Another Trip

I took this picture on Saturday somewhere near Cuzzart WV (look it up on Google Maps). Was on my way to the Preston County Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood WV. Apparently, this is the route we used to take to the Festival from our house near Friendsville MD before Interstate 68 was constructed. I wanted to take a trip down memory lane (which used to be a dirt road).

Went to the Buckwheat Festival because...why wouldn't you?....as it was the last "trip home" I made before I was diagnosed two years ago. It's good therapy to "check off" some of the things to do that I couldn't do for awhile.

What's next you ask (even if you didn't)? Some new things....going to get a portrait taken with Annette for inclusion in a book of all of the essays submitted for the Extraordinary Healer contest sponsored by CURE Magazine. Looking forward to it because the good folks at CURE Magazine have hired a professional photographer...so it should be good. Also, next week I will be attending a training session given by the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society chapter to be trained as a "First Connection" resource. 

One Of These Things...

Valerie, who wrote the winning CURE Magazine essay and whose blog I follow, sent me a link to a story from an Indianapolis TV station about someone named Greg Frazee. She came across it because she had noticed that folks had logged onto her site while searching my name.

Sorry, wasn't me. I'm older than 45.

Today, I sang in a quartet in church. I was privileged to sing with 3 other folks who are extremely talented.

I was reminded that last year, on this Sunday in July, I met three other folks who are extremely talented. I had met all three of them prior to that day, but I didn't know they were part of a "pack."

I enjoyed them as professionals and as human beings.

One of them replaced my blood soaked bandages after my port was inserted, the other was there in the room when my stem cells were returned to me. She followed through to make sure they were no delays or snags in the process. The third, provided me with Popsicles, which I learned was standard operating procedure, in advance of the stem cell infusion to minimize any side effects I would experience in my mouth due to the infusion. On the day I was released, she trimmed my hair (what was left of it) so I wouldn't look like a freak with a bad haircut.

On the day that I "met" them as a group, they gathered forces to critique my pajama bottom and shirt coordination. They executed a drawing of the patterns I was wearing that day and wrote the words, "Call the fashion police" on the drawing and then taped it to my hospital room door.

From then on, when I knew they were on duty, I would wear the most mismatched ensemble that I could. It accomplished several things. It guaranteed a visit from them even if they weren't my assigned nurse that day, it made them laugh, and it took the edge off of my stay.

"Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God." - Source unknown

Hot Off The Wire!

Here is the link to the winning essay from the Extraordinary Healer Event that CURE Magazine sponsored.

I heard it read in person, and it was powerful. Reading it is also powerful. As I read it, I thought to myself, "I got to meet both of these people!" Great ladies.

Valerie, who wrote the essay, reads this blog, so I invite you to post your comments to her on this blog after you read it. This is the link to her blog.

CURE is going to post the other two essays, but they are not up quite yet. As soon as they are, I will let you know.

Here's another note from today. I was having a few minutes of stress earlier today and not long after that, I got the following message from Bo's mother.

"Hey, on Friday morning, as I drove Bo to summer camp, he says, “Mom, do you have Mr. Greg’s phone number?” I said, “Yes, why?”. He said, “I want to call and invite him to come over and play. He’s a lot of fun.” I explained that you lived in Virginia and it was several hours away so you couldn’t just pop over and play anytime you wanted to. He was disappointed but I told him that maybe we could go and visit you some time. He’s a big fan of yours now!"

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of his.

Slideshow Of CURE Magazine Event

Here is a link to photos of the event.

Towards the end of the pictures, there is a photo of a nurse in a pink top. She is also one of the nurses at the clinic. She administered my IVIG infusion last week.

More details and copies of the essays will be posted on the CURE site in a couple of weeks.

You know I'll let you know when it's up.

The Story Is

An amazing essay from Omaha, NE won. You'll be able to read the essay on The CURE magazine's website soon along with the other entries.
I had a great time and will post pictures and details when I get back home.