Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Priorities
I was listening to a talk by Mary Ellen Edmonds yesterday. It was about time management. Ugh.
She gave an order of priorities and I thought it was pretty basic but good. Here is what I remember:
1. Your own health: spiritual and physical.
2. Your family.
3. Your church responsibilities.
4. Your employer.
What do you think?
BTW: still without a computer except when Phil is home with his laptop (which was most of the day today because he hasn't felt well, I think he needs to focus on #1 up there more ... he is way too self-sacrificing!).
She gave an order of priorities and I thought it was pretty basic but good. Here is what I remember:
1. Your own health: spiritual and physical.
2. Your family.
3. Your church responsibilities.
4. Your employer.
What do you think?
BTW: still without a computer except when Phil is home with his laptop (which was most of the day today because he hasn't felt well, I think he needs to focus on #1 up there more ... he is way too self-sacrificing!).
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
R.I.P
Our computer has been giving us cause for alarm lately.
We didn't act fast enough.
It died.
It may be a while before I have access.
My blogging habits are being forced into rehab/withdrawal.
Hard.
Poor Heidi.
I'll check in once in a while using Phil's laptop
but he isn't home much these days.
Hard.
Poor Heidi.
So long for now...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Some days...
Some days are harder than others. Since Phil feels relatively well most of the time and we've learned to adjust to the bit of pain and discomfort he has, it is easy to just plow through life as though everything was "normal" albeit our own version of "normal." Then a day like today hits.
Last night Phil came home from Home Teaching* with a terrible headache and nausea. At first he thought he just had eaten too much sugar (Halloween will do that to anyone and he has been virtually off sugar lately so it would be a shock to his system to have much at all). I think he had a migraine. He was actually seeing flashes of lights and the pain was intense behind his eyes. In addition, he started coughing more than he has lately. I have to just say that the coughing gets to me more than anything. It is such a vivid reminder that he has tumors in his lungs. I hate it. But I know this isn't really about me. I think the nausea is the thing that messes with Phil's emotions and head the most. So, him having the nausea wasn't a happy thing for him. He's been mostly miserable all day.
He certainly could have used a day of rest and perhaps all of this was his body's way of demanding a day off. Phil burns the candle at both ends and has been particularly busy lately. There is a faculty art show opening next Tuesday so he's been working on his pieces for that. He presented at a conference last weekend. He has his branch president responsibilities – which are many. He remains an attentive, involved father and husband. And, oh yeah, he's fighting cancer. Just a little bit going on! I am so impressed with how well he is handling all of his stuff. He is definitely getting better at being organized, by necessity.
We are so blessed with really great people around us. I needed to go into his office to pick some things up for him and so my Visiting Teacher* took Eden to story time at the library. She even brought a Tinker Bell dress so that Eden could be dressed up (if I had taken her, that wouldn't have happened because I didn't realize it was dress up day at the library). Eden always amazes me. I don't think I've ever seen her upset or heard her cry when she's been sent off with someone else. She even has gone to virtual strangers (to her, not to me, I wouldn't send her with someone that was strange to me). She has a level of confidence and self assurance that is extremely rare for a 2 year old. Tonight our Home Teacher and the husband of my Visiting Teacher came over and gave Phil a Priesthood blessing*. It was so nice and simple, and Phil is doing much better. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love the fellowship of Saints.
You know, even without cancer, not every day is easy. There will always be some days... I'm just thankful for all the people in our lives who help us through those days. I hope we are those people in the lives of others too.
*Home and Visiting Teaching are programs within our church. Men are assigned to visit in the homes with families so that every family in our congregation is home taught and watched over. Women are also assigned to visit with each woman in the congregation so that every sister has someone to care for her. Priesthood blessings are just like those performed by Jesus and his disciples through the laying on of hands. They are for comfort and for direction and for the healing of the sick.
Last night Phil came home from Home Teaching* with a terrible headache and nausea. At first he thought he just had eaten too much sugar (Halloween will do that to anyone and he has been virtually off sugar lately so it would be a shock to his system to have much at all). I think he had a migraine. He was actually seeing flashes of lights and the pain was intense behind his eyes. In addition, he started coughing more than he has lately. I have to just say that the coughing gets to me more than anything. It is such a vivid reminder that he has tumors in his lungs. I hate it. But I know this isn't really about me. I think the nausea is the thing that messes with Phil's emotions and head the most. So, him having the nausea wasn't a happy thing for him. He's been mostly miserable all day.
He certainly could have used a day of rest and perhaps all of this was his body's way of demanding a day off. Phil burns the candle at both ends and has been particularly busy lately. There is a faculty art show opening next Tuesday so he's been working on his pieces for that. He presented at a conference last weekend. He has his branch president responsibilities – which are many. He remains an attentive, involved father and husband. And, oh yeah, he's fighting cancer. Just a little bit going on! I am so impressed with how well he is handling all of his stuff. He is definitely getting better at being organized, by necessity.
We are so blessed with really great people around us. I needed to go into his office to pick some things up for him and so my Visiting Teacher* took Eden to story time at the library. She even brought a Tinker Bell dress so that Eden could be dressed up (if I had taken her, that wouldn't have happened because I didn't realize it was dress up day at the library). Eden always amazes me. I don't think I've ever seen her upset or heard her cry when she's been sent off with someone else. She even has gone to virtual strangers (to her, not to me, I wouldn't send her with someone that was strange to me). She has a level of confidence and self assurance that is extremely rare for a 2 year old. Tonight our Home Teacher and the husband of my Visiting Teacher came over and gave Phil a Priesthood blessing*. It was so nice and simple, and Phil is doing much better. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love the fellowship of Saints.
You know, even without cancer, not every day is easy. There will always be some days... I'm just thankful for all the people in our lives who help us through those days. I hope we are those people in the lives of others too.
*Home and Visiting Teaching are programs within our church. Men are assigned to visit in the homes with families so that every family in our congregation is home taught and watched over. Women are also assigned to visit with each woman in the congregation so that every sister has someone to care for her. Priesthood blessings are just like those performed by Jesus and his disciples through the laying on of hands. They are for comfort and for direction and for the healing of the sick.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Books Reviewed
While I'm ecstatic about putting less miles on my car and time on my schedule, I will miss the drives to Nashville for one reason. Phil and I have listened to some really great books on CD. Here is a review:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
read by Kate Burton
Loved it! It is poignantly written (and in our case, read). This is one of those titles that I've heard about and I was definitely not disappointed.
It is the story of a family in the early part of the 20th century. They are barely surviving in poverty. There are wonderful happy stories and crushing heart-wrenching stories. It is largely autobiographical. Although I didn't think it was overly didactic, there is a message of the power of family, education, and hope.
I highly recommend this! Appropriate for young adult readers (very little language and a few adult themes but not graphic and good is portrayed as good while poor choices have consequences).
Hatchet, Gary Poulsen
read by Peter Coyote
This was an interesting, entertaining story. Poulsen is a good author.
It is the story of a twelve year old boy who ends up having to survive in the woods of Canada all by himself. Think "Castaway" but in the forest and with a young man. It is amazing that without dialogue per se, Poulsen is able to keep his story moving and interesting. His protagonist isn't a super hero. He makes some big mistakes and really struggles but ultimately triumphs.
I think every 10 year old boy should read this. It ended a bit abruptly (in my opinion) but other than that, I really enjoyed it and think that kids who are so often in front of a video screen should have the opportunity to read this, imagine what solutions they would come up with if placed in the same situations, and generally spend some time away from screens.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor
Read by Lynne Thigpen
I loved this book. I think everyone should read it. It is definitely thought provoking and disturbing but so well written. Taylor tells the stories that she heard as a child. Although not strictly autobiographical, they are the stories of her family. The reality of the stories makes them all the more poignant and troubling. Lynne Thigpen (of Carmen San Diego fame) does an exceptional job reading this book.
This is the story of a family in the 1930s living in Mississippi. The family is black and own their land. They are surrounded by sharecroppers and wealthy white land owners. The realities of very difficult race, class, and economic issues are spelled out without cynicism or stereotypes. It is only the story of one family and doesn't pretend to be the definitive statement of life for blacks in the south prior to the Civil Rights movement. I do think it presents many of the realities and issues that many did face.
Those who know me well (and know that I spent years in college/grad school studying black history) will know that I could go on and on about this topic. I'll refrain for now.
The "N" word is used but always shown to be a pejorative not as something that should be repeated or joked about. Racial violence is depicted. This book is appropriate for middle readers (if read with an adult so that it can be discussed and processed) and adults.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
read by Kate Burton
Loved it! It is poignantly written (and in our case, read). This is one of those titles that I've heard about and I was definitely not disappointed.
It is the story of a family in the early part of the 20th century. They are barely surviving in poverty. There are wonderful happy stories and crushing heart-wrenching stories. It is largely autobiographical. Although I didn't think it was overly didactic, there is a message of the power of family, education, and hope.
I highly recommend this! Appropriate for young adult readers (very little language and a few adult themes but not graphic and good is portrayed as good while poor choices have consequences).
Hatchet, Gary Poulsen
read by Peter Coyote
This was an interesting, entertaining story. Poulsen is a good author.
It is the story of a twelve year old boy who ends up having to survive in the woods of Canada all by himself. Think "Castaway" but in the forest and with a young man. It is amazing that without dialogue per se, Poulsen is able to keep his story moving and interesting. His protagonist isn't a super hero. He makes some big mistakes and really struggles but ultimately triumphs.
I think every 10 year old boy should read this. It ended a bit abruptly (in my opinion) but other than that, I really enjoyed it and think that kids who are so often in front of a video screen should have the opportunity to read this, imagine what solutions they would come up with if placed in the same situations, and generally spend some time away from screens.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor
Read by Lynne Thigpen
I loved this book. I think everyone should read it. It is definitely thought provoking and disturbing but so well written. Taylor tells the stories that she heard as a child. Although not strictly autobiographical, they are the stories of her family. The reality of the stories makes them all the more poignant and troubling. Lynne Thigpen (of Carmen San Diego fame) does an exceptional job reading this book.
This is the story of a family in the 1930s living in Mississippi. The family is black and own their land. They are surrounded by sharecroppers and wealthy white land owners. The realities of very difficult race, class, and economic issues are spelled out without cynicism or stereotypes. It is only the story of one family and doesn't pretend to be the definitive statement of life for blacks in the south prior to the Civil Rights movement. I do think it presents many of the realities and issues that many did face.
Those who know me well (and know that I spent years in college/grad school studying black history) will know that I could go on and on about this topic. I'll refrain for now.
The "N" word is used but always shown to be a pejorative not as something that should be repeated or joked about. Racial violence is depicted. This book is appropriate for middle readers (if read with an adult so that it can be discussed and processed) and adults.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Eden's Friends
Eden has named her dolls and stuffed animals all by herself. I want you to meet her "friends."
This is baby Heather:
She wanted the kitty with the bow to be the daddy kitty. I told her that boys don't wear bows and so she decided it was a girl-daddy which obviously made the other one boy-mommy. Duh.
On the left is Baby-doll Emma with cousin Emma on the right:
and this is her friend Heather:
This is Trey-Trey baby on the left followed by the real Trey on the right:
Corrie rabbit on the left and Corrie in the flesh on the right:
Voice Male Kitty on the left and Voice Male on the right:
and now for my favorite and the most perplexing of names.
This is Girl Daddy Kitty on the left and Boy Mommy Kitty on the right:
She wanted the kitty with the bow to be the daddy kitty. I told her that boys don't wear bows and so she decided it was a girl-daddy which obviously made the other one boy-mommy. Duh.
Cancer Update
We've spent the last five weeks making weekly trips to Nashville (4.5 hours one way!) so that Phil could get the MEK/RAD pills. As of yesterday, we are done with the weekly visits and now only have to go monthly! Yippee! We just gained a whole day every week! Whatever will I do with all that time? Now I'll not have a good excuse for my house not being spotless! (wow, I'm really exclaiming today!)
Phil will have a CT scan in a month. Until then, we won't really know how the MEK/RAD is working. For now, we will think the best and be grateful for very few side effects (he has some, but they aren't nearly as bad as chemo).
I think I've said this before, but so much of cancer treatment is waiting. I thought a long single life was my opportunity to learn patience but clearly there is more to learn.
Phil will have a CT scan in a month. Until then, we won't really know how the MEK/RAD is working. For now, we will think the best and be grateful for very few side effects (he has some, but they aren't nearly as bad as chemo).
I think I've said this before, but so much of cancer treatment is waiting. I thought a long single life was my opportunity to learn patience but clearly there is more to learn.
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