Today is the first day of Hanukkah; Happy Hanukkah to everyone who celebrates this Festival of Lights. Once again, I marvel at how light seems to play such an important part of all our varied religious observances and celebrations!
 |
| Christmas Countdown |
My little dollar store refrigerator Christmas countdown magnet! I bought it when my daughter was little and she loved to write the number of days for the countdown! I am trying to get into the holiday spirits, but, so far, this is the only Christmas-related item I have set up!
They say that news of death comes in threes. On Friday, it was news of my aunt's death. On Sunday, it was news of my friend's mother's death. Last night, it was news of another friend's brother's death. I had just spoken with her after Thanksgiving, reminiscing about the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays I used to spend with her, her parents, and her brothers! I find myself writing sympathy cards instead of Christmas and New Year greetings cards.
Today was a sunny day. I did some paperwork, paid a couple of bills, and practiced the piano.
I received a letter from the radiology center, in today's mail, stating that they were able to obtain a copy of my mammogram from last year and compared it with the one from earlier this fall; apparently, they want to take some additional screening mammograms! I am grateful that they were able to obtain a copy of last year's mammogram, do the comparison, and notify me of the need for additional tests! I called and made the appointment; the earliest they could give me was January 7th. I have an already scheduled appointment with the oncologist for later in January, so, that should work out well. Hopefully, they will be able to obtain the newer results by that appointment and we shall take it from there, I guess! I am trying hard not to worry!
Later in the evening, I chatted with friend R.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Help from my friend at the retirement office (I had more Medicare-related questions, today)
- Being able to pay my bills
- The radiology center was able to obtain last year's mammogram and do the comparison, at last! And, they contacted me about it.
- I was able to get an appointment scheduled for the follow up mammogram
- Medical insurance!
Friday's To Do List:
- Vacuum the family room
- Rearrange the furniture in the family room to make room for the Christmas tree
- Ask M to bring in the Christmas tree and boxes of decorations
How was your day? Have you started counting down to the holidays, whether it is the Eight Days of Hanukkah, or Twelve Days of Christmas, or some other holiday that is celebrated at this time of the year?
So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend's brother. It is strange how things seem to run in threes isn't it? Let's hope this is the last one for a while.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for a good outcome from your next mammogram.
Thank you, Eileen. Yes, I'm hoping that this is the last death I hear of someone I know for a long time and that the mammogram results will be nothing to worry about. In the meantime, it's "round 2" to the kitty as I saw it sitting in the middle of the planter, this morning, ignoring all the twigs (it had managed to knock down the one in the middle!) :D
DeleteI'm trying not to worry for you, also. It must not be much of a problem or they would be trying to get you in sooner. It's probably just that they need a better picture for a good comparison. That's my reasoning, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI like your Christmas magnet--a small advent calendar of sorts. :)
Thank you, Live and Learn. Yes, I am hoping that's what it is. The letter did say that I had dense tissues which made it more difficult to read. Maybe there is calcification. I am just grateful that they want to recheck, just in case.
DeleteYes, I guess one could call the magnet an advent calendar of sorts! :)
So sorry to hear the news of another friend's brother's death. It really does seem to happen in threes. Try not to worry too much about the additional screenings. I've had that happen before too and turned out to be nothing thankfully. I love your little Christmas countdown magnet, so cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. It's sad to hear news of death at any time, but, it seems even sadder when it is so close to the holidays. Yes, I'm trying not to worry about the second mammogram; hopefully, it will be nothing, too. The countdown magnet now says 13 days! :D
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your friend's brother's death. Unfortunately as we get past a certain age these notifications come a little more frequently and I've sometimes had letters after Christmas letting me know of the passing of someone I hadn't seen for years but kept in touch with. Time to ponder sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that the radiology people are keeping on top of things. I will keep you in my prayers that there is nothing at all of concern.
13 days to Christmas🎄? I'll have to smarten up! I did get 2 more gifts purchased today and an ordered item arrived.
Thank you, Bushlady. Yes, I suppose you are right - after one reaches a certain age, news of the passing of people one knew become more frequent.
DeleteYes, I'm glad that the radiologist followed up. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.
You are well ahead of me in the getting gifts department! I do have all the jams made, though, so that's a start! :)
Sorry to hear about your flurry of bad news. How sad for the families of those involved.
ReplyDeleteHowever I'm glad that your test results are being monitored carefully and hope that the doctors are able to rule out anything untoward.
The little Fr Christmas magnet is so sweet. I used to have a traditional Advent calendar as a child but these past few years I have had an online version. It heightens the sense of anticipation, especially this year when there are no concerts or parties to mark the season.
Thank you, Lady Ella. It's hard for families to lose loved ones at any time of the year, but, I'm sure it is even more difficult when it happens this close to the holidays.
DeleteYes, I'm a breast cancer survivor, so, I am very glad that the medical staff are monitoring my test results carefully.
Once the Santa magnet comes out and the countdown begins, then, it seems like the days just speed by!
I'm curious to find out if your mother remembered the nambiliya (rice washing bowl)?
I haven't had a chance to show her, but haven't forgotten. Will probably be able to do so over Christmas, when I hope we will be in the same room together at last! I will have my tablet by me and will be sure to show her both the nambiliya and the string mould thingy. I have never seen those (either the mould or the food it makes) in India, but then again, the furthest south I have been is Goa.
DeleteIt'll be interesting to find out if she has seen them. :)
Delete
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to hear about the death of your aunt, and of your friends’ relatives.
I too scheduled a mammogram screening, and the earliest they could give me was Jan 14th. I wonder it is because they take more time between tests to sanitize equipment.
Thank you, Nil. Glad you were able to schedule your screening appointment, too. I guess everyone is busy during this time of the year!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend's brother. Dealing with the death of a loved one is always hard but I think it feels especially difficult at this time of year. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. Yes, losing a loved one at this time of the year has to be especially difficult.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear of another person close to someone you care about passing away.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange how you were just reminiscing with your friend - that often seems to happen.
I am hoping for a good outcome for you and your testing in January.
And like another commenter said, they don't seem that concerned if they scheduled you off in the future instead of squeezing you in now.
So keep that in mind to help ward off the worry.
Cute magnet!
I need to read on but I see some more Christmas pictures coming.
I remember last year you weren't feeling well and didn't do a tree and am hoping that you feel like putting one up this year.
It's a strange year for sure but sometimes a little Christmas music and lights can make things better.
I know I enjoy mine :)
Thank you, Debra.
DeleteI was shocked to hear about my friend's brother's passing as he was several years younger to us.
I am trying hard not to worry about the repeat mammogram. Christmas will be a nice distraction, I think. :)
Yes, the tree is up, this year. Now I am trying to put up the winter village, but, it seems to have grown into a town!