Baseball Game Photos

In July, Chris, Kim, Dan and I went to Frisco to a ballgame. We had a fabulous time, but I can't tell you who won!

After Chemo Party

Yea!!!! I finished my courses of radiation and chemotherapy two weeks ago. I had my friends come over to my house and help me celebrate. We had a fun time painting our fingernails and toenails. Kim's toes are in the white flip flops. SaraBeth displays her lovely thumbnails. We had a fun time learning some ab workout bellydancing moves. Check out these sexy ladies





There were facials such as those done at the exclusive spas. Honest. I wouldn't try to make anyone look foolish! These masks consist of banana, oatmeal, honey and yogurt, just like in the top dollar spas!






We also decided to simulate a nose piercing, since someone in the group left to get the real thing. Hmmm, who would that be. You guessed it, my 18 year old daughter. She started a trend. I think we look quite lovely. We finished the day by watching Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead.

Before Chemo Party

On July 5, 2007, I received a phone call from the GI dr. telling me that the results of my colonoscopy came back positive for squamous cell cancer of the rectum and that it was poorly differentiated and showed invasion of my lymph system. A few hours later I was in the office of a colorectal surgeon who proceeded to examine my bum and explained my options. He then arranged for my other surgeon to do my remove my gallbladder asap and place a mediport for the chemo. The day after my surgery it was off to the races, so to speak. I met with my radiation oncologist and the next day with the oncologist and my treatments was planned. I was given a week to recuperate before chemo and radiation was to begin. I decided to have a before chemo party to have a little pampering fun before the treatments began. It was truly a lot of fun.

Judging Others

Many worthwhile thoughts upon which I have feasted all week were shared last weekend among the Body meeting at Don & Julie's. One thought in particular has continually resonated in my mind. Annette said that when someone feels judged by someone else, fear and separation result in the relationship. This includes if someone perceives that they have been judged, whether or not their perception is true. I have really seen this principle in action in the behavior of my children, co-workers, and even myself. And yet who am I to judge anyone? There are so many factors to consider as to why people act the way they do, and I do not possess the ability to accurately assess all the variables involved. To further demonstrate this point I have included several points from an article entitled Probing Inappropriate Rage written by William J. Cromie published in the Harvard University Gazette (8/26/2004):

The researchers asked the question, "What was the difference between people who controlled their anger pretty well, and those who could not handle it in a socially acceptable way?" They found that when normal subjects experienced anger, blood flow was increased to the reasoning area of the brain. This inhibited thoughts of rage, while blood flow increased to the area of the brain that deals with emotion and vigilance simultaneously.
Those who suffered from both depression and rage had a decreased blood flow to both the orbitofrontal cortex and the amgdala resulting in a decreased "ability to control impulsive acts and their feelings about the consequences of those acts, say punching someone in the mouth. There is both a lack of emotion and a lack of control. A double hit that adds up to inappropriate, even violent rage. "
" Those with major depression who are free of anger attacks show a lack of activity in both brain areas; both their feelings and reasoning about anger are deadened. "

The following story is also included in the article which I think further demonstrates the point that behavior is more complex than many of us may have given thought to, and should perhaps give us cause to rethink any judgements we may have made regarding others.

"There's the classic story of Phineas Gage, a 19th century railroad man who - in a freak accident - had a metal tamping rod driven through his skull just above his left eye. Gage survived but his easygoing personality did not. He went from a mild-manned, well-liked, and admired man to a violent, unstable brute, hated and avoided by all who knew him. The tamping rod had destroyed his cerebral center of anger inhibition behind his forehead. " (http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/08.26/01-anger.html)

A Taste of Heaven

I so enjoyed the saints gathering on Saturday evening at Lon and Bonnie's. What a pleasant surprise to see Andy and Robyn! Laughter characterized the evening as well as much singing. I must have had the best seat in the house, being seated next to Dan on my left, Andy behind me, Robyn to my right and I could hear Kim's alto harmony in front of me...it was like surround sound by these very gifted songbirds. During the singing of You're the Fire, The Happy Song, Peace Be Still, and a couple of others, I really sensed the strength of the Holy Spirit and felt like I was experiencing the heavenly realm intensely in those moments. I love this song, though I like The Happy Song best, but don't have the words to it yet:

One Body, One Spirit, One Faith, One Lord, One People, One Nation, One New Man
Your Body, Your Spirit, Your Faith, You are Lord, Your People, Your Nation, Your New Man

Look at all of us, in the eyes of God, There's no ugly stain, only Jesus Christ
In the other realm, there's no death or pain, Just the love of Christ for His only Bride

When Things Get Hard...Take a Bath and Other Cheery Advice

Taking a bath won't change anything, but...
When you are in the bathtub, you are not responsible for anything -
you are wet, for example, so no one can ask you to do anything... you can't do homework in there, because your papers will get wet..you can't answer the phone... or read any e-mail... or assignments... or messages... or...
... Maybe it should be a long bath!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~
Don't think that it's such a terrible thing to get sad or down or to stop believing in sunshine for a while. Don't worry too much if you feel empty or lost or you can't make yourself want to smile. Don't think that it's not okay to sit a day out, or to be scared or tired or blue. Everybody gets sad sometimes. And crying and hurting - just like laughing and dreaming - are just things that people do.
*******************************************************

The love of a friend: to see each other through good days and bad days, a hand to hold, a heart to lend... someone you can always count on to celebrate and find rainbows with... there is no treasure more special.

Quoted from Girls Rule...a very special book created especially for girls
by Ashely Rice

All Love Can Be

I will watch you in the darkness
Show you love will see you through
When the bad dreams wake you crying
I'll show you all love can do
All love can do

I will watch through the night
Hold you in my arms
Give you dreams where love will be
I will watch through the dark
'Til the morning comes

All the light
I'll take you through the night to see
A light showing us all love can be
I will guard you with my bright wings
Stay 'til your heart learns to see
All love can be...

sung by Charlotte Church in A Beautiful Mind