Thursday, March 24

Quote of the Day: Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. Helen Keller

From Waking the Warrior Goddess: Custom # 12 Get adequate amounts of selenium every day.

At the Cancer Center at IMC, there is a mural w/ leaves and on the leaves signatures of many, many people. The saying on the mural: Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. And isn’t that what we all have to do if we want to live life to the fullest.  As much as we want everything to be perfect and everything to go the way we would like it to go, we have to deal w/ life as it is and what has been given us and be joyful.  It’s a reflection of our gratitude for what we have been given when we are joyful.  I think that’s why we seek out books and movies where people overcome incredible odds or circumstances and yet are joyful.  On the one hand, we find it hard to believe that they could have a positive attitude after having lived through such horror and atrocities and yet we gain so much strength from knowing the depths of the human spirit.

Day 3 after Chemo-  Sue Buehner came over and met me to walk. She had already run that morning so this is above and beyond the duty of friendship that she came to walk w/ me but I think she understands that if I get outside and get some exercise, it will boost my immune system and my mentality.  It was a little hard to go up hills- flat was a bit better.  I felt ok and so glad to be outside!  It’s getting warmer which I’m really grateful for.  So they say Day 3-5 are the worst for nausea, so we’ll see.

My Mom, Jen and I went to breakfast at Millcreek Cafe.  It felt good to eat a warm omelette-mushrooms, spinach and mozzerella cheese- food’s a little hard since- my stomach can only take so much at a time.  One thing I remember hearing about food and chemo- don’t eat the foods you love the most or you may never eat them again.   After breakfast, we went to Headcovers by Joni and I bought some coverings for the bald head in my future.

Carson Hymas- one of my former students and Humanitarian Board Director from Community of Caring and most importantly one of Taylor’s best friends wrote me an amazing note.  He and Taylor both got called to Guatemala City missions-  Taylor is serving in the Central and Carson (I think is the East) but Taylor was so wanting to see Carson when he came to the MTC in Guatemala.  Picture of their meeting at end of blog.  From Carson:  “… I hope this finds you in good spirits if not God is there.  …I can’t imagine what you are going through or the extent but I know you will take it on.  This sickness chose the wrong woman to mess with.  …I’m just some 19 year old kid figuring out life, but I know a few things.  God is in all things, to help and to lift burdons, to heal and to comfort.  To pick us up when life knocks us down.  Elder Carson Hymas.  Wow, it never fails to amaze me what can happen to a 19 year old boy who chooses to serve a mission w/ all his heart.

Thanks to my mom, Janet, for bringing over this beautiful bracelet yesterday and for the sweet note from John and Carol Skeen, bread and endearing note from the Monsons including Sydney and Taylor!  Susie Beaudoin brought over the most beautiful and delicious pasta salad and fruit.  I dont’ think I’ve ever tasted fruit that good.  It was colorful and sweet.  Best dessert ever!

Carson and Taylor in Guatemala