Dancing Through the Valley

As I get more practiced at this blogging technology I'll be able to share the music I'm listening with you -- today in the chemo room it's a wonderful CD by Jorie Henderson: Songs of Deliverance (http://www.myspace.com/joriemusic). Her song, Valley Dancing ("Dance through the valley, dance through the rain, let your teardrops be refreshing rain, splash around in the puddles below, dance.)" is perfect for today -- a day of saying goodbye to Mom (back to South Dakota after a wonderful week of nesting, prepping and experiencing Day 1 of chemo) and my 2nd day of treatments.

After my treatments we spent a relaxing afternoon at home: me, setting up this blog and doing e-mail; mom, finishing the chemo cap she started knitting yesterday and going back to Lambspun to trade in the 2nd ball of coral yarn for some corn silk blue for a 2nd cap. Enjoyed a large lunch of Colorado Ostrich and salad left over from a nice "girls night out" dinner with Mom and Jay's Bistro.

About 3:00 I could tell that my body had lots of not normal stuff in it -- like being in a clamp all over, a hard fuzziness all over. Did feel well enough to go out to Old Chicago (since we don't have cable) to watch two family alma mater teams play each other in the NCAA Women's basketball tourney: Iowa State Cyclone's vs. Stanford Cardinal. I didn't go for the usual things I'd eat there but had a small plate of cobb salad -- eggs, turkey, peppers, lettuce. Cyclones must not have eaten very well either as they really couldn't match Stanford's game...but did mean we didn't have to feel bad about leaving early to get the kids to bed on time.

Had to wake up to an alarm every several hours during the night to take the recommended anti-nausea meds. That kept my stomach cool all evening but didn't make for a perfect sleep night. Nonetheless woke up feeling way better and quite energetic all morning as I kept plugging at e-mail/communications catch up.

Now wrapping up the in chemo center and will have Hannah and Hugh delivered here in a few moments, then off to our usual Tuesday Soccer/Guitar juggling. Sounds like I'm ok to drive so may be Dennis and I will divide and conquer on the sports/music/dinner logistics.

So for now, I'll relax a few more minutes and thank God for this unique time in my life.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca ("Tears"),

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-8