7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net
The picture on the blog tonight is Tom and Linda Rose. Maybe I’ve introduced them before, but I could never say enough about them. I went to high school with both of them and they were good to welcome me, a ‘foreign’ new kid! It was so wonderful when they joined us in Hawaii last year for a couple of weeks. Linda will always call Don, Don’s Tours because he wouldn’t give them a break in Hawaii. He didn’t want them to miss a thing and they were such good sports. I love this picture because it’s our favorite hike and Tom and Linda (everyone we took there) loved it, too. It’s the kind of place that most people never see when they go to Hawaii, but Bob Dwyer not only shared his home, but he told us all the ‘secret’ places to go, also! This is not the bikini beach kind of Hawaii; this is the Hawaii that we love. Of course we loved the beaches, too. I thought of these times when Linda wrote and mentioned Don’s Tours because we are walking an hour a day here in Houston. We did LOTS of walking on the Big Island, too.
What’s happening now: Not only is hair growing on my head, but I’ve had to pluck 4 stiff whiskers from my chin! I have more peach fuzz on my face than I ever had, too. I don’t miss my breasts at all, in fact it still feels like they are there. Sometimes I look down and am surprised that they are gone. Actually I like the look of them gone, but I still have feeling as if they were there. That’s bizarre, but it’s how it is. What I don’t like is that I can see my belly, now, and it’s way too big! I hope this walking will help me to shrink it some, but I’m going to have to back away from the table and snacks, too. The hairs are growing back on my arms and legs, too. The hair on my legs is not nearly as thick as it was before, but it’s enough to shave. I trimmed my hair again today; that’s the third time I’ve done that. It gets so woolly on my neck and ears, so I trim it. I tell you all this because I believe it has helped me to have been through it with Mom; if you go through it with me, then maybe you can help someone else to go through it or it will be easier for you if you are faced with it (God forbid!). The best thing about all of this is that Don loves me with any measure of hair or none, tic tac toe on my flat chest, and walking with a stick or not; what a partner! I thank God for blessing me so richly.
Hi Jo! Thanks for showing us Hawaii again. I still remember vividly the gasps when Don's Tours would round a bend, or reach a bluff, or clear the tree line and we could see the absolutely God made beautiful scenery of the big island of Hawaii. A trip we will never forget and we continue to thank you, Don's Tours and Bob Dwyer!
ReplyDeleteOn TV a couple days ago, Dr. Oz on Oprah said that 1 in 11 women will have breast cancer. You cannot imagine what an inspiration you are to all of your friends and family. If another of us has to deal with what you have handled so gracefully, we will be able to go forward and try to live up to your standards, although you have set the bar high! Having a Don would really help too! We love you both and Bob Dwyer too, Linda Rose
PS: How about a picture of Bob if you have one handy! XXXOOO
Jo,
ReplyDeleteA great big AMEN to the words from Linda!! I hope I never have to be faced with breast cancer, but I know with you having paved the way and been such a wonderful example (to so many!) it would sure be easier for me! I still hope down the road you write a book!!
Love you much!
Ruthie
PS Thanks for picture of Mom 2 days ago...another reminder of "stuff" we are made of and that we can fight whatever with God's help!
Hi, Linda, It was such fun going back and remembering the fun we had in Hawaii! I'm so glad that you treasure it as we do. What a great idea to put Bob's picture on the Blog! But, I don't have one of him with me. I don't even know for sure if I have one at home because we hardly see him when we go keep his house; we kind of pass at the airport. I think I have one I can scan, though. I'll work on that for the blog when we get home. Thanks for a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI love Dr. Oz, but I think the odds may be worse. Everything I'm told is that 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer. Any are too many. The good news is that they are having much better results with treatment, now, though. Several people have told me that what I'm telling them is a big help. I just know that it's been such a help to me to have had my mom's experience to recall. Plus there is a site called breastcancerstories.com and the stories those ladies share have been a big help to me, too. I feel like if people are good enough to read the blog then I should be honest with them and give them something they can use if they ever know someone who needs support or if they find they need it themselves. Thank you for your love and support ever since 1963! You and Tom are friends as good as family!
Love,
Jo
Ruthie, thanks to you and Linda. You give me too much credit. I really feel that so many people have been so supportive of me through this that the least I can do is pour out my heart and hope it does someone some good.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a joy to put Mom's picture on the blog. I feel like she's been with me this whole way and I refer to her a lot. I can't believe I didn't think to do it sooner. Duh!
I don't know about writing a book. I'm willing, but I'd sure need a ghost writer to get it right for me. I sure do have a story to tell, but I don't know that it's one anyone wants to read.
Thanks for your support all the way and since I can remember!
Love you,
Mary Jo