I Am Grateful For ...

This week has been interesting. Returning to work after being gone for two weeks, balancing the new dose and its effects, returning to my normal routine, trying to be a supportive friend, and reminding myself of the family I have created, has all contributed to me feeling a tad bit overwhelmed. So here are the things that get me through my day. They are the things that I am grateful for during this first week of April.

1. Hubby - James has been amazing. I have been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster because once again I was forgotten by my family. For those keeping count, this is the fourth holiday in the past few months. The other week, James truly listened to my concerns and helped me see the clearer picture that was eluding me involving a problem. Then when I had my accident, he never once mentioned money. This has to be the first time he has ever placed something else before money. And then this week, he lightened my days by sending several humorous emails.

2. Mich - Mich and I are too much in sync at times. Our conversation the other night was once again a comedic event. I was explaining to her about Florida's loss in the Elite Eight game. Mich knows nothing about basketball. This was interspersed with her commentary on the Rays baseball game that she was watching. Baseball is a foreign language to me. Anyone listening to us would question our sanity. Later when we discussed her June visit, she asked if we had plans for that weekend. My classy response was "the only thing I planned was for us to sit on our asses and hang out except for hitting the bar on Friday or Saturday with Becky and Erin." Of course, she readily agreed with my plans. Mich and I regularly take big trips but we also love those moments when we sit around chatting and amazingly enough, we seem to never run out of things to discuss.

3. My Friends - You know who you are. The weekly emails, texts, and talks that make me laugh are so worth it. A friend saying they understand, they miss you, or they love you goes a long way. Now, if only we can coordinate GNO, all the stars will be aligned.

4. Meds -Ask me how many beta-blockers I have taken in the past ten days? None! Isn't that wonderful? Then there was the conversation with the nurse about my other meds. I had already decided not to participate in the drug treatment recommended by my specialist. Though my support group has discussed issues with this drug, I was not clear on the specifics about the medication. While waiting for more paperwork this week, the nurse informed me that my decision not to take the meds might be for the best. I would have been required to have regular monitoring for months because the drug has the same chemical compound as the date rape drug. Of course, I looked up the drug and found it's clinical name is sodium oxybate. You may know it as GHB. This might have been helpful to know earlier in the discussions.

5. Weather - It has been beautiful outside. I've enjoyed the cool breeze and sunshine, which has prompted the return of some guests. The fat squirrel who entertained me this past fall is now digging up my yard in search for his buried food. It is quite hilarious to watch. The birds are returning as well and have been taking walks around the yard. Hopefully, the weather will remain nice for a while as I've commandeered Peggy to advise me on some of my landscaping. She offered several solutions that were new concepts to me. What can I say? Peggy is brilliant!