Update: EDU-651 -- July 30, 2011

Since I began this blog in May of this year, so many things have happened to me.  If any of you have read my previous blog entries, then you know about my health situation and all that it entails.  I am also on medical leave from my job as a cashier, so I have plenty of time to play with the computer and get my strength back as well as take care of my self in ways that I never thought I would have to do again.  This is my second-go-around with cancer/chemotherapy, so do wish me well!  I recently went back to my classes at AU, and this blog is for that class as part of an assignment.  I must admit that I do enjoy blogging, however, I have very few followers.  I guess I shall have to work on that one! 

As for my health issues, I had my Mediport inserted this past Tuesday, which is healing nicely.  I begin my first chemotherapy session this coming Wednesday.  So, anyone who reads this, please do keep me in your thoughts... good ones, that I shall not get sick nor lose my hair!  Oh well, on that LAST part I am prepared, I did order a few CUTE hats and a very nice short, redheaded wig!  Until next time, take care.  

Remember to live, do not simply exist!

Learn something new each day!

Listen, especially to the silent things people do not or cannot say!

Love for all it is worth!

Moreover, laugh until you cry!

Always, Connie

Almost one month since surgery—and I am still hangin’ in there!

Well, I am feeling a bit better each day.  My main problem is NOT doing too much at this point.  I have never been one to sit or stand still for very long, needless to say, I am up and down a lot.  Another thing is doing things that I should not do just yet at this point in my recovery, such as laundry, running sweeper, and lifting.  I try to gauge it to a point of not doing it all at once, but at times, I admit that I truly do OVER DO it.  One way or another, my healing body tells me, “Knock it off, you are doing too much!”

Next week, I get the port inserted into me near my collarbone, which will go down into my heart; this port will be used to administer the chemotherapy to my body.  I am nervous about this process (scared as all get out to be honest), but I am brave and unworried.  If you believe that one, can I sell you some swamplands?  A week or two later, the chemo will begin!  The closer that I get to this ‘necessary’ part of my recovery, the more terrified that I get about the possible side effects that may happen to my body (nausea, tiredness, infection, loss of hair, heart problems, etc.), not to mention what it will do emotionally/mentally to my heart, mind and soul.  It is natural to be afraid, but damn this is happening to me and that is just something that I am having a hard time dealing with… I mean I have been down this cancer road before a long time ago with a few scares thrown in between for good measure, but I was a lot younger and stronger back then, now I am not so sure how much more this body of mind, not to mention my mind can take… send strength, please!

Everyone tells me that I am STRONG and it will be all right, but hearing and believing are too different things.  Believe me; I appreciate the words and love of my family and friends as this point. One part of me is very positive (I am not sure, if that is the common sense part of me or the strong-will redhead that I am deep inside!), and I can believe their words, but the other part of me is just too worried to be positive especially during those quiet times of rest and trying to sleep.  Does that make sense? 

On another note, I start back to school today.  I have been on medical leave since the end of April.  I am in my Master’s Program for Online Teaching.  So, wish me luck that I can get back into the swing of things and concentrate enough to keep my good grades and my place on the dean’s list at AU.  So, all for now and on that note I should put on my study hat and get to it!  Love and hugs to all my supporters… do stay in touch!

Remember to live, do not simply exist!

Learn something new each day!

Listen, especially to the silent things people do not or cannot say!

Love for all it is worth!

Moreover, laugh until you cry!

Always, Connie

Two weeks after surgery – my check-up is today!

It is time for my two-week check-up today. It is hard to believe how time flies, even when you are recovering from something as serious as stomach surgery.  I get my staples out today, believe me, I am more than ready for that to happen—I think.  I wonder if it will hurt, pain is not my friend.  Have you ever heard that redheads (real, of course) suffer pain more so than blonde-haired people, etc.?  It is in a book called, “The Roots of Desire” – the myth, meaning, and sexual power of red hair by Marion Roach.  It is an interesting book.  I digress, my appointment is soon, so I must get things in gear, so I shall return and tell you how it all went for me.

Later in the evening—8 o’clock  Well, my checkup went well, I traded in my hardware for sani-strips/tape.  So far, things are going well, with me still having to take it easy, no lifting, no major housework (yeah me!), and me behaving myself and doing mostly resting and recuperating.  How does that sound? My chemotherapy will begin after another two weeks when I go back to my doctor for my next check-up.  Then, the fun begins!  For the next 20 weeks or so, I am the prisoner of the chemo-monster.  Anyway, I know that being funny may not work for some people in regards to the big “C”, but for me—it is a necessity for me to survive and learn to live with what is happening to my mind, body and soul.  So, wish me luck!  Until next time, enjoy your summer, stay cool and stay in touch with me by becoming my FOLLOWER on this blog.  The directions on how to do this are as follows:

The instructions are as follows:

• Go to my blog page -- http://connieval52geminiblog.blogspot.com/
• Click on Google 'follow' link right hand side, has little pictures of people's faces underneath it.
• It will bring up a window asking you to sign in with another already established account like Twitter, Yahoo or Google. If you have one of those, you can use those details to sign in.
• If you do not have one of those accounts, you can create a new one. That option is down the bottom of the pop up window you are in -- Do not be scared to create a new account. It means nothing & you never have to use it. Just fill in the details & you will be away laughing.
• If you want to leave comments on any blogs in future, you use these details to do so. I appreciate any comments, well wishes, etc.

Remember to live, do not simply exist!

Learn something new each day!

Love for all it is worth!

Moreover, laugh until you cry!   Always, Connie