March 21, 2014

 Friday, March 21, 2014

50 Years 

  I didn't expect that my 50th birthday would find me a cancer survivor, but I'm glad it did.  I want to do a post sometime with what I have now that I didn't have then, but it will be a hard one.  In the meantime, I will enjoy what I have, and here's a glimpse of what the last couple years have  given me. 

  

This is going to be my last monthly hair post.  There won't be much change month by month.
 
It is also another yearly milestone. Last year at this time I was just learning to eat again.  My feeding tube and port were removed early in March, and my options for food were really limited.  My mouth had brand new skin and it was tender so I had to be careful what I ate. My swallowing had improved but had a long way to go. With no saliva to help in the breakdown I had to eat wet things. Many foods would hurt or scratch, so I ate soup.  Lots of soup.  I learned to enjoy it.  It was warm, comforting and easy.   I boiled pounds and pounds of vegetables flavored with chicken broth and ate gallons of it. For a long time I wouldn't try anything else.  As the months went on nothing seemed to change.  I was beginning to get bored with the same old soup all the time.  I was wondering if this would be the way it would be forever.
Then, I turned a corner.  It was another jump forward in recovery.  All of a sudden I could eat just about anything I wanted. I could eat normal supper rather than soup all the time.  I still don't do ketchup, pepper, spicy food, vinegar, breads or dry food very well, but that leaves a lot of other choices.  

I started trying different things. I noticed I was eating more real food and less soup.  If I hadn't tried it post-cancer, I took a bite, some things worked some didn't. I was eating what everyone else was eating for supper, 

and I was enjoying it. 

I also got some sweet taste back and began to enjoy cookies dunked in cocoa.

Eating for me is so much more about perception than taste.  If I liked it before and it's wet or can be eaten wet, most likely I will like it now.
I also like things that I wouldn't have eaten before like puddingy things and soaked bread.  

If I do pay attention to the way things taste, I look for different sensations that I used to.  Things just don't taste the same.  I try to just eat and not worry about it.   

This feels like a major milestone for me.  I feel like I'm a lot farther along the road to feeling normal again.

The recovery epiphany of today is:

Things change, maybe slower than you think, but they will change.

February Hair

 

Monday, February 24, 2014

February Hair...

And a Whole Lot of Other Things

I haven't blogged very much this month.  I wonder if anyone noticed?  

I've been doing other things.  My project list for the new year included getting all of Lynette's pictures in scrapbooks.  So, I have been putting all my time and energy into getting that done.  When I got current on her books, I finished Nathan's.  Now I am working on getting my book current.  I am on a roll, and can't think of anything else.  

I am posting a few photos so you know what I've been doing.  

But, first, February hair!!

It is finally long enough to put up in this half-braid thingy, thanks to my daughter.

This is a quick job, and I have since learned to do it myself.  

I love to have her do it, though.

Side View 

And now, the length. 

Projects, all involving photos. 

Other Projects

Another Afghan 

and Barry.

Actually, it is Jim's project he is playing with, that is conduit for the garage.

January Hair

 Friday, January 31, 2014

This is a hair post and some other things post. 

Here I am in my bed, where I spent so much of my time after surgery and treatment. The other part of my time was spent on our couch, and that was it.

Lynette took this photo. I was trying to get my new camera to flash, but that is another story for another day, and she managed it. She has the same camera. I was going to zoom in and use it for my January hair, but I was pleased with the way my corner looked. It's where I am every night, wrapped in my shawl on cold ones with my lamp going to aid my aging eyes and the book I relax with. I was in bed early. Jim had been called out and I  had a big day. My bed is where I go when I'm not going to do anything more that day except decompress.

Here's my better hair photo. I couldn't resist the matching colors.

And the back, and a glimpse of my china cupboard and the glassware I like. 

This is a pretty late January hair post. The photo was taken earlier, but I had an accident with my laptop that involved water. It is still in the shop. The hard drive seems to still be in order so all is not lost and I am hopeful that it can be repaired.

I do have another computer, but I don't like it as well for ease of use. 

2 comments:

Anita said...

Ooooo-laptops and water! Those things really should be waterproofed.....

I love the cupboard and glassware! And the hair! It's cute. :0-)

February 3, 2014 at 1:20 AM

Darcie said...

Your little spot looks comfy cozy! I am lovin' my flannel sheets, and when bedtime comes calling this winter.

February 3, 2014 at 5:20 PM

December Hair

Thursday, January 9, 2014

As would be fairly obvious to those who know me, I am not at home. We took a visit to see Jim's sister in Wisconsin, and I would like to put those photos on the blog, but not in a hair post. So, you will just have to wait. I chose a back photo this time, so you can see how long my hair is getting. You can also see on the problems I have with doing anything with it. My hair has always been thinner and shorter on one side than the other and I am not sure if this is normal to what my hair used to be, or if it is radiation damage on that side. Radiation is hard on hair follicles and I was warned that permanent hair loss was a very real possibility. This disparity in length won't be a problem later, after while, SOMETIME.

So, most of the time I just let it go and ignore the way it looks. You know what somebody said, "I just lost my hair and can't do a thing with it."

It looks pretty good here. It's all in the way you point the camera.

4 comments:

The Chairman's Wife said...

Progress! And pretty!

January 9, 2014 at 7:11 PM

Darcie said...

You can for sure see the growth month by month! Very nice.n

I too appreciated your comment on my blog. I think that is one of the things sometimes that hinders people from telling. Who to start with and how far you want news to go, and at what speed. I just feel it's always safe to tell children, especially adult children. I know for myself I want so desperately to be there for my parents, and I can only do that if I now. You for sure would have some advice on that issue. ((hugs))

January 9, 2014 at 8:26 PM

Anita said...

Hair and a piano!

January 13, 2014 at 2:04 PM

Renee said...

It was just so fun to randomly run into you the other day, so I got to see your hair in person. Lucky me!

January 13, 2014 at 9:55 PM

Looking Back to November Hair

 Thursday, January 2, 2014

Parts of me feel like I should be blogging oftener, but as I made this blog primarily for me, I just haven't felt like it, so I didn't the end of the year is a bus time with holidays, finishing up yearly office work, the end of school, and special visits with special people. I just didn't feel up to it. I have most of my photos on my old computer where I'm going through and sorting and printing them for a book for Lynette, but I spend most of my time on the laptop.

When I am busy I get too tired and I don't get a lot of things done except sit on the couch and knit. Blogging takes mind energy to sort and upload photos, and it just didn't get done.

ANYWHO!!

Here's a bit from November. I hope to get caught up, but January is a busy month, too. 

November Hair

I was surprised with a limited edition print by Paul Sloan searched for by Lynette and paid for by Jim because I loved it on our Oregon trip. 

Here is a photograph of the print itself...it is a lovely thing, hanging now in my living room over a choice display of books. 

Which I am not thinking it would be a lovely photo to post, but it would mean getting up, finding the camera, taking the photo, downloading it to the computer, uploading it to blogger, so I'm not going to do it. I'm tired. This week I have been to Wisconsin, attended Zane's birthday party, had company, and the boys were here today. 

 

5 comments:

MEJ said...

Thanks for sharing the photos--and I do just really, really love that picture. I'm looking forward to seeing it hang in your house...one of these days!

January 2, 2014 at 5:13 PM

Renee said...

That is a superly duper special picture. You will treasure it always! Love that picture of you! It was a just a special treat to happen to see you the other day at Sapp Brothers!!!!

January 2, 20114 at 10:48 PM

Sharon said...

So enjoyed your post and the picture. A treat for a bookworm like myself!

January 3, 2014 at 9:19 AM

Anita said...

Your sentiments on blogging are my own -  no obligations. 

Hair's looking good!

That is indeed a lovely picture!

You were in WI!!! Now I'm jealous! ;-)

January 4, 2014 at 11:18 AM

Darcie said...

What a precious picture! I can see why you love it!! Blogging does take effort sometimes, huh? I feel that way now and again, and then other times I  feel like it helps me unload all the words in my head. :-) Happy 2014!

January 4, 2014 at 5:19 PM

October Hair

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Here is is again, time for the hair of the month. I decided to comb my bangs down over my forehead so I could see how long they were getting. It really makes my little old lady hair, don't you think?

Too bad I didn't think about wearing something classier than my jammies and robe.

You know, if you remember to keep your chin up when someone takes your picture, the wrinkles on you neck don't look so bad.

3 comments:

Brenda said...

It's getting longer!!! I will have to remember than tip about keeping you head up! A few pounds seem to fill out the liens but my pounds always head south!

October 30, 2013 at 11:30 AM

Darcie said...

Looking good! Smiling at your tip...I will have to remember than one!

October 30, 2013 at 2:50 PM

Anita said...

Hair of the Month is big stuff! My friend is a few months behind you so still has shorter hair - but it's Oh So Exciting to see it growing!!!

(And how's this for a late comment?!) :)

December 16, 2013 at 12:11 PM

September Hair

 Wednesday, September 25, 2013

This is what I look like when I'm not ready for a picture. 

It is also what I look like when I haven't combed my hair. 

It is also what I look like when I go visit a person in a burn center. That was a new experience for me. A new friend of ours was badly burned with hot water when he was working and it now recovering in the hospital. 

I feel the urge to write again. I am enjoying these lovely blue and gold days of fall.

I made a pumpkin pie yesterday. I put yogurt in instead of the milk. Not an acceptable substitute if you like Libby's recipe. I remember now I had other plans for the yogurt. 

Now I need more yogurt. 

Sometimes less is more...

have a good day.