Perky-Quirky!

Today was Mom's last chemo! She is so relieved that it is over and when I called she sounded pretty perky. In fact she said she was "perky-quirky"! I think that means she is feeling pretty good, which usually is the case right after a chemo treatment.

You may wonder what is next. Now that treatment is over mom will meet with the doctor next week. She probably will be scheduled for a cat scan and that will be able to show if the chemo was successful.

As mom says.."no need to worry," so I will follow her advice.

Sad Days

This morning I gave mom a call before her chemo. Today was her second to the last chemo. Pat is down helping her out and took her to chemo. Mom answered the phone and I could sense her sadness. In fact, she told me that today was a day of sadness for our family.

Adia, Jennifer and Bart's daughter was diagnosed yesterday with Type 1 Diabetes. (Pat's granddaughter, mom's great-granddaughter) She is in the hospital in Ketchum, Idaho. They are still trying to stabilize her blood sugar. Adia is learning to deal with this disease, but it is a challenge. She is one brave ten year old!

Today she is learning to moniter her blood sugar level by sticking her finger. So, everyone who walked in the door got stuck by Adia! Jen and Bart are by her side day and night and are trying to get a doctor lined up in the Los Angeles area.

I am always looking for strength and answers in books. Today I found this poem in a favorite book of mine, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield. The poem is by Rumi, an ancient Persian poet.

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all.

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture

Still treat each guest honorably,

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

As the author of this book so wisely says: "To bow to the fact of our life's sorrows and betrayals is to accept them: and from this deep gesture we discover that all life is workable. As we learn to bow, we discover that the heart holds more freedom and compassion than we could imagine. "

I see my family doing this...bowing to our sorrows. As we meet them head on, we laugh and love and care for each other. Adia, (bless her, bless her) has her testing kit by her bed...she is learning to use a hand held computer and will be able to calculate carbs in her meals whereever she is! She admitted after receiving stuffed animals and flowers..."maybe this isn't all bad" What a soul she has.

Pat has been with mom for the past week and will be there until next week. She has cooked, cleaned and cared for mother. Penny is getting some well-deserved rest. Mom's chemo went well this morning and she didn't have to get the million dollar shot which is wonderful news. (the shot made her hurt all over) So..five treatments down..one to go.

A Thanksgiving Toast

My cousin Bill, suggested that I read the New York Times editorial on Thanksgiving day. I am glad that I did. It held a lot of meaning for me and was read to our guests before we dug into our turkey dinner. You can read the entire essay online, but I especially liked the last few sentences:

" Most of what life contains comes to us unexpectedly after all. It is our job to welcome it and give it meaning. So let us toast what we cannot know and could not have guessed, and to the unexpected ways our lives will merge in Thanksgivings to come. "

Yes, we faced the unexpected this Thanksgiving, and by being together somehow it all had meaning. Our family was together at Penny's house, Pam had a gathering of family and friends, and Pat was in Chicago with her husband's family. We were spread out, but definitely bound in spirit.

Next week we face the cancer again. Monday brings more blood tests for Mom, and then another round of chemo on Tuesday. I know she dreads it all, but is facing it with spunk and

wit. This treatment is number 4..which means that she has 2 to go after this. That is good and offers some hope on this long journey.

Whatever you do to reach your higher power, be it praying, chanting, dancing, meditating, or a quiet walk in nature, send love and power moms way next week. It matters.

Link to NY times editorial is on this blog under "Helpful Links"

Who Needs Hair!

Half way done! Last week Betty finished her third chemotherapy treatment. She has done much better this

time and had a lot less discomfort and nausea.

Her spirits are great thanks to her wonderful support network, which by the way has been found to be one of

the most important aids in healing.

Yes, her hair is now gone..but not to worry. She has been supplied with many groovy hats. This one even matches her carpet! It is soft and fuzzy and is up there as a favorite hat. She also has a bamboo hat she loves. Who has heard of bamboo yarn?

Pat is visiting mom this weekend. She got to watch grandson Justin quarterback his high school team to a victory. Mom was there in spirit.

Pat knows all about losing hair to chemotherapy as you can tell from this picture.

Tom..his hair loss is just..hmmm...well life. But I still think he is cute.

Still..we smile and we laugh and enjoy each moment we have together. And as we approach the season of Thanksgiving we have a lot to be grateful for.

Flying by with news...

Just flying by to let you know what has been happening with Mom.

• She now has two chemo treatments under her belt


• Once again..she felt crummmmmmmmmy after the treatment.


• She has felt really good the past four days..so we hope she keeps on feeling spunky. (at least until her next chemo in a few weeks)


• Her hair all fell out..but she is keeping warm with some nice warm hats.


• Penny is keeping her stocked with meals.


• Annie is visiting daily and brings sweets.


• Vito still bringing her the newspaper daily and her mail.


• She appreciates all of your calls, cards and visits.

Go Broncos!!

I admit that we are all a little crazy about the Boise State Broncos here in Boise. Mom, being the sports fan she is has become a bronco fan too. Whenever they play mom loves to watch and we make phone calls back and forth whenever something exciting happens. It is always a good game..truly the Broncos are never boring. Last week I called to remind mom that the game would be on in a few minutes. She wasn't happy..

"Well," she said, "They had better win, I am in no mood for them to lose!"

Thank goodness the Broncos pulled it off and won..because her beloved Angels and Dodgers have totally let her down and Chemo hasn't helped either..The side effects of chemo are surfacing daily and mom is facing them with humor and frustration. Who wouldn't be frustrated.

Just as predicted her hair began falling out about day 14 and continues to fall out daily. One of Luke's friends knit her a hat out of bamboo (who knew) yarn and it is her current favorite hat. She said she doesn't even look in the mirror..and just puts it on.

She figures she can save all of her grey hair and use it to make Christmas cards..ya know Santa's beard!

Tomorrow is another chemo treatment. Chemo treatment #2. Keep her in you heart tomorrow morning and especially the days following. It can be a bit bumpy for her the days following chemo.

I can't help but think of all the other people I love who have gone through this. It was hard, but they all pulled through. In fact this week Sally (my pal who had breast cancer) and Pat (my sister in photo who had breast cancer) have been helping me get through the dreaded swine flu.

Remember..bald is beautiful. Hair is highly overrated..right..right? Bald is the new black,

Bald rocks and rolls, bald is awesome..

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends!"

On your left you can glimpse at Betty's wall 'o cards. Yes, those are all cards which had been sent to her as of last Thursday. I think I counted over 50! On the left is one of the many flower bouquets she received.

All of the calls, cards, flowers and food from friends has been such an incredible help. I was there all of last week and daily would bring in the mail with at least two cards daily. Bags of homemade cookies, flowers were at the doorstep daily, and the phone calls! Goodness..they just kept coming.

Penny made this sign to put on the door so mom could get some rest. All of those calls and visitors are great..but too much is tiring.

So, ta da...a "I'm Napping" sign was made.

So, how is Betty doing two weeks into chemo? It isn't fun..the chirpy Betty on the phone line is really feeling pretty tired and has some of the common symptoms of chemo. It is expected that her hair will fall out this week.

With that said..Penny, Pat and I all agree that she is doing amazingly well. She is caring for herself now..made herself a soft boiled egg for breakfast this morning. She is doing her laundry and is basically living on her own. Of course Penny is there a lot of the time and she has a cadre of people checking up on her. But, her desire is to be alone like before. So, we honor that desire for as long as possible.

Here are some picture of mom and a few from her "support team." I need to get a picture of mom with Lucas. He has been wonderful bringing healthy drinks and spending prized baseball TV moments with her. Oh and Pat too..she was there for two weeks.

Vito and mom have a standing root beer float date every Friday night. She even chills the glasses!

Chicken Enchiladas..yum!

What would we do without..Penny!




Princess Betty and Annie..