Category: Bladder cancer

They gazed at the painting once again. So many years had passed since they went on that journey. Their life together started there and continued on, full of adventure, exploring the world. It was an almost incredible dream, the life they led. Memories took them over and she rested her head on his shoulder, as they both let the painting travel them back in time. 

He fell in love with her the first moment he saw her. The market was busy and she was handing out samples of her wares, hoping to catch a willing consumer. He marveled at her beauty, mesmerized by her open smile. He walked over and she handed him an apple, saying, “good day, sir, taste this and see how you like it”. Taking the apple, his hand touched hers and she stopped for a moment, looking straight into his eyes. This communication, this touch, sealed their fate, their future of love and friendship, and a life together.  

That is how the adventure started. Now they are unable to travel, but relive their golden memories, still together now and forever.

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/daily-picture-prompt-24/

“I’m not going back!”  He pointed to the ship they just left for the safety of the lifeboat.

“But we can’t make it in this small boat, the sea will swallow us!” He looked pleadingly at his shipmate, but he was also scared to go back.  They both had hurriedly escaped the imagined terrors of the ship.  Bumps, noises, chains rattling, all night long.  Most of the men drank themselves to sleep but Joe and his brother were too young to join in.  While the others slept they stole the lifeboat to get away from their imagined ghosts.  

Many nights the old ones told tales of Davy Jones, Blackbeard, and other infamous pirates and how their ghosts would travel the sailing ships to warn of dangerous seas.  The two young brothers thought this would be an exciting adventure, seeing new lands.  They soon realized they weren’t even allowed off the ship at any port.  Their job was to clean up after the old ones, swab the decks, dump garbage and slop jars over the side.  Not pleasant work.  Their only set of clothes was on their backs and just three days in, they were filthy and smelled so bad they couldn’t even sleep close together for safety. And safety  was a priority for these boys, for they were still only boys, and some of the longtime mates were looking for companionship onboard.  Most of the time they could watch each other, and do their chores, but at night, they were especially careful.

The small escape boat had no provisions and barely two workable oars.  They had no idea where they could go.  It was dark now and they forgot a lantern.  They looked at the ship in the near distance, glad to be gone from it and all who occupied it, but they left in such a hurry they forgot to take food and more importantly, water.  They knew of the death of drinking sea water.  They kept looking back at the ship.  It looked like a ghost ship, no one tending the wheel, or sails.  Morning would come, everyone would rise up and find the boys gone.  Would they care?  Would they try to find them when they saw the lifeboat missing?  The brothers turned these thoughts over in their minds, unsure if they made the right decision.

Their small vessel drifted toward the bigger ship.  They were thinking they might have made a mistake.  They were almost close enough to grab the anchor chain.  They looked at each other and made their decision.  They scrambled back up to the deck.  As Joe climbed over the rail, he saw his brother’s face frozen in horror.  The sight of every sailor hanged by the neck made him vomit.  Joe held in his screams and turned his smaller brother away from the horrible vision.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw a floating specter.  It looked like an old pirate.  He was holding a sword and a rope.  Joe grabbed his brother and they jumped overboard.  The specter stopped at the edge of the railing.  His eyes were like fire and his beard was red and shining from blood.  He was silent but his eyes were a warning.  

The brothers scrambled into their waiting boat and grabbed the oars, rowing away as fast as their small arms could manage.  Their faces were white and their eyes were wide open in terror.  No matter what the sea offered, they would never go back to that ghost ship.

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/prompt-1954-visual-prompt-the-phantom-ship-the-writing-reader/

https://rugby843.blog

Seriously, folks, I really don’t deserve this award.  I just write what I think, sometimes it’s silly, sometimes a little too preachy, sometimes sad, but I have a mind that jumps around a lot, and it shows up here.  Cyranny’s Cove http://cyranny.wordpress.com recommended me for this award and I very much appreciate her choosing me and others to receive this award.  I love her blog, always interesting, new and surprising, hilarious one minute, serious poetry the next, always entertaining.

I started this blog as a way to express my own feelings dealing with a second bout of cancer.  After twenty years I hoped I had seen the last of Mr.C, but as anyone who’s had it knows, it lurks around if not physically, in the back of your mind.  The first time it was Uterine, so received internal radiation, and this led to my second bout, Bladder cancer.  In March 2015 I had the bladder removed and they constructed a conduit from the kidneys to a urostomy on my abdomen.  More details in my earliest posts.  I struggled with the whole concept but persevered and after three months of disappointment, found a solution, so now lead a fairly normal life.  There are a few advantages which I discuss in the earliest blogs.  I wanted to help other new users because if you don’t have one, you can read about it but it takes someone who’s “walked in your underpants” to know what’s really going on.  I tried to bring humor into it, because what choice do you have, really?  All that aside, I expanded my blogs to include my life experiences, hopefully funny (poems?), music, movies, etc.  I have met many new people and seen beautiful photography here.  Thank you to all who have commented.  It means a lot to me!
Here are the rules:

1.  Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.

2.  Write a post to show your award.

3.  Attach the award to your post.

4.  Give a brief story of how your blog started.

5.  Give a piece or two of advice to new bloggers.

6.  Select 15 other blogs you want to receive the award.

7.  Comment on their blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide a link to the award post you created.

I don’t have any advice, I’m always asking others!  I could reiterate Danny over at  dreambigdreamoften.co to get more followers, like and comment and follow others.

Just a few blogs I enjoy and they are all very unique, and most have humor:

lostpropertyrepository.wordpress.com
Very funny, creative Aussie who loves the macabre

 

manvsloneliness.wordpress.com
Sincere, touching outlook on love and life

 

godlesscranium.wordpress.com
Discussion of serious current topics, often tongue in cheek

 

frankprem.wordpress.com
Lovely poetry, nature lover

 

mellixlife.wordpress.com
Hilarious take on family life

 

janiesblog01.wordpress.com
Serious touching poetry and prose

 

mysmallstillvoice.wordpress.com
Sincere thoughts, lovely photographs

 

theshowersofblessings.wordpress.com
Inspiring messages of faith

 

allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com
Advice, challenges, poetry and prose

 

ramblingsofawriter2016.com
Cool types of poetry, humor

 

maverickonthemove.wordpress.com

Photography of beautiful places, wildlife

 

jamisonwrites.wordpress.com
Good writer, young man living with debilitating illness

 

 roseelainesblog.wordpress.com.
Great feedback, upbeat, funny, great to read also

 

judydykstrabrown.wordpress.com

Photography and great poetry with humor

 

hirundine608.wordpress.com

Interesting commentary with a lesson, great feedback

 

 

There is no rhyme or reason some things are bold and some are not.  After fighting the jumping around of the WP here on the writer for a couple of hours to ensure all was copacetic, I now vow to copy and paste from my email forever!  😉😱😟😳🙄😂
https://rugby843.blog

She threw up the huge fluffy blanket over the feather mattress. The bedroom was lit with many soft candles. She wanted everything to be perfect for their first night together. She made sure the wood in the fireplace was the dry cedar to emit a lovely crackling sound and scent. At the bedside she placed two wine glasses and his favorite Cabernet. The hot water sparkled with scented bath salts and two white cotton robes were folded nearby. All was ready. She sat in the wingbacked chair and waited for his return. Only a few minutes till paradise found.

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/amwriting-99-word-writing-prompt-the-art-of-being-cozy-two-on-a-rant/

If you’re not more than a dope

You’ll spend your life in a mope

Could end the suffering with a rope

You need a tree, and a horse to lope.

Another method, you could swim

Far, far out where rescue’s slim.

Or lift a very heavy limb

You couldn’t handle in the gym.

You could always set yourself afire

Of course you need a real hot pyre

Very painful, I’m no liar

Go all at once, body entire.

Many people in the past 

Have tried to use a shotgun blast

But to shoot so buckshot would amass

You’d need to take a shooting class.

The Eastern way is with a sword

Not like karate with a board

But straight to the gut affords

A one way ticket to the lords.

I know this tale won’t get praise

For showing a few bad ways

But let all your worrying go astray

Buck up, tomorrow’s another day.

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/mope-the-daily-post/

First of all, this is not going to be a long winded attempt to encourage, discourage, convince or lecture you in any way. So now that I have your attention, hey, you in the back! Stop talking!  
Sorry, I thought I was talking to my grandkids. They are a treasure and I really mean that. I was putting on makeup in front of the ten year old little monster. He was dropped off unexpectedly as I got out of the shower…. When I finished, I asked, “better”?  
He looked at me closely before replying, “you look more firm”.  
I loved it. Nothing better than straight out honesty from kids. And that’s all I have to say on that subject. The end.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 31/16/lindaghill.com
https://rugby843.blog

Which road should I take? Does it make a difference? I’ve never been to any of these places before. I don’t even know what country I’m in! I was just laying on my couch, thinking of where I would like to visit, and woke up here! Am I in England, Scotland, Wales? I have no idea. I was watching PBS Masterpiece Mystery and thinking I would love to visit Sussex, or Oxford. I must be dreaming!  

I walked up to the signpost, touched it, it was real! The smell of green grass was real, as I bent down to feel it. What miracle is this? Is this time travel? What year is it? The sign looks old and weathered.  Oh, my god, where is everyone?

I decided to take the road on the left.  It was easy to walk on, and, it looks like there might be a house up a ways.  I looked down to notice my slippers had changed to laced up boots.  And my clothes, they weren’t mine!  It was an old Army uniform from the First World War.  I knew because it was the same uniform my grandfather wore in a picture I had.  Oh, my god, what’s happening?  It must be a dream…..time travel, me?  No, it can’t be!

I walked down the road and noticed a house on the left.  Maybe I could use their phone.  I cautiously walked up the path and a door opened.  Out flew a woman in an old dress, apron, and long hair flowing.  She ran and threw her arms around me.  I was shocked and tried to step back, but her grip had me tight.  The shock of her around me was nothing compared to what I saw in the doorway.  The man standing in the doorway looked as stunned as I felt.  It was my grandfather!

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/prompt-1953-visual-prompt-decision-point-the-writing-

I know a little about renewal. Actually, I started this blog on that concept. Changes that occur in your life, renewing your body, your attitude, and your perspective.

In 2013 I lost my husband of 47 years to Esophageal cancer. He wasn’t a smoker, chewer, or much of a drinker, but was attacked just the same. Since my brother in law died of the same disease I knew the cure rate was only ten percent. However we tried everything and he ended up suffering a month in the hospital after two operations, and called it quits. I don’t blame him at all. He was courageous.  

In 2014 I joined my family here in WY. Everything was different. From a small town in Colorado to a small city in Wyoming, and an old house built in 1940 to a small, brand new apartment. My legs started to give out on me unexpectedly at times and after a few falls, it was decided I needed a wheelchair. Bummer! But at that time I also had a three wheeled scooter so going to nearby stores for necessities was okay. Note: Do not ever, ever, get a three wheeled scooter – they tip, easily! Very dangerous. I found that out in July 2015 when I turned it over in the Safeway parking lot and broke a bone in my hip. Not your usual grocery fun trip.

I like it here in this city very much. Everyone I’ve met with the exception of **one X-ray technician has been very nice. I take the curb to curb bus to my appointments and to the VA hospital when I volunteer.

**I have to tell you of this technician, because it is pretty funny when you think of it. I was having a test to determine if my bladder cancer/urostomy results were okay, no reoccurrence, etc. It involves being on a huge flat table with a liquid injected so it rolls around in that area to illuminate your insides. (Technical term). Since I can’t feel most of my legs and feet I don’t have control over them. A woman technician wanted me to get up on the table, okay, did with help. Then she tipped the table so I was standing up. I kept slipping. She grabbed my ankles and slammed them together, saying, stand still! I said I can’t control what they’re doing and they won’t hold me up. Finally the doctor who was going to administer the IV solution helped me. I tried to roll the way I was asked but had nothing to pull myself with or hang on to to stay in that position long enough for the X-rays to be taken while the liquid traveled there. Quite an experience. I think she probably hates her job. 

So, just one out of hundreds of medical personnel I’ve encountered. So I feel lucky. The bladder cancer and resulting urostomy was a big change and I’ve written about it here before in some of my first blogs — Oh, THAT kind of Bag, Accepting Change, and Be Like the Boy Scouts, Be Prepared. 

It’s all about renewal, accepting what life gives you, getting through to the other side, and hopefully sprinkling in humor along the way. I’m not taking all of this lightly, of course. I have days when I don’t want to get out of bed. When I first experienced the result of BC, I had huge leaks, woke up soaking wet, and thought, okay, I’m not getting up. I’m just going to lay here until I rot away and die. It took three months before I found the right appliance, yes, that’s what they call the bag, and the leaks stopped. That’s when I felt real renewal. Real success, and that I was going to be all right.  

There is always something around the corner. Like the “Jaws” movie…..”just when you think it’s safe to go back in the water….”

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/renewal-the-daily-post/

“Okay, George, do that again, and I’ll smack you!” He tried to be intimidating, but George was a bully. Hardly anything phased him, except his mother’s voice. Everyone was scared of her!

“Pinky, slinky, you’re a weenie”, George pushed his beak into Dave’s side. He loved to pick on him. He was smaller and ripe for the barbs. It is mild compared to what I get at home from my big brother. “Come on, don’t be such a weenie!”

Dave tried to move away, but it was too crowded. Just ignore him, he kept saying to himself.

“Geooorge! George!! Come back here!” Everyone cowered, knowing that mother’s voice. George had tried to blend in, but now everyone bent down making him stand out.  

“Coming, mommy.” Snickers were heard from the others.

https://allaboutwritingandmore.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/daily-picture-prompt-23/