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Excerpts from my "Hospital Notes"

While waiting for doctors, phlebotomies, chemo transfusions, meds infusions and X-rays, I have entertained myself by a variety of ways. One of the things I like to do is to scan magazines and newspapers and take notes of what appeals to me at the time - I always have a small writing pad in my purse. Today, I happened to 'discover' one of those writing pads - and would like to share what I wrote during "one of those days."

Around June 17, 2008

From "Woman's Day Magazine:"
"If I Only Knew Then"
1. Be kind instead of right.
2. Wear sunscreen every day. (?) (The question mark was mine.)
3. Don't be in such a rush.
4. Love yourself first.
5. Don't try to make Mr. Right into Mr. Perfect.
6. If it isn't in your wallet, don't spend it.
7. Don't let anyone make you feel unequal.
(There were more, but these were the ones that meant something on that day.)


10 Resolutions Worth Pursuing: (notes taken while having Rituxan infusion)
1. Take dance lessons.
2. Make a book of family recipes. (?) (!! Almost impossible!)
3. Splurge on a happiness treat. (I had ice cream afterwards.)
4. Master 2 techie treats.
5. Reconnect times three. (Phone someone you love but seldom have time to talk with.)
6. Go for a walk with a friend every Saturday or Wednesday lunchtime.
7. Sample ice cream.
8. Act like a kid.
9. Get out.
10. Learn 3 things from your "I really wish I could..." list.

Quotations:
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." Helen Keller

"The man who radiates good cheer, who makes life happier wherever he meets it, is always a man of vision and faith." Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up." Mark Twain

"A happy woman is one who has no cares a t all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn't let them get her down." Beverly Sills


And, ta-da!
Grilled Portabello Burgers
2 pckgs (6 oz ea) portabello mushrooms
3 tbsp bottled vinaigrette
1/3 c light mayonnaise
1/4 c drained jarred roasted red peppers
4 whole wheat hamburger buns
1 large tomato, sliced
lettuce
carrots

Blend mayonnaise and red pepper, pulse it.
Grill mushrooms...
and then nothing!
I haven't tried this yet, but the photo looked appetizing.

"Rather any sickness than sickness of the bowels; rather any pain than pain of the heart; rather any disorder than a disorder in the head; rather any evil than a bad wife." From the Mishnah

I find this quote intriguing....and all true!

I will keep my thoughts short. Have a wonderful weekend!

My latest trip kind of cured my wanderlust for now. I returned home last April beat, tired and just want to rest and stay put for.... who knows? But definitely no travels until later this year, at least.

For now, the structure and the routine of home and chores and a part time job seem sweet. I think it was because we rushed down to Tennessee to attend my son's graduation before we have recovered from jetlag. Add to that the sleepless nights there, and the long drive back. I really, really like road trips, but this time I surrender - I give up! We were coughing, and feeling miserable for the longest time, it seemed.

Only when we are feverish, and unable to breath, or suffering from an ailment that we realize how precious good health is! Appetite, to be aware of the tastes and texture of food, to be satisfied, to breath fresh air without a headache, to be tired and be able to rest....we take these things for granted...until we get sick. And then we promise ourselves to take better care of our bodies. And promptly forget this promise once we are well. Tsk, tsk, tsk. At least, I do.

This reminds me after my surgery in 2006. I had IM nailing of my right femur, and was recovering. The first couple of nights were terrible - painful, and it seemed like my whole body was angry - inflamed. I discovered then that in the hospital, reasons for rejoicing need not be big. My caregivers exclaimed, "Great job!" or "Wonderful!" or "You made it!" for accomplishments like taking a step, taking deep breaths, going to the bathroom, sitting up for 20 minutes. Yes, I will never take these simple acts for granted again.

Lord, please help me remember.

Banton, Romblon - my adventure

April is the best month to visit this little island where my husband was born and raised. The seas are calm, the college students are home, and many relatives are home for vacation. Never mind the fact that the heat is almost unbearable, we were sweating like crazy and the electricity comes on for only 5 hours at night and a couple of hours early in the morning. Never mind the 4 hours pumpboat (outrigger canoe with diesel engine) ride from Pinamalayan, Mindoro Oriental, completing the 12-hour 'biya" (up & down) trip from Manila.

My right leg is still not strong, am still using a cane, so everyone was concerned of how could I get on and off the pumpboat. Well, I am back home so obviously I survived. Where there is a will there is a way, as they say. I like the Tagalog version better: "Pag gusto, may paraan; pag ayaw, may dahilan." I didn't think I am adventurous, it is just if there is a need, or desire for that matter, human nature has a way of finding a solution.

So, this is a summary of my dramatic entrances (and exits) to get on and off a pumpboat:

I rode a small dhingy held steady from the waves by 6 bronze-skinned men (fee: 10 pesos).I heaved myself up the boat side and gingerly found a little corner for me to sit. This is one of the three spaces where you can actually sit: the third one was for the captain. All the rest of the passengers have to find a space to sit, among the baggage or on the floor on the "second level."

Next, in order to get off the boat to the pier, I had to make my way through an 8-meter long, 10 inches wide piece of plank which was inclined 35 - 40 degrees. There were pieces of wood nailed to the plank for steps. The rail was a piece of long bamboo being held by two strong (I hoped!) men. I did not relish the idea of slipping off that wood and swimming in the blue water below. And it was dark at 8:00 PM!

It was about the same for the return trip, only this time it is early in the morning, the grade was only 5-10 degrees, but there are more wellwishers and sightseers on the pier watching the "event of the day," a pumpboat loaded with people leaving for Manila. And the fact that if I slip and fall, I will be wet for the next 12 hours.

The final exit was getting off on the same piece of wood, but since the tide is low and the boat was anchored far into the water, the piece of wood fell a couple of meters short of dry land. Guess how the creative crew did it? One burly fisherman offered his left shoulder for me to sit, he took two or three steps and voila! I was on dry land. (fee: 10 pesos)

I know, I know. It would've been more dramatic if I actually fell on the water - but I was not after drama - I was after making it home in one piece, dry!

The trade-off? Blue green clear waters, snorkeling, fishes, corals, relatives, games, late-night talks, quiet evenings, stars that seem to be easy to reach, gorgeous sunrise, cool, clean sea breeze all the time. Beautiful beaches, picnic in the beach with relatives.

It was a great trip!

Humility

I had just a huge dose of 'humble pie' in the past couple of days. For several weeks, even months now I had always included a "please keep me humble" phrase in my prayers, and I realized that God is answering my prayers.

This week I had returned to work part time, at least to have an income and ease up the financial burden of our home, even for just a bit. Actually, it is more like to save me from turning into a useless zombie if status quo is maintained.

Well, I was assigned a job I used to do, but now I was no longer in control - someone else is. Add to that the fact that the pay is scaled down so much. And I am given a tiny room with an old computer. And I will be moved from place to place as a temporary, insignificant worker. And no benefits....

I am thankful I have a job at a time like this. Yet, as I leave the office this afternoon I was in tears. Not really from regret or remorse, just realizing and affirming the fact that we are just vapor in the wind, and everything we thought we own are not really ours in the first place.

Pruning is a really painful process...

Beat the Blues!

Q: What is bad about a two-month holiday filled with swaying palm trees, cloudless skies, ocean breeze, bright sunshine and surrounded by friends and relatives?

A: Returning to a quiet house, gray skies, freezing temperature, hardly any one outside.

Q: How did you beat the blues?

A: Faked it till I made it! Ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaa!