Welcome to Life Through Bifocals

Life is not always clear and easy to figure out. So grab a cup of coffee and your bifocals and let's see what we can see.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE & One Word for 201


Thank you once again Joyce for the questions this month.  Good ones!! Also my one word for 2013 is under my random thought.  

1. May is National Blood Pressure Month...what sends yours soaring, either literally or figuratively? What calms you down? When did you last have your bp checked?
I'm lucky to have normally low blood pressure (90/60) and it was checked yesterday. I will say that my blood pressure goes up every time I hear about Dr. Kermit Gosnell.  The facts of what he did to those babies makes my blood boil!  He was found guilty but may NOT get the death penalty also soars my blood pressure.  He should not only be found guilty but should then be taken from the court room, down the hall to a closet, and have his spinal cord cut without benefit of drugs to relieve him of pain!! Let him feel what those precious babies felt!! With out care, with out a chance to plead for their life.  

2. You just found $1-what do you spend it on? How about 10$ 100?
A dollar will not go too far so it may just go into the pocket UNLESS I saw who dropped it, then I would run up to them and return it.
If I found $10 or $100. I would do my best to find it's owner. Money is tight all around and that may have been someone ones money for a Rx refill, or doctor visit.  I would feel terrible if I lost that much so I would do my best to find the owner.  If I couldn't then I would give it to the church where is would do some good for someone.

3. Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food has been proposed, but not enacted in the US. How much attention do you give food labels before you buy? Are you in favor of labeling if it means an increase in food prices? Is this an issue you've been following and feel strongly about, or is this the first you've heard of the controversy?
I've heard about the controversy and would want my food labeled even if meant an increase in food prices.  It's important to know what is going into your body because I really do feel strongly about the connection between the food we eat now and all the health issues we find ourselves having. I do look at labels before I buy anything. It's amazing what gets hidden in our food.

4. May 15th marks the birthdate of Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. At this point in time, are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.
Today I would say I need a brain. Mine is so full of stuff that I find I forget stuff. I even forgot today was Hodgepodge day!  My wonderful husband remembered and copied the questions for me - the answers are completely mine.  I just have a lot of balls up in the air, a lot on my plate as it were and wish my brain was bigger, faster or something to keep up with it all.

5. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?
I love being home!  I love cuddling with my husband, watching TV. I love having the grand kids over playing in the doll house, or cooking on the play stove.  I love it here. So I feel the truth of that statement all the time, but I do believe it was originally meant in a more negative way as in Home is never the same once you move away.  However, I believe HOME is wherever your heart is and since my heart and Hubby's heart are one, we are home as long as we are together. Not the answer you were looking for.....?

6.  Steak...yes please or no thank you? What cut do you prefer and how do you like yours cooked? Sauce or no sauce? Besides your own kitchen, where's a place you like to go to get a great steak? 
 I do like a good steak every once in a while. The Outback Restaurant has some good ones.  I like Sirloin steak cooked very well done without all the sauces that they sometimes offer.  

7. When was the last time you were in a genuine hurry?
I tend to leave in plenty of time to get to where I'm going so I really can't remember the last time I was running late and in a hurry.  I don't like driving stressed and I like to have time for the sometimes crazy traffic we will have up here.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
JOY within me.
   I've been keeping a secret from just about all of you.  Today I am letting the secret out. Eleven months ago I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects the plasma in my blood. I was told it was "Smoldering" which meant it was not doing anything, just sitting in my blood.  So we didn't do anything except tell our kids and a few close friends.  They became my Prayer Warriors and together we have kept the illness at bay.  
   Every month I saw a doctor, either my Primary Care Doctor or our Oncologist, for blood tests. Every month I was told I was healthy.  Then in early April the blood test showed that the cancer was growing. More tests showed it was growing at a faster rate, so on May 3rd I had a Chemo Port implanted in my chest (we named her Pebbles, as in a little bump in the road to better health) and on Tuesday the 14th I had my first Chemo Treatment.  
   In all I will have 16 treatments, one every week. 2 different Chemo drugs and a steroid for side affects as well as taking a anti-viral pill 2 times a day for the next 4 months.  This is a grueling treatment, but I feel strong, not sick at all and we are ready to fight.  I am also a good canadate for a stem cell bone marrow transplant sometime in the future.  
   It's time to let the cat out of the bag as it were so if you don't see me blogging it's most likely because I under the weather or that this illness does take up a lot of space on the calendar.  I have a lot to do to get well and so the Joy within me is that I'm healthy enough to do what the doctors want me to do and I have Prayer Warriors that have been bringing me before God for eleven months now.  Best of all I have Hubby, who has taken up a lot of extra duties since this thing started.  He is the best and I'm so glad to have him by my side.  Good thing he's retired right?

Ok you're turn, how would you answer these questions?

22 comments:

  1. I would want my food labeled too. I like a good steak about once a month. No sauce. It would be a rare occasion for me to run late.

    Lynn Marie, my heart is with you. My prayers are yours. I will be thinking of you daily. May God see you through this storm with His love. ((HUGS)) Thank you for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debby, Thank you for your care and concern. I will keep everyone updated as we continue to walk this new path.

      Delete
  2. I like your answer for #4. It made me think of Steve Austin, (from the show, The Six-Million dollar man), and Oscar Goldman.... and the idea of a bionic brain... Remember? "Gentlemen, we can rebuild it... We have the technology... bigger, faster, stronger, better than it was before!".... Still to this day, I think Lee Majors is absolutely gorgeous! I'd marry him in a New York minute! (0; (Oh, and I liked your answer to number 5 too!) Nice meeting you via Wednesday Hodgepodge, and have a great week! ~tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina, It was nice meeting you and I enjoyed your answers very much.

      Delete
  3. When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks!



    My web site; refinishing hardwood floors

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry, I'm not able to see where to remove people. I think that is something you have to do from your end.

      Delete
  4. Hi Lynn...I'm glad you've shared your story. Know that I'll be keeping you in my prayers as you deal with treatment. Praying you feel God's perfect peace as you face this challenge...prayer combined with today's modern medicine is pretty powerful! I'll check out the caringbridge as well...I saw the link on your hubs blog. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Joyce. I'm glad you found the caringbridge site.

      Delete
  5. Gah, Attempt number 2 to leave a comment!

    Lynn, thank you so much for having the courage to share what's going on with you health wise and to fight that cancer. I'm praying for you and your support team (husband, family, friends, medical team....), and if there are specific things you'd like me to pray for just let me know.
    Much love and blessings, LA x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura, it doesn't feel like courage, it feels like leaning on others to hole me up for a bit. Thank you for stopping by today.

      Delete
  6. Your answer for #5 is great! You're right, "home" is a place that changes as we do.

    Sending good positive thoughts and prayers for you during your chemo. Mine is an immune disorder, but I know how totally awesome a husband can be; I'm happy that you have one of the great ones too. Hugs to you both and everyone supporting you through this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nani, I'm sorry that you have health issues as well. I hope that you are getting the care you need and so glad that you have a hubby who cares for you.

      Delete
  7. I'm glad you chose to share your health issues today. I'll be praying for you, as you take your journey back to health. ((hugs)) I know you're in great hands, thanks to your loving hubby :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kathy. I do believe we are in good hands.

      Delete
  8. I'm so sorry to read this, LynnMarie. But I know you will be back in great health soon. I will be hoping and praying for you along with your Warriors. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julie for your prayers. I know that God hears them all.

      Delete
  9. Lynn Marie, I'm so glad you told everyone about your cancer now, so that you have more prayer warriors sending up healing requests on your behalf.

    Joy is your word because that's how you choose to view life, with optimism and gratitude, even including this lousy cancer.

    I would choose the word "Courage" for you as well because it takes a brave heart to face down cancer the way you have for this past year.

    Your cancer doesn't have a prayer because you've got all of ours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anu, as one of the first to know about my health, you know that I'm not good at keeping secrets and this one just got too big! Thank you for your kindness and all the emails to encourage me. I can't even find the words to express how much it has all meant to me. You are a good and true friend.

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lynn,

    Girl..you should have told us...I'm praying for you!!!! My Uncle Harold has this (at 80 years old) and is doing remarkably well. We know the great physician! You hang in there! Praying for you...

    Love,
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you Tammy - it's nice to hear of others with it who are living long and wonderful lives. It's nice to hear that others even know what it is! I didn't and had to look it up! Thank your also for the prayers. The more the better!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my, LynnMarie ... I'm sorry it took me this long (I'm just now getting caught up from when we were on vacation). I'm so sorry to hear this ... but I'm glad that you've shared it with us so we can be praying for you, too. {{{hug}}}

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by today and if you left me a comment, thank you twice!