Like a yo-yo!
It was certainly an up and down day today. It was one of my daughter's birthdays today. Yes, it is Friday the thirteenth - but she was born on a Friday the thirteenth with a full moon no less!
Anyway, we were over at her house to celebrate the event. While we were there, the phone rang and rang and rang several times in succession - each time from the same unknown caller - what a persistent sole! Finally, I told my daughter that I would answer the phone - which I did. Needless to say I was a little curt with the individual on the other end because we thought that it might be one of those credit card, mortgage, or other nuisance calls that we all seem to get so regularly.
Imagine my surprise(and chagrin) to find out that the caller was Janne from Norway who called to wish my daughter a happy birthday. If you recall, Janne is the bone marrow donor who happened on this site back in January as has been a regular reader ever since. But, more importantly, she has really bonded with my daughter. Enough so, that when she makes her trip here to the states in February, she will stay with her for a few days.
My deepest apologies to Janne for sounding like such an ass as I unmercifully grilled her at the beginning of the call to find out the nature of her business. But it was such a wonderful surprise to actually get to talk to her. I can hardly wait for her visit next year.
As I said at the outset, it was a yo-yo day. That phone call was most assuredly the high while my computer hard disk crashing was undoubtedly the low. Since my other hard disk crashed a few weeks ago, I had backed up all that I needed to back up, so it is no real loss. But, it's just such a pain in the neck to go out and buy another hard disk and install it.
I was planning on having several days in which I was to do nothing. But something always seems to happen to fill the void.
So, tomorrow's agenda is now full as I venture to get the machine up and running again...
Bob
November 12, 2009 10:30 PM
It's always something!
The brother-in-law of a friend of my wife's died last week. He had leukemia a few years back and, to be honest, from what I heard was not too conscientious about following all of the doctos orders. Hey, I know that I have cheated somewhat ,too! However, he was much more blatant about it than I have ever been.
So what am I getting at here? On the night that he passed away, he didn't feel too well so he went to the hospital (where they thought that they had things under control), and he simply died. Come to find out, he had a virus with an accompanying fever that his body could not fight off because he had a compromised immune system.
It raises a few questions for me because he had his transplant a few years ago. How long do I really have to watch myself? I have certainly been careful up to now and have escaped everything that's going around(knock on wood)! But you can't live like this forever. Just something that I have to be sure to discuss with the doctor in a couple of weeks.
As for today's activities, our curate came to visit today. The discussion was pleasant and to end the visit with communion is always a blessing. I did state that I would be at church on Christmas Eve(weather permitting). I am really looking forward to it.
Other than that, the day was intentionally quiet. I think that it's time to stop with the projects for a bit and just make sure that I am still 100% where I should be.
All for now...
Bob
The brother-in-law of a friend of my wife's died last week. He had leukemia a few years back and, to be honest, from what I heard was not too conscientious about following all of the doctos orders. Hey, I know that I have cheated somewhat ,too! However, he was much more blatant about it than I have ever been.
So what am I getting at here? On the night that he passed away, he didn't feel too well so he went to the hospital (where they thought that they had things under control), and he simply died. Come to find out, he had a virus with an accompanying fever that his body could not fight off because he had a compromised immune system.
It raises a few questions for me because he had his transplant a few years ago. How long do I really have to watch myself? I have certainly been careful up to now and have escaped everything that's going around(knock on wood)! But you can't live like this forever. Just something that I have to be sure to discuss with the doctor in a couple of weeks.
As for today's activities, our curate came to visit today. The discussion was pleasant and to end the visit with communion is always a blessing. I did state that I would be at church on Christmas Eve(weather permitting). I am really looking forward to it.
Other than that, the day was intentionally quiet. I think that it's time to stop with the projects for a bit and just make sure that I am still 100% where I should be.
All for now...
Bob
November 11, 2009 11:25 PM
Another bummer!
Since it was Veteran's Day, the grandkids had the day off from school so my wife took two of them to the movies today. Of course, I stayed home because we did not want to risk having me catch something from someone at the theater. So, another little outing that I could not participate in! I'll be glad when this is all over!
I decided to call my company today to see if I could get any clarification as to who I actually worked for - my current company or the company that is in the process of buying us out. At present, they say that I am on the active rolls of my current company - but I am noted as being on long term disability.
However, they have no clue as to what is going to happen to me whenever the doctor clears me to "work" again. Since that is a minimum of 3 months away(most likely more), HR took the "prudent" way out and said to call them as my "return to work" date approaches. I have no idea what will change between now and then but I have to admit that the past year has been a pretty volatile one one at work with a huge number of lay-offs and the sale of my division.
If I am still working for my present company when this is all over, I won't even have a place to report to!
Stay tuned, this is only going to get more interesting as time goes by...
Bob
Since it was Veteran's Day, the grandkids had the day off from school so my wife took two of them to the movies today. Of course, I stayed home because we did not want to risk having me catch something from someone at the theater. So, another little outing that I could not participate in! I'll be glad when this is all over!
I decided to call my company today to see if I could get any clarification as to who I actually worked for - my current company or the company that is in the process of buying us out. At present, they say that I am on the active rolls of my current company - but I am noted as being on long term disability.
However, they have no clue as to what is going to happen to me whenever the doctor clears me to "work" again. Since that is a minimum of 3 months away(most likely more), HR took the "prudent" way out and said to call them as my "return to work" date approaches. I have no idea what will change between now and then but I have to admit that the past year has been a pretty volatile one one at work with a huge number of lay-offs and the sale of my division.
If I am still working for my present company when this is all over, I won't even have a place to report to!
Stay tuned, this is only going to get more interesting as time goes by...
Bob
November 10, 2009 10:55 PM
A visitor!
Yes, for the first time ever, our nephew came to visit by himself. He has been here a number of times with his parents but tonight he took the plunge and came for dinner without them. It was nice to see him and we had a pleasant time.
Other than that, a quiet day. I bought more materials to start another small project which I will begin tomorrow.
The holidays are rapidly approaching. Where does the time go? And, this year I will most assuredly enjoy them more than last year. At this time last year I had no idea whether or not I would even see this year's holidays.
And yet, as much as I ask - where does the time go? It still seems like forever until my 12 months are over. But, it's just a little over 3 months now.
Things have gone extremely well for me this year - and I thank God for that. But, one other small blessing has surfaced from this experience as well. I am no longer afraid to die! Do I want to - obviously not! But, having faced my mortality head-on last year, the immediate comfort that I got from my faith removed all my fear and that feeling has stayed with me ever since.
Another small blessing realized that emerges from the depths of adversity...
Bob
Yes, for the first time ever, our nephew came to visit by himself. He has been here a number of times with his parents but tonight he took the plunge and came for dinner without them. It was nice to see him and we had a pleasant time.
Other than that, a quiet day. I bought more materials to start another small project which I will begin tomorrow.
The holidays are rapidly approaching. Where does the time go? And, this year I will most assuredly enjoy them more than last year. At this time last year I had no idea whether or not I would even see this year's holidays.
And yet, as much as I ask - where does the time go? It still seems like forever until my 12 months are over. But, it's just a little over 3 months now.
Things have gone extremely well for me this year - and I thank God for that. But, one other small blessing has surfaced from this experience as well. I am no longer afraid to die! Do I want to - obviously not! But, having faced my mortality head-on last year, the immediate comfort that I got from my faith removed all my fear and that feeling has stayed with me ever since.
Another small blessing realized that emerges from the depths of adversity...
Bob
November 9, 2009 11:05 PM
Out to dinner!
That was the highlight of the day as we went out to dinner with my son. It was a great time and another step forward as it was the first time that I had a glass of wine in a restaurant since January. It was just one glass - but it felt really good to be able to dine like I had been able to in the past.
Other than that, a quiet day as I continued doing work on my basement and in a few other areas of the house. I really feel satisfied that I am able to do these things as it makes my time here worthwhile and it makes me feel that I can still contribute even though my options are still limited.
It is especially satisfying for me given the fact that a year ago I was undergoing chemotherapy and had no idea whether or not I would be here today!
All in all, life is great...
Bob
That was the highlight of the day as we went out to dinner with my son. It was a great time and another step forward as it was the first time that I had a glass of wine in a restaurant since January. It was just one glass - but it felt really good to be able to dine like I had been able to in the past.
Other than that, a quiet day as I continued doing work on my basement and in a few other areas of the house. I really feel satisfied that I am able to do these things as it makes my time here worthwhile and it makes me feel that I can still contribute even though my options are still limited.
It is especially satisfying for me given the fact that a year ago I was undergoing chemotherapy and had no idea whether or not I would be here today!
All in all, life is great...
Bob
November 8, 2009 10:50 PM
Don't live in fear!
I was reading a publication that I received from Dana-Farber. One of the articles was an interview with Joyce Kulhawik - a local TV reporter and a cancer survivor. She made some wonderful comments among them the one above as she stated that she never did live in fear. A few other comments "There is a tremendous amount of love and support out there and you don't know until you really need it. I'm so glad that I let prople in. I needed them, and they needed to help" and "The things that you start to feel grateful for are amazing. It's something I never forget".
How true!
It's great to read articles like this and see that others who have walked your walk feel the same way that you do. I have heard and read so many negative things concerning people who suffer from cancer that it's great to see that someone who maintains the same positive attitude that I strive to do is doing so well.
It's not all about attitude - but it certainly helps. Always look at the bright side. Having undergone this experience has allowed me to see the good inside of so many people. Normally, this is something that I would never have had the opportunity to experience. Your thoughtfulness and caring are priceless. Please keep it up.
My contribution has been that I can confidently say that I have never lived in fear...
Bob
I was reading a publication that I received from Dana-Farber. One of the articles was an interview with Joyce Kulhawik - a local TV reporter and a cancer survivor. She made some wonderful comments among them the one above as she stated that she never did live in fear. A few other comments "There is a tremendous amount of love and support out there and you don't know until you really need it. I'm so glad that I let prople in. I needed them, and they needed to help" and "The things that you start to feel grateful for are amazing. It's something I never forget".
How true!
It's great to read articles like this and see that others who have walked your walk feel the same way that you do. I have heard and read so many negative things concerning people who suffer from cancer that it's great to see that someone who maintains the same positive attitude that I strive to do is doing so well.
It's not all about attitude - but it certainly helps. Always look at the bright side. Having undergone this experience has allowed me to see the good inside of so many people. Normally, this is something that I would never have had the opportunity to experience. Your thoughtfulness and caring are priceless. Please keep it up.
My contribution has been that I can confidently say that I have never lived in fear...
Bob
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
