Remembering

It is a time for remembering those who have gone before us. When I was a little girl, it was the time for us to go to Jasper, Alabama, to Homecoming at the First Baptist Church where my Mother's family lived. We would stay at my Grandma and Grandpa Jones house or at Aunt Vera's house. It would depend on how many people in our family was going to show up.

My Grandmother, Gertie, had an Aunt Genara and I remembered standing on the back of her rocking chair when I was about 4.  I saw down her blouse; she had a prosthesis breast. This was in 1952 and I was about 6 years old. I remember wondering what she had in her bra. Aunt Genara was probably 60 years old by then, overweight, with white hair and granny glasses. She wore an apron most of the time. She was Grandma Jones' younger sister. I never asked anyone anything or even said anything to anyone about what I saw. Those were the days that children were to be seen, not heard.


In 2009, when I discovered the lump on my breast, that memory came back to me. I had not thought about it in years. When I told my mother, she did not even know, neither did her sister Margie. Then the BRACA test came back and said the cancer was not genetic. So, it really did not matter any way.

The point is that when we remember things about family members, illnesses, problems with hearing or eyes, we should write them down in a journal or the family Bible. I have always relied on my memory a lot, but now since I have been experiencing Fibro-Fog, I will be keeping a better log of things going on in our family. My grandmother always wrote things in her Bible.

Google has some amazing ways to sort your pictures and events in your life. Facebook does the same thing. It seems like every day I get asked to join another Social Media program; I think I have reached my max. I have been deleting myself from some. The ones that matter to me are the ones I need to keep Empire Avenue going. I could care less about my scores on Klout and other things like that.-

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

M - Mammogram Again? - A TO Z Blogging Challenge

Last week I had a mammogram. That is something that I have to pray about and sometimes cross my fingers about.
They also asked me to stay and did an ultra-sound. It seemed to be alright, but today I received a letter from the radiologist and I have to have another mammogram in 2 or 3 weeks. This is very disturbing and it is difficult to keep the tears back.


When I found the lump back in January 2009, I walked around in a daze until the surgery the end of January. It was Stage I and the doctor said not to worry. But, when they tested the lymph nodes, the found microscopic evidence of more cancer. So, I had radiation. Every weekday for 28 days. I got 2 little tattoos out of that. The results from the BRACA test came back and we found out that it was not genetic, but environmental. The doctor left it up to me to whether I had chemo or not. The end game was, if I had the chemo, I should not have to worry again, at least not for 10 years or so. 

So, I took my new laptop to the Cancer Center twice a week for 12 weeks and taught myself  how to use Twitter and Facebook. I found some pretty interesting people online. I met people in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, and almost all of the Continental United States. A lot of people in the Far East. 

Our little Beach House

In August, my mother came to visit and we drove down to North Carolina to our Beach House. On the way down, I started to have severe pain on my right side and by the time we got there, Ray had to call the Rescue Squad. We were surprised, but they were there in less than 5 minutes. 

They loaded me in the ambulance and took me to New Bern. I was in the hospital for 10 days. They sent in every kind of doctor you can imagine, even a exotic medicine doctor. They finally decided it must be pneumonia. Every time they tried to take me off the morphine drip, I would be in so much pain, all I could do was cry. They were finally able to get me on to Oxycodone and send me home. Ray drove me back to Virginia as soon as he could.

It was on a Sunday and they had made me an appointment at the Cancer Center for Monday morning. I went and they sent me to the Hospital for a chest x-ray and it showed a problem with my right lung, so back into the hospital I went. I was there for 10 days and it is a blur, just like being in the hospital in NC was. 

Mother, Me & Social Media

Some friends from church would come and sit with me during the day so I would not have to wait for the nurse to come to take me to the bathroom. You are a little woozy on a morphine drip. The pain was so bad, that I could feel it even with the drip and other pain medicines. Finally, it got better and I was able to go home. I am not sure they ever actually knew what it was.

Since I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) from some of the tests taken in the hospital, they sent me to a Rheumatologist. He did not seem to care about what happened, just was was going on now. I saw him every 3 months since October 2009 until he retired in October 2013. I have a new Rheumatologist now and I like her very much. She is very thorough and did a full exam both times I have seen her. Last time, she told me she suspected the first time she saw me that I had Fibromyalgia, too. Now, after examining me again, she was certain. She gave me all kinds of literature explaining what it is and what are the symptoms. No wonder they could not figure out why the RA was so constant. Normally, you have some respite when you go into remission occasionally.   

During all this time in the hospital and after I got home, I had so many people on Social Media who were there for me. I would chat with people in Australia in the middle of the night when I could not sleep. The ladies at my church made sure that I had plenty of cards and prayers going up to Heaven for me. I received over 250 actual cards while I was sick and that is not even counting virtual cards. I had them all in a basket that I called my basket of prayer. 

I will call tomorrow and see what my nurse at the Cancer Center says, they should have a copy of the letter. I have an appointment with my Oncologist on Monday, so I may have to just live with the "if " until then.

This comes at a time that I am praying constantly for our friend @Livinlime on Twitter, Marie Walker Riddle. She has triple-negative breast cancer and it is Stage IV. I am so sorry that she is having to go through this. No one should have to go through it. I hope they find a cure soon. My son-in-law's mother had breast cancer for 25 years. When she passed a couple of years ago, she did not even weigh a hundred pounds. She went through so much but she had a supportive
family around her, supporting her at every turn.

So, so much for me. I hope you are all well and happy. I am a pretty happy person most of the time. I am nervous about this, but to my joy, I am not afraid. I will be fine because:

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

He loves us and everything that happens is for a purpose.

C - Color of Cancer - A to Z Blogging Challenge (PR)

History of Cancer Ribbons

Thought to have begun with Napoleon Bonaparte, ribbons to represent illnesses and causes are here to stay.


As we delve into Cancer and the pain it causes to most families, we will learn that it really can not hurt who we are, unless we let it. (borrowed from About.com) 

For me, cancer is pink. Pink plays a big part in my life. Pink ribbons, Pink Bows, Pink Flamingos, Pink shoes, etc.. . . . .

All Cancers – Light Purple (Lavender)
Appendix Cancer – Amber
Bile Duct Cancer – Green
Bladder Cancer - Yellow
Bone Cancer – Yellow
Bone Marrow Transplant – Green
Brain Cancer – Gray
Breast Cancer (Women) – Pink (Hot Pink for Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Teal and Pink for
Hereditary Breast Cancer, Teal and Pink for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Together)
Breast Cancer (Men) – Light Baby Pink and Baby Blue
Cancer Survivor – Purple
Carcinoid Syndrome – Black and White (Zebra-Striped)
Caregiver – Lavender
Cervical Cancer – Teal and White
Childhood Cancer – Gold
Cholangiocarcinoma - Yellow
Chondrosarcoma – Yellow
Colon Cancer – Blue or Brown
Colorectal Cancer – Blue or Brown
Endometrial Cancer - Peach
Esophageal Cancer – Light Purple (periwinkle)

Ewing’s Sarcoma – Yellow 

Gallbladder Cancer – Yellow
Gastric Cancer – Periwinkle Blue
Glioblastoma – Gray 

Gynecological Cancer - Teal Head and Neck Cancer – Burgundy and Ivory or Red and White
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - Violet
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma) – Green or Orange
Laryngeal Cancer – Burgundy and White
Leiomyosarcoma - Purple
Leukemia – Orange
Leukemia and Lymphoma Together – Red/White/Red Stripes
Liver Cancer – Emerald or Jade Green
Living (Coping) with Cancer – Blue and Silver
Lung Cancer – Pearl, Clear or White
Lymphedema – Light Blue
Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkins) – Lime Green

 
Melanoma – Black
Mesothelioma - Pearl
Myeloma – Burgundy
Myeloproliferative Diseases – Orange and Red
Neuroendocrine Cancers – Black and White (Zebra)
Oral Cancer – Burgundy and White or Red and White
Osteosarcoma - Yellow
Ovarian Cancer – Teal
Pancreatic Cancer – Purple
Pharyngeal Cancer – Burgundy and White
Prostate Cancer – Light Blue
Rare Diseases (Including Rare Cancers) – Black and White (Zebra)
Rectal Cancer – Blue
Retinoblastoma – White
Sarcoma – Yellow
Skin Cancer – Orange (with a sun)
Skin Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) – Red and White
Small Intestine Cancer – Periwinkle blue
Stomach Cancer – Periwinkle Blue
Testicular Cancer – Purple (Orchid or Violet)
Throat Cancer – Burgundy and White
Thyroid Cancer – Blue/Pink-Purple/Teal
Uterine Cancer – Peach or Teal
Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia – Pearl

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

B - Blogging for Breast Cancer - A to Z Challenge (PR)

Someone asked me once why would I want to put myself out there for everyone to see that I had Breast Cancer. 

• I have nothing to hide.
• If something I went through helps someone else, I guess I am paying it forward.

We all have obstacles to overcome, but it is so much easier if you have the support of those you love. 

When you find out you have breast cancer, your first reaction is "Why Me?" and maybe a few tears. Then you start to share with your friends and family and you see how much you are loved. Stress is much easier managed when you have friends to share with and build up and encourage you.

All things are possible with God! You may not believe in God, but if you do, He will be there for you. Talk (pray) to Him a lot. Of course, he knows what we want and need, but He wants us to ask for it. He is our Father. He loves us and wants the best for us. Sometimes what is best for us in our eyes is not His plan. Be still, meditate on Him, He will speak to you.

I have added one of my Social Media Girlfriends, Marie Walker Riddle to my prayer list, and be sure, God will be hearing from me each day. 

Marie Walker Riddle

                                                 

"I would rather live my life as if there was a God and die to find out there isn't, than to live my life like there was no God and die to find out there is."    - Albert Camus

So everyone have a lovely day, and remember someone who needs your prayers and encouragement today.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

A Friend in Need - PINK (PR)

Barbara Duke

I have entered the A to Z Blogging Challenge on Triberr.com and will be publishing a post at least 26 days in April. It sounds like an interesting proposition. 

Something I received on Facebook yesterday changed my idea for my first Blog Post for the Challenge. This is what this Blog is all about.

I received this from my dear friend Dabney Porte yesterday. It concerns one of our dear Social Media Girlfriends - Marie Walker Riddle (@livinlime).

About a month ago, I found out that I joined a courageous "elite" group of women and some men. 

The long and short of it is... I have stage 4 breast cancer. 

Starting next week, I will begin my first round of chemotherapy, and the journey will continue through chemo, surgery, and radiation. It is a journey that will change my life forever and that of my family. I have already shared this information with those closest to me, and now it is time to share with my social media friends. 

To keep people updated and informed, I have set up a Caring Bridge site which is where I will talk about my cancer. As many of you know, I am a positive and uplifting person. This will not change despite the cancer diagnosis, and I would like to keep my Facebook page with my usual type of posts and messages. 

For now, it is business as usual, including a few more selfies with my amazing dream team and family. All clinks, laughs, hugs, good thoughts, and prayers are always welcome.

                                                         -   

Marie Walker Riddle 

      

Add caption

I will keep you apprised of Marie's Progress.

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!

Pink and Blue

This year is starting out good. Breast Cancer gone. Rheumatoid Arthritis not giving me too much pain. When I read other blogs, I realize how blessed I am and I thank God every day for all he has given me. Autoimmune diseases, like RA, Fibromyalgia, MS, MD, Eczema, Psoriasis, etc. are known mostly as the invisible diseases, until they become so severe that you cannot help but notice them. This is why it is so important to be kind to everyone. You don't know what kind of pain they are putting up with. Pain makes us impatient and sometimes, just not nice.

We have had two weeks that had snow in them with extremely cold temperatures for this area; -3 degrees in some places. We are blessed by this bad weather, because there are so many areas of the US that were really bad off. I have been praying for them. I have stayed in the house, except to go to the doctor. 

Yesterday wasn't too cold, and we went to Sam's Club and BJ's Warehouse stores. We went to Costco Friday night. I like these stores, because they are hardly ever crowded. I get a little anxious when I have to go to any other type of store.

My therapist says it is partly PTSD. I do take an anti-anxiety drug every day. It just keeps me focused, otherwise, I would drive people nuts with my ADHD. Lets' see, I had BC, and have RA, PTSD, PAD, and ADHD. WOW, Alphabet soup; I really am a mess. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who is very kind and patient and has taught me to be the same.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. I don't really care for football, but i will probably watch it and tweet it out. I love Twitter. Some guy in Arizona, who runs a RV newsletter, had the nerve to tell me that I tweet too much. He went so far as to count my tweets over a 24-hour period. He said he was going to unfollow me, SO! What to do? I am kidding. A few friends sent him little nasty notes and told him to leave me alone. 

I didn't even unfollow him, so he will probably see some of my tweets anyway. Let me see, One mean person in over 93K people - Now, if he would take off his clothes or swear at me, I would unfollow AND block him. But, if I want to follow huge amounts of people and tweet a lot, and Twitter doesn't seem to mind, it is just none of his business.  By the way, the number of tweets in that 24-hour period seemed to be awfully low. Must have been an off day for me. 

I hope your team wins the Super Bowl cause it really doesn't matter to me. I am a Cowboy Woman. Kind of difficult around here to be a Cowboy fan, especially when my husband is a Redskins Fan. I do watch when they are playing each other. It makes for a very exciting game, because the Cowboys always seem to play the best Football in the last 2 minutes.

Snacks for the game are Cheetos, Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, Crunchy Ravioli, Sliders, Baked Fries, and dip. I may go pick up some wings. I have decided that dieting is useless. I just need to exercise more. 


Our Church called today "Souper Bowl Sunday" and asked that we bring soup for our food ministry. I think that would be a great idea for all who watch the Super Bowl to take a can or two of soup to their nearest Food Pantry drop off place. After the holidays is a difficult time for the Food Pantries. Of course, you could take other staples. canned tuna, chicken, or ham is always a good option. They always need canned vegetables, dried peas, and rice. Think about it, you don't have to do it today, just some time this week. If you are having a Super Bowl Party today, call everyone and tell them in addition to the good snacks they are bringing, bring some food for the Food Bank.

So, I am going to go fix Sunday Dinner now, and will see you after the Super Bowl. 

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! 

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

The Girls are Back in Town!

Reconstruction #2 brought the "Girls" back in line. Thank you, Lord. The only thing left now is the tattoo. Funny, I always said that I would never get a tattoo. First, they gave me 2 blue dots when I had radiation, and now I am going to get a nipple. They say that the results are amazing.  Do I have to be awake for this? Will they make it look like a butterfly if I want? I found this picture on a breast reconstruction website, so don't get all excited thinking it is me. Mine should look a little better since I don't have a big scar. Something I had not expected, but the plastic surgeon moved the nipple on the left and I still have feeling in it. When he did a tummy tuck in 2002, I lost all feeling in my stomach below my waist. I can give myself shots without even flinching.

The amazing thing is that they are C-cup. I could have had larger, but I prefer for people to look at me in the eyes instead of my chest. I have had to wear a bra since the surgery, but soon I will be able to go without one if I want. They are back where they were when I was twenty and it is amazing. I can get a normal swimsuit again. Now I cannot imagine why I waited 4 years to have this done. I was under the impression that it really did not matter. I am married to the last husband I will ever have and the only other people who will actually see my chest are doctors and nurses.

I cannot even explain how this has made me feel. I feel whole again. I had no idea that it would give me this feeling of validation. Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind, I must have concluded that I was no longer a real woman. If you think about it, we are in a society that makes us feel less than whole if we have imperfections.

I do not remember, but I think I explained that the cancer in my breast was not hereditary, but environmental. Be careful about what chemicals are in your home, your workplace, places where you visit, for any length of time. I worked in a sick building at Langley Air Force Base. There was a bay door in the warehouse that the communications squadron left open on a regular basis. Pigeons would  fly into the rafters and poop on top of our building. Our air condition was on our roof and the drain pan would get stopped up, overflow into the wall by my desk. It was always damp, The water was filtered through the pigeon poop, which can lead to all kinds of problems. There was one desk in the big room that had a hole in the wall where they had removed a plug or something. Everyone who sat in that position, contracted cancer, and passed away (3 people). I guess I am the one who is lucky to still be here.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

Pain in Pink

I know everyone is wondering what happened to me, since I haven't been on Twitter and Facebook much lately. I am having a Rheumatoid Arthritis "Flare-up".

My feet are swollen and hurt badly. My arms and hands are the worst parts, although my neck comes in a close second. It is difficult to type and use the mouse.

Wikipedia explains Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible (synovial) joints. It can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of functioning and mobility if not adequately treated.

The process involves an inflammatory response of the capsule around the joints (synovium) secondary to swelling (hyperplasia) of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development of fibrous tissue (pannus) in the synovium. The pathology of the disease process often leads to the destruction of articular cartilage and ankylosis (fusion) of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce diffuse inflammation in the lungs, membrane around the heart (pericardium), the membranes of the lung (pleura), and white of the eye (sclera), and also nodular lesions, most common insubcutaneous tissue. Although the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, autoimmunity plays a pivotal role in both its chronicity and progression, and RA is considered a systemic autoimmune disease. It is a clinical diagnosis made on the basis of symptoms, physical exam, radiographs (X-rays) and labs.^[1]"

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a auto-immune disease. Although Arthritis is mentioned, it is not a real factor, unless you also have Osteoarthritis, as I do. You can look up on Wikipedia; it goes into much more detail. So, don't ever dismiss someone when they tell you they have RA, with the phrase "Oh, yeah! I have trouble with arthritis in my knees." RA is so much worse than arthritis. It can be extremely painful. It was discovered in 2009 after I had pneumonia in North Carolina. I was in the hospital in New Bern for 10 days in August. Everyone you can imagine was trying to find out what was wrong. I had every x-ray you could possibly think of. All they could come up with was pneumonia. They had me on morphine because the pain was so bad and oxygen because if I hurt, I would forget to breathe. 

There was a group of traveling doctors that spent their time going to different hospitals and working for a month or so, then moving on to another hospital. They were some of the best in their fields in NC. I saw heart, internal medicine, infectious disease doctors, and a neurologist. I didn't feel like I had pneumonia, but that was probably due to the generous doses of morphine.

My daughter, Rhonda would spend the night with me. She was a teacher-assistant and they were on Summer break. I slept a lot. After they determined I wasn't dying, my mother left to go home to Kentucky. When I finally got out of the hospital, Ray took me to our little house in NC for the night. Then we got up the next morning and came back to Virginia. I was so glad to drive over that State line. That was on Sunday. On Monday, I went to get my blood checked at the Cancer Center. Dr. Schlesinger had been the intermediary with the hospital in NC and with Riverside Regional. She wanted to see me and insisted I have another chest x-ray. Well, guess what, I still had pneumonia and I was put in Riverside for the next 9 days. The doctor had her nurse go back through my records and see if there was anything that might be causing this. He went through everything and then he was going through test results and he came to the BRACA test for breast cancer. I didn't test positive for breast cancer, but evidently I had two markers for Rheumatoid Arthritis. They had found the cause of a lot of my pain. 

When I was over the pneumonia and sent home, they sent me to Dr. Wilson, one of the few RA doctors in this area. He put me on Enbrel, which is a biologic and comes in a shot. I give myself a shot every week in my belly. Oh, don't worry, I have had a tummy tuck and have no nerves that work there. Doesn't hurt at all. I also take methotrexate and prednisone. I have pain pills that I try not to use, but sometimes when I start to hurt, it is better to take something and head the pain off at the pass. I cannot take over-the-counter medicine for pain because it might take so many that it could cause liver failure.

So, right now, I am going through a flareup in my RA. This too shall pass. I am on a few prayer lists. I know it is driving Ray crazy because I cannot drive. I simply cannot take pain medication and drive. The few places I have gone lately, he has taken me. 

I contacted the doctor on Wednesday and he put me on a prednisone pack, and I am better already. The only thing about the prednisone is that it helps add weight to my thighs.

So, if you have a friend or relative that has RA, don't feel sorry for them, but ask if there is anything you can do to help. A dear friend brought a quiche for our dinner for Valentines Day! I still was not feeling well enough to go out.

For more information about Rheumatoid Arthritis click here.

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!

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Read my other blog The Professional Encourager - Spam Bullies  

Awareness PINK

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you have someone in your life that has or has had breast cancer, please say a prayer for them. I think a lot of money will be collected this month to help with this problem. I am so grateful that I am a Survivor. I am grateful that I am here for my husband, my children, and grandchildren. We have a large extended family, and I am grateful to be here if they need me also. I am so grateful for the prayers said in my name from so many people. God was listening and gave me a few more years to be here and be of service to others. There was a friend at the hospital who was having breast cancer surgery. Thankfully, it was very small, but I am still praying for her. And, I am her deacon also. The other person in my Triberr SweetTweets is Erika Diamond. She has a very interesting article in her blog that I think you would want to see: Fighting the Odds

Ray had rotator cuff surgery and it was more extensive than was planned. It all took place on Friday at Riverside Hospital. The staff there were all very nice and things went along as planned. Not sure I planned on all the work taking care of Ray. I made corn chowder today. It wasn't hard. I kind of made up the recipe and it is wonderful. Ray really liked it and he could drink it out of a cup. Tomorrow, I will add chicken and more veggies.

I sat in the waiting room at the hospital and struck up a conversation with a man named George. His mother was having some surgery. Funny, he knew a lot of people that I know, but I have never seen him before. I introduced him to Ray when we were back in the recovery room picking up our patients. I told Ray that George's parents had owned a restaurant down near the bridge and Ray knew who they were, but he had never met him either. Isn't it strange how you can come on people who know people that you know. The nurse at the reception desk when Ray was checking in looked at our address and told us that her niece lives next door to us. She had even stayed over when her niece was working the night shift and the husband was out of town. Go figure.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: l cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

I fixed my Triberr today. I got off of all the Tribes except mine (SweetTweets). I was involved with 2 other tribes and at least 60 people were getting my blog, but only about 10-14 were bothering to send it out. So, I bailed on them. I was getting pretty tired of approving theirs and hardly anyone approving mine. When I joined, I was told that everyone sent out everyone else's blogs. That is just not so. So, I have a Tribe named SweetTweets. If you would like to join my Tribe, let me know and I will send you an invitation. I have some very specific rules. I want people with good morals and integrity. There will be no quoting anyone without a reference. If you copy and paste from other people's blogs, you will be asked to leave if you do not cite your source. There will be absolutely NO plagarism. I prefer people that want to post photos to include where and why the pictures were taken and who took them. If this seems impossible to you, then you don't want to be on my tribe. Not being mean, just realistic this morning. I would love for you to be on our tribe, but since it is mine, I have the right to make the rules.

Today is Sunday:
 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24 

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

King James Bible 
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Cancer Pink

I apologize for not writing in so long. I had a little scare. I thought I had another lump. After a mammogram and an ultrasound, it was determined that it was some scar tissue. Evidently they removed lymph nodes near to the chest wall. Needless to say, it has been an interesting couple of weeks. I thank those who knew what I was going through and prayed for me. Prayer works.

Some very exciting things have been going on. The Ricki Lake show has started and it is such a wonderful program. Ricki is at home there and everyone loves her so much. I remember her from when she was on before, but I don't remember very much because I was working then and we did not have a VCR. Now I have a DVR and can save it every day. I love the way she has integrated Social Media into the program. I also love being able to see my friends in the audience. They are all such beautiful women, inside and out.

I will be speaking about all this on my blog Barbara Duke - Professional Encourager. Please take a look on Sunday and see all the exciting things that are going on. It was so much fun and continues to be fun.

Sometimes things go so differently than you plan. Someone is maybe not the person you thought they were. I am comparing this to cancer because it can eat you up from the inside if you let some people to have access to your life. Some people are obsequious and will fool you for a while. You have a high opinion of them, you begin to genuinely care for them. Then it comes, there is something that is said or done that gives you a sick feeling. I know it sounds trite to say "rely on your gut," but many people have told me if you have that feeling, search it out.  I did this and conferred with other people, unknown to the person, and decided to end the relationship. I really wanted to end it in a good place. I did not want to fight with this person, or gossip about this person. This person seems intent on being unkind to me. I know that you have seen me write: "If you have a choice, choose kindness." I am trying, but this person doesn't seem to understand the concept. It is trying my patience sorely. Anyway, please say a prayer that I can keep this on an even keel and work it out so that no one is hurt, not even me.

Dabney says that I shouldn't let anyone steal my joy. We haven't discussed the particulars, but she is so supportive. A true friend stands behind you and holds you up when others are taking pot shots.

Love you all. Sorry for the downer today. Things can't be super all the time. Well, at least the mammogram was positive.

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!

LABOR Pink

{EAV:0fa2c863e8d44909}

Last week was intense. Ray insisted on watching every minute of the Republican Party Convention. Not that I didn't enjoy it, it does get boring after a while. I just wish I could go and vote tomorrow. I started watching the Democratic Party Convention tonight and it was even more boring. I just don't know about politicians, do they think we believe every thing they say. I do know that things in this country are in a mess. I wish they would quit blaming each other and just fix it.  They seem to want to fight over every thing so nothing gets done. Just put the money back in Social Security and leave it alone. It was not meant to be a backup for the budget. Why, if we have all this oil underneath us, are we in an energy crisis where a gallon of milk cost less than a gallon of gas? So much for that. I am getting off my soapbox for today.

We went down to NC for the weekend to see family and check out our Beach House. It rained most of the weekend but that wasn't so bad. Ray and I had a chance to relax. I had a strange week. I found a tender spot on the breast where I had the lumpectomy. I had a mammogram and a diagnostic ultrasound. Then they made a hurry up appointment with a surgeon. It turns out his father actually removed my gall bladder in the 90s. Dr Marshall Cross, what a personality. He made me feel better. He tried to contact the radiologist but he was gone for the weekend. He said that he would call me on Wednesday and if I didn't hear from him, to please call him on Friday. He asked me if that was alright and it was because he said I was probably fine, he just had a question about the way the radiologist worded something in the report. He wanted to make sure I am okay. We are praying (but I still have my wig!).

Can you believe that I fell asleep typing last night? I was so tired from cleaning and doing laundry all day. The only thing about going to NC is I usually bring home work to do. I have a Doctor's appointment this afternoon and then I have to go to church to hang up the quilts we made for CHKD chemo patients (children). The quilts are going to be part of our celebration tonight for the beginning of our new year at our family dinners and Bible study. It will be so nice to see all my regular friends and also some of the new members. We have had quite a few this past year. I may have to stop somewhere on the way to get some candy for the children tonight.

There have been a lot of things that have come to mind since I wrote my last post, but I just have to learn to write my ideas down. I am thinking about creating a blog to sell some of our personal items. I have some very nice things and the quality is just better than you see at yard sales. I have been thinking about a local site to do this. Just thinking. If you have ideas let me know. We are selling our beach house and it is full of nice things too. Too much stuff.

Got to go get ready for my exercise. Love to all!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME-ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!