers and goodies for her to enjoy before the holiday. She was over the moon with happiness with my visit. Her dog was too as I was coated with lots of fur when I left. On Xmas day she sent me pictures of her and her dog with the opened gifts. She was profusely thankful. Her family arrived Xmas evening for a couple of days. She texts me every day to check on me and send me prayers.
During the past few weeks I have received quite an outpouring of love and support from friends and family (some I have not heard from in a long time). I am ever so grateful to friends close by who have stopped by to visit. I had lunch out with one friend and her husband we had a nice lunch catching up. Keeping in touch online is one thing, hugging in person is another. I ran errands as I needed to - provided lots of blood for testing; I will say I had the best phlebotomist ever as I did not feel a thing and absolutely no bruise.
This past Friday I had my first immunotherapy treatment. The preparation takes longer than the actual treatment. I had some very nice nurses who took great care of me. I was able to read (you know I always have a book) and sip water/juice. I will say my BP has been steadily giving me trouble over the past several months as I was much more tense/nervous than I let on. It takes three or four times before my BP is in a decent range (at one appointment the machine kept shutting itself down). Believe me when I say I try all the tricks of meditation/breathing before, during and after. Now they want me to monitor my BP....if it's not one thing it's another. So far I have not had any side effects from the treatment. I ate lightly to reduce the chance of nauseousness. On Friday afternoon I was exhausted and took an excessively long deep nap (according to my watch). I then went to bed early and although not great sleep, I did sleep. Keeping my fingers crossed no adverse reactions will come forth. I will have my blood tested and treatment every 21 days for the next year. As my treatments move forward I will keep you up-to-date as much as I can.
My scalp is healing nicely although it will never be pretty again. I am wearing hats most of the time. I wear a turban in the house because the goop I have to put on my scalp makes the rest of hair greasy and I don't want to leave a mess on the furniture. I wear a hat when I venture out of the house. I also try to dress nicely and even put on earrings...LOL!
Over the past few weeks I have finished reading: "BLACK OPS-The life of a CIA Shadow Warrior" by Ric Prado - insightful and very well written. "COUNTDOWN BIN LADEN" - Chris Wallace with Mitch Weiss - insightful and very well written. "DEAR DEATH-Finding meaning in life, peace in death and joy in an ordinary day" by Diane R. Button - excellent book. "HOLY MOMENTS-Handbook for the rest of your life" by Matthew Kelly - this book came out of the blue in the mail - good book. Also I think for the first time in many years I have only two Christmas movies left to watch (usually not finished until February).
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
JANUARY 2023 MONTHLY CELEBRATIONS:
National Bath Safety Month
- National Blood Donor Month
- National Braille Literacy Month
- National Hobby Month
- Hot Tea Month
- National Oatmeal Month
- National Soup Month
JANUARY 2023 WEEKLY EVENTS:
2nd Week Letter Writing Week
January 1
National Hangover Day
New Year’s Day
January 2
International Stop Spam Day
Run up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day
World Introvert Day
January 3
Festival of Sleep Day
Fruitcake Toss Day
Humiliation Day
January 4
National Spaghetti Day
Trivia Day
January 5
National Bird Day
January 6
Bean Day
Cuddle Up Day
January 7
Old Rock Day
Well this is a long post today, sorry about that. It took me quite a while to put it together this morning as I was not sure what I wanted to write about. Guess I'll get ready for the day now and perhaps nap later. I hope you have a good week as life gets back to normal for many. Chat soon. Take care. Marie
"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." - ~Ruth Ann Schabacker
"Stand in your light and shine brightly because that is how you defeat darkness." -~Leslie Esperanza Espaillat