GOT MY CAR

Well, I also got my car, through no effort on my part.  It is a 2001, Saturn sedan, black and shiny.  I bought it from a car auction place in Forest Park, GA.  I bid $1600 for it, then the seller said for some reason, 'I want to sell it to her for $1700.  What's with that?  Auctioneer told him he couldn't do that.  What I've learned is that cars are there for various reasons - such as, repo, title, and cars that dealers couldn't sell.  I think that was the case with my car. 

<><  <><  <><
In addition to the $1600, I also ended up paying $500 in auction fees, etc.  I also bought tires, and had a problem fixed that was drawing power from my battery when it was turned off.  I now seem to have another problem with the battery.  It looks good, and when I get all the bugs out it should be a good deal.  Saturns are suppose to be good cars.  My oldest daughter has always had a Saturn, and she is satisfied.

<>< ><> ><> <><

WHAT NEXT?

I've been trying to coordinate the writing and art workshops at Piedmont cancer care programs with my visits with Dr. Tran, my oncologist.  The workshops are very encouraging and thought provoking. I don't think that SE trans will provide transportation. I would like to get a car soon and/or move back to Atlanta.  Although I am trying to start a chapter of Sisters Network here, there is nothing going on in support of breast cancer survivors here in Greene county.  Plus it is very boring here.

I just got a treadmill, and I am trying to come up with a schedule on using it.  It took me a week to get it out of the box, another week to put it together, then two weeks to decide on a location.  My 2 year old grandson encouraged me to get on it, when he got on and I had to get on to keep him from hurting himself.

Dr Tran's office got me scheduled for the pt/lymphedema check, scheduled for 12/10, at the hospital.

Dr. Tran also gave me a recommendations for GI, and I am scheduled for a consult with Dr. Okoro on 12/13.

I'm still waiting on the appointment for the ultra sound.  I'm sort of uneven, lopsided, due to the radiation of only one side, and Dr. Tran said she could not really tell what was going on, what is scar tissue, expander or whatever. Also, for that reason, I would like to see a plastic surgeon when it is appropriate.

What should I do regarding Dr. Davidson, the surgeon?  Should I call his office, is a there a formal procedure I should go through for him to release me?  

I am praying and trying to stay on track, and not get depressed - 

********************************************************************************

 I try to develop a routine. I call in to a prayer conference call every morning to 

get going (6a- 530-881-1000 code 254793), then if I get up brush my teeth, 

wash or shower, eat breakfast, take my meds, I feel as if I've accomplished 

something for the day. Sometimes I end up lying around watching tv, but I feel 

better if I work on a couple of projects like quilting or writing. It's not easy, 

because I live alone and I know that no one but God will know if I spend all day 

in bed, plus I will know. I want to get better, and this is all part of the 'fight'

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/5-non-food-ways-to-boost-your-mood/http://www.rd.com/slideshows/5-non-food-ways-to-boost-your-mood/

I HAD TO TAKE MY FOCUS FROM ISSUES AROUND ME - DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND CANCER TREATMENTS - AND "...LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS...", BY TAKING AN AMTRAK TRAIN TRIP. I WAS THEN ABLE TO PUT EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE. GOD IS IN CONTROL. GOD IS MY HELP...

I had a nice night on the double decker train last night. The train from Atlanta was a single 'story' train, and I felt so confined and found it hard to sleep sitting up. But this train had two levels, with observation, snack and dining car. I slept in the observation car where I could stretch out. I also met some interesting people while sitting in the lounge. One was a writer. A journalist and playwright who also writes for children. We had an interesting conversation, plus she gave me some good tips on how to progress in my writing. ***** I am now in Chicago. It is freezing here. As I got off the train I was hit with a blast of arctic air. It is only October! This Union Station is a little different from the one In Washington, D.C. For one thing there is more construction, although it seems large, just not well laid out. ***** I also learned something about 'Union Stations' - A union station (also union terminal or joint station) is the term used for a train station where tracks and facilities are shared by two or more railway companies, allowing passengers to connect conveniently between them. The term 'union station' is used in North America and 'joint station' in Europe. Historically, a union station was used by all passenger trains serving the city. Today, this is not necessarily true. In Chicago, Illinois, for example, commuter trains use Union Station and three other terminals, while the city's Union Station handles all intercity traffic. **** Union Stations in North America Indianapolis, 1850 New London Union Station, 1887 Portland, Oregon, 1890 St. Louis, Missouri, 1894 Alexandria, Virginia, 1905 Washington, D.C., 1908 Salt Lake City, Utah, 1909 Worcester Union Station, 1911 Winnipeg, 1911 Kansas City, Missouri, 1914 Denver, Colorado, 1914 New Haven, Connecticut, 1920 Ogden, Utah, 1924 Chicago, 1925 Toronto, 1927 Cincinnati Union Terminal, 1933 Los Angeles, 1939

Well, I am on the first leg of my trip - Atlanta to Washington, D.C. Union station is amazing, lots of shops and people and amenities, really high end. I just wish I had more money so I could buy something at each stop. I'll do this again, its a great way to travel, I spent the night on the train and will again tonight on my way to Chicago. So, the clothes changing and washing is the only issue so far. I get to Sacramento in about three days and meet my sister, a hot bath sounds heavenly, and it's only been one night. ;-)

VACATION!

HALLELUJAH! I GET MY VACATION, IT HAPPENED IN THE MOST AMAZING WAY. WHEN I STARTED THIS JOURNEY OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I LOOKED FORWARD TO A VACATION ONE DAY WHEN ALL THE TREATMENTS WOULD BE OVER, I WANTED A TRAIN RIDE AROUND THE COUNTRY, DIDN'T KNOW HOW, AND DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE YEAR WOULD BE LIKE. BUT GOD KNEW - HE KNEW WHAT THE TREATMENTS WOULD ENTAIL, HE KNEW HOW I WOULD BE TREATED BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, FOR GOOD OR EVIL. Isa 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward.

SISTERS BLOGGING AGAINST BREAST CANCER: I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIV...

SISTERS BLOGGING AGAINST BREAST CANCER: I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIV...: I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS THIS CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO RAISE MONEY FOR RESPITE/TRAVEL FOR WOMEN BREAST CANCER...

I am back in Atlanta going through radiation treatment. Tests indicate that the cancer is gone, in spite of biopsy reports. God is not a God of confusion. Please pray for clarity, so we can move on into what God has planned. I am at the Hope Lodge while going through radiation treatments, should be finished in a week or so, total of about 6 weeks. I'm grateful for the opportunity to stay here for the duration of treatment. I am grateful for my doctors at Piedmont and even the second opinion at Emory. Everyone there is thorough and professional. I have a new oncologist, Dr. Tran, who is great. She has started me on herceptin and also I should be starting a hormone blocker that will be injected every 4 weeks. Dr. O'Reagan at Emory, Windship said that since chemo has not worked in the past I shouldn't start with it again. So we will be working on the 'triple positives', for hormones and Her2. No one can explain the discrepancy between the biopsy and pet/ct scans. Finally, the girls are looking out for a car for me, Kat & Lilah. Please keep this in prayer. If I get a car and no one breaks into my apt, I won't have to move. I don't mind driving. Wilma J. Johnson, MSW, Ed.D. EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT/MISSIONARY

I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS's

I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS THIS CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO RAISE MONEY FOR RESPITE/TRAVEL FOR WOMEN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS. This campaign will receive all of the funds contributed by Tue Dec 04 at 11:59PM DONATIONS IN THE $25 RANGE RECEIVE A POLYMER HEART PENDANT DONATIONS OF $100 OR MORE - QUILTED PILLOW CASE PERK - A HANDMADE LAP QUILT FOR DONATIONS OF $1000 OR MORE http://en.indiegogo.com/projects/197513

BEREAVEMENT AND CANCER TREATMENT

My mother was killed in a car crash 6/6/12.  She was driving, my father was in the passenger seat.   My father has always loved to drive, he can't anymore.  He brags that one year he drove across country, from California to Tennessee, over 3,000 miles, twice.  Now his eyesight is failing from cataracts and glaucoma. He cannot even read anymore, something else he loved to do. 

My mother was killed instantly, my father got a serious cut on his knee.  We had a memorial service at the church 6/16/12. She will be cremated this week. She was well loved and will be missed.

I returned to Georgia 6/19/12.  Kat, my daughter,  picked me up from the Atlanta airport and brought me home to Greensboro.  I had left my parakeet, Petie, home alone and was relieved to see that he was doing ok.  I had left him plenty of food and water, but I didn't know how long I would be gone, and if it would be enough.  He was fine, maybe a little peeved with me for leaving him.  They are very social birds. 

Before I left I was referred to a surgical oncologist, who suspected a recurrence of the breast cancer, this was the day I left for California (6/7/12), and referred me to a radiologist. The surgeon did a biopsy (6/26/12), should have the results soon.  In either case, they want to do radiation treatments beginning 7/10/12.  The nurse navigator, at Piedmont, is trying to get me into Hope lodge, please pray.

This isn't suppose to be happening.  My mother is also not suppose to be dead.  She was healthy, nothing physically wrong with her.  Reminds me of a song by Mandessa, He is with you.  One line says, 'God, what you do that for?'