Progress continues

I learned my lesson with "hopeful posts". It's a concept in blogging that typically backfires on the writer because, essentially, a blog is an open journal for the world to read... a tiny glimpse into the head of a person. Being overly hopeful, in my experience, leaves one unprepared for reality. And, this early into mums' recovery, it's clearly a potentially hazardous risk to be too hopeful and eager for our new slice of life pie.

Oh, well get it -- we'll get that pie and probably a few other delightful pastries, but we have to wait a bit longer. In fact, this entire experience has proven that early positive thinking is often stolen away very quickly by the realities of complicated cancer decisions, results, treatment, and... recovery.

That mountain of complication and frustration is truly where yellow Friday's erupted from, because our weekdays at Mayo (and now in Kansas) were frequently full of bad news, endless appointments, way too many MRI and CT scan reviews for my taste. But then magical Friday would rear its head, and we almost always got some decent news. Nevertheless, mum would be terribly exhausted by Friday. Hence, we felt that day was when she most needed support. And so it goes.

Back to progress.

Mom progresses daily. Progresses, I've decided, is my action verb of choice now. I'm not getting fancy and adding bells and whistles.

I had a long talk with her last night as she arrived home from GC. She asked me to bring her some summer dresses this weekend -- It was a funny request because she's not a fan of them, but dresses are ideal with the bile drainage bag attached to her. She'll likely have the bag another month or so while the drainage naturally progresses back and re-forms it's old system.

Her voice sounds less shaky everyday.

Just as she seems to know when I'm ill -- even when I lived half a country away, she would know -- I can tell her state by her voice. She excitedly described my Uncle Jon replenishing the fish supply in his pond yesterday. (Mom is a huge fan of fishing, and learning to fly fish is a dream of hers.) My hubzo is also a fishing fan, so we're wholly prepared when Fourth of July hits us next week -- mom was really excited about those fish. Perhaps I'll pick up a yellow fishing hat for her.

Progress. We embrace it, and hug it and keep it by our side. It's most important these days.

Don't forget to wear yellow tomorrow! And make sure to Save the Date of July 11th for the Dance Party and Benefit in Ulysses featuring Big Fat Fun! Look for fliers to hit town in the coming days.

Comments

  1. Good Morning Paulette,
    Soooo glad your back home.Progress, we will embrace it with each day,can't think of anything better then to hug you, and keep you by our sides to see you though this bile duct cancer recovery.
    Fishing hum!!When you do fly fish for the first time I hope it is all that you want it to be.My son is a fishing fool and I could never become a fisher man he said. I talk to much.Hum..What's that matter.Guess it's a quiet man's sport??
    I know the days seem long and progress is so slow but your here and each day is a great day for that.We will be ringing our bells and blowing our whistles soon. (one day at a time)Those are the hardest words sometime in the english language.Today in an email from a friend she said in a sentence that God promise to meet our needs through his rich supply,but we as humans are so determined to just "get er done".It's been a long hard road but patients,make progress for Paulette.So embrace everyday as things progress forward and the goal of fly fishing gets closer.With each new day my heart and prayers are with you. Love Peg

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  2. I remember you in short little dresses....the key word here being SHORT~~~~ it was the 70's and later on I wore mine as Maternity tops! What were we thinking???? Actually I'm glad we did it then... our legs never looked better!!!! Now that you are thin again -- when you get stronger & start walking on a regular basis -- you will be back in these Flip Flop Dresses and looking great!!!! DARLING DAUGHTER BRING ON THE FROCKS!!!!

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  3. Good Morning, Paulette --

    New day. Something good is going to happen today. Our prayers are for your body to continue to grow strong, each day adding health upon health ... less infection, less pain, less struggle, more healing, more hope.

    Today's Joke:

    "Just to establish some parameters," said the professor, "Mr. Tarr, what is the opposite of joy?"

    "Sadness," said the student.

    "And the opposite of depression, Ms. Helms?"

    "Elation."

    "And you, Mr. Fields, how about the opposite of woe?"

    "I believe that would be giddy up!"

    Encouraging Words from Psalm 62:8: "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."

    Have a relaxing, restful Thursday, Paulette.

    Praying for you,
    Joyce

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  4. Yellow is the perfect pick-me-up color! Bright colors are good for the soul and the mood. A little sun helps too. Wishing you all of that and more!

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  5. Good Morning on Friday, Paulette.

    Harvest time in the Heartland. I grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa, and how I loved the summer months when my dad would let me drive the pick-up in the field when he was combining oats. He would talk to me about planting and growing and harvesting ... seasons. Our life experiences are seasons also. Just as we can't rush the growing season in order to harvest the crops when we feel like it or when it's convenient for us, we can't rush the healing process. Just as my dad waited for the right time to harvest his crops, we have to wait as God works out His perfect timeline for our bodies to be whole after they've been challenged by sickness. Each day He provides His peace as He weaves together strength and healing through medication, nutrious food, good rest, some exercise, hugs and kisses from loved ones, and the prayers of friends and family.

    Today's Joke:

    A happily married man had only one complaint -- his wife was always nursing sick birds.

    One December evening, he came home to find a raven with a splint on its wing up on the fireplace mantel, a fevered eagle was pecking at an aspirin on the dining room table, and his wife was comforting a shivering wren that she had found in the snow.

    Heaving a sigh, the man went to sit down in his favorite chair, only to discover a crow with a bandaged beak was already sitting there.

    That was the last straw. He stormed furiously into the kitchen where his wife was wrapping the wren in a heated towel. "I've had it!" he cried. "We've got to get rid of all these blasted birds."

    His wife cut him off. "Please, dear," she hissed, "not in front of the chilled wren."

    Encouraging Words from Psalm 32:7 -- "You are Paulette's hiding place; You will protect her from trouble and surround her with songs of deliverance."

    God loves you, Paulette. And so do I.

    Praying for you,
    Joyce

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  6. Happy Friday Paulette,
    As the sun shines very hot today you may need a sundress and flip flops and yellow at that..As I sit at my desk at work I can watch the field of Sunflowers grow here west of town it's amazing how sun and rain changes things.Which with lots of rest,good foods, and lots of love, your progress will only get better. That' my prayer for you and am sticking to it. May your day be Bright and Shining today.Happy Yellow Friday.With my heart and prayers today I only wish for each new day to become richly better in strenght and HOPE. Love Always Peg.

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