Saturday, May 5, 2012

Appreciating Life....

 This past two weeks was a whole new learning curve of  life for me.  Chemo was really hard keeping me virtually in bed for most of 8 days.  I got to the point I wasn't sure I would EVER feel alright again.  A turn came on Wednesday though when my sister came for a surprise visit.  She called and I knew she was on the road to Delaware to visit her daughter.  I asked how far she was and she said "I'm at the top of your driveway!"  When she came in she said, "I just had to look at you".  It was such a wonderful surprise that it got me out of the doldrums.  By Thursday things were really better with my stomach and it felt like a miracle.  Friday I actually went in to work and was soooo glad to be there!  It was wonderful to see everyone and to FEEL good!! Today we kept Bryden while Chelsea was at work.  He is such a good little guy and has a great sense of humor.  He kept us laughing a lot of the afternoon, bless his little heart.

Popsicles are his thing as well as the bell on his trike.  Such mundane little things, but sitting in the sun and just watching him felt better than life in general for a long time.  I don't think I'll EVER take feeling good for granted again when this is all over.  Tuesday is another treatment so I can probably expect the same thing all over for 7 more times...until late August.  At least there are several days to feel good before it starts all over.



Life's lesson today?......The simple things...health and play, are things to be savored!!!!

33 comments:

yaya said...

I love his little face! He has a very distinctive look he gives...too cute. We were super happy to see you on Friday and relieved you were feeling better. Maybe Lynn should have come a few days sooner! Hope the rest of your weekend is good. We're sitting with Addy today and overnight. So far it's been a quiet weekend with work....see you on Monday!

Kim said...

It's a radical way to get that reminder but I am glad you had a couple of visits to lift your spirits and remember the little joys.

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh yes, the little things, and the little ones enrich us so. Hope you continue to improve, Donna. Good wishes are flying your way.

Debby said...

Children were my therapy when I had cancer. Your grandson is adorable. I am sorry that you had to feel so bad. I hope the next time goes a little better. So good that your sister stopped by. You sound good. Think of you often and saying prayers for you.

Marsha Young said...

Oh, Donna
I am praying for you. Thank God for the chance to feel good even once in a while, I'm with you there.

Blessings to you, and courage for your week coming up.
...Marsha

Vicki Boster said...

Oh Donna - he is such a doll baby - I'm sure you have a wonderful time when he visits with you -- only another Grandma would know that feeling - its so very special. His sweet face is all the more reason to stay focused on what you need to do. I'm praying that this summer goes by quickly and is soon behind you - so that you can get on with live and living with those sweet babes of yours. I'm sending hugs - and keeping you always in prayers~~

Vicki

Jeanne Henriques said...

Donna, you are in my thoughts everyday. The chemo treatments sound dreadful, i had no idea they were so debilitating. I hope you were able to get your meds sorted for the next round. I was so happy to read about your sister's visit and to see your sweet little grandson, Bryden. He is going to be a heart breaker one day. :) Sending you best wishes Donna and prayers for an easier time with this next treatment.
Jeanne xx

Tom Stephenson said...

Hurdle number one out of the way and you are - even now - giving us insights into how to appreciate the really important things. Thanks, Donna.

Rebecca said...

"Savor the simple things." Thanks for the reminder. I'm sorry for the pain you're going through. I almost feel selfish to grab onto the reminder that you have paid so dearly for...

acorn hollow said...

thinking and praying for you. So glad you got some time with the people you love. Take each blessing as it comes.
Cathy

Julia said...

Hi Donna, sweet friend, I'm so surprised to see that you posted last evening but so glad that you did. It's always a treat reading about what goes on in your life.

Bryden looks so serious trying to fill what looks like a small flower pot. He's such a handsome little fella.

I'm so glad that your sister came for a visit and pulled you out of the doldrums.

I know how you dread the next treatment but I hope that it will not be as bad and that they can adjust your nausea medications.

Sending oodles of love and prayers. I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday.

Hugs, Julia

Holly said...

my goodness, what a terrible time-- but I am glad your sister came by and you had a little feller to put a smile on your face.
I pray that your good days creep by and your next session flies past with less effect.
Take care!

rjerdee said...

One day at a time...each day appreciated, eh? Wishing you better and better days...

Stacy said...

There is something about family that can make even the darkest of days seem brighter!

Keep fighting the good fight!

Susan Anderson said...

He is the best medicine of all!

And I am praying that the chemo gets more tolerable.

Hugs to you...

=)

Molly said...

Donna, brilliant to have your sister call you and then find she's just at the top of your drive. And then to have Bryden to look after. The chemo you're having to go through is horrible but we're all holding our hands together for you. Keep strong xxxx

tbbotts said...

Hi Donna-
I'm so glad for a bit of joy to enter your life. Thanks for sharing the trials and the happiness. God bless you gal.

selvageedge said...

It's so good to hear that you are feeling a little better these last few days, even well enough for a day with Bryden!

Keep plugging, August will be here and gone in just a few months. You can do it!

karen said...

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy a few tender mercies in between the torture of blasting those cancer cells to smithereens. And you even went to work - what a woman! I've been thinking about you a lot and I'm glad to hear you sounding so upbeat. I wish I had something wise to leave you with, but I'll leave you with the hope that you know you have many many friends out here and everywhere praying for your comfort and recovery. This post made me happy. 1 down, a few more to go. Hang tough.

A Tale of Two Cities said...

What a rocky road you are traveling right now! I'm so glad that you found some treasures along the way to lift you up. Hoping that the next round will be very effective, but much easier on you physically. You are one strong lady!

Sush said...

Oh Donna, I'm so happy your sister surprised you! Nothing like the love of a sister to lift up our heart and soul!
I find a visit with any of my grandchildren reaffirms all that is good in life!

Please know you are held close in my heart and I'm praying for you and your family. You are a warrior and will win this battle!
Hugs~

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I'm so happy your sis had to 'look' at ya!!! Sounds like she was good medicine for sure!

So is that sweetie little Bryden. What a cutie he is! He'd have all the Popsicles he wanted 'round me! Heeehehehe!

God bless your heart, I wish the chemo wasn't so dang stinkin' hard on ya. My heart and prayers are liftin' ya up girl.

Have a beautifully blessed day and enjoy the feelin'!!! :o)

Judi said...

I was lucky enough to be present that day! You and Larry are awesome grandparents and when your grand kids are "in the house", you guys never stop smiling.
I loved the water gun (spray bottle) battle between Larry and Bryden, pouts and all!

Darlene said...

How fun it sounded when your sister made a surprise visit. I'm so glad that she helped change how you were feeling. It is just the pits to have to do chemo. I think you are handling it very well and I am so impressed that you went to work too. You are simply something else!!

That Bryden is such a cutie. Isn't it great to have little one's around? I'm sure he made you happy too. I love it so when my great grandchildren are here. The keep things so lively. I wish I had some of their energy. I know how you feel when you wonder if you are ever going to feel better. It's tough, but at least you have something to look forward to in August. I wish I could feel just half as good as I felt just before Christmas last year. I don't think I'm going to feel any different so will just have to get used to knowing this is now my new "normal."

Take care, Donna, and yes, it is a very good thing that at least you have a few day when you feel pretty well again, before it starts all over.

Craig said...

We love you Donna! We're praying for more "good days"!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Hello Donna! I was going through my blog list and thought I would drop by and let you know that I'm thinking of you! I hope you are doing well, and I hope you're enjoying the weekend!! Take care!!

Wander to the Wayside said...

Just happened to think of you today and wondered how you're doing. I want to say 'hope all is well', but I'm sure right now that is totally inappropriate! Maybe 'hope all is going as well as can be expected under the circumstances' would be a little better...

Jilda said...

Thoughts of you today, I hope that you are feeling stronger and not so sick. Appreciate the good days, and keep good thoughts on the bad ones.
You are loved.

Wanda..... said...

I was thinking of you today, Donna and just discovered I missed your latest post. Hoping the treatments aren't making you feel as bad this time around. Little Bryden would brighten anyone's day...so cute!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

He is just so adorable. I love that I came by today to check on you and found a post.
What a great surprise for you that your sister came by to see you.
I know how that lifted your spirits.
Ya Ya had mentioned you were going to work some and I know that helps.You just take care honey and know I am thinking of you and praying.
Love ya
Maggie

Karen Whittal said...

I have missed so much over the past weeks, I cried when I read your post today know that you are in my prayers we serve an awesome God.

Darlene said...

Hope you will be able to blog soon. I need an update. I also hope you are doing better. I don't suppose you ever get used to those chemo treatments..........we'll all be so glad when they are behind you. Love you

Cro Magnon said...

Hello Donna. It's almost July (tomorrow) and we haven't heard from you for a while. I do hope everything is going as you hoped, and that you'll soon be back with good news. In the meantime, I send my very best wishes and some healing vibes! Cro x