The "FIVE"

Some 40 plus years ago, when my baby boy reached the age of FIVE,  I made him a suit with a fabric full of FIVE's.  He loved that suit and loved the idea of turning FIVE.  What makes FIVE so special?

 

The biblical meaning of the number FIVE symbolizes Gods grace, goodness and favor toward humans and is mentioned 318 times in Scripture.  FIVE = Grace.

The Olympic Games have FIVE interlocked rings as their symbol, representing the number of inhabited continents represented by the Olympians (Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Oceania, and the Americas).  BIG part of my life.

No. 5 is the name of the iconic fragrance created by Coco Chanel. One of my favorites.

Then there is the FIVE second rule!!!!!

Today's treatment is the beginning of cycle FIVE of my chemo.  After this I will have one more cycle left to complete this round of treatment.  That means 3 more times in the chair.  Today, FIVE just seems like a big deal because I can see the end.

One of the questions I'm asked frequently from everyone knowing my situation is; "How are you feeling?".  After much consideration as to exactly how I felt I decided that my standard answer would be something like this.  "I feel like I have just finished a 10 day Olympic regatta with marginal wind and I had to pump my way around the course every race".  Really! I know how that feels.

I feel better each day after treatment and the week before the next round I feel totally normal. This photo was taken yesterday by my windsurfing buds who continue to support and encourage me. Thanks Clyde and Peggy. Just another normal day sailing between storms.

    

The big news has absolutely nothing to do with the number 5 or with my cancer. But it's so big on a scale of 1 - 5 I have to give it a FIVE.  Maybe even a double FIVE it's so big.  Greg has signed up to have his knee replaced on the 22nd of June.  It was in the 70's when a motorcross accident played havoc with his knee. Finally, he has made the commitment to do something about it.  I'm very excited and happy for him.  

I thank my friends on facebook for all the well wishes.  It's super nice to hear from ALL of you.  It was a complete surprise when my friends Lanee Butler- Beashel in Australia and Nikos Kalamanakis Gold medalist 1996 from Greece, two of my favorite Olympians, surprised me on separate occasions with some facetime news last week.  It was so great to catch up with them again and to be connected in such a way.  I feel very blessed and fortunate to have so many caring friends.  It just makes me feel good!!!!!!  Thanks to you all.

I'm FIVE times disappointed today because my cancer marker did not go down. In fact, it went up 2 more points.  It's a slow steady rise for two months now and it has me worried.  We are going to schedule a CT Scan next week to see how my diverticulitis is doing thinking that could be the cause of the rise in numbers.  I feel like I have the diverticulitis under control as I am for sure feeling much better tummy wise.  So, if there is cause for concern the CT Scan will reveal it. I will feel better after that.  It will also reveal any cancer.  Pray that there is no cancer.

I'm staying completely busy planning with my sister, niece and daughter a big July 3rd Family Reunion.  It will be most amazing to have all my family together.  I am, especially, happy they will help me celebrate my last treatment July FIVE and Greg's new knee.

So here, I sit taking it on in the chair hoping for the best.  I feel certain that I can finish this round and get back to my life the way I want when it is all said and done.  I have to.  When Greg gets his bionic knee I'm sure we will be off and running.  Literally.