Is Tomorrow Really Halloween? And a Brief Health Update AKA Why I Haven't Been Posting Much

Much has been going on in my life with health issues so my posts have been sporadic to say the least. I mentioned in July a spot on my CT scans over the past year has shown a spot on my right kidney that has grown with each of the 4 scans so I had to see a urologist. In early August the doctor blasted 60% of a tumor and on November 5^th I will have another surgery to remove the right kidney in hopes it will contain the cancer.

I have told the doctor I won’t be having any chemo or radiation because my body could barely tolerate the 2 rounds I had after the hysterectomy in 2025. I’m still suffering the side effects from the chemo I can’t imagine if I made it through the 6 rounds they had me scheduled for, my heart tells me I wouldn’t have survived the 3^rd round. I’m not looking forward to losing a kidney at 71 but it seems all the research I have done it is the best option for someone with my health issues.

Time has moved so fast, Halloween is tomorrow, yet it seems I was just excited about the first day of Autumn. The older I get the faster time goes by, more years behind me that ahead of me and I still move forward. I may not be able to walk the 1-2 mile daily morning walks right now nor can I make it down to the corner some days yet on the days I can it feels like I walked a mile.

I know it sounds silly to fret about not being able to walk the distances I walked a year or so ago but it does bring me down. I have always been a walker and I miss it so much it often feels like a part of me is missing. The A-Fib has a lot to do with me getting so tired out so quickly, and the neuropathy in my feet makes my balance questionable at times. The neuropathy is in my hands, fingers and feet a side effect from the chemo. To help with the walking I purchased a small treadmill and walk it nearly every day. The first week all I could manage was 4-5 minutes, believe me those minutes were cherished minutes. I’ve tried to add a few minutes each week and made it to 10 minutes. My goal for the end of November is 15 minutes and hopefully by the new year I will be at 30 minutes every day.

It’s a Wellfit folding treadmill model TM037, I bought it during the back to school sale. It’s quiet, fairly lightweight and folds if you wish to side it out of the way. I leave mine out and just jump on when I’m ready.

Currently I am reading The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman and The Long Call by Anne Cleeves.

I haven't done too much crafting since I last posted my fingers have just been too sore. I did make a set of little goddess dolls following the Celtic Wheel of the Year, since I began my Walking the Wheel of the Year a few years ago walking and observing the seasonal changes in my area.

The front and back of each of the 8 goddesses, 4 have little pockets on them I often stick a small hand written affirmation into the pocket.  

I'm planning of making a set of goddess dolls in the 7 Chakra colors and maybe the four seasons.  I am hooked on these little goddess dolls inspired by Mirjam Gielen pattern.  I made subtle changes to my goddesses.

I began making these little goddess dolls right before my hysterectomy in 2025 making myself one with my word of the year which was Tend.

I made the 2026 word of the year which is Joy, I added the little pocket and for most of the time the pocket held a little note I wrote to myself.  I clipped her to my purse and she goes everywhere with me.

I also love they are just under 4 inches and fit nicely in the palm of the hand. I add a little lightbulb pin to the top of the head for hanging.  I hung them on my Christmas tree last year and just typing this I had a thought of making a 12 days of Christmas set.  

Well that's my update on what's been going on, I wish you all a  safe and Happy Halloween if you celebrate.