Can't complain . . .

It's a beautiful fall day with temps in the 60's and lots of sunshine. The trees are changing into their autumn clothes and everything is so beautiful. Tourists are beginning to make their annual color tours and so the roads are getting busy. It's great that we don't have to travel anywhere to see the fall splendor.

My sister and brother-in-law are coming for a visit today and I'm looking forward to their arrival. I think it's been at least a month since we've seen them. I really can't keep track of time these days ~ it's terrible the speed with which days, weeks and months go by. I know time seems to pass more quickly as you get older but I think when you suffer from a terminal illness, it goes at warp speed!

I'm still doing okay with the new chemo drug. No pains, no sickness. The only problem is that my platelets aren't rebounding like they've done in the past or like they're supposed to. I see my oncologist next week and maybe she'll be able to figure out what's going on. I told the nurses they'd managed to ruin my blood with all these poisons and I'm not sure I was kidding. ; ) My white count is also pretty low but that's to be expected ~ I have to go back to the staying away from germs regimen which is a real bore. Chemo has a tendency to turn a normal person into a paranoid hypochondriac! My hands get dried out from using Purell so many times each day. LOL

My birthday was this past week and we had a family dinner at my daughter, Jenn's, to celebrate. She cooked all my favorites . . . chicken and dumplings, fresh asparagus and fresh squash . . . it was yummy and I ate way too much. Of course, there was cake and ice cream too so we had quite a feast! I also had a taste of Guinness beer but it was much too strong for me. I thought maybe the Irish in me would find it appealing but that didn't turn out to be the case. LOL I guess I'm not much of a drinker these days.

So far at least, the chemo I'm on hasn't affected the taste of food. I'm really grateful for that but, at the same time, it's given me a better appetite and now I'm gonna have to worry about gaining weight again. Everything has it's good and bad side. When I really stop to consider it, I guess a few extra pounds at this stage of the game isn't much to be concerned about. I've finally made peace with the fact that I'm never going to have my slender body back again unless it's because of ill effects from the chemo or the cancer. When you look at it that way, being fat has it's advantages! Dr. Mehrotra says I should eat anything I want to eat . . . how many times do you hear that from a health care professional?!? : )

I've been reading a lot ~ and when I say a lot, I mean a lot! My mom gave me two books Tuesday night and I had finished them both by last night. I read so much that's it's getting hard to find something I'm sure I haven't read at the used book store. Even at deep, deep discount prices my habit is becoming expensive so I guess I should start going to the library more . . . but they only let you take out four books at a time! LOL I've always loved to read and now I have all the time I need ~ I don't have to wait until just before bed to indulge myself. Dave is constantly asking, "Did you finish another one?" Right now I'm down to my last book but I think my sister, Sherry, is bringing a couple when she comes today.

I can't imagine what it would be like to not enjoy reading. You learn so many things and can live life vicariously through the characters and their experiences. Some of them become so real, they're almost like friends or family. You can visit places you've never been and, in your mind's eye, enjoy all the beauty they offer. You get new ideas and different ways of looking at things. You learn about the past which helps to understand the present. For me, reading is one of life's greatest pleasures.

I've been having a hard time sleeping lately and so there are many times I'm up until 3 or 4 in the morning. Thank goodness I have my books then! Between reading and playing computer games, I manage to keep myself occupied while the rest of the house sleeps. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter when I sleep as long as I do. So around here, the routine is quite different than most of you probably follow. It's a bit odd but I'm getting used to it. : )

Well, I think I've rambled on about nothing for long enough now. I hope you're all happy and healthy and that life is treating you well.

Thanks for reading!

'til next time . . . make time for the things you enjoy.