Skip to main content

New Year's Eve

Leila writing

Whoa, yesterday felt like a regular Saturday. Normal feels really good. 

We went to a potluck lunch with our tai chi "framily." It was so good to do a set, the 108 moves, together before we ate. It still amazes me the magic that seems to happen in my body moving in the same way that I have since 1994. Who would think something could keep my interest that long - 28 years? 

I've often wondered why I ended up with cancer after all that tai chi practice. Who really knows where it came from, and it doesn't matter to me. What I am sure of is that my diligent practice has helped me through treatment, especially after retiring. It's something I have and can do as long as there's a bit of room, Wintertime has me practicing in the living room at the front of the house. When it's between 50-85 degrees I enjoy those early, and usually dark, morning practice sessions on the front porch.

Retired and still waking up at 5am. Once a morning person, always a morning person? I think so. I get up before light year-round, so winter wake up isn't any harder than the warmer months.

Kristin here -

As this year winds down, I am grateful for the lessons of patience, letting go of worry, taking things one day at a time, not anticipating the future, and accepting loss as a part of life.  I could write a whole post on each of those topics - but that is for another time.  I'm also grateful for all the love and healing energy from so many places, near and far.  The outpouring of support has been amazing!  

I feel ready for what comes next in this journey. Being able to retire when Leila got her diagnosis has given me lots of time.  Time to rest, time to spend time together, time to plan and prepare.  The time has been invaluable.  We've had the opportunity to rest together, to go deeper and wider in our love, become more vulnerable with each other.  The closeness I feel as we step into the new year is sure to carry us through.  

Leila, my love, your bright spirit inspires me.  Your openness to receive and your willingness to be vulnerable, calls me forth into ever deeper intimacy with you.  Thank you for that.  Let's keep doing this for as many years as we are gifted together.  Let's walk this journey together - one-step-at-a-time - into eternity.  

Leila says OK!

Comments

  1. Leila and Kristin, yesterday morning (Jan 1), we had a pair of pileated woodpeckers visit us. What a blessing they were to inspire me for the new year. And they also made me think of the two of you. They watched out for each other as they fed and they took turns at the feeder letting their mate be nourished. They had traveled from afar, remaining faithful to one another and never letting any obstacle hinder their journey. You both have the right mind set to face your challenges with a great heart and fierce spirit. Hugs. Cathy

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Hey, this is the Comment Form Message, whatever that means.

Popular posts from this blog

Round and Round We Go

Day 5           January 10, 2023 For days now we've been walking in circles.  I feel a bit like a zoo animal.  You know how they walk the same path over and over and over, wearing away the grass, breaking the tree twigs, leaving their mark on the earth.  We are certainly doing that here walking around and around the nurses station.  Since Leila can't leave this tiny unit there is nowhere else for her to  get the needed exercise to maintain her muscle strength. Although at this point I don't think she wants to wander too far from her bed.  The fatigue and weakness is increasing exponentially.  I did get outside for a walk midday to get some fresh air - it was a gorgeous day!   Hard to believe its January out there, until I see all the bare, brown trees and gray grass.    It's been kinda boring the past few days. Although, I love hanging out with Leila, no matter the circumstances.  Nothing new to re...

0.0 Leila done lost her spunk

Day 8  01.13.2023 Friday the 13th WBC 0.0 Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages - all nil, nada, zilch, zip, zero RBC 3.4 Platelets 3.0        They gave her a bag of platelets today because her nose started bleeding.  Nothing there to help it clot. What does it look like when someone has minimal blood? This was yesterday: This was this morning: In actuality she's looked like this the majority of the past 3 days:      When asked how she was feeling, Leila told the nurse, "I feel like I am on my period, with the flu, and I ate bad sushi last night, after running a marathon in high heels."  Nothing like some good imagery to help us understand.    So, maybe she hasn't totally lost her spunk - it peeks out from time to time throughout the day.  They switched her to phenergan for the nausea today and she started having wild dreams, talking in her sleep and having mild hallucinations.  But ...

Hair. Yes, then not so much.

Leila again - Hair grows back. That's what I say to Kristin every time she cuts my hair.  A couple of weeks ago Kristin asked Dr. Emmons what are the chances that my hair won't fall out from the high dose chemo. His answer was short - miniscule. (I will ask her to add her reason for asking). Based on what I've read and heard from my Friend4Life myeloma buddy, Peggy, I will lose my hair. Peggy told me nobody bothered to warn her before her procedure. Ugh.  Anyway, I've been trying to prepare myself for this eventuality. I appear ready. I say I'm ready. However, I am NOT ready for the chemo to cause the impending baldness. I don't want to wake up some random morning in the next couple of weeks with hair all over the pillow, or shower floor. I want to lose it on my own timing, supported by a few loving people. The day is today, early afternoon. The method, barber's clippers. I hope to morph through several different cuts. And, despite nearly everyone asking for...