Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Can you believe that it will soon be 2016?!  My 2015 did not get off to a very good start. It took a lot longer to recover from my craniotomy for a benign brain tumor, than I thought it would.  The only lasting effect from my surgery is that I have totally lost my sense of smell.  I guess of the five senses that is the best one to lose, but I really do miss it. Food doesn’t taste as good and there are some really good smells that I miss.

I didn’t do anything special through the summer.  I did enjoy sitting out in the sun. My friend Riki usually comes to visit me from California. This year her mother was very ill and Riki had to postpone her trip. Her mother has since then passed away; sympathies to Riki.

A couple of my dear friends from California, Sue and Kathi, and my sister Janie came in October and we were able to go out to The Cabin on the Lake again.  This October tradition started many years ago in California.  We always have such a good time at the cabin, eating, laughing and playing games.

After my brain surgery last December when I was feeling pretty miserable, Janie decided I needed another challenge. So she planned another cruise to give me something to look forward to while recovering. So on December 6th we sailed out of Galveston,Texas, for a 7 day cruise. Janie arranged for a wonderful, large, fully accessible suite, and it even had two separate balconies so I could sit out and watch the ocean and soak in the sun.  After three days at sea, our first stop was in Honduras. Then we went to Belize and our last stop was Cozumel. My son Ken, his wife Nelly, and grandchildren Chris and Samantha were able to go with us. My caregiver Lori and her family went with us also. We had the most amazing time. In Belize they have to tender (that is to go on a small boat) because there is a live coral reef and, to protect the reef, they do not allow big ships to come very close to the shore. They also do not allow power chairs on the tender, so I was not able to get off the ship in Belize. Our wonderful cabin steward, Shirlei, looked after me that day. She checked on me every hour and at lunchtime she called room service and then set up my lunch for me. I think that was above and beyond her usual duties on the ship. But it allowed everyone else to see the sights in Belize. They went to see the Mayan ruins and enjoyed it in spite of the rain; it rained the whole time they were at the ruins and took about an hour and a half to get there by bus and by boat. During the cruise Janie helped me get in the hot tub THREE TIMES!  As you may know, one of the side effects of my spinal cord injury is that I am always cold. So the hot tub is such a treat for me. The week went by all too quickly. I think everyone was ready to book another cruise.

                                                                          

           

Now I am looking forward to Christmas. For the past two years I have not been able to get my Christmas tree or any Christmas decorations up in the house. But this year I have been able to enjoy the decorations. The Cherokee Nation has a program where they pay students to do some type of community service. Amy, one of my caregivers, asked her kids to come over and they wrote out my Christmas cards, decorated my tree, and put out my other Christmas decorations. Leonard put lights outside the house. Pauletta even decorated my wheelchair with tinsel and red flashing lights that run on a battery.  Everyone seems to like my mobile Christmas decorations.

Now I am anxious to see what next year brings. At least it’s getting a better start than 2015. I wish a Happy New Year to everyone.

            

Spring 2015

 For all my Non-Oklahoma friends who have heard the weather reports for Oklahoma, I want to assure you that Tahlequah has avoided any of the bad stuff.  It rained every day last week; we have been under several tornado watches and we are in a flood watch right now.  But today is a beautiful day.  A lot of people in Tahlequah say we are protected by the spirits of the Cherokee ancestors buried around here.  I just wish there was a way to send some of this water to California.

I recovered from my brain surgery in December  but I have continued to feel such utter fatigue.  Drained, wiped, whacked, knackered, tired, zonked, exhausted, flaked out, wrecked.  My motto has become "why do today what I can put off until tomorrow" and I don't have the energy to accomplish anything. I should have written this update sooner.  I should have emailed or called or I should have sent you a card, but it all just took too much effort.

It is not the absolute exhaustion of working a short-staffed 12 hour shift on a holiday weekend in the ER.  It is not the liquidizing brain drain of taking state boards or the exam to be a certified ER nurse.  Not the agonizing physical fatigue of hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim.  No, this fatigue is uncomfortably numbing - a crushing energy-draining, leech-like sucking, all-devouring consumption of strength.  I guess I am being a bit over-dramatic, but I've never had this feeling for so long.  I read on Facebook about "neuro-fatigue", which affects many people who have recovered from brain trauma, brain concussion or strokes or disease.  I am so grateful for my wonderful family, friends and church who are always so encouraging and supportive of me.

Janie was here a couple weeks ago and we went to Bentonville, Arkansas to see the Crystal Bridges. It is an art gallery collected by one of the Walmart billionaire heiresses.  It is a beautiful place, and free to the public.  Two of my Tahlequah friends went along and we had a great day.

My great niece, Sarah graduated from high school and I was able to go to her graduation.  (Don't believe "wheel accessible" until you have tried it!)  These kids have all grown up so fast.  And her brother Levi has recently joined the Navy.

One good result of my surgery is that I qualified for home physical therapy.  My therapist, Marcie, has been working out with me for a couple of months to strengthen my upper body and to try to get more response from my hands and fingers.  I feel very encouraged about that.  My goal is to be able to use my mouse.

You probably know that I always love the summer months because there is a better chance of me feeling warm!  The only good thing about the end of summer is the two trips I have coming up in the fall that I am very much looking forward to.  Two friends from California will come again for our annual trip to "The Cabin on the Lake": a few days of fun, food and games.

Then Janie has planned another Caribbean Cruise!  I am so glad my care giver Lori will be coming with us, as well as Ken and his family!  This is in early December and we'll be heading to the warm weather down south.

Thanks for your love and encouragement always!

What an "Interesting" few months!

So much has happened since my last Blog update September 2014.  You might have received an email about my surgery in December and finally, it’s time to give a more thorough update.

 

In early October, I was able to go to Branson, MO and see the production of “Jonah”.  It was great.  During that trip I had what I called “a spell”.  I guess I passed out for a bit.  It scared my caregiver but it didn’t last long and we returned home.  Over the next few weeks these “spells” happened more and more frequently and my vision began to be effected.  I enjoyed having my friend Riki visited for a week but so sorry that I continued to have worsening spells while she was here. I was finally convinced to go to the ER one morning after a bad “spell” and a preliminary CT scan of my head was performed.  The very next day two dear friends, Cathi Castle and Sue Rivera, arrived from California.  We had planned our annual trip to “The Cabin on the Lake” at Greenleaf Lake about 45 minutes from Tahlequah. I am so glad they didn’t cancel the trip after hearing about my ER visit. Janie came along again as my caregiver.  We had a great time eating, drinking, laughing, playing card games and Mexican Train.  We even reserved the cabin for next October, so will look forward to that.

 

 
                                               Fun at The Cabin on the Lake!

 

After everyone returned home, other CT scans were required and the diagnosis was a brain tumor near the frontal lobe.  Surgery was scheduled for December 17th.  I was so glad that my sisters would be around for all or part of my hospitalization and recovery at home.  My hairdresser Barbara was happy to prepare my scalp... shaved!  Pauletta and Steve were here for an Early Christmas dinner, then they and Chris got me to the hospital and stayed for several hours, even days.  A craniotomy was performed at St. John’s Medical Center in Tulsa, removing a golf-ball sized meningioma, and all went well with that surgery.  My heart didn’t respond as well as my head, and I ended up staying in the hospital a few extra days.  Thanks to those of you who visited me there.

 

                 Getting ready for surgery:             

 

          

 

One day after surgery:

 

 

I made it home for Christmas!  Janie, Leonard, Chris and Bill helped me celebrate being HOME, with a wonderful Christmas dinner.  (This meant I got to have TWO Christmas dinners... Thanks to my brother and sisters!) 

 

                             Christmas Day!                                 

 

       

 Time to remove staples (Janie’s humor!)

 

         

 

My recovery at home has been slower that I expected.  I’ve had some very good days and some difficult ones.  I have been able to attend church a couple of times, as well as  a few other outings. 

Thank you for all the cards and prayers and phone calls during this “adventure” (and meals, Barbara!).  My entire family and my caregivers help keep me encouraged and positive about the next several months.  I think I’ll begin planning a trip... how about another cruise, Janie?

Summer has come and gone!

Time goes by fast when you're having fun and my summer sure went by fast. In May I had an appointment with my urosurgeon in Chicago. Janie took me in my van and of course that was a good excuse to visit Pauletta and Steve. We stayed for a week and we went to see the musical, CATS and we went to a movie, we went out to eat and really had such good time, and the week went by so fast. And, oh yeah, I had a good report from my doctor - everything is fine.

In June my big day came and I had a wiener roast at Chris's to celebrate my BIG 70. It was a lot of fun. Chris had a big bonfire and we had hot dogs and baked beans and chips and all that other good stuff that goes with a wiener roast and of course we had s'mores. I made up a scavenger hunt for all the kids and they had a lot of fun doing that.  I thought cake would be too difficult to manage at a wiener roast. So I got those big decorated sugar cookies instead. But, Chris thought I needed to have a cake so she got a little cake and put candles on it.

 

In July I had a visit from my dear friends Shelley and Gaston and their two darling sons Nathaniel and Jonathan.  Shelley is a nurse I worked with on the Mercy ship and her husband Gaston was in charge of different building projects in and around Freetown, Sierra Leone. One day, when I was off duty from the ship hospital, I told him I would like to go work with him. I got a sack lunch from the cafeteria and he took me out to the worksite where they were building a new medical clinic.  He showed me what I would be doing and then he left for the day. I thought there would be other people from the ship working on the building also, but I was only one there from the ship. I was the only white person and there was only one other woman but you know what, I had a terrific time. 
 

Shelley and Gaston work for Wycliff Bible Translation Association in Cameroon, West Africa.  They are home on furlough, and I am so happy they were able to plan a visit to see me. Can you believe, they came all the way from Africa and I made them fix dinner!

 

In August Ken and Nellie and Chris and Samantha came to see me. They were here for 11 days and we had the best time. My nephew Patrick Peebler lives near Oklahoma City and we were able to go see him, his wife Lynette and their two kids.  Pat and Ken (Butch) were best friends from when they were three but had not seen each other for about 14 years. It was a great reunion.

 

While Ken and family were here we also went to the Wilderness Safari in Gentry, Arkansas and to the Har-Ber Village at Grove, Oklahoma.  They all went floating on the Illinois River one day, but I didn’t go. Then we went to Branson, MO for three days and had a great time there. My niece Sarah was also able to join us. Their time here went by all too quickly.

 

So what a great summer it was.  Now I am looking forward to the beautiful fall season in Oklahoma! I am expecting some more out-of-town guests and another annual trip to "The Cabin on the Lake".

SPRING AT LAST!

I guess the most significant thing I have done lately is to survive our brutal winter. They said it was the worst we've had in 30 years, but 30 years ago I was still living in California so didn’t experience that winter in Oklahoma.  I just stayed at home during the worst of it.  I didn't get out in the ice and snow and bitter cold. But what an amazing transformation in just a few days, and now we have all the early bloomers: the redbud trees and dogwood trees. And everything else is beginning to show the signs of spring. They are predicting a very warm summer and I am so looking forward to that.

 

            There was another significant event in March.  My little “grandbaby” turned 15!  How in the world did she grow up so quickly!  And she's already talking about how soon she can get her learning permit to drive.  She started playing soccer last year and really enjoys it, and now she's looking forward to this season with Fremont Soccer Team. 

            Next month, in May, I will be taking another trip to Chicago for a follow-up with the doctor who did my bladder surgery.  I'm not having any problems; my doctor just likes to see her patients every year and I didn't go last year, so it’s road trip time.  But the real reason for going again is because it is a good excuse to go visit Pauletta and Steve.  Janie is going with me and we will drive my Van. It will be about a 12 hour drive each way.  Pauletta rents special equipment for my visits and allows me to take over her living room while I am there.  I appreciate everything she does to make my visits possible and comfortable.  I am sure May will be a beautiful time in Chicago.

            Last Sunday (the week before Easter), I just didn't feel like going to church. I told myself I didn't feel very good, but in truth I really was not sick enough to stay home. But then a couple of people came by to check on me and I got a couple of phone calls because I missed church. My friend Wanda came over with an Easter Basket she had made just for me, and an Easter card where she wrote that she was sorry I was sick and hoped that I would feel better soon. Now I'm feeling really guilty for missing Sunday school and church.  Guess I can’t do that again!  My friends are just amazing and I appreciate their love and concern so very much.

            The next big thing after Chicago that I am looking forward to is a visit from Ken, Nelly, Chris and Samantha sometime towards the end of the summer.

I am continuing with all my favorite activities that my friends and family make possible for me.  Reading is a favorite past time and I am always looking for a new book, so send me your suggestions.  I will enjoy the summer sitting on my front porch warming up in the sun and reading a good book.

By the way, I have changed my email address to beverly.kohl@aol.com.  I would love to hear from you!

2014!!!

       

BAH! HUMBUG!..  was my feeling at the beginning of December.  For the first time in all my life I did not want to start decorating for Christmas.  Leonard has a beautiful banana tree that stays outside in the summertime but when it starts to get cold, he brings it in the house.  This year it was in front of my living room and it looked so healthy.  It had put two new leaves out and I did not want to move it to make room for my Christmas tree.  Leonard put up Christmas lights outside and then it snowed, and that was enough Christmas decoration for me.

Then the second week of December, Pauletta and Steve came.  This was simply not enough Christmas decoration for Pauletta!  She went to the attic searching my Christmas box and brought down several things to brighten up the season and to brighten up my spirits.  She set out the beautiful Nativity Set that my mom had made years ago when she was doing ceramics. 

                                              Steve also brought me a beautiful white poinsettia.

                                                    And next, Pauletta decorated my trees!

Riki sent me a beautiful fresh wreath from Oregon so I had a nice Christmas tree smell throughout my house.
I did not send out any Christmas cards this year but I received so many and I am so grateful to all of my friends who sent cards.  Next year I am going to be sure and send out cards and sent them early!

I was born in 1944.  It really doesn't seem like it was that long ago, but when I do the math, it looks like 2014 is going to be a big milestone year for me.  I am anxious to see what this year holds for me.  I wonder how many 70-year-old quadriplegics there are!?!

Another Beautiful Autumn!

Pauline Brill - August 26, 1919 - October 31, 2013

Many of my Blog Friends have already heard that my mom passed away on October 31. She was a wonderful woman. We are grateful to so many people who have shared with us their personal experiences about how she touched their lives. We all feel sorrow that she is no longer with us, but as Christians, we are assured that she is now with her heavenly father.  I know that when she exhaled her last breath on earth, the next thing she heard was, " well done, my good and faithful servant."

 

All of Mom’s kids, grand kids, and several great grand kids were here.  Ken and Christopher and Samantha were able to come. The night before Mom's service we all went to Chris's place. She had a big bonfire in her field where we roasted hotdogs and made s'mores and sat around the fire telling our favorite memories of Grandma Brill.  It was special time for all of us.  My Ladies Sunday school class from my church started bringing in food and drinks and desserts and even paper products.  I was looking at all the food thinking, "What will I ever do with all this food?" After everyone left, I couldn't believe they had eaten almost everything. They left me a little bit of peach cobbler and about two helpings of a delicious stew. I am so grateful for all the precious ladies in my Sunday school class.

In October, I had my annual trip with Sue, Kathi and Janie, to the Cabin on the Lake. For many years, Sue, Kathi, Judy and I went to a cabin in the Sierra Mountains every fall and it was such a special time together.  I can't go to the cabin anymore; it is not wheelchair accessible, but we heard about this wonderful cabin built just for handicapped people. It is at Greenleaf State Park in Oklahoma, just about 45 miles from Tahlequah.  We had a great time together!

Hey! What happened to this year? How could it be November already? Now we can look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, and then a brand-new year and we can start all over again.