Archive for August, 2010

A few years back, I added myself to the bone marrow donor registry.  After a small donation fee and a simple swab of the inside of my cheek, they had everything they needed. 

I’m not sure what made me think of it, but I wondered if I was now no longer able to help someone in need.  And my hunch was indeed true, they did have to remove me from the database due to my medical history.  This saddened me a bit, but I know I  would feel worse if I ended up being a match to someone, and then for me to realize I could not help.

So, if you have ever considered becoming a donor, perhaps you can fill in my spot.  All the information is at the National Marrow Donor Program website.

I’ve never been much of a reader as my attention span and my amount of downtime doesn’t really lend itself to me really getting into a story.  But lately, I’ve been picking up a few things to read and get a few messages from various things.   This one I want to share comes from a book I just received as a gift all the way from someone we care about in France.  The Book is “The Anti Cancer Diet: A New Way of Life”.  It’s a very interesting read and outlines an approach to live with cancer and adapt life to combat it’s effects.

One page I really clung to in this book was when it pointed out to simplify –and remove “crisis”.. It offered up the Chinese two symbols used to define the word crisis….”opportunity” and “danger”. That made me think.  The thrill and exhilaration that comes from intense situations, can also be viewed as the crisis stages to learn to eliminate.  Still striving at that thing called balance, so thought I’d share my new “ah-ha’s” along the way!

I went in for some blood work this morning in preparation for next week’s surgery.  This was the first blog draw in months, which was strange.  I quickly realized that life lately has been less of being a “patient”, which is good.  So, as I waited for my name to be called, I so hoped that my veins would cooperate.  So many times through all  my screenings of the past, they did not.  Totally frustrating and anxiety creating.  And now, there’s only one arm to pull from.  With the section of lymph nodes removed on my left side, that arm is off limits for good to help minimize circulatory problems.

So, I was called, walked in and sat there as he looked at my paperwork and pulled out 13 different test tubes for collections. Yikes!  Then I was pleasantly blessed with one prick and a steady flow to fill all the vials in one go…thank heaven and I had to think there was still the remnants of all the prayers I asked for with cooperating veins for the surgery day…so thank you to everyone that bonded together for me then…I belive and know it’s still helping me now!

So many vials in this morning’s blood draw covers both my General Practioner needs for annual physical and my plastic surgeon’s pre-op requirements…if only I had thought to have my oncologist add his list to the bunch!  Guess I’ll be back in a few weeks for him.  There, I go…back to the world of being a patient for a bit.

In an effort to simply life, I’ve been keeping an eye on the simple changes and little things that have a big impact over the years.  I can’t help but say that many of the lists of tips ring true to my childhood.  Generations past kept things simple and clean.  For example, Mom always opened the windows every chance she got…summer or winter.  Shoes were always taken off in her first room upon entry, graciously call the “mud room”, dust always kept to a minimum, shower walls were dried out to prevent mold and mildew growth, meals made of simple, fresh ingredients and chemicals in general always frowned upon….whether in food or cleaners. 

Here’s a list just published with 20 great tips to “Detox Your Home”…. It all starts at home and that’s where the heart is, where the soul rejuvenates and your head clears.  Here’s to a healthy home!

Over the weekend, we did some tidy up and continue to purge  various bed rest and recovery items that have just sat in place unused in the last couple months.  It was also the time to box up all the cards, hospital messages and notes.  It felt strange to put them away, strange to have such wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement from so many of you, no longer right in front of me at a glance. 

As I read through all the various messages now, both tears and smiles came again.   I could remember seeing some cards before, and others, it was as if it was the first time I had read them.  I guess depending on where I was on what day, it all makes sense that there would be gaps in memories.  Truly a wonderful and touching sessions of reading over the weekend.  We cannot put into words how wonderful it’s been surrounded by so many supportive and cherished individuals!