I just don't get it and probably never will.....

I just don't get it. With my chemo, I burp a lot. I mean a lot. I talked to the doctor and its normal. I have something to take to help me with it. Because sometimes it hurts. Really hurts. 

So what I don't get are the people who like to burp songs and the alphabet. I'm looking forward to when this side effect is over. It takes all kind of people to make up this world. And yes, I could probably burp the alphabet or a song. I don't think I will be doing a public performance of that. 

Someone told me that I had a really good attitude about going through chemo. I had some great ladies in my life who showed me the right attitude to have during your life. 

One lady was like a grandmother to me. When she saw you, her face would light up, her arms would open and she was always excited to see you. She had a smile on her face and loved to talk. She never finished a story because one story would reminder her of another story and she never got around to finishing her first or second or third story. 

I learned so much. When she talked about frustration she would say, But I know God has a plan I just need to trust in him. And she would then smile and talk about something that made her happy. 

I also learned from another lady. This lady always had a smile on her face and was looking for the bright side of life. We always laughed when we were together. She was married to a great guy who also always had a smile on his face. Any adversity was faced with a smile and a great attitude. How can I not learn to face my troubles with a smile on my face and a sense of humor?? I know God put these people in my life to teach me how to face issues in my life. Both always took their problems to God in prayer then were assured he would take care of them. 

Both of these great ladies are in heaven now. I have some great memories. 

I also have some great friends that keep my spirits up and make sure I'm doing ok. I am so grateful to them!

I finished hat #9 yesterday!! I'm taking a short break from knitting the hats. I have two other projects that I want to work on. Pool noodle puppets and a quilt to finish. Besides I will be working next week! 

Oh my.........

I was feeling good enough on Saturday to walk part of the Farmers Market in Green Bay. They have a really great Farmers Market. Mom and I walked about half. I got some small plants for my patio. I'm trying to buy plants that will repel mosquitoes. 

A really amazing person I work with made me a Smore pie. It is really good. 
I am blessed to work with some amazing people. It is really good!! Not sure if I will share with anyone, but if you ask nicely, I might let you have a small piece. 

I was still tired. I took a couple of naps during the day.  I was battling nausea on some days. It wasn't as bad as I had after the first chemo. And it wasn't all the time. I was still able to eat and drink, but it wasn't fun. 

It was fun seeing all the posts on Facebook of my former students graduating from High School. "For I know the plans I have for you" Jer. 29:11. I pray that God will watch over them. I still remember them as fourth graders. Wow! Has time flown. I love seeing updates on my former students. 

Last night was tough. Not to be too graphic, I was up all night. I should've stayed in the bathroom instead of walking back to the bedroom. Hey...I can count that as steps. My nausea also bothered me. It was not a good night. I had contemplated bringing in a pillow to soften my landing in case I did pass out. Thankfully I did not pass out and after I took some meds, my body decided to settle down. Today I have felt normal and am so thankful that I am feeling better.  It's scary to go through this and not worry that one thing will impact another and what will happen. And of course most of these happen in the middle of the night. How great that my God is watching over me day and night. Even during the scary times when I'm not sure what is going on. He knows what is going on. 

Since I was feeling better, Mom and I took Jovi for a short ride. We had to run a few errands and Jovi loves to go for car rides. I'm thankful I was feeling better. I ate lunch and didn't feel bad. I'm praying this continues. 

An update on my hats, finished another one and I'm working on another. I'm so glad I can help out our servicemen!

Naps are a good thing

I had my third chemo treatment on Monday. Third chemo treatment means I have three chemo treatments left. I called my cancer Navigator to see when I would call to talk to my Rockstar surgeon about the next steps. She was really helpful. I got a call and set up an appointment to talk to her about what will happen after my last chemo appointment. 

When I went in for my chemo treatment, all my labs came back really good. Even my hemoglobin went up. Whoot Whoot!!And because my numbers were good and the last week of school is on my good week, I get to go back to school the last week of school. 
Now I know what some of you might be thinking....Shelly enjoy your time off, rest, relax, take the time to get better. 
Well, my good week is a I'm feeling like a normal person week so I get restless. My other reason is I get to see all the people who have supported me while I have been gone. 

Today and tomorrow are my low days. This means I take naps. Naps are a good thing. I also took a wandering walk with Jovi today. She loved being outside. We walked in the park and smelled lots of different smells. We also toured the condo parking lot. She knew I needed to take a walk in the beautiful sunshine. What a beautiful day it was outside today. 

So after supper I will take my other nap and go to bed early. Tomorrow I won't take as many naps, then Friday I should have more energy. I am praying my nausea is not going to come back. I have been drinking my fluids and following doctor's orders. 

Maybe this weekend I can go buy some flowers to put on my patio. I love flowers and am hopeful the nice weather stays around. 

I'm still working on hat number 6 for the DAR. My naps have interrupted my knitting. I'm hoping tomorrow I will be able to spend some time doing that. 

I'm also working on some ideas I have for next school year.  I'm reading Game Changer by Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp. Good book for all teachers and librarians. 

God is good and I'm so thankful he is watching over me. I am blessed. 

Tan lines...........

I looked in the mirror and saw my tan lines......on my head. Where else would I be talking about?!?! I didn't realize I would have a tan line. Once the sun comes out. We got lots of rain yesterday and today. I will need to put sun screen on my head. That will be a new experience. I did have to put sun screen on the part of my hair. So I have done something like it before. 

I have my third chemo treatment on Monday. I'm hoping I don't have anything going on that will delay treatment. Last time my hemoglobin (I think that's what it was, don't quote me on it. Any nurses know what I'm talking about, please correct me) was just good. Any lower and I wouldn't have had my treatment. There is nothing I can do to help bring it up. (sigh, that is frustrating) I had to watch to see if I got out of breath when I walked up the stairs. So far, I haven't been out of breath. So I'm praying that my numbers are good and I can have treatment. 

So my low days will be Wednesday and Thursday. I can live with the tired because I know it will end and I will get my energy back. I'm just praying my nausea will stay away. Last treatment it stayed away, but I was told that each treatment might be different. I'm hoping that this treatment is the same as the last treatment. I really don't want to test the floor again. 

Jovi watched over me while I finished my assignment. It's almost done. I have two more things to add to it. I will do that after I post this blog.  Now I wait back for feedback on what I need to change on the site I created. 

I want to work on my pool noodle puppets for next school year. I want to use them with the green screen and poetry and book talks. 

I finished my goal for making five hats for the DAR. I think I will be able to make some more. They are due in September. I'm so excited I met my goal while making sure I got my homework done. 

My friend walks past my window everyday. Plus the ducks have been walking past. They are fun to watch. It keeps me entertained. 

Beautiful days and rainy days

The sunshine Wednesday, Thursday and today was wonderful. I love the warmer temperatures. Jovi loves exploring the park. She has so many different smells to smell.  I love walking in the park. The birds were really loud today. 

This is my good week and I am grateful for my good week and thankful for my good week. I went out for supper with some great people. We went to Fox Harbor to eat. It was really good to laugh and talk. (and the food is really good) I have some amazing friends!! I am very thankful for them. 

I was able to work on my homework assignment. Ugh. My year long class is almost done. I learned a lot. It was a really good class to take. Right now I'm working on my portfolio website. I needed to work on it when it was my good week. 

One side effect of chemo is my memory is very short. I had to remember two things today. I forgot one and remembered one. On the sunny side, at least I remembered one thing.  It's either that or in my old age my memory is getting worse. 

                        

I have finished three hats for my DAR chapter so far. Two crocheted and one knit. I have never knitted with double point needles. That was a first for me. It wasn't too bad.  I learned new stitches with crocheting too. My goal is five hats. I'm over half way there. I need to keep track of my time. It feels  great to do something for the troops. 

This week I celebrated the anniversary of my baptism. I had a great email from Pastor about remembering my baptism. He reminded me to live with the confidence of a redeemed child of God, because that's who you are, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. The Lord continue to be with you. He also reminded me of Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. Very good reminders for me because my third chemo treatment is Monday. 

Do I really??????

With getting chemo there are many things that change. Like my hair falling out. And in case you are wondering, I still have some, its not all there, but there is some. 

As all the changes occur I need to keep track of bodily functions. Yes, there I said it. (sorry about no warning with that). I've never had to do that before. Not exactly what I call fun things to keep track of. 

But it is like that. The other day I blew my nose and it started to bleed, didn't last long. I know the nurse said something about nose bleeds, did I remember what she said, No, I looked it up in my book and it said, The nose might bleed. Well that didn't help. I figured if it didn't stop after a while I would call. 
But that is how my mind works. I also have to watch to see if I am winded walking up the stairs. So now I walk up the stairs and wonder am I winded? Is my heart beating faster? 

Everything now is a question. Is this normal? Is that normal? Especially when it comes to my stomach. I start to think, gee, is it starting to hurt? Should it feel like this? I'm going to drive myself crazy. (I know what you are thinking, its a short drive for me to get to crazy)

I'm trying not to over think. Trying it the best way to put it. 

I am keeping myself distracted by working on my assignment for the class I'm finishing up. I'm crocheting a shawl. 

Some of you might know that I am a member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) That means my ancestor Seth Pomeroy fought against the British in the American Revolution. I like the DAR because they focus on service for our troops and veterans. They are making knit and crochet hats for the service men and women. I'm hoping to make a few hats for them. That should keep me busy and distracted. I can only make dark colors and grey or olive green. No purple hats for this project. My goal is 5 hats. I haven't started yet. Wish me luck.  Jovi loves to play with the skeins of yarn. She thinks its fun to tangle the yarn for me. 

The other day I went walking in the mall. There was a bunch of vendors there. It was advertised as a Girls night out. I got a bag and some coupons. As I walked around you could put your name in drawings for prizes. So I entered a few. I got a text the next day. I had won the spa package. I thought I would be getting all the products shown in the basket the person had. No, I had won a spa experience that I could host in my house or a different location. I just had to invite 3 friends to join my for this wonderful experience. So basically I won a party to have her sell my friends stuff. Not that I don't want to support home businesses, but I didn't want a party I wanted the lotions. So I texted her back saying to go to the next person in line. I learned a lesson there. 

The thing that brightened my day was hearing from my LMS peeps. They all wrote such encouraging and wonderful things. Have I said before I work with some amazing people. I am so blessed to work with them. I really needed that encouragement.

This is my good week and it looks to be good weather. So if anyone wants to go for a walk this week, give me a call or text. I would love to get out and enjoy the nice weather! 

Then next Monday is my third chemo treatment. I'm praying it goes as smoothly as the second. I have my routine that worked last time and will hopefully work again. 

I'm off to find my knitting needles to work on a cap. 

I'm such a dork

I'm a huge dork. 
I was talking to people on Sunday and they said, I'm keeping you in my prayers. I could hardly say thank you because I was tearing up. I usually only cried when I saw those videos when the military families surprise their families. Now I cry whenever someone says something nice. I'm a dork. This has to be a chemo thing. 

I got a wonderful package from family in California. I cried. I was so touched that she thought of me and sent me something to do. Anyone want to come over and put together a shoe puzzle with me? Or a Mickey Mouse puzzle? 
I also two very nice cards from a friend and one from a co-worker. Again, I cried. I'm a huge dork.

My neighbors are helping me out with some things and I cried because they were so nice. (they are really nice neighbors and I'm so blessed to have great people living in my condo association.) I'm such a dork. 

So thank you to all who have written, called, emailed, and prayed. I really do appreciate it. I might not be able to say it without tears.

I'm still working my scarf tying skills. Right now it looks like a blind monkey wearing oven mitts tied my scarf. When the person who cut my hair showed me how to tie them, it looked easy and I thought. Man, I got this. And I was so wrong. I try and my mom shakes her head and walks away. I have to practice more. 

I was excited to walk the mall yesterday. I had to stop and rest, but I was able to walk. That made me happy. 

I am reading a new book. Go See the Principal by Gerry Brooks. If you work in a school you need to read this book. If you have never heard of Gerry Brooks, look him up on youtube. You will not regret it. Even if you don't work with children, you need to look him up. 

amazing

There is a Bible passage that says God know how many hairs you have on your head. I was always amazed at that. Well, I'm keeping God busy with math with all the hairs I'm losing. I have my caps and my scarves. The scarves I still need some practice with, but I will learn how to do them. 

Monday was my chemo day and Wednesday and Thursday were my low energy days. No energy. I was ready for it, but wow, it still is hard to wrap my head around how tired I am. Jovi loves to take naps, so she was good with it. 

She also likes to watch the park and make sure we are safe. 


I've been following the Doctor's orders with my meds and drinking lots of Propell water. My stomach seems to like this new routine. Last time my stomach was revolting, This time it is ok with everything. I'm praying this keeps up. I really don't want to test the tile again. 

I am nervous about my stomach. This time it worked and I hope it continues to work. Next time it might not. I will keep praying that each treatment goes the way it should and the meds work. I do know I can call the nurse if I have any questions or concerns. 


I'm looking forward to staying up past 8pm. My low days I just can't stay up past 8pm. 

I was blessed to attend a confirmation party. What a wonderful reminder of my own confirmation a very long time ago. May 4, 1980. My confirmation verse was Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and our strength an ever present help in trouble Which really fits for what is going on in my life. He is my strength especially on my very low days. 

  

I was able to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Later this week the temps will be in the 40's. Ugh. I need to walk but don't really want to go for a walk in my winter coat and snow boots. You might see me walking in the mall this week to get my steps in. 

New haircut

My hair is starting to fall out. Little by little. Little clumps that come out in the shower. 
I know a lot of people would be devastated because their hair is falling out. I'm not that bothered by it. I think because I could never style my hair like my hair stylist could after I got my hair cut. Also standing outside at recess while is snows also didn't go well with a fancy haircut. 

I didn't want to clog my shower drain when the hair started falling out. So I called and got an appointment to get my hair cut even shorter. I am blessed to have friends that would cheer my new haircut. 

My awesome stylist let my friends help (sound effects also) cut my hair. 

I also got to "help" with my hair cut. 

I like my updated cut. Soon anything that is left will be gone. I'm grateful for the laughs and support I have. 

Today is my low day. I was able to sleep in. Jovi loves to sleep in. And I took a couple of naps. Yes I have been walking and hydrating. I made lunch today. It was a simple lunch, but I did and it was good. 

I looked over the Bible passages that people have sent me. I'm so grateful to be reminded about how God is with me and taking care of me. He is guiding me through this and putting people in my life to help me out. My neighbors have also been helping me. My God is Awesome and faithful. 

It's time for my next nap, then I have a virtual meeting. I'm not sure my scarf tying will be up to virtual meeting. Time to grab my cute cap. I did wear my cute cap for my second chemo treatment. It matched my cute chemo top that is easy access to my port. And I had my purple shoes on. 

I have my next four chemo treatments scheduled. Now I need to schedule when I get to see the new Advengers Endgame movie. It will have to be during my good week so I don't fall asleep during the movie.