Share this:

People talk about acts of kindness. News stories report inspirational occurrences all the time, but I never thought during a business email of only a few words that I would inspire a total stranger.

A persistent knock at my front door woke me from a solid ten hour slumber. Rarely hearing the sound while sleeping, I staggered out to the dining room and peeked through the blinds to see a delivery man at my door. Puzzled when I saw a beautiful flower arrangement in his hands, I knocked on the window telling him I’d be right there.
Not wanting to delay the man’s schedule, I decided to open the door without looking in the mirror first. I knew it would take more than a minute to look presentable. I grabbed my sweater from the edge of the couch, wrapped it around my wrinkled nightgown, and hoped I wouldn’t scar the man for life. I opened the door and he handed me a purple vase filled with an assortment of colorful flowers, asked for my signature, and sped off while repeating the mandatory greeting to have a nice day.
Placing the surprise gift on my kitchen table, I stood back and stared at it for a few minutes. I thought, “I know I suffer from chemo brain, but c’mon, it’s not my birthday, not a holiday, it’s no special occasion at all, or is it? (I find second guessing myself normal daily behavior.) Who would send such a thoughtful unexpected surprise?”

I studied the calendar on the counter, filled with doctor appointments, and recognized Thanksgiving as the only logical reason for such a delivery. I scratched my head. That’s three weeks away.
Turning the arrangement around I spotted the card hiding among the flowers. The name and address of the florist didn’t ring a bell, and it was located across the valley. Weird. Opening the card it read – You’re an inspiration. We hope these brighten up your day!
What the hell – inspiration? Considering I enjoyed a movie and dinner with a friend last night, but she wouldn’t send flowers. Dated a guy twice recently, but was certain he didn’t know my address. Looking closer at the card, it included a phone number under my name and address, but it wasn’t mine. Thrilled I could solve the mystery, I called the number.
A woman answered, “iOttie, Brittany speaking, may I help you?”
I didn’t catch the words, so I asked, “Who is this?”
“iOttie.” { http://www.iottie.com/ }
Not having the slightest idea who or what was an iOttie, I said, “I received a floral arrangement and this number was on the card.”
“Oh yes, that was from me,” the woman sounded young and cheery.
“Who is this?” I repeated, feeling foolish.
“This is Brittany; you reviewed an iPhone iTap Magnetic Vent Mount for your vehicle. You told me a little bit about what you’re going through when the package almost wasn’t delivered because I forgot to include your unit number.”
The review and the email conversations bounced back. “Oh right, your name is Beverly?”
“Brittany.”
“Ha, I was close,” I laughed from nerves.
Brittany laughed back and said, “Yes, you were close.”
“Brittany, I don’t understand,” I began, as she cut me off.
“You have such a positive attitude. You inspired me. I wanted the flowers to brighten your day.”
Our short email conversations quickly ran through my mind. I recalled Brittany’s inquiry and explained if it weren’t for my monthly CML chemo deliveries by the same FedEx guy; another employee would not attempt a delivery.
Shocked, I said, “Brittany, this is so nice. Such a surprise, I can’t believe you sent me a gift. I love the flowers. They’re beautiful. And yes, you certainly did make my day.”
“I’m glad. You are an inspiration. I’m happy you like the flowers.”
“I love them, and I can’t thank you enough. I’m still in shock and speechless. Thank you again for your thoughtful words and gift.”
“You’re welcome. Good bye Mary.”
“Good bye Brittany.”

With this extraordinary act of kindness from a stranger in cyber space, I’ve learned how powerful words can be. A couple of sentences moved a total stranger to reach out and communicate sending an unexpected surprise to brighten my day. Sometimes Living with CML is amazing!

Thank you for reading. Feel free to leave a comment! 🙂

Share this:

October 12, 2015

July through September flew by. I visited with family on Long Island, walked laps at the pool, worked on my second novel; all while doing my best as a mother, mother-in-law, Nana, daughter, sister, friend, and even a good neighbor.

I keep up with my CML forums about my chronic myeloid leukemia. Today a post struck me as particularly familiar. It brought back the memory of an essay I wrote when I first retired early due to CML. I’d like to share both posts with my readers. The first is Jill’s post, followed by my essay from December 2008.

The Day Jill Went to the Psychiatrist

Hi, my name is Jill (30). And I have cancer. Fortunately I have an excellent treatment option, but it is not a cure – my cancer is considered chronic and I will have it forever. Cancer is not why I had to go to the psychiatrist. I can handle my illness and the pain, discomfort and uncertainties about the future. I can also handle but struggle with the many losses that cancer has taken away from me – not to be able to work or finish my post bachelor degree. I’m no longer the wife that I was and will never be a mother. What I cannot handle are some of my friends.
On the internet I read a poem about the things that cancer cannot do; “Cancer cannot destroy friendships”. I disagree. It can and it does because cancer changes everything.
I used to be very enthusiastic and full of energy, empathy and patience. In my head I still am, but I’m now too tired and exhausted to show these traits. I’ve been through too much to be empathic about every little setback in other people’s lives. My short term memory isn’t even good enough
to remember important issues, let alone remember birthdays or what concert friends attended. My patience is limited and pain causes me to be very reclusive.
Friends come and go. The day I was diagnosed with cancer I lost friendships – I was only 25. People say “If you lose a friend because of a cancer diagnosis then they weren’t your friend in the first place.” But then I do lack to my friends. Some of my friends are great people to party with and they offer to help. However they are not very socially developed and have no idea how to be supportive. They have feelings of anxiety, distress and despair and don’t know to handle it. The easiest thing is to not do anything which is exactly what my friends did. At first I didn’t even notice when some friends no longer visited because I was busy simply surviving. Family and other friends compensated for them. I went on a holiday with people I love and was invited by a pregnant friend to witness her 20 week ultrasound, my best friend visited me on her birthday while she was very pregnant. That all meant the world for me.
I am not talking about my best friends of my family who will always be there for me and are wonderful. I am talking about my regular friends. The ones you chat with late at night, the ones who visits you unannounced and then enjoy spending the day with. When they heard I have cancer they sent a card and asked when they could visit. But after a while they forgot to ask how I was doing. They assumed I was better despite the fact that I did openly talk about treatment, my feelings and perspective. They don’t make an effort to see me or spend time with me. Let me be clear, these friends DO think about me. Maybe they want to do something fun but they have no idea what to do. I am not willing to sit back and wait for my friends who will never come. So I make an effort to rebuild the friendships I’ve lost! I convince my husband to drive me to see friends I haven’t heard from in months. I use all of my energy to visit them for an hour. I use all my patience and concentration to listen to their stories. On the way home I am exhausted but happy with the restored friendship. I won’t be able to do anything the following week due to the pain and exhaustion. By doing this, I neglect my true friendships, my family and close ones but they understand. The circle repeats…and repeats. Despite my great efforts to maintain these friendships I still never hear from them.
Then I broke and became very ill. The cancer was no longer in control and I had to take a lot of medication. I was bedridden and unable to do anything besides puking, sleeping and seeing the doctor (or the laboratory assistant/ nurse/ pharmacist/ physiotherapist/ insurance agent). For 5 months I didn’t see any of my friends. They didn’t send cards or quick text messages checking in. My body was a mess and this caused my brain to also become a mess. Why did my friends avoid me? Am I not worth the effort? Am I not fun anymore? Why do friends no longer want to spend time with me? I doubt myself and lost faith in myself. If I am not good enough for them then I am certainly not good enough for my good friends and family. My feelings were in a downward spiral and I decided to go to a psychiatrist. I told my story which seems to be very common. The psychiatrist gave me two options; confront friends about their absence or make more of an effort to spend time with them. I felt like I was the one failing. So I privately spoke with my friends and had (technical)good conversations with them. I told them I valued their friendship and enjoyed the time we spent together. I told them that I had missed them over the last couple of months. Their answers where astonishing. “They were busy and I don’t need additional obligations in my life. I don’t like being around ill people. I can’t stand people with cancer. I don’t know what to say (and then disappear for 1 year). You can’t do anything so we don’t invite you.” People were really honest with me especially after they had been drinking alcohol. Honesty is their only good characteristic. I now feel foolish, but I did try one last approach. I gave them one last chance to show me they were willing to make a small effort for our friendship. I invited them to cheer for me at an event I was participating in. It was close by and there were different days they could chose to come. And surprising roffl, tadaaa there were 0 friends. Many didn’t even respond to the invitation.
I was very disappointed for a few days and angry at them for even longer. But then I realized what you all knew when you start reading this story; this type of friend is not a true friend. They are not worth your time and it took me a long time to realize that. I am feeling much better now, mentally. After that one appointment I no longer needed my psychiatrist. My “friends” where perfectly capable to learning me that by themselves. Now I think about it, the title of this story should have been “Naive Jill learns a life lesson.”

My essay I wrote for the This I Believe website.

Entered on December 30, 2008       Age Group: 50 – 65       Themes: illness, self-knowledge

To Befriend or not to Befriend

I believe when a person becomes ill that it is ok not to have friends. Please understand, this is not a woe is me story. Let me explain. Within seven years, I went from being a healthy, vibrant, employed teacher to an unhealthy, idle, unemployed person. The latter is what formed my belief.
In August 2001, I lost my oldest son. It is this overwhelming sadness I deal with daily that was the start of my newly acquired philosophy. This loss followed my leukemia diagnosis in November 2003. Being fully aware of how friends and family are most important at such trying times, the friends component was quickly diminishing.
Between my sadness and treating a chronic illness with daily chemo, the failure of friends to empathize provided more destructive attitude than positive for me. I do not want pity friends.
I will expound my belief that it is ok not to have friends when a person becomes ill. My body is deteriorating due to osteoarthritis. In July 2007, I had an unsuccessful total knee replacement. I cannot sit, stand or walk for an extended period. I have tried going places and doing things, but I suffer beyond explanation afterwards and it is that very explanation that is impossible to express accurately to others. When I did have a life after the hours of teaching, I loved walking the Las Vegas Strip, walking the city parks, dating, going to concerts, and having a fun and active life. Currently all has changed due to my poor health, hence my choice not to have friends.
I continued to work until October 2008, during which my ailments progressed causing me to take medical leave. This has led to my early total and permanent disability retirement at age fifty-four, which has affected every aspect of my life.
Today my life is much different. I do not have to say no and make excuses to others. No one calls. No one knocks at the door. I have modified my home and life to accommodate my disabilities. I realize my belief goes against my family’s concerns and every self-help guru and book currently written about the importance of friends.
I am content and happy with my choice. I will devote my time to writing a book. I have no idea regarding its content, but it will be fiction and it will be fun. My inspiration to write came after hearing Dan Gediman on Book TV talking about the writers in the This I Believe books. This essay will be the springboard for my own writing venture and I will be successful at it, This I Believe.

Copyright © 2005-2015 This I Believe, Inc., all rights reserved.

Do you see the similarities? While I don’t and/or haven’t experienced exactly what Jill shared, I do relate to a lot. For example, her admission: “I won’t be able to do anything the following week due to the pain and exhaustion.”

Unfortunately, I have missed important events and have canceled dates with family and friends, among other things because I can’t control how I’ll feel from one day to the next. I am lucky and grateful for what I can do, and I work on improving my health on a daily basis.

I felt great reading my essay from seven years ago because I did accomplish the goal of writing a book. Sure, it took six years, but I did publish. The past year I’ve been able to do more walking and physical activities, due to a Pre-Knee Replacement surgery. Currently, I need a lap-top as typing at my desk with a PC is not working out.

It’s not easy. But this is what Living with CML is all about.

Thank you for reading. As always, comments are welcome.
Mary  🙂

Share this:

I left a piece of luggage behind on my Southwest Airlines flight over the weekend. Inside was my Gleevec prescription. Taking this oral chemo pill daily is vital to me, and others suffering with CML, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

I realized the bag was missing after arriving at my son’s home. The bag was untagged, so I didn’t think I’d ever see it. At first, I wasn’t sure I left it on the plane. I thought maybe I left it in the airport’s restroom. Courteous SW employees communicated with me by phone and led me to Tipper and Lily in Baggage Service who worked magic to ensure I received my lifesaving bag.

It was quite a scare for eight long hours. I am so impressed with the outstanding customer service I received from Southwest Airlines. I anticipated returning home that night because I can’t miss the daily dose of Gleevec. Thanks to SW, I was able to celebrate my grandson’s fourth birthday celebration.

Relieved and grateful is how I felt returning home from a great weekend that could have turned out a disaster.

This Friday I leave for Long Island, NY to visit my mother in the hospital. I will be more careful!

Thank you for reading. I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to leave a comment.

Mary

Share this:

October 31, 2014

Hello all!

I’ve been busy! I could apologize and say there’s no excuse for slacking off writing posts for this blog, but I can’t. Feeling good overrides an apology!

Just got my lab work back, and all is well with my CML. Numbers are perfect!

My knee surgery from January seems to be working. I’m at the pool almost daily because of it, and I’ve lost a total of 58 lbs. I’ve been going to concerts, movies – hell, I’m even dating! Life is good again.

**** The best accomplishment since feeling well has been finishing and publishing my first novel!

I’m working on a new blog to promote it. Here’s the site:

http://mcrocco.wordpress.com/

Please visit and drop me a line! I’m so excited to be an author, having doubts I would ever add that to my accomplishments. In my new blog, you’ll see information regarding the book’s release date, and link to my Amazon’s Author Page. Enjoy reading the blog and viewing the videos. If interested, you can pre-order my novel on the Author’s Page.

Thank you for reading my Living with CML blog. I hope after this entry, you will understand my absence. I promise to write more timely posts in the future.

I hope to hear from everyone soon!

Mary 🙂

Share this:

Knee surgery on January 28th was unexpected. It’s the reason I wasn’t able to write a blog post in February or the beginning of March. I met a guy at the therapy pool in January who told me about his knee surgery, so I called his doctor and got in sooner than the appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. Within two weeks, I had the surgery, with physical therapy starting the day after.

It’s been rough, I won’t lie, and as of today, my knee is challenging. I’ve had to have a custom fit brace made after the temporary brace used for six weeks. This new one is for long term. The theory is it will prolong a total knee replacement.

Since this post is about living with CML, I won’t bore you any longer with details concerning my knee.

My previous stomach issues have resurfaced. Gleevec, my oral chemo drug, must be the culprit. Without long term data, my oncologist, along with my other doctors, can only assume. All I can do is live with it, the best I can.

I had been fine for a while, so when the nausea started again, it threw me for a loop. It’s back to a few hours of misery every day.

I’m trying to deal with it while going to P/T once a week, and doing the exercises myself at home. I started walking in the therapy pool again, but only for an hour vs. my usual two. I hadn’t been to the pool since the end of October, so I couldn’t wait. It was wonderful! I was sore the first night, but better the second time. I’ve only managed going twice because of my stomach. Hoping this will end soon.

My two year old grandson, Alex, visited me for five days in February. My son planned an anniversary trip back in October, and I didn’t want to disappoint. Alex came to P/T with me, and we had a great time together. I was in a knee brace, so it was okay.

All in all, it’s been rough, but it could be worse. I have lab work on the 25th and an oncologist appointment on April 8th. Crossing my fingers there are no surprises in my blood work.

My knee is starting to hurt from sitting here typing, so I’ll sign off.

Thank you to my readers. I appreciate you. 🙂

Mary

Share this:

January 1, 2014

Happy New Year to my Living with CML blog readers. I want to express my appreciation to you all for taking the time to read my monthly posts.

I’m feeling pretty down today, but I wanted to keep up in writing for my blog in a timely way.

I can’t seem to get myself motivated to do much writing. I haven’t edited my book in a while. I sit down to work on it, but end up shutting off my computer. I haven’t been to the pool either. I set out my bathing suit and bag, but can’t seem to get dressed. I missed the writing workshop too.

I went to the movies before I left for Sparks, NV for Xmas with my family. I enjoyed the movie and my visit, but overdid. I held my pain and tears until I hit the airport. Then my son, who traveled with me, witnessed my agony. It’s my knee giving me trouble, and I’m back using my cane again. I made an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. He’s booked until February, but I’ll keep calling for cancellations. I’m going to ask for a cortisone shot, I do not want surgery. I’m hoping the doctor will comply.

I did go for my six month dental cleaning. It’s very important to keep these appointments because living with CML takes a toll on my gums.

Because it’s the first of the year, I forced myself to write a book review and this blog entry. I was hoping it provided motivation to edit my book. But to be honest, I’m struggling through this and it’s making me feel even worse than I did before I started. All I want to do is sleep. I forced myself to shop, but wore my inside crappy leisure pants. I couldn’t care less to change.

So that’s it for now. I sure hope I get out of this funk soon. I’m trying. I hate to feel sorry for myself. I hate crying, but my life’s sadness is all consuming lately. I wonder if my oral chemo drug is adding to my feeling so low. I mean I get this way often, but I usually can drag myself out of it sooner.

Till next month, when I can write about getting back to normal. I hope that I will be writing, editing, and exercising again. I’ve got to stop thinking about my knee pain, the loss of my son, and a host of other bullshit that’s bringing me down.

Sorry if I’ve lost the few readers I have with this post. 😦

Mary

Share this:

December 1, 2013

November was a success!

Today is Dec. 3rd and I’m feeling rested enough to write. My trip to Rapid City, SD was productive. The firsthand knowledge gathered for my novel resulted in a major rewrite and a new perspective. I managed to complete my research; booking a hotel on Main Street helped preserve my energy and provide a place to rest in between scheduled visits to planned locations.

Living with CML didn’t prevent me from enjoying the four day trip. Sure, I was exhausted, but my son helped along the way. If it wasn’t for him driving around to my book’s sites, I never would have been able to complete the visits. He even secured a wheelchair at an unexpected trip to Mount Rushmore. My osteoarthritis was a challenge, and my knees took a beating, but I did it, I accomplished everything I needed to and more. The weather cooperated with sunny days in the sixties, a fluke much appreciated, and the reason I was able to get so much done.

Early in the month, I attended two writing workshops. I missed the Las Vegas Writer’s Group meeting because it was too soon after my trip and I lacked energy. However, I did attend my writing critique group a week later.

It took a week to recuperate after returning home, just in time for Thanksgiving. Cooking the holiday meal and enjoying time with my family kept me busy.

An appointment with my ophthalmologist was the only doctor appointment all month! Yay! The doctor examined my perforated ear drum reporting it healing. His prognosis was it would close and heal on its own within the next six months. Great news!

I was apprehensive how I would handle the trip to SD, and I’m still thrilled it was a success. My son, Bobby, http://bobbymeadermusic.com/, is editing the footage he took for a blog I’ll create to promote my book, once it’s published.

December’s challenge is Xmas. I’ll be going to Reno with Bobby, a short flight from Las Vegas, to spend the holiday and a few days with my son and his family. It will be fun as my grandson is two and a half years old. 🙂

A dental cleaning is the only doctor appointment for the month. Yay! I’ll attend one writing workshop; I will not attend the LV Writer’s Group party.

Plenty of rest should take me through December. I hope to make it to the athletic club to exercise in the therapy pool. My sleep pattern has been preventing me from going because I’ve been in bed earlier than usual. I prefer to go at midnight when it’s least crowded. I’m trying to work on building up enough energy to get back to my midnight swim.

I’m sharing this interesting Facebook post. It was nice to see these tips in writing.

6 Tips for Writing With a Chronic Illness

Thank you for reading. See you in 2014.
Mary

Share this:

November 2, 2013

I lack the energy, yet am determined to write a timely post. The highlight in October remains the single doctor visit for my labs. I wrote about the remarkable results last month.

October happened to be a busy month, for which I’m paying the consequences. A writing workshop, two day writing conference, my family’s visit, a writing critique group, and several pool visits – all wonderful events taking a toll. I suffered the ‘hit by a truck’ side effect twice, lasting for days each, plus a cold to boot.

On the bright side, I attended all these activities, how awesome is that?!!! I missed only one, the LV Writers Group meeting because it took place in the midst of the hit by a truck period.

I’m resting for my trip to Rapid City, SD., from the 13th-17th, where I’ll walk in my protagonist’s shoes. At the moment, I’m kicking myself for making these plans because Rapid City already received two feet of snow. However, I’m still going, grateful not to be sick to my stomach anymore, the main reason I planned the trip. 🙂 So I’ll do the best I can, hoping for an extra dose of energy and not to get sick. For some weird reason, I’m all aches and pains today from my pool exercises on the 30th. I can’t move my neck to the left. I need to dig out the heating pad. 😦

Wish me luck. Living with CML doesn’t make it easy. But . . . I can do it!!

Thanks for reading. 🙂
Mary

Share this:

October 1, 2013

September was a great month Living with CML! (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) As a result, this will be an upbeat, short post. 🙂

I was looking forward to doctor free visits for September and October, but my oncologist disagreed. He ordered to keep the lab appointment in September and doctor visit October 1st.

Blood results were good, even though I had to retake a test.

Iron levels were perfect, no concerns about supplements or an infusion. Haven’t been sick a day since removing iron. (Two months!)

The doctor explained how my daily oral chemo drug, Gleevec, would react with changes over time. Taking Gleevec since 2003, this is what living with CML entails.

I did have to renew my RX from the gastroenterologist. I was surprised, but it works.

I felt so good I booked a flight to Reno and spent a couple of days with my grandson. Back to normal!

I attended a Las Vegas Writer’s Group meeting. Back to normal!

I attended a writing workshop. Back to normal!

These writing events benefit the sequel I’m currently writing, and will help with the rewrite of my first book in November.

I’ve been exercising at the athletic club’s pool, and already getting stronger and losing weight. Back to normal!

The real back to normal was a last minute decision to see my favorite Late Late Night, Craig Ferguson’s live show. I knew he was appearing here in Vegas, but still being skeptic about feeling back to normal, I didn’t get a ticket in advance, just in case. At noon, on the day of his show, I bought a ticket! The show was great and the pool exercises provided my knees with strength to walk the casino and parking lot. Back to normal!

I suffered major cramps that night and took muscle relaxers. The following night I went to the pool and all was fine, but the next day my knees hurt. I guess it was a delayed reaction from walking more than usual the night of the show. I took a pain killer, which are few and far between.

The rest of October is doctor free. I have three writing related classes set up, and registered for the Las Vegas Writer’s Conference for two days, having an advantage over writers out of town because I live here!

My grandson and his parents, are coming for a weekend, he’s only two years old!

Living with CML is changing the longer I take Gleevec. Since it is a chronic disease, it will always be something new. Currently, I’ve conquered the side effects. I will never give up the challenges.

Thanks for reading. 🙂
Mary

Share this:

Sept. 1, 2013

August was a series of doctor visits, which became way out of control. If ever there was a taxing month Living with CML, it was August.

To my surprise, I ended up figuring out what was wrong with my stomach – on my own! Yup, that’s right. After a visit or two to the oncologist, gastroenterologist, and primary doctor, I stumbled upon the answer. Iron supplements were the cause of my daily suffering.

Sitting in the chemotherapy room, with a Reclast infusion shooting through my veins, (I have osteoporosis of the spine/hip) I noticed a woman receiving an IV that looked odd. Asking a nurse, I was told it was iron. Inquiring why someone would need an IV of iron was like a slap in the face . . . ‘because some people cannot tolerate iron any other way,’ she said. Sirens flared, alarms sounded – there will be no more iron. Hard to believe, but there hasn’t been one day since I’ve removed iron from my regimen of pills, that I’ve been sick. Who knew? Certainly not any of my doctors.

If my blood work shows an iron deficiency (which was the original reason for the supplement), I’ll worry about it when the day arrives. An IV may be in order, but for now, I’m enjoying not being sick every single god damn day. It’s a wonderful feeling.

My follow up visit to the gastroenterologist showed the RX worked, no more visits. Yay!

I had a mammogram and the results came back revealing the need for an ultrasound and a more intense second mammogram. That was another difficult week as the thought of breast cancer was overwhelming. The results were nothing of the kind. It was overlapping tissue and that was it. Yay!

I had been very dizzy for over ten days, so I went to my ENT. Diagnosis: BPPV. After three sessions of treatment, it’s gone. Doctor said it may return, and I replied, ‘who cares, it’s not life threatening and I know how to fix it.’ I don’t have to return to my ENT. Yay!

My primary doctor ordered a CT scan and ultrasound for the pain in my back. It was progressing to the extent of debilitating pain, resulting in not being able to sit and write – hell I couldn’t even stand. Prescribed physical therapy worked. No need to return. Yay!

Sitting and typing without excruciating pain is awesome. Discomfort, but no pain, is doable. Stretching exercises in and out of a therapy pool is very doable. Yay!

August was hell, absolute hell, but it’s OVER.

Being able to attend my son’s show for his second CD release was wonderful. Booking a flight to see my grandson for the second week in September, registering for writing classes in September and October, and attending a Writer’s Conference in October is incredible. Yay!

There’s lab work scheduled for September for a visit to the oncologist in October. However, I will call on Tuesday and insist rescheduling the visits to December. With an overabundance of labs taken in August, there’s no reason to keep a scheduled visit made six months ago.

Moving the visits to December would mean NO doctor visits scheduled for September and October. YAY!

Now I can devote my time to editing my novel! My coach suggested an additional 20,000 words in narrative, my current task. I also wrote a 5,000 word short story to enter in a contest in October. Editing the story in between my novel, is great fun.

I feel great! Love not getting sick daily! Even better, looking at a calendar with NO doctor visits scheduled for two months! What a feeling!

Getting B2N! YAY!

Thanks for reading!

Mary