That is the word for 2021. We all have felt the pain of 2020, in varying degrees. My heart aches for those who experienced loss. I'm left feeling helpless when I hear about families trying to juggle jobs and Zoom studies. I know I am blessed beyond measure. My wish is that those reading are in a place where hope shines.
Since my Soulful Birthday post, the Arizona temperatures finally softened, which led to fall. There are so many great hiking spots where I live and I have been taking advantage of them. Some may know (although I did not include a previous blog) that I had my right kidney removed on June 30th. It had become non functional due to a cancerous tumor in the ureter. I have been treated by Mayo Clinic and continue to be under the watchful eyes of a couple of great doctors. I chose NOT to take chemo during the summer and opted for a three month follow up with scans. I enjoyed every day and minute of that time. As some might relate, "live in the moment" becomes so startlingly real when faced with something like this. The kayak came in July, giving me incentive to heal and be on the water. My follow up in October revealed bladder cancer that I now receive BCG immunotherapy treatment. I have six weekly treatments and will lay rather low during the holidays. Many who follow me on Facebook might find some of this post repetitive. However, there also new information, information that lends hope!
Just like many others over the world, I had plans to travel during the holidays. I opted to not take any unnecessary risks on a plane and have done some nice road trips. The latest was really spontaneous when my California family said they would be camping at Buckskin State Park in Arizona the NEXT DAY and could I meet them. Well, that is a good half way point for them as well as me. I looked at it as my only opportunity to see family during the holidays and jumped! We had a good time on the river, taking a hike, looking at the stars and taking in an early Thanksgiving dinner.
I have inherited a piano! I feel blessed to be able to have found a perfect spot in my living room for it. It will give me great companionship as I lay low over the rest of the year.
There is a story to be told about the delivery of the piano. The two fellows were had just placed the piano in the living room and were about to pick up the ramp. I grabbed my checkbook to pay them and sat on the arm of the chair on my screened in porch. I had things sitting on the seat - one of them being bear spray out of my hiking pack. I applied just enough pressure on the top of the PINNED canister for it to deploy! I turned to face it (the mind does not kick in quick enough) and my right arm, torso and face got hit. The guys inhaled some, but they were out of the porch area. Gratefully, my phone was in my pocket and I dialed 911, realizing this was more than I could handle with "flushing my eyes". They were on the spot in 5 minutes with a saline solution that was dripped in my eyes for about 30 minutes. Someone called the 800 number on the canister for information about treatment. They were told to get a bucket of water for me to dunk my head. Thank goodness no one took pictures of that! A neighbor came to the rescue with a deep bowl and her hose and the dunking began. Let me tell you that is an experience I never want to repeat - the product is a serious deterrent!
So, my friends, as this notable year comes to a close, I bid you all a warm and well fed holiday season. My family has taken to an online game that pulls us together. It's what we have this year. I embrace it! I am looking forward to the promise of another year....I'll take it all, happy, sad, good and bad. It's life and I am hopeful!
I love this post!! Can’t wait to see your smiling face later today! Please lock that bear spray up and away from me- I don’t want to share that experience with you:)!
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