Eternal Hippies A Year Homemade and Beyond

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!

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 gr...

Day 4 of my horror/freak show. It is now obvious that my hair is falling out. And not just because there is hair all over my shoulders, getting into my eyes, landing on everything! All around I look and there is at least one hair sitting there mocking me. Plus, I got a big shock yesterday afternoon. I was reading the news and found out that Beverly McClellan died of cancer. I don't know her and I have never watched "The Voice" from which she was a contestant. But she died of the same cancer as me. Stage 3 endometrial cancer. It had spread to her bladder, colon and intestines. She was only 49years old. I have stage 3 endometrial cancer and I find out next week how far it has spread. From what I understand, she only lived 7 months from the time of her diagnosis. But Joe reminded me that we don't know all of her circumstances and we don't know all of mine, yet. But 7 months is not a long time. I don't want to die! I better go. Tears are trying to ...

I go for my first chemo treatment next week. Last Saturday my daughter, Rachael went with me to get my hair super short. I've been reading a lot on what to expect and how to get ready. Everyone at work loves my new hairstyle, but I don't. My ears and my neck are cold, however I know it will get worse.  Above picture is me the first day back to work after surgery.  Taken half way through the hair cut....HHHHAAAAA And after the deed was done. And my tears dried. We are also getting meals pre-made and frozen and we hope to buy a recliner chair so I won't be stuck in bed when I am recovering. I've also been watching YouTube videos of women who are going through or have gone through chemo/radiation treatments. Some depressing, some inspiring. Average them out and I figure that's what to expect. The cancer center I am going to gave me a pink tote bag (part of the pink ribbon project) filled with goodies. I won't use some of the items, but I will b...