In like a lion.....

The saying "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" sure is true around here and not just in regard to the weather.

DH and I arrived in NJ on the Sunday the 6th, two days prior to our son having an operation on his back. The operation on the 8th went well, or so it seemed. Obviously, he was in lots of pain but that was to be expected. What wasn't expected was that he would need a second operation.

The following Sunday night found us in the ER with DS having a swollen leg. When it was finally checked by a technician, it was discovered he has a blood clot. After complaining that he had no pain in the leg with the blood clot but did in his other leg, his doctor ordered a ct scan of his back and pelvis. Well, the results were less than favorable. Turned out that the graft that was put in Matthew's back was moving which was causing the pain in his leg. The solution? Another operation to fix it! Not what anyone wanted to hear.

So, now he had to be put on coumadin for the blood clot and decide if he wanted to go through another operation, this time through the abdomen.

The second operation was performed the following Tuesday, same place, same doctor!! Again, everything seemed to be okay. We found out a week later that during the second operation, one of the doctors noticed Matthew's lymph nodes looked enlarged and took a specimen for biopsy. The biopsy showed he has Lymphoma.

Last Friday we met with an oncologist, Dr. Berk, who made us feel hopeful by the time we left his office. He took the time to explain everything to us without making us feel rushed. At this point, he is not 100% convinced Matthew has Lymphoma. We will know more when we go back to see him next Wednesday. In the meantime, they did specialized blood tests, a ct scan is scheduled for later this week, and Dr. Berk wants to see the original specimen himself before he gives his final report.

In conclusion, I'm praying that March goes out like a lamb.

2010 Highlights

I feel bad because I haven't been on here since October and now it's January 1, 2011 which I can't believe! Where has the time gone?


The biggest thing that happened in 2010 was our move to TN in March. That's hard to believe, too - that we've been here almost 10 months already. I would say we are quite adjusted to being retired and living in TN. It's no longer a strange place. It's getting more familiar every day. I love our home and where we live. It's so quiet, peaceful and quite relaxing; that is, until the grandchildren come to visit!!! LOL!!


And, come they do! Just about every weekend. Which is okay because that was the main reason for moving to TN - to be able to see the grans grow up. During the summer our oldest granddaughter stayed with us for a few weeks. She didn't want to go home! Of course, having her BFF living in the neighborhood prompted part of that desire! Living in the country allows the children to have plenty of room to run and play without bothering neighbors or having to watch for traffic around the apartment where they currently live.

During the Summer and Fall we had quite a few friends and family visit which was fun! It started over the July 4th holiday with our son coming from NJ and Gene's brother Stew coming from FL. Private fireworks are permitted in TN so on July 4th we had our own fireworks display as did several of our neighbors. It was really cool! The weather was soooooo hot it was too unbearable to be outside for long so we didn't do any sightseeing but my BIL wanted to see the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, which we did one afternoon. I like country music, but after awhile I was bored but Stew enjoyed it so that's what counts!

Our next visitors were our friends from NJ, Bernie & Ray, who came for a week in September. They had been to Nashville already so didn't care to go there again. One day we went to Chattanooga to Ruby Falls, the State Aquarium and then over to see the Chattanooga Choo Choo. We ate a delicious dinner at the Gardens Restaurant. Another day we went to the Jack Daniels Brewery, which was quite interesting. We learned about some TN Civil War history at the Carnton Plantation and Carter House, both in Franklin. One Sunday afternoon we went to the Little Theater in Murfreesboro to see "The Boys Next Door". We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the show! Bernie & Ray said they had a great time and plan to come again!!We're looking forward to another visit!

In October we had visits from two sets of friends from Jersey. First, Gail & Vince came for four days. We took them to see the Children's Holocaust Museum in Whitwell. All of us had been looking forward to seeing this. It is quite moving. We plan to take our grandchildren to see it, too. Another day we went over to The Stones River Battlefield in Murfreesboro. This was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War and one which most people are not even aware of! Unfortunately, Gail & Vince couldn't stay too long as they were headed to NC to visit other friends as well. It was good seeing them!

The day after they left, Marian and Eddie came. They were doing the opposite of what Gail & Vince did - they visited family in NC and then came to TN. Their visit was quite short...they arrived on Saturday in their camper and had to leave on Monday. They originally had planned to visit for a few days more but had to get back home. Even though they couldn't stay long, it was still good to have them here. As I told Marian, having our friends visit make it seem like NJ isn't so far away.

In early November Gene's brother, Lee, visited from AZ. He arrived on Friday night and had to leave to visit friends in PA the following Wednesday. Lee lived in the Nashville area years ago. We haven't seen him in a couple of years so it was good to have him visit. He really liked the area and enjoyed the peace and quiet, too!

Our favorite Aunt visited from PA for a week at Thanksgiving! Aunt Thelma is my MIL's younger sister. It is always a pleasure to see her! We enjoy just sitting and talking with her. She is one of those people who doesn't care to do sightseeing but we did take her over to the newly reopened Opryland Hotel. She fell in love with it and declared that if she ever got remarried (she's been a widow for a very long time), one of the stipulations for marriage would be to honeymoon at the Opryhand Hotel!!! LOL!!

Our last visitors for 2010 were Matthew and his dog, Titus, who came for Christmas. The weatherman kept predicting icy weather for Christmas Eve and Christmas, so after all of us attending Christmas Eve service at church, Calvary Chapel of Murfreesboro, our daughter and her family spent the weekend at our house as well. Even though it was quite noisy and a little hectic, it was fun to have a houseful of family together! As it turned out we did have about 1" of snow for Christmas!

That about wraps up our 2010! I wish God's blessings on your New Year!!

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is the official month for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Are you aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? If not, check out this website, Breastcancer.org, which is an excellent site for information on anything and everything having to do with breast cancer. If there's something you can't find, all you have to do is ask and someone will be able to help.

I am a four year breast cancer survivor. In May 2006 I found a lump which never showed up on the mammo because it was so far under the breast. It was detectable with ultrasound. I had the biopsy in June, followed by a PET scan. At the beginning of August I started six rounds of chemotherapy. In October I had a mastectomy, followed by four more chemo treatments and the beginning of a year of Herceptin treatments which were administered every three weeks. I also had six weeks of radiation. I have about a year and half left of taking Arimidex, which is a pill that is taken daily to fight off any cancer cells that might pop up.

Some women go through a whole lot more than I have and others less. I know of some women who have had to have double mastectomies while others only had a lump removed with no further treatments. Everyone is different. But, no matter it's still a very scary time. Cancer is cancer whether it's a little spot or a great big spot.

If you have never had a breast exam or a mammo, don't delay any longer. Call your doctor today and make an appointment. It could save your life. If you don't know how to do a self-exam, check this link. In my case, this was the only way my breast cancer was found and its the same for lots of women. Fortunately, not all lumps which are found are cancer. The only way to know for sure is further examination and/or testing by a doctor.

I feel very blessed and fortunate to be able to sit here writing this four years later!

Stars & Stamps Sketch 31

I thought I would do something with a different kind of theme for this week's sketch at Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps. I made a Christmas card. A bit early but I've been making Christmas cards for OWH anyway. It takes me awhile to get enough done to send in so I start in July. Since we have company coming in September and then again in October, I have to get done what I can while I can!


Anyway, here's this week's sketch.....



And, here's my creation.....




Paper from ???? Just some stuff I've had. I cuttlebugged the two strips of green and red with the Snow Dots folder. I forget the name of the company where I got the stamps. The ink is SU, coloring was done with colored pencils.

Thanks for looking!!

Another Anniversary

Four years! It's been four years! Four years ago today I started my chemo treatments for breast cancer. At that moment I couldn't imagine a year from that date but now it's been four.

Even though it's been awhile, I can still feel the feelings I had that day. My DH and my friend, Gail, went with me. I remember vividly and can picture in my mind's eye the treatment room. It had one of those comfortable reclining chairs but I stayed away from it as long as I could. I looked at it and remember thinking "this is real" and started to cry and said I wanted to go home. They hugged me and Gail prayed.

Then the nurse came in, I sat in the chair, and she prepped me for the treatment. At the beginning of the treatments, there was no problem finding veins but as time went on, it sometimes was a little more difficult. I remember one time specifically. Instead of my usual nurse, who had the touch of a butterfly, another nurse came in to start the treatment. It took her three times and she still could not get a vein. Finally, my friend, Lillian, who was with me, asked for my regular nurse, Mara. By then, of course, I was really upset and crying. It took one try for Mara to find a good vein and get the treatment started.

I thank the Lord for giving me such good nurses and doctors, for such wonderful and loving support from my family and friends - and even strangers. For the most part, I had the "peace that passes understanding" throughout my whole ordeal. Peace that could only come from the Lord.

Thank you, Jesus, for four years of survivalship (if that's a word!!). Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!