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Tag Archives: Christmas

Thought for Today

12 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in diet

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Bell Ringer, Christmas, diet, Salvation Army

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Cat’s do the strangest things sometimes.

Happy Holiday’s everyone!!  Or, as I like to say, Merry Christmas!!

The past few days have been pretty busy and according to my calendar, it’s only going to get worse.  When I worked, I always disliked the holidays because I never had enough time to do what I wanted to do. With my job being what it was, I always had to be there.  If there was a threat of snow, I had to make sure I brought clothes with me to stay however long I was needed.  I always felt that I couldn’t spend enough time with my family.  Now that I’m retired, it seems that it still holds true.  For now anyway.  Both my girls have come home for Christmas but one is leaving tomorrow to go to Texas with her boyfriend to spend some time with them over the holidays.  When she returns home she’ll spend a couple of days here then back off to college.

This year it’s going to be different for my wife’s side of the family.  She lost her mother a few months back and her good for nothing brother and his family are trying to steal the family’s inheritance.  We’ve had one court date but that got put on hold until further notice.  I never really liked that family anyway.

A quick note about my diet.  I’m back on it.  I’ve been on it for a couple of days now.  So far, so good.  If I can just get my wife on board.  I keep telling her not to fix me stuff that I can’t eat but she continues to do it.  She fixed french-fries tonight and I just left them there.  Of course, she got offended that I wouldn’t eat the food that she had prepared.  It’s a constant battle.

I went to Wal-Mart today and I saw what most everyone sees this time of the year.  A Salvation Army Bell Ringer.  This one was different. He played the trumpet and played Christmas music. What a wonderful experience.  He was drawing in the dough.  I could listen to him all day long.  I wished that all Bell Ringers had some sort of talent.  I’m sure their donations would double.

 

365 Day Photo Challenge 349/365 “‘Tis the Season but I’m Not Feeling it”

14 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Christmas, CML, College, Kids, Leukemia, Medications, Twins

I go through this every year.  It’s nearly Christmas and I’m just not in the mood for it.  It’s not that I’m depressed; it’s more of disappointment that I can’t afford to more for my kids.  The older they get the more expensive their needs or wants get and we can’t afford to get everything they ask for.

This year my wife and I discussed the fact that the girls will be going off to college next year so we’re going to make sure that we help them with things like laptops and other necessities for college.  With that said, that will be two of everything.  One of the things that we will be trying to get them within the next few months is a car.  This brings up another problem.  The girls haven’t decided on where they want to go to school.  Each one has stated that they want to go to separate schools and if they do go to different schools then we’re going to have a huge problem.  We can only afford one car.  I want the girls to make their own decision on where they want to go to school but in reality they will have to go to the same school or else one will be walking.

And of course I’m somewhat concerned about my CML levels going up the way they have.  I’ve been back to the oncologist and they’ve done more blood work to determine what the next step will be as far as the medications that I will be on, being that the ones that I’m on isn’t working anymore.  I’m hoping to hear back from him this week.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 348/365 “Spring Time in December”

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Christmas, December, snow, Spring, Winter

Here it is the middle of December and the high today was 73 degrees.  By this time last year we already had snow on the ground that lasted several days.  So far this winter we’ve only had a couple of cold days with mostly mild temperatures.  There is a storm coming tonight with a small chance of severe weather. Mostly high winds with hopefully minimal damage.  The temperature is supposed to drop next week but be back in the 70’s again by Christmas.  Really mild winter so far.  I hope it continues.

365 Day Photo Challenge 344/365 “Family Matters”

09 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Christmas, Family, Family Time, Football

My son is home for a few days for Christmas and I’m really excited.  He’s got to go back to school on the 28th of this month because the band is flying to Dallas for the football game.  He’s also got several days that he’ll be spending away from home for the basketball games the pep band is playing in.  So, although he’s home for Christmas, he’s going to be gone a lot of the time as well.

We’ve accepted the fact that he’s now a young man and will not be able to spend all his free time with the family.  So we will be treasuring every minute that we get to spend together as a family.  Who knows how many more times we’ll get to spend the holidays together as a family.  I hope many more.

“Life Goes On!”

I Lost it Today :(

17 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cancer, Depression, Leukemia

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Bad Mood, Bloodwork, Blurred Vision, Cancer, Challenges, Christmas, CML, Depression, Leukemia

Today was not a good day for me.  I guess all the troubles in my life finally caught up with me.

For those just finding out about this blog, I have CML, a form of Leukemia.  I was diagnosed with it this past February.  I’ve been taking Gleevec and until last week I thought I was doing pretty good.  My BCR AbL started off at 138 and had gotten down to .134 three months ago.  My last report last week the test showed that it went up to over 2. It was a big disappointment.  I go back in six weeks.

Last week was the beginning of my trouble when my 17 yr old daughter was involved in an accident.  It seems that an 88 yr old man pulled out in front of her.  My daughter is fine with the exception of some back pain in which she is seeing a doctor about.  This was my wife’s 14 yr old van that was totaled by the insurance company.  We do not really have the funds to get another vehicle at this time especially since Christmas is just around the corner.  Just don’t know what to do at this point.

And to add to already what’s going on I’m having eye issues and I’m going to have eye surgery the first part of January.

This is the Christmas season and it’s supposed to be a happy time.  It usually is but the last few years it get’s harder and harder to get into the Christmas spirit.  With my health the way it is and not knowing what the future holds it’s easy for me to get depressed.  I’m the father of three and I’m supposed to be strong and not show emotions but I’m here to tell you that it’s difficult for me to hold it in.  Especially today.

It was while at lunch today.  We were listening to the company choir sing some Christmas songs when it hit me.  I was remembering the times when my kids were younger and times were much different.  I got to thinking just how much longer do I have?  I was doing ok until the choir started singing a song that I haven’t heard since my childhood and that’s when I started to loose it.  Not wanting to show my emotions in public I had to get up and leave the table.  It took be several hours to get my act together.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

It’s been a while I know…

17 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Uncategorized

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Christmas, HGH, music

Life has been a roller-coaster for me and my family the last few months.  I won’t bore everyone with the details but I can promise you I’m glad to finally start getting my life put back together. 

My riding has become non existent. 

Just haven’t had the time.  My eating habits has also gone by the way side so as you may have guessed it my weight has gone back up.  I eat when I’m stressed and believe me, I have been stressed to the top of the mark lately. 

We buried my father-in-law about a month ago.  Wife and kids are doing better.  He was 89 so he lived a full life.  He had two heart attacks in less than two months.  He fell when he had his last one and broke his hip in the process.  He lasted about two weeks before the family decided to turn the machines that kept him alive off.

It’s Christmas time and this is my favorite time of the year.  I love the songs, the gatherings and the spirit of the season.  Wished we could keep this feeling all year long.  I’ve got to get a handle on my eating.  I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in February so I’ve got to get back on track.  Don’t need another talking too by my doctor.

Has anyone had any luck with HGH?  I’m trying it but only been on it about a week.  So far no change.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

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