Friday the 13th and the birthday of Gloria's father, Oren Kelsey. Happy Birthday Grandpa! Day 10 of our journey and we are still getting along here, although things are starting to get a bit more arduous. Mom is tired and has more symptoms of side-effects from the chemo. There is much sleeping, some reading/listening, and lots of nursing staff visitations. Yesterday Mom got her first blood transfusion, which gave her enough energy to manage two walks around the halls. Dr. Stanford (her IV stand) is still accompanying us, so Gloria is still tethered, which can cause frustration.
Today Robin Miller arrived from Chicago to keep Team Gloria company. It is so nice to see her face and have her entertain us with fun stories of Emma the Dog and Tippy the Turtle. In return, we hope to show Robin the sites of Columbus, including the Olentangy River and German Village. Mom is so thankful for all of the support that she has received from family and friends in the form of comments on the blog, personal emails, jokes, cards, and gifts. Thank you to everyone who has sent their love and support! It hasn't gone unnoticed. Gloria is so exhausted that it is hard for her to respond and send her love. Please know that she is so appreciative and don't be offended if you don't hear back! Your thoughts are so important to her and are helping to buoy her spirits. The rest of Team Gloria also send our love and thanks to all of you for your support! The hazelnuts from Oregon were particularly delicious (So Eat Already!).
Love to all,
Rebecca, Karen, and Sidney
Hey GG~~
ReplyDeleteJust like old times, here's one for you, my "blonde" friend! :) Love and miss you!
A blind guy on a bar stool shouts to the bartender, “Wanna hear a blonde joke?”
In a hushed voice, the guy next to him says, “Before you tell that joke, you should know something. Our bartender is blonde and the bouncer is blonde. I’m a 6′ tall blonde, 200 lb black belt. The guy sitting next to me is a blonde, 6′ 2, weighs 225 and he’s a rugby player. The fella to your right is 6′ 5″ pushing 300 and he’s a wrestler. Each one of US is blonde. Think about it, Mister. You still wanna tell that joke?”
The blind guy says, “Nah, not if I’m gonna have to explain it five times.”
Hi, Gloria! Just checking in to say hello..and to say that I need to hear those stories about Emma the Dog and Tippy the Turtle! :) Prayers and thoughts are still going out your way from all of us...well, they may be more in the form of meows from the four legged members of the household who remember the lady with the treats! :) ....but you are never far from us. Case in point: Michael got home last night after a week on the road, and one of his first questions was "Any news about Gloria?" Yep, you are big part of our daily lives. Much love from us both!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we knew things were going to get tough sooner or later. The good news is you will get through it one breath at a time. Keep on breathing. There's lots of love coming your way from many different directions.
ReplyDeleteThis a great article, although it takes a while to realize all of this.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-tomczek/cancer-advice_b_1628266.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false
xo Ann and Steve
I had a wonderful phone visit with Rebecca and she shared her visit there with me. She is torn between your precious parents and Bill and wanting to be by your side. How blessed you are to have her as your sister! She does bring healing energy with her through her touch and her actions and I know her guided imagery was a gift and a blessing. I hope that you and your team have some time to re-group and rest. Sending positive thoughts for a good report this week. With love and hugs,
ReplyDeleteScotti
Good morning, Gloria! I'm anxiously waiting to hear how things are going..you're never far from my thoughts, but you probably know that by now! :) I'm so thanksful for the updates. With much love as always....
ReplyDeleteHi Gloria... thinking of you!! The heat has been so sweltering, I'm sure your LA family felt like they were right at home ;). Sending positive thoughts your way and hoping you are released from Dr. Stanford soon... cannot picture you bound by anything!!
ReplyDeleteGlo,
ReplyDeleteSadly, the real work of healing is down and dirty. I am sure at this point you are not feeling very strong or mighty, but the truth is that your spine is tempered titanium and those ugly blastocytes are now getting that message that they are sadly mistaken if they think they have a chance of surviving inside you. You are at the center of this war, but you are not alone on the battlefield. Team Goldman, your blog family and your skilled medical team are sending you love, healing energy and some very potent pharmaceutical warriors. I hate that you have to experience any tough times, but if that is what it takes to get you healthy and back with us, so be it. We will all keep sending you our thoughts, prayers and healing energy and we will keep reminding you to stay strong. You are very loved and in all of our hearts. How many times have we said "it is what it is?" This journey is made up of a million tiny steps, and I know that you will keep putting one foot in front of the other till you get to the finish line and can raise your arms over your head and say F--you leukemia, I win!! You are one very tough cookie, with some very big guns backing you up, so, watch out blastocytes, you don't know who your are dealing with!!
xoxoxoxox , much love and healing energy, Bev
Hi there! It was great to see your face over the weekend, and those of lovely Rebecca and charming Sidney. Other than the agonizing therapy and diarrhea, it looks like a pretty good hang.
ReplyDeleteLuca forgot to tell you his big joke. Here it is: "Luca ate the Wasabi!!!". Isn't that hilarious?
Looking at it now, it might need a bit of a set up.
We were out to dinner the other night and ordered Luca a seared tuna appetizer. We were sharing nachos and other things and Luca was enjoying his tuna. He's learning the key German drinking rituals, so he'd periodically hold up his milk glass and say "Prost", waiting expectantly until we clinked our beer. Small plastic Edouardo the bunny and Kitty the frog were joining us for dinner and required my two hands cupped into a cave as a "cosy" place to rest. Our main courses finally arrived and we began giving Luca bites from our plates as well. All of a sudden, Naren said, "Nooooo? The wasabi!" and Luca, with red face and bewildered and watering eyes, stuck out his tongue and said, "Haaaaaahhhhhgghh!". Naren reported having watched the act as if in slow motion - generous, green lump of wasabi entering child's mouth before he could do anything about it. After getting hugs from mom, drinking much milk and eating some soothing guacamole, Luca felt better. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled and said, "Luca ate the wasabi!!". Cracking himself up every time he remembered the event for the rest of the day. Still brings a gleeful smile to his face.
I hope it does to yours as well. Love Jessica
Well Good Morning,
ReplyDeleteAgain, I spent some time at church this weekend asking God to provide you and your family with much courage and strength. As we all know, you have to be in the trenches before you make it to the top! We are all doing the army crawl in the trenches with you, cheering you on, every step of the way:0) I wish you much peace today. Remember "one day at a time", that is all you can ask of yourself (which I know how hard that is for you to do)!! I hope Dr. Stanford is released of his duties soon to provide you with some feeling of freedom. Hang tough Gloria..we are all right here beside you...every step of the way :0)
Many hugs and love to you and your family.
M