Sleep

I think it is funny how you don't want to go to bed early unless you can't go to be early. At least, that is the case for me right now. I am not a morning person. I don't even fake it very well. My Diet Coke typically gives me away. I am on an IV schedule of 8, 3:30, and 11 which has me getting up earlier and staying up later. My husband mixes the last IV of the day which is really nice for me. The medicine that I am on has to be mixed right before it is administered so we are running our own little pharmacy at the dining room table. I have learned some things that I can't do very well with one hand including frying chicken and drying my hair. I can type pretty well which is a saving grace for a woman with too much time on her hands.

I learned this morning that you should not watch youtube videos in the morning. I have never really watched them but a friend suggested that I check it out. I think God sent Nancy to send a message, "you have a choice." I told a friend who wanted to know how I really was recently that I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. I know that is my reality but it just doesn't make it fun. Many years ago, someone that I didn't know very well complained that I didn't talk about cystic fibrosis enough. I am still really curious as to what exactly she wanted me to tell her. You only need to spend a day hanging out doing treatments and listening to my cough to figure out that it could be better. My picc line doctor tole me last week that I was lucky and it could be much worse. I know he meant well but lucky isn't the word that I would choose. Lucky is the part of my life that has to sign off because someone is yelling, "Mommy!"

Blessings,

Cindy

A Slow Sunday

I should be getting my family up and out the door for church today but I think God understands. I took my daughter to dance on Thursday and put on the biggest sweatshirt that I own to cover my arm. I thought I looked alright but then I got home and looked in the mirror. I am looking forward to going to a birthday party later today except for the trying to look presentable part. I thought it was rough to wash your hair with one hand but your left hand is really tough. Of course, this is while wearing a garbage bag and trying not to get your arm wet or the nurse has to come change your dressing. We will save that fun topic for later in the week!

I knew that I must not be looking great when I broke the news to my husband and he didn't get mad. The big news is that I bought myself a present. It is a present that he really didn't want but I am really thrilled to receive. My new cleaning lady arrives on Friday. I can hardly wait. It was again an example of I thought things looked alright. I know that my house could look better but I am a little limited right now so I set my expectations nice and low. Well, I had to give my new cleaning lady a tour of my house on Friday. Suddenly, the clutter and the piles are jumping right out at me. That doesn't even begin to mention the various medical syringes and needles unpacked on my counter. Please pray that she chooses to come back.

I am going to try to get my family to take me to Target today. My daughter wanted to know what marketing meant and I told her it was how people get little girls like her to know that the big red circle means Target. She now plans to work at Target. I think the plan to be a doctor and a rock star on weekends sounds better. I asked her what a rock star did and she said, "You wear earrings, play the guitar, and sing in a microphone." The Target list for today includes a new stash of white garbage bags, chocolate milk, and all in one shampoo and conditioner.

Today, I am thankful for the ability to type. I am thankful for whoever decided to rerun the Lawrence Welk Show on TV last night and am quite sure Great Grandma B was smiling as I explained the thrill of Mr. Welk. I am thankful for a house that sleeps late because they were up too late at their Lego party. I am also thankful for the darling new dog, Molly, who moved to Mankato yesterday to live with my daughter's great grandparents. It likely means that I have lost my most faithful dog sitters but Molly is about to embark on a very spoiled life.

Blessings,

Cindy

You have to start somewhere...

My sister thought I should make a blog so people can check in and be entertained by the stories that I usually only share with her. She finds my stories of medical drama combined with a darling daughter and a small dog who barks a lot to be unique. You add into the mix the husband who spends his spare time in the summer at the race track and things really get interesting. I am skeptical that anyone other than my sister will read such a blog. She was after all born into the world with me and had no choice but to go along for the ride. So, this is a combination of the good stuff, the not so good stuff, the prayers in action, and a gratitude journal. It is a lot to fit in one blog but we will see if anyone reads it.

Today finds me on day three of my most recent picc line. It is in my right arm so it has me learning to do things in a new way since I prefer my right hand. Things are going much more smoothly than the last round with the blood clot and the late night visit to the hospital while my husband was out of town. Of course, I don't like to get ahead of myself but I would say okay so far. I did have a lot more notice this time around and that helps. I wish I could say my life was in order but it wasn't in chaos either when I checked in for another round.

I continue to wait to write my first (and likely only book) about prayers in action. I have found especially in recent years that people are always telling me how they are praying for me. There is no doubt that God is listening to somebody. I have also found that there are a lot of people who take it one step further and likely pray but also put those prayers in action. I have heard people say that they don't know what to do to help others and I am not one to ask for help. Well, I am actually pretty bad at it and a little stubborn. So, I find it remarkable when people take it upon themselves and don't ask, they just do. A few examples from the past few days:

• My charming husband who left work to drive me to the outpatient clinic rather than dropping me off at the airport for the first plane to Hawaii. He also promised to take me to Florida for my daughter to meet Minnie Mouse.
• My very good friend who graciously picked up my daughter at swimming lessons and kept her for the day while I was "busy" at the doctor's office. She doesn't think twice about it and treats her like she is her own daughter.
• My friend who left homemade soup and bread along with days worth of muffins waiting on my front porch after my picc line was put in. When I got home, it was waiting for dinner along with two boxes of medical supplies and IVs from the delivery man.
• My friend who took it upon herself to make dinner the next night and have her husband deliver it hot and steaming. She also packed up some extra groceries so the leftover pot roast could turn into beef stroganoff. Who thinks to do that? I mean really. God is at work.
• Just today, a man from my church went to Let's Dish after work and bought my family dinner along with the largest pan of bars covered in chocolate that I have ever seen.

Well, you get the idea. It is really amazing.

Today, I am grateful for my darling daughter who "loves everything except monstors and spiders." I am grateful to my husband who arranged to take a day off next week at my request and hang out with our princess. I am especially grateful to the women who heard about my situation again and set the wheels right in motion to make sure that my family is well fed. As always, I am grateful for my doctor who goes beyond what a patient should expect. Of course, I am grateful to my darling sister who always has good ideas and her phone plan that allows her to call me as much as she likes.

Cindy