Joy Dare, ChaLlenges, and Family Fun

I hope this finds you doing well.  It has been a good week!  I am continuing to adjust to the Parp Inhibitors.   There have been some taste changes when I eat certain things, but that is a good thing.  Mom brought over a small cake for soon-to-be son-in-law Corey's birthday yesterday.  Of course, I just wanted to have a taste of the frosting.  Any of you who have had Cammy cake would understand!  However, it tasted like alcohol swabs to me!    How do I know what alcohol swabs taste like you ask?  I have a port in my chest for treatments and blood work.   When they hook it up and flush it, that's what they use and that's what I taste for just a minute or so.  After almost five years (as of April 1st-and that's no joke) of this, I KNOW  that taste.  What a bummer!!  However, I am trying to stay away from sugar which I believe from all of my reading that it feeds Cancer.  It is the hardest thing I have ever done.  Some days I am more successful than others.  If it doesn't taste like I remember it tasting, I will not eat it!

  My blood work this past week came back good.  I still tire out by the end of the day, but I tell myself that most of us do!  Some stomach discomfort here and there, too, but again, it could be so much worse, so I have nothing to complain about.  A nurse that works for the oncology pharmacy in North Carolina called last week again to check up on any symptoms I might be having.  She said I am normal, or at least the symptoms I shared with her were!😊 I learned that they will call me sometime this week to refill my prescription.  💊💊 I am looking forward to the beginning of April when they check my CA125 to see how well it is working.  I'm not sure what to expect, but I do pray it is dropping!!  

This week I received some beautiful gifts.  An anonymous gift giver slipped a white jewelry box into
 my mailbox at school that included what I believe to be earrings and a bracelet that were hand made.
They are beautiful and I found myself wearing them several times this week.  Whoever you are, thank
 you.  It has been a very humbling to be thought of so often.

 The other gift I received came from a cyber friend.  I have never had the pleasure of meeting her in person yet, but we follow Dr. Krauza, a local chiropractor, and his organic workouts and healthy
eating plans.  That is how we became acquainted with one another.   Jennifer is a director of a
Wellness Foundation in East Hampton.  She was also a Holistic Health Coach in the past.  She teaches us how to "Love Yourself Well."   Some key points I have been learning from her is  how we should be nourishing our body and soul.  How we fuel our bodies is how we feel.  I have learned that from Dr. Krauza and my friend "Eloise" too.  I've been taking small steps.  I am learning how to focus on loving myself well.

Jennifer sent me a book called,  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  In her book, she shows us how to find joy in our everyday lives.  So often we find ourselves waiting for what's next. . . When is
the next big trip trip we are going to take or the next greatest gadget, the next big party or celebration, etc. . . We become so focused on what is next traveling on the fast track of life that we forget to find joy in our every day lives.  We get lost in the hustle and bustle or caught up in keeping up with the
Joneses or the Kardsshians?!  What about the little things in life that bring us joy?  We would be full of more gratitude if only we took some time to be thankful for all things in our life.  So Jennifer challenged me to the Joy Dare.  I will be looking for the presence of God no matter where I am.  I will be looking for a life filled with joy; God's grace is everywhere!  She also sent me a journal, When God Thinks of You He Smiles,  to count one thousand gifts that God gives me every day.  Those
moments that take your breath away.  Those times when you just stop for a moment and make a mental picture of that beautiful sound, sight, thought, picture, moment that He provided us.  Everyone should take this Joy Dare on if you are just going through life.  Slow down and smell the roses!  I am loving this dare and have been carrying my journal around jotting down all that brings me JOY!  On Ann's website (the author) I stumbled upon monthly calendars she provides that help us look for certain things that may bring you joy.

Jennifer also got me back on track with another challenge.  It starts today.  I am focusing on loving myself well.   With the cold winter we've had in the north and adjusting to the chemo pills, I have
been eating more carbs and moving less.   Spring is just around the corner!  She has asked us to
Nourish ourselves well.   There are just a few rules.  When we are nourishing our bodies we should
cut out at least one thing for the next 30 days:  sugar, gluten, meat, or dairy.   I've done this before
with Dr. Krauza and felt so much better!  I had more energy, less aches, and lost weight!  I need to
make it a habit rather than blowing it on the weekends or giving into having that handful of
chocolate.   So I am going to give it my all again.  I have a wedding in four months for cry in' out loud!  There are a few more components to this Spring Challenge.  Move more-at least 5 days a week to become more energized and  hydrate to help your skin glow!  I am shooting for 100 ounces.  This won't be hard with taking 16 chemo pills a day!  You should try it!  Mom and Dad are going to walk the halls in their complex twice a day for ten minutes.  They're in their 70's.  If we can do it, so can you!! I challenge all of YOU to take on the Joy Dare and the Spring Challenge!  Let me know how you are doing along the way.

Speaking of Mom and Dad, last week they brought a delicious dinner over on Wednesday for us 

brought me a little piece of Polish  heaven last Sunday:  Keisha.  I am not a big meat eater and 

who knows what is actually in this delicacy, but once a year, I LOVE frying it up with an egg and ketchup.  When I first went on chemo, that was one thing I could taste somewhat with ketchup!  That and braunschweiger.  I actually craved it once my appetite would return.  Nothing like a little Polish love!  It brings back great memories of my Grandma MaLiNoWsKi.  At Christmas everyone looked forward to her Braunschweiger ball! ❤️  

The kids had a good time celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  ZaCh went to the Pittsburgh Penguins game with his friend Steve.  Unfortunately Steve's team, the Bruins, beat the Pens.  Steve was a brave soul sitting with all those Penguin fans.  AnDRew and Jensen had us drop them off downtown and then got a ride back.  Everyone was home by midnight.  Thank God!

 Danielle and I found the flower girl dresses!  They are so precious!!  She also found a few
decorations for their home they are anxiously awaiting to make their own.  She and Rob are busy with softball starting up.   There was a clinic on Saturday as one of the senior's graduation project.  It sounded like it went well!  Their first game is in Corry, PA on Saturday.  I wonder if they will be able to get it in?

We have today off from work.  It's been just what I needed; a long weekend.   However, I am  heading into work to get some things done.  Not everyone realizes it, but a teacher's job is never done and many hours go into it that don't fall between the hours of 7:40 am. and 2:45 pm.

Rob and my school both seem to be looking at possible changes that seem to be based on what is "fair."  Life isn't fair!   Only time will tell how they will unfold.  I am not wasting my energy on worrying about it anymore, though.  It is robbing me from my joy.

Have a great week!  I have a student teacher beginning tomorrow with me, so I am looking forward to working together.  Keep your eyes and your heart open to find some joy and spring into a healthier you!  Until next time,
Sue