Birds of a Feather

Some things don't change very much. The uncertainity of various treatments; managing pain and managing side effects. Another week, another round of chemo.

Plus we try to find time for both distractions and Karen's work on putting affairs in order.  This last item is something I've felt uncomfortable with but someday I'll appreciate the effort. It's all sad stuff; we didn't expect to spend Karen's retirement picking cemetary plots. Damn that term; "putting affairs in order", its not like we've given up. Rambling this week because....well... stress.....nerves....almost time for a PET scan to tell whether the gemzar is actually working. Maybe we'll know in time for Christmas.
 
Through my study and love of Japanese woodblock printing I find myself thinking about Buddhist teachings. The four noble truths concern managing our suffering. The Buddha would love our friends.   I know many weeks I've mentioned the importance of friends in managing suffering. They are crucial and I'm beginging to think they are better medicine than the surgery, radiation and chemo put together. 
It's a much different holiday season this year; Karen is less mobil and in much more pain from the spread of the cancer. Our art party friends Teri and Flip, Cynthia and Roger and Nancy and Lance continue to come up with fellowship, support and good times that helps us cope with the loss of mobility.
​We just had another of our art parties where we made some paper mache birds. It's wonderfully odd how these days we can make use of third grade crafts to distract and fill our hearts and minds with the joy of simplicity.

Photo - William Evertson - Karen and Bill with their paper mache love birds 

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