Vacations are always too short

We recently spent several days on the western shores and dunes of Michigan.  The weather and scenery were beautiful.  Tillie and Rose came with us – and there were dogs everywhere…on the beach, in every other RV.  Half the stores in Pentwater where we stayed for 3 days had a bucket of water out front for furry friends.  I love seeing more and more places becoming dog friendly, but, there’s always a but the sad part is seeing the number of signs imploring people to clean up after their animals.  I guess the problem with dog friendly is the number of humans who are not dog responsible.

On the medical front, I met with my Oncologist on Tuesday and my blood work looked good so I don’t need to go back to her for 6 months as long as I remain feeling good.

Here are a few photos from the trip.  Happy Weekend.  We love you all.

A Lake Michigan sunset

atop a dune at Silver Lake

At Tahquanamon Falls

Day changer

Happy Photo Friday and Labor Day Weekend!  I’m looking forward to a neighborhood party and the Greek Festival this weekend.  If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time you know I spend hours each week researching cancer treatments, side effects and the cancer industry.  I’d started today writing about getting referrals to “true” specialists with experience and qualifications. That is so important.

And then the phone rang.  My focus changed from the article I read “Cancer Centers, giant hospital profit Centers” in the Washington Times to a conversation about lifes abrupt changes, the new state of “Normal” and “Confidence.”  Sometimes the only normal is the absence of normality. There are wonderful moments, crises, challenges and surprises one after another. When challenge strikes it’s so hard to undertake a sweeping reorganization of life – rearranging furniture, meal planning and praying for some company as a diversion to all that has changed in life.

We talked about moving in baby steps- setting goals and adapting.  Because when you are recovering you miss the subtle changes that are visible to others. We talked about coming to terms with accepting and needing help.  It’s a very hard thing to do for anyone.  It’s usually 9 parts frustration and 1 part sweet moments.  And then there are the challenges of confidence.  You don’t want to overdo it, or under do treatment protocols, but the line is never clear.

We laughed and cried, but in the end we are both so grateful to still be here.  Love is what endures.  Love is the point. Love is what grounds us. Johnny and I love you all.  Happy Labor Day.