A Caregiver's Inspirational Journey Through Cancer
Mar 4th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” – Author UnknownI come from a long line of folks in my family who are busy doing something for others. Either a moment of help to a friend or family member or involved projects in their community of commitment and duration. To me it is like going to church every Sunday or something. It’s simply what you do.
Mar 2nd, 2011 by Lori Puente
Another fabulous post by Sean Murray of Myeloma Youreloma over at The Myeloma Beacon. Sean’s column is always worth waiting for. You will enjoy this one a great deal. So in case you need a ‘teaser’, do you know what your ‘L-Spike’ is?…
Mar 1st, 2011 by Lori Puente
Go over to FacebookLinkHere and vote for Mindy’s Myeloma Foundation for her friend Phil. You need a FB account. I will leave this up until the voting is concluded, April 15th. Like many of these contests you can vote EACH DAY! (ARGH! Do what you can.) Good Luck Mindy! (To see related post, click on the Post title and it will come up at the bottom)
Mar 1st, 2011 by Lori Puente
We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
Feb 28th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the and the blind can see.” – Mark TwainIn the midst of our life’s upheaval I ventured into our LYS (Local Yarn Shop) in Elk Grove, a bit in a daze, in an effort to extrovert myself out of what was happening in my life into an arena of creativity. While in Little Rock I had found their LYS and resurrected this old ability my grandmother taught me as a kid and found something to do that gave me pleasure. It’s one of those things that makes you friends, “What are you making? The yarn is beautiful? Maybe I should get myself knitting while I’m sitting here for hours.”
Feb 26th, 2011 by Lori Puente
David over at www.workingwithme.com, a myeloma blog/website is a relatively “new” fellow myeloma warrior acquaintance for me. He has a gift. A gift of finding lovely music with heartfelt lyrics. I’m sure David has many gifts, but this is the one that I was first drawn to.
Feb 25th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“Knowing a great deal is not the same as being smart; intelligence is not information alone but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used.” – Dr. Carl SaganDon’t you just LOVE how there are at least two names for every drug you are on! ARGH!
Feb 24th, 2011 by Lori Puente
RobinScarf
What a whirlwind week! But I can’t help but be over the top excited about how quickly things have come to pass. Imagine a simple, tiny, little thought, so many years ago, “Oh, I would like to do that,” has turned into a HUGE reality for me personally, of great proportion.
Feb 23rd, 2011 by Lori Puente
I’m leaving this on top for a few days, so look below for new posts. Mindy’s contest will be ready to start voting today. It is on a Facebook so you will need a FB account. Spread the word and vote. FacebookLinkHere
Phil
Feb 23rd, 2011 by Lori Puente
Dave, Christmas Cruise 2007
A big win for Dave yesterday! He played 18 holes of golf!
Feb 22nd, 2011 by Lori Puente
“They (children) will do as well as you do.” – UnknownAs I was writing about this, I had a thought about a story a fellow once told when speaking to a group about enthusiasm, point of view, children, presentation, etc. He was probably a motivational speaker/psychologist type. I don’t remember, it was years ago, but I remember the story clearly, as it resonated with me.
Feb 20th, 2011 by Lori Puente
Before Dave got sick, I still had some dreams I hoped to embark on. One of them was an old affinity and yearning to weave, beautiful handmade fabric, what is often referred to as “essential art”. I’m rather practical and so to venture into a creative pursuit that has practical use, i.e., you can wear it, was particularly appealing to me. I got just a tad waylaid on my “grand plan”. Such is Life.
Feb 20th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.” – UnknownLate Wednesday evening Dave gently announced to me that he wanted to have a dinner party Saturday, with some of his guys and their families at work. WHAT? Continue Reading »
Feb 19th, 2011 by Lori Puente
Bonita
Last year my sister’s goat had twins, which is usual. One of them didn’t make it, as the father rolled on it by accident. It was “Babs” first birth. She didn’t seem to know what to do and it was February in Northeastern Pennsylvania, so Lynn took the baby goat up to the house and began to care for and bottle feed it. She named her “Bonita” because she was just so pretty and cute. She wasn’t much larger than her small dog. Before Lynn knew it Bonita was jumping on the couch, the washing machine, the coffee table, everywhere. She would call me regularly with “goat updates”.
Feb 18th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” – Stacia TauscherMy wonderful sister, who I have discussed before, who has had years of struggle with sobriety and lived with my mother, and has a terrific son, my nephew, Drew. When my mother was ill and could no longer go to her home and stayed with me, my sister and her son were left to care for her home and her animals on their own. Drew was 13, a tough age. Lynn would stop by everyday on her way home from work and stay for a long time. Essentially leaving Drew to fend for himself. Repeatedly I reminded her she had a son to think of and care for. Repeatedly I reminded her he needed to come and see Grandi. It went unheeded. Drew never saw his Grandi again. It broke my heart as I knew that it was not a proper way for him to grieve and be a part of the process, like my children were. Grandi was an integral part of his entire life. It was heart wrenching.
Feb 17th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“Children adjust as well as you do.” – UnknownTelling our children we have cancer or someone they know and love has cancer is very difficult and often poses mental dilemmas and anguish for a parent. Young or old, its one of the many, many, things that cause stress and anxiety in addition to the cancer diagnosis. The collateral damage, the fallout, if you will.
So what do you do?
Feb 17th, 2011 by Lori Puente
Tani & Kip 1999
I love animals, period. We have had dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish, turtles, and then my grandparent’s farm in NE PA allowed for all kinds of interesting animal world experiences. But I have also not had animals for long periods of time in my life. They bring much to the spirit and daily life, but they are responsibility and work that sometimes just isn’t conducive to what is going on in your life. So I have never been one to have an animal unless I felt the environment was right for them as well as me. I love them too much to give them less than a reasonable home.
Feb 15th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” – Arthur AsheAccording to the data about Multiple Myeloma, the largest demographic are African American Males. And yet, while treating in one of the largest facilities in the world, I was struck by how few black males I saw being treated for MM. As a whole, I see very few and know zero. Why is this? I have asked myself many times, “Where are they?”
Feb 14th, 2011 by Lori Puente
People say that losing weight is no walk in the park. When I hear that I think, yeah, that’s the problem. – Chris AdamsWhen I meet cancer/MM patients who exercise vigorously and look terrific, I’m envious. Not that envy is much of characteristic I’m burdened with (thank goodness), but you get the idea. It has been one of the last and biggest hurdles I have had as a caregiver to get Dave (and myself) to do.
Feb 14th, 2011 by Lori Puente
“Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.” – Author UnknownEnjoy something special this year, February 14th. Whether you are with someone or alone, it is a day where we celebrate the idea of romance.
For my dear caregiver friends who have lost their spouses to Multiple Myeloma… I’m thinking of you this Valentine’s Day, as you negotiate another of the many anniversaries without the one who made your heart swoon for so many wonderful years. – Love, Lori
