Joy Column

[StephN]

Besides all the encouraging news from some of our members, there are some signs of spring to bring JOY. I took some time out today to go watch our local rookery of great blue herons in action. They were refurbishing their nests. The male would fly off and return with some twigs, pass them to the female who then placed them in her nest. Fascinating to watch these great blue-gray birds!
(My bird-watching secret is out!)

[Believe51]

Went to GammaMan last night and he had a full house of follow ups. Of course we chatted as we waited for our name to be called. There was 5 total patients waiting for our 'Claim to Fame'.

Today's Joy: All 5 of us were clean!! Brain clear!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

PS: Steph, your secret was safe with me. I'll let you know when our falcons are back!

[Believe51]

Oooops, and then............More Joy

for all the millions of school buses I let out, a kind one returned the favor for me this morning. The best part was she was so happy to do it and her smile warmed my day. Otherwise I would probally still be there!

[fauxgypsy]

Nothing to do with cancer, but it made me cry in a good way. http://www.opey.com/teddy.html

[Believe51]

When we close the bedroom door at night we leave our antique door (love it!) 'unlatched' a tiny bit so I do not make noise entering and exiting. Well, getting ready this morning our crazy man of a cat, Mookie went racing around the house. Of course, this is after I scuttled around the house quietly all morning. I fed him, I gave him fresh water, portioned out the dry food, I played with him, gave him big luv 'ems and his insulin shot.

I watched him as he played with the half cut paper towel roll I made. We also have the old fashioned turn-to-open knobs on the cabinet doors. This house is the same home I was born in and although I have moved out of this family home a few times, I returned to the comfort of childhood. I witnessed him rub his fangs on the handles, rubbing his face and smiling.

I savored the morning in the home I was raised in, loving my cat, sipping java, thinking of my man. I thanked God for another day to enjoy life. Things were great! Well, until..........

Today's Joy: Mookie went back to his marathon run and I went on to my business. I noticed the light on in the bedroom and went to steal a kiss. Ed looked up and I asked him if he was up for the morning. He told me "No" and said that the cat had busted in the door and jumped on the bed. He scared the heck out of his Daddy!!

The Best Joy: I got blamed in a way for Mookie's behavior! I laughed all the way to work.

Mookie, if you can hear me, "You 'wis a baaaa-boy!" Thank you kitty, I did steal a kiss after all. Nice to see you running and feeling so good today. Momma loves you.

[vickie h]

Faux Gypsy, Your post was amazing. I read the link you posted and cried this morning. We should treat all children with love and respect, as if they are our own. thank you so much for posting this...it made my day and gave me much fodder for thought and reflection. Now that is a true joy! Love, Vickie

[Believe51]

Getting ready for work this morning I spritzed myself with one of my favorite perfumes. I kissed the kitty and gathered my belongings. Wait, could that be The Mighty Oak? Yes! I scurried over to him and gave him a giant hug and kiss. He smelled me and replied, "Mmmm, you smell like the cruise, I love that Henri Bendel Vanilla Flower perfume, Marie."

I too am a very sense-sual person and scents have always taken me back in time, to different places, to wonderful memories. I try to use different perfumes and colognes to stimulate Ed's memory bank. With his brain and all of the work done on it, I do whatever I can to preserve our life. Sounds crazy but we do a daily account of memories and feelings. I think it keeps him sharp too.

Whatever happens to his brain I worry if he will remember me if things get rough. With the daily scents and memory recalls I pray that if his brain is damaged he will atleast smell me and know that I am someone comforting.....that I am security.

Today's Joy: Having Ed remember and recite the wonderous memories from our past. His recollection of events and the way he views them amazes me daily. I love listening to him and how he sees our marriage, those precious memories and the feelings that are 'us'. I love him more than life itself.>>Believe51

[Believe51]

Last night I was a little sad, no reason just everything. I had a bit of anxiety and decided to use it to my benefit. When I got into the house I asked Ed where the giant sponge was so I could go wash the car. I know how he likes a clean car ("Take Pride In Your Ride"~his motto). I also know that this maybe a tad emotionally for me and that feelings would come to the surface. I used to spend my days washing, waxing and buffing the Cadillac for relaxation. This used to be 'my time' and I so appreciated it. That car was taken by cancer, kind of our way of downsizing and getting ready for whatever future we would have. The car was our dream vehicle and although I used it all the time, Ed could only witness it parked in the driveway; it hurt him not being able to enjoy it. Since we needed only one car after diagnosis, I decided it was best to sell it so we could get ready for 'that time'. Also it would not be a constant reminder of what was. I have washed and buffed our Camry Solara before but it is not the same, of course I am not a materialistic person, the pain comes from the cancer and our altered life.

Remember please: I only asked him where the sponge was.

Quickly he jumped up to get it. I thought I was safe but then he proceeded to hand me squirt bottles of rim cleaner, Windex, precleaner. It did not stop there.....a wire brush, assorted towels, the hand vac. I looked at him and busted out in a fit of laughter, I almost emptied my bladder right then and there!

Today's Joy: No one makes me laugh like Ed does. I was crying because I was so besides myself with so much happiness. Cancer will never rob us from that!! I just could not stop laughing. Ed, sick as he is, really is still the same person he was. My little creature of habit had given me something no one else can.....himself. Wow do I love him!!

I did have an emotional time with those thoughts and memories. I was sad washing the car, memories flooding the mind. I had taken the faceplate to the stereo and had Pink Floyd blasting like a teenager would. I looked up to the sunny sky and thanked God. I thanked him for another day to love this man. I thanked him for helping us acheive this time together. And best of all, I thanked him for sending us such a wonderful group of friends. I also thanked him for the family waiting at the campfire just to shield me from the evils I was enduring.

I love you all so very much. Today is another day and I feel much better.>>Believe51

[Believe51]

You all remind me constantly to take care of myself. Well how is this for proof??

This Week's Spoiling Joy's: On the 19th it was our 16th Anniversary from the day we met. Since Ed had moved here from California he was living with his Mom. I consider my Mother-in-Law as a large part of this day's celebrations since I had to meet her that night.

Thursday I fell asleep after work, woke up in time to solve Final Jeopardy. Fell back asleep and woke up in time for the nightly news.

Friday after treatment we visited Ed's Mom since Saturday was her birthday. She cooked for us despite her arthritis. Sitting down it felt like all those past Italian meals she used to make. The house smelled so nice and she looked like she was in her glory. After all, she was. She told me how very happy she was to have me in her life. Well, the entire day was full of compliments.

Saturday I slept in, so late that it was the first time I have been late for Mookie's diabetic shot. Woops! I spent the day frolicing around the house. I had to take a pain pill so I was not all that fast but I had a hell of a time. In fact, it took me all day to do things that should have taken 3 hours.

Sunday I soaked the feet in a luxury soak that was comprised of Jasmine. I got to sit all day and watch old movies. Later in the evening I did a facial mask. This mask is the best I have ever used. When I took it off it came off in one large 'mask' that suited my face. Ed was laughing so hard that he actually had to hold it to believe it.

The entire week was full of many other pampering spoiling activities. It will not stop there either. Tonight I have plans to do almost nothing. I think I will read after the candles get lit, the prayers are said and the belly is full.

This could get to be a habit. Believe it or not, I only got to do nothing because I had to medicate myself so deep. Love to all.>>Believe51

[Believe51]

Today's Joy: My Mother-in-Law just pinched the nurse. Even in a coma this is one tough cookie! Looks like she is getting better.>>Believe51

[ElaineM]

I am happy because 4 days of major bathroom renvovations are finished. I sat there after my first shower in my almost new bathroom and admired everything. I have been going to an empty apartment for showers this week.

[Jackie07]

My joy is to have been reconnected with my junior high school buddies recently. There were four 'guys' I used to hang out with during summer and winter breaks (of high shool years and then after college.) They are truely like my brothers (though I have three good ones of my own) - I was their confidant especially when it came to be about girls.

Three of them have been talking to each other via 'Skyve'. My dial-up connection turned out to be too slow to utelize the technology after one of them had called me and urged me to download the program. So we 'talked' over the Web after he gave me another friend's e-mail. His wife is also a classmate and was my close friend in elementary school. She and I had a nice chat over the phone.

We used to play basketball, pingpong and go to movies together and I would be reading the Chinese version of Reader's Digest while they played Mahjong (Chinese dominos - one of the most popular activities during the Lunar New Year celebration.) I lost contact with them except the one in Florida (who is 3 years our senior and always acts like a big brother) would check on me by phone once, twice a year.

They were not amused to learn about my upcoming surgery and had told me to call/e-mail them once I get discharged from the hospital.

My friends here in Central Texas have never seen the 'tomboy' side of me. Hubby has been immersed in his golf game lately (just made a breakthrough on his golf swing)and acted quite indifferent to my so-called 'old flames'. But I can't forget (even after two brain surgeries) the time the 'Gang of Four' and I had spent together just 3 days before I was to come overseas. We pretty much 'walked' all over the streets of downtown Taipei and sampled all kinds of food and chatted till dawn - their send-off gift for me.

'Friendship is forever' - thanks to the technology I get to be connected with my 'buddies' when I need them the most.

[WomanofSteel]

Today's joy is also a source of aggravation. My little cat is just a crazy thing and today I caught her running around with something strange in her mouth and when I finally caught up with her I found out she had bitten the head off of one of my Goofy toys. She had Goofy's head in her mouth which was both irritating and funny at the same time. I need a cage for this crazy critter!

[Believe51]

Awww, unacceptable WomanofSteel!! Sorry that I laughed especially how I love Goofy too. Next time Kitty is bad tell her she is going to get big 'PoomPooms'. It is my Mother-in-Laws way of saying beatings. Of course she never hit an animal but the threat of PoomPooms really makes them behave (hahaha). With luck this Goofy will be one of the doubles I will be taking with us to Boston.>>Believe51

[Believe51]

Today's Joy: Just sitting at my desk happy to be working (Ahhem) while I still have a job. I pray that I can work as long as possible. Rhode Island's unemployment rate is 10.5 percent! This place is going down!>>Believe51

[Believe51]

Today's Joy: A butterfly just landed on my girlfriends chest, it looked like she was wearing a pin. Happy Spring everyone!

And do not forget the joy and laughter that Flori gave me this morning!>>Believe51

[ElaineM]

I just wanted to share my thankfulness about what kind and compassionate doctors I have.
I got a call from my M.D. this morning who was shopping at Walmart. He was going to look in the Honolulu Walmart for some over the counter skin cream he suggested the other day. He also said his mother was going to another Walmart on another part of the island to check on her way to Honolulu. If they are successful he will drop it off tonight. On Friday I told him Monday is my shopping day, so I will see if a local pharmacy has it. Imagine that !! My doctor is helping me do my shopping !! What a guy !!
Once my naturopath came all the way from the other side of the island to make a house call without charge and bring me some special cough medicine when my bronchitis wouldn't go away.
Another time my dermatologist stepped up to the plate when the surgeon wouldn't respond to my page about a wound that split open. I went to the dermatologist's office where she treated and repaired it. Then she took me to the hospital pharmacy and spoke with the pharmacist and choose something for me to use at home everyday to prevent infections.

[Believe51]

Today's Joy: Wish I could scream this from on top of a mountain....My Mother-in-Law is out of her coma. She is still on the vent but trying with all her might to recover. This is a day for chocolate and I do not mean dark chocolate!! WhoHoo!!!!!>>Believe51

[Believe51]

Today's Joy: My Mother-in-Law is off the vent and breathing air again through an oxygen mask, but that still counts. Whew!>>Believe51

[Jackie07]

Got up, went out, found the most beautiful bundle of irises in the front yard. Light lavender color, slanting down toward the groud... Oh, this is heaven...