Anniversary Sunday

Over the weekend, I just did not feel well.  I was especially having problems with the coughing.  It was difficult for me to move from the living room just to the kitchen without having to stop and catch my breath.  When I did that, I would start coughing.  Coughing can entail deep breaths, and so I would continue to cough, trying to catch my breath.  Finally, I could wrestle the cough in such a way that I was not taking those deeper breaths.

Sunday I did not even go to morning church, since I was in no condition to go.

Our town has its July 4^th celebrations the weekend before or after July 4, depending on when it falls during the week.  The last night is fireworks night.  Over the years, all sorts of family, friends, and acquaintances come up to view them from our back yard.  Those who come bring a snack to share.  We usually provide hot dogs.  We have had times when over 100 show up.  This year the crowd was small, probably their being considerate of my current health issues.  Dennis and I did not tell people not to come, as between him and his sisters, they could do the work.  So, I did not even go out and mingle with those who came.  I stayed in my recliner.  When the time came to view the fireworks, I slowly moved out the door to the deck and sat on one of our chairs out there.  That worked well for me.  Clean up was, as usual, easy.  What remained behind Dennis and his sisters took care of.

Today also was Dennis and my 17^th wedding anniversary.  I was reminded of the portion of our vows we recited to each other that day, “in sickness and in health.”  Dennis has been right there to help me and encourage me.  I am thankful for him – and thankful that he is able to take care of the things I just am not up to some days:  laundry, cooking, doing dishes, etc.  He can come home from work and know how my day seems to be going and just take over from there.  He is a wonderful husband.  We will go out to eat to celebrate our anniversary in a few days, as I should be feeling up to it.

My cough was helped by taking an allergy pill.  Taxol can affect production of mucous.  So, my oncologist recommended I do that.  I had relief from the awful, gut-wretching coughing rather quickly Monday evening.