tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38978253780142602952024-03-14T00:20:47.065-04:00Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and GutsInspirational memoir about survival. It begins with the creation of the book, and here it continues the journey after publication. Life story of child abuse, cancer, polio and more.Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-54560278283907142242012-07-26T12:16:00.002-04:002012-07-26T12:16:43.636-04:00Stroke Recovery Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been working hard and it is
paying off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now wwalking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>without the walker or the cane .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I washed a load of clothes and folded
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am using both hands to type this
so I may have a few typos, but the more I type the better the left hand will
get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just shows that determination
and believing that you can will go a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>long waytoward reaching a goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
takes hard work and keep thinking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAnsfJKuPJk/UBFsgwc3NFI/AAAAAAAAB9M/48uc1N966sQ/s1600/lonely+gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAnsfJKuPJk/UBFsgwc3NFI/AAAAAAAAB9M/48uc1N966sQ/s1600/lonely+gull.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think I can.Ithink I can. I will!!!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Being
strong-willed is not enough, however. You also have to be hard on yourself.
Someone who was strong-willed but self-indulgent would not be called
determined. Determination implies your willfulness is balanced by discipline.” <br />
</i>― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23551.Paul_Graham"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Paul
Graham</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Armor
for Survival<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me love<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>though
love<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>may
go unrequited,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">An empty heart<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>is
much heavier<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>than
a stone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me have faith,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>though faith<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1tf4M5_W-0/UBFtVQXdv_I/AAAAAAAAB9U/lEoBXjk1ie8/s1600/Jekyl+June+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1tf4M5_W-0/UBFtVQXdv_I/AAAAAAAAB9U/lEoBXjk1ie8/s320/Jekyl+June+2012+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be often blighted,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Without it<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>we
are not<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>strong
enough<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>to
walk alone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-59921804879916994292012-07-14T11:45:00.001-04:002012-07-14T11:45:36.602-04:00The Rocky Road of SStroke Recovery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday was Friday July
13<sup>th</sup>. And I came home from rehab. I hope I don’t make too many typos
and grammatical errors. When I posted my last blog entry, I was dealing with
nose bleeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a nose bleed that
would not stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was losing a dangerous
amount of blood. There was a procedure that involved cauterization, but doing
it came with a chance of a stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I was losing so much blood, we decided
to take the chance. Unfortunately, I had a stroke in my right temporal lobe of
the brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T stroke affected the left
side of my body, but with therapy and faith in myself, plus a bit of g us, I am
walking with a walker. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can use my left
hand some, but I am still working on my fine motor skills. I will recover; it
will just take a little time and some work and patience on my part. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The thing for all of to remember is
that when things get bad, hang in there. We must remind ourselves that things
will <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">always</span> get better. After a
storm, the sun will shine again. It may be a few minutes later, a few hours, or
even a few days. But it <u>will</u> always happen.” ~ </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want to thank all who sent Get<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>well<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wishes, visits and flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-6110455393140464292012-07-14T11:42:00.000-04:002012-07-14T11:42:05.845-04:00The Rocky Road of SStroke Recovery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xw3l2r0X0c/UAGR6OZJRoI/AAAAAAAAB88/GXWVvSPcNzs/s1600/temporallobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xw3l2r0X0c/UAGR6OZJRoI/AAAAAAAAB88/GXWVvSPcNzs/s320/temporallobe.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday was Friday July
13<sup>th</sup>. And I came home from rehab. I hope I don’t make too many typos
and grammatical errors. When I posted my last blog entry, I was dealing with
nose bleeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a nose bleed that
would not stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was losing a dangerous
amount of blood. There was a procedure that involved cauterization, but doing
it came with a chance of a stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I was losing so much blood, we decided
to take the chance. Unfortunately, I had a stroke in my right temporal lobe of
the brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T stroke affected the left
side of my body, but with therapy and faith in myself, plus a bit of g us, I am
walking with a walker. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can use my left
hand some, but I am still working on my fine motor skills. I will recover; it
will just take a little time and some work and patience on my part. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The thing for all of to remember is
that when things get bad, hang in there. We must remind ourselves that things
will <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">always</span> get better. After a
storm, the sun will shine again. It may be a few minutes later, a few hours, or
even a few days. But it <u>will</u> always happen.” ~ </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want to thank all who sent Get<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>well<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wishes, visits and flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-77814282590538644212012-06-18T18:55:00.001-04:002012-06-18T18:55:35.822-04:00A Trip to Jekyl Island … I Got More Than I Planned!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DplfCyS8_Rg/T9-qlc_uyMI/AAAAAAAAB7g/pu6FqtgDA0U/s1600/Jekyl+June+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DplfCyS8_Rg/T9-qlc_uyMI/AAAAAAAAB7g/pu6FqtgDA0U/s1600/Jekyl+June+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DplfCyS8_Rg/T9-qlc_uyMI/AAAAAAAAB7g/pu6FqtgDA0U/s320/Jekyl+June+2012+024.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a first floor, beachfront room that was really nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could sit in a chair outside and see the
waves and listen to the surf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
a constant breeze that was wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since I love to take pictures, I took several and managed to get a few
really nice ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, I really
enjoyed this even though I did not get to walk the beach as I love to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, just being near the ocean is always
a soothing experience for me and I always love every minute of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRPRco8uBrI/T9-rIe-Tz_I/AAAAAAAAB7s/3pwT93iYwBI/s1600/Jekyl+June+2012+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRPRco8uBrI/T9-rIe-Tz_I/AAAAAAAAB7s/3pwT93iYwBI/s320/Jekyl+June+2012+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I really had planned to attend some of the activities at the
conference with my husband, but that was not what happened. On the way to Jekyl
Island we grabbed a bite to eat, and something I ate did not agree with me. It
really messed with my stomach. I stayed at the motel while Tom went to the
conference events. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Friday, I was making frequent trips to the bathroom and stomach
cramps, so I stayed there again. Friday evening about 10:30, I stepped outside
of the room and I felt something running out of my nose, then something out of
my mouth. It was blood. I called to Tom who was asleep. He rushed to get me
something so I could get inside to our bathroom. I had blood all over the
concrete outside our door. I just kept bleeding and it got heavier. It was
unbelievable how much blood was coming out my mouth and my nose. The hotel
called the island fire department because they have an ambulance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5P0CIqUMJg/T9-tFAJYAoI/AAAAAAAAB70/sNmRsx2auBk/s1600/Ambulance.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5P0CIqUMJg/T9-tFAJYAoI/AAAAAAAAB70/sNmRsx2auBk/s200/Ambulance.tif" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By the time they got there I had lost about a pint of blood. They
rushed me to the hospital where they proceed to try to stop the bleeding which
they finally did about 4 a.m. The doctor said I had an arterial nose bleed. He
gave me some spray to take with me to use if it started again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had swallowed a lot of blood, so on Saturday it was run to the
bathroom all day again. That evening, I started to bleed again. I used the
spray and eventually got it stopped. On Sunday, we headed home early because of
me. We got about an hour and a half from home and stopped for gas. I went to
the bathroom. Suddenly, blood was rushing out of my nose and mouth again. I
managed to get to the car. I sprayed my nose, but the bleeding was so bad that
Tom took me to the emergency room there. We still had a long ways to go and
there was really no hospital between there and home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We got the bleeding slowed down enough at the hospital that the
doctor released me to continue home. My nose oozed all day and evening. Last
night, I had another round of bleeding, but again I managed to stop it. This
morning, Tom called my ENT and got me in for 10 a.m. He sprayed my nose and use
a laser to cauterize it. He sent me to the hospital lab to for blood work, and
to check my clotting rate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We drove across town to the hospital to get the test because that
was the only place they could do the clotting rate. My clot rate was 12 minutes
which is a dangerously long time. While the lab technician was doing the
required second test, I started to bleed from my nose and down the back of the
mouth. I had blood on my blouse and the lab technician was in panic mode. I had
it happen enough time in the past few days that I was calm, and proceeded to
follow the basic instructions I had been given. I got it slowed down enough, I
told her I needed to go to the car where my husband was waiting. I wanted to
call my doctor back, because I thought he would want me back at his office.
Sure enough, he did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I returned to the ENT's office and he repeated the procedure. He
also decided to take a look inside my nose with a camera to see farther back.
He saw an area in the posterior section that looked like a problem. He put some
kind of (dissolving) chalk inside deep to try to block that area. He is
scheduling me for a scan to really see what is going on in all the sinus
cavities. He was also concerned with my clot rate, so he is scheduling an
appointment with a hematologist to find out what is the causing the slow
clotting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I find it amazing that since I am not on any kind of blood thinner,
I bruise at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the slightest bump <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and bleed profusely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am more amazed that this has been
going on for three years and my ENT doctor is the first to run a blog clot test
and follow up to find out why.</span></div>
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remember is that when things get bad, hang in there. We must remind ourselves
that things will <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">always</span> get
better. After a storm, the sun will shine again. It may be a few minutes later,
a few hours, or even a few days. But it will always happen.” ~ </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-40305803724742847242012-06-10T08:48:00.000-04:002012-06-10T08:48:28.343-04:00Detective Work Pays Off, but Other Things Crash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djnucqfqK1I/T9SWeiMC01I/AAAAAAAAB7E/YpZmGOUB4X4/s1600/STAGE+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djnucqfqK1I/T9SWeiMC01I/AAAAAAAAB7E/YpZmGOUB4X4/s200/STAGE+01.jpg" width="200" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
life's a stage, a comedy: either learn to play and take it lightly, or bear its
troubles patiently.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> ~ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Palladas
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What a week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This past week was plagued with vertigo as well as trouble with the
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that it must be the
additional medication that I had been prescribed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to eliminate one by one that could
cause such a reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I was
down to the last one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still having
some vertigo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, Friday, I was not feeling well at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I arrived home a little
afternoon, I was running a fever and having chills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was supposed to go to a retirement party
that afternoon, but there was no way I could do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next thing that happened was an extreme
headache, and frequent trips to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so cold that
I turned my electric blanket up to its highest level, but I was still
cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slipped in and out of
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t really sleep; it was
more like consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only time I
was out of bed was to visit the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About nine-thirty the next morning, I more or less woke up, but I still
felt awful and still running a high fever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was supposed to go to a meeting that morning at
eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, I didn’t make
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At ten-thirty we had an ABLCS board
meeting (online), and I was barely able to stay up long enough for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the meeting, it was back to bed, and
that is basically where I stayed until this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not remember the last time I spent so
much time in bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel much better
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No high temperature, and no
vertigo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know one thing, if it was a
virus, I don’t wish it on my worst enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, and I
will go over the medicine thing with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We will see what she says about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, I have some author interviews to set-up and
schedule on my other blog, a book trailer for an author to finish, and work on
a special retirement video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in
between, I need to do the necessary mundane things like wash clothes and get
ready for next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHIAJa_J2Ws/T9SW4yVUEmI/AAAAAAAAB7U/BsLcm7ocJCY/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHIAJa_J2Ws/T9SW4yVUEmI/AAAAAAAAB7U/BsLcm7ocJCY/s320/Tybee+April+2012+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is going to be a busy week ahead, and I won’t have a
lot of time for my own writing, but I will do an update as soon as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I have a great
weekend coming up at the beach, and I just hope I am feeling well enough to
enjoy. I am sure I will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the
impossible</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. ~ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Arthur C.
Clarke</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-3601931742480199212012-06-02T15:05:00.000-04:002012-06-02T15:05:45.558-04:00The Detective’s Power of Persistence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvRdm5N7ouA/T8piIMdnbmI/AAAAAAAAB3o/tbY_aTcaJAg/s1600/Brown+fiber+rope+knot+against+black+background+uid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvRdm5N7ouA/T8piIMdnbmI/AAAAAAAAB3o/tbY_aTcaJAg/s320/Brown+fiber+rope+knot+against+black+background+uid.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.” ~
Franklin D. Roosevelt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What a busy week
this has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two times to the doctor's
office, worked three days, had a staff training meeting to get ready for the
Summer classes that begin on Monday and working on a book trailer for Dr. Kay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, let me first tell you how I was able
to do all this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n50H5KhjsCU/T8piXxqMdwI/AAAAAAAAB3w/WfYJ6Q_2AVc/s1600/02040007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n50H5KhjsCU/T8piXxqMdwI/AAAAAAAAB3w/WfYJ6Q_2AVc/s320/02040007.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Being diligent and
proactive as well as pursuing the role of a detective, I actually discovered a
couple of things that was messing with my body!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will tell you what happened, and by deduction I learned a couple of
things that have made a difference in how I feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I was having
really bad dizzy, weak, shaky spells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
decided to stop one of the blood pressure medications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helped some, but I was still having
problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I did call my doctor to let
her know.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept check on my blood
pressure, and it was fine; however, my heart rate was very fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I stopped the second one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood pressure fine, not quite as dizzy and
shaky but heart rate was still fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
began researching my other medicines, and I found that was a severe symptom of
one of the allergy medicines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
yesterday, I didn’t take it in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had just a tiny bit of vertigo, but it was a great day and my blood
pressure was fine as well as my heart rate.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_R-lB41otXs/T8pilkBnjzI/AAAAAAAAB34/BmkzNFKZIrQ/s1600/driftwood+shore.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_R-lB41otXs/T8pilkBnjzI/AAAAAAAAB34/BmkzNFKZIrQ/s320/driftwood+shore.tif" width="217" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I felt so much
better that I had a young lady come in to help me try to get the house back to
some sort of order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually felt well
enough to do some sorting, cleaning a pitching of things myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did things I had not been able to do in
more than a couple of months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt so
good that by the time the day was finished, I was so tired I hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a good hot shower and tucking myself
in bed took care of all that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I almost forgot to
tell you that, the Doppler ultrasound imaging, which uses sound waves to check
blood flow and measure the thickness of my carotid arteries turned out well. No
problems there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check - that is
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryqcSgXLYC0/T8pixPn7w3I/AAAAAAAAB4A/Ze0NMUmt5X8/s1600/tree+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryqcSgXLYC0/T8pixPn7w3I/AAAAAAAAB4A/Ze0NMUmt5X8/s320/tree+light.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">This morning all
systems are pretty much go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a
100 %, but I have been up getting more things accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I washed a load of clothes, gave myself a
haircut and fixed my hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a list
of things to try to get done before bedtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It always amazes me that if you just hang in there, be proactive just
how much of a difference it can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
things are rough for you right now, I hope you tie a knot in that rope, hang on
and climb out of the hole when opportunity knocks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It
isn't the things that happen to us in our lives that cause us to suffer, it's
how we relate to the things that happen to us that causes us to suffer</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">.” ~ Pema Chodron<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHnVdQibyXA/T8pjJVlB6HI/AAAAAAAAB4I/O9ec1azhYCQ/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHnVdQibyXA/T8pjJVlB6HI/AAAAAAAAB4I/O9ec1azhYCQ/s200/butterfly.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">That is all for today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have lots I want to do, so I will update
you sometime next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave a comment
if you can and let me know how it is going with you!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-36280051633889919172012-05-29T16:28:00.000-04:002012-05-30T14:41:28.782-04:00A Detective Hunting the Culprit, or a Patient in the House TV Series Show?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvWSDMdL7oA/T8UvaH2f4iI/AAAAAAAAB3M/Xsbh78uyOJQ/s1600/Detective+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvWSDMdL7oA/T8UvaH2f4iI/AAAAAAAAB3M/Xsbh78uyOJQ/s320/Detective+01.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I feel just like a detective on a hunt for an allusive
culprit, or maybe one of those patients on the Bones Series who has some
physical disorder that is a challenge to identify. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>House, where are you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could take your personality if you can
figure out what is going on with my body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is where we are at so far:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I went to the urologist on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got an all clear there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, the roller coaster continues with ups and
downs and it goes round and round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been taking my antibiotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday
was a great day, Monday was a good day. Today, I felt lousy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, I went to the neurologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruled out post polio syndrome. Very good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday, I go for a Doppler ultrasound imaging, which
uses sound waves to check blood flow and measure the thickness of my carotid
arteries.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If that is an issue, we tackle it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next step will be to see an immunologist to see if
I have developed an auto immune disease that could have been due to exposure to
chemicals when we inventoried the house after it had burned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we had finished, we found out they
could not demolition until a Hazat team came in to clean up the hazardous
materials.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_9uytvWOF_8/T8UwfIwmWXI/AAAAAAAAB3U/8kd9BLa-Ch8/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_9uytvWOF_8/T8UwfIwmWXI/AAAAAAAAB3U/8kd9BLa-Ch8/s320/sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, I had a nice surprise this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received an email that said I was a feature
on the front page of the My Generation – Boomer Edition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #365f91;">Published
by </span><a href="http://paper.li/~/publisher/f1a99660-82e7-012f-25ad-12313d16b843" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Boomer Life Media</span></a><span style="color: #365f91;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>May 29, 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://paper.li/BoomerLifeMedia/1311452367"><span style="color: blue;">http://paper.li/BoomerLifeMedia/1311452367</span></a>
which linked to my book video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
very nice of them to do that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">What a crazy ride, but I
am charging full speed ahead in spite of the little rocks in the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you are doing the same!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ek667TZovf0/T8Uwpyp4SmI/AAAAAAAAB3c/zH-ffEA3O5g/s1600/Swiss+Cavalryman+Charging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ek667TZovf0/T8Uwpyp4SmI/AAAAAAAAB3c/zH-ffEA3O5g/s320/Swiss+Cavalryman+Charging.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">What next?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven't a clue...but, I will keep you in
the loop if you want to visit back to check.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I have also received
another invitation for an interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
let you in on that once it is all ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-5337724509601644022012-05-24T16:20:00.001-04:002012-05-26T01:27:59.190-04:00The Saga Continues...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> AH3DEJRZ4EXG<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMhFreGYq2o/T76SSXICRyI/AAAAAAAABzI/VOUgG8ycJ9o/s1600/cloudyday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMhFreGYq2o/T76SSXICRyI/AAAAAAAABzI/VOUgG8ycJ9o/s200/cloudyday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="firstword1"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
life has always been a series of challenges and I'm psychologically-prepared
but this is the biggest challenge of my life. ~ <span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;">Ronaldo quotes<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXIHpKJfyWc/T76Sk47OwYI/AAAAAAAABzQ/w0apnTAMhGI/s1600/pills+uid+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXIHpKJfyWc/T76Sk47OwYI/AAAAAAAABzQ/w0apnTAMhGI/s200/pills+uid+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">On Monday, I
took my last dose of antibiotic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wasn't feeling great, but a lot better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went to work that morning, and that afternoon to my doctor's appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the doctor that I felt I needed
additional antibiotics because the infection had not cleared up yet in my
stoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My doctor is not a pill pusher,
so I did not get a refill for the prescription.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blood work was run before I left to test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She added another blood pressure pill that
would help retain potassium rather that deplete it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xvrs3MouKa4/T76UHTOXPSI/AAAAAAAABzg/Wff1GXvjpR8/s1600/Bacteria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xvrs3MouKa4/T76UHTOXPSI/AAAAAAAABzg/Wff1GXvjpR8/s200/Bacteria.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">On Tuesday, I
went to work once again. I was not feeling very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By noon, I was really having trouble
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Wednesday morning, I felt
awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still having breathing problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That afternoon, I received a call from the
doctor's office telling me that the bacterial infection in my body had reared
its ugly head again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor had
called in a prescription for the antibiotic with the instructions to take if
for ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0KRPgE004U/T76VZEpBEXI/AAAAAAAABzo/_v6sb8WGsKI/s1600/Medicine+89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0KRPgE004U/T76VZEpBEXI/AAAAAAAABzo/_v6sb8WGsKI/s200/Medicine+89.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This morning
about 2:30 a.m., I had a very severe asthma attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a while, my husband I thought he was
going to have to call the ambulance to take me to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally got it under control with oxygen
and my inhalers not to mention concentrating on not panicking, and work on purse
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, I was able to lie
down and dozed off for a little sleep. When I woke up at 7:30 this morning, I
had another round with the asthma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
not quite as bad as the earlier attack, and with the same routine; I was able
to get it under control.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tomorrow, I
have an appointment with the urologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tuesday, I have an appoint with a neurologist to see if the breathing
could be related to my round with polio I had at the age of four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The only thing
I am sad about is that Saturday is my husband and my anniversary, and I know
that I will have to cancel the dinner date we had planned to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we celebrate every day we have
together, so the dinner date can wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rOC1iwmr4g/T76WTCb7X5I/AAAAAAAABzw/B_EI6kAzhA8/s1600/red+rose+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rOC1iwmr4g/T76WTCb7X5I/AAAAAAAABzw/B_EI6kAzhA8/s320/red+rose+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my own
words: "...with love, faith and guts, I will not fear tomorrow, nor
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will live each day as if it
were my last, and give as much as I am able.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-3q21QPdkM/T76W6s8uHbI/AAAAAAAABz4/BCN2DZdDqf0/s1600/Landmarks+of+the+U+S+uid+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-3q21QPdkM/T76W6s8uHbI/AAAAAAAABz4/BCN2DZdDqf0/s320/Landmarks+of+the+U+S+uid+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="smtext1"><span style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #232323;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Watch for an
update...and, if you can do something that will help another person, do it!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br /> </div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-66612873184821267662012-05-17T14:14:00.000-04:002012-05-17T14:14:08.504-04:00Life is a Like a Roller Coaster Ride!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3nBsYll7aM/T7U0Db_C7QI/AAAAAAAAByE/Q_n0MPsx6JM/s1600/roller+coaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3nBsYll7aM/T7U0Db_C7QI/AAAAAAAAByE/Q_n0MPsx6JM/s200/roller+coaster.jpg" width="144" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What a week it has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There have been so many ups and downs that my head is spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It began when I got home last Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn't feeling well and I started having
chills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked my temperature and I
was running a low-grade fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
continued all weekend, and by Monday I was ready to go see my doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sent me to the lab to get some blood
tests run to check what was going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
Tuesday, her nurse called saying that my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>C-Reactive Protein was very high and so was my erythrocyte sedimentation
rate which indicate inflammation in my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHD-bzz1OBg/T7U7GHOaIJI/AAAAAAAAByY/miNTdWQrrdw/s1600/blood+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHD-bzz1OBg/T7U7GHOaIJI/AAAAAAAAByY/miNTdWQrrdw/s200/blood+work.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So on Wednesday, I went to see my doctor again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted to rule out some things, so I had
a chest x-ray, some more blood work, tested for the flu (even though I had had
the vaccine), and nothing was discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She recommended that I check into the hospital for a CT scan of both the
upper and lower body, and have extensive blood labs run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agreed because I was tired of feeling so
bad, and I wanted to get back to feeling like myself again. She prepared the
admissions paperwork, and sent them to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went by my house on the way to pick-up some
toiletries and other things I needed for a hospital stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we proceeded to the hospital to
check-in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon I was in my room and the nurses found out that I had
an Indiana Pouch, they all wanted to know about it and to see the stoma opening
in my navel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up explaining how
it was created, and educating them about <a href="http://www.bladdercancersupport.org/" target="_blank">bladder cancer</a> and the different types
of pouches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as I went through the initial checking in with the
nurses, the poking and prodding began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No water, no food until after the CT scan with and without contrast. In
the meantime, they took plenty of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think that first time was about six test tubes, that evening two more,
and this morning about four more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
hooked up to an IV with potassium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
next thing was the wires on the chest so they could monitor my heart and blood
pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, about six that
evening, I went to radiology for the CT scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I returned to my room, I was allowed to eat and drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIkaofEIIWc/T7U-CFr-2aI/AAAAAAAAByk/s8lfxvnsCfo/s1600/Home+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIkaofEIIWc/T7U-CFr-2aI/AAAAAAAAByk/s8lfxvnsCfo/s200/Home+014.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This morning when the doctor on call came by, he said that
everything looked okay in the CT scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The blood labs this morning showed that everything seemed to be
correcting itself on its own, but he was putting me on an antibiotic to try to make
sure that whatever it was cleared completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had no idea what is going on with my body, and where I am picking
up a bacteria that is causing my problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least I was able to educate a few more people in the medical field
about bladder cancer and cystectomies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"<span class="huge1"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The fact that I can plant a seed and
it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile
at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual
exercises.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"</span></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~ </span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Leo Buscaglia</span></span><span class="bodybold1"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi4MOw2hLdk/T7U-tTriiwI/AAAAAAAABy0/PIv7lG7mHgs/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi4MOw2hLdk/T7U-tTriiwI/AAAAAAAABy0/PIv7lG7mHgs/s200/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I arrived home, there was a letter from the Midwest
Book Review telling me that my book had been reviewed and could be found in <a href="http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/may_12.htm#burroughs"><span style="color: blue;">The Reviewer's
Bookwatch</span></a> in the May issue on Burroughs' Bookshelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Mr. Burroughs' wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When life throws everything at you at once, you just have to keep
trucking. "Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith, and Guts: Bladder
Cancer, COPD, Caregiving, Polio, and More" is a memoir from Sylvia L.
Ramsey as she shares her journey to facing cancer and many other ailments, and
how she found the strength to overcome them all even stronger. "Traveling
a Rocky Road with Love, Faith, and Guts" is a fine addition to any
health-related memoir collection."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What a nice homecoming from the hospital!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What this roller coaster of life will bring next, we will have to wait and see! Stay tuned.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-929858086650234522012-05-13T16:28:00.000-04:002012-05-13T16:28:32.799-04:00The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears. ~John Vance Cheney<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sppfUocFBEA/T7ARoL9_G-I/AAAAAAAABxk/4ilZ1XaHibM/s1600/keith+mother's+day+flowers+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sppfUocFBEA/T7ARoL9_G-I/AAAAAAAABxk/4ilZ1XaHibM/s200/keith+mother's+day+flowers+012.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Mothers' Day to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was very blessed this Mother's Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My youngest son sent flowers, my eldest son is fixing a steak dinner for
me, and my eldest Granddaughter called this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My step-daughter called me last evening, and
my youngest son this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
wonderful to be loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This has been quite a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I managed to drive myself to work even though I had some few problems
with the breathing, and I am still having problems with the stoma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked with my pharmacist, and he gave me something
I could try until I saw my urologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If you wish to know more about an Indiana Pouch, you can find out at <a href="http://www.bladdercancersupport.org/">www.bladdercancersupport.org</a>. </span>I
have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with my family doctor, and I am going to
tell her about the pattern I have observed over the past few days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It begins with getting very cold from the
inside out, and then trembles that is followed by being weak and short of
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to pursue this until
we identify the cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a
quitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not how I survived thus
far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I will insist that we find the underlying cause rather than just treating symptoms.</span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">At times, challenges hit with the force
of a roaring, rushing waterfall. The true test, however, is whether you can put
your arms up and enjoy the feel of the water</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. ~Aviva Kaufman Sometimes, the ability to survive requires that you do this. There is always something good in the test, it is how you deal with it.<br sab="551" style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My health insurance has a wellness plan and assigns a
nurse/coach to you based on your health problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have tried the past two weeks to get in
touch with her to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I am beginning to get a bit unhappy with the insurance company because they require that you do this. However, they need to be held accountable for following through with their requirements. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The medication the doctors are prescribing are costing me between three and four hundred dollars a month, but they are not working. </span>I am still
hanging in there and trying to find out what is going on with me...not having a
lot of luck, but I am not giving up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There has to be something that is the underlying cause that is being overlooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpkfiRU2zj4/T7AXeuTcPxI/AAAAAAAABx4/fNBmllfqDFc/s1600/sunrise+gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpkfiRU2zj4/T7AXeuTcPxI/AAAAAAAABx4/fNBmllfqDFc/s200/sunrise+gull.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the bright side, </span> <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I decided to enter the
photograph I took at Tybee in a local amateur competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You can help with that by clicking on the link to add to the hits at: <a href="http://augustaphotofestival.org/registration/index.php/uploads/image?view=image&format=raw&type=img&id=11%5B%2FIMG%5D" rel="nofollow nofollow" sab="2421" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">http://augustaphotofestival.org/registration/index.php/uploads/image?view=image&format=raw&type=img&id=11%5B%2FIMG%5D</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> .</span> </span>It is the same one that will be on Doc Kay's
new book, Wings of Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been working with him to create a blog
and a book trailer for this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
poetry is so much more "literary" than mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just express our feelings in completely
different ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will let you know when
his book has been released, and the link to his blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can find my book, Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts on Amazon with my other books at: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI">http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI</a> .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Check back to see what is next on the Rocky Road.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-42989603616808169912012-05-07T16:12:00.001-04:002012-05-07T16:18:00.993-04:00Are you Limiting Yourself?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Limitations live only in
our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">~ Jamie
Paolinetti <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an easy trap to fall into
that hostage trap, and I am its victim sometimes too until I realize what I am
doing.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Life
is as frail as thread and as strong as rope,” is one of the lines in a poem I
wrote. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my belief that life is
about-facing ones fears, considering alternatives and choosing to persevere in
spite of the risk.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
have been doing that a lot lately because of this recent round with an
infection and my breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized
that I was letting the current situation limit me, and part of it was in my
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just had to remember all the
odds that I had overcome, and that I could overcome this as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today,
I drove myself to work and home for the first time in weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be truthful, I wasn't sure I would make
it, but the "ole" Missouri mule kicked in and I was determined to
try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try I did, and I made it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband was so concerned that he followed
me to work to make sure that I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was at the bowling alley when I arrived home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made it fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he came
home, he brought a big bouquet of red roses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow,
I will do it again, and I will try to stay longer at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even went for a short walk yesterday
afternoon even though I was really huffing and puffing when I got back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to go for that again this
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take a lot of persistence,
but I am determined to get back where I was before I got this bacterial
infection that tried to wipe me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No,
I take that back...I am going to get better than I was before!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yCGZGywJK0/T6gq7p5lFpI/AAAAAAAABxY/aV-9a8r5fqc/s1600/verge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yCGZGywJK0/T6gq7p5lFpI/AAAAAAAABxY/aV-9a8r5fqc/s320/verge.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh,
by the way, there was an interview article published in the May issue of Verge
Magazine in Augusta, GA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
Alison Richter wrote a very nice article on my book, me and my quest. If you
would like to check it out you can connect to the online publication at <a href="http://www.vergelive.com/">http://www.vergelive.com/</a>,
pg. 13, or pick up a print copy at various distribution places <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>around the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-8583623493552263242012-05-01T10:58:00.000-04:002012-05-01T10:58:15.083-04:00Tiny Lights and a Flashback…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong> <span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night I was sitting on our patio in the dark just listening to the night sounds when suddenly tiny flashes of light caught my eye. The tiny lights flashed here and there like tiny fairy lights against the wooded background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It dawned on me that I was seeing fireflies darting here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself transported back to another time when I was a child. I remembered sitting on the back porch in the middle of summer enjoying the evening’s cool air after a long, hot summer day. </span></strong></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><strong> It brought back some of the good memories of my childhood, and suddenly I really missed that big old-fashioned back porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most everyone I knew, when I was growing up, either had a big front porch or a big back porch, and ours was a big back porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That old porch was a vital part of our lives. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a swing, a couple of chairs, a small table and a place to leave muddy shoes and boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one corner was a place where Momma stored her broom and dustpan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great place to play on warm rainy days and a place to enjoy the fresh evening summer air. </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father had a lumber business and I can remember that when the mid-summer thunder showers would hit in the middle of the afternoons, my father and his workers would take a break to sit and have a cool drink on the back porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved to sit and listen to the tall tales they would tell about things they did when they were young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YViFS2Vh44s/T5_gOYRm4_I/AAAAAAAABwo/qjf8AUvB5gk/s1600/porch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YViFS2Vh44s/T5_gOYRm4_I/AAAAAAAABwo/qjf8AUvB5gk/s200/porch.JPG" width="170" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swing was a great place to play, but it had many other practical uses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother and I would sit in the swing and break green beans or shell peas for canning or for the evening meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The porch was also where cream was churned into butter for the family or black walnuts were cracked and the nutmeats removed for baking cookies and cakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe most important of all, it gave Momma a break from the hot kitchen where the wood stove was used to cook three meals a day. </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the corner of the house was an unusually big oak shade tree that made it more a comfortable place in the summer. In the evening, the porch was a gathering place for the family and neighbors. They would visit or, perhaps, get out their guitars, fiddles, banjos and harmonicas and sing the old songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, my father would bring out the old wind-up record player and we would listen to music recorded on large plastic records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sounded scratchy and the voices didn’t sound like real people singing most of the time, but more like cartoon characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back porch was always where the family gathered on Sunday after church and a big Sunday dinner, usually fried chicken.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the wintertime the porch was a place to leave our snow packed boots and a place to brush off our clothes before entering the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also a place where we would make homemade ice cream out of fresh fallen snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, my father screened in the back porch. Back then if a porch was enclosed, it was not a porch anymore, it was a room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the back porch was screened in it took on a variety of other uses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a small table about 18 inches deep and 18 inches across. There was a wash basin resting on it and a mirror hanging from the wall above it. There was also a straight razor, a razor strap for sharpening it and a shaving mug with a shaving brush in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table also had a wash basin for hands with a towel on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beside the wash basin sat a big cedar bucket with a large dipper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There you could get cool drinks, except in the winter, when the water in it would freeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back porch is one of my fondest memories and I often wish that the house I live in today had one, but it wouldn’t be the same because too many other things have changed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is a world that has gone, but it still lives on in our memory room.</span></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We have lost a lot since house builders quit putting porches on new houses. The families have also lost a lot, and what they have lost is much more than that old back porch. </span></strong><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>However, the people who are from my generation have the memories to savor and to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Maybe you can share some of yours here.</span></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPs3VAXX6fw/T5_um6QZdwI/AAAAAAAABw0/HjrU-nQmeK4/s1600/dad+and+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPs3VAXX6fw/T5_um6QZdwI/AAAAAAAABw0/HjrU-nQmeK4/s320/dad+and+mom.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very early picture of my parents.</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following is an excerpt of the poem "Pulse Points" that is in my book, Pulse Points of a Woman’s World. </span></strong></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the pulse points are caressed</span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by life’s lusty fragrant perfumes,</span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treasures entwine the heart</span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the twilight of the memory room,</span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where memories are imprisoned </span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by the heart on an intricate chain,</span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each link clasping a captive dream</span></strong></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to be evoked to living vividness again.</span></strong></span></i></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-13390541641821847682012-04-28T09:09:00.000-04:002012-04-28T09:09:52.228-04:00Got Air?...Want to share!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmCpTO75gwk/T5vpoqmAi6I/AAAAAAAABvw/SNel3f-A25E/s1600/RockyRoadcoverthumbnail+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmCpTO75gwk/T5vpoqmAi6I/AAAAAAAABvw/SNel3f-A25E/s1600/RockyRoadcoverthumbnail+small.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">My
air has been rather short lately. I went back to the doctor on Wednesday and I
flunked my respiratory function test again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did my research because I felt that were things being overlooked. I
felt that the "obvious" diagnosis wasn't the source of the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of all my past experiences, I have
learned it is good to be pro-active when it comes to your health.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VTfuB9utXRw/T5vpa70ycsI/AAAAAAAABvo/EQ-ayWEnz7A/s1600/Get+Well+uid+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VTfuB9utXRw/T5vpa70ycsI/AAAAAAAABvo/EQ-ayWEnz7A/s200/Get+Well+uid+7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I
found a very good, reliable article online, and I was able to take <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some valid information to my doctor about
various complications that can occur and are common for people who have had a
radical cystcectomy that includes an urinary diversion replaced by one of the
many types of pouches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made some
suggestions about some things to check-out with lab work.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Yesterday,
I found out that my potassium level is still low, and my B 12 is also low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder I have been feeling so yucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqUoALOHdDk/T5vqUvK84WI/AAAAAAAABv4/l2Zj-9mNSNQ/s1600/Silhouette+of+a+lantern+with+orange+sky+Assisi+Italy+Europe+uid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqUoALOHdDk/T5vqUvK84WI/AAAAAAAABv4/l2Zj-9mNSNQ/s200/Silhouette+of+a+lantern+with+orange+sky+Assisi+Italy+Europe+uid.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Low
B 12 can cause </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">problems concentrating, swollen and red
tongue, shortness of breath during physical exertion, fatigue, dizziness,
headache, cold hands and feet, heart palpitations and chest pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we have identified the problem, we can
begin to correct it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We increased my
potassium intake, and I am going to be on B 12 for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon, I should be back in the saddle again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Things have not been all bad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it to work every day this past week. There
is a feature article that will be published in the May issue of Verge
magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a book signing
scheduled for May 5th. at the Inner Bean beginning at 4 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my photographs that I took when I was
at Tybee is going to be used for the cover of my colleague Dr. Kay's book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wings of Time</i>, that will be published
soon.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am also going to begin a pulmonary rehabilitation program next week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That should help me get back on my feet
sooner...or I should say my lungs recover from this episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end
of your arm ... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands.
One for helping yourself, the other for helping others." ~</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Audrey Hepburn</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">That is where I am right now, and I hope you are
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTIBnM-r1-c/T5vrLQ3yctI/AAAAAAAABwA/BG8RcRUu30I/s1600/sunrise+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTIBnM-r1-c/T5vrLQ3yctI/AAAAAAAABwA/BG8RcRUu30I/s320/sunrise+at+home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="huge1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">"Clouds come floating into my life, no
longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.</span>"
~</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><span class="huge1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Rabindranath Tagore </strong></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br sab="195" style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-56002516493659250172012-04-23T17:19:00.001-04:002012-04-23T18:03:59.050-04:00Words for the Week on the Rocky Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Strength<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiDgHYwXhPw/T5XB1RqHxuI/AAAAAAAABu4/lPxXSEoql3s/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiDgHYwXhPw/T5XB1RqHxuI/AAAAAAAABu4/lPxXSEoql3s/s200/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Courage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Confidence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we
really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we
cannot.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ~ E<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">leanor
Roosevelt<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This past week had been a
rough one health wise, but I think that I am on the upward trail to getting
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a doctor’s appointment on
Wednesday for more tests to see if, or how much things have improved with the
bacteria infection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This experience did teach me
something new about being a bladder cancer survivor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never had a urinary tract infection
since my radical cystcectomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot
not say that anymore. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a>I think that bacteria was in more
places than the ole Indiana Pouch because of the other symptoms I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I go Wednesday for follow-up
tests to see if the antibiotics worked, or if I need more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hoping they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will keep you updated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Bacteria keeps us from heaven and puts us
there."</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> - Martin H.
Fischer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-65572665839395095192012-04-18T16:10:00.001-04:002012-04-20T10:44:47.653-04:00Good News and Not so Good News on the Rocky Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This week had its ups and downs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some very good things that happened, some that were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday, I went back to work for half-a-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little shaky, but I felt better as the day progressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got home, I felt good enough to create another video using one of my poems from <a href="http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/p/more-videos.html"><span style="color: blue;">Pulse Points of a Woman's World</span></a>.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I received an email telling me that <a href="http://www.vergelive.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Verge Magazine</span></a> is going to publish an article about me and my book, <a href="http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/p/book-trialer-and-more.html"><span style="color: blue;">Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts</span></a>, in their May issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How very nice of them to do this. They have both a print magazine as well as an online version.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really looking forward to see how it turns out</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday, I worked until noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to go check on my lab results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kidney function was fine, and so were some of the other test. However, I have been told that I have my first urinary tract infections in the seventeen plus years that I have had my Indiana Pouch. I am now taking CYPRO to clear up that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next thing on my agenda was to attend the launching of a cystectomy support group at the Cancer Center at Georgia Health Sciences University. I had the honor of being invited to be the guest speaker at this first meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thrilled to do it because we are going to have a local support group, and I know how important that is to bladder cancer survivors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I took a copy of my book to give to the attendees. I hope my story will serve of some value there.</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I finally made it home on Tuesday, and just got relaxed when I received a call from MO telling me that someone had broken into the house and the storage shed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That really upset me because I had no way of knowing what they had taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you believe that my blood pressure shot up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did, and I decided that I needed to chill out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There wasn't anything that could be done but call and report it to the local sheriff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eldest son took care of all that, and found someone to go secure the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My granddaughter is going to drive up there from AR to take inventory to see what is missing.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This morning my blood pressure was down some, but not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that I had better stay home today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow I will go back to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do not want to be taken out on a stretcher again. It stresses everyone there out too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I think at this point I should end this entry with a quote that was a favorite of my grandmothers: "</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You've got to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what you've got, and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from mistakes, but never regret."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stay tuned, there is always more to come. Please feel free to leave a comment, contact me or provide feedback. I am on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook.</span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-29143190841790442622012-04-12T13:31:00.000-04:002012-04-12T13:31:06.494-04:00Flunked My Test so Now I am on House Restriction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lM17MKQ-nEg/T4cFFOKAWzI/AAAAAAAABrk/t5e6pt8SE_E/s1600/RockyRoadcoverthumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lM17MKQ-nEg/T4cFFOKAWzI/AAAAAAAABrk/t5e6pt8SE_E/s1600/RockyRoadcoverthumbnail.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I went to see my family doctor
yesterday, and she ran a lot more tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is doing a blood workup, and she gave me a pulmonary function
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flunked it, so now I am restricted
to the house on oxygen until at least Monday. Oh well, it could be worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I am home and I can sit at my
computer and write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a portable
oxygen concentrator that I can take with me to my office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She added another type of blood pressure
medication, and is making an appointment with a neurologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my friend that I flunked the test and
was put on house arrest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cracked
up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I made someone laugh
yesterday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To quote Bill Cosby, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Through humor, you can
soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter,
no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is just another rock to climb, but
remember I am from MO and that stubborn mule is my mascot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, too, will just make me stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I have Tom to keep an eye on me and
out of trouble...well, most of the time, the trouble part is the biggest
challenge!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next week, I have been invited to be
the guest speaker at a first meeting of a brand new cystcectomy support group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have given presentations to all sorts of
audiences on a variety of topics, but this is a first for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think I need to share my story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have asked if they wanted me to organize it
around a definite theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am waiting to
hear back on that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you want to keep up with what is
happening in my world, just follow along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes it is just like a soap opera!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvB8R5ioFUw/T4cFwAa428I/AAAAAAAABrs/Ki-Ulj_2dkE/s1600/Home+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvB8R5ioFUw/T4cFwAa428I/AAAAAAAABrs/Ki-Ulj_2dkE/s320/Home+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blossom that fell off the Poplar tree in our backyard.</td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It
reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we
leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." ~ Jean Luc Picard<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXtsNC_xWW4/T4cGN97i4II/AAAAAAAABr8/KuvXhww6fRM/s1600/Home+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXtsNC_xWW4/T4cGN97i4II/AAAAAAAABr8/KuvXhww6fRM/s320/Home+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mn3O6wxtm4/T4cGbc8KIKI/AAAAAAAABsE/ZqIhGzFLZYk/s1600/Home+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mn3O6wxtm4/T4cGbc8KIKI/AAAAAAAABsE/ZqIhGzFLZYk/s320/Home+019.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A squirrel in our backyard.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><em>“</em><a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/you-ll_seldom_experience_regret_for_anything_that/326173.html" sab="323"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><em>You'll
seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't
done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it!</em></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><em>Develop an
appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and <b sab="324">savor</b> it. Value your present moments. Using them up in any
self-defeating ways means you've lost them forever.</em></span><em>” ~ Wayne Dyer</em></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-41352086174089856442012-04-10T15:59:00.001-04:002012-04-12T15:54:53.265-04:00Sand, Ocean, Rocks, Boulders and Thunderstorms on the Rocky Road this Past Week and a Half<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hH3D0CmT87I/T4SAI897wmI/AAAAAAAABqM/IGFvm5gy_QE/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hH3D0CmT87I/T4SAI897wmI/AAAAAAAABqM/IGFvm5gy_QE/s320/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This past week and a half has been eventful to say the
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was having some major problems
with my potassium level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got that up
to low normal, but I was still not feeling my old self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to go ahead with our plans for the
beach regardless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made sure we had a
nice supply of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fresh tomatoes and avocados
with us so I could supplement the potassium tablets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday was a nice trip to Tybee Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a little windy and a bit of chill in
the air, but very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at
our hotel that overlooked the beach, and stopped by the office to
check-in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our room wasn't ready, so they
gave us a room upgrade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a super
view of the ocean and the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went
for a short walk along the shoreline once we got unpacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hotel dining room is very nice, and the
front of it is a huge arch (much like the St. Louis arch) that is all windows
so that you have a fantastic view while you dine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had little access to the internet all week,
but I did find out that on Friday, April 6th., the interview I had with Lloyd
Paige was posted on his site, The Paige Today, at </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://lloydpaige.com/?p=823" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><span style="color: blue;"><span id="lw_1334080040_0">http://lloydpaige.com/?p=823</span></span></span></a>.
</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gw64jDLF1w/T4SAmb7HzbI/AAAAAAAABqU/H3kRmhneOtQ/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gw64jDLF1w/T4SAmb7HzbI/AAAAAAAABqU/H3kRmhneOtQ/s320/Tybee+April+2012+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Tuesday was a beautiful sunny day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sunrise was just gorgeous. Tom and I
enjoyed every second of it and I was feeling fairly well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked out the beach, and the shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lounged on our balcony breathing the salt
air, watching the people on the beach, and the birds.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMW4PHRcXEg/T4SF4IChKeI/AAAAAAAABqk/ZBBN0-P6GQ4/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMW4PHRcXEg/T4SF4IChKeI/AAAAAAAABqk/ZBBN0-P6GQ4/s320/Tybee+April+2012+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">On Wednesday, our friends showed up to spend a few
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day for the most part was very
nice again until that evening when the storm clouds began to roll in from the
east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a couple of thunderstorms,
and the wind picked up chilling the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was having some breathing problems, but still doing fairly well. The
sky was really interesting as the clouds for the second thunderstorm began to
roll in over the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was one
area that looked as if there was a large hole, the clouds were white and brightly
illuminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain shower was heavy
and short-lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thunder and lightning
did not begin until the storm was out over the ocean. The lightning shot out of
the clouds like large ragged arrows aimed at the water out close to the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waves began to build, and we watch them
break farther and farther out on the ocean's surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHTmLgSf9kc/T4SGTBB7i8I/AAAAAAAABqs/2DOQ9vioeCw/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHTmLgSf9kc/T4SGTBB7i8I/AAAAAAAABqs/2DOQ9vioeCw/s320/Tybee+April+2012+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Thursday was cold and windy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried to go for a walk about mid-day, but I just could breathe enough
to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if the wind was
taking all my oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to give up
and return to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sea gulls
and black birds were around everywhere, so we decided to have some fun feeding
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We soon found out that the poor
birds on the small parking area between our balcony and the beach didn't have a
chance to get the bread we were throwing out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The gulls that took to the air and swooped down as we would throw out a
piece of bread would catch it in mid-air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It became a game to see how close they would come to our balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the black birds decided to even the
odds by hopping on the rail to take his food before it was thrown up in the
air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftY3Leggebk/T4SIJ4mxWhI/AAAAAAAABq0/_SI6sGsEIcs/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftY3Leggebk/T4SIJ4mxWhI/AAAAAAAABq0/_SI6sGsEIcs/s320/Tybee+April+2012+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Friday morning it was still chilly and cloudy. However, the
sunrise was beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling
worse, and I did not want to go farther that our balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minimal walking took all my air, so we stayed
in room and I sat on the balcony off and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once more the birds were the main source of entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a pretty uneventful day, but nice to
enjoy the ocean breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7O7LXbQEPDk/T4SIwLKh1hI/AAAAAAAABq8/8aie0HVzjRk/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7O7LXbQEPDk/T4SIwLKh1hI/AAAAAAAABq8/8aie0HVzjRk/s320/Tybee+April+2012+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Saturday morning we began to prepare to leave for home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still not feeling up to par.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made the trip home, and I unpacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday, I sorted the dirty clothes to wash
and to get ready for work on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
still short-winded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took one load of
clothing out of the washer and put them in the dryer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I put the second load in the
washer, I was completely breathless and felt as if I would pass out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Tom that he would have to take over
because I couldn't finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to
check my oxygen level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was in the
upper 90's, and that puzzled me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
decided to take my blood pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was about 258 over 158.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That scared
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I had better tell
Tom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided that I had better go to
the emergency room to get checked out to see what was going on with me
physically.</span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We arrived at the emergency room at about 2:15 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the lady at the check-in desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took me back and ran an EKG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sent me back to the waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About an hour later, they called my name to
go to the check-in desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sent me
back to the waiting area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, about
9 p.m., I was put in a "Decision Making" room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told they were keeping me to run blood
work, an echocardiogram and do a stress test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had not had a thing to eat since breakfast, and nothing to drink since
I had left home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thirsty, and
hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They let me have two small
packets of graham crackers and some ice water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lab person came in and set up an IV cannula, hook me up to a heart
monitor, and oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, another
person came in to draw about five vials of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cautioned her that if she took too much, I
would charge for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't think she
saw the humor in my quip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn't
even crack a smile.</span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The next morning at seven in the morning, they were back
again for more blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was only allowed
enough water to take my medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
of my medicine, they didn't have in the hospital pharmacy, and they didn't want
me to take it even though I had it with me. They gave me a shot of </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">radionuclide injected into my bloodstream. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, about nine-thirty that morning they
came to take me for the tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
thing they did was to put me on a machine that take multiple pictures of the
heart at all angles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant lying on
my back perfectly still with my arms above my head for about thirty minutes.</span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Once that was complete, they put me back on the stretcher
and wheeled me to a "holding room" for quite some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't see a clock, but it seemed like
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, a lady came to get me to
run the echocardiogram.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, it
was back to the "holding room" again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, a nurse came to get me to take the second part of the chemical stress
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A chemical stress test uses an
isotope medication that is inserted into the body via an IV. Its purpose it to
take the heart to its highest extremes of stress. This is accomplished by
forcing the arteries of the body wide open so that blood is allowed to flow at
maximum volume.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I was hooked up to an EKG machine during the test so that my
heart was monitored at all times. The temporary side effects of the test were
severe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chemical opens the arteries
in the manner used ensures certain symptoms, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I was told could include, but are not
limited to hot flashes, tingling or burning throughout the body, sweats, severe
headache, nausea (and possible vomiting).</span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I personally thought that nothing could hurt as much as what
I had envisioned for the pain of a heart attack itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never had a heart attack, but I think
this had to be worse! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This test has to
be as severe if not more so. Although it only takes about six minutes, the
agony and pain of the test makes it feel more like six months. I felt as if my
heart, lungs and every vein and artery in my body was going to explode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>purpose of the CST is to determine how the
arteries respond; how well the blood flows through the heart; and whether or
not any blockages are encountered in the process, and it apparently works well because
much later I found out that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the doctor
was satisfied with the results. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, on
the other hand, was not since it left me with a raging migraine, but it
subsided fairly quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Again, I was taken to the "holding room" to wait
my turn for more pictures of my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was finally returned to my room sometime after two that afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was more waiting until a doctor came to
give me the results, and to release me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found out about six that evening that I was going home, but it nine
that evening before a doctor showed up to begin the hospital release for me to
check-out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor who released me
recommended that I make an appointment with a neurologist.</span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We arrived home about 9:30 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed home today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am absolutely worn out, and I am not
breathing any better than I was before I went to the emergency room???????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did discover this morning that another
review of my book had been posted on my Author's Den Page at: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnews.asp?AuthorID=140046&id=38634"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnews.asp?AuthorID=140046&id=38634</span></a></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Who knows what will happen in the near future, but I will
keep you posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still tackling it
all with love, faith and guts. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">More pictures taken at Tybee Island.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7UjeZKV2lY/T4SJanE03KI/AAAAAAAABrE/kQs1bCf28VQ/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7UjeZKV2lY/T4SJanE03KI/AAAAAAAABrE/kQs1bCf28VQ/s320/Tybee+April+2012+002.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKctZT6OFA0/T4SJveuzCcI/AAAAAAAABrM/OC9JSuc94LI/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKctZT6OFA0/T4SJveuzCcI/AAAAAAAABrM/OC9JSuc94LI/s320/Tybee+April+2012+137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQHgrgfR0zw/T4SLND-_1RI/AAAAAAAABrc/24qGgAXjx88/s1600/Tybee+April+2012+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQHgrgfR0zw/T4SLND-_1RI/AAAAAAAABrc/24qGgAXjx88/s320/Tybee+April+2012+139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check back who knows what is next. Whatever it may be, it is never a boring minute! </div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-8180169579279242142012-03-31T11:04:00.002-04:002012-04-01T17:23:23.617-04:00A Small Rock Slide on the Rocky Road, but Clearing it Out<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVl55UA2xqQ/T3cTu878Q1I/AAAAAAAABp0/8wTzqDzSsBs/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVl55UA2xqQ/T3cTu878Q1I/AAAAAAAABp0/8wTzqDzSsBs/s320/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #212120; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When it come to writing this past week, it has been
like a silent shroud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following
stanza from one of my poems in my book, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Points-Womans-Sylvia-LaVone-Parsons-Ramsey/dp/0972770321/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pulse
Points of a Woman's World</span></a><span style="color: #212120; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, sums up how my writing progressed this week.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silence surrounds the muse<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like
the murky veil<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span><b><i></i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on a
smoke-stained rose<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span><b><i></i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that
enfolds a city’s dawn<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span><b><i></i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as the
elegant words<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span><b><i></i></b></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of
pomp and circumstance<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span><b><i></i></b></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are as
voiceless<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span><b><i></i></b></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as the
cry of a city’s neon lights.</span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae9Vkt3Q4ms/T3cVWaAxBNI/AAAAAAAABp8/jQ4_cxxmjBk/s1600/Squiggles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae9Vkt3Q4ms/T3cVWaAxBNI/AAAAAAAABp8/jQ4_cxxmjBk/s200/Squiggles.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-default-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-latin-font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><b><span style="color: #212120;">Unfortunately, I
have been under the weather with a low potassium and breathing problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor has prescribed that I take
potassium, eat tomatoes, potatoes and avocados.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know bananas are also very good, but they make me nauseous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other prescription was my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave it to my husband to fill, and it was
frequent trips to the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems
that salt air really helps my breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, he is planning to do that this next week, and my eldest son will
stay at our house while we are gone to take care of Squiggles and the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><b></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #212120; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mary Forbes posted a really nice interview on her
blog this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has even offered to
do a review on the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How nice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to read what she posted the link
is: </span><a href="http://marymforbes.wordpress.com/writing/author-interviews/sylvia-l-ramsey/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://marymforbes.wordpress.com/writing/author-interviews/sylvia-l-ramsey/</span></a><span style="color: #212120; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have another interview coming up with A.F.
Stewart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will let you know when it is
online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been invited to be a guest on Julia
Widdop's television show, Seekers Journey, on the 17th. of April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is going to be a busy week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, that same week I have two
presentations.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zncil-4nEtc/T3cWlG28fsI/AAAAAAAABqE/Mn2A36EpKqg/s1600/tybee+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zncil-4nEtc/T3cWlG28fsI/AAAAAAAABqE/Mn2A36EpKqg/s320/tybee+062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think I need to take that trip to the beach so I
can keep up the pace with what is going on in my life right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try to take some pictures and share my
experience with you when I return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
knows, I may even take my laptop to the beach and work some on my next
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For right now, I am signing out,
stay tuned for more.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #212120; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't forget to check out my book, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Rocky-Road-Love-aith/dp/1463554672/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Traveling
a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts</span></a><span style="color: #212120;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>on Amazon. Any feedback is always appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-75072700066832220602012-03-25T09:32:00.001-04:002012-03-25T09:32:39.517-04:00Book Launch for Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts Yesterday Update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikMNdmDd6zU/T28ZWODn9lI/AAAAAAAABpM/UBuE2Hpw-sA/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikMNdmDd6zU/T28ZWODn9lI/AAAAAAAABpM/UBuE2Hpw-sA/s200/054.JPG" width="175" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
book launch party was quite an experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had no idea what to expect since I had never done this before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent out a lot of invitations, advertised
it, had goodies, and even had a give-away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was really appreciative of the people who attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had hoped there would be more of my
colleagues attend, but I know this is a busy time for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They often show their support in many other
ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you didn't make it, you
know my book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Rocky-Road-Love-Faith/dp/1463554672/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332679540&sr=1-1"><span style="color: blue;">Traveling
a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts</span></a> is listed on Amazon, and if you want
it signed...just let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I wish there were more pictures but it was busy once people began to arrive. </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DufkxKoO7Sc/T28ZhmAoc0I/AAAAAAAABpU/pyDhNiCFbBE/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DufkxKoO7Sc/T28ZhmAoc0I/AAAAAAAABpU/pyDhNiCFbBE/s320/066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking to attendees and signing books</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
think the people who attended enjoyed it, and they got to meet new people as
there was time allowed to mingle and get to know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were interested in my presentation on
bladder cancer, and wanted to know more about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of them volunteered to help get the word
out to others by making them aware of <a href="http://www.bladdercancersupport.org/"><span style="color: blue;">the American Bladder Cancer</span></a> and
their website.</span></b> </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qspK7Wm50rA/T28Z6s5KxUI/AAAAAAAABpc/14VxHGEhBHw/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qspK7Wm50rA/T28Z6s5KxUI/AAAAAAAABpc/14VxHGEhBHw/s320/063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcoming guest as they arrive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today
there was an interview posted on Kris Wampler's blog, at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://kriswampler.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/sylvia-ramsey/" target="_blank">h<span style="color: blue;">ttp://kriswampler.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/sylvia-ramsey/</span></a><br />
Kris Wampler, is the author of Love Train, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005X3G3PK" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005X3G3PK</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kj6fojVk2-w/T28aiQhWUbI/AAAAAAAABps/5Wwv3NSyUj4/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kj6fojVk2-w/T28aiQhWUbI/AAAAAAAABps/5Wwv3NSyUj4/s200/061.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few goodies for the guests.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
had a phone call from a lady who wants me to do a presentation on <a href="http://bladdercancersupport.org/"><span style="color: blue;">bladder cancer</span></a> from the viewpoint
of a survivor for a conference via teleconference since I can't be there in
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are working out the
logistics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will keep you updated as news occurs. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-77408323101199387202012-03-23T08:08:00.000-04:002012-03-23T08:08:25.668-04:00Sharing Wonderful Things Happening on the Rocky Road this Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIxzB_3p0qc/T2xjmv7hBoI/AAAAAAAABpE/T0eusXBLoQ4/s1600/Rocky+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIxzB_3p0qc/T2xjmv7hBoI/AAAAAAAABpE/T0eusXBLoQ4/s320/Rocky+Road.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow is the big day for the book launch reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been busy all week getting ready for it outside of my day job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will let you know all about how it went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plans are to video tape some of it, and my presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it turns out, I will share that as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have a lot of things to do before 2 p.m. tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So many nice things have happened this week, I will share a few.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lilian Gafney posted a lovely review of the book on Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a portion of what she wrote; the rest is where she posted it on the books page at: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Rocky-Road-Love-Faith/dp/1463554672/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1"><span style="color: purple;">http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Rocky-Road-Love-Faith/dp/1463554672/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1</span></a></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“This amazing book has it all, from terrible news to lighter humor. It all happened when a large raccoon was found on their exercycle in the morning room. He was sitting on the bike with his hands on the handle trying to figure out how to work it. This book is a valuable addition to those suffering from cancer and at the same time for those who have their health. Many times in life we agonize over the small dramas and forget the most important thing: that we’re here on earth to enjoy life as best as we can and to forgo the insignificant events in our lives. This book teaches just that.”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">~ Lilian Gafney</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then I receive an email from a former student who wrote to tell me she had purchased the book and had read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even explain how I felt when I read it, but I can tell you I was teary eyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what she wrote: </span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>“I purchased your book <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Rocky-Road-Love-Faith/dp/1463554672/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1"><span style="color: purple;">Traveling a Rocky Road With Love, Faith, and Guts</span></a></u>...and I read it! It was a good read. I don't know exactly what to say about your story but I do admire your heart and strength, your "GUTS". I wanted to let you know that I'm glad I read your book and I feel blessed to have been taught by & crossed paths with such a woman and what an amazing woman you are!”</strong></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I, also, stopped by WJBF to see my friend Jennie Montgomery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has been so supportive in my quest to bring about bladder cancer awareness, and to help the <a href="https://www.bladdercancersupport.org/">American Bladder Cancer Society</a>. Later, I discovered that she had posted a message about the book and a story on the station’s website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Jennie. Here is the link to that news item:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2012/mar/21/sylvia-l-ramsey-reception-and-booksigning-ar-3455046/"><span style="color: purple;">http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2012/mar/21/sylvia-l-ramsey-reception-and-booksigning-ar-3455046/</span></a> .</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The book is selling even though it hasn’t been enough time to get it listed in the book distributors’ catalogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had emails wanting to know where it can be purchased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, it is Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, by the middle of next month, it should be available for bookstores, and libraries to order.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Look for an update on the book launch reception as soon as I catch my breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-91140814226162274882012-03-18T10:34:00.000-04:002012-03-18T10:34:14.333-04:00The Rocky Road of being a Bladder Cancer Survivor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6VMHRzYDuSw/T2XwWX7t2FI/AAAAAAAABo4/s1RnCY6u4IM/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6VMHRzYDuSw/T2XwWX7t2FI/AAAAAAAABo4/s1RnCY6u4IM/s320/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This past couple weeks have been a
little rough health-wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started out
with muscle cramps in my legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those I
can stand and straighten my leg to work them out, but then I began having them
in my feet and toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The toes literally curled
under and my foot distorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
noticed that I was more tired than usual, and I felt weak and my hands and body
trembled. I decided it was time to call the doctor to get checked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did a full blood lab work-up on me to find
out what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to wait on
the lab results. Each day while I waited, I symptoms got worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, on Friday I receive a call from my
doctor's nurse with the lab results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything
checked out fairly well except my potassium was very low even though I take
potassium supplements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor instructed
me to double the dosage that I was already taking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><br />
<strong> </strong>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>I am feeling better, but I still feel
a little shaky today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is only one
of the things that can happen after a radical cystcectomy with a diversion
pouch because part of the intestines have been used to construct the pouch and
the urostomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been lucky because
this was the first time I had experienced such a severe spell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find out more about bladder cancer,
and understand more about why I give the proceeds of the sales of all my books
to the </strong><a href="https://www.bladdercancersupport.org/"><strong><span style="color: blue;">American Bladder Cancer
Society</span></strong></a><strong> at: </strong><a href="http://www.bladdercancersupport.org/"><strong><span style="color: blue;">http://www.bladdercancersupport.org</span></strong></a><strong>. All my books can be found on Amazon at: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1</a>.</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>In
addition, the weather has been beautiful and everything is blooming out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My allergies are affected by the pollen, and
therefore, so too is my asthma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
this too shall pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just will have to
pace myself even though there is so much to do this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot to do to get ready for the
reception Saturday, and then the rest of the month and most of April will be
very busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong> Today I was the honored guest on Stuart Aken's Blogspot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to read the interview, you
can do so at </strong><a href="http://stuartaken.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-to-read-list.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="color: blue;">http://stuartaken.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-to-read-list.html</span></strong></span></a><strong>
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked some very insightful
questions that were different that some other interviews I have had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you would enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Keep
in touch, there will definitely be more updates!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-66258539425620640842012-03-15T10:57:00.001-04:002012-03-15T10:57:42.061-04:00A Flashback on the Rocky Road of Child Abuse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3l7O0-QNio/T2H-bv4frpI/AAAAAAAABok/BCfjK0Bihic/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3l7O0-QNio/T2H-bv4frpI/AAAAAAAABok/BCfjK0Bihic/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3l7O0-QNio/T2H-bv4frpI/AAAAAAAABok/BCfjK0Bihic/s200/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="132" /></a><strong>One
thing I discuss in the book was why and how my mother was</strong></div>
<strong> abused as a child. I
am surprised that she survived it all. She </strong><br />
<strong>suffered everything from beatings to
a stepmother who tried to poison her. She was removed from the home at the age
of twelve to be reared by a couple who had never had children. In the book, I
talk about the way she was abused. It is abhorring what the stepmother did to
her. She was treated less that a dog.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmQkys9Bu7c/T2IAsFXYiSI/AAAAAAAABos/cGVr47NYvqc/s1600/bookmarks005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmQkys9Bu7c/T2IAsFXYiSI/AAAAAAAABos/cGVr47NYvqc/s320/bookmarks005.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<strong>My
father met her for the first time when she was twelve-years-old. She had run
away, and he found her sitting on a log in the middle of the woods crying.
Little did he know that this would be his future wife.</strong> <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<strong>My
father tried his best to make up for all the years she had suffered abuse, but
no matter how much he tried and no matter how much he loved her, it was not
enough. He showered her with gifts. In 1929, he bought her a fur coat. She
never had to ask to go shopping for clothes or the get her hair done because he
was always there to say, don’t you think you need a new outfit nor wouldn’t you
like to go to the beauty shop. Even with all the attention he lavished on her,
she was never satisfied with what she had. Finally, he stopped giving her gifts
because she did not appreciate them.</strong> <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<strong>By
telling her story, it helps me, and the reader to understand why she abused me
verbally and physically. I wish that things had been different because I never
felt loved by her, or good enough to measure up to what she wanted me to be.
Even in the end of her life, she only could think of one thing, and that one
thing was to be with my father. It would just be him and her once again, and I
would be out of the picture. However, learning to cope with these things gave
me strength to cope with other things in life such as a rocky marriage.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>There is more of this time in my life in the book.</strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-73926706334024627162012-03-13T09:57:00.000-04:002012-03-13T11:50:15.771-04:00Fire on the Rocky Road Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hL26E-qmNEA/T18x3lRlccI/AAAAAAAABm4/rIhnmyYxNiw/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hL26E-qmNEA/T18x3lRlccI/AAAAAAAABm4/rIhnmyYxNiw/s320/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was bad enough that our biological clocks have to
cope with Monday, but mine got topped with a fire where I work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are getting a new roof, and one of the
roofer's pick-ups was backed up to the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something in the bed of the pick-up caught
fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bed of the truck apparently
contained a lot of flammable material because it burst into flames.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was in the ARC when one of the workers and one of
my co-workers came running in looking for fire extinguishers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time, I had no idea what was on fire
or how bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I showed the man where the fire
extinguisher near my office was located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was rushing around frantically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I peeked out the window to see how bad it was, and I saw that the flames
at that time were bursting forth about three to four feet above the bed of the
truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that we needed to call the
fire department, so I ran to the front office to tell the assistant director
what was happening, and that we needed to call the fire department.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lvCuEwpgks/T18yA30dRgI/AAAAAAAABnA/gGn0chmtdYg/s1600/fire+at+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lvCuEwpgks/T18yA30dRgI/AAAAAAAABnA/gGn0chmtdYg/s320/fire+at+school.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the back end of my car<br />
just on the other side of the truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was going to go tell the Dean, and about that time
the fire alarms went off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in
the building evacuated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire trucks
began to arrive, and by that time the flames were really engulfing the
truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard a small explosion. The
black smoke was boiling up in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone said to me, "Isn't that your car sitting close to that
truck?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn't you move it?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I handed my keys to a personwho volunteer to try, and they took
off toward my car. (I knew that I could not get in the smoke because of my
breathing problems.) They were back in just a moment or two telling me that it
was too hot to get near the car much less get in it and move it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn43sQh4Za4/T19RhQ4xudI/AAAAAAAABnM/Wj7QVwn9Y-A/s1600/IMAG0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn43sQh4Za4/T19RhQ4xudI/AAAAAAAABnM/Wj7QVwn9Y-A/s320/IMAG0222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We stood and watched while the firemen finally
got it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truck was black and
gutted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is amazing that the gas tank
did not explode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a gas can in
the back of the truck as well and it had made it through the that fire as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-iUpcL2KNs/T19Rw-rZBrI/AAAAAAAABnc/6gXtwv_o39M/s1600/IMAG0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-iUpcL2KNs/T19Rw-rZBrI/AAAAAAAABnc/6gXtwv_o39M/s320/IMAG0223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My car appears to be okay, but it has a lot of soot
on the roof. The fire chief is sending me a copy of the report today, and I am
going to contact a business that specializes in convertible tops to see if it
needs to be replaced because extreme heat does damage them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called my insurance company in the event I
needed to get it replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned a
long time ago that you should always call your insurance company when something
happens to just be on the safe side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing about it, my life is never dull!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1</a></span></div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-68727528305073295982012-03-11T11:39:00.002-04:002012-03-11T11:39:51.978-04:00Looking back on a Busy Week for Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCwdOePM-hw/T1zFQ-vaf_I/AAAAAAAABlo/VKTStiN-JDQ/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCwdOePM-hw/T1zFQ-vaf_I/AAAAAAAABlo/VKTStiN-JDQ/s320/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bladder cancer and my book has received a lot of
attention this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that it
leads the readers to American Bladder Cancer website so they will become more
informed because catching this cancer early is very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can find this information on the website
at the bladder cancer information portal page at: <a href="http://bladdercancersupport.org/"><span style="color: blue;">http://bladdercancersupport.org/</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This morning I receive an email from Morgen Bailey
to let me know that she had posted her interview, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Author Spotlight no.66 – Sylvia
Ramsey, on her blog Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog at: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/author-spotlight-no-66-sylvia-ramsay" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/author-spotlight-no-66-sylvia-ramsay</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> .</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This has been a busy week for the book as well, and
I am amazed when I look back on all the things that have happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On March 8th, there was the interview posted
online on </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Raychelle
Writes blog, </span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The Writer's Block Interviews
at <a href="http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/03/writers-block-interviews-sylvia-l.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/03/writers-block-interviews-sylvia-l.html</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The announcement that was posted on SEMO
Times, a print and online newspaper that is in my hometown. "Poplar Bluff
author’s memoir to benefit American Bladder Cancer Society" </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://semotimes.com/7813" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://semotimes.com/7813</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
Then later in the week there was the message I received from a lady<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: black;">who purchased the book. This is what she wrote:</span><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Your new book arrived while we were in
FL, and I read the whole book yesterday. It was wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing
your story You have been such a gift from God in my life. Thank you. I'm
looking forward to your signing at the Elks." </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
I also received a phone call was from a report, Sarabeth Waller, who works
for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Daily American Republic</i>
newspaper. She did an interview over the phone for a newspaper article. Once we
began talking, I discovered that she lived where I once taught high school at
East Carter County High School. She had moved there a few years after I had
moved to Georgia and began teaching at the college level. Thank you Sarabeth
for the interview.<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
Later in the day, I was in contact with Susan Robinson who is setting up an
article on the book for the March/April issue of the <i>Focus on Women
Magazine. </i>That was exciting, at least to me, and it is and honor to have
this article written. <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
Who knows what this coming week will bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stay in the loop to find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
BTW, if you would like to purchase the book, or like my Amazon page, the
link is:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1</span></a>
. All the proceeds earned from the sales of my books are given to the American
Bladder Cancer Society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897825378014260295.post-76407946687823676002012-03-10T19:52:00.000-05:002012-03-10T19:52:49.979-05:00Press Release: Poplar Bluff author’s memoir to benefit American Bladder Cancer Society, SEMO Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZM_MwMPsoE/T1v2hhKcVZI/AAAAAAAABlg/4UgOKjTek_E/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZM_MwMPsoE/T1v2hhKcVZI/AAAAAAAABlg/4UgOKjTek_E/s1600/RockyRoadcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZM_MwMPsoE/T1v2hhKcVZI/AAAAAAAABlg/4UgOKjTek_E/s320/RockyRoadcover.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That was the headline in an article in the SEMO Times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a newspaper in print and online that is
in the town where I grew up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lived
outside of town, but I went to high school there and it is where I started
college and received my A.A degree. That was the first step on the road to
getting my Masters degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a
non-traditional student when I started college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took a while, but I made it all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell about the hurdles and pebbles it took
to get to that point in the book. You can see what they printed at: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://semotimes.com/7813" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><span style="color: blue;"><span id="lw_1331425746_0" sab="2071">http://semotimes.com/7813</span></span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had more flyers
and invitations made up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put up a
couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to go see my friend
Jennie at one of the local television stations next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working on some more postings of
interviews on my other website.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I read a lot of articles on how to market books today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found some very good information on the Mid
West Review site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am waiting in
anticipation of the book reviews.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I received an email from a lady who purchased the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what she wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Your new book arrived while we were in FL, and I read the whole book
yesterday. It was wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing your story You have been such
a gift from God in my life. Thank you. I'm looking forward to your signing at
the Elks."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She may not realize it, but she
has been one of the angels in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have several things lined up to
do tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dread daylight savings
time. It really messes with my biological clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday is work, and I have an appointment
with my doctor for a check-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">BTW, if you would like to purchase the book, or like my Amazon page, the link is:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1">http://www.amazon.com/Sylvia-L-Ramsey/e/B002BMJ5NI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1326569308&sr=1-1</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tune in later for more.....<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AH3DEJRZ4EXG</div>Thoughtful Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13848877726595369960noreply@blogger.com0