Getting back to my blog

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. That blog was about a friend with breast cancer. She's had more complications than I had, but is doing well now. She sees the surgeon tomorrow and will find out about lymph nodes on left side.

As for me, I have several articles to do for the Globe Gazette. So I will be busy with that. Have one drafted - the October Home of the Month - three to do for 30 under 40 about people who are contributing greatly to their communities - and one that a business man called me about this morning.

Found out that my editor was originally from Oskaloosa and knows Curt and Shirley. Curt was the first teacher to tell her she writes well. Have to get that off to Shirley.

Have a lot of research to do about a Medicare supplement. Social Security. SHIIP. DHS. It has me worried, but Harry said it's 99% sure that Blue Cross will have an open enrollment period. AARP has plans with United Health Care that don't require medical history, but do require info on health plans used in the last 60 days.

A Friend Has Breast Cancer

A friend who helped me through surgery and recovery has recently been diagnosed with cancer in both breasts. At first, it sounded as if her situation with cancer was better than mine, but they kept finding more, so it is about the same. Lymph node affected on left side. Mine was discovered on right after surgery, hers was discovered before surgery. She will meet with surgeon today.

I am rereading information I was given in order to help her and her family. Plan to go to hospital for her surgery, if only for a little while, to be there for her family. Then will visit her when she gets home. I have two camisoles and will give them to her for her use so she can wash them and not be stuck with wearing the same one all the time for weeks.

She is a nurse, so is more familiar with the medical system at Mercy. Of course, by now, I'm pretty familiar with it as well.

Yesterday, I knew the news wasn't good when her sister left me messages twice without leaving information about this series of biopsies. So I was pretty anxious about getting the information.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Have just reread The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and it is as timely as it was in the 1960's. The life as a child with the murder of his father and the institutionalizing of his mother, leaving him and his siblings at the mercy of the state. One insurance company - his father had two policies, one small - saying his father had committed suicide. The larger policy would have kept the family off welfare.

The life hustling on the streets, the burglary that put him in prison -- longer sentence because he was involved with a white woman. And then the conversion to The Nation of Islam, led by Elijah Muhammed. The work in the fields gathering converts to The Nation of Islam, the eventual betrayal by Elijah Muhammed, the trip to Mecca, another trip to the Mideast, and then the assassination. Leaving his wife, Betty Shabazz, four daughters, and a fifth daughter on the way. I'm not sure how his widow supported the family, other than from proceeds from the book. Decades later, Betty died from burns in a fire set in her apartment by a grandson.

He met Maya Angelou in Ghana. She then planned to come back to the U.S. and work with Malcolm X, but he was assassinated before she could work for him. The same with Dr. Martin Luther King a few years later.

I always preferred Malcolm X to Dr. King, even though both were needed in the Civil Rights movement, because Malcolm X was so blunt and direct.

Writing more

Have lots of articles to do this month for the Globe Gazette. But think the advertorial won't go far, as the deadline for ads is tomorrow, and I've only had four articles referred to me so far. One with a chiropractor who has a new baby boy, and is a bit scattered these days. Also have to have advertiser proof the article before submitting it. Three in. Waiting until Tuesday to contact the chiropractor again. At any rate, if the advertorial doesn't go, I assume the articles will go in one way or another, like they did the last time there was an advertising section that didn't sell enough ads.

Boots has turned into a real pain when I'm on the phone or have company. With company here, he won't leave me alone and is on my lap crabbing at me when I'm not petting him. With the phone, in the living room, he's on my lap. In the bedroom, he's beside me meowing. You'd think the poor creature never gets any attention or goodies in his food bowl.

Paul called and then later I got ahold of Annie, who insists I should get an older dog that is well trained and take it on walks. No dog, thank you. Even though I do indeed need to walk a lot more. Talked to Pat and Matt.

Have to take the car in for a check on the water coming from the vents on the passenger side. Right now, I don't have time to have it in the shop for two or three days, if that's what it would take. Just want to have Brad take a look at it and come up with what will be involved fixing it. That's the side that blows in dust, too, so maybe it's just the vents fouling up.

Boots was not amused

Yesterday, some friends came over in the afternoon and brought along their 9-week-old Bichon Frise puppy, who weights maybe three or four pounds. She was in a large carrier. Mostly she stayed in her carrier, but she was out to be cuddled a bit.

Boots stayed in the living room the whole time the puppy was here. Usually, he goes back and forth to the bedroom. Not this time. He never took his eyes off the puppy, or the carrier when she was in it.

I've often said to Mary Ann that we should get Callie together with Boots. Callie is a Llaso Apso. Now I'm having second thoughts, although I still think it would be a riot. An actual riot and a riot of fun.

Boots Holds Down The Fort

Lately, Boots has been taking his after-food snoozes underneath the end table that has the CD player and CD's on it. It's right by the front door. Have no idea why he's decided to switch from the bed to the door. He still wanders into the bedroom once or twice during the night. Then switches from one side to the other so I'm facing him whenever I turn over. During the day, he holds down the fort whileI'm gone. When he sleeps by the door, he can always be right there when I get back.

Katie has her drivers license and a 1992 Chevy Blazer, that looks to be in good condition. Now she has to work to pay for gas. She's working for her dad some and also has worked for a friend of Jessica's. Mainly, she just wants some freedom now. In California, she can't have other teenagers with her in the car unless there's also an adult. Seems like a good idea. She's also learning how to drive the Ford F150 while pulling the horse trailer. Quite a feat for a new driver.

Good news

Wednesday, Dr. McKone was very, very positive that I will not have a reoccurrence of breast cancer. He is a radiation oncologist. Radiation burns have healed nicely, but still need moisturizer. This is such a relief. The comment came about when I was telling him what Dr. Bate had said about not taking Tamoxifen as it wouldn't do much to decrease risk and that I could take it if a reoccurrence did occur.

Have passed the word on to friends and family.

No more problems since TIA. Will ask Dr. White about switching to cumidin. Simply can't afford Plavix. These are for thinning the blood.