Hobbies

PhillieG said:

Hobbies
great post, something different for a change. My hobbies are kayaking, photography, playing guitar in a band with a few other guys, buying guitars, and swimming. Not in that order...

Your flowers look beautiful Winney. Maybe some sort of winch or block and tackle (like they use for lifting engines for cars) might help with lifting heavy objects. I'm the only "lucky" one in my family with any illness. I hope it stays that way.
-phil

good subject
it seems now a days my hobby has become my life long dream.i always wanted a horse and now we have got 5 of them.one of them was a bday presesnt from my hubby.i now have a 3 month old baby to wean ,train ,and raise myself.its going to be challaging but i know i have my heart in it.just want to be normal again it seems like i have no energy and it is very frustrating.Godbless......johnnybegood

Singing
Hi Winnie

I like to sing and write.

When I first got Cancer and thought we got a 1/2 step ahead of it, I decided to record and release a DVD of one of my favorite bands and send it to them so they could see what I had made for them - Alison Krauss and Union Station.

If you would like to read about that, go to my Expressions page and look for a story titled THE PROMISE. It is my story of this project and what I tried to do with a 2nd chance at Life.

Since then, I've been out to a couple of Karaoke bars and got the opportunity to sing some of my country songs that I've worked on in my car and in my office. I've done Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Johnny Cash, and recently George Jones.

I'm hoping to get back out there at least once maybe twice more before I have to have surgery...I'll be looking to do Toby Keith, George Strait, and Clint Black.

It's something that I've enjoyed doing.

Take care
-Craig

Hobby
I really don't have a hobby, but I really enjoy weight lifting, working out and fitness in general. I have been trying to get certified as a personal trainer, but have put that off and really don't know why. Need to pick-up the books again a starting studying. Kick myself in the ****

Nice post
Hi Winney,
Your flowers are lovely. How nice that you and your husband found a hobby to do together. I can just imagine how heavy everything is, I wish I had a solution for you.

****'s (my husband with cc) hobbies are surfing, boating, fishing, running, working out and playing with our dogs.
I like to boat and Hawaiian canoe paddle in a 6 man canoe. We both love to do things with our 2 daughters.

In regards to your question about other members of the family, we have a daughter with several special needs. We thought our hands were very, very full with her illnesses and then **** was diagnosed with cc. People said they cannot believe it, like we got hit by lightening twice. Your question about coping is a good one. We cope by being strengthened by our faith in God and by the love of family in friends. We are so grateful for all the people who have put themselves out for us, it is actually quite humbling. We hope we have learned better how to support people going through crisis.

Take care.
Aloha,
Kathleen

Hobbies
I am a quilter...not bed quilts but wall art. It is such a passion that I chucked my Corporate job 3 years ago and started my own publishing company to produce quilting magazines. It has been hard to create during this time, but I did produce several small quilts about my cancer journey. I am also a writer, photographer and, my favorite, a grandma!

My husband suffers from Diverticulitis, to the extreme, and it was sometimes difficult for him to take care of me when he was having an attack, but he persevered! I think he's an amazing person, always putting me first.

Thanks for this thread...

Vicki (who is supposed to be packing the RV for vacation. We leave tomorrow am!)

karguy said:

Hobbie
It looks like you two do beautiful work.there are alot of tools that you can use to help you lift things,if you check the auto parts suppliers.My hobbies are working on street rods,mine is a customized 35 ford coupe,and fishing.My youngest son is special needs,and I try to stay strong for him.I have good days,and bad days,but I don't let him know when I have a bad day.Don't give up,and when you have a good day,then do your designs.My grandmother said,when there's a will there's a way.I'll pray everything works out for you.My stepmother was on dialysis for 17 years,and it is hard not to get depressed,maybe you could try medication for depression,It helps me.I hope this helps.

Pooh
Hi Winney:

I haven't had an opportunity to communicate with you before. Welcome to this board. I'm sorry that you are sick but this is a very good place to find information and to receive support.

What a great screen name, by the way!

You asked about how people who are caregivers cope. You, of course, have a difficult role; you are fighting your own health battle and you are a caregiver at the same time. That is tough! While I am not a colon cancer patient , I am a caregiver and, after three years caring for my husband, I fully appreciate the stress and struggle that comes with that role. Some days it truly seems like problems are insurmountable. It is certainly easier said than done, but it is important to take some time for yourself (particularly since you are also fighting illness yourself). It is also important, I find, to remember every second of every day that your care for your husband is an act of selfless loving kindness.

Your flower art is beautiful and I hope your creativity gives you comfort even if the creative process gives you some challenges.

Back to Pooh. Somehow A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, had gentle words to address so many of the challenges we all face in life. His stories can be read on so many levels and they speak to good people of all ages.

Here is a great Pooh quotation about strength, coping and loving togetherness that I find especially comforting:

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”

Hatshepsut

P.S. I forgot all about your hobby question.

I'm a gardener. I particularly enjoy growing orchids. My husband has been kind enough to have a small greenhouse built to feed my orchid addiction and I find beauty, quiet and comfort there. I've also landscaped our tiny back yard. When things get tough, I garden.

I also enjoy reading, cooking and photography. Since my husband has multiple issues (he also suffers from heart disease), I've been really challenged in the cooking area. While we've been vegetarian for many many years, we now follow what is essentially a vegan diet as per Dr. Dean Ornish's research regarding heart disease and prostate cancer. It's been quite a cooking challenge but, three years into the diet, I've adapted many of our old recipes and enjoy cooking all manner of new things. It helps that we enjoy ethnic foods with Indian, Asian and Mexican foods being particular favorites. It also helps that my husband is, like me, a "foodie."