Jenni My big sister flew from Oregon to spend a week and and she left yesterday. When she arrived last Saturday I was feeling pretty perky, which is how I like to be when we're together. Over the years we've united for fun, but also to team up, helping my mom who had Alzheimer's. Teamwork We're a good team. We get a lot done and we laugh our way through it. But we weren't a team, this time. She was coming to help me. But we did have fun for few days when I felt well. And I can say she teamed up with me when we went to chemo. She put on a scarf and some festive beads. We passed time with silly games and talked and gabbed. Food And Jenni fattened me with lots of her cooking. Chicken pot pie and stir fry, Tom-Kha-Gai Thai soup, enchiladas and yummy mac-n-cheese from scratch. We were a team again, because she cooked and I ate. What a treat and so many leftovers! Before and After Early in the visit we went to lunch and posed with the Sugar Land Selfie-Girls statue. We shopped at Costco and bought a printer and she used her tech skills to get me all set up. When I felt worse the third day after chemo, we floated in the pool and worked on puzzles. Day 4 That was my "worst day" and I expected it. I felt just like I look, in this rocking chair photo... the same rocker that now sits upstairs in our game room. I wasn't feeling great, but Jenni was leaving the next day and she'd come up with the plan to recreate the old photo pose... even though it was obvious we might have a bit of a problem squeezing in the old chair! We tried. Don grabbed Jenni's Nikon and we attempted a few shots. I was feeling pretty sluggish, so thank goodness I wasn't having to recreate a leaping pose! But even a resting pose was insanely hard to pull off. It was exhausting... and funny. The chemo blah in me wanted to say, "Forget it. This won't work." But I wanted to be a good sport. I can't begin to tell you the number of requests I've made of my sister during our child and adult years. Jenni has always gone beyond the call of duty to go along with my fun... as in this list below of 50 things I wanted her to do with me, for my 50th birthday! http://www.tributewebdesign.com/beth/list.html Day 6 I was feeling a little more lively by Saturday. I was well enough to once again push Jenni to do something silly with me. We painted the Styrofoam head that holds my goofy looking half wig. Then we headed to the airport. Good Times Ahead Jenni's been gone a day now. I'm starting to feel better and I'm fussing over all that I wish we could have done together, that would have been more fun for her. But her goal wasn't fun, she came to help. I'll remember how she she stepped in, helping with everything from cooking to foot rubs. But when I see this fine work of art (yet to be named) I will be reminded that yes, we did have some good laughs as well.
And now it's all about the future. I'm looking forward to giddy times ahead, when we are both healthy and game! Thanks Jennifer!
2 Comments
Jennifer meyer
9/18/2016 02:39:21 pm
We ARE a team, my Loon. And there will be many, many chances for fun and adventures on future visits. This visit was just perfect for what it was. A chance for me to show some big sister love.
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Beth
9/19/2016 08:15:19 am
Jennifer, you're right! We are a team and a mighty good one! Can't thank you enough for being here and sharing in the good and not so good! I am very lucky to have you!
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Not-So-Happy List
Cancer, Covid & Coronary... I started this complaining list/blog, in May 2016. I posted 200 gripes about my breast CANCER and then I was done. On March 13, 2020, I started venting all over again, when another disease (starting with a C) interfered with my life. This time it was the invasion of COVID and it affected every person. I ranted for a year, until I got my COVID vaccine in March 2021. CORONARY Artery Disease was the reason I restarted this blog on September 26, 2021. This time it was my hubby Don, who was dealing with a worry that started with the letter "C". Coronavirus and Cancer, Coronary Artery Disease! All are evil, but none can totally get me down... if I vent! I usually end up feeling a little more positive at the end of each post! Navigating This Mess! The most recent post is at the top, from coronary posts in 2022, back to cancer posts in 2016. To find past posts, look below the "Archives" section, to find "Categories". Archives
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