Big plans for July 5
Well, I’m pleased that I’ve arranged for an appointment at the new Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas.
It looks spectacular! According to the description, it is 10-stories, 467,000 sq. feet and last year served 800 people in research trials. Also…
We offer more than 15 disease-specific support and educational groups and programs, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the country-and we’ve build it all for you.
Does it sound weird to say that I’m looking forward to my doctor’s appointment on July 5? You should definitely take a few minutes to scope out the virtual tour. I know it will be 100+ degrees, but I’m still planning some time to experience the healing garden while I’m there. I understand that the chapel on the first floor is also a wonderful place of peace and tranquility. Let’s just hope that the doctors are as amazing as the new building.
For your prayer list
You have all been so generous with your prayers for me and I’m convinced that you’ve made a difference. I just want to give you a heads up that I know of another three women who are part of my Kettering Foundation network who are also going through chemo. I want to protect their privacy, but perhaps you could just say a little prayer for the KF Chemo Club. God knows who they are and that’s all that matters.
Playing for Change, and Love & Hope
When I first got sick, one of the first gifts I received was the documentary, “Playing for Change: Peace Through Music” from my friend, Ed Arnone. I’m sure by now you’ve all seen the viral video “Stand By Me” which “transformed Playing for Change from a small group of individuals into a global movement for peace and understanding. If not, I’ll just stick it in here, because it won’t hurt to watch it again even though that’s not the point of this post. Click the play button and get your butt up and dance! You’ll feel so much better and it will give your co-workers a chuckle.
Well, the other night, I was having one of my restless fits and could not get to sleep so I got up and played a new game I’m calling “Random Lullaby”. When I can’t sleep, I’ll pull out my iPhone and play a couple of songs at random until I start to feel sleepy. I hit the jackpot with two numbers – the documentary piece I got from Ed and another piece I didn’t know and don’t know how I acquired it. Both turned out to be perfect not because the music was much of a lullaby, but because the words were perfectly suited for my circumstance. I danced my way back to bed eager to get a good night’s sleep because both songs inspired me.
Here’s the youtube version of the Playing for Change version, “A Better Man” featuring Keb’Mo’.
Just in case you missed the lyrics, here they are:
Sittin’ here in my problem
What am I gonna do now
Am I gonna make it
Someway, somehow
Maybe I’m not supposed to know
Maybe I’m supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows
The way I feel
It’s all right
And it’ll be ok
(Chorus:)
I’m gonna make my world a better place
I’m gonna keep that smile on my face
I’m gonna teach myself how to understand
I’m gonna make myself a better man
Climbing out of the window
Climbing up the wall
Is anybody gonna save me
Or are they gonna let me fall
Well I don’t really wanna know
I´ll just hold on the best I can
And if I fall down
I´ll just get back up
It’ll be alright
It’ll be ok
(Chorus 2x)
Maybe I’m not supposed to know
Maybe I’m supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows
The way I feel
That’s all right
It’ll be ok
(Chorus 2x)
The second piece was Love and Hope by Ozomatli. I have no idea how this piece landed in my iTunes, but I’m delighted it did. I’ll post the youtube version which is nothing to look at, but here are the words to the chorus so you can jump in and sing along. By now you should have your co-worker’s attention so invite them to sing along.
Chorus:
Just raise your head up and stand up, no fear in your eyes.
Tell me love and hope never die.
So raise your head up and stand up, no reason to cry.
‘Cause your heart and soul will survive.
