Card Carrying Normal Girl

     On a small blue card that I have taped to the inside of a credenza on which my computer sits at work is this word – NORMAL.  That refers to my CA-125 blood test.

     For those of you who are innocent readers and naive to the language of cancer and ovarian cancer, the CA-125 is a test which seeks to find ‘markers’ called ‘tumor markers.’  Normal is anything below 35.  Ladies, you’re not going to have a zero, probably, but the highest number ever recorded in Memphis at the time belongs to me – over 1000 – unbelievable. 

      The number on the card taped inside the door is “6.”  Anything below 10 might as well be a zero.  My current marker is “7.”  I have a card that says, I AM NORMAL. 

      Within the same week, I got a card in the mail related to my PAP Test.  That, too, indicated I am “within NORMAL limits.”  For women, we will take that report any day.  As a bonus, I got the Mammogram report that says “NORMAL.”

      Girls – I have always wanted to be known as Normal.  I always thought I was just a regular, normal girl.  But, beginning in 1994, my life became anything but Normal.  I am so very grateful to God, to the doctors and nurses, to my friends and family for seeing me to the point in the journey where CT Scans and XRays are not ordered anymore. The doctors are going to continue to check on me with my female exams and blood tests, but unless there is some weird thing going on with my body, I am “set free.”

I hope to give you all encouragement.  Whatever it takes, you can dig deep and you can survive.  You can do it!

“Puppy Love”

“Puppy Love” 

Earlier in this story, I shared the struggle of coping with a horrible, life-threatening cancer. Because of fantastic and professional treatment with phenomenal oncologists at a well-known regional cancer clinic, <a href=http://www.westclinic.com > cancer clinic </a> I am still alive and at that time I was in a tremendous fight for my very life.  For my husband, it would have been easier had I died. No, not at the time and that is rather melodramatic, but it’s what I felt at times. 

I am not saying that as an overly dramatic sentiment.  Truly, it would have been easier for him.  He would have been set free much earlier.  Then, he could have taken my children to be raised by relatives, and he would have a reason everyone understood to be without a wife.  He would have received sympathetic assistance and been elevated to martyrdom.  At one time, I recall telling him that I was sorry I had inconvenienced him so greatly by living!

As a true Gift from God, I underwent a rare second surgery and in September of 1999, life was looking good.  In fact, the loyal-in-name-only husband told me that when I left the treatment center with a wonderful outlook and a miraculous report of “all clear,” it was the happiest day of his life.  I thought it was because we could start our life again with good health all around. 

Again, I was wrong.  He was happy because he was planning now to leave me.  Now, without my knowledge at all, he began stealing money from our joint checking account and depositing it into an account of his own.

In January of 2000, he gave me a puppy <a href=http://www.maltese.com > dog </a> and never slept in my bed again.  Two months later, he uttered the fateful words, “I have an apartment.”

HERE IS A SLEEP TIP:

If your bed seems empty without him, DO NOT RUSH to invite another man into his place.  Instead RUSH to the Linen Sales!

Sleep Aids – to comfort a newly divorced diva

My dear, dear friend, go shopping and indulge in 400+ count sheets.  Shop the clearance racks and bins.  Check out the Clearance Sales at discount variety stores.  Go to Outlet Malls.  <a href=http://www.oprymills.com > outlet mall </a> Don’t shy away from oversized sheets and pillow cases if they are ON SALE.  You can also get ODD colors and then Mix and Match.  Actually, better pricing comes with different colors and mixing colors is much more fun.  Just remember, these linens WILL NOT BE RUINED by unshaven stubble, hairy legs, stinky feet, or other man-smells!

 There is more, much more, so please check back tomorrow.

“You Have to Go to the Mattresses”

“You have to go to the mattresses” In the cute movie “You’ve Got Mail,” Meg Ryan’s character is confiding to Tom Hanks’ character about the struggle she is experiencing with the possible closure of her family bookstore.  As you no doubt recall, Tom Hanks’ character replies to Meg Ryan’s character that she must “go to the mattresses,” a line from the movie, “The Godfather.”  Whatever it takes, pull out all the big dogs, and wrestle the devil if necessary.  He further states that “it is not personal.”  She must however hold nothing back.  She must fight for herself and for what she wants. <a href=http://www.youvegotmail.com > movie </a> I want my life and a future.  Therefore, I fight hard. 

I use all kinds of weapons including food, diversion, work, play, and above all else, prayer.  Included here are some “tips” to help in the fight: 

BREAKFAST FOODS are good all day long.

PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS help settle the stomach. 

Peppermint candies- keep them with youPeppermint sticks – to remove the metallic taste, to cool and soothe the mouth, and to settle the stomach. 

SERVE EVERYTHING VERY COLD or VERY HOT.

SERVE EVERYTHING WITH SPICES.  If the meal is bland, the taste is metallic or aluminum. 

KEEP SOMETHING ON YOUR STOMACH AT ALL TIMES. 

USE PLASTIC UTENSILS            

Believing in the healing power of God, I pursued my treatment like a woman possessed.  I continued to work, continued to be a mom and a wife.  I went to work after chemotherapy treatments.  I climbed the stairs, pulling my body up and up, step by step.  I would not give in or give up.  I suffered the ravages of chemotherapy as everyone does, but by pure will and bull-headed determination, I refused to give into the grip or the look of death. 

Denial and diversion became important elements in my recovery plan. When it was time for treatments, I got into the “treatment box.”  While there, I endured.  When it was over, I got out of the “box” and lived as close to a normal life as I possibly could.  I was consumed with reading Antiques and Collectible Books.  I became obsessed with Vintage Barbie and her outfits <a href= http://www.vintagebarbie.com > collectibles</a>.

 I also believe that God intervenes for His own purpose, whatever that might be.I took prescription drugs to decrease nausea and improve my sense of well-being. The side-effects included “increased appetite.” As a result, I ate everything in sight.  Driving home from work, I was often allured by the aroma of Memphis bar-b-que or fresh baked cookies, cakes and dozens of donuts.  I would detour and devour a sandwich or a dessert, driving around neighborhoods, gobbling grub like a starved dog. My cravings were never actually satisfied by the amount of food intake, but my ability to withstand rounds of chemotherapy improved. 

In losing my stomach muscles and my bikini figure, I gained cleavage.  Perhaps that’s not such a bad trade off.  Anything seasoned with excessive amounts of sugar, salt, onions, and spices tasted delicious.  Everything bland tasted of aluminum or worse.  Included below are some of the best dishes for satisfying the appetite, cutting the metallic taste of just about everything else, and giving the body the nutrients it craves.

 KICKIN CHICKIN VEGETABLE SOUP:

1 can each:      chicken broth              V-8 juice (secret ingredient!)         chopped tomato bits   tomato, onion, peppers                 shoe peg corn     cut green beans                        tiny baby peas            sliced carrots    sliced potatoes                        chicken pieces                        LOTS of salt and pepper and Cavender’s Seasoning             Bring to boil and then simmer for 2 hours. 

BROCOLLI CHEESE SOUP:           

3 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup            3 cups of Milk              Mix and then add   1 roll of garlic cheese           Simmer and then add   2        pkgs chopped brocolli (prepared)                                Lots of salt and pepper      Keep warm.                                    Serve with butter/Waverly/saltine crackers.       

HOT CHICKEN SALAD

 2 cups diced chicken               1 can cream of chicken soup           1 cup finely diced celery                     2 Tbs minced onion             1/2 cup lightly toasted slivered almonds                                        1/2 cup mayonnaise                 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper          2        Tbs lemon juice                 3 hard boiled eggs – sliced     Mix All Together       Top with potato chips and grated cheddar cheese Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes in 13×9 casserole dish  

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