I’m a Winner Again!

Received a phone call last evening while teaching guitar that I had won yet another prize at The Run for the Cure. My name was drawn for some nice prizes. I made arrangements with the woman on the end of the phone, and picked them up today. A beautiful large decorative bowl from Wheatons, silver earrings, candles, a three month membership at Curves, and last but not least, a fanny pack for a dog with attached leash (which took me awhile to figure out). I thought perhaps this was a sign to get a dog. I'll think on that, I think. I called Natalie to see if she wanted the fanny pack leash for her dog. She said yes, I think. Either for herself or for a friend, not sure which. I think RCMP man wants a dog, if he can convince Nat. Years ago, they had a German Shepherd named Owen, who visited us on occasion.

It's been a whirlwind two days, and I love it. It's so nice to be normal again and doing normal and not so normal things. It seems like so many opportunities are presenting themselves to me that I can't keep up. And people in my house again – students making music and melodies. Here at The Soul Café.

Yesterday, I dropped in to Paradise Imports to get a specialty coffee, and ended up talking to Jon and Nancy, the owners. Jon is a barista and roasts coffee beans right there in the store and serves up some mighty fine brews. Brenda and I have made several trips to this unique store on York Street to buy jewellery sometimes and coffee always. Check it out. Well, Nancy and I got talking about my journey, and I left with a hug and encouragement from her. I left her my card and my website to check out. She and a few friends organize retreats and breast cancer awareness events. I just may end up speaking there sometimes. She said she wanted a comedian at the next one. I blurted out, "that would be me." I don't know why I said that, but I did. Sometimes I think I'm funny. And I like to speak and make people laugh. And do funny things, so you never know.

I picked up my rolling luggage, courtesy of New Balance. I think I could pack my whole house in this thing, so it will be interesting to see where it takes me. Brenda, have you ever seen so many gifts and prizes that I have received this past year? (She comments on this and shakes her head every so often, so amazed she is at this phenomena).

Today has been a full day. Reading and studying in my office now adorned with an electric fireplace, a trip to UNB to pick up my prizes, over to Green Village to buy a burning bush for a friend, a stop at Max's house for yogurt and tea so that I would have energy to go to the gym, to the gym for a half hour workout on the elliptical trainer (a beast of a machine that kills your thighs and calves), the grocery store for yet more groceries for my full refrigerator, home to put them away and scarf down some chicken, before hightailing it to the radio station to talk and observe the goings on there (more about that at a later date). Then home to teach, have more chicken and take off to choir, play the piano and sing my lungs out. And now here I am again, ready for a hot shower and pjs.

Meditations on this day:

• Life is full of activity and opportunities arise when you least expect them
  
• Life is precious and not to be taken for granted
  
• God is always at work around us
  
• People are more important than things
  
• Music is wonderful
  
• I love my fireplace and am enjoying my office once again
  
• I enjoy singing beside my mom in choir – I don't take her for granted and value any time I spend with her
  
• Stay in the day, !Deb, stay in the day
  

  
   

  That's enough for today.
  

  
   

Here's a pic of me and Brenda after we climbed the hill last Thanksgiving weekend. Cousin Mary Beth, Medicine Woman snapped the photo. In the background is the house our mom grew up in, and where we spent many happy years (Aunt H and Uncle F live there now). Our RV is parked beside the Pirate's house. Cousin W's house is not shown but is below the Pirate's house, and where we had our "Capture the Flag" tournament (Wayne's hedges are 'slightly' damaged). The beautiful village of Coldstream is in the valley. Now you know where Coldstream is. Make a plan to visit.

Cuz C Completes a Quilt

Cuz C has been working on a rag quilt this week for her son. I've been tracking her progress this week. She just emailed me a picture. I admire people who complete quilts. I'm surrounded by workhorses. Great job, C!

Some days are peaceful. This was one of those days – full of peace. Church this morning: leading music, teaching the high school class, meeting with friends. Went out to lunch with my boyfriend of 32 years at Frank's, stopped by to see J & Ph's house they are building in Penniac, and off for a long Sunday country drive. Should have taken my 'rolling luggage' along with me, just in case we decided to stop somewhere for the night. Although I haven't actually received the luggage yet – probably should stay home long enough for her to deliver it to me!

It was nice today because we didn't have a schedule or an agenda. A day of rest. Just me and my handsome boyfriend, traveling the country roads to see what we could see and where we would end up. We took roads we had never been on before. Stopped by Jessica's house to have a bit of a rest, a warm hug, and a peanut butter sandwich. Doug helped L. put a bookcase together. Now I'm on the couch soaking my sore feet again. I feel like an old woman when I walk, and I'm sure I look like one, too. But what, pray tell me is 'old' anyway? Isn't age relative? You're only as old as you feel, 'they' say, whoever 'they' is. Our family has been trying to find out for years who 'they' is. Anyway, I'm off track again.

Yesterday was the first day since I finished radiation that I actually felt like I just wanted to sit in a chair and relax for the day. Although I didn't. I always have good intentions for rest, but never follow through, it seems. I made banana breads and muffins instead and ended up having a short kitty nap before supper. So today it was nice to sit in the van and be taxied through the countryside.

Peace – if every day could be this peaceful. Peace starts in the heart, I guess, and we know where peace comes from. I try not to worry about the future, but am trying to live in the day.

I'm a Winner!

I guess I'm a winner. One of the representatives for the Run for the Cure emailed me to say:

You are the third place fundraiser at the Fredericton site. I have your prize, a piece of rolling luggage in my trunk.

An appropriate gift for me, don't you think? A piece of 'rolling luggage' for the girl who loves to 'roll on down the highway.'

PS: Thanks to Century Farm for their contribution to the cause and to those of you who supported me personally in the Run!

Rolling !Deb

Lessons from the Pirate

I asked the Pirate if I could post his email to me and he said "Sure." He wrote it while we were still up on the homestead last weekend. I thought it was awesome, so thought I would share it with you so you could see what type of guy he is...


"Well, it is saturday evening, and all are safe and in their respective beds. Glad that Luke and Arron got to stay here with us. Seem like very nice young men. It has been a great weekend for me to just be retrospective and enjoy as much of this as I can. It warms my heart to watch everything unfold here on the hill.

Our tree we have together, will be here next year as well, and it may or may not have its leaves, in that season, but this year they stayed to signify, we made it again kiddo. [The Pirate showed me two trees outside his house -- one with leaves, and one without. He said the one without leaves represented my life last year (gone), and the one with leaves is me living on. When he spoke that to me, the reality of it went deep inside and I began to weep, as I realized I'm still here, living on]. Next year we will have another significant sign that will again stand in our memory. We made it , and we will keep making it year after year and you will see , when we are our parents age, we will always look back to those days, and remember , and you will say" how did you really know Jeff?" Then I will tell you a story. It will be much the same as many I have told you, and you too will know, that my life has been spent knowing of many things. Some good, some not so good, but knowing just the same. I have come to the conclusion though, that it is not good to know or be aware of too many things, only the things that we are supposed to know, and each is given the knowledge based on what we can realistically handle. Maybe that is how the original plan was supposed to work. Each with an individual knowledge to be brought together as one , each with their own talent to make it work as a coalition. Just a thought.

I love to listen to the family play, all together. What a coalition that would make , if we all worked together , to achieve one thing. Try to imagine if one person from that group possessed all of the knowledge of all of the rest together. I guess that one soul could do it all then, but think of the overload it would create within one. What a lonely place in this world it might be if that person needed no one. I definitely know we need each and everyone. The other thing I know is that our family is blessed and will be protected throughout all of the life blessings and mishaps or unforseen occurrances that might come upon us. Doesn't mean there will be no sorrow or tradgedies, and our families will grow old and depart, but what it does mean is we will all go through it strong and together, and with blessings until that day when the return will bring us all together once again. Just knowing that is a blessing by itself. A long time ago our beginning began here, and to here we will always return. Quite an insight huh?

I think I can hear Doug snoring out in the motor home, so maybe I had better quit writing for tonight and say," blessed I am this weekend". Love you Guys, and hope you loved being here as much as I loved having everyone. Coldstream Pirate always."

Thanks, Pirate, I heard Doug snoring, too -- Thanks for all the encouragement... !Deb

Images from the West

Back to Europe

Today, Jessica and I went to Europe to visit Nurse Cherry. After about ten minutes into our visit, we took off in the Cherrymobile, pushed the turboboost button and off we went on a wild adventure. Well, not too wild -- just up the road about 10 minutes, parked and went on a hike up in the highlands of Scotland to view the lochs and rivers below. Beautiful day with lots of colour. Then back down to the valley to walk to an old train station, past an old cathedral and up a wooded path reminiscent of an Anne of Green Gables path. Back to Cherry's for pumpkin tea and sweets. Said our good-byes and after a trip to the grocer to pick up some paper and pens, we headed back home. I've spent the evening on the couch and my feet are aching once again. But feels good to have gone on this little adventure and the hike in the highlands.

I must go soak my feet in Epsom salts. Perhaps my whole body.

God is good and His mercies endure forever.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Well, the weekend WAS a blast! The farm on the hill where my grandparents lived was filled with all sorts of activities all weekend. Music at the Pirate's house, with hospitality extraordinaire by Miss Marie (Pirate's wife), picking apples at an organic tree farm in Knowlesville, horseshoes, washers, Kuubb (Norwegian game), Hailey Over, an amazing turkey dinner at the homestead (we had 32 people there on Saturday night), "Capture the Flag" games around Cuz Wayne's yard (you should see Doug's bruise where Stephen stepped on him with cleats), a bonfire, more snacking at the Pirate's house, singing in church on Sunday morning, an afternoon BBQ, walking the fields, health care by Mary Beth, Medicine Woman (another cousin), more music at the Pirate's and more food and on and on. We arrived back home on Monday night weary and raving about the awesome time we had. Family is so important to me, and even more so now.

Dr. Broad called me this morning with the results of my white blood cell test -- it remained the same as last time -- 2.7. Weird. And I've been eating roast beef like crazy. She's going to test it on Nov. 10th again (which is the date of my diagnosis last year). She said my platelets and hemoglobin (red blood cells) were good (13.2). So, keep praying. I had a dream that it went to 5.1 (I may have told you this last week).

This morning I went to Saffire and endured her training yet again. She says it doesn't look like I sweat, but I do -- it's a real workout for me. I just 'perspire,' not 'sweat,' I guess. I'm a lady. I would rather stay home and not exercise, but I really want to be healthy, so I force my body to be my slave. Discipline is difficult, isn't it? But in the end it reaps a reward of sorts. Now I'm just being philosophical.

Went to choir tonight and sang my heart out (after teaching). I'm lung weary -- exercise exertion, talking while teaching and breathing during singing. Now I'm just being silly. Good night.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...."

Hi -- I had the blood test but no results yet. I had a dream the other night that my white blood count was 5.1, so pray that it was a spiritual dream and will be so in the physical!

Getting ready today and tomorrow for our annual Thanksgiving getaway up at the farm in Coldstream, wherever that is. Friday night music night with The Pirate and relatives, Saturday will be an assortment of eating, games, children, hiking, general mayhem, with a big meal on Saturday night and hopefully "Capture the Flag" and indoor games.

Our RV is parked at The Pirate's house right now, awaiting our arrival tomorrow. Jed and Granny are taking their trailer as well for Brenda and family to stay in. Jon & Alicia and Stephen & Becky are staying at Cousin Wayne's house. Jed and Granny are staying in the farm house with Aunt Helen & Uncle Floyd. We had this weekend event last year and it was a blast.

Praying for good weather....!Deb on her way to Coldstream

Blood Test

Hi – just a reminder to pray for my blood test on Thursday – that my white cell count be back to normal. Thanks, everyone.

Elissa's Cake

Nat sent me this picture of a cake that Elissa made for Team Dancing Queen Northern Division. Amazing! Thanks, Elissa! Thanks to Amy and Nat and friends for organizing such a great day!

Tuesday

Today was a busy day -- again. Not as busy as yesterday, but still full of 'stuff.' Went to a counselor again this morning and dealt with some more 'stuff.' It's like I have to re-learn a few things in my life and be reassured of things I used to take for granted. After that, picked up Brenda and off we went to the gym, where she endured what I have to go through with Saffire, who puts me through the fire. It was a piece of cake for Brenda, I'm sure, but for me, it was sweat city.

Lunch with Mom and off we went to Home Hardware and Kent to search for a new picture for my living room and a kitchen fan/light fixture. I didn't get either, and Brenda left with a new light for her kitchen instead. Groceries and then home to teach piano and guitar til 6:30, where Brenda and I hopped in the car and went to the choir together. She sat in the back of the 110 member choir and listened. I got to accompany the choir for a short time again, which I enjoy. But I really enjoy the singing challenge. I lose myself in it, for that short hour and a half on a Tuesday evening. Our Christmas concert will be quite an event, I'm sure.

To DQ after such a vocal workout, where we met Doug for sundaes. And now I'm ready for bed, once again. I pray I can sleep tonight. Sometimes when one is overtired, one doesn't sleep. Isn't that true? I know I was tired after the Run for the Cure, and my left foot has been suffering with plantar fascitis. I could hardly walk this morning. Oh well, I guess I'll have to learn to walk again.

Team Dancing Queen -- Southern Division

It rained, and it poured, and it rained, and it poured some more! We walked five kms in the rain and the puddles and the mud!
(Becky, bless her heart, ran 5 km). It was an emotional day for me personally, as these people battled the rain storm with me and hundreds of others through the streets of Fredericton. And to realize that I made it this far. When I made it to the finish line I raised my hands in the air in victory. I made it! To walk this 5 km walk is nothing compared to what we've been through, and to see everyone walking in support of women survivors and non-survivors is very touching. We all went back to our house for snacks and conversation. Thank you EVERYONE -- who walked and who donated, and those of you who were with us in spirit. It was a great time and we were soaked! But one thing about it, we'll never forget it! The names of those who walked today on Team Dancing Queen Southern Division:

Angie Murphy (Team Captain), Deb & Doug, sister Brenda, sister Janet, Mom, Sandra Piercy, Kim Cook, Shelly McCready, Erica McCready, Jonathan Gilbey, Dawn Marie Allaby, Janette Alward, Doris Mersereau, Krista Rose, Kyla Weston & girls, Holly Phillips, Becky Horsman, Charlotte Miller, Janet White #2, Sarah White, Matthew White, Alicia MacDonald (Jon stayed home with Jack, Afton & Ivy) and Barbara Beck. I hope I haven't left anyone out, so if I did, please let me know! (Kyla & girls & Shelly & Erica and Jon Gilbey missing from pic).

A special thanks to Angie Murphy, our Team Captain -- you did a great job and we all appreciate your efforts on behalf of the team! Our team has raised over $7200. and counting. The Fredericton walk raised over $246,000. for research. Amazing!




























I'm waiting on Team Dancing Queen Northern Division's pictures and will post them once I receive them. They, too, had an awesome day. I feel so honored to have you all walking and standing with me -- those who walked, and those who have been standing by me this past year. God bless you all!

Getting Ready for the Run!

Just got home from a great three days in Victoria Corner. The scenery was beautiful, and the talks amazing. Information overload, but great stuff.

Getting excited about the Run tomorrow, no matter what the weather. Team Dancing Queen will be gathering here at 12:00 noon and we will go to the run as a team, run/walk as a team and eat together later as a team! I'll post pictures and tell you all about it later. I am so honored to have so many friends rooting me on in this journey I'm on. And for those of you participating in the run, an extra thank you -- for all the fundraising you've been doing, and taking the time to walk 5 kilometres with me. And thanks to the Northern Team Dancing Queen, who are also walking/running tomorrow in The Pas. (They are also walking/running and eating together tomorrow as well). Wish we could be there with you!

!Deb -- The Dancing Queen

A Working Life

It's tiring being a working mother! Or should I say 'working grandmother' now that I don't have children at home? Just adding teaching to my students is taking a bit more out of me, but I love it! I love teaching. Have I mentioned that before? I love children. I love music. I love exercise, too, and my personal trainer is certainly putting me through the paces. I feel stronger every time I go. This is my third week with her. I can bench press 200 lbs! No, just kidding.

Yesterday was a busy day, with the personal training, lunch with Els and Ann at Jack & Andy's (check it out!), teaching, Fredericton Ladies Choir (where I got to be the accompanist for 20 minutes or so, before the real one showed up. I call myself an 'understudy'), and a late dinner at Randy & Sandra's, where she made me devour a huge plate of roast beef at 9 o'clock! Talk about something to eat before you go to bed! I had to take a sleeping pill because I didn't think I'd manage to sleep with that laying on my gut.

Today I stayed put and rested for the morning, and then took off for a walk around Killarney with Jessica, to the Superstore for groceries, and home to teach til 5:30. It felt SO good to teach, and get on the floor with a couple of students and draw music notes and such. I taught piano, guitar and drums today. Doug and I are going to the church tonight to a DVD series. It will be good to just sit and relax and listen.

I ordered a cake today for the Run on Sunday. We will gather here after the run and have our cake and eat it, too. Should be an exciting day.

Doug and I are taking off for the metropolis of Victoria Corner til Saturday with the RV. My aunts used to live there, and I spent a good part of my childhood there, so it will be wonderful to stay there again. Anyone know where Victoria Corner is? It's absolutely beautiful there. We're going to a conference on creation and refuting Darwinism.

My mood has been so much better since last week's doctor visit, and the encouraging news I received. I'm still asking people to pray that my white blood count come up to normal. I know that prayer is the answer to all our problems. I try not to think bad thoughts and try to concentrate on living each day, and looking forward to my days, knowing that God has my future under control. Several times a day, however, the past comes in to haunt me, and I focus on the day and what I'm doing in the moment. I read in a book about cancer that a person that is fearful should concentrate on her breathing. In, out, in, out….there now….calm down. Good advice, and I have certainly done a lot of deep breathing this year. And a lot of praying. God is my refuge, that's for sure. What WOULD I do without Him?

Manic Monday

Just another manic Monday. The workhorse Mama came up this morning. She tackled the spare room and the upstairs bathroom. I spent most of the morning in the laundry room, doing laundry, straightening shelves and basically having a sauna as the dryer whirred away. We stopped work around 2:30. Did some banking and came home for a short rest, before teaching for the first time since last year. Had four students this evening -- music in the house again. Drums drumming, piano plunking, even a trombone tromboning, and singing with students as well. Then I headed up to Doug's parents to spend a bit of time with Joy and nephew Nicholas, who I call "Aloicious" (sp?). They are leaving on a jet plane in the morning.

I played the piano last evening for a long time at the Nazarene Church concert, and sang one piece at the end. I received a standing ovation after I sang. I guess I sang my heart out or something. I love to sing and play. It's good to have the music back in my life again.

Well, must go to bed -- it's early, but I'm tired. My second day at work -- yesterday was my first. Years ago, one of my students said to me, "Mrs. Mac, YOU are MUSIC." I guess she's right. I've missed music and everything it entails. Thank you, God, for restoring music to my life.

It's me -- I just realized I hadn't written for a couple of days. Busy weekend. Doug's father's 80th birthday celebration at Aunt Ruby's. Probably 30 people all jammed into her living room/dining room eating pot luck. So fun! Today, I played in church for the first time with a great group of university students -- I think we should go on the road. It was awesome to be with them again, and then to go into the high school class and explore the Bible. Tonight, we're going to the Nazarene Church at 7, and I get to play the piano for an old fashioned hymn sing, sing a song or two myself and be on the slate with Joey Knight and friends. Jon and Alicia, Afton, Jack and Ivy were here overnight and the house exploded once again -- beds and toys everywhere. We love it. Tomorrow I start to teach music again. What a blessing to live.

Thanks for all the prayers; continue to pray my white blood cell count back to normal. Love you all...

PS: Natalie, Amy and friends in The Pas had a bake sale and Home Hardware BBQ yesterday and raised over $600. for the Run. I hope to post pictures as soon as Amy emails them to me. They had a blast all week, baking and preparing. Natalie felt like a 'greaseball' after she got done the BBQ, as she grilled over five dozen hot dogs and eight dozen hamburgers. Wow, Nat -- you're a grillin' workhorse! Thanks, northern friends, for all your efforts for our "Team Dancing Queen." One more week til the Run for the Cure. Our team has raised approx. $7,000. including the northern division!

Test Results

Thanks be to God! He came through for us today! Dr. Broad didn't even let me sit down before she said, "It came up!" I hugged her, I was so relieved. I'm still in shock from it all. I've been 'working' so hard to try and produce white blood cells – exercising, eating roast beef, zinc, fruits, veggies, vitamins, etc. etc.

It's prayer, prayer, prayer – our God came through for us. She said she was reassured and will retest me in two weeks, so CONTINUE TO PRAY. On Sept 4, my white cell count was 2.1 Today it had increased to 2.7. But normal for me is 5. She said she would be happy with 3.5, though. So, I ask you to put that number in front of you when you pray – why not go for 5? Why, one time during chemo, it went clear up to 8.6!

My hemoglobin also increased from 128 on Sept 4, to 135 today, which is excellent. Everyone I meet tells me how great I look and what great colour I have, and how healthy I look. This, too, is encouraging to me. My neutrophils in my blood increased from 217 to 244.

I went out of there thanking God and had a wonderful prayer time on the way home in my van. I wrote "Emmanuel" on the palm of my hand this morning, to remind me that God is with me. And He certainly is. He answered our prayers. I asked Him this morning for some 'good news' and He delivered!

Rejoice with me and give thanks to God above, for it is HE who makes ALL things possible. Continue to pray to Him for continued health and for my cell count to shoot up to 5 in the next two weeks. Thank you so much for the sacrifice of prayer and your good thoughts toward me. I will NEVER forget them.

!Deb

 

I went this morning for a counseling session which was very productive. He gave me a couple of tools to use in my daily life – about not letting emotions drive my life, but deciding what I want. One thing I want is health, of course, but another one is to love my house again. I need to face my house again and all the memories, and especially my office. Once it's clean and organized again I will feel much better. The counselor told me this as well. I came home to find my workhorse mother cleaning away. I tried to help her, but was quite scatterbrained about it, as I was also talking on the phone, organizing my teaching week, and trying to find things that are lost. She got the downstairs done and I worked some upstairs. My mother is awesome and so good to me. I also did some landscaping this afternoon. It looks good already. Joy and Nicholas came down to visit, and then we took them out to Wendy's for a snack. Doug and I then went to the church for a DVD series called "Experiencing God." It feels good to do stuff again – normal stuff. Several times I even forget what I've been through.

Two more days and I have a blood test again – Friday afternoon. Please continue to pray that my white blood cell count is UP to normal. All is well.

Pray too, for my friend, B., who called me today and is concerned about the results of her mammogram. Pray for peace and health for her.

Peace to all and to all a good night.