Eternal Hippies A Year Homemade and Beyond

2019 is in the history books. It was stressful, painful and hopeful. I am still considered in remission on the cancer front. I've had a mammogram and a colonoscopy back last fall and they came back clear. I am still suffering from the side effects of all the chemo and radiation treatments I had. The biggest ones are the fatigue and joint pain. My hair is growing back a curly salt and pepper grey. If I seem distant, it is because I am... There has been so much going on that I don't know where to start. At work, most of my favorite coworkers have left or are getting ready to leave...making me feel alone and disconnected from my workplace. I started doing the monthly newsletter for the club and that has been added stress, but at the same time, I enjoy the mental stimulation. Every other part of my job is wearing me down. I've been in this "entry level" position for the past 11 1/2 years, watching as others have moved up and I feel like I am spinning my wheels.

We are hanging out at Joe's work waiting for hurricane Dorian to pass by.  We have my son Sean with us this time.  As I look out the window the trees are dancing in the storm's winds but we're in between storm bands. In the past 12 hours our phones have received tornado warnings more than 14 times.  I'm hoping that when we go home it will be okay.  We have been through so many Hurricanes now that we are worn out.  I  loose work hours and money.  Joe gets over worked and last year he didn't get compensated.  He's been promised this time he will be but we'll see. Our garden is almost spent.  Joe has already pulled up the tomato and pepper plants.  His waiting on the sweet potatoes.  I hope to film that harvest.  Later this month I have another ct scan scheduled as well as a follow up doctor appointment.  My hair is growing back but I still get so tired and I have digestive issues.  I'm pretty sure that I'm still in remission.  That's about it

This has been a very hot summer and our little container garden has shown the effects. The peppers  and sweet potatoes are loving this hot weather. But our heirloom tomatoes and bush beans didn't. In fact, our beans completely died. The tomatoes are coming in slowly, but much smaller than they should. In fact, the tomatoes that should be at least 4 inches across are only about an inch. They look more like grape tomatoes. Our herbs are stressed as well. The dill has gone to seed, the basil and sage are okay, but the mint plants have stopped growing. Below is a small video update on our garden. Peace to you for ready and watching.

Last Saturday I woke up to a terrible pain in the left big toe. It got worse as the day went on so that by 2pm I couldn't walk on it at all. Thinking it was  just my neuropathy, we went to a new CBD dispensary to get some cream to rub on it. It helped a little, but putting the foot up and applying cold packs helped more. Here is a little video I did that Saturday. The next day my toe felt a little better, but I still couldn't walk around much. Monday morning I called and got a doctor's appointment. I found out that I have gout. He prescribed some medicine and put me on bed rest for two days. By Thursday, I was able to put on shoes and go to work. In doing some research, I found out that gout can be a side effect of chemo. Chemotherapy is the gift that just keeps on giving....UGH! Peace to you!

Last Monday I went for another ct scan and Wednesday I had a follow up doctor's appointment. She said that I am now considered in remission. My next ct scan and appointment isn't until September. Hey! Everyone at work has been so happy for me. Sally gave me a white rose and my boss gave me chocolate covered strawberries. So nice of them. I'm glad that I am in remission, but I don't feel well yet. I only worked 2 days this week. The ct scan and doctor's appointment wore me out. I know it will take time for me to feel back to normal. Tuesday I stayed home from work and slept all day. Seriously, I didn't wake up until 5:30pm. Then Joe and I ate dinner and I went right back to sleep. The doctor's appointment did show that I have lost 9 pounds in the last month. I have been trying to do my goal of not eating after dinner. Mostly I fall asleep before I think about dessert. Except when Joe makes ice cream. That I do let myself have every once and awhile. It&#

This has been a very rough month. My last chemo treatment was on the 15th and that night I starting throwing up. The rest of the month has been a blur of side effects and grieving. A coworker passed away during the month. He was loved by all and had been working there for the past 30+ years. Nothing will make you relieved to only be in pain than the notion of death.  On another note, our garden has seen some success. We harvested enough green beans to enjoy with a meal. We have bell peppers, banana peppers and pepperoncini growing well. Our heirloom tomato plants are not liking the high heat we have been experiencing, but we still have some tomatoes growing. The sweet potato slips are very happy. In fact, we have so many slips growing, we are going to start another container for them. All of our herbs had to be moved because of the heat. Last Saturday we went to a farm market and got some pickling cucumbers and Monday I started them to fermenting using some of the herbs we are growin