Friday, July 28, 2006

Journal of a Living Lady #278

Journal of a Living Lady #278

Nancy White Kelly

One of my friends has renamed me: Ms. Kitty 9 ½. Seems like all I write about lately is my health or lack thereof. Yet, according to recent email, readers want to know. So, to up-date you and apologize for the delay in the regular bi-weekly column, this is it in a nutshell.

On July 11th, while on my regular chemotherapy appointment, the chemo room became unusually quiet. The nurses slipped off. My doctor dashed in and out whispering.  My oncologist stopped by my infusion chair. He said in a hushed tone that, according to the lab results, my kidneys had completely shut down.

I was stunned though for days I had felt terrible.  I was beginning to believe that I was a hypochondriac. Every joint and organ in my body ached or cried out in excruciating pain. My limbs were flailing unmercifully at odd times.

I was hospitalized for nearly three weeks and am now on dialysis three times weekly. And I thought cancer was a bummer!

So far, I have managed to keep good cheer most of the time, but this is an endurance test. What caused the kidney failure is unknown, but there is hope for recovery medically. Of course, divine healing is always an option. I am most grateful for all the friends and strangers who have bombarded heaven on my behalf. I am blessed beyond measure with people in my life who genuinely care and demonstrate it on a daily basis.

As usual, Buddy is a wonderful caregiver. But be forewarned, ladies. Don’t send your husband to the grocery store without a specific list. Buddy doesn’t hear well without his hearing aides.  I asked for him to pick up a good name brand of some prunes and offered him some suggestions. Later I looked at his list: Prunes by Dell.

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nancyk@alltel.net

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Journal of a Living Lady #277

Journal of a Living Lady #277

Nancy White Kelly

July 4th has come and gone quickly. The calendar inches toward Christmas. How can it be? Seems as if yesterday we were counting down to the millennium and now we are facing the beginning of 2007. Much transpires in our lifetimes, both planned and unplanned.
My month of June was interrupted big time by physical set backs. Several of my friends are busy with entertaining company and some are involved in elections. Seems odd to have elections in the summer months.
I don’t mingle much with partisan politics. I vote, of course. After studying the issues and the candidate, I vote for the person who personifies my own ideology or world view. As far as running for office myself, that is not something I would seriously consider. Too much muckraking for me.
I was invited recently to interview a Lt. Governor candidate. For the life of me, I don’t understand why I was asked to do so. However, in reflecting on its implications, I decided to forego the opportunity. I am a columnist, not a reporter. Reporters are supposedly unbiased and report just the facts. Columnists make observations, offering commentary on the passing affairs of life. In a few cases columnists are influential. The Living Lady believes it is best for voters to investigate and decide on the best candidates themselves.
There was one election that I did become involved in the 1970’s. The brother of my pastor decided to run for Police Chief of a county in mid-Georgia. I was a school principal. My help consisted mainly of writing a couple of promotional brochures, drafting a few letters, and editing a campaign speech.
The candidate was a good man with integrity. Though the under-dog, I wasn’t surprised that he won. However, I was a bit taken back to receive a large bouquet of flowers the day after the election. A personal note was attached, thanking me for all my “hard work.” I am happy to report that this man went on to be sheriff of one of the largest counties in Georgia and recently retired with deserved accolades. If he had turned out to be a bad sheriff, I would have forever felt guilty of assisting the wrong posse.

nancyk@alltel.net