Last Two Weeks in July 2018 - My 63rd Birthday-Garrison's 7th Birthday

I really need to update my blog more often - I'm having trouble remembering everything that has happened.

I basically stayed in the house from the time I was in the hospital in late June until a week or so after my final chemo treatment on July 10 to avoid germs and ending up in the hospital again!  I'm now enjoying going places.  Debbie Sieger took me to KC to celebrate my birthday early.  We had a great time at a HUGE rummage sale at The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood - we were there over 2 hours and had a blast.  We went to some other garage sales and had lunch at Freddy's.

Garrison and Grammy day 2018 included Grandpa too!  Garrison chose to go to Dave and Buster's - he had a blast and had enough "points" to get several things he wanted.  He also wanted to go to Scheel's for new Under Armor Tennis Shoes, bowled a couple of games and played on the playground area.  Orange Leaf was our last stop - and he had a great time there too!

Peyton and Grammy Day 2018 also included Grandpa as our Uber Driver.  She wanted to shop - shop-shop.  We started at Target where she found some sandals she had been wanting - and in the right size.  Next stop was Justice where we found two cute gymnastics outfits with sports bras and shorts and a dress.  She found a couple of dresses and a study pillow for her bed at Ross.  She chose Olive Garden for lunch which was delicious.  A fun day.

That night, Amanda took us all to Salty Iguana for dinner to celebrate my birthday early - we all had a delicious dinner and a fun time.

Amanda/family went on a short vacation to Seattle and had a great time.

Gina Terry and Cheri Jordan took me to El Camino for dinner to celebrate my birthday.  We had a great two hours of visiting and laughing.

I baked Garrison a "7" Birthday Cake, and we celebrated early with him.  He chose McDonald's for his birthday dinner - so McDonald's it was!  He had fun blowing out his candle and us singing to him and loved the chocolate cake - Mom's recipe.

Garrison had his first kid-only birthday party this year with a Black Panther Theme.  Amanda and Peyton baked his "claw" cake - isn't it great!  Rain had been forecast all week, but it didn't rain for his party, and they were able to have the games outside and he had a great time.

Ron and I traveled to Mark and Mary's lake home after church on Sunday for a summer birthday fish fry.  We had a delicious meal and a lovely day visiting - the weather was beautiful.   It was almost cool when we sat out on their balcony with a cool breeze watching the boats on the lake.  A fun day.

I had my radiation simulation and tattoos on July 30.  Ron, Amanda and I had met with the radiation oncologist the week before for a meet and greet.  When they get the plan made, I will start radiation, probably the week of August 6 for 4 1/2 weeks, 5 days a week.  I'm ready.  Having the port removed on Thursday afternoon this week.  The end of treatment is near!

We are blessed - God is good!

First Two Weeks in July 2018

We had a quiet 4th of July.  The house was still torn up from the water damage.  Our kitchen was out of commission for a few days - Sieger's had us over for dinner a couple of times and on Sunday for lunch.  I also hung out there during the day some while the workers were working and the smell was bad with paint, etc.

Our washing machine broke again on the 4th.  Amanda and the kids came for the day on Thursday, July 5.  We dropped Peyton and Garrison off at the bank to spend a little while with Grandpa - they love it - and Amanda and I went to Sherman's to choose a new washer and dryer - not how I had hoped to spend money, but.........  Ours were 10 years old.

Had a nice visit with Amanda and the kids.  We had Pizza Glen for lunch and spent time in the basement and our tiny house room - we made due.  They had come the night before to spend the night and all 3 slept in the bed downstairs since the front room had recliners and a tv in it where they usually sleep.

I had my final chemo treatment on July 10 - yay!  They had a nice sign for me and gifts afterward, and I got to ring the bell for completion of the 8 treatment series.  They were all so sweet to me.

I threw in some baseball pictures of Garrison and his team that Amanda took and a picture of their new vehicle, a Buick Enclave.  Also a picture of the beautiful flowers Amanda/family sent to me marking completion of chemo.  I have really enjoyed them, and they are beautiful.

On Sunday, July 15, Ron, Chad and Merle played golf in the American Cancer Society Golf Tournament.   While they played, Amanda and the kids visited with me.  We had a great day - I hadn't felt well for a few days but woke up feeling better Sunday morning and even better once the best medicine on earth arrived (Amanda and the kids).   We played Pictionary Junior and Hot Potato and made yarn bracelets a new way I found on Facebook.  Peyton and I made edible slime with instant pudding mix.  We played downstairs while Mommy took a little nap.  Peyton made us a salad buffet for lunch, cutting up tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. and did a great job and had chicken fettuccini alfresco for lunch with strawberries and dip for dessert.  We had a great day.

So happy to be finished with chemo.  Will have an appointment with the radiation oncologist this coming Wednesday for a meet and greet and hopefully to find out more about the upcoming 6 weeks of radiation.

Feeling so much better today - I am blessed - God is good.