Not sure where the time goes.

What's been happening:  Before Scott came we finished decorating the tree--it looks good this year.  We had to clear out the ice and leaves from on top of the gutter guards, ice was dripping down on to the driveway. We walked at the mall over the weekend, not Black Friday as Sue inadvertently suggested at one point, and Nancy found her peeps there, posing with a few at Nordstrom's.  Mostly a quiet weekend resting up after Thanksgiving and enjoying leftovers.

Scott, my brother, was here Monday to Friday.  Of course the snowblower did not start on Monday when we needed it, but the driveway plowers arrived in time.  Scott and I went to the genetics counselor together to get the results of possible hereditary causes for my cancer.  Turns out my sister and I have familial pancreatic cancer but I do not have any known genes which would have put me at risk.  Good news for my brother and my nieces and nephews--they do not have to follow the genetics path and increased risk that can come with that.

After a walk outside we sent to see Creed to celebrate and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Good like the first Rocky movie and invoked that memory at all the right times.  Wednesday was the doc and chemo.  I laid out my two weeks of nausea and vomiting and asked for help.   Left with more pills to add to the ones I had gained during the two weeks.  It is Sunday, no nausea since Tuesday.....Keep your fingers crossed.  Not sure how I will figure out which arm of the assault did the trick, but will just keep riding the wave for now.  Lay low night after an outside walk and Scott and I started a jigsaw puzzle.  Thursday we went to the mall to walk and shop.

Sue and I go to Loaves and Fishes with Mary and Colleen's Rotary club so Scott joined us for that.  We help prepare dinner, serve up meals, deliver the meals to our guests, do dishes, clean up and scrub up. Had only a little over 100 folks this time which is low. Food was not our favorite but guests were ok with it. Flour soft shells with turkey or beef, peppers and onions, salad, fruit, and black bean soup. Had a good crew so it went smoothly and was a fun night.  It is a good group of people, clients and helpers included.

Watched the Green Bay game but all of us went to bed before the final game winning play. Yea Pack!  Never give up....is the lesson learned.

Scott left Friday, Sue and I went to an art show downtown St Paul and then I had a massage--followed by a two hour nap.  This seems to be about the time that the up from chemo steroids wears off and sleep feels good.  Saturday we went to two art shows (found a few gifts) and a men's basketball game, with a new hat, and a women's basketball game tonight.  David came over this morning and we worked on Patty's estate. Almost done. Yea. So I can't figure out why I (we) am (are) tired and my(our) to do list is growing.

What I really wonder is whether to set aside time each day to meditate/do guided imagery to keep stoking the positive attitude I need to keep going, write, read and exercise or....just go do all the other stuff and let that be the manifestation of a positive attitude.  I think there is an answer that has some balance of both of these, not to mention my naps.  I just have to work harder to schedule the mental health time and be sure to keep doing all that I can as an important forward momentum.  To that end, it is nap time, Sue will read this and add what I have forgotten, then we will add pictures.

Chemo and shots are both going well, chemo dose was lowered due to last month's platelet tank--they were up to 357 this week.  My hair continues to thin--I call it that awkward in-between stage. It is so hard to keep it controlled....my hats are fun. It is confusing that chemo and my shots are the reminders that I have cancer, oh and the hair, but other then the 2 weeks of nausea I have no symptoms.  I still know that chemo can build up and symptoms can change as we go forward, for now I am grateful that everything can be handled and allows room for doing things that let the time fly.

Post Script from Sue:  I have to stop watching Nancy exercise and really do it with her!!!!!!
I seemed to have just stopped. And to deal with all this I have to not eat more. My stomach which has always been an issue and  is now really going nuts. So eating more or junk just makes it worse. (Nancy here--that popcorn at the game yesterday just tasted so good) We have maintained our sense of humor and fun but I must admit that I am prone to tears and sadness much more than I ever have been. Keeping the great attitude and outlook is important to us but boy it is hard work. I am grateful for each good day and all the support of family and friends for Nancy. And for all the reminders from all of you that I need to take care of me, too.  I am trying.

Tackle it one day at a time!

Thanks Edie.