Ruth Update, October 15, 2007

Dear Friends, Relatives, and Prayer Partners,

It is amazing how little life changes when you find out that you have incurable cancer. I go to work, I go to the grocery store, I sleep in my own bed, and do laundry. I worry about Timmy's school work. I think about what I will crochet next. I even ordered some yarn! As if I didn't have enough stash.

At the same time, I have learned a little about what is really going on, here. According to most expectations, I have several years left, and most of them will be pretty good. One person even promised me that I would see Timmy graduate from high school. He is in seventh grade. She did not, however, promise that I would play with my grandchildren. I hadn't told her about my college freshman son, though. No, Matt, no rush! I am much more concerned about your happiness in this matter than I am concerned about playing with babies. I should have plenty of time to knit and crochet things for those grandchildren, though. There will be a hug in every stitch.

Another point is that there are advancements made in cancer treatment all the time. The drug that can keep me alive indefinitely could be available any time. The drugs that cure cancer could be out there, and we just don't know it!

There are many kinds of miracles. Just look at HIV-AIDS. Those who are lucky enough to have quality health care can live healthy lives for years, as long as they take their medicines. The vast majority of people with HIV, though, will never see those drugs. The same with cancer. I am alive today because I have good health care. People who don't have access to that health care die, and sometimes people don't even know what has killed them. I just heard today that the Indian Health Service often doesn't treat cancer. Some service.

Okay, I will get down off of the soapbox that I am not qualified to stand upon.

I just had my first Aredia today. Assuming that I don't have a bad reaction, my next infusion of it will be on November 12th. I will also get the Faslodex shot at the same time. I am supposed to get lab work done so that it is available on the day that I have the infusions. They need to watch my kidney function with the Aredia.

I plan to attend a support group tomorrow evening.

You haven't seen the last of me!

Please pray for whatever miracle we can get. Please also support medical research however you can.

Get your mammograms. Do your self-exams.

Ruth
http://ruthsmusings.blogspot.com

My brush with Harlotry

When Stephanie Pearl McPhee said she was short, we didn't realize how serious she was:







But, seriously, when knitters go to a Yarn Harlot event, they wear their best stuff. Unfortunately, my best stuff is crocheted:
























Stephanie didn't hold it against me, though, and she signed all four of my books, and even let me hold the travelling sock! We did not plan our wardrobes. Honest.


















There were, of course, other knitters. Here is my buddy Jayme, and she is a production knitter. Or, maybe I should say she is a producing knitter:

















And, just in case you were wondering what to get me for Christmas, I wear a size 12 women's shoe. These are Birkenstocks:

Now, I have to get going. We are going to New York! Gotta throw some stuff in the bags.

The world's biggest yarn stash

Paul has gotten me some large plastic bins for my yarn stash. I would like to have three of them: animal, vegetable, and mineral. So far, I have two, and haven't started filling them yet. I have been a bit busy with house guests.

If ever he starts complaining about my yarn acquisition problem, I will point him to the World's Largest Yarn Stash Okay, so the Book of World Records maybe hasn't vetted this claim, but I know of no other contenders.

In the category of positive thinking, we have another entry

I need to seriously start working on my stash. I have some projects in mind, but haven't buckled down.

Keep knitting and crocheting!

Ruth