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this…12th man
Not normally a football fan, I admit…I was caught up in the thundering tsunami that was the 12th man as it made its way to the Super Bowl. That the outcome was not the event we had hoped for does not,...
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living her best life…#23
Several days ago, Pat emailed me the following which was indeed heartwarming. I’m sure you’ll agree… A BEAUTIFUL GAME, FOOTBALL… That’s what they call soccer. I don’t really know why. Perhaps it’s...
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living her best life…#24
Following is my lyrical take on the words Pat wrote me in an email yesterday… Today was my third chemo treatment. Just finished with the home meds. Nasty, nasty stuff. Takes a whole 1/2 hour til I’m...
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living her best life…#26
As often happens in our lives, there can be hiccups along the way. Recently, Pat had such a day… News in Hawaii is that Kaiser-Hawaii employees are on strike! My nurse had assured me that she would be...
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living her best life…#27
As we all know we can make the hiccups pass with a nice, long, cool drink of water. That usually works. In Pat’s case it came in the form of a…nephew’s weekend wedding. Wanted to let you know it was a...
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living her best life…#28
Pat sent the following in an email last Thursday. Life got ahead of me so I didn’t post it. Although a little late, it’s still poignant because of the insight it gives into her frame of mind on any...
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living her best life…#29
Just thought I’d give a little update re Pat’s status from a phone chat we had last week Thursday. Pat’s a wonderful listener, so I got a lot said. Not my intention when I made the call. Of course she...
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living her best life…#30
We all have moments of reflection. Although most of us never need to contemplate…living with cancer, day in and day out. Reading Pat’s thoughts on how she deals with her “new normal,” is humbling. I’m...
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living her best life…#31
A belated HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!! Was just reminded I missed sending out hugs to one and all. And yet it’s never too late for… HUGS…ALL…AROUND!!! Pat reminded me of my oversight when she emailed the...
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living her best life…#32: second cycle of treatment
More from Pat as we continue to follow her journey through the everyday challenges of living with…multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. Received the following last thursday. Hi [hugmamma]… It’s now after 1...
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living her best life…#33
Last week Pat wasn’t feeling so great. Not because of her chemotherapy treatment, but as a result of the side effects of homeopathic supplements prescribed by her naturopath intended to boost her...
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living her best life…#34
Been a while since we’ve traveled life’s path…with Pat. We’ve both been busy with other happenings. She spent a lovely week catching up with her eldest son, Aiden, home on spring break. I’m sure it was...
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touch and go…
Another pet will probably be leaving us soon. Sitka…who thinks he’s a lap dog…not a “leave me to my own devices” feline. If he could attach himself to my body…or anyone’s for that matter…he would. His...
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living her best life…#35
Pat updated immediate family and close friends on her condition about a week-and-a-half ago. Following is what she had to say… It’s been a while so I thought I’d send a quick update. Being that I...
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living her best life…#36
In response to Pat’s email in the previous post, close friend Lei, a college counselor, wrote back… Hi Pat, Am I the worst Catholic ever if I don’t know who Mary Helen is? She sounds like an important...
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living her best life…#37: wabi sabi
Wabi Sabi. A phrase I’ve now heard 3 times within the last couple of months. A phrase I’d never heard before. Pat’s husband Brad first mentioned Wabi Sabi just about the time she was diagnosed with...
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living her best life…#38
When I think my life’s hit a bump in the road, I know there’s always someone else whose life has hit a pot hole. Some, even sink holes. Like the young housewife and her infant children who lost husband...
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living her best life #39:…pit stops along the way
That’s what the weekend was for Pat…and Brad, her husband. A pit stop. An evening with my husband and me was just one of many pit stops along the race car track that is now Pat, and Brad’s, life. On...
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living her best life #40:…biting the bullet.
Back on April 8th, Pat emailed me the following. Life happened and I didn’t get around to posting what she wrote. And then came my daughter’s emergency and…all hell done broke loose!!!…as Louise...
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living her best life #41…what’s up doc?
In response to a text sent her earlier today from nurse niece Jen, Pat texted back… Thanks Jen. I only got bits and pieces of your text, but I got the gist of it. Was trying to send an email to update...
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even the rich and famous…
Retired NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw has multiple myeloma. He’s written a book, A Lucky Life, Interrupted, due out May 12th. Brokaw conveyed the following to NBC News senior national producer Tim...
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living her best life #43: a bright spot…
Pat shared the following with family and close friends just the other day… Hi everyone, First want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I hear them and feel them all the way in Minnesota! I...
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living her best life #44: the facts…
Spoke with Pat while they waited for their flight home from Minnesota. In speaking with her, I got a lot of good information about what’s in store for her when she returns to the Mayo Clinic in a month...
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living her best life #46: we can help…
For those of us wishing we could help in Pat’s fight against multiple myeloma… WE CAN. Researching treatments for the management of MM, an incurable cancer, means adding longevity to the lives of...
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living her best life: #48…let’s do this!
That’s what Pat’s been saying for some time now. “Let’s do this.” And so she is. Hi [hugmamma.] We are doing good. The first day here was a whole bunch of tests…the worst of it being the bone marrow...
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living her best life: #53…feeling run over
…by a Mac Truck! Hi [hugmamma]… Don’t know if you’ve gotten any of my text responses…thought I’d just send a quick update. They say I’m doing well and I’m right where I should be. Even so, I still...
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living her best life: #54…letting go…
…of her “crowning glory.” As usually occurs when a patient undergoes heavy doses of chemotherapy, Pat lost her thick, beautiful hair today. The upside, if there is any, is that she’s midway through her...
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living her best life: #55…can’t wait!!!
I text Pat today… How are you? Whatcha doing? I am headed to the antiques shop to put some stuff. [I sell antiques/collectibles at an antiques mall.] Armsful of hugs… And Pat text me right back…...
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living her best life:#56…hawaii bound
Yesterday Pat text me some great news … Wanted to update you…I’m doing really well. We meet with Dr. Gertz tomorrow and expect him to release me. If that happens then that means we can go home!...
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living her best life: #57…pat’s new normal
Just the other day someone asked how my sister-in-law Pat was doing after her recent stem cell transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. It reminded me that I’d not posted about her ongoing battle...
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