Let me start off by saying that I have good intentions of updating my blog more often than I have been.  However, it is hard for me to find time in the day to sit down and do it.  I will try to do better! I may have to set a goal of updating once a week and then if I find time to do it more often, then great!

Tuesday was a busy and productive day.  I dropped Emma off at school for her first big day of 3rd grade Math testing.  Then I headed downtown to get my lab work done.  While I was there, I stopped into the little sanctuary/chapel at the Stephenson Cancer Center.  It is beautiful room with a calm, peaceful feeling about it.  The front wall is a beautiful mural of a sky done in blues and yellows. In front of the wall is a small kneeling chair.  For the first time ever, I knelt to pray on a kneeling chair. It was a very humbling experience.  For some reason, kneeling provides such a more intimate moment with God.  It actually allows you to focus more on what you are praying for and your mind doesn't wander as much.  It almost makes me wish we had kneeling benches in our church.

The Sanctuary

I then headed over to moms for some homemade beans, cornbread and potatoes baked in butter.  It was delicious.  After lunch, dad took a nap while mom and I played Farkle. And, as usual, she beat me!

When I got home I started working on our garage, which probably hadn't been cleaned out in 6 months.  I threw stuff away, rearranged things, boxed up some garage sale stuff for the summer, swept every square inch of it, etc.  Then I started working on my two windows in the breakfast area.  I love to leave them open, especially on stormy evenings.  They are spotless now!!  I also did some coloring with my Bic Mark-It Markers.  If you like to color with markers, these are absolutely the best....trust me on this one!

 

Yesterday, I took Emma to the donut shop of her choice before school (What A Donut).  I am convinced that since my diagnosis on April 11, God has put certain people in my path to "run into".  These situations cannot be coincidences. As we were sitting there eating our donuts, a man with his two sons walked in.  Emma said hello to one of the little boys and the dad just kind of stood there and looked at me.  Turns out, the little boy goes to Emma's school and does tennis lessons with her.  Shortly after April 11, Thomas had shared with the dad (at tennis) the news we had just got about my cancer.  The man left for a short while and before tennis was over he came back in with a Get Well Card and a very generous gift card.  That was the man I "ran into" at the donut shop.  It was so nice to  finally meet him in person and be able to thank him in person.  God bless him and his family!

 

Last night Candice and I went to the Melting Pot.  I had never been there before but let me assure you, I will be going back.  The whole process took several hours but we had great conversation and fun.  And, our server was a former Project H.O.P.E. student, Jessica Wood.  She did a great job and made our experience very enjoyable.

 

Today I went to work.  It was the Project H.O.P.E. Talent Show day.  I got to "co-emcee" with one of my besties at work, Tessa.  It was a blast and I was not as nervous as I thought I would be.  I just kept saying to myself "Kelly Ripa does this every day.  If she can do it, then so can I."  I love Kelly Ripa...just in case you were wondering.

One of my good friends at work, Chenee, gave me the cutest little basket of goodies.  It had the most adorable little piece of artwork on the cutest little frame with a tin background and burlap bow.  We also sat and chatted for a while in her office.  She is a special person to me.

This evening some good friends of ours, the Beales, came over and brought me a beautiful hand-made bag with my initials monogrammed on the outside.  It is my favorite color PINK.  It was filled with all kinds of goodies...fleece blanket, snacks, coloring book and "Twistable" colored pencils!  We had a great visit while the kiddos played.  Thank you Brian, Melissa, Katie Beth and Brayson.

Thank you so much to the MANY people who have sent me cards in the mail.  Sending cards and handwritten letters is something a lot of us don't do anymore because of technology.  I truly appreciate every single one of you who has taken time out of their day to sit down, write me a note or card, address it and mail it.  Things like that mean a lot at a time like this.

The lab called today and said lab work looks good so I'm good to go for Round 3 tomorrow.  My mom and dad are taking me after we go to lunch at Zaxby's.

If you happen to be watching the 10:00 news tonight, they did a story on the Stephenson Cancer Center.  They interviewed a beautiful person, Tarah Warren.  Let me tell you about Tarah.  When Dr. Walker gave me my diagnosis on April 11, of course I got emotional and started crying.  Dr. Walker walked out of the conference room and came back a minute later.  She handed me a tiny piece of paper with a name and phone number on it and said, "Call this girl.  Her name is Tarah and she has been what you are going through.  It will be good for you to talk to her."  The next day, I had every intention of calling her but before I got around to it, she called me.  We talked on the phone for over 30 minutes.  And the day I went in for my first treatment, she was there.  She visited with me and Abby, prayed with us and read the daily devotional from "Jesus Calling" to me.  She is an "angel" on earth and there is no other way to explain it.  Next week she is going to make a special trip to the SCC on the day of my treatment to meet Candice.  She has a FB page called Tenaciously Teal and she does great things for a lot of people affected by cancer.

So, until I find time to blog again (hopefully sooner this time), take care.   Cathy

First, let me apologize for this font I'm using.  I'm trying to find one I really like but so far, no luck.

Saturday was an "Emma" kind of a day!  First we had breakfast together.....eggs and biscuits.  We filled the hummingbird feeder, played Chinese Checkers, cut roses and put them in a vase,  put on silly mustaches, and enjoyed our backyard while Thomas fixed dinner. After dinner she gave me a foot treatment with my Amope Pedi Perfect.

    

Yesterday was a beautiful day!  After church, Candice came over and spent the afternoon.  We made party mix and watched the Fixer Upper Marathon between stirrings!!  A dear friend of ours, whom we've known from the Warwick Place Pool for years, brought us dinner and it was out of this world! Thank you so much, Michelle Nisbett (and Delaney too).

So far, I've had no side effects from my chemo infusion last Friday.  To me, that is a huge blessing.  I'm just a little more tired than usual but that is it.  Today I went to work again and made it just fine throughout the day.  Two of my sweet students, Payton and Jessica, brought me a balloon, an Icee and a basket full of goodies....candy, cups, candles, Chapstick, lotion, nail polish, etc.

Going in for labs tomorrow morning and then to eat beans and cornbread with my sweet mom and dad!

Slept like a baby last night and didn't wake up until 10:00 a.m.  It felt great to sleep good.  I just remembered that I didn't put my pics on of my new artwork.  So, here they are.

Wednesday evening we took the girls (K and E) to the Arts Festival.  The food items we tried were corn on cob, chicken & waffles, egg rolls & fried rice, roasted nuts (E's fav) and to end the evening....strawberries newport.  The girls enjoyed going to the kids' tent and making some crafts.  Thomas and I have gone to the Arts Festival almost every year for about 19 years and I have never bought a piece of art.  I've come home with little crafty things or dresses for Emma but have never really bought something from one of the artists.  Well, this time I did.  In the very first booth that caught my eye, I found something that spoke to me and I had to have it.  And, since I got paid on Wednesday, the timing was perfect.  (pics below)

Yesterday I got to go in and work the entire day.  One of my advisees (we call him Tritz) graduated and got to ring the bell.  It's a big deal at Project H.O.P.E. to get to ring the bell in front of your classmates and teachers!  He was very happy that I was there to see him ring it and let's just say he rang it loud and proud!  At the end of the school day, my co-workers surprised me with a huge basket full of goodies-gift cards, coloring book and markers, a hand-made angel from an antique quilt, several books/magazines and more!  Of course, I was a blubbering mess when I went to thank them at the end.  I have never looked forward to going to work every day like I do now and I really miss it when I'm not up there.  Love my co-workers and students!

A sweet little lady from church brought us homemade chicken noodle soup, corn muffins and fresh fruit for dinner.  Oh, and she brought us red and white decorated OU cake.  It was pretty funny when Thomas rolled up in his bright orange jeep with OSU decals all over it.  We got a good laugh about that!  It worked out well though as a former teacher friend of mine, Lorie Kennedy, and a couple from our Sunday school class, Jim and Judy Mitchell, dropped by later to visit.  They are all three HUGE OU fans!!

This morning I ran a few errands and then went to City Bites for lunch with Abby, one of our favorite places to eat.  Chemo went well once again today, except for when they stuck the needle in my port.  I     was puzzled because I had used the Lidocaine Cream they had given me to deaden the area around the port.  But I soon found out that I had applied it ALL WRONG.  You are supposed to use a big blob....I used just a dab.  I was not supposed to rub it in.  What did I do?  Rubbed it in "very well".  And, lastly, I was supposed to cover it with clear plastic (Saran Wrap) to keep my clothes from soaking it up, but, guess what.....didn't do that.  Next time maybe I'll read the directions.  At least the pain only lasts about 2 seconds!!  

My chemo buddies today were Abby, Thomas and Emma.  She wanted to see what chemo was all about and what her mommy was doing every Friday.  While she and I were sitting there, I took a few pics.  Her eyes are so tiny, it looked like she had them closed, so I asked her to open them wider.  She goes, "Hey mom, do you want me to do this?"  Hence, the second picture of her below.  She cracks me up.  They said it would take approximately three hours but we were out of there in and hour and forty-five minutes.  I didn't even get to get a nap in but trust me, I am not complaining.  Abby and Kylie are leaving tomorrow to go back to Idaho. :(  I don't know what I would have done without my 3 kiddos here helping me out these past two weeks.  Abby is my "meds nurse", as you will see below!  Luckily, they will be back in two weeks for another visit.

I want to thank everyone who texted/messaged me today before my treatment.  I know there are thousands of others who continue to pray for all of my family and we FEEL those prayers and they are working!!!!  Praying for us is the most important thing you can do for my family right now.

Later, Cathy

It's been a busy few days.  Monday night we took Emma and Kylie to the Thunder game. It was fun, even though we didn't like the end result!  I was starting to feel like a celebrity during the game.  First, Andi Jordan popped by to say hi.  She works for NW Pool Mgmt. during the summer.  Then, Marty Jones, who is the Clubhouse Mgr. for the visiting team took time out of his half-time break to come see us.  Then, the "Designated Driver" of the game, Dennis Waller (who is Thomas' 4th cousin) came to see us. It was so sweet of each of them to stop by and say hello.  Oh, and Jimmy Goldstein was there.  I always like watching him with my binocs!  If you don't know who he is, Google him.  He attends playoff games all over the country and always makes it to Oklahoma.  He is an interesting dude.  I don't know how else to put it.

Tuesday, I got up early and went in for lab work.  My mom went with me.  I took her on a tour of the Stephenson Cancer Center.  It's really a nice place to be, if you have to be sick.  Afterwards, I took her to Kohl's and TJ Maxx.  Then we had lunch at Zaxby's, a new chicken place at NW Expressway and MacArthur.  It was quite tasty.  We had a great time together and I thank God daily that she is up here close to me now.  I'm also thankful that my dad also lives within two miles of me.  They are the best parents ever.

Tuesday evening we took Emma to cheer.  I ran into two former students, Brittany Heusman and Laura Williams.  They are two of my many all-time favorite students.  On the way home I pulled into Walgreen's to get a prescription filled and saw Gena Beeson going into the store.  I yelled at her and we had a great chat.  It as if God is putting these special people in my path so I'll get to visit with them.

Today I went up to Project HOPE to watch one of my students "ring the bell" (graduate).  I miss my kids and co-workers so much.  I absolutely love my job!

We are on our way to the Arts Festival, which is an annual event for us.  We go mainly to eat but also to enjoy some art at the same time!!!  We are taking Kylie and Emma so I know they will have a blast!   Oh, and I am going in to work tomorrow so I'm excited about that!

Later.

Yesterday and today have been GOOD days!  I have yet to have any side effects from my chemo treatment on Friday. I'm a little more tired than usual, but other than that I feel great.  I slept in yesterday and also had a nice, long nap in the afternoon.  Those of you who know me well know I LOVE to sleep.....anytime, anywhere, for any amount of time!!! Last night we went to Julie's house for a birthday celebration for Woody and Rachel. (Julie is Thomas' sister)  It was so good to see all of his family.  They are amazing, special people.  We had Indian Tacos which were out of this world!

This morning we went to church and took Kylie (my granddaughter) with us so that was special.  We took lots of family pictures after church.  I got in another good nap and then I watched The War Room.  It's a movie that my friend, Judy, loaned to me and it is about "prayer".  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.  It was powerful and moving.  Then I got to talk to one of my best friends, Bethany, for a while on the phone.  We taught and did cheer sponsoring together for years at Putnam City North.  She always has a funny story for me but now that she is an Asst. Principal, she had some even better ones!  She is very special to me.

I have a Genetic Counseling appointment tomorrow afternoon.  We want to be sure we find out everything possible about whether or not my daughters and possibly, my sister, might be affected by this disease at some point.

Thank you for the outpouring of prayers coming our way.  We feel them and it is a good feeling.