Better days are coming . . .

It's a beautiful spring day . . . finally. Unfortunately, I'm not able to take full advantage of it. The new course of chemo and I do NOT seem to agree with each other. My blood counts are ALL low, leaving me feeling very weak and tired. It's an effort to walk across the room so going for a nature walk is out of the question right now. Darn! That's why I haven't been posting.

However, "this too shall pass". I saw my oncologist on Wednesday and we decided to forget about these drugs for now. Since I did so well on the first protocol, we're going back to that. I would rather have bone pain for a few days than be so debilitated. So, after a rest from all chemo ~ about another two weeks ~ it will be back to Carboplatin and Taxol.

I don't like what these new drugs have done to me at all. I get short of breath when I do anything and that's a very scary feeling. I was afraid it was due to the tumors but Dr. Mehrotra says it's because of my blood counts being so low. No matter the cause, I don't like feeling this way and having to live like an invalid.

My hair is continuing to come in and my granddaughter, Steph, says I look like a "fuzzy bear". LOL I guess that's better than resembling an alien! The chemo may very well cause it to fall out again but that's still better than being so weak you can hardly breathe if you walk 10 feet.

All of this has caused me to realize how much we take for granted when we're well. I never thought to thank God for being able to walk from one part of house to the other without becoming winded or for getting up from a chair without getting lightheaded.

Ann Stewart sent me this quote in an email today:

"If you don't feel grateful for what you have, what makes you think you'll be happy with more?"
- Unknown Source

It came at the perfect time for me. I've always tried to be grateful for what I have but sometimes we just don't realize ALL that we have until we have to do without it for awhile. This past week has certainly served as a wake-up call for me. If you think about your life, I think you'll find a whole lot you take for granted every day. Don't!

For most of this week, I've done nothing but vegetate so you can imagine how many times Jenn has called me an RPIA!! LOL I'm just grateful that she and Dave have so much patience and don't resent waiting on me. I don't know what I would've done without their help. It just goes to show that no matter how independent we think we are, there are times when we all need other people to help us get through a particular situation. I am so thankful for my people.

So . . .

Even though I can't go out and take a walk, I can sit on the deck and delight in the warm breezes. I can rejoice in the fact that the sky is a clear blue without any sign of snow! LOL I can enjoy having windows open and airing winter from the house. I can listen to the birds singing and watch the deer drinking from our pond (and occasionally taking a nip from our shrubs). I can watch Casey jump into the pond for a quick swim and then feel the water spray all over me as he shakes himself dry.

Yup, there are lots of things to be grateful for . . .

Including all of you who read this blog, send me cards and emails, call me, and make me feel so special. Thanks for caring.

That's about it for today . . . I need to rest now.

Until next time . . . Look for your blessings.