Canning!!!!

For the first time, ever, today I canned! Who knew it could be so fun and rewarding!


We made salsa....a lot of chopping but it turned out super tasty.


Yes, even Ralph got in on the act...he really helped out!


My friend, Ruth, who really had a fun time, too.

We also canned strawberry jelly. I have to admit it was off the charts in taste. Ruth said it was like the crack of jellies!


Thanks, Houseparty.com......they provided all the materials.


If you haven't checked out Houseparty.com, you should...you host the party, they provide the product. You have a great time and in this case, I learned a ton!

Memorial Weekend

We finally had some normal weather this weekend...highs near 80! It doesn't take much for the kids to be happy, just blow up the pool and they are good to go!

We BBQ'd twice this weekend, both times with corn on the side, first we did London Broil and then Tri-tip.

Now we just need this weather to stay around for a while. I had the heater on this morning, can't remember a time EVER that I had the heater on in June. We are back to overcast and cold today.

Quiet Heros and Hope

Often, stories get forwarded to me, stories about cancer kids, cancer survivors. We virtually know lots of parents of kids who have cancer. Most of the stories are nice, interesting. Every now and then, one just touches my heart. Here is one that touched my heart. It's a speech given by a mom of a child with cancer. She's talking about how us, "cancer moms", moms of kids with cancer, are quiet heroes. I don't consider myself a hero. I did what I had to do. Any mom, of any child who has been diagnosed with cancer, does exactly that...what they have to do to make their child's life as "good" as possible, while they fight the disease.

I never thought that we'd keep on fighting, though, long after Marielle was cancer free...but I've learned that it's the norm. Many kids suffer life long effects from the chemotherapy. But it's a trade off you make willingly....it's not a good trade off, but what can you do? Your options are your child's life or possible long term effects. So you choose what you must choose.

This story is real. The good, the bad, the ugly. But most of all the hope that lives on. And Hope does live on.... warning have your tissues ready.

http://www.acco.org/AboutUs/QuietHeroesTalk.aspx

Update

Well, I'm 7 weeks out now and I have to tell you that the recovery has been much slower than I expected. I really felt that I'd be back to 100% in less time than they say is needed for recovery. Boy, was I wrong! I am getting stronger every day, but still am nowhere near 100%. I walk every day, strengthening my legs, but boy do I tire easily!

That said, I have made some "field trips" over the last week. Ralph said, 'I could see the cabin fever burning in your eyes". It was true. I was so tired of being at home. So, I went to Home Depot to the garden dept. last weekend. True, I didn't stay long, I knew what I wanted, but I did go and even stood in line at the check out! (Standing for any length of time is still tough.)

I went out to dinner on Thursday night (first time out at a restaurant since the surgery) and last night went for girl's bingo night at a friend's house. So, I finally am working back into having a life!

Updating My Progress

I saw the surgeon today. They took x-rays and it was very cool to see the x-ray of my hip. I feel so bionic now!

He is pleased with my progress. All restrictions are lifted, though he did give advice on what would not be smart to do (certain flexing to the outside of the hip).

Up until now, post op, I've had to sleep on my back with a wedge between my legs. This was hard! It meant I couldn't move around in my sleep and I'd wake up with a really stiff back. I actually had numbness in the non-op leg because L-3 was getting pinched from the way I was sleeping. Well, tonight I get to lie on my side again!!!! Yippeeeeee!!!

I'll start doing pool therapy next week, which will really help. We've had a lot of rainy days and I'm very cautious (scared of falling) walking outdoors in the rain. I did walk 100 yards the other day when it was sunny (that's the whole length of a football field) without stopping. I thought that was pretty cool.

The biggest thing now is getting strength and stamina back. One thing that he mentioned is that when you have arthritis, you baby that leg and so the muscles atrophy (and he said you'd be surprised how quickly they do). So now, I am back to walking normally and have to get those muscles back in shape.

Overall, I was very happy with my progress and he was, too. Just got to get to work now on getting strong again.

It's my birthday!

Today is my birthday! What do I wish for?

To be able to walk longer distances without the walker.

For some real spring weather. I need to get my garden in. I can't remember the last time I didn't have my garden planted before my birthday. (This wish goes hand in hand with wishing for some normal spring weather, not this wet, cold stuff we've been having.)

That Ralph will find a real job...a permanent, full time job with benefits.

Continued good health for my entire family.

Moving Right Along

Well, I'm moving right along with my recovery. I went to the kids school yesterday. Rico had an IEP meeting. I wanted to go to show that, no matter what, when it's my child's education that is involved, I would be there.

It was nice to see the school staff. The meeting went well. Rico has his IEP for speech only, so it was just a matter of talking about goals and setting them up for the next year. By the way, his speech has improved tremendously. When he first went into speech, a little over 3 years ago, he could only say 18 out of 88 sounds tested. Now he only needs work with a few sounds.

I did pay the price for all the walking, though. I had to walk from the car to the office to sign in, then down 2 halls to get to the meeting. Later in the day I was wiped out, and slept for a good 3 hours.

But still, I feel like I'm making good progress!