Tuesday, April 1, 2025

a p r I l . 2 0 2 5

April showers and cold!

     just when we thought we could switch from heat to air conditioning, the weather changed back to being chilly again.  I was afraid our band director would call another "rain delay" but luckily our rehearsal carried on.  what was truly wonderful about this first rehearsal of April was that we got a new piece (for me, I guess it's a regular in our folders) which is music I haven't played since junior high, or called middle school now!  I remember Ms. Slade conducting us playing Ralph Vaughan Williams English Folk Song Suite.  And here I am, 50-odd years later playing it again, and it seems so familiar and comes right back to me!! 
     now that I had finished making Finn's Tanka, I had crafting time on my hands so I returned to the afghan that I had started during my surgery recovery.  I even reached out to my other crafting friends to get their recommendations for how to finish it.  one of the recommended activities through my survivor group was a crafting and chatting opportunity.  I attended a session on a Wednesday mid-morning - yes I took time off from work, since it's therapy - and I learned a new craft, felting!  I also asked the leader what her thoughts were for my afghan border.  
     I also attended another Support Group activity, a Paint and Sip in a beautifully restored early 20th century home.  we gathered for food and laughs and got a little painting done too.  I brought the pink wreath with me to hand off to the next warrior lady!  
 

     earlier in the month I had emailed my oncologist about the swelling I was having; I was really worried about lymphedema and wanted to get it under control earlier rather than later.  she recommended I see a physical therapist to give me guidance on what I need to do for it.  then when I met her she said she wanted me to start the infusions of a "bone glue" that will help to restore the calcium that was stripped away during chemo.  so for the next three years, every six months, I get to have an infusion which absolutely cripples me for about three weeks!  it was so bad the first week I couldn't walk down the stairs but once a day, for my main meal at lunch time.  the rest of the time I made my coffee upstairs and drank boost drinks I had in the laundry room fridge.  it was brutal!  
      but before all that I drama I got one more big meal prepared and enjoyed; I made beef mole tacos with a fresh slaw, pico de gallo, crumbled cotija, and a cilantro lime dressing, plus cilantro lime rice and a street corn salad (a packaged kit).  it took a good chunk of the day between the shopping, cleaning and cooking but it was really delicious!