Having had chemo less than a week from surgery failed to give me the resources I needed to cope with the toxic chemicals and feelings of nausea. But – despite a lousy few days, Saturday dawned with surprising energy!  My dear friend Mariela was here to clean (always a lift!), I walked all the way around the quad (courtyard, indoors), went wig shopping with Karen out of desperate need (!) and walked to the buffet dining room with her for a good dinner. Then she brought up summer clothes from my storage bin and we rearranged winter/summer stuff that gave me a tremendous boost of mental energy! Here is the ‘new look’ – the only wig to fit but one that Karen really liked a lot, saying I should wear it all the time. I definitely will, when out, but I’ve always found them to be somewhat itchy so close to scalp. I’ve had people do a ‘double-take’ and others not recognize me (until I smiled, I was told!) and most seem to say it’s great. Despite the photo, it IS the color of my hair – so much for cosmetic adjustment! Chemo may age one; wigs take off ten years!
Sunday was not as good a day, probably because I got spoiled by all of Karen’s attention the day before. She keeps my spirits ‘up,’ for sure. I managed to go to the Sunday Brunch but without much enthusiasm.  Today, Monday, dawned much better and I feel that I am back on the upswing from Chemo 2. So much so that I invited my spiritual direction Peer Group to meet here this afternoon!  I’m not to drive as long as I am on narcotics (ha-ha…would be arrested if in accident….I’m SURE I’ve done it in the past without thinking though!) Anyway there were four out of five of us present for our session today. One brought some sandwiches and homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and I had some hummus and crackers. We’ll break for the summer and resume here at Greenspring in September. A most congenial group that I look forward to each month. Episcopalian lay woman, Methodist pastor, Catholic Benedictine sister, Episcopalian priest and me, the Presbyterian/ecumenite.
Tomorrow afternoon is the day of the Healing Service at the Iona Abbey.  I will join them at 4 pm EDT as they lay hands on people in the healing circle. You are invited to join in as well. The prayer, once again, said for each person is:
SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, PRESENT WITH US NOW,
ENTER YOU, BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT
AND HEAL YOU OF ALL THAT HARMS YOU
IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.
Just picture all those for whom you wish healing and offer the prayer. I like the fact that it is not specific, presuming that a particular outcome might be “right” but rather says “all that harms you” – a wonderfully open and receptive attitude of grace and blessing.
The week includes appointments of various sorts so you may not hear again till the end of the week. You may pray that my appetite remains good and that I regain a few lost pounds. However, I can now wear some slacks that I couldn’t get into 🙂 a big triumph since I put on eight pounds since moving here, which is not unusual. Assume that all is ‘uphill’ unless you hear otherwise!