I love living in the desert this time of year. It’s about 70 degrees out today….and sunny and green and perfect. I went for a walk first thing and did my 20-minute free daily yoga app. It’s been over 4 months since I did any kind of exercise….I can’t even touch my toes and I get exhausted after a 20 minute walk….but I’m on a mission.
I didn’t feel that great all day…..but I never like just laying around so I pulled up a chair to a table and did a few felting projects this morning. My mind wants me to do all this stuff but my body can’t keep up. I definitely like to test it though. Never in my whole life have I had to make choices about what I need to put on the back burner and what is priority…..I’ve always been the “well, I’ll just do it ALL” kind of person with unlimited energy. And all the sudden that energy isn’t there when I want it because of this whole chemo thing. I can completely understand why people make the decision to stop chemo treatment if there were a question around whether it was working or not.
I have this crazy appetite all the sudden for all things hearty: chicken pot pie, bean soup, mashed potatoes etc. I might just end up gaining weight through chemotherapy! My weight got down to about 135 in November…..but it’s been slowly climbing….I haven’t gotten over 140 though yet. Our family friends brought over some soup the other night made with white beans and kale….and last night I tried to recreate it adding in some ingredients of my own. I’ve already eaten about 6 bowls of it today……I’ll have to try to recreate my own version again so I can share the recipe!
My friend Staci’s mother Elaine who had a stroke a few weeks ago took 80 steps last night. That is HUGE. I’m so proud of her. She’s so determined and positive…..and she and her family have always been an example of how to live life to the fullest for me. They say I’m an inspiration for them….but they’ve always been an inspiration for me. Anytime we’ve ever spent with them was completely focused on enjoying time with friends and family….that there’s never an excuse good enough not to. I wear Elaine’s pink bracelet ETS (her initials & Exceptional Tough Strong) everyday next to my Choose Joy bracelet:
Boo woke up early this morning…..excited to wear her new Valentine’s Day dress:
I ran out at the last minute last night to Rite Aid to buy Valentine’s for her class….somehow they just slipped my mind and I thought I still had a few more days! Boo wanted to hand write each and everyone. After 15 Valentine’s were finished we heard “….I’m SO tired…I JUST want to go to bed.” Wow. That never happens. Lisa’s hubby Nick took the girls to the desert zoo yesterday so I think she was overly exhausted. I love this pic….it looks like the giraffe is posing for the camera:
That is shocking! Both the shortages and the production problems that resulted in closing a plant. I signed the petition and will pass it on.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:6-7
Glad to hear you have an appetite right now! I will definitely sign the petition, my friends 3 year old has juvenile arthritis and needs this drug also, so the shortage affects her as well.
Love the pic of Boo at the Zoo! And I am off to read the shortage of medication post. Very scary if people can’t get the medication they need! I am glad your friend who had a stroke is doing well. Tony’s dad had a stroke in Sept and he was able to go home in Nov. He still has some therapy at home and can’t see very well. But they are still trying different things. He had to learn everything all over again. He is permanently disabled now.
Signed the petition and shared it
I know exactly what you mean about having the desire to complete tasks, but not having the physical energy. Its something that I deal with on a daily basis. Sending good thoughts your way
my 9 year old needs it for her arthritis and there are times we have had to wait for methotrexate. it is unbelievable that this could happen!
Wow, I take small dosages in pill form of methotrexate for my rheumatoid arthritis. I had no idea there was a shortage. 🙁 I will sign the petition and hope the people battling cancer are given priority to this needed medicine.
posted, tweeted, signed, pinned. Can we march? Can we make it ourselves? This is f’ing ridiculous that there is a shortage. Love you. Bev
One of the drugs that saved my life… Petition signed …
I went and signed the petition. I read all of the places you linked and I’m literally in tears. I can not believe this is even an issue and I pray our government does something about it sooner then later.
I really can’t get my head around the fact that there is a shortage of cancer drugs. It makes no sense whatsoever. Thanks for posting the petition! I am so impressed by all you get done. I could hardly read a book while I was in chemo, it was so hard to focus. And kudos for walking and yoga!
Love the pics today and the felting…I’m very impressed! Hope you all have had a great Valentine’s Day. So glad you are hungry for healthy…keep up the good work. Praying for you always,
Love ya,
Beth
I signed it!
Wow, I can’t believe that they could have a shortage. How does that happen?
In other news… I live in Alberta, Canada and I’m pretty sure I saw a girl wearing a Choose Joy bracelet at school the other day! I didn’t get a chance to talk to her about it, but I thought it was pretty amazing. Your message is really getting out there. Keep on hanging in there!
PS- that giraffe picture is amazing!
I went over and signed the petition. My granddaughter with juvenile arthritis needs it too and it’s hard to imagine they can manufacture tons of drugs for erectile dysfunction ( not thats its not important but it is not a matter of life or death) and not meet the needs of all the cancer patients!
Well said MaryAnn, well said.
I’ve been at war with myself for the past few months, reading this. I’m terrified to ask, I’ve offended so many people. Please know that even though I’ve never met you, I feel like you’re my best friend and I mean no offense whatsoever.
I’m just wondering… have you heard of the Gerson Therapy? If so, what do you think about it? Would you give any thought to trying it?
If you haven’t heard of it, I beg you to watch one of the many documentarys on it.
Good luck Mama. Always praying for you!
I saw the story this morning on the news before heading in to teach school and I thought of you immediately. It is also used to treat some of those suffering with RA and I was offered to use it for my ectopic miscarriage. I opted to wait a few days and it miraculously resolved on it’s own — the tube somehow actually ejected it back out – crazy stuff there. I also want you to know that my class of seventh graders are now sporting beautiful purple bracelets and they have also promised to pray for you and your family. Choose joy!
Signed! Wow – my husband takes methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis – we had no clue there was a shortage. Thank you!
Inspiration! Hope u are feeling well.
I signed the petition and I will pass it along. We can mass produce tons of crap but the stuff we need isn’t there? I don’t understand. I will read more about it.
Always thinking about you Ashley and try to keep a good perspective on living a happy day every day. Thanks for spreading your Joy.
Hi!
I have been stalking your blog since Ashley at Under the Sycamore Tree mentioned you had sent her a dress for guest posting. I admire the courage and hope that you have shown through this battle. I wish I could say that I would do the same thing in your shoes, but I am not sure I could! I saw a piece on the news about the methotrexate shortage and you were the first person I thought of. I can’t imagine not having access to a drug that was needed for life or death. Hopefully all will work out soon.
Thinking about you in Alabama!
Ashley,
I’ve followed your blog for awhile now and was so sad, angry and upset to see that such a lovely person has to battle cancer……..but with what inspiration and positivity you do it with.
Thinking of you and your family, stay strong……..
Ashley,
Hey! I think I posted before to your blog but, here’s an article I read today and I knew that this had to be the the same drug and sure enough – it was! I read your blog before you found out you had cancer and I read it religiously every day. Your courage is really empowering. My husband always can tell when I’m reading your blog because I have a certain focused, concerned look on my face and he says, “You stalking that cancer chick?” LOL…but he doesn’t complain because I think he knows how much I enjoy your blog and I really do care about you even though I have never met you and you have no idea who I am. Weird huh?
Here’s the article on Fox.com:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/15/4-year-old-minnesota-girl-in-danger-being-victim-chemo-shortage/
Hopefully, this will help get the word out.
LIC,
Leslie
Hi Ashley,
I’ve been reading your blog for about 6 months now. I was impressed right from the start with your talent and style, but lately I’ve been honoured to be a part of your journey. As someone who has suffered from depression for 20+ years and finds it a struggle just to get out of bed some days, it’s hard not to feel disappointed in myself. When I read about your perseverance and bravery not just with the weekly chemo, but with your beautiful way to find joy. I have ordered your purple wristbands and can’t wait to get them, every day I will look at mine and hope that I can be as brave and strong as you are.
Thank you Ashley, thank you.
Signed it 🙂 Hope it helps xxx
Signed! Praying for you and others who need these medications to FIGHT BACK and CHOOSE JOY!
Signed!!
Hola, que linda Boo con su vestido se ve tan grande, cada dia crece mas, y que lindas fotos, Que bien que camines! y que mal que no haya ese liquido, tengo un compañero en la oficina que tiene quimios cada dos semanas, y efectivamente en Mexico no hay ese medicamento que ademas es muy caro, y el tiene que esperar por el, hasta que le consiguen para que se lo pongan.
Asi que: ¿donde firmo???
Ashley,
I’ve have been reading your blog for a couple of weeks now. You are an inspiration!! I signed the petition and am praying for you and everyone that takes methotrexate! Peace and choose joy to you and your family!!
Have signed it, and shared with my women’s bible study. I didn’t know, but where it asked child’s name, I put your name. I want them to know what kind of clout your carry and don’t mess with you and your blogger friends!! Hope this helps and brings awareness to the drug companies.
Hugs and prayers,
Cindy
Wow. Thank you for sharing the links. I am passing these along to my followers too. Bst to you always.
Thanks for posting this. I sent letters to my representatives last night. My daughter had leukemia in 2008 and received methotrexate every week for over a year. She is doing great and I want everyone else to have that same opportunity. Blessings on your journey.
Just signed the petition….wow….that is just terrible to read about the shortage, ..I can’t believe that. Think of you daily…I am always an email away….you are getting there……just a few more steps and you will have made it!! xo Amy
signed the petition – glad you had a good day.
Ashley,
I signed the petition and pinned it. It has been hit like crazy on Pinterest!!
Hope it helps!
Ashley,
I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now. I think you’re an amazingly strong person and I love that you are always positive! A boy from my old high school (I graduated with his sister) is dealing with the same problem so it definitely hits home. He’s fighting cancer for the second time at age 18.
I can’t believe this can even happen, but you have plenty of support over on the east coast! All of our friends and families are working on signing the petition and trying to let people know this is happening. Stay strong! All of you guys are in my prayers!
Signed the petition.I hope it helps. I had to have methotrexate several times before because I had ectopic pregnancies. But they were just shots,nothing like you are having to go through. I am glad it was available when I needed it. I hope it will always be in supply for those who need it.We Loved Boo’s dress. Hope you have a great evening!
Hugs
My 11 year old daughter and I both take Methotrexate in smaller doses for arthritis. I will be signing right after I finish typing this.
Just shows TO many have cancer!! Its SO sad…i myself also have cancer at 30!! I have CML. time to make lifestyle changes!! Alot ofthem!! Prayers your way dear.
Ashley…i feel your blog was meant for me…i have been steadly following your treatment and have been so inspired by your attiyude. As it turns out my 3 yr old daughter was diagnosed with hihh risk b precurser acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I couldnt believe when I recognized words l like methtrexate
Sorry hit publish to soon. But immediatley thoight oh the mountain dew medicine. Right now iys hard to choose or find joy ….but im trying…..thank you!!!!!