Apartment from the outside.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

I apologize to the people using dial up access for 3 pictures, but I think all 3 are needed to give the whole picture of our apartment from the outside. The first one is a shot of our building which shows our blue van parked right in front of our front door. That is our living room window to the left of the window. Then there is the utility box where the breaker switches are, as well as some meters. On the left side of the utility box is our bedroom window. We only have the downstairs unit.

The second picture is taken from across the street showing our blue van to give you perspective. Look down the street and to the right and you’ll see the big bus, which is the shuttle that we can ride to the hospital. It parks there at about 15 after the hour and then leaves on the half hour all day. Across the street from the shuttle is the building where the post office boxes are. See, those are both so handy for us. If you look closely you’ll see a car that has just passed the bus, which is turning left. It is leaving the Brompton Court Apartment complex, so you’ll see how we get out of here.

The last picture is taken from right behind our van and looking down the street. Notice the building in front of the bus and to the right of it that has big white pillars. That pillared building is where the main office for these apartments is. That is also where the work out room is. Handy, huh? We are so very blessed, and I thank God so much for giving us the opportunity to be here.

Hair update.

7490 Brompton, Apt.442
Houston, Tx 77025
713-660-7816

This is the current picture of the hair growth. I never wear any hat besides a baseball cap for warmth and protection from the sun when we walk. It’s sure nice to have enough hair to keep my head warm! Remember, you can click on the picture and have a giant version to inspect the hair if you don't think there's much hair there. It really is getting thicker and longer.

This is also a peek at some of the markings they put on me for radiation. I told them that my granddaughter, Grace, would be disappointed that SHE didn’t get to do the markings! She’s really a whiz with markers! Those markings go all the way over to my armpit and down to the bottom of my ribs. If you look closely you’ll see some shiny spots. That’s the tape they put over the marks to keep them there. I can shower, but I can’t let the water run directly on the markings and I can’t put soap on them. I’m supposed to just let whatever soap and water runs over my shoulders be there and pat dry. So far I’m doing okay with it. I am allergic to most adhesives, so I was concerned about this tape, but they said this is the tape they use on babies and is very gentle. So far it’s not bothering me; hope my body will accept it for the 6 weeks of radiation!

The cami-jamies are left over from Overseas Brats functions. There are a group of us girls who have these cami-jamies for those special times together. I decided I wasn’t getting enough wear out of them, so I’m supporting the troops lounging around the apartment. Tomorrow is Friday, so it’s red shirt day, too. Woo Hoo!

I thank God for tape that isn’t flesh eating; for troops who are so brave; and for friends and family who love me (even flat chested!).

More company!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Today’s picture is me with my company today, Pam Lyden, another Itazuke Alumni! Pam is a breast cancer survivor and is ahead of me by almost a year in her experiences. She is an absolute doll and it was really wonderful for her to come by to see me. She even brought me a pillow case she’d made out of very soft flannel for my nearly bald head. She was very encouraging to insist that my hair is coming in thick. God bless her. I’ll have to have Don take a hair picture to update you all on the hair progress. The pillow case has pink breast cancer awareness ribbons all over it and wonderful words like: love, care, life, faith, hope, as well as pink and white hearts; it’s beautiful and extremely soft! Thanks, Pam!

Yesterday we went to see a local chiropractor and he worked really hard on my knee and told me to go walk a lot. So, we walked for 25 minutes yesterday and it hurt like all get out last night! It was lots better when I woke this morning and it got better as the day passed. This afternoon we walked 35 minutes and it’s hurting a lot, but not as badly as last night. I see the chiropractor again in the morning and report how the walking is going and how the pain is happening. Maybe this pain is a part of the healing process. I’m willing to do that. I’m so thrilled that he is working to get me walking while we are here for this awesome weather. I really need to be walking to get my bone strength back and to help me get through the radiation. That’s the health report. Otherwise, I’m doing really great. The nerves are waking up more and hurting a bit less. That’s great progress, too. I’m very pleased with all that’s happening and thank God for guiding me. Thank you for keeping an eye on us.

About these apartments.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77205
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Today’s picture is the two dozen roses we got for a dollar on Feb. 15th. Actually, there were more and I put the others into a little vase in the dressing area, so that’s the second picture. What a bargain, huh?

Speaking of bargains; Dana posted a question about this apartment and our getting if it is affiliated with MD Anderson. No, it has nothing to do with MD Anderson. Don’s sister and her husband go to a church that has 6 apartments that they furnish and make available to MD Anderson patients and families. Doris and Jerry and another couple manage these 6 apartments in that they see that they are furnished and clean and ready for someone to move into as soon as someone is able to leave. Like last week when we helped them get a couple moved out, we had less than 2 hours to get it ready for a new family to move into it. They do such a great job! That lady who left calls Doris and Wanda (the other lady) their angels. When Doris went to the door to wave goodbye, her husband was waiting in the car and he asked his wife, "Is that Mrs. Angel?" She came back in to tell us that story; she thought it was so cute.

Doris and Wanda clean the apartment and make sure it is fully stocked with linens, dishes, etc. They throw out any opened foods that are left and clean the kitchen, bathroom and carpets, so that it’s clean for the incoming people. There is a list that is available to them of people who need housing. Of course they can put someone into an apartment if they are aware of a need, too, which is how we got this apartment; we were lucky that someone left right when we needed the place. There are many churches who have apartments and all of them pay some portion of the rent and that amount varies. We are paying about half, I think of what the rent really is. Our utilities are included in what we pay.

Jerry and Bill (Wanda’s husband) help with the cleaning and do things like replace a broken TV, etc. Jerry installed high speed internet in all the apartments over the last few weeks. It is all really so very nice. I mean, like we don’t just have a set of dishes, but we have extras of everything so that I don’t run out of dishes when the dishwasher is full. There are plenty of towels for baths as well as swimming. (There are 5 pools in this complex!) When people leave, they often leave things they accumulated while here, which they won’t need at home, so there are things like vases, etc.

This complex has about 750 apartments, I think, and 70 of them are managed by the various churches for patients. The others are occupied by all kinds of people, many on staff at the various hospitals. There is a group called the hospitality suites and they have furnished apartments for MD Anderson patients for free. (These are also operated by a church group.) However, they have a rule that you must stay a month, and 3 months is the longest you can stay. We are on that waiting list, but will likely stay here because we don’t want to risk being thrown out on our ear at the end of 3 months. I don’t expect to have to stay that long, but we never know. There is no limit to how long we can stay in this apartment.

This ministry is a work all these churches do to represent God and it is such a good work! We’ve met 3 other couples who are staying in church provided apartments and we are all so very grateful. I really don’t know what all these people would do if they weren’t here. It really makes long term treatment possible. We thank God for His people who want to do this work.

Radiation begins Monday.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Today’s picture is me with the bayou behind me. This is where Don walks and I used to walk with him. He also walks other places, but I couldn’t tell you where. Tomorrow I have an appointment to see a chiropractor about my knees, so I hope I’ll be walking with him again, soon. The bayou is less than a block from here.

Today we went for the simulation for the radiation treatments. I was disappointed to learn that they aren’t going to tattoo little x’s on me after all! I thought I was going to be so cool with tattoos, but not so. I’m going to be cool with the 2-4 year olds because they marked my chest all over with permanent markers! I told them my grandkids would be so disappointed that they didn’t get to do it.

I did just fine for the procedure. It wasn’t painful at all. My range of motion is just fine to do the moves they needed me to do. They made a mold for my body to fit into every time I go for treatments. I’ll go back Friday and get into the mold but for X-rays, not a treatment. Then on next Monday I’ll have my first radiation treatment. If all goes as planned I should finish in the middle of April and we’ll be able to head for home.

Wow; home! That sounds good. We’re already thinking of this apartment of home, but it’ll be so sweet to get home to our real home. I thank God for both our real home and this place to call home while we’re on this portion of our journey.

Thanks to those who came before us.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog today is one Don took right after the last drains were removed. I wanted to show you the apartments. This is the entrance where the gate is. We have a card to swipe to open the gates (or wait until someone else comes in and we follow them in). Our apartment is on the ground level. Soon I will put a picture of our specific apartment on the blog. I just want you to have a good idea of our circumstances.

I was explaining to a friend today that my purpose with the blog is to let anyone who cares know about my progress. I want to be very honest because I know that someday someone of you or someone else you know will face breast cancer because it is so common. It is such a help to me to have lived through it with my mom. If you live through it with me, then you will be better prepared, too. Breast cancer is not a kiss of death; it’s a diagnosis. When I first got my diagnosis with the biopsy results in Houston my doctor told me, "You have cancer, but cancer is not your life. You live your life and we’ll treat the cancer." I appreciated her attitude so much and it gave me a good outlook from the beginning.

I thank God for you who care to read and keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I thank Him for the good care I get. I thank Him for His care.

I look back at the picture that is on the blog today and I thought I felt good that day. I was so thrilled to be loosed from the drains! I know that I feel so much better today, just a little more than a week later. I really get around so well. If I could just get to see my chiropractor at home to fix my knees, I’d be in great shape! My range of motion with my shoulders and arms is so good. I’m very pleased! My exercises still hurt to do, but I do them easily.

I still can’t sleep on my side; mostly because it’s uncomfortable to my arms. It’s so odd to me that my arms seem to be suffering the most from all this surgery. Someone who was in this apartment before us left a huge triangular, hard, foam, cushion. It was still in plastic, having never been used. It’s been wonderful for me. I put it up against my back and lean against it to sleep tilted to my side and not completely on my side. It’s a refreshing break from sleeping flat on my back. I can also put it under my knees when I sleep on my back, and that relieves the knees.

This apartment concept is amazing. Besides that huge triangle of foam is a wheel chair, a potty chair, a walker, two air mattresses, a shower chair, and numerous gauze pads, etc. It’s amazing and could be very helpful. I’ve used the shower chair (although we brought one, but just left it in the car) and the foam triangle. Thank God for the sharing of those who came before us.

Deep blue eyes!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

This picture is Raynie when she realized she’d missed Elena’s birthday party. Just kidding. This is a picture Trish sent today showing Raynie’s ‘trick’ of the week. Last week it was sticking her tongue out; this week it’s sticking out her lower lip. It doesn’t mean she’s unhappy; it’s just the look she’s wearing at the moment. What a little character she is. Elena doesn’t have the only blue eyes in the family, but Raynie’s are sure darker blue. How blessed are we to have two sweet baby darlings in one year? Raynie is 7 ½ months old and lives in Oklahoma City.

Today has gone well. Don walked for a couple of hours, so he’s really tired. I am still pampering my knees, so I stayed home and read and napped while he walked. It was a beautiful day in Houston, so I hated to stay inside, but I settled for a walk to check our mail and even that hurt my knee.

I do have good news, though. I forgot to mention that my neuropathy is much improved and I asked the doctor if I could cut back on the medication. She gave me a schedule for weaning off of it and I’ve done well with cutting back from 900 mg to 600 mg since Wednesday. I’m happy about that. Next Wednesday I’ll cut back to 300 mg for two weeks before I see how it goes with NONE. That’s a pretty good plan. My big toenails are nearly gone. I’ve cut them back and filled them so that they don’t catch on anything, so they don’t bother me at all. I’m very pleased at this improvement. My fingernails are nearly grown out to normal. That means they are cut very short, but only a very little bit of the damaged part still remains.

Look around and count the many rich blessings in our lives. I thank God for such a blessed life and I hope you will, too.

Thanks for Tylenol.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog today is Diana and I at lunch yesterday. We went to the Good Company Barbecue place, which is where Judy and Aki took us last summer when we first came here. They have great barbecue, wonderful cheese bread, jalapeno bread, and great baked potatoes.

This has been a really busy week. I went two days and nights without pain pills or Tylenol, but yesterday I decided I didn’t want to be any hero. I went to bed with Tylenol and have taken them all day today. I think I will heal better if I don’t tense up from pain and my fuse was starting to get really short last night.

My pain is not so much in the breast area. That area is still very numb. However, the nerves are waking up in the backs of my upper arms and that pain is pretty tough. I don’t even like a sleeve touching it, but I freeze if I only wear tank tops. It feels like I’ve burned the backs of my arms. The other pain that really gets to me is right under one of the drain holes. I’m sure it’s a nerve coming back to life because there should be nothing there to hurt. It feels like some little wire gouging me there when I do my exercises.

I’m doing really well with my exercises, though. I’m amazed at the range of motion that I have. I have no doubt that I’ll be able to lay in the position they want me to lay when I go in for the radiation assimilation on Monday. I have plenty of pain pills left and I’ll take one on Monday to be sure I can get through the procedure. In the meantime, Tylenol takes the edge of the pain enough for me to make it. A couple of years ago I leaned how great Tylenol is when I was having prolotherapy on my knees and back; how soon we forget. Once again, I’m thanking God for Tylenol!

There is so much for which to be grateful; wonderful strides in modern medicine; great hospitals, doctors and staff; awesome family and friends, a wonderful place to call home away from home; a great home to miss; health and happiness and a heavenly Father who guides us all the way. By the way; thanks for all the cards you are sending. It’s fun to get the mail every day! You are wonderful to keep posts on the blog, emails in my email box and snail mail in our mailbox. We love you all!

Elena is one year and one day!

7490 Brompton, Apt 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog is thanks to Gretta’s sister-in-law, Diane. She is in Louisville celebrating Elena’s birthday and she sent me pictures of the celebration. Gretta dressed Elena up for the occasion. You can tell by her expression that she realizes this is something different because she’s all dressed up in a dress. She’s thinking, "So are we playing dress up for the camera, again, Mom? Don’t you ever get tired of this game?" Diane, thanks so much for the precious pictures. You made my day!

Today has been busy. Doris and her friend, Wanda, were coming over to clean an apartment and get it ready to welcome in another couple. The people were meeting them at 11:15 and Wanda had an appointment at 2, so they had a lot to do in a short period of time. We were eager to help them, because we are so pleased to have this home away from home; we wanted to be a part in helping someone else to have such a home. The people were supposed to be out of the apartment at 7 this morning. When we got over there at 10:00 the apartment was still full of their stuff, but they weren’t there! We were standing around debating about what to do when they got there. The hospital had kept them that long in checking them out! They were so frustrated, but we got them out and the place cleaned in time to get the new folks checked in. The new folks had been in a motel for a MONTH; that could have been US, so we are so grateful. Of course we could have stayed with Doris or Judy, but, we are so grateful to have had this apartment during surgery and recovery. I thank God!

Bob and Diana came by on their way home and we joined them for lunch. It’s been great to see them a couple of times this week! On our way home we stopped at Kroger’s. Kroger’s is our store of choice, here, and we think of you every time we go, Evelyn (Evelyn retired from Kroger’s, so it seems like a family place.) They had flowers on sale, again, and I hit the jackpot! I got a mixed bouquet that was originally $26 for $2 and two dozen roses that were originally $13 for $1! That was the good news. The bad news was that I had to come home and arrange them. That was fun, but very tiring after the full day we’d already had. I got meat at Kroger’s but it gets to wait until tomorrow to go into patties and go into the freezer. I’m frazzled. But, I love the flowers! It’s sure easier to pay $3 for them at Kroger’s than to cultivate them at home!

Today I’m thanking God for beautiful flowers, and beautiful sisters in law!

Happy First Birthday Sweet Elena!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Today we celebrated Elena’s first birthday by hanging around the apartment and cleaning house. Ha! It’s a good thing because we need clean clothes and someone has said that ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness.’ Don runs the vacuum and I do the laundry. Well, he takes it over to the laundry room and comes and brings it back. I can reach everything; I just can’t lift. Actually, I COULD lift, but they tell me not to in order to prevent lymphedema (painful swelling of the arms due to lymph node removal). We hate that we can’t be there to celebrate Elena’s first birthday, but she’ll have fun without us and we’ll celebrate whenever we see her next.

The picture on the blog is Diana and I sitting on the porch of the Bishop’s Palace Monday. They have tours every ½ hour, so we were waiting for them to open the doors for us. They wouldn’t let us take pictures inside; what a shame, but I would have missed the tour for taking pictures if they had let us. It was really unreal and wonderful to see and share with Bob and Di because they are restoring their beautiful old home. It’ll be the Clark Palace, I think; I know it’ll be beautiful because Diana has exquisite taste and Bob is a perfectionist.

Tomorrow Bob and Di are coming back through on their way home. We’ll have lunch together somewhere and then send them on their way home. In the morning Doris is coming to get another apartment ready; someone is going home and someone else is more than ready to move into the apartment. Don and I will help them get the apartment ready. It’ll be fun to be able to ‘give back’ a little energy since we appreciate this apartment so much. We are still thanking God for His grace to make this one available in time for our need. It is so wonderful to be able to have our own place through this time.

My knee is still swelling, so I’m not walking much. We walked at the hospital yesterday (There’s a good walkway between two buildings.), plus there is a lot of walking just getting from one appointment to the next. It was enough to make my knee mad, so I’m still taking it easy. I’ve got to limp along until we can get home to my chiropractor; he has the magic touch and can fix this knee. I keep doing what I think he does, but he didn’t pay bunches of bucks for that education for nothing; I’m not getting the job done like he does. I thank God for Paul Reed, ‘my’ chiropractor, too! Don walked for an hour and a half this morning, before the rains set in this afternoon; I got a great nap!

Another day at MD Anderson and Galveston!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture today is me with Diana and Bob on the beach in Galveston yesterday. You can tell we were having such fun.

Today was my day for appointments at MD Anderson. I had a bone density test and then saw my original doctor. She’s very pleased with my progress and wants me to go on hormone therapy for the next 5 years at least. This is because my cancer was fed by estrogen so they want to block any estrogen production in my body. The bone density test was because the hormone they want to give me is hard on bones. So, I have to take calcium and vitamin D and work to build my bones back up. The bones in my back are good, but the bones in my legs and hips are beginning to soften. I don’t have osteoporosis, but I do have osteopenia; that’s the stage before osteoporosis. That’s my understanding of what happened today. None of that is bad; it’s just how it is.

I’m really tired from the day. They also drew blood today, and my blood seems to be pretty good. That feels good after so many months of it being lousy. It’s good to feel strong and good. The exercises are going great! I think I’ll be able to get into position for the radiation with no problem.

There is so much for which to give thanks! As I sat in the room waiting for my bone density test today there were 3 other women who are scheduled for mastectomies tomorrow. They couldn’t believe I was sitting there among them less than three weeks from my mastectomies and I was up and around and waving my arms, etc. It felt good to be a positive example for them. I could only thank God that I could do that. They were all expecting to go home and go to bed or something. I told them to plan to go home and fix lunch with the help of someone to do the reaching for them. It’s way more fun to be able than to be unable. I thank God for letting me be able! I thank you for reading about me and caring!

A day in Galveston!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Wow! Two great visiting days in a row! The picture on the blog today is of me with Bob and Diana Clark in GALVESTON! They came this direction last night and met Terri on her way home for dinner. Then they stayed the night on the way and got up EARLY this morning to get here in time to meet us and Judy for breakfast! They are famous world travelers and also famous great friends! They were going to Galveston for a few days in a timeshare, so we followed them down there and cruised around Galveston with them. It was fun to see the beach and a cool coastal town. We stumbled upon The Bishop’s Palace and decided on the spur of the moment to tour it. It was a delight! If you go to Galveston, be sure to go visit it. Then we went down to the beach and got some more pictures. I’ll put more pictures on the blog another day. You might enjoy checking The Bishop’s Palace on Google for more information.

It’s only about an hour to drive down to Galveston, and an hour back, but it’s that TRAFFIC that is so uncommon to us, again. It wears us out really fast, so we’re exhausted. I managed to do lots of my exercises in the car, so I didn’t have too many to do when we got home. Either the exercises aren’t hurting so much any more, or I was flat worn out because I went to sleep during two that I was timing for 10 minutes. If I didn’t have the timer set on the phone I’d still be asleep!

I sure thank God for friends who will go out of their way so much to come and visit to make sure I’m doing okay. God is great; so are friends! Thank you for being a friend or a family member who cares enough to read about us. All is well in Houston. (You can tell by my smile, right?)

Terri visits!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

What a wonderful day! You can see that the picture on the blog today is Terri and I. We had a wonderful visit. She came just for a few hours, but it was a wonderful visit! I thank God for bring her, safely, and pray that He takes her home safely.

Before Terri got her Don and I walked to the Bayou to see what it looks like with yesterday’s rain filling it. It was a lot deeper than it was before, so we were glad we went to see it. There is still plenty of room for more water before it floods around here, though. After Terri left Don took off for a ‘real’ walk. He likes to walk a couple of hours. I wish I could go with him, but my knees aren’t that happy, yet.

It is such a gorgeous day! I thank God that Don can walk and that I got to get out for a bit. We all went out to a Mexican restaurant that is nearby for lunch, so that was a nice treat, too. Don got a picture of me at the bayou; I’ll put that on the blog sometime in the near future. Tomorrow Bob and Diana Clark are coming to visit, so we’ll have their pictures on the blog. They are on their way to Galveston for a few days in a timeshare and stopping by to check on us on their way.

Tuesday we have appointments at MD Anderson, so back to the local sort of grind for us. I thank God for this opportunity and pray that all goes well. Exercises are going well!

Quiet Saturday after all.

7490 Brompton, Apt.442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog tonight is our son, David, and his wife, Susan, with their daughter, Erica, and their son, Bruce. Erica is the oldest of our grandkids, and she is 17. Bruce is 13, and he our most serious ball player. His tournament baseball has already started and I’m hating to miss the games! I can hardly wait to get back into the swing of ball season. This picture is over a year old, but it’s amazing how little they change except the kids get so TALL! David has just bought a business in Norman, Oklahoma, so he has an apartment there. Susan and the kids still live in Wichita Falls and plan to until Erica graduates. David travels in his business over northern Texas and southern Oklahoma, plus he makes all of Bruce’s games, so he pretty much lives in his truck.

Today has been an easy, restful Saturday. We didn’t have any plans because we were expecting our friend, Terri, to come. I called her last night when they were predicting tornadoes here for all afternoon today. I didn’t want her to come and be in the middle of a bunch of horrible weather, so she’s coming tomorrow, instead. Well, the weathermen were off target, so we haven’t had horrible weather. It is raining, but it’s not storming. I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry. We have as sweet visit to look forward to for tomorrow, now.

We watched a movie on TV while I hemmed a pair of pants and took in another couple of pairs. I can’t wear suspenders forever and a couple of pairs kept falling even though I didn’t have the drains on them. I wish it was because I’ve lost weight, but it’s not that; these were some that were too big already, and they needed adjusting. I also got a good nap this afternoon. I’ve got my evening exercises yet to do and then I’m ready for bed. The exercises are amazing me. They hurt, but my range of motion is increasing, already.

I thank God for my opportunity to heal so well. I thank him for wonderful family and for their health and happiness. We are richly blessed!

Happy Red Shirt Day, Ann.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog today is my good friend, Ann Nelson. Ann is married to Jim, who is an Itazuke alumni. Jim and I weren’t there at the same time, but he and Ann and Don and I have become good friends through the reunions and particularly when we discovered Jim and Ann here in Houston last summer when we came to begin treatments. Jim and Ann live in Paris, Texas, but they were here for treatments for Ann. You may have noticed many posts from Ann. She is a supporter of our troops who wears a red shirt on Fridays to show that support. Ann, I love you, Girl!

Today has been a full day. I do my exercises 3 times a day and that’s a pretty big deal. They are painful, but I’m doing better and better each time. I think it’s a real doable thing! They take about 15 minutes each time. This morning I did laundry and was really proud I could reach the top dryers! Last week I could only use the bottom dryers. It’s fun to see changes like that from week to week. I took my first shower without a chair today! That was way fun. It’s so wonderful to be without drains (they required the chair so that I had someplace to put the drains). Before my shower I actually cut my hair! That sounds so silly, but it was getting really woolly around my neck and ears. It was fun to do; nobody will ever notice, but I loved doing it. It was fun to be able to reach the back of my neck, too (hard, but fun). I gave Don a haircut today, too. I feels so good to be able to do regular stuff. I cooked 3 pounds of chicken breasts for the freezer; that’ll feed us for a while. We also went to the grocery store for a couple of things, and they had Valentine flowers on sale! Woohoo! I got some sweet little miniature roses and some mums for the table. I had fun with those; love those bargains!

The most awesome thing is how those holes for the drains heal! Don and I have been marveling at how magnificent God made our bodies! It’s so amazing to us that these holes the size of my pinkie finger close up in a single day! It floors us that last week they were pouring out fluid that collected in the reservoirs and now the holes close and the body soaks up the fluid. God made the bodies and then He gave us brains so that some folks figured out how to make all this work along with His plan for healing. Man. It’s beyond my comprehension, but I sure thank Him for all of His awesome handiwork, from our bodies to the flowers for us to enjoy. Praise God!

Happy Valentine's Day!

7490 Brompton, Apt 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog tonight just came today, so we are so proud to show of our oldest daughter, Gina, with Kyle (11), then her husband, Brian. In the front are Ethan (4) and Elise (8). They live in Indiana, just 45 minutes or so north of Gretta in Louisville. Gina is Brian’s valentine every day of the year; how could he ever forget with that red hair?

Today was a great day for us because they removed the last two of my drains! It feels so good to be tube and drain free. It is totally painless when they remove the drains. It is so nice to be able to walk around and not catch on the cabinet and drawer pulls! It’s nice not to have to empty the drains and clean, them, etc. That was a 30 minute procedure twice a day. I’ve traded that for pretty painful exercises. That’s okay. The exercises are pointing me in the direction of radiation and radiation is the last of all this process. I sure like being closer to the end.

I can do everything I could do before except lift and take a bath. I can only shower for a while; I forgot to ask how long. I’m happy to be able to shower without a shower chair and without drains! I am pretty stiff, but the more I exercise, the looser I get. My knee is lots better. Next week I think I can walk with Don, again. I’ll go easier and build up instead of walking so much at first. I have to be careful reaching, but I reach a lot and don’t have to call on Don for so much. God has been so generous with me with this healing. I sure thank Him for His care. Thank you for caring and for your prayers, too.

A bath is such a dream.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Tonight’s blog picture is Elena enjoying her bath; love of a bath is a genetic thing, surely. Her mom and I both love our baths. It’s been two weeks since I had a bath, so I especially enjoyed this picture. I get a shower every day to soften up my stitches and tape, besides to be clean, but I’ll be so glad to have a bath some day!

Tomorrow is the day they’ll take out the last two drains and I’m really excited about that! It’ll be so nice to stand and take my shower! Actually, I’m so glad to be able to stand. Two weeks ago is the day I had my surgery and the next day I couldn’t take a shower, but on Saturday I could and it took all the energy I had to do it. I’m amazed that I’m anxious to STAND for my shower, now! I can’t stand because I have these drains, so I have to sit and leave them resting on the chair with me. I can stand for a bit, but I have to leave the drains on the shower chair and that’s clumsy. It’ll be really nice to be free of the drains and tubes. I catch the tubes on all the drawer pulls and cabinet knobs.

I know that the drains are a blessing, though, to keep from having lots of painful swelling. It’ll just be so nice to be free of them! I thank God for the strides that have been made in medicine to make my recovery as comfortable as it has been. I thank Him for my ability to heal and the strength that I have. When they took out the drain on my left side on Monday they said I should start the "without drains" exercises. Man! They are hard and painful, but I can see a difference in my range of motion on that side, already. I dread having to do those exercises on the right side, but on the other hand I look forward to seeing my range of motion improve. It’s all part of the learning process and I thank God for it all. Don is a great coach to keep me doing the exercises.

I haven’t been able to sleep on my left side, yet. It was a nice thought, but it I am way to sore to lay on my side. I guess they did a lot of digging under my arm. Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to sleep on my back nearly as much as it does to lay on my side. I thank God that I can sleep and I won’t be picky about the position; I’m grateful for the rest! Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan don’t get to be picky about how they sleep, so I need not be. I thank God for them and ask Him to keep them safe and as comfortable as possible.

Valentine flowers.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442

Houston, TX 77025

713-660-7816

donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Today’s picture is me in front of my Valentine flowers that Don bought for me when we went to the grocery store today. There is also the Valentine bear, card and picture that Luke sent. (Gretta, I’m wearing the sweater you handed down to Trish and she handed down to me.)

Last night Don and I were planning how we will use our timeshare weeks this year and he said, "After we spend 3 months here are you going to want to go somewhere else? This is kind of like being in a condo." I’m glad it’s that good for him. It’s nearly that good for me, too, but not exactly. It’s a lot the same in that we have a nice place to stay; it’s like home in that we cook and have plenty of space. It’s the same in that we like to go somewhere and really do nothing but hike around. That’s what we’re doing here when I can keep my knee in shape. It’s wonderful that having surgery and recovering is like a vacation. It makes our vacations sound bad, but we really love them. It’s such a blessing that this surgery is a healing event for me, so why not make it a vacation? As soon as we get through with this ‘vacation,’ we will be doing mostly reunions and baseball, we hope.

Don has a couple of school reunions this year. I have a family reunion and a school reunion. That’s 4 great times for us. Besides that we want to catch up on all the baseball we missed last summer. Bruce is already playing baseball, so we’re behind already. We’ll catch up as soon as we can!

I thank God for the opportunity to vacation lots whether for surgery or not. We are blessed to have been able to retire early and get to spend lots of time together and lots of time with our kids who are scattered all over the country. (Not nearly ENOUGH, but more than folks who still work.) We thank God for our blessings of time together and great health in our family.

First drain is removed! YES! Sleeping on the left side tonight!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog today is the full version of me headed out to lunch at Long John Silver’s yesterday. (Knee bands, 3 drains, no hair, no boobs: a walking comedy!) That is the last picture of me with all three drains as we got to go have one of the drains removed today. We could have had one more removed if we’d insisted, but it wouldn’t help that much since I’d still have one remaining on that side. We figured we might as well leave the two in place and remove them both on Thursday. They are slowing down enough that it will surely be okay for that day. I’ll be so happy to sleep on my side tonight! In this picture I’m holding up the little picture that sits on the table so that I see it when we eat. I’ve got some more pictures of some of the other grandkids, and I’m going to get frames and place them around this apartment, too. That’s a new project for me to accomplish over the next couple of weeks.

Judi called and invited us to lunch today, so we went and had a good visit with her over a 3 hour lunch. She’s getting things ready for a trip to Japan, so we’ll be missing her for a while. She saw us through the tough times, though. I’m so happy for her that she can make these trips to Japan. Her mom and her little sister and her two daughters are going to meet her over there for a great visit. I’m really excited for her to be able to make this trip.

It cooled down a bit and was cloudy today, but it’s still nice. They were threatening thunderstorms so even Don didn’t walk. I’ve got new exercises to begin on the left side, so I’d better go get busy with that. It’s too soon for me to walk on my knee, so I’ll concentrate on the arm exercises. God is so good to me; I’m so glad to be free of one drain. By Red Friday I’ll be drain free and I’ll be honoring our troops for my freedom in every sense of the word!

No walking for me today.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog today is me standing in the kitchen beside one of the pictures Trish sent that has several pictures of her kids. If looking at pictures could wear them out these pictures would be just about done. I’m enjoying them so much!

When Don took this picture we were just heading out to get lunch at Long John Silver’s. I haven’t been there for a decade. It was a nice change, but if it’s another decade before I go again, it’ll be okay with me. It was nice to have something different and to not have to pull something out of the fridge and nuke it.

I didn’t walk with Don today. I’m swinging cans of green beans to get my exercise because I think my knees need the rest. He walked and then we went over to the pool and got some sunshine for a while. The weather here is awesome. I imagine it will be sultry hot really soon. Hot is good; cancer hates it.

This apartment complex is really very nice. Have I mentioned that it is gated? That’s good because downtown Houston is pretty rough. We have a parking place right in front of our door. Across the street a shuttle comes every hour on the ½ hour. There are 750 apartments in the complex, so it’s a big place. Lots of advanced students from the nearby universities and staff from the nearby medical complexes live here because this is so close. Many ride the shuttle because parking is so expensive. The shuttle costs $1 each way, so that’s lots cheaper than parking which is $12 a day or $15 a day for valet parking. When I begin the radiation treatments the parking is free; they validate out tickets for 2 hours but it only takes about 15 minutes for a treatment, I think.

I’m sure my drains will be removed this week. One will be removed tomorrow and maybe 2, depending on how much they drain today. I’m so ready for them to all be gone! I’m used to people gawking at me because I’m wearing knee bands and 4 or 5 hats, but now they stare at these three drains the size of my head hanging around my waist. One poor bicyclist nearly wrecked his bike yesterday getting a good look at the eccentric old lady that old guy was dragging on his trail! I thank God for the ability to laugh at it all and for Don’s ability to laugh with me. We are richly blessed to know that our many blessings are what counts in life!

Oops; sprained a knee.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog tonight is Elena in her bow, again. We all love that bow on her! She looks like she’s really tired of modeling it, though, and would just love to go to sleep. That’s how I feel tonight, so I chose this picture.

I woke up at 6:30 and it’s been a long day. We went shopping at the grocery store and then came home and walked for 30 minutes. I sprained my knee walking, so it’s all swollen. I hate when that happens, but it happens a lot to me. I had my bands on my knees , but the ligaments are so weak, they just go, sometimes. It’ll be better in a few days. I did the massage that the chiropractor does for me, so maybe it'll get better quickly.

Two of my drains seem to be on schedule to come out on Monday if they keep the pace they are. That’ll be good. The third one will be a day or two later, I’d guess. We’ll see. It’ll be so good to get the one on my left side gone so that I can lay on my side for a change. My back will love that!

There were some stains on the carpet, so I cleaned those today. It’s an obsession; see a spot: clean it! I discovered a great tool at a yard sale at home back when I bought the sewing machine. It’s a Black and Decker Scum Buster. I thought about bringing it with me, but didn’t. So, when I got here and saw those spots on the carpet, I went on ebay and found a Scum Buster and bought it. I’m happy to have it and will leave it for Doris to use in these apartments when we leave. I feel right at home with my Scum Buster to get after the cleaning since I don’t have Angela here. Thankfully, this place is small, so we can manage the cleaning. The Scum Buster is the next best thing to a Neti Pot; I think everyone should have one! I thank God that I can get down on the floor and back up by myself! This time last week I couldn’t even take a shower by myself, let alone get down in the floor and back up. God is GREAT!

Wonderful Red Shirt Day!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442

Houston, TX 77025

713-660-7816

donshnell@sbcglobal.net

(Happy Birthday, Brian!)

The picture on the blog tonight is Elena saying, "Here, Mommy; it’s Daddy for you!" That’s one of the sweet pictures that Gretta’s sister-in-law sent last night. What a dolly and how sweet is Diane to share the precious pictures with me! Diane is one of the precious people God put into my life, not to mention Gretta’s!

Yesterday a good friend sent the following quote to me and I fully meant to use it last night, but I was so frazzled after yesterday that I couldn’t get my mind to wrap around it and get it said like I want. (Today has been a WONDERFUL day!)

"God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."

I believe it is so true. We have been so blessed by the people in our lives and I sure give thanks to God for all the folks He sends right when we need them! If you are reading this, it’s because God put you in our lives right when we need you. Thank you so much for making our lives richer.

The friend’s mail had another quote which is even better:

"When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. "

I know that is so true. There have been a few times in my life when I got to nothing but me and God and found that He is all I need. What a joy that knowledge is. The times are tough, but the joy makes it worth it. I wish such a time for you. It doesn’t matter how tough the time is; the joy of knowing that God is all you need is so worth it because you also know that God is ALWAYS HERE and always loves and cares for us.

Thank you, Connie!

Thanking God for Lortab!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Today has been pretty amazing. I may go back to Lortabs tomorrow. The wakening of my nerve endings is not pleasant and my cup may be just about to overflow in the pain area. It feels like I have pins sticking me from the elbows and waist to my shoulders. That means the rest of my body doesn’t hurt, though! I’m sure Tylenol is taking off the edge, but I’m just about on the edge of biting my fingernails and I don’t do that, plus I don’t have any; they are clipped nearly to the cuticles!

Doris and Jerry came to the apartments to bring a new chair to one apartment and to do some electrical work (for the computer) in another one. We met one really nice couple and enjoyed see both the other apartments as Don helped load out the old chair and in the new chair to the one apartment. Then we went to lunch with Doris and Jerry at a great Mexican place. All that was really nice. Then Don and I came back to our apartment and walked for 15 minutes. I’m working up to 20 minutes a day. All that was good.

However, by then I was ready for a nap and didn’t wake up any more comfortable. So let’s just say I’m a bear tonight. I’m thankful for Lortabs and tomorrow I will be dipping back into my stash of 12! For tonight I’m giving Tylenol a chance to get the job done. I can make it until bedtime and then sleep will get me through until morning.

Gretta’s sister-in-law sent me a stash of pictures of Elena from Christmas in New York, so Elena is the star on the blog picture tonight. She’s sitting in her other Grandma’s lap getting those ring fingers ready to inspect something! So here I sit, thanking God for whoever invented Lortab and for precious family and in-laws. As our nephew did, I thank God for placing us in families. What an awesome God we have!

Sweet memories; sweet nephews!

The picture on the blog today was taken the Sunday that I woke up from my nap with a fever. This was taken before the nap with Colter and Luke and I was feeling just fine, then. The boys were so much fun. I was a little mad at Colter because he has me ‘outfuzzed!’ Luke and I are still in the same league, but we’re going to have to get a clippie for Colter, soon! (If you can’t tell from those hints, Luke is on the left and Colter is on the right.)

Today was a good day. I learned today that Tylenol isn’t as good as Lortab! Ha! I also learned that I’m not as numb as I thought. I also learned that I can do just fine with Tylenol (But, it feels good to know that I have a stash of 12 Lortabs!) I had a spot on the back of my right upper arm that felt from time to time like I was backing into a hot pipe. Tuesday when we were at the hospital I noticed that the whole back of my arm felt like I was backing into that pipe. The doctor told me that it’s the nerves waking up in my arm. I’m thinking as these nerves begin to wake up I may be glad I saved something stronger than Tylenol. Anyway, I’m doing just fine, and learning all the way.

Today I was able to do laundry, with Don’s help of carrying over the clothes and bringing them back. The nurse yesterday suggested I should shower again because it’s good to help my wound heal and make the steri-strips fall off. (She insisted I smelled good in spite of only one shower; thanks to Avon!) So, I did come home and take a shower and did much better than I had last Saturday. I’m going to go hazard another one after I get the blog done.

God is great for taking care of us all the time. Don’t you imagine He surely must get tired? What a wealth He is to us!

The pathology report.

7490 Brompton, Apt.442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

The picture on the blog today is me calling folks to report the pathology report and the plan as it continues pretty much like we expected. As Judy said this report is really nothing new; it just restates what we already knew.

The surgeon was able to remove all the cancer from my breast area and the 2nd breast had no cancer in it. The diseased breast had responded to the chemotherapy to the extent that 80% of the tumor they removed was benign. There were cancer cells remaining to the extent of 20% in the tumor. She was able to remove it all with good, clean margins, which means that she got the cancer and plenty of clean tissue all around it. There is no need to do any more surgery.

We knew that there were 9 lymph nodes that looked suspicious, which means they looked like the one they biopsied which tested positive for cancer, so likely they would be positive, too. Indeed, they were positive. That tells us that the cancer had good opportunity to spread through the lymph system. That is why we did aggressive chemotherapy for 6 months prior to the surgery: to shrink the tumor as well as kill any cells that had the opportunity to escape and run through my body. So, we did the chemo, we did the surgery, and now we will do the radiation to clean up any cells that may remain, even though none can be seen. Then we will keep an aggressive watch to be on the lookout for any reoccurrence.

The radiology oncologist told me that in cases like mine 40% of the time the cancer comes back, usually in either the liver, the lungs, or the bones. Last Monday and Tuesday I had a cat scan to check the liver, a bone scan and chest x-rays and there is nothing big enough to see at this time, so things look very good. Of course, I would love to have had them tell me that the cancer was all gone and there is no need to do the radiation, but I didn’t get that card. I did get the card that says there is a 60% chance that the cancer won’t come back. I call that pretty good and thank God for a good ‘card.’

If the cancer comes back, I am a good candidate to fight it. I am relatively young, I am strong, and I am in excellent health. I have no health issues like diabetes, heart problems, etc. I handled chemo well and I don’t need hair to be happy. If we have to do chemo again, I’m up for it. I don’t expect that; I’m just prepared for it. I intend to claim the 60% chance of no reoccurrence and give God the glory. Thank you so much for your prayers and your love.

I have a tentative appointment to begin the radiation process 3 weeks from yesterday. That is when they will begin the measuring and make the plan and the actual radiation treatments will begin shortly after that, maybe the following Monday. The radiation treatments will be for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. When I actually begin the radiation process will depend on when I can hold my right hand behind my head while laying down for 45 minutes comfortably. Right now I can’t do that and won’t be able to as long as I have drains. I will keep you posted as the drains are removed. We are several days away from removing any because they are all draining quite a bit so far.

I am in nearly no pain. I get around really well. My arms are stiff and have to be exercised and I can’t lift 10 pounds. That’s all okay; Don is so handy to reach and lift for me. I can walk and do better and better every day. I don’t take pain pills anymore; I can take Tylenol when I need it. The doctors tell me that there are really very few nerve endings in the breasts and most of them are in the nipples. My nipples are gone, so I am mostly numb and will be for weeks or maybe even months. I believe that is a gift and give thanks, again. For those of you who think this must be very painful; it really isn’t. Don was in lots more pain when he had his hernia repair. I don’t think I’ve been green (with pain) at all. It’s been very manageable. Thank you for your concern, but I think the worst part would be reconstruction and I plan to skip that.

Suspenders day.

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Every day is interesting. Today the weather was beautiful, so we took a walk around the complex. My pants were falling down from the drains pulling on them, so we decided to go to Wal-Mart and get some suspenders. We needed to go to the grocery store, too, so off we went. I traded a two hour trek for a two hour nap. Whew, it really wore me out, but I was so thankful to be able to do both the trek and the nap!

I did get the suspenders and they are wonderful! Our great friend, David Rule always wore supspenders until he got the pacemaker, when he went to only one suspender. Anyway, I’m in the suspender club with him, now. Hopefully my rear will be big enough to hold my pants up after the drains can be removed. I think I’ll have these drains for 3-5 weeks, though. Whoever invented these drains (and suspenders!) was a wonderful person, though! It’s so nice not to have swelling. I am so amazed at how well this whole process has gone.

The picture on the blog is me after we got home and got the suspenders on my pants. You can still see the drains hanging out from under my shirt. I had Don take a picture with my shirt open, but I’m thinking the truth might hurt too much, so I’m not putting it on the blog even though I’m wearing a great smile. The truth is GREAT for me. I am so pleased to be doing so well. I’m thrilled to be able to look down and see these drains! I thank God for everything that is working to heal me and for the opportunity to be doing so well through the process. This time last week we were hoping to get all the tests done and be cleared for surgery on Wednesday; here we are a week later and it’s all done and I’m healing already. I thank God for so many blessings!

Super Bowl Sunday is restful for me.

7490 Brompton, Apt 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net


Here is the promised picture of the kids with Grammy and the precious bag! This picture hangs in the little dressing area between the bathroom and the walk-in closet. We keep all our medical supplies on this counter, so this is a high traffic area. I’m so thrilled to have the pictures Trish sent! This is 7 of the grandkids; there are 8 more, but I didn’t think to bring pictures of all the rest with us. Ugh. I have them on the computer for us to visit from time to time, but these on the walls sure make this place feel like home.

Nate (16 next month) is at the top; Sadie (11 next month) is on the top left and Gabe (13) at the top right. Grace (5 in April) is at the bottom left and Mason (7) is at the bottom right. Garrett 11) (is at the bottom center, holding Raynie (7 months). Garrett has always spent so much time with this bunch, that it’s only natural for Trish to have their picture made when he comes to their house. Garrett belongs to Gretta, but he’s right at home in this Oglesby household. I thank God for all of them and the other 8 as well. We are so blessed to be rich with grandchildren!

I’ve had another good day. I’m sure rest is good for healing and I’m getting lots of rest. God is sure good to us.

Bag lady survives!

7490 Brompton, Apt. 442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816
donshnell@sbcglobal.net

Yesterday I was supposed to be able to shower, but we forgot and did the dressings on my drains and we didn’t want to have to do them again. So, I waited until today to shower, thinking it was like a gift to be able to shower. Well, THAT was a mistake! It took way more energy than I had to spare. It sure did feel good to have Don wash my back, though! Poor guy had to make his own breakfast and lunch, though. It took me that long to recover enough energy to function very well. I’ve decided I will do my best to stay clean for the next several days! That shower was way too exhausting. I have some baths in a package that I’ll be using until I figure out where to get some energy!

I was nearly out of ground Salba (my super food) so it really shook me up today when I was so tired after my shower. I determined that the first thing I’d do when I found some energy was to grind up the rest of my Salba. So, I did that tonight after supper and I’m exhausted, again. That’s okay. It’s about time for bed, so I’ll be ready to ‘go’ again tomorrow. It does feel good to be clean and to have a ‘stash’ of Salba.

Doris and Jerry came to visit today and brought a care package from Luke, their grandson. He sent pictures to help keep me in baby fixes, some English ivy and a Valentine bear! He didn’t realize how badly I needed the bag that he sent! I’ve been fumbling around carrying the apartment phone and both mine and Don’s cell phones, not to mention a pad a pencil for messages. The bag is PERFECT to carry all my loose ends! Thank you, Luke!

The picture on the blog tonight is me standing in front of the ivy Luke sent, the bear, and the tulips Judy and Aki brought yesterday. One of the pictures Trish sent of all the kids is on the wall in the background. I have another one I’ll put on the blog tomorrow. These pictures are the next best thing to having the kids, so they sure are good for me. (You can see the outline of one of the drains under my robe and below the bag; it's about the size of my face and there are 3 of them. They're kind of clumsy, but I'm sure it's much better than having the swelling!)

Other than tired, I’m doing so well! God is really taking care of me through great doctors and the world’s best nurse, Don! Thanks to all of you who are supporting me through posts, emails, prayers and positive thoughts. It means everything to me and I thank you and God!

Pink is close to red for this Friday's support of the troops.

7490 Brompton, Apt.442
Houston, TX 77025
713-660-7816

Don said I should put the address and phone number on the blog every day so that you don’t have to search for it if you need it. He makes good sense, so it’ll be there.

Today is such a good day. I got to take off the bra that they sent me out of surgery wearing. Actually, I could take a shower, but we got all carried away and did my drain dressings before I took the shower and we didn’t want to dress them again. I get tired easy and I really couldn’t be dirty. Tomorrow will work as well. I’m not so crazy about showers and I can’t take a bath, yet. If you’re wondering what purpose the bra serves, join the club! I think it was to hold the bunches of gauze they had in there in case the stitches oozed. Anyway, it’s all gone, now and I’m free of a bra! I should get some perk out of this, so I’m claiming the braless perk!

Judy and Aki came by this afternoon to visit. What an honor! Aki doesn’t get much time off, and for him to come and spend it with the ‘sick’ is quite an honor. They came in bringing ice cream for Don and tulips for me. I love these live flowers! I’ll take a picture of them for tomorrow’s blog. Today’s picture is of Aki and Judy with me on the sofa. Aki said that God sent him, so I’m sure thanking God, again! What a sweet surprise!

Today I hung up the pictures that Trish sent of the kids, too. Soon, I’ll get a picture of me with those pictures, too. It sure helps to have these pictures when I can’t have the kids. I have pictures on the computer, but these are great!

I talked to Gretta and she has pneumonia! UGH; she sure has breathing problems, but at least she is able to be at home and not in the hospital. We thank God for that and ask Him to take care of her.