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Saturday 17 October 2020

Health Update 3, and Other Things

Hello, people.

I wanted to let you know we're still okay, here in the house of the Procrastinating Donkey.

Although there has been a lot of trial and error with my husband's medication in the time since I last posted, his pain and other symptoms are now better managed, and he is also taking a steroid that increases his energy and appetite.

He has completed his first chemo cycle with no significant side effects, which is good, and has begun the second cycle. We are also concentrating on feeding him as many calories as he can take in. He has lost so much weight, and we want to turn that around if possible.

We won't know until mid-December if the chemo is working or not. Until then we are grateful for every day that he is feeling more comfortable. 

Thank you all again for your positive thoughts, good wishes, kind comments and very appreciated emails. I have thought of you all many times but haven't had much time to read or write. The days just seem to slip away like water through my fingers.

*****

The "other things" in today's post title are some of the websites and blogs where I find respite from the heaviness of life. You might enjoy them too. Some of them will deliver their goodness to you on a regular basis if you sign up for email notifications.

For the links that go to Twitter accounts, don't worry if you do not have a Twitter account yourself. You can view these Twitter feeds whether you have an account or not.

Enjoy.

bluebird of bitterness

We Rate Dogs

Thoughts of Dog 

Mutts

Whoa City (formerly Whoa Interesting)

deAdder Canada (Canadian political cartoons by Michael deAdder)

deAdder (international political cartoons by Michael deAdder)

Akki

Savage Chickens 

 

 *****

And some funnies.

 

 


 


 


 

 


 

 


So tiny :)


  Take care, friends, and I hope to return soon.


60 comments:

dinthebeast said...

It's good to hear from you again. I hope your husband's chemo is working, and I'm very glad to hear that he's feeling a little better.
I have been thinking of you, and also of the Chicken, who has been MIA for a while now. Do you know how she is doing? I'm a little concerned.
I have seen various We Rate Dogs posts retweeted here and there, but didn't realize they were a rescue org.
We sent our ballots in, and have received the notice that they will be counted, so now all we can do is wait. And work in whatever ways we can to try and save the republic.
May both of you be feeling much better very soon.

-Doug in Sugar Pine

Elephant's Child said...

HUGE thanks for the update, the links and the funnies.
I continue to hold you and your family firmly in my heart.
And to curse blogger who has already refused once to accept my comment.

Bonnie said...

It is so wonderful to hear from you but please don't ever feel obligated to post. You have many more important things to spend your time on now. I am so glad to hear that there is some improvement with his pain, energy and appetite. I continue to keep you both in my prayers and positive thoughts.

I love the web sites you linked! I will be visiting them often myself. And of course your funnies are always the best. May you both find the joy and happiness in each day for even in bad times it is there to be found and celebrating those good parts of life can be healing in itself.

Hugs and love for you both!
Bonnie

e said...

Sending hugs!

Joanne Noragon said...

Thanks for all you mean to us.

Marie Smith said...

I think of you often Jenny. Good news about the progress of the chemo. Sending all good thoughts across the Strait to you both.

Red said...

Thanks for the update. I hope that there is progress in the treatment.

River said...

So much of medicine is trial and error because no single person is exactly the same as another, but the relief when something works is worth its weight in gold. So glad he is doing better and hopefully putting a few pounds back on. Still thinking of you.

Infidel753 said...

Thank you for the update. Very glad to hear he's feeling better. It's a promising sign.

LL Cool Joe said...

I hope that your husband continues to feel more comfortable. I also hope that you are looking after yourself at this time too. Thank you for the links and the memes, I think we all need cheering up at the moment.

37paddington said...

I am glad to get this update that things are moving in a positive direction. There is much to be hopeful about in this post, and I shall continue adding my prayers. Love.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

It's been a long time but that is perfectly understandable. Thanks for the update and fingers crossed that your husband receives some positive news about his chemo in December.

In the meantime here's a story about a donkey.

Father O'Malley rose from his bed one morning. It was a fine spring day in his new parish.

He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside. He then noticed there was a donkey lying dead in the middle of his front lawn.

Not knowing who else to call, he promptly rang the local police station. The conversation went like this:

''Good morning. This is Sergeant Jones. How might I help you?"

"And the best of the day ter yer good self. This is Father O'Malley at St. John’s Catholic Church. There's a donkey lying dead right in der middle of me front lawn."

Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk, "Well now Father, it was always my impression that priests took care of the last rites!"

There was silence on the line for a long moment and then Father O'Malley replied, "Ah, 'to be sure, that is true - but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin!"

Martha said...

Jenny, I'm so sorry that your husband is ill, and all that you both are going through. Sending you lots of hugs and wishing him well with his treatments! I'm glad to hear that he is doing better and feeling more comfortable. And I hope that you are also taking time to care for yourself. xo

Steve Reed said...

I'm so glad to hear things are going relatively well so far. Keep us posted, and meanwhile, I hope you're able to get some weight back on that man! I haven't looked at "Bluebird of Bitterness" yet but I love the title. :D

Mary said...

Good to hear from you. Hoping your husband is able to put on some weight and do well with the ongoing treatments. Please make sure you also take care of yourself in the midst of all that is going on. And as my British mother used to say, Keep your pecker up!

jenny_o said...

Hi Doug - thank you for your good wishes. I haven't heard from Chicken either. Her email is on the "About" page of her blog. You could try that, although I'm not sure how often she checks it.
The We Rate Dogs twitter is actually not a rescue organization although the author frequently posts fundraising info on behalf of dogs who have medical costs their owners can't cover on their own, so the young guy who runs the account is still definitely doing good things on behalf of dogs everywhere. He also authors the Thoughts of Dog twitter account.
I'm glad you've got your votes in (there was never any doubt in my mind that you would!) and I hope that, come November 3 or very soon afterward, the horror show ends. It's frightening to see how many people still support the current administration, though. Fingers crossed!

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your unfailing support, EC. It is a constant source of comfort.
I hope the commenting issue goes away. It seems your persistence was rewarded eventually but I worry when folks have trouble getting their comments accepted.

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your good wishes, Bonnie - and you're right about celebrating the good parts of life. Some days throughout the summer it was hard to find them but things are better now and we have lots of good moments to enjoy. I do hope you enjoy the links. They always seem to help me :)

jenny_o said...

Gratefully received, e - and returned as well. I hope you and Lukas are well and safe.

jenny_o said...

Back at you, Joanne :D Thank you for checking up on me, my friend.

jenny_o said...

I think of you across the water, too, Marie. Thank you for your good thoughts, and I hope you are all well there. PEI is doing very well keeping covid numbers in check.

jenny_o said...

That is our fervent hope too, Red. Thank you for dropping in.

Cherie said...

Hi Jenny. It's lovely to read that things are a little more positive. Feed that man of yours with whatever it takes to make him stronger and please don't neglect yourself.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, River. I appreciate your good wishes. You're right, it has been a huge relief to have my husband's pain under control.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Infidel. We have our fingers crossed.

jenny_o said...

There is so much depressing news at the moment, isn't there? Thank you for your good thoughts, Joey.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, 37p - we are hopeful, yes.

jenny_o said...

Hah!! Thanks for that, YP :) And for the good wishes. I appreciate both.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Martha. We need all the well wishes we can get, and I so appreciate yours.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Steve. We're putting cream in everything he eats, from eggs to pasta, and it looks like it may be starting to work :) BoB has so many great memes, cartoons, and videos - it's awesome.

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your good wishes, Mary - we're doing pretty well, now, I think. I hope it lasts!

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Cherie - we're doing our best with the food and treats to try and tempt him to eat!

Charlotte (MotherOwl) said...

Thank you for keeping us updated. I'll keep you bot in my prayers.

messymimi said...

You both remain in my prayers, and you are much missed, especially on Mondays.

Diane Henders said...

Thank you for the update - you've been in my thoughts. Take care! (And thanks for the tiny kittens - you made me go "Awwww"!) :-)

baili said...

dear Jenny
thank you for update about your hubby's health ,this is relief to learn that he is on his way to health and in mid December you will also know how much his therapy is effective which will be positive hopefully !

i am sure you are at peace now my friend and will return soon to your regular posting which i miss so much !
today i was able to sit with my laptop after three days and it was good to know you are doing fine by the grace of Lord!
stay strong and positive precious friend! you are in my thoughts and prayer!
tons of healing energy and love to you!

Debby said...

Best wishes during these hard times.

Janie Junebug said...

I love the mama crocodile. You haven't lost your sense of humor. If you ever want to email someone or talk to someone who won't judge, you can get it all out with me. I can take it. Say anything you want. I'm at dumpedfirstwife@gmail.com. Email me if you want my phone number.

Love,
Janie

Susan said...

I expect your days are full and yet you still find time to point us towards more fun. Thank you. Hugs.

SpikesBestMate said...

So good to hear from you again, Jenny, and to hear that your hubby is managing to keep on the right track. I keep both of you in my thoughts . Stay strong and stay safe.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

You are important to us, Jenny and have a spot in my heart. I hope that each update continues to get better.

I am loving Thoughts of a Dog. Thank you for telling us about it.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Charlotte. And thanks for your weekly thoughts and wishes on your blog.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Mimi. Some day I will get back to poetry.

jenny_o said...

Hah! So glad you enjoyed them :)

jenny_o said...

Thank you, baili. I'm glad to be able to report some good news :)

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Debby. I appreciate that.

jenny_o said...

Janie, thanks for such a generous offer from your kind self. And I'm glad you liked the mama croc :)

jenny_o said...

I hope folks find something to enjoy in the links! Thank you, Susan.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, SBM, for your kind thoughts.

jenny_o said...

I'm so glad you're enjoying that, Arleen! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

kylie said...

I'm not surprised the days slip by and I'm glad you are making the most of hubby's improved comfort.
I've been wondering how you are, thanks for letting us know!
Much love to you both

jenny_o said...

Thanks for the love, kylie - much needed and appreciated. Sending mine to you in return.

Terra said...

That is good your hubby is feeling better and I hope he gains weight, as per your plan. Cute little funnies you shared.

jono said...

So glad he is feeling better! At least he has you in his corner and that is a very good thing! Remember to take care of yourself, too.

Geo. said...

All best wishes to you and husband, dear Jenny. Having had my own bout with same 2 years ago, I can only caution against anxiety and depression --don't let them obtain.

baili said...

Precious friend Jenny

saying hello and dropping heartfelt best wishes to you and family
hope you were able to contact with your kids on Halloween and hope and pray that your hubby is feeling better !
stay blessed with goodness as always my friend!
hugs and blessings!

jenny_o said...

Thanks so much, Terra.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Jono. I'm trying.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Geo. I didn't realize you've been through this; I'm so sorry. Are you doing okay?

jenny_o said...

Baili, thank you for your kindness. It is always good to hear from you.