After a long day and a longer night . . .

This is one of those bad chemo times . . . lots of bone pain and an inability to sleep. After feeling really good for three days, the bone pain struck yesterday. It's to be expected, especially with the Neulasta injection I'm getting to keep my white cells within normal range. It's kind of a trade off ~ you give up comfort for the ability to fight infection. I guess life is usually a compromise of one sort or another, isn't it? Anyway, this doesn't last forever and so it's bearable.

The thing that is much less bearable is news we received about Chessie. Those of you who were readers of my ezine know that Chessie, our chocolate lab, was diagnosed with renal failure last year. She had been doing quite well until a short time ago. Blood tests taken yesterday indicate that her disease has progressed much more rapidly than we had hoped. Armed with $300 of medicine, we're doing all we can but, at best, it will only make her more comfortable, not cure the problem.

Our vet is checking into some kind of injection that can be given at home and may help to slow further progression. However, she thinks the cost of this treatment may be prohibitive. If that's the case, we'll have a very hard decision to make . . . one neither Dave nor I want to make. Of course we want Chessie with us as long as possible, as long as she isn't suffering. It's just so hard to know when that point is reached. She was pretty miserable for the past couple of days but tonight she seemed to rebound and acted more like her usual self. I guess we'll just have to wait to talk with the vet and see how things go. But it lays heavy on our hearts.

On a more cheerful note, my youngest grandson and his friend came to visit last night. They just popped in out of nowhere and filled the house with the chatter and laughter only children can provide. It's amazing the energy two 10-year-olds can generate! It almost made me tired just watching them. They were showing me some acrobatic tricks they'd mastered and, with my bones and muscles in the misbegotten shape they are, I was pretty envious of their flexibility. On days like this I have enough trouble walking across the room . . . forget standing on my head. LOL I was also treated to their renditions of the latest songs ~ performed, of course, with lots of spirit! : )

When they're behaving, kids can make you forget all of your problems. They have such an enthusiasm for life and live every single second of it. They can easily find the humorous is any situation and their laughter comes so spontaneously. You have to laugh along with them. It was definitely a good night for John and Darius to visit because they sure helped me forget about my own problems and focus on their simple joy. Isn't it funny how, just when you don't think you can feel any lower, something happens to refresh your spirit?

Today is overcast, cool and clammy. It's the kind of day that requires a comfy throw and a good book. Fortunately I have both and I think it's time for me to find them. When I have problems with my bones, I can only sit at the computer for a short time and I think I've now reached that limit. So, I'm off to a more comfortable chair and I hope you're off to have some fun.

'til next time . . . Find the humor in your situation.