Family, Kami, and the Bi-Weekly Crash

I surprised Kevin and the girls Friday night by nabbing Kami for the weekend.  We haven't had her in over a month!  I'm scared to keep her when I'm home alone because of the medications that I take (in case she tries to wake me up or something,) and we have had several weekends of company.  This weekend found my family at home and no scheduled company, so I jumped at the chance.

Being day 3 of a chemo cycle, I was having trouble functioning Friday night when I stopped by mom's, but my brother is in town and I wanted to see what was going on over there.  Slowly, the rest of my clan showed up to be surprised by Kameron running to them.  At that point, I headed home to my trusty recliner.

Kevin and I went to the grocery store yesterday, leaving Kami with the girls.  I made it through the store OK, although still running out of breath easily.  I think that is all due to steroids, and I shouldn't have to take those any more, now that my chemo regimen had changed.  After getting groceries all put away, we headed to Mom's for the afternoon.

My appetite was starting to come back, but fruit is all that sounded good, so I ate a ton of fruit.  LOL  Kevin, my brother Jim, and the others all spent HOURS shooting skeet and targets in the back, while I hung at the house with Kami, Mom, and the other non-shooters.  It was nice to spend a whole afternoon over there, although I feel like such a slug when I barely move from the chair.

By last night, I ate part of a cardboard pizza (am I the only one who calls them that?) and it seems that my appetite is back.  This morning's cereal tasted amazing.  Today is crash day, but hopefully my last crash day. If it's true that I no longer need the steroids, then it should be my last.  I'm hoping that Kami wakes up soon so we can play before I melt into a pile of goo in this chair for the rest of the day.

My brother and his family will head home this morning.  I didn't get to see a ton of them, but it was nice to see them as much as I did.  It's been a long time.  I hate that cancer chemo robbed me of being able to take part in the festivities more, but I'm thankful that it exists.  I hope they get home safely and come back sooner next time.  I'll be ready to hang with the gang by then!

Saturday 'N Stuff

Yesterday sucked pretty bad.  I hurt all day, and even had to break out the hard-core meds.  (I haven't taken stronger than Tylenol or Advil for over a week.)  It was depressing to feel like I was going backwards as far as healing.  I don't know why it happened or if I did something to cause it or if it was a reminder that I'm not 100%, but it sucked.

My buddy Susie sent an amazing fleece blanket to me that she tied, to take to treatments.  I got it at work yesterday.  I really needed a good surprise, so her timing was impeccable.  Made me get teary and girly at work, but I blamed the meds.  :)  On Kevin's way home, he picked up Kameron.

Talk about the fountain of youth!  Even sitting here feeling crappy was easier, just watching and chatting with her.  She's so animated and funny.  The girls took her up to the fair for a bit to scope things out for today.  We'll go up and let her play some games this morning, come home for a nap, and then get a wrist band for her to ride for a few hours tonight.  (She's already informed me which horse she'll ride on the carousel.  Now THAT is planning ahead.)

I slept in the recliner last night, and I think it helped.  I'll know for sure after a hot shower and some coffee.  That's my usual morning medication, and it's usually enough.  Here's hopin'!  I am in desperate need of a real good weekend, and I'll do everything in my power to make it so.  Who could be down and discouraged with the town fair going on???  Not me!

An Amazing Day with Family

It's been a LONG time since all four of our kids were in the same place.  We had them all today, and most of their family members as well.  I can't stop smiling as I look through all the pictures on Facebook.  Here are my kids:

They get along so well these days.  Well, not always:

I add the boy's ladies, and their kids:

And I'm smiling.  No, I'm beaming.

Nighttime

I wasn't sure what I was going to type about "nighttime" for the 30 Day Photo Challenge, until I realized how happy it makes me to see Kami running around in her PJs before bed.  Sometimes, she even wears my slippers!

Memories

The 30 Day Photo Challenge asked me to show memories.  I am a grandma twice, and that will become three times in August.  This is the first time I saw my first grandbaby with my own eyes.

Movement

I wish I had a picture that actually showed the movement going on here, but you'll have to trust me.  There was a LOT of movement going on.  For the 30 Day Photo Challenge:

Smile

Day two for the 30 Day Photo Challenge is "Smile."  This child can make me smile when nothing else will.  Believe me, it was much needed today.