Hospice and Spring Break

WOW! It has been a month since the last blog. Overall, I would have to say things are going very well - thanks to God. I have been feeling much better in general since I quit going down to MD Anderson. I get dizziness on and off for several days at a time, but when I am not feeling dizzy, I am feeling GREAT!

I am impressed with my hospice team - everyone is so compassionate and they keep reminding me that they are here for me and whatever I might need. My nurse, KB, stops by once a week to see how I am doing. She checks my vitals and asks me a million questions about how my week has gone. I now keep a chart on my refrigerator where I record how much I slept, ate, and pooped every day, as well as all medications taken.

My chaplain, J, is just lit up with the Spirit. He stops by every other week and we have great conversations. I feel as if God Himself touched me after he leaves.

My social worker, K, takes care of everything else. She got the paperwork filled out for me to get a handicap placard - SWEET! Of course, all the handicap spots are always full at Wal-Mart and Academy...

Last week K came by late in the afternoon to specifically meet Connor. She wants to develop a relationship with him so he will feel comfortable asking questions should he have any. He was not happy about the whole thing, but he played along and it was a good opportunity for him to ask her what she did (what her job was) and why she was there. At one point, when she asked how he felt about our situation, he told her "since I can't do anything about it, I try not to think about it." Good job!

We obviously live with cancer daily. I seriously look like a (drunken) pirate when I tape down my left eye (doesn't close all the way), smile my crooked popeye smile, and totter around off balance. Almost all our prayers include my health. Other than that - we ignore it. We laugh and joke and hug. We enjoy each other. I thank the good Lord daily that we all have faith in Him - that He loves us and only does what is BEST. Our trust in is the Lord.

Connor and I went to Lake Tahoe last week for spring break. My (step) brother and sister-in-law bought a house in the Northstar (???) area and we all met there. I just rested - I mostly sat in front of the fire, read, watched it snow, and played with my niece and nephew while Connor skied. The second day we were there was beautiful and we all had a picnic lunch on the mountain (I had special help getting there!). The other days were snowy with the wind blowing, but Connor and Nate were diehards and skied every day until the lifts shut down. Each night Casie and/or Papa made us gourmet meals. Good food, good company, and good rest. I would hang out there all the time if it weren't for the plane flight! Just being in that seat for such a long time about did me in!

Now we are back and settling back into our routine. It's been kind of a rough week for me. I fell and bonked my head on the headboard the last night we were in Tahoe, then I hurt my upper shoulder area trying to wheel myself through the airport on our way back, so I have the miseries. Maybe that's why I have been feeling so melancholy all week.

Or maybe it is because it is spring - normally my favorite time of year - and I am not able to enjoy it as usual. Faron brought home a plethora of little plants to go in the garden, but I was not able to plant them (special thanks to my mother-in-law for taking over for me!!). I have been so dizzy I haven't been able to water them all week, either. I bought a (jogging) stroller with big tires to use in the yard, but it's unstable without a baby in it. I hesitate to borrow someone's kid....I think I have some bricks we can put in it and maybe that will work better. I just love watching my garden grow: the tomatoes are taking off, there are blooms on the zucchini and strawberries, the lettuce hasn't bolted yet. But I miss my favorite - watering of the plants and talking to them as they grow. As if God gives you little surprises every day.

I guess I am going to stop this blog right now before I end up with a full blown pity-party!! Goodness!

Blessings to you all! Much love! Kelli