I just celebrated 21 years since I was diagnosed with stage 3 primary peritoneal cancer, which is virtually the same as ovarian cancer. I’ve been free of disease since my initial treatment. My annual check-up is Monday, but the labs are done, and all looks good. They always tell me how lucky I am, and believe me, I am well aware of my good fortune.
During my illness, I vowed to keep a positive attitude no matter what. And this was not easy for me, a half-empty kind of gal. There’s a joke about the guy whose tombstone read, “See, I told you I was sick.” That was me.
My life was on the line, so I changed. There are plenty of people with great attitudes who die anyway, but I figured why not try? Whether I live or don’t, at least I will have enjoyed the ride.
That pretty much sums up my attitude toward our current situation. ITSNBN – It That Shall Not Be Named. I’m so sick of reading about it and don’t want to pile on. I’m being careful. Lots of elbow bumps on the golf course, hand-washing and other precautions … but still loving life.
One of my precautions is avoiding the locker room at the gym where I swim laps. I purchased this handy “surf poncho” from Amazon. I put on my suit at home and drive to the gym wearing my poncho. I go directly to the pool, remove the poncho and store it in my gym bag on the cement. I suppose there is some exposure there, but I think it’s less risky than the poolside furniture.
When I’m done with my swim, I put the poncho on, tuck my arms inside and remove my wet swimsuit. No one sees my secret body parts. It’s warm and has a hood. I walk back to my car, bypassing the locker room once again.
Foodniks
As always, when the going gets tough, we get going in the kitchen. It’s raining today, so I thought I’d try blackberry scones using Linda’s recipe, which I’ve successfully made with blueberries and raspberries. I’ll probably have to crush the blackberries a bit so they get evenly distributed.
Dale has a brisket brining for homemade corned beef, which is one of the best food discoveries ever. It won’t be ready for another week or so, but we’ll have it boiled with cabbage, potatoes and carrots the first night. Maybe Reuben sandwiches before freezing it in chunks for later use. One of our favorites is corned beef hash topped with a fried egg sunny-side-up.
For dinner, Dale’s making Cordon Bleu. He pounds veal cutlets thin, stuffs them with Muenster cheese and Black Forest ham, breads them and pan-fries them lard. We make a German-style salad with butter lettuce and a white wine vinaigrette. He’ll probably do something with potatoes, because he can’t stop himself.
relationship building
We’ve been happy little campers lately. I’m trying to get in my golf and other exercise during the week, almost like it’s my job. I’m often gone most of the day. Then in the evenings and on weekends, we commune. If I should stay home in the middle of the week, it’s a treat, and we’ll do something fun like go to a winery or have bacon for breakfast.
Sometimes I stay home and we do chores, but they aren’t nearly as fun.
In retirement, we’ve learned we both need time away from each other, and figuring out how to do that in a positive way has been helpful. But the biggest difference is Dale got new hearing aids. I’m just going to go out on a limb and say the new hearing aids have reduced our arguments by 50 percent. Our conversations are much healthier, but the downside is he can hear me mutter when I’m cleaning and complaining about what a slob he is.
Before the new hearing aids, vacuuming was like truth serum. Regrettably, unkind things were said, but at least he couldn’t hear them.
Congratulations on 21 years! Love the surf poncho – have not heard of them before.
Deb
Thank you! Happy to be here.
We’re completely hunkered down, my husband will not go to the pool at the gym and I can see he is getting a little nasty. But we are wanting to just STAY.HOME. We’re pretty self-contained people but I am begging to feel the pinch of losing my every other week get togethers with 3 friends who make intelligent and even sometimes funny,conversation. My once a week art group. My own excursions to the thrift stores or the library. But we will survive.
Your scones are mouth watering..I have to be careful..when stressed I like to cook, Then, of course,eat. I found a mason jar filled with a cookie making mix someone gave me for Christmas two years ago.I am using up our “supplies” lol.
My mind is getting cluttered also with all this news. I have had to change up my morning routine: I wake up, have a cup of coffee then meditate right away.If I read news and check facebook first, like usual, my mind cannot settle down to meditate!
I have my favorite blogs to read, like yours..so I”m glad you’re back.
Stay well!!
Woops— my husband is not getting NASTY LOL! He is getting ANT-SY.
Who knows,nasty might be next after another week.
My DH is a pretty calm and kind guy but he likes to keep busier than me.He also has a part time chiropractic practice in a large home office we have.He has cancelled appts. For two weeks (possibly more..) and I know that’s hard for him too.
I was a stay at home mom for a long time and I am not too troubled by staying home although as I mentioned the small activities I have are being missed…
Yes, nasty follows antsy. So funny.
I don’t mind staying home for the most part, but seriously, we need something good to happen soon. The surf poncho is unisex. Maybe something like that would work for him at the pool. With chlorine, I figure the pool is the safest place to be at the gym. I’m not touching any weights.
Donna, congratulations on 21 yrs cancer free. Now that’s good news. Like you, I’m working at putting this covid-19 stuff in perspective. After filling my head with too much CBC radio on Friday, the power went off. My first thought was – for sure we’re all going to hell. I had to give myself a mental shake. So I went outside to the -15C great outdoors, cleared snow from a neglected path, filled the wood box and immediately felt my spirits lift. I’m used to solitude and spending 5-6 days in a row at home; I relish it. One of my mottoes is to do time so time doesn’t do me. I’ve started a batch of bread and plan on inviting a few friends over for fresh bread this afternoon. Want to send up your scones?
I like your approach! It is hard to put it into perspective with so much conflicting information, so we’re just relying on common sense (of all things). Bread is also on my list. If we’re lucky, good food is like a miracle we get to enjoy every day. But -15C? Burry, as my mother used to say.
You have been so creative with my scone recipe!! I’ve never ventured beyond the blueberries but I think I might have to. As always, thanks for the plug.
And congrats on the 21 years. I know how significant that is. I also like the positive attitude thing. I’m trying that myself right now as we deal with my parents. I’ve allowed myself a little self-pity and now it’s time to think positively and focus on the bright side. There’s always a bright side, right?
All are absolutely delicious, but we like raspberry most, then blackberry, then blueberry. I was thinking one of those designer crunchy sugars sprinkled on top might be nice, too.
I do think a little self-pity is OK as long as you recognize it and try to move on. I know it’s very hard with your parents right now, and I continue to send you good vibes.
Most would call what Dale is making, Corned Beef and Cabbage, but I know what he calls it…..Boiled Dinner. Mainers know what boiled dinner is all about.
That is EXACTLY what he calls it!