Tuesday, 10:20 PM
High-Level Journal Summary: No April Fool's here, but a semi-rough day made happier by a unified act of kindness from friends.
I am quite tired because of uncontrollably waking from solid sleep at 4 AM this morning. However, a moment countered this fatigue extremely well when I got a surprise package from drum corps friend Scooter Pirtle and the entire Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps Mellophone Section.
It might sound silly to others. I understand. However, this is a live connection with other souls who love the same obscure activity as I do. Those meaningful life connections hit home. We all have something like this in life, no matter how big or small. It reminds me of the power of giving and how important it is to do this, no matter what.
Countdowns:
1.) Day 8 of Cycle 1 of Carboplatin + VP-16 chemotherapy.
2008 Seizure Activity:
1.) Last Simple Partial Seizure, or SPS, was a full 9 days ago. I don't know what to make of this streak that has extended for so long. This is such a drastic change from what I have experienced since as far back as August of 2007.
2.) In 2008, I have had 43 SPS's in 92 days. This is an average of 1 SPS every 2.1 days.
Actual Journal: I am exhausted. I woke at 4:00 AM this morning and could not get back into deep sleep. I thought and slept lightly for the next 2 hours. This is part of the price of no longer using 1.0 mg of Ativan when going to bed. (I was required to do this during chemo week.) Ugh.
No complaints here. I'm glad to have such a small issue as not sleeping well last night, but I do note that I am just tired as heck right now. That, and it is April Fool's Day. Sort of makes it hard to be in a real serious mood at the moment.
A great moment
It is moments like today when I am even more touched by the outreach that sometimes comes my way. Look at what came in the mail, by total surprise.
What is this about? Portions of the accompanying letter help to explain:
The Blue Stars' Mellophone Section asked to make you an honorary member of their group.
So, you've got at least two corps to root for this season. Stay well & know you remain in many people's thoughts & prayers.
Your friend,
Scooter
I laughed and smiled out loud
What a moment! Here was this signed t-shirt from a drum & bugle corps called the Blue Stars. I know Scooter because we have worked together on a book publication in 1994. That 1994 book was later republished with expanded materials in 2006. It is called The Middle Horn Leader 2006 and is available on amazon.com.
For Scooter to pull a stunt like this out of nowhere is just tremendous. And this entire mellophone section and their instructors to join in as they have. I must say, the impact is pretty damn special. I will not lie for a second.
Folks I know, too
When I looked at the Blue Stars staff this year, some of the instructors I know well. Donnie Van Doren was our brass instructor back in the 1984 Garfield Cadets, Marc Whitlock and I marched together in the 1987 Garfield Cadets, and Eric Sabach and I marched together in 1984 and 1985 in the Garfield Cadets.
The dynamics apply to all of us
I am praying that I will have a full night of sleep this evening. I need a great night of sleep to make up for last night. But no matter what, I have something that others gave, which counts for more than can quantified.
It might sound silly to others, but this is a live connection with other souls who love the same obscure activity as I do. Those meaningful life connections hit home. We all have something like this in life, no matter how big or small.
It shows me the power of giving and reminds me to reach out like this to others, no matter what. There is often more impact than is openly expressed, and that makes it worthwhile. My bottom line? Thank you...and pay this forward to others by doing the same myself.
