Around the house and garden... the apple trees are heavy with fruit, and there are a few flowers left in the raised beds, but it's time to replant. Farther afield, there are pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere, as Half Moon Bay is the "pumpkin capital of the world, " and the Pumpkin Festival is happening next weekend.
I am thinking... about what passes for "normal" these days. Paul just completed round four of chemotherapy. He will have to complete eight rounds total, all done in-patient at the hospital and each lasting about 4-5 days. He starts a new round approximately every 21 days. When he's done with chemotherapy, we will assess what happens next (but it's likely that the Doctor will recommend a bone marrow transplant). His treatment/healing is a much longer process than I think I had realized. I am thinking that I have to recognize this as "normal." One week in the hospital; two weeks home. Repeat. Aside from being a bit tired and losing his hair, Paul feels surprisingly good. The new "normal" is enjoying what we can, when we can. It's guarding against infection and taking lots of pills. But it's also going out to our favorite Chinese Restaurant (Xiao Loong in San Francisco), and Paul continuing his consulting business.
I am thankful for... all your thoughts, prayers and good wishes.
From the kitchen... a fantastic turkey lasagna brought over by my friend Barbi.
I am wearing ... an orange San Francisco Giants t-shirt. Our baseball team is not fairing well in the playoff, and we are already beginning to think about next year . . .
I am hoping ... that we all survive my daughter's teenage years. She seems determined to make every possible mistake, and I think she is learning from them.
I am reading... lots of college applications, as my son Henry begins applying to schools in earnest this month..
I am busy creating... sketches on the theme "cabinet of curiosities" and artwork for Dias de los Muertos.
I am hearing... my husband snoring. It's a welcome sound. I'm so glad he's home.
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That's what's going on in my life. What's up with you?
warm wishes as always for making the best of the new normal.
ReplyDeleteHi Rinda, it's good to catch up with you today. Life is full for your family this year - adjusting to change can be quite a challenge!
ReplyDeleteTake care .... and enjoy the snoring!
Accepting the new normal can be so hard, sending lots of good wishes to you & yours.
ReplyDeleteYes....I agree with with Amy.
ReplyDeleteTeenage daughters certainly can be a challenge....but I'm sure you'll both come through it more or less unscathed!!
These glimpses into your everyday life are a wonderful reflection on how you are coping with extraordinary circumstances. It is amazing when things go awry how we can take up the baton and make the abnormal the normal.
ReplyDeleteI love the black and white photograph at Xiao Loong and you and Paul spending an evening together.
Thanks for the update, I've been thinking of you and Paul. I'm glad he's feeling OK. Sending lots of prayers your way xx
ReplyDeleteIt DOES take a while to get used to a new 'normal' and you sound as though you're handling it well..and I too am certain that you and Clara will survive the teenage years! Loving thoughts and prayers heading your way
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Loving warm wishes from all of us here as you go with the new normal. I only wish I was close enough to bring round some turkey lasagne myself..we were thinking of you both so fondly the other night when J had a work function to attend in Benedicts
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers every day. It sounds like you are making the best of the "new normal." There is certainly a LOT for you to deal with right now.
ReplyDeleteHugs Rinda! I'm glad to hear Paul is feeling good! Teenage daughters are tough! It's amazing how a sweet child can turn into someone you don't recognize so quickly! Sending Clara prayers that she learns from her mistakes and learns to make good choices even when it's not the cool thing to do.
ReplyDeletethanks for the peek into your world. i think we (people in modern times) are always having to adjust to a new normal but some changes are more drastic than others. take care and let yourself really sink into those good moments while they are happening.
ReplyDeleteThings like this really do make you sit up and make the most over the good days and times that you have. Hope that Paul responds well to his treatment and that if necessary, a bone marrow match is soon found.
ReplyDeletesending good thoughts and strength to you all... my mom used to say about teenagers that "it's the time of their life, not yours" ... and i never really understood that until Angelina turned into a teenager ... and i realize it IS the time of her life to figure out what sort of person she's going to be and all i can do is help her figure out how to be that person... i know that Clara will be an AMAZING adult because she's an amazing kid, but it's the time of her life to figure out how to become that amazing person ... anyway ... anytime you need to vent, lemme know!
ReplyDeleteMariana
Glad that Paul is back with you for the time being - it must be comforting to hear him snoring - very normal. My thoughts and prayers are with you - I am thinking of you and Deb at this difficult time for you both. Things round here are very quiet now that Penny is at Uni - trying to get used to a new kind of normal here! Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the glimpse into your life at the moment. Praying that Paul responds well to his teat net.
ReplyDeletegood to hear Paul is doing well. Good luck to your son with his applications!
ReplyDeleteYou do live an interesting life. Hope the followings weeks fly by for you and Paul, and he continues to feel good.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that things are going to plan with Paul and as for teenage daughters, you will both come out the other side wiser and it does get better, honest!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a lot on your plate Rinda...I'm amazed that you can be creative at all. Glad Paul is showing some progress, but as for teenage daughters.....I remember how wilful I was and how I am now almost sedate...so there's hope.
ReplyDeletelooking forward to your sketches Rinda :) Enjoy your visits to Xiao Loong and Take care :)
ReplyDeleteLots of good thoughts and prayers for you right now-and wondering how's ou find time to fit everything in? There must be more hours in your day than mine!
ReplyDeleteSnoring is the bane of my life at times, but I guess I would miss it if it wasn't there....maybe!
ReplyDeleteHoping you can all find ways to adjust to your new normal x
Loving wishes to you and yours Rinda.I'm glad that Paul is handling the chemo ok and will hold you in my thoughts constantly x
ReplyDeleteGlad the new normal holds some of the old - meals out at favourite restaurants, being able to work and snore beside you makes things sound comforting too.
ReplyDeleteLovely to read these glimpses into your life, I value them as a diary I can look back on.
As for teenage daughters, ah yes... I empathize!
what a wonderfully hopeful and down to earth post- sending you all lots of love and luck from rainy ole London town.
ReplyDeleteI'm moved and touched by all the things which are happening in your life right now, and how you are adapting to a new normality - and how the energy of the young always manages to get us involved and a-doing!
ReplyDeletekeep positive both of you and take care xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful narrative of your days! Your life is so full -- the wonderful, the complicated, the enriching, the delicious -- and you are taking in every bit of it. I'm hoping I survive my daughter's pre-teen years... it's starting already! :D
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