Keep A-Goin'!

I started my high dose Blinatumomab yesterday at about noon and so far I haven't had any fevers or chills. My face is a bit flush again so Amanda thinks they are on the way. Only time will tell.

Hat's off to the miles to give team! I wrote a song for them the day after the Music for Marshall benefit and Landon had them post it right on the main page of their website! Check it out: Miles2Give

On Monday I went to the exercise class. When I got there everyone was sitting in chairs and stretching while someone played the harp. I sat down and joined them. It was very relaxing. I was thinking if this is exercise I am in! Then the instructor told us is was time for our last stretch and then she was turning the time over to someone else. Then we actually had to exercise... bummer.

We celebrated AJ's Birthday on Tuesday, and thanks to some kind hearted Houstonians, namely Michelle Cotton and Kristy Stoddard, we had a decent little evening with cake and presents and all the fun stuff!

Earlier in the day I took AJ to lunch at the fanciest restaurant in the hospital. She looked so lovely with her hair put up I had to snap a photo. The next morning I attempted a pencil sketch of it for her. This is what happens when I try to practice "Marshall Art"...

I call it the, 'Manda-Lisa' 

I've been trying to read from the "best books" as we are counseled in section 109 of the Doctrine and Covenants. A book of poetry given to me by a surprise visitor last week (if you read the last blog entry she is my cousin's, husband's, sister's, neighbor's, dogs previous owner's, aunt). 

Okay maybe just stop after the first three associations but even then it's a bit complicated. I've enjoyed thumbing through selected works from Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, Shakespeare, and many others. I particularly enjoyed the following down to earth versus penned by Frank L. Stanton:

"If you strike a thorn or rose,

Keep a-goin'!

If it hails or if it snows,

Keep a-goin'!

'Taint no use to sit an' whine

When the fish ain't on your line;

Bait your hook an' keep a-tryin' -

Keep a-goin'!

When the weather kills your crop,

Keep a-goin'!

Though 'tis work to reach the top,

Keep agoin'!

S'pose you're out o' ev'ry dime,

Gittin broke ain't any crime;

Tell the world you're feelin' prime -

Keep agoin'!

When it looks like all is up

Keep a-goin'!

Drain the sweetness from the cup

Keep a-goin'!

See the wild birds on the wing,

Hear the bells that sweetly ring,

When you feel like surgin, sing - 

Keep a-goin'!

We received the exciting news that if all goes well I can leave the hospital and begin outpatient treatment on Monday! More exciting however, is that my Mother is coming to visit next Thursday and she is bringing Kezman with her! It's a good thing too because I think he's starting to miss his Mommy and Daddy.

I don't know bout' the rest a ya'll, but I'm-a keep a-goin till then, an' after that I'mna keep a-goin' some more!