Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The Pink SuperMoon


It has been a sad and challenging year.  Longer than a year actually at this point.  

The mothers of two friends have died of covid.    Two cousins and one cousin's daughter have been infected and recovered.   

 A friend fell down a flight of stairs and died.  

People are getting snippier and nastier all the time.  Facebook is my main social outlet these days.   And I am noticing that even the slightest comment or question sets people off.   Even on the sewing and knitting groups.  One group that was just supposed to be about knitting closed down because  tempers flared over politics.  What does any of that have to do with syarn and knitting?

My daughter's good friend endedup in the hospital with blood clots.  My daughter took himto the ER and I am so glad she is such a good person and friend who cares so much.   While he was recovering, her friend's father fell ill and died.

I have two friends who are currently fighting cancer.   One is newly daignosed and isn't completely sure how bad her cancer is or what the treatment will be.   It's not good though.  I am not sure if she will be treatable but she should know more in the next few days.

My other friend has been fighting for a long time.  Her husband died last year of cancer- not sure what kind.  She is constantly writing about her treatments - chemo, radiation-.   She said the other day that she is actively dying.   She is hoping to hold off for a few months so she can go on a long planned beach vacation with her kids.  The doctors told her that they will try but cannot promise anything at this point.  Today she posted a picture of herself and her husband saying that this is their wedding anniversary.  She said that she will be with him soon.  It's sad, but I think for her it is the best positive slant she can put on it.   

I am not a millionaire but I am in a position to help a bit.  I have chipped in on groceries for the friend who is dying.  I have donated to my other friend's go fund me toward medical treatments.
But, much as I want to, I cannot buy them out oftheir illnesses.   

I don't pray.  I don't have a religion or belief in any deity  But somehow I have faith. Faith in the goodness of people.  Faith in love and friendship, and caring.  Being human is being an intelligent creature,  capable of learning about the past and hopeful for the future.  But it also makes me  feel vulnerable to the feelings of sadness and joy.

We get the Washington Post every weekend.  The main reason I want to get the paper is to read the obituaries  Morbid?  No.  Curious and engaging, yes.    Some of the death notices are very sad.  But more of them are fascinating.  I learn about the people who were in life and are no longer.   Some include family stories about the person.  Pride in what their mother of father or sibling did in life.  The meaning and meaningfulness of a person's life.   Some even have a touch of humor.

My mother in law wrote her and my father in law's obituaries well before they died.   What a good idea.  I think about what I would want said about me.  How do I want to be remembered ? Hopefully as a very old lady!   

To make this month special is the full moon called the Pink Super Moon.  It was so full and bright there were photographs of it on the news tonight.  Pictures from all over the world!







 




























Saturday, April 24, 2021

How I'm feeling

Something I shared with some friends on Facebook


 Hey all. I am sorry I have not been contributing lately. I saw my internist yesterday and we agreed that I should see my neuroligist. Even though the MRI report says this:

IMPRESSION:
1. Postoperative changes left frontal lobe.
2. No mass, hemorrhage or abnormal enhancement identified.
3. Stable appearance of the brain.
However, my MRI in 2017 was similar- here it is:
"Resection cavity within the left frontal lobe with surrounding gliosis, not significantly changed in size since prior study. There is no surrounding masslike or nodular postcontrast enhancement."
My neurologist looked at the MRI disc and this is what was there:
A decent sized tumor that resulted in my second brain surgery.
Not trying to be dramitic here, but I am very distracted. I am still suffering with a headache. Some antihistamines my doctor said to take seem to be helping (minimally).
I'm just a tad distracted!
The second brain surgery was right after the LLL Alumni trip to San Diego . I was not 100% sure I would be able to make the trip, but am so glad I did.



Tuesday, April 20, 2021

I have a headache

 For more than a month now I have been hosting a headache.   It's a drain on my energy and a real stress .  After having surgery for brain tumors twice, of course that's where my mind goes.

Last week I saw Dr, Bhushan.  He ordered an MRI.    The MRI ruled out any brain tumor growth, which is a big relief.

Now to figure out why my head hurts.   


Friday, April 2, 2021

Two Featherweight Sewing Machines in My House

 Yesterday we picked up a Featherweight sewing machine that I won in an auction.    I already have my mother's Featherweight.

Today I set both sewing machines up next to each other.  One is slightly larger than the other.


The smaller machine is the one I just got.  It was made in 1941.  The sewing machine with the red felt on the spool holder if my mom's.  It was made in 1947 or 48