WOMEN PREPARED & READY

Hi all - the good news is that I am in my best week of each cycle - right before the next drip! Working every day helps me feel 'normal', and useful. I continue to be blessed with minimum of side effects, and good energy. For those who are not in Providence, I have become the 'scarf gal' - and I find that people easily sense that I might be a Big C Baldy. This opens conversations, people offer their own experiences and extend support.

So I try to be well armed with conversational scarves...(found this on "beliefnet"!) I have written often about the strange gifts of the Big C - a new avenue for sisterhood to be sure.

I'm thinking particularly about crisis areas of the world, and people with chronic or crisis conditions caught in floods, earthquakes or volcanoes. I have special admiration for Dr.s and nurses who volunteer in crisis locations - such as the Doctors without Boarders. ( Médecins Sans Frontières ). To be concerned and informed, check out their website - especially information about continuing needs in areas where the immediate crisis is past, but continuing needs are monumental. I think of people with continuing health needs such as cancer, compounded by injury, limited food, poor water, etc. We are so privileged here.

Well, the spring weather is taking a break - a damp chill in the air for the weekend - but it IS middle April! And my own "seasons" march on - enrolled in Social Security since I turned SIXTY SIX ON Monday! Just glad to be vertical on my natal day. I celebrated with my Beth, Birthday Buddy Janet, and friend Judy - raising a glass to "life goes on!" Looking forward to many years ahead! (armed and scarfed for the future....)