Dear Reader:

These days Imodium is my best friend…I don’t go anywhere without it. I try to keep reminding myself that these stomach issues that started with the switch to another daily chemo regime is temporary and hopefully will acclimate over time…(the sooner the better.)

I just have to stay ahead of the condition with those tiny little pills and watch what I eat. It hasn’t been even one complete monthly cycle on the new drug…so I need to concentrate on eating small amounts throughout the day and staying positive. This too shall pass.…and believe me it does. 🙂

Yesterday morning I popped my Imodium pill…headed straight to Publix…picked up Brooke and Ted some lunch meats from the deli along with salads and other easy fixin’s to take to Walterboro. I also took a fun beach romance novel and a goodie bag to munch on.

I didn’t have any trouble with my stomach and Brooke and I had a chance to see each other…sometimes you just need to ‘lay your eyes on‘ someone who is a sister to you to make sure all is well. Brooke was a  little subdued from the earlier pain medicine and neck/back discomfort… but still taking everything in stride. It is times like these when  (I am sure) Brooke wishes she could fast forward time and have the therapy completed and her arm/shoulder fully functional again. And it will happen!

After I got back home I noticed that I had heard from a wonderful friend, Lisa Register (used to teach with me at Alston) on my email/facebook…she liked the story of the 97-year-old prom queen out-dancing all the “youn’uns” at the prom and added this quote in her response to the post and the choice of love the granddaughter gave her beloved granny…Perfect!

Dr. Elko: “If you focus on being a blessing to others-instead of looking for blessings to come to you…it will change your life.”

After resting for awhile upon my return… I called Jackson and Libby to update them on Brooke. When Jackson called back…she talked about her first knee replacement surgery and how she dreaded the long road ahead too of physical therapy (what Brooke is facing)…and then one day…one of my blog posts had a message in it- (the same as the title message today) that changed her attitude and perspective.

“There are people who would love to have your bad days.”

Jackson said that made her sit up and take notice…she told me she keeps that message on her dresser drawer and reads it whenever she feels down. Between Jackson’s and my telephone conversation and Lisa’s quote in her response yesterday…I realized just how much support I have through friends on a daily basis and what that support means to me every single day of my life.

Most important thought in life…What we send out is far more important than what comes in…so let’s keep sending out blessings and being thankful for our “bad” days…Think about it…have you ever met a strong, admirable person who had only an easy past?

So until tomorrow…Yesterday was National Cancer Survivors Day so stomach issues or not…you can rest assured that I am just happy to still be here with everyone I love and like Beverly Barutio (creator of St. Jude’s Chapel) remarked… these minor issues are just “annoyances”…certainly nothing to stop living life to the fullest over!

Today I leave to go spend the night with Walsh and Mollie so I will be there bright and early Tuesday morning to attend Rutledge’s kindergarten graduation….my goodness how time has flown!

Today is Libby’s Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She, too, is facing some surgery coming up on the 11th…but she has shown such fortitude preparing for this surgery…the Ya’s are very proud of her for all she has endured to date …even before the surgery. We love you Libby! BIG BIG celebration with the Ya’s when you are up and about girl!!!