Quite a mixture

Politics. Religion. Either one can cause controversy. Mix the two and what do you get? Well, on this blog you get anonymous comments. Next time, don't be ashamed. Leave your name and have a good discussion. Although it was not my intention to incite anyone, apparently it did. ...
Politics. Religion. I'm guessing you could ask five people what the government should do about the poor and you'd get five different answers. Ask those same five people what Jesus said about the poor and you'd probably get five different answers. ...
Let's all just remember the poor will always be among us, and not all people are poor by choice. ...
As for me? A pretty boring day. No treatments, no needles, but I am a bit ticked off at my doctor's office. Monday, I asked for a renewal prescription for my cough medicine. I was told it would be called in to my pharmacist. When I went to Kroger tonight to pick up my prescription, guess what? You're right. No prescription. Guess I'll have to bitch tomorrow. It's a good thing I'm good at it. ...

From pooped to poor

I continued my exercise routine today. I walked a bit farther today, maybe the equivalent of three city blocks. Thought I was going to collapse. My right calf was hurting; my right hip was hurting; both knees were knockin'; and I was wheezing as if I'd run 20 laps around a basketball court. Four months of inactivity has taken its toll. I knew I was going to have to take baby steps at first toward getting back in shape ~ and I was right. ...
Heard Bill Clinton on CNN today. Speaking before a group of Democrats the former president said: "We don't have to be afraid of our values. And for those of us who are about to celebrate Easter, the number one admonition in the New Testament for citizens was not to forget the poor. That's mentioned over 500 times. You can't find all that stuff they [Republicans] talk about mentioned over two or three times, if at all." ...
According to Pacific News Service: "Since President Bush took office there are 3.7 million more people living in poverty." ...
I try to avoid politics on this blog, but how many of you would sleep better if Clinton still occupied the White House? ...
Quote of the day: "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." ~ Jesus

Procrit and prayers

Had my normal blood work done today. Luckily, my white blood cell count is holding its own. My red cell count is down just a bit so I got a shot of Procrit to boost my count. My appetite is good, so the anemia doesn't seem to be bothering me too much. ...
I don't expect much to be going on this week. I have chemotherapy again next Monday. I'm hoping to feel up to helping hide Easter eggs at church on Saturday. It has been years and years since my kids were young enough for the Easter bunny. I think I would enjoy watching the kiddies look for eggs. We'll see if I'm up to it. ...
Thanks for keeping me in your prayers. Please pray for my cousin Ronna, too. Tests last week revealed cancer cells in her bladder. She has X-rays next week and possibly surgery next month. ...
Cancer sucks. ...
One more prayer request. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the little boy in Detroit who twice called 911 after his mother collapsed. The 911 operators thought the calls were pranks and the police did not immediately respond. The mother died. Let's pray the little boy, 5, realizes his mother's death was not his fault.

What will Monday bring?

Another Monday rolls around, which means another trip to the doctor. I really don't have a clue what my blood work will show. Will the white cell count still be high? Will I still be anemic with a low red blood cell count? Will I need any kind of booster shot? I'm not sure. I've been feeling pretty good the past few days, so we'll see. ...
From my church bulletin: Five Simple Rules to be Happy:
Free your heart from hatred.
Free your mind from worries.
Live simply.
Give more.
Expect less.

Bumper crop of bumps

Help! My face is breaking out like a 15-year-old's. Yes, I've been eating a lot of sweets, but that's been going on for a couple of months with no zits. I'm thinking the chemo I took January-March kept the acne away and the new chemo is not doing the job. I was planning on cutting back on the sweets anyway. Guess I'll get started as soon as the Reese's Easter eggs my daughter gave me are gone. That should take only another day. ...
Lots of storms going on across the South today, and they are expected to hit here tonight and tomorrow. I've been through a few tornados in my time and, yes, they do sound like freight trains. My prayers are with the storm victims.

No senior citizen

Kroger once again is trying to make me a senior citizen, dammit. Next time, I'm taking them up on it and taking the discount. ...
Had brunch with my adult children today. It was good to catch up. ...
I've started baby steps toward exercise. I've walked to the end of my street and back two days in a row now. I take some bread along in case the geese land on our subdivision's lake (really a pond). They haven't visited the past two nights. I'm slightly out of breath after the walk, but not too bad. I'll soon start walking a little farther each day. ...
I'm still feeding my sweet tooth. And I'm still gaining weight. I'm thinking I may need to cut back a bit before I gain too much. But we'll worry about that another day. Right now, I have Thin Mints, popcorn and spice cake in the house. ...

A dull day

An uneventful day. My appetite is better, so maybe Monday's shot is doing some good as far as my anemia is concerned. I still get dizzy, however, just about every time I stand up. ...
I'm looking forward to lunch with my kids tomorrow. Maybe I'll have more to write then. ...
God bless you all.

Bundle of joy wears me out

I am tired of being bald. ...
My youngest grandniece, Abby, came over today. She spent time in my lap squirming while her dad, Patrick, cut and trimmed my lawn. Abby, who turns 1 next month, was an angel the whole time, but she wore me out. I knew I was out of shape, but I'm going to need to do something to increase my stamina before returning to work. ...
I haven't seen the ocean since October. I miss it. ...
Today was the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jr. He accomplished more in 39 years than most people will who live to be 80. Said King: "I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live." ...
Today's pollen count was 2562. Gesundheit!
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Up & down

I was surprised to find my white blood cell count high. I expected it would be low. My red count, however, was down, meaning I'm still anemic. I guess I should get used to it. Seems like forever since I wasn't anemic. I got a shot today to boost the red cell count. ...
This & That: What's sweeter than the Braves winning on opening day? A UPS package bearing gourmet popcorn. Thanks to Kelly, Chris and Rachel. ... They're partying at BJ's house tonight ~ UFGatorsNo1. ... A good one submitted by Lynn: "I live by this credo: Have a little laugh at life and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter had always brought me out of unhappy situations. Even in your darkest moment, you usually can find something to laugh about if you try hard enough." ~ Red Skelton

What happened to the taste of beer?

I seldom drink beer anymore. Occasionally on the weekend I'll order a Corona when Lynn and I go out to eat. The last few sips are usually room temperature because it takes me so long to drink it. Beer used to be my beverage of choice, but I have all but lost my taste for it these days. On the other hand, I've taken up drinking coffee ~ sort of. My wife and mother would disagree. To them, you don't drink coffee unless you drink it black. I take mine with cream and sugar. Until recently, I probably hadn't drank more than a half-dozen cups of coffee in my life. Chemo changes the way food hits your taste buds. I don't care much for beer, but I drink coffee. Strange. ...
Sorry I haven't written in a couple of days, but I haven't been feeling great. I'm afraid the chemo has brought down my white blood cell count. That was expected. I go to the doctor tomorrow for blood work. I'll probably get a shot to boost my cell count. ...
Thanks for your continued prayers.