Leigh Day 34

My movie quest continues. Yesterday I went to see The Imitation Game with my friend Emilio. It is a good film and educational if you know nothing about Emigma. Benedict Cumberbatch did a good job but I don't think he'll win best actor.

Today mom and I went to the matinee

of Selma, also a true story. Again I knew little of the true story, enjoyed learning more even though there is some Hollywood added for drama. It was a well put together film, but again not Best Picture. I only have one left to see, Whiplash. 

It started to snow while we were in the theater today. On the way home mom casually mentions her oil light was blinking and that's new. A few more miles down the road we stop at a light on a busy road and the car stops. Yes stops, nothing happens when she turns the key over. Mom quickly organizes a tow with AAA but we still wait thirty minutes with cars flying up behind us not noticing the flashers. Then honking at us. I was waiving my hand out the window to get cars to pass. The whole thing was very stressful. Thank you Richard for coming and bringing us home.

Leigh Day 32

Today was clean up the snow day, we got more than 12 inches. I am very lucky to have my friend and neighbor Stuart right next door. He cleared my walkways and my car. Thank you Stuart 🌞

Leigh Day 31

It's been all about snow, all day here in Toledo, Ohio. Looks like there is a good six inches on the trash cans already and it is going to snow all night. 

Leigh Day 29

My friend Lynn has spent a good part of the last two days helping me apply on line for more financial aid. She is such a sweetie, a good person and a great friend. Thank you Lynn.

Day 456

Mom and I went to Franklin Park Vision to get our glasses adjusted and I spotted these fun frames on the shelf. A selfie was definitely in order, I love this picture of us. 

As we enter into September,  I have started thinking about my life a year ago. I had already not been feeling well for a while, but I just thought I had overdone with all the work I had done in my house to get it ready for me to move in. I didn't actually go to the hospital till September 25th when I couldn't take it anymore.

This past year has been very difficult for me, of course, but also very hard on my mom. And the thing is I never could have made it though without my mom. She was there everyday in the hospital, keeping busy by writing updates on my condition to our family and friends. She was there the day I found out I had a tumor and it was cancer.  Several family and friends were in the waiting room with mom during my 12 hour surgery on October 23rd. When I came home from the hospital I stayed at her house where she and Richard waited on me for 4 weeks. Then came Christmas in the hospital and the infection and IV antibiotics every eight hours. Which prepared me for three months of Chemo, once a week, and 28 radiation treatments paired with 28 days of Zeloda (pill form of chemo). All of which made me very sick.  Mom hauled me to and from most of my appointments with some family and friends giving her as many breaks as she'd accept. 

I know having a daughter with cancer has been very difficult for her, but I can't imagine this last year without her by my side. I know I am very lucky just to still have my mom and even more lucky that she is strong and healthy enough to be able to do all that she does for me. I want to dedicate this post to my mom. 

Thank you so much for always being there for me this past year.

Thank you for being my mom and my friend.

Day 454

Here's my kids hanging out on the front porch. I couldn't believe it when I happened upon this scene.  The photo  had to be taken through the closed glass door, or they would have moved.  Which is exactly what they did when I went out to coo over them, because I love them all so much.

That's Julius on the left, AKA J-Man or Mr Pushy Pants.  In the middle is my  Clara Belle AKA Clara Bells, little Kittens or Precious.  She is snuggled up to my Casey AKA Casey Case, Sweet Pea or My Little Black Girl, and she always comes when Nelson is called.

I was glad to post my good news on Friday. That day went on to be a good one,   I had lots of energy and was able to get stuff done during the day and even went to the Hens' game in the evening.

Well that didn't last. Saturday I got a fever that spiked to 101.8 in the evening, was nauseous and vomiting, and it started with bad chills. Sunday was a bit better but I was so tired and sore and still got a fever. Monday I went out to get hydrated at Hickman Cancer Center and they also did bloodwork (my white blood cells are low) and took a CT scan. A long day at the hospital. 

As Tuesday begins I can't sleep, so I finished this blog post, and am trying to focus on healthier days ahead.

Day 450

I have now had 6 of my 28 radiation treatments and this is what I have to say about radiation

       ....... I don't care for it!

The worst part has been the vomiting which I have been doing almost every day for two weeks. But I am glad to say, not today, so far! 

I did have a good weekend, in that I had the energy to get some yard work done.

Day 449

This beautiful Peacock belongs to my friends Joe and Marisha. They had us over last weekend for a fine Mexican feast and nature walk. 

My Memorial Weekend was not fabulous because I did not feel well, but I did get out a bit. On Saturday Kellie and I went to the Museum to hear a terrific lecture and discussion with Varujan Bogosian. We saw his show in February and thought this might be interesting. It was way better than we both thought it might be which was a great surprise. He is 88 years old and has a terrific sense of humor and wit about himself. He lives in New Hampshire and when he was here in January the museum folks took him to our Maumee Antique Mall and put together this gem of a video.

I made another assemblage before the lecture.  They moved the tables of stuff from Varujan's studio from it's original venue down to outside the Little Theater. It is so fun to set these items in the shadow boxes and giggle about how the treasures are placed.  The Museum has not set an end date for this exhibit because people are loving it so much. I love an afternoon at the Museum with my friend Kellie, thanks for inviting me!

Day 448

My first day of radiation finally happened, and without incident. I do not like taking 7 chemo pills a day, but at least they go down pretty easily. My body still really aches from the fevers, and I'm shuffling about like an old lady, so I did not set up for Art Walk.  It would have been way too hard. So that sucked. I need to listen to my body, especially now. 

All day I could reflect on Maddie, singing her solo in the fabulous 6th grade  production of Fame Jr. She was so wonderful, and I'm so proud of her. What a sweet voice our Madison Grace has! I hope she does more singing. 

Day 447

My brother Michael and his girlfriend Cindy found this for me at an estate sale. Isn't it wonderful?

So what's been up with me, many readers of this blog are asking. My few days of feeling good didn't last too long. I struggled with body aches and fevers all weekend, but I rallied to go to Riley's graduation on Sunday, a very important event. Here's our graduate with her proud parents.

And here she is ready for her next photo shoot with her siblings, Danny and Madison.

Yesterday, Monday the 19th, was to be the start of my radiation, but I still had a fever of 101, and I hadn't started on the chemo pill I'm taking 7 of each day of radiation, eek!  The insurance denied me twice till my oncologist himself called and got it approved. I received the pills Fed Ex this morning, but am not going to start till Thursday, now. I asked if I could wait till then, because I have a very important event Wednesday night. Madison is starring in her school's 6th grade version of Fame. She is very excited, and I need to be there with video camera.

How do I feel today? I am on another round of antibiotics, so a little better. The body aches are the worst but are also less painful today. 

I know this is an every day blog about art, but it has certainly changed into something else. I'm a little tired of making suns, so I am thinking up a new challenge to help me through these difficult times. I will try to do better about posting each day. It's good for me too.

Many, many thanks to all who have been so supportive to me while I go through this cancer crapola. Keep up the prayers and positive thoughts. I have a long journey ahead.

I plan to be part of the Fourth Thursday Art Walk this summer. The first is in two days and Ahava has invited me to set up in front of their shop on St Clair. I will try to post if I am not going to be strong enough to be there. Hopefully I will be and, if you're local,  come out to say hi. It's from 6-9, May 19th, in downtown Toledo.

Day 446

I took this Monday at the zoo then played with it in my new photo app Be Funky.  Mostly I shot video and just took a few photos. I definitely need to go back and take advantage of Toledo's wonderful zoo only a few miles away. 

Day 445

A kaleidoscope of this beautiful tulip in my yard.

I did quite a bit of work in the yard today. It was great to get stuff done but I might have over done just a bit. I am very sore.