Please pray...

...for Amy Taylor. She is at a very critical juncture in her treatment. You can visit her blog at the link on the right sidebar of this page. Amy is too sick to post, but her loving husband and other family members do so on her behalf.

Say what?

On Wednesday I had a transtympanic (through the ear drum) injection of dexamethasone in my right ear. A compounding pharmacy mixed the solution, which I picked up on the way to the office. I had my third hearing test before the procedure. No improvement, in fact, a little worse. After the test, the doctor numbed the inside of my ear, then injected the steroid. I then had to lay with my head tipped to the left for 30 minutes to let the fluid settle into my inner ear. Felt kind of weird, but it didn't hurt. I have to keep water of out that ear for 2 weeks and don't you know I forgot to plug it up with cotton yesterday when I showered. I even wrote myself a note left on the bathroom counter and I still forgot! Hopefully I won't do that again. I forgot to ask the doc how long it will be before I know if this worked or not. He wants to see me in 3 months for another hearing test, so I guess that means it could take awhile.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon volunteering and I was actually kind of busy. A patient came in to find a wig and I spent about 45 minutes with her. She found a wig she liked and 2 caps. I think it's helpful when someone who knows what it's like to lose her hair assists you. I know whenever I encountered cancer survivors in the hospital it was very comforting. I also sorted and cataloged new wigs for the gift closet and ordered brochures that were in low supply. As usual, I was exhausted when I got home. I had a busy week and it doesn't take much for me to overdo it.

Today I decorated my tree, did laundry, walked the dogs and cooked. Yep, I'm tired. I listened to Christmas music all afternoon and it always amazes me how talented Karen Carpenter was. I used to make fun of the Carpenters in their heyday because they were so middle of the road, but geez, her voice is beautiful. She's singing with the angels now I imagine.

Tomorrow is Sunday, which means I'll be somewhere watching the Steelers play. Go, boys, go!

Better pack some heat when you go Christmas shopping...

...or wear full-body armor. You may end up participating in a shootout at the OK Corral, better known as Toys 'R Us or you may find yourself under the feet of delirious shoppers in your local Wal-Mart. Pretty sad that we covet TOYS and GAMES so much that we're willing to disregard the safety of others. I don't think that's why we celebrate Christmas, but when there are people who are offended just because you say, "Merry Christmas," well I guess we shouldn't be surprised...we get what we deserve. There's your "Bah, humbug" moment for the day.

We had a great time with my nephew Steve last Sunday watching the Steelers crush the Pats. We watched the game at my bro's house. He'll be back in 2 weeks with his family to do the Disney thing. I have to admit, Disney looks great decorated for Christmas. Very festive!

Today I get to have an injection of a steroid in my ear. Gee, can't wait. I truly hope it helps.

Ear Ye, Ear Ye

I went to a neurotologist last week for my hearing loss. Next Wednesday I'm going to have an injection of a steroid into my ear canal. I am also on a low sodium diet and a water pill for 30 days in case there is fluid in my inner ear. I don't have all the symptoms of Meniere's disease, but my doctor wants to rule it out. Other than sudden hearing loss, one has dizziness and tinnitus. I don't have either, but the doc said I could still develop them. He just had preliminary blood test results, but so far, everything was in the normal range.

I continue to see my good friends of the American Medical Association next month. Time for the 3 month round of tests and exams. I have yet to schedule my breast MRI...must do that early next week. I'll see my medical oncologist, have blood drawn, see my surgeon and radiation oncologist. Yippee!!

I continue to work outside. It's been a little warmer these last few days. I did some MAJOR pruning of some shrubs. It's like I blinked and they grew at least 4 times their size. Tomorrow my nephew Steve is coming in for a business conference, but will hang out with us and watch the Steelers-Pats game at 4 pm. Cool!

Giving Thanks

Let's give thanks for those who protect our country and pray for those affected by the brutal terror attacks in India.

I am so grateful for God and for all of the wonderful people in my life. Thanks to all for your love and support. I truly appreciate it. I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Sunshine and cool temps

The weather has been fabulous. What a change from the hot, humid summer. Love it. THIS is why I moved here. Now if I could just figure out a way to escape from here in the summertime. That would be awesome.

I took this pic of my elephant ears this morning. It looks like snow or ice on the leaves, which you see better if you click on the pic. But it's just water drops from the sprinklers. I think they look cool.


This afternoon I have an appointment with a neurologist to see if there are any solutions to my hearing loss. I had blood drawn last week, so I imagine we'll review those results. This evening I have a support group meeting. I have my volunteer work tomorrow. I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with Joe and the family. I'm making stuffing (a new recipe) and pumpkin pie. I was doing pretty well eating healthily (is that a word?), then last week, well, hmmm. Then to top it all off I made cupcakes to bring to my brother's this past Sunday. They were very yummy. :o)

The Forgotten Man

A very wise man once said (125 years ago):

"As soon as A observes something which seems to him to be wrong, from which X is suffering, A talks it over with B, and A and B propose to get a law passed to remedy the evil and help X. Their law always proposes to determine what C shall do for X, or in the better case, what A, B, and C shall do for X...What I want to do is look up C. I want to show you what manner of man he is. I call him the Forgotten Man. Perhaps the appellation is not strictly correct. He is the man who never is thought of...He works, he votes, generally he prays- but he always pays...
William Graham Sumner, Yale University, 1883

In my opinion, very wise indeed.