Pickles

I made pickles last month from cucumbers I grew in  container garden. It was the first time I canned anything. My grandmother gardened and canned her whole life. So I feel close to her as I learn how to be a better gardener and preserver of the fresh produce. I also pickled peppers. Next year I hope to have a raised bed garden instead of the container garden. We'll see.

Cancer

Cancer
So my mother has breast cancer.... there, I said it. I don't live close to her, and that is hard. I think I am prepared for this journey with her. I lost my Mother-in-law 2 years ago to breast cancer, and was privelidged to be there when she died. I helped a friend as she walked the journey from malignant melanoma, to her passing and learned so much as I saw how she spent the last year of her life. What a blessing for me to learn from her and to have shared her precious friendship. As a physical therapist, I have done wound care on post mastectomy patients, and provided home health physical therapy for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. I loved everyone I worked with. I have a co worker who is 15 years in remission from breast cancer, and a friend who is 5 years in remission. These experiences have prepared me I think as I walk with Mom through her breast cancer journey.

The thing is however, that I live in a different state and that is so hard for me. My brother and sister in law live near and are helping her with all the doctor appointments. I am arranging visits whenever I can.  She started chemotherapy last week. I decided I would send her a package a week to arrive on the day before she gets a new dose of chemotherapy. Her doctors have decided to fight to beat this, and Mom has said she wants to fight for her life... (incidentally, I really am fine with whatever she decides and will support and love her as she fights, but would also support her and help her if she came to a point where she decided not to fight, and just live and prepare for her future experience in the next life). So, for mother's day I sent her a planner (so she could keep track of her doctor appointments), and some pink boxing gloves ... to motivate her as she begins the fight of her life.

This weeks package was a towel....  backround story is that as kids, my brother and I were on the swim team. Mom taught us to do "the towel trick". On meet days as we waited for our race, we put the towel over our head, closed our eyes, and visualized winning the race. Every stroke, and touching the wall to win. Mom said it was so cute seeing all of the kids at the pool waiting for their races, talking and playing, and seeing 2 kids sitting still with towels over their heads. So I sent Mom a towel and adapted the "towel trick" for fighting cancer. I wrote for her to put the towel over her head and visualize her tumor shrinking. I hope she smiles when she opens it as she remembers the towel trick.

Now to think of other things to send her...

The Rough Draft

I decided to start a blog to record thoughts about life experiences. As I thought about what to call it, I thought about who I am. I am a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a physical therapist, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have found as I progress through life that some of my earlier ideas about all sorts of things were either absolutely spot on, too simple, too complicated, not quite complete, or completely wrong. My experiences shape who I am and in turn influence those around me. I influence and am influenced by my family, loved ones, friends, coworkers, and associates.

I am the oldest of 4 siblings. Growing up, my mother used to tell me I was her "rough draft." She admitted making mistakes raising me as she had never raised a child before. I decided to call this blog "Editing the Rough Draft".  As I learn and live different experiences, I am constantly editing my earlier ideas and understanding. I am hopefully making them more authentic and true, with more feeling, depth, color, and texture. I am making my own mistakes and trying my best to correct the ones that are correctable. I associate with others and learn from them. I am inspired by the lives of those around me and strive to live like many of them.