October 20, 2012 - Write 4 Ten - Appendix (How My Appendix Saved My Life)

 

 

This entry is a “Write 4 Ten” story, in which one writes for ten minutes on a given prompt.  Want to try it for yourself?  Click on the little lady up there to visit Donna B. McNicol’s site.

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You can read all about this lovely little body part on Wikipedia by clicking here.  In short, the appendix doesn’t really do much in our bodies these days after years of evolution, except . . .

I went to bed on July 10, this summer not feeling all that great and with a little crampy feeling.  (Okay, you may already think you know where we’re headed here.)  By 6 PM the following day, I was headed to emergent surgery in a local hospital with what was discovered to be a ruptured appendix.  By that time, I really didn’t care, as the morphine was doing its work and I was feelin’ pretty darn mellow.

My surgeon was absolutely tickled and perhaps a bit amazed, (“You’re doing so well, considering . . .” ) that I was up walking the halls the morning following surgery and was progressing so very well.  Fast forward to my follow-up visit with him about 10 days later for removal of stitches. 

Again, my postsurgical progression was almost extraordinary, considering the condition of my appendix at the time of surgery. 

That was the good news.

The not-so-good news was routine pathological examination of the appendix showed a tumor, defined as goblet cell carcinoid.  Goblet cell carcinoid is a very rare type of cancer with less than 1000 cases diagnosed in the USA annually and an overall 5-year survival rate of 76%. 

Actually, there was more good news.  Because of the appendicitis, the tumor had been found in its early stages, Stage IIA.  Following more extensive surgery a month after the appendectomy, I’m well on the road to recovery with a decent prognosis .

Had I not had the appendicitis, the tumor would not have been found until very probably in a more advanced stage and my prognosis would be much more dire.

My wee vestigial organ was looking out for me, along with whatever angel or spirit or being in which you might believe.  Yes, my appendix saved my life.

Have you hugged your appendix today?

Thanks for stopping by!  Now go write!

I am a Warrior.

October 17, 2012 - Write 4 Ten - In the Ambulance

 

This entry is a “Write 4 Ten” story, in which one writes for ten minutes on a given prompt.  Want to try it for yourself?  Click on the little lady up there to visit Donna B. McNicol’s site.

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In August of this year, I experienced my first ambulance ride.  Although I was conscious and the situation was not immediately life-threatening, it did necessitate the calling for an ambulance and EMTs.

Looking back, some aspects were funny.  Well, at least to me with my somewhat “dark” sense of humor.  Ever look at the TV show “Emergency” or “ER”?  The ambulance staff is supposed to alert the hospital that they are in their way in with a patient.

These guys did not have the emergency room phone number of the hospital.  At least one did not have their cell phone with them.

So here’s where my inner strength persona Sarah Conner of the Terminator films kicks in.  “I have the hospital main number programmed on my cell phone.  You can call it and get routed to the emergency room.”

Sheesh!  Here I am the patient, for goodness sakes, and I’m providing resources for the ambulance staff!

Talk about being one’s own advocate in a healthcare situation.

Seems like one of them might have been fairly new or in training, as he appeared a bit unfamiliar with the operation of the stretcher.  All I could think about was “I sure hope they don’t drop me” when sliding the stretcher out of the ambulance and lowering the stretcher legs.  It looked like a bit of a drop to the ground from my viewpoint and I could just see a broken arm or ankle on top of my other medical issues.

I will say that they were professional, friendly and compassionate.  The three-man crew got me to the hospital where I needed to be, safe and sound and expeditiously with no incidents. 

Thanks to the staff of our local rescue crew for an interesting experience, albeit one I hope not to repeat for a long, long, long time.

October 10, 2012 - Write 4 Ten - A Field of Flowers

 

 

This entry is a “Write 4 Ten” story, in which one writes for ten minutes on a given prompt.  Want to try it for yourself?  Click on the little lady up there to visit Donna B. McNicol’s site.

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There were few flowers the day we gathered, coming together for a bittersweet occasion.  Among friends old and new, our purpose was to honor a loved one no longer with us on this Earth.  There was gentle laughter and quiet talk, old memories shared and new ones in the making.

I began reading the tribute to our loved one I had prepared in the prior days.  Smiling and fighting back the tears as I recited the words, I knew our beloved was present in Spirit and smiling her winning grin as she heard the words sharing her life and personality with the small gathering in the bright sunshine.

Our dog Maggie was with us, having come into our lives only a short two months prior.  She was her usual friendly self, only toned down a bit in what all remarked was a showing of respect to the one we were honoring. 

As my words finished, I noted I was not the only one with eyes misted over, yet there was an atmosphere of joy and love in the air.  What more could one ask at a life celebration for a dear one?

A few months later, I received photo from my friend, on whose property our celebration had taken place.

“Baby’s spot” was now covered in Texas Bluebonnets after nourishing rains, a lush field of flowers. 

I do believe my beloved canine companion  of so many years would be pleased that her ashes are part of not only Texas and such a lovely setting, but that she is resting with friends.

July 26, 2012 - Write Club

 

Click on the picture to read what it’s all about

Just a bit ago, I signed up for this. 

Yes, I do have a lot “on my plate” right now, but this sounds like fun.  The fact that only one submission is required sealed the deal for me, as I cannot obligate myself to a regular schedule at this time; I can handle one submission!

Click on the photo above to hop over to D.L. Hammons’ site Cruising Altitude, check it out and sign up!

I’m Wearing Yellow and LivingSTRONG

Now go write!

July 10, 2012 - Tuesday Tips

 

 

If you’re looking for some easy reading for these sizzlin’ hot days when you are spending time indoors or at least in the shade, check out my friend Donna’s books on her blog My Write Spot.

Go grab one (or two or three or all of ‘em) for yourself and kick back in the cool with a refreshing beverage of your choice.

Let’s see, it does say “tips” as in plural, doesn’t it?

Did you know that the American Heart Association has an app for your iPhone?  It’s Pocket First Aid & CPR.  It really is nifty-keeno, informative and simple to navigate.  The “Respond Now!” section addresses several emergent scenarios/conditions and gives instruction on providing CPR.  You’ve spent $$$ on “toys” and items for your rig; how about dropping less than $2.00 for an app that could help you save someone’s life?

That’s it for me, peeps.  It’s cooler than previous days, but still bloody hot out.

Hope you’re stayin’ cool!

Thanks for stopping by!

May 30, 2012 - Napping Blogger Award

 

 

What a very cool surprise to be given the nod for this award!  This comes from Donna over at My Write Spot; she created this award and handed it out today.  I must also say thanks to Sadie, as it is her remarkable face you see in the award.  Did you know Sadie has her own blog at Sadie Speaks?  She’s one very hip dog.  It’s special to me coming from Donna, who is being a real friend and source of support and encouragement on my newly-announced path as a writer.  Another aspect that touches my heart is that it is from Sadie, too, as she’s the model in the photo.  I hope one day to meet them both in person, have a good yap session, share stories and laughs and compare tattoos.  Well, I don’t think Sadie has any tattoos . . .

Awards come with responsibilities, so I best step up to mine.  Here’s what I have to do:

1. Link back to the source, which I have done above.
2. Share with you what I do for me.
3. Nominate five other bloggers who might need a nap  or who seem to have very full lives and could use a prompt to take time for themselves.

Ready?  Here we go!

It’s All About Me

• I wear ear buds and listen to tunes on my Blackberry while I mow the property.  Eccentric, but true.  As the barn swallows swoop and dance around me, my head is filled with Madonna, John Denver, Jackson Browne, the Eagles and others depending on my mood.  It’s very Zen-like, exhilarating and soothing all rolled into one experience.  My soul smiles.
• Tucked up in bed at night, I may read or perhaps do a Reiki self-treatment or meditate.  Music again plays a part with the Reiki and meditation.  It may be my favorite Reiki CD or perhaps another CD with a guided meditation or music which enhances an altered state.
• I teach.  What?  Yes, I teach.  While this is really about my students - sharing CPR skills or Reiki techniques for their benefit - teaching is a passion of mine.  Everyone benefits from the experience.
• Lately it seems that writing is something I do for me.  Looking back to that Winter in Scotland, I suppose it really started then; I just never thought of it that way.  I find blogging and writing to be therapeutic and fun!

It’s All About Them

Here are the five bloggers to whom I’m passing along the Napping Blogger Award:

• Candace at Life or Something Like It!
•  Susan at Travel Bug
• Jerry and Carol at Waggin Tails RV
• Susan at What’s Up With Susan and Company
• Phyllis at The East Heads West

I hope each of you five will go to My Write Spot and choose the badge color you want to display on your blog.

Now while these folks do take time off now and then from work or looking after others, I am of the belief that a gentle reminder from a friend to do for oneself never hurts.  So there you have it – my nominees, all definitely worth a read.

Thanks for stopping by!  Now go write!

May 16, 2012 - Tweet, Tweak, Twiberr . . . Um . . . Triberr

That’s either my bones creaking or the sounds emanating from my laptop the past few days. 

This writing path sure has proven to be a busy and crazy one so far.  Who knew?  And why didn’t you warn me?? 

First off, thanks to everyone for your visits, your comments, your nudges, your Tweets, your everything! 

This week I have felt as if I have fallen into the deep end of the social media pool!  Where’s my floaties??  Actually, it’s all good, just a bit manic on my part as of yet.  I’ll get a handle on all this and into some sort of manageable system soon, before the pleasant men in their clean white coats appear with nets in hand.

That’s the Tweet and Twiberr – no, wait, it’s Triberr – part of today’s title.  The tweaking of this site has been going on in bits and pieces as I find time.  At the top there is now a link to my “everyday” blog, Phoenix Once Again, where one can find my Blogging from A-to-Z April 2012 Challenge entries.

Some of those posts are, I feel, some of my better efforts, including Baby’s Story (Baby my dog) and a bit about my cancer experience.   These may give you a hint at where my writing project is headed.

Again, thanks for all your Tweets, Triberr mentions, and so on.  I apologize for not reciprocating much yet, but that will change once I have a system and schedule in place.

Of course, said system and schedule is always subject to change depending on natural disasters and interruptions by that entity with a (warped) sense of humor we know as Life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Write on!

 

 

May 14, 2012 - I’ve Been Blitzed!

 

Well, I’m gobsmacked! 

While some definitions of “gobsmacked” describes a person being appalled or confused, a common Scottish usage is that one is shocked, surprised, taken totally off guard – in a pleasant way. 

This was my state this morning on discovering I was the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness Blitz (#raokblitz on Twitter).  Sister writer and full-time RVer Donna McNicol (visit her at My Write Spot) really blind-sided me with this! 

I suppose I should have suspected something was up yesterday when she was encouraging me (with a sense of urgency) to have this site live by this morning.  (I decided over the weekend to move this site from WordPress to Blogger and was messing with it yesterday.)   Never even crossed my mind that I was going to be given a mention.   What a surprise!

If you have read some of Donna’s flash fiction, you should be ready for a surprise ending!  You can not only check out her work at My Write Spot, but also now on Amazon.com.  I read Tagged the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it.  (Yes, Donna, on my “To Do” list is posting a review on Amazon.  )

Well, I certainly feel “tagged,” honored, surprised and  encouraged to pursue my writing project/dream.   “Encouraged” can also be translated to “swift, firm yet gentle kick in the hiney.”

That being said, I had best get other items off my plate for the day and week so I can spend some time with The Muse and tweaking this Web site.

Donna, you rock, lady!

Thanks for stopping by!