CT Scan Update

First off let me wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. 

Well, things didn't go as well as I'd hoped they would today. I was supposed to go for my follow-up appointment on Tuesday of this week but because of the bad weather, I had to cancel and was able to get an appointment today.

My oncologist has been watching a small nodule on the bottom lobe of my right lung. Today he told me that the scan showed a 2ml growth. He's concerned about it but not recommending going back on chemo just yet. In four months we'll take a look at the next scan and see how that nodule is doing.

If I have to go back on chemo .... so be it. But I'll cross that bridge when and if I come to it.

I'll keep on fighting the battle with my positive outlook and I'm sure everything will turn out fine in the end.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Update and CT Scan - Lung Cancer

Had a CT scan February 4^th and this morning I received a call to remind me of an appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday the 12^th. I know for sure that no appointment was made for said date. This is probably just a follow-up but still, I cannot help but worry.

The last CT was in October and it was decided that I stop chemo for the time being as the scan looked good, and nothing had changed. I was and still am ecstatic over this. Five full years of chemo is enough, don’t you think.  

Once you’ve had cancer you (at least me) are worried and on guard of it returning (which has happened to me 4 times).

When they gave me a prognosis 5 years and 4 months ago of one to five years, I was determined to make it past that. My husband said they were leaning towards the one year to live mark. I guess you hear what you want to hear in a life and death situation. I heard 5, he heard 1 Most time's when I have an appointment with my oncologist, I bring someone with me as an extra set of ears because I myself tend to hear what I want to hear.

Don’t get me wrong I’ll never give in to this disease, and I’ll always stay as positive as possible.

Believe that you can beat lung cancer. Never give up and never give in.

Please think positive thoughts for me this upcoming Tuesday and thank you for visiting my blog. 

Melancholy - Flash Fiction - Shards

It's been almost a year since I've written anything. Last year was a tough one for me but I made it through. I keep checking in over at Carrot Ranch to see if anything sparks my interest or I should say gets me out of this writers roadblock. For me, there's nothing quite like a flash fiction to pique my interest and get me back into the saddle.  

So here goes, and hopefully, I will be writing again more frequently. 


Remembering back sitting in a dark dingy room, my mind constantly thinking that all I wanted was to feel normal.

.No desire to eat or get out of bed but most of all I just wanted to be alone.

At times I would think so rigorously, try so hard to make sense of it all, yet concentration was impossible to come by and all I would do was escape into sleep. Darkness was my only friend and I welcomed it.

People would walk around me as if they were stepping around shards of glass.

When would this all end? 

This piece was written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. Write a short story (99 words, no more, no less) about shards. 

Rough Writer Tour Around the World

Hi, and welcome to my little corner of the world; Orillia, Ontario, Canada, home of Gordon Lightfoot.  I’ve lived here for the past 28 years after moving from a large city called Mississauga. It was a big change, but an easy one for us as Mississauga has a population of 752,000, and Orillia has 30,550.

The summers here are beautiful as we have two large lakes; Lake Couchiching, and Lake Simcoe. Both have gorgeous parks and are easily accessed by walking trails, boat, or car. If you’re ever here in July, the Mariposa Folk Festival (a three-day event) is a must. Orillia has been hosting this festival since 1961 and has had headliners which include Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary, Leonard Cohen, Jackson Brown, Tracy Chapman, Donovan, Bare Naked Ladies, Blue Rodeo, and of course Gordon Lightfoot.

Located in the snow belt makes winters quite cold and a little less appealing to some. For many Orillia is a winter wonderland, playground.

I remember when we first moved here I’d throw put my two-year-old twin boys in their car seats and off we’d go for an afternoon adventure. Most days we’d end up at the park down at the lake where I met some lovely women, whom I’m still friends with to this day.

I’m proud and ecstatic to be included the Carrot Ranch Tour Around the World. 

It was March 5^th, 2014 (4 years ago) when Charli challenged us to write our first flash fiction over at Carrot Ranch. I’d only ever written one flash fiction before, and if I recall correctly, it was 199 words. My first thought was, how the heck am I going to tell a story in 99 words?

I love a challenge and set out to write my story about an avalanche.

As we were racing down the hill I felt a strange and eerie rumbling going on as the earth shook beneath my skis. I looked over at my son who most likely did not hear or feel anything as his music was probably cranked.

Scared to turn my head but feeling I had to; I saw the white cloud approaching behind us.  Quickly I motioned to Allan that we were in big trouble.  Seeing the look of terror on his face we both knew deep within our souls that this might indeed be the end for both of us. 

That first week we had six writers respond to the challenge; Norah Colvin, Ruchira Khanna, Jason Kennedy, Paula Moyer, myself, and of course Charli Mills. Since then the ranch has grown immensely.

What can I say, I was hooked and couldn’t wait until the following week to see what the prompt for the next flash fiction would be.

Four years later and a book is born; The Congress of Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1.  I’m so fortunate to be a part of a very talented writing community that spans all over the world. 

Contributors to volume I are as follows: Anthony Amore from Rhode Island USA, Georgia Bell, from Toronto Ontario, Canada, Sacha Black from England, Sarah Brentyn USA, Norah Colin, Brisbane, Qld, AU, Pete Fanning Virginia, USA, C. Jai Ferry, Midwest USA, Rebecca Glaessner, Melbourne, Vic AU, Anne Goodwin, England, Luccia Gray, Spain, Urzula Humienik, Poland, Ruchira Khanna, California USA, Larry LaForge, Clemson, South Carolina, USA, Geoff LePard, Dulwich South London, Jeanne Belisle Lombardo, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Sherri Matthews, Somerset UK, Allison Mills, Houghton Michigan, USA, Charli Mills, Hancock, Michigan, USA, Paula Moyer, Lauderdale, Minnesota, USA, Jules Paige, Pennsylvania, USA, Amber Prince, North Texas, USA, Lisa Reiter, UK, AnneEdall-Robson, Airdrie Alberta, Canada, Christine Rose, Oregon, USA, Roger Shipp, Virginia USA, Kate Spencer, British Columbia, Canada, Sarah Unsicker, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Irene Waters, Noosaville, QLD, AU, Sarrah J Woods, Charleston, West Virginia, USA, and myself. 

Over the past four years, I’ve had my ups and downs when it’s come to writing. I go months without a creative bone in my body finding myself unable to write a word. Many writers go through this and it is truly heart-breaking and frustrating. Flash fiction can help a writer. Just one word or one picture can make a light go off and the writer is inspired.

If you enjoy writing or reading flash fiction Carrot Ranch is the place to be. Once a week, our head buckaroo Charli, inspires us with a new word or topic to write about. Please feel free to join us for an adventurous journey. Hope to see you over at the ranch. 

Man of My Dreams

Looking across the bar that night, I saw him. The man of my dreams. He was tall, gorgeous, and he was looking at me. I just had to find a way to meet him, but I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.

He was with a bunch of people and left the group to go to the washroom. It hit me, I’d go talk to one of his friends.

I introduced myself and asked, hey is your friend single and can you introduce him to me?

That was 32 years ago, and we’re still happily married today. 

Have you ever tried writing flash fiction? It's a lot of fun and can be quite rewarding. 

If you'd like to join many talented writers please follow this link over to Carrot Ranch.

This weeks prompt was to write a story in 99 words (no more, no less) using the theme "follow your dreams". Hope to see you there!

Overspending During the Holiday Season

Swipe Away

Spend, Spend, Spend

Okay shopper’s you have approximately seven days left, get out there, swipe those credit cards and max them out, drain that bank account cause Santa’s coming to town.

No need to worry about January bills. They are not due until next year, no worries; I’ll just pay the minimums. All that matters is how much money you can rack up for Christmas this year. If you hurry you can probably still get a quick loan from the bank or better yet a payday loan. Just tell them you that you get paid at the end of January.

What do I really think?

I honestly don’t really believe in all that I just wrote up there . But I do feel Christmas is far too commercialized. When the stores start putting Christmas stuff out before Halloween is even over, it upsets me. Christmas is supposed to be a time of Joy but where’s the joy when for many people the January bills start rolling in?

OOPS overspent yet again another year. May take me all year to pay these bills off. I do realize that not everyone does this, myself included. I procrastinate about Christmas shopping until the last few days before Christmas. When I was younger I would have most of my shopping done by the end October. But now that I am older it takes me that long to figure out the perfect gift to get for those that I am giving to, or to finish making them their gift.

Twas a Week Before Christmas

It’s a week before Christmas

And nothing is done

No lights a hanging

No baking is done

No presents are wrapped as none were bought

Credit cards are tanked

Not a penny in the bank

This year for Christmas we’ll still be okay

As we have love in our hearts everyday

Christmas does not mean you have to spend

You don’t have to borrow or look to someone to lend

You better watch out, you may overspend

The bill collectors will be calling

And they’re not your friends

Christmas time is here once again

Don’t buy a bunch of junk

Buy them something they need

They may not like it right away

But they’ll use it anyways

                                                 ……..or re-gift it perhaps

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Have a Merry Frugal Christmas

I didn’t write this to be a downer to anyone, I just this year feel so strongly that people really do tend to over do, over indulge, and over spend at this time of year. If I have offended anyone I am sorry.

Hopefully this year with the economy being as it is, people will be more frugal and maybe save some of those hard-earned dollars for the rainy days that may just come.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The Children's Garden - Flash Fiction

Carrot Ranch

The children had worked so hard in the early spring, picking good locations that would have sun exposure, getting the soil ready, planting seeds and seedlings, and finally marking each plant to be with popsicle sticks. Watching them work so diligently brought joy to my heart.

Lettuce, carrots, onions, pumpkins, and potatoes were all lined up in perfect lines.

This was a project for a group of Sunday school students who were growing these vegetables for the food bank.

When it came time for the harvest we were all astonished at the abundance it brought.  Many would be fed. 

This flash fiction is written for this weeks challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using harvest. If you'd like to join us, pop by the ranch, say howdy, and join. We'd love to see you there. 

Update to Chemo, Steroids, and Weight Gain

Went and saw my oncologist this past Tuesday before getting my 48^th treatment of Pemetrexed (Brand name Alimta). I had just had a CAT scan done last week and was awaiting the results. Happily I am still in total remission and I was so happy that I forgot all the questions I wanted to ask my doctor about the steroids.

Good news is I had lost 2 pounds from my previous visit. There was no mention about my blood test until I asked the oncology nurse (not the same nurse I saw my previous visit). She said my blood work came back from that morning and it was 8.0, which is a good count apparently as I had taken my steroids for two days previous to the blood work being done. I did tell her that when I had an A1C blood test done to measure my glucose over the past 3 months it was 6.3. Her reply was, oh that’s good. 

Rather than question her I left it alone.

My oncologist after telling me the great results of the CAT scan stood with his hands on his hips saying to me, “I don’t know what we’re going to do with you. You’re such a unique case, but we can’t keep giving you chemo forever.”

My reply to him was, “Well we skip a month and make it chemo every 2 months.”

“No I’m afraid we cannot do it that way, but I can give you breaks. I’ll see you back in November.”

I was thinking to myself that maybe they have to keep me on once a month in order for the Ontario Health Plan to pay for the chemo I’m receiving.  Stupid me, didn’t ask.

Wednesday morning I get a call from the dietician that was supposed to come see me on Tuesday but never did. She apologized that she was very busy and couldn’t get to me. 

 I explained to her that I had gained 70 pounds and it was starting to affect my knees and back. Her answer to me was well we just want you to maintain your weight and I see here that you lost 2 pounds from your previous visit in August. She asks me if I get much exercise and my answer to her is I try to walk but get out of breath quite easily. Just walking up the stairs from the main level of my house or down to the basement winds me. I do walk around malls, and try to get out and get in smaller walks than the marathons I used to due pre cancer. 

I told her that I’d taken pictures of my dinners for the past couple of weeks to show her what I eat. I’m trying to cut back on the carbs and usually have a salad, protein, and veggies for dinner.  Her answer to that was, “Low Carb diets don’t work.”

They sure have for me in the past and I will continue to watch my carb intake.  

Anyways to make a long story short or shorter the dietician is sending me out some pamphlets to look at that may help me. She said that she’d see me in November at my next oncology, chemo appointment. 

A Dog's Breakfast on Not So Wordless Wednesday

We should all start out with a healthy breakfast every day. For me this includes my entire family member even my dog Maggie.

Maggie just never knows what’s she’s going to get but she does look forward to her breakfast.

Today for breakfast she got her kibble, Brewer's yeast sprinkled on top for her natural flea control, one 900mg Glucosamine Chondroitin for arthritis,  topped off with scrambled eggs and cheese.

Some people would say “Wow what a spoiled dog.” Well why shouldn’t she get what she likes and get a healthy start to each day. J

If you’d like to join our Not so Wordless Wednesday please join our link up at Dog Pawsitive Tidbits, about pets and animals.  

Steroids, Weight Gain, and Chemo

Dexamethasone (Steroids) 

At my last chemo appointment I saw my oncology nurse. After weighing me and looking at my blood results she said that she wanted me to go for a blood test as my sugar levels were high. Then she proceeded to draw a picture of a plate with how many carbs, protein, and veggies one should have at a dinner meal.

I’ve always prided myself in knowing what a well-balanced meal is. So I was a bit taken back as she was talking to me as if I’d never seen this before.

Since first starting chemo 4 years ago I’ve gained 70 pounds. It’s been very frustrating as I don’t eat any more than I did before starting chemo. When I first started gaining the weight I was told (by my oncology nurse) it was due to the steroids I had to take and that weight gain was a good thing while on chemo. Now her tune has changed and she has set up an appointment with a dietician for me.

I went and had a blood test done yesterday and it’s showing that I am pre-diabetic. I’m assuming this is due to all the weight gain I’ve had over the past 4 years. So my plan now is to cut out as many carbs as I possibly can.

I will be seeing the dietician on Tuesday of next week. I’m hoping that she can give me some tips on how I can lose some weight. For the past few weeks I’ve been taking pictures of my dinner plate (which is smaller than a normal sized dinner plate) to show her what I eat. Hopefully this will be helpful.

If anyone that takes steroids and has weight gain would you please leave me a comment if you have any tips for me. Thanks so much!

The Adventures of Maggie and Bruce - Flash Fiction

One year when I was in Florida my son called me saying that Maggie and Bruce (our 2 Newfoundland dogs) were gone. I panicked and asked him what happened. He said that he came home and the door was wide open and no dogs. I told him to go out and find them. What did he expect me to do, I was 1400 miles away.

He went out looking for the dogs without much luck. When my husband got home that night he helped in the search. Still no luck. The next day my son Matthew who lived close to the animal shelter decided to go check to see if by some chance they were there. He walked up and there they were happily playing in the outside pen. The attendants said that they were the best inmates they'd ever had. Friendly and very obedient.

This week's Flash Fiction is to write in 99 words, (no more, no less) about an escape artist. If you'd like to join in on the fun of flash fiction, please follow the link over to Carrot Ranch.

Here is my flash fiction.

Come on Bruce let’s get out of here, the door is partially open.

Okay Maggie let’s go, I’ll follow you, lead the way.

Up the street the two dogs went as happy as pigs in mud.  They had a great day wandering the streets and going to the park. They met a few dogs along the way making new friends.

Then a man appeared out of nowhere with a van and coaxed the dogs over. They both loved to ride so in they went.

Arriving at the animal shelter they had a feeling they were in trouble. Now what?

Lock the Bathroom Door - Flash Fiction

Meg was having a nicotine fit and needed a smoke. Her parents were home so she went into the bathroom.

Sitting on the toilet taking that first drag, she felt instant relief.  

She heard a tap, tap on the bathroom door and panic set in. “I’ll just be a minute”, she said.

Quickly she put her hand behind her and was about to drop it into the toilet when her mother walked in to comb her hair.

If I drop it she’ll hear the sizzle of the smoke hitting the water.

Seeming like forever her mother finally left.  Reprieve.  

This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at Carrot Ranch is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about a story that features sound. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. 

Revenge Pie - Flash Fiction

Look Joe, I made you a pie.

Why would you do that?

I wanted you to know that I still want to be friends even though you made fun of me the other day.

Well it was pretty funny when everyone laughed.

Come on Joe just one little bite, it won’t kill you.

What kind of pie is this anyways, it looks kind of gray.

It’s just the color of the flour I used.

One bite was all it took.  Joe spat it right out.

Sandy ran fast to get out of Joe’s reach. 

Mud pie, my oh my. 

This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at Carrot Ranch is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about a story that features pie. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. 

Wordless Wednesday July 19 2017

Picture taken at Friends house in Toronto, Ontario

The Tree House - Flash Fiction

Meg was determined to find out today what was in the treehouse. When she saw Johnny going up there she called to him. “Wait for me I’m coming up.”

“No, there’s not enough room, and it’s too high.”

We’ll see about that, Meg said to herself.

Once inside she thought, wow what a cool hideout, and took a seat on the floor towards the back.

“Meg you’re gonna have to leave, my friend’s coming up, and there’s not enough room.”

“I’ll just move back.”  Pushing against a burlap curtain, out of the treehouse she fell, landing on the ground. 

This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at Carrot Ranch was to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about an unexpected landing. It can be acrobatic, , an unplanned move or created into a metaphor. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. 

The Storm - Flash Fiction

Squinting, trying to see a few feet in front of the car was impossible.  I only wish there was a car in front of me to follow. 

OH NO ICE! Don’t panic, I said to myself, and for God’s sake don’t hit the brakes. 

Slipping and sliding losing control of the car ….. SHIT, I was in a ditch! Oh great now what.

Unprepared for this dressed in heels and a short skirt, walking would be suicide in this snowstorm. Better stay put.

Freezing to the bone, hours later, I could see a most welcomed beacon of light. Safety. 

The storm was written for a Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch. If you like to read or write short stories please join us by following the link. This weeks challenge is to write a 99 word (no more, no less) story about a beacon. 

Frayed - Flash Fiction and a Rant

I’m so sick and tired of all these trips to the hospital. If it’s not for chemo it’s for CT scans. For a week after I have to feel like a bag of sh_t.  But I must stay strong, I must stay positive. Why because that’s how I’ve enabled myself to live this long with this wonderful disease.

Never give up; never give in, if you follow this you’ll truly win.

My nerves are becoming frayed and today I just wanted to vent. Thank you to all of you that read my post today. Your support and love mean the world to me. 

xoxoxo

This week’s prompt from Carrot Ranch is to write a short story (99 words- no more, no less) with the keyword being “frayed”. If you would like to join us or read more flash fictions please follow the link. 

Sitting on her bed with her head heavy in her hands, Meg felt as if she was going to explode all over the walls. She didn’t know how much more she could possibly take. Her nerves were frayed and she was exhausted from all the bullshit that was going on in her life.

She started her new job but wasn’t quite feeling all that comfortable yet. Her step-mother kept calling her work, only to complain about her father. The endless calls were driving her to drink.

Meg’s cell rang. Not again! She let it go through to her voicemail. 

Dreams Come True - Flash Fiction

Meg was having a hard time finding a new job. She’d been on countless interviews and was starting to wonder if she’d ever find a job. Exhausted from travelling all over the city, she flopped down on her bed in tears. As she drifted into a deep sleep she was thinking the move to this new city might have been a bad idea.

That night her deceased mother came to her in a dream and told her everything was going to be okay.

Meg was woken by the phone. She was offered a position and could she start immediately. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch.  This weeks challenge was to write a story that involves a dream, in 99 words (no more, no less). If you enjoy reading or writing flash fiction, please do join us by following the link. You won't be disappointed as there are many fantastic writers at the ranch. 

A Frustrating Chemo Day

Had today what I thought was going to be my every two month chemo treatment. Little did I know that my oncologist and I were on a very different page.

At my last visit to him he said to me I'm going to put you on chemo every 2 months rather than once a month. I was ecstatic. I For the past month I've felt like my almost old self.

I wasn't looking forward to going to chemo today at all knowing that over the next week I'd be getting all the side effects from the lovely drug (Pemetrexed) they shoot into my system.

My oncologist walks into the waiting room and asks me how I'm doing. I reply with I'm doing great thanks. So the break did you good he says. Break? I reply. I thought that you said I'd only have chemo once every two months? Oh no, he replies I was just giving you a month off and now you'll be back to your regular once a month treatments.

Talk about getting that last visit wrong. I called my husband who went with me for my last visit and he said to me, Oh I thought I heard that he was only going to have you going to chemo every two months. That made me feel better as I thought for a few minutes that maybe I was loosing my mind. LOL! Al then proceeded to say to me, well maybe it's for the better that you continue on with the treatments every month rather than every two months.

I'm approaching my 4th year of chemo and to tell you the truth I'm getting sick and tired of it. I just want it to be over. The treatments that is, not life itself. I suppose I should be grateful that I'm still here to write about the frustrations, tribulations, and conquering all that I've been through.

So this has been my frustrating day. Sorry this has not been a happier post. So until next time, which I hope will be happier news I wish you all a fantastic week!

The Anniversary Dinner - Flash Fiction

As soon as Jim walked through the front door the aroma of Megs cooking put a smile on his face.

“Oh my goodness woman what are you cooking? There’s enough food here for six people!”

“Just the two of us, I wanted to make it a special dinner. After all, it is our anniversary.”

“Are those lobsters?”

“They sure are, and to go with them we have steak, mushrooms, crab legs, shrimp skewers, scallops, and a Caesar salad. Just wait till you see dessert.”

Jim could barely do it, but he ate his cherry cheesecake and felt totally content. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. This weeks challenge was to write a story about "feeling content", in 99 words (no more, no less). If you enjoy reading or writing flash fiction, please do join us by following the link. You won't be disappointed as there are many fantastic writers at the ranch. 

Trading Places - Flash Fiction

“I wouldn’t want to trade places with you for all the money in the world.”

“And why is that?” she asked.

“I am married to my best friend, my soulmate, and I couldn’t possibly be happier.”

“But I get to travel the world and live in a much nicer house than you have, not to mention all the expensive things I have.”

“Things, travel, a house not a home, could ever replace what I share with my husband. We have something so special that you will never understand. It’s sad that you think your life is so much better!”

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). This weeks the prompt is "trading".  If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.

Mac N Cheese - Flash Fiction

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

The day at school had not been that great for Brenda. The bully in her class decided to pick on her for some stupid reason. 

Walking home in the cold damp rain, chilled her to the bone, and she couldn’t wait to get home.

As Brenda opened the door the sweet aroma she knew oh so well, coming from the kitchen, put a smile on her face. Warmth returned and the day was forgotten. Grandma had made homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner.

How could she have forgotten? This after all was traditionally made on Thursdays. Life was grand. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). This weeks the prompt is comfort food. If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.

Good News From CAT Scan

Went in today for my monthly chemo treatment. I had to see Dr. Anglin, my oncologist, beforehand. When he walked in with a big smile on his face, I knew the results from last week's CAT scan were good. He shook my hand and said same as usual, all clear.

Peter, (Dr. Anglin) then proceeds to tell me that he's been talking with his colleagues about me and how I'm such a rare case to go from Stage IV inoperable lung cancer to total remission within 3 years and am still going strong.

Part of the CAT scan was done on my neck where my lung cancer was first discovered through swollen lymph glands. This is where the total remission comes in as the scan showed nothing in my neck lymph glands.

I thought for sure I was going to be told no more chemo needed. They still want to keep me on the chemo as a preventative treatment but not once a month anymore. For now it will be once every two months and then eventually once every three months. I'm pretty ecstatic over this news of today and wanted to share it with you.

CANCER CAN BE BEATEN!

Have a great Day!

The Onyx Ring - Flash Fiction

Grandma would sit and tell Molly stories about her life in the old country. Scotland sounded amazing to Molly but what she most wanted to know about was the ring grandma wore.

Well dear this ring wasn’t always a ring. Your grandpa gave me this as a necklace that I wore for years. One day I decided I wanted to make it into a ring and took it to a jeweler.

It was a black onyx stone with a diamond in the middle and Molly just loved it.

Years later when grandma passed away, Molly was given the ring. 

I always thought that onyx only came in black but after doing some research I found that onyx comes in red, purple, blue and white. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.

It's Been Awhile - Happy Easter

I just realized the other day that I hadn't posted anything on this blog since last December. Wow!

I've been working on my Poetry Blog for most of the year so far and promoting my children's books. I'm so close with the book sales to be able to send Ronald McDonald house a cheque. Sadly you have to wait until you hit $100.00 before they'll pay you.

Yesterday I went for a CAT Scan. What normally takes only a few hours turned into a 4 hour ordeal. It got to the point where I thought they'd forgotten about me and asked the nurse that hooked up my port if I would soon be seen. My appointment time was 10:30 and I left the hospital at 2:30. Apparently they had a lot of people coming in from emergency that needed scans.

I always worry that they'll find something. I'll find out the results this upcoming Tuesday when I go for my 44th Pemetrexed chemo treatment. The waiting is always a killer. It's hard to believe that I was diagnosed 4 years ago this coming September. Who ever thought I'd make it this far. It's been quite the ride to say the least.

Well that's about all the news for now. I hope that everyone has a safe and very Happy Easter long weekend!

40 Treatments of Pemetrexed and Still Kicking

It's been just over three years now since I was diagnosed with lung cancer and considering they gave me a year to live I'm doing great.

During this journey so far to date I've had 8 treatments of CISplatin and gemcitabine, and 40 pemetrexed treatments. When I first started I never dreamed my body would be able to handle so many chemo sessions. I am lucky as I've never had to skip a treatment due to blood work coming back bad. 

Yesterday when I saw my oncologist he gave me the results of my latest CAT scan, and bone scan I had done, a week ago. Nothing has changed with the CAT scan and I'm still in remission. YEAH!!!! The bone scan revealed that I have arthritis in my hip. This is easy to deal with as they wanted to rule out cancer when they did the bone scan. 

People often say to me, oh I thought you'd be done with the chemo since you're in remission. I only wish this were so. I'm tired of chemo once a month but it is keeping the cancer at bay for now. Pemetrexed for me is a maintenance drug and it's doing its job. There is no end of chemo for me as long as my body can handle the treatments. My oncologist told me that because the cancer is in my lymph nodes that it will always be there. My job is to keep fighting and not to let it spread. Thinking positive has gotten me this far and I plan on getting much further. 


Merry Christmas Everyone!

Mr. Beaver Plans a Party - Just In Time For Christmas

I remember the day my illustrator, +Sannel Larson wrote me and said if we hurry, we can get your book Mr. Beaver Plans a Party out just before Christmas. I was so excited as I wasn't expecting it to be finished until 2017. Here it is Dec. 7th and it is available to purchase on Amazon.

If you have a little one you are buying a gift for this Christmas my book is suitable for ages 3-7.

Mr. Beaver Plans a Party is the second book in a series of three. The first being The Day Mr. Beaver Met a Moose. I'm hoping that I will be able to publish the third one in the upcoming year.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
May your home be filled with warmth and good cheer.

Thanksgiving 2016 and Ten Things of Thankful

A beautiful center piece made by my Mother In Law.

Last weekend was our Canadian Thanksgiving and I’ve been meaning to write a post about it all week. Since this is for Ten Things of Thankful I thought today would be a great time to post this.

We had a great turnout for our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday October 9^th, which is my first Thankful.  The holiday itself is was on Monday but we always have the dinner on Sunday. This way everyone can recuperate before returning to work on Tuesday.

There were ten of us sitting around the dinner table; my three sons, two of their girlfriends, my mother in law, my sister in law Christy, her boyfriend from Arizona, my husband, and myself.  Dinner turned out perfect and everyone contributed to the meal. Thankful , (#2).

So ecstatic and thankful (#3) that Christy, my sister in law has met the man of her dreams, John Mark Green. He is one of the sweetest and nicest men I’ve ever met. He’s a keeper and I’m so thankful that he makes Christy so happy. (#4) Welcome to the family John!

Christy & John Thanksgiving 2016

All three of my sons have wonderful girlfriends, which makes me so happy. (#5) Family dinners are such a treat when everyone is here to enjoy each other’s company and the food too of course. 

Had my 38^th pemetrexed chemo treatment this past Friday and thankful that I’m alive to say that I’m still in remission. (#6) Christy has become my new chemo buddy, which means she comes and sits with me through the appointments once a month, (#7).

Autumn or Fall is my favorite season and this year is one of the most beautiful ones we’ve had in quite a few years. The weather has been unseasonably warmer for which I’m thankful, (#8).

I’ll be driving to Florida with my mother in law this upcoming Friday and I’m looking so forward to the trip, (#9).

For my number 10 thankful ……., Waking up every day to enjoy another day of life.

One more ..... Thanks to +Lizzi Lewis for the years she's put into this blog hop over at . Considerings