March 16, 2014 - The Family Garden

I will have a garden this year!  The kids are all pitching in.  Son-in-law Bryan kick started it by planting all the remaining onions today.  I downsized the amount, and sent half of them over for Son John's garden.  Bry will be back to plant potatoes later in the week.  We'll see how it goes, but the plan is for all the kids/grandkids to come one day a week to help plant, hoe and share in the harvest.  I'll blog for as long as I can, then I'll make daughter Amy do it for me, LOL!




We (Bryan, Amy and myself...until I pooped out) planted Copra, Walla Walla and Red Grano onions.

All of my pepper seeds have germinated, and I have them in their little grow pots under lights.  I put tomato seeds in damp coffee filters for pre-sprouting.  I think I'll go for a few cabbages too.

Amy and Bryan brought over pinto beans and smoked bratwurst, and half a smoked turkey breast, so we're being well fed.  Daughter Shannon has also volunteered to provide some meals and both daughters will help with heavier housework once a week.

I've already had 3 radiation treatments for the brain cancers, but will spend 6-8 hours tomorrow in the hospital for intravenous hydration before and after a scheduled CAT scan for detection of cancers in my other organs, then back in the evening for more radiation.  The radiation zaps are scheduled daily all next week, plus a visit to the oncologist on Thursday re: chemo. We're lucky to have excellent cancer centers so near, and state of the art radiation equipment.

The steroids have helped with arm movement, but my right hand still doesn't work.  I'm getting a bit better at typing one handed, and you should see how I can pair up socks using my left hand and my teeth!  I managed to do two loads of laundry today, made the bed cleaned my bathroom and spent time with the family.  John came yesterday and put a shower seat in my bathtub, so I can actually bathe again....whew!  It was a lucky find at Lowe's.  He'd gone looking for grab bars, but they just didn't work for me.  I could get in the tub, but not back out!  The shower seat gave me the stability to enter and exit the tub, and it was on clearance...marked down from $129 to $29!

I must say the love, prayers, well wishes and moral support you, my dear readers, my wonderful garden bloggers, my greatest friends....you give me the courage to not just crawl in a hole and give up.   I'm determined to do what I can for as long as I can.  It might be 3 months (they filled my RXs for 90 days, they must expect me to live that long!), or 3 years....only God knows.  But I'm going out kicking and screaming and gardening.  You can bet your tomatoes on that!

I love you all so much.  Thank you for standing by us during this difficult time.  I think Mr. Granny could use a few of those prayers.  He's taking it pretty hard, but he's trying to stay strong.

I'm worn out from typing and correcting my typos....off to bed so I can be at the hospital by 7:45 tomorrow morning.

Love,
Granny

 

40 comments:

  1. Granny, you are one amazing woman, one of a kind, I think. I love that you keep going no matter what. I am so thrilled that your family is pitching in to get your garden going this year. We out here in Blogland are pulling for you.

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  2. So happy to see your post. What a wonderful family you have, you are a very blessed woman. Praying for a great week for you and your family.

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  3. Ha-I've always said--you are one tough , fine lady! I knew you'd figure a way around this. Hugs and love and wishing you the very best!

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  4. Whoohoo for kids. That is so nice that they are going to put your garden together for you. It will be a good excuse to see you a lot too.

    And poor Mr Granny. I know when my dad as diagnosed with cancer that my mom took it harder than my dad. Weirdly my dad took it quite well. In some ways he is much like you. He never gives up. He is going to do as much as he can as long as he can. Though when my husband ended up in the hospital this January we were both freaking out. He almost had to have bypass surgery at 52. Though they ended up doing a lot of stents instead. His dad died in his low 50s of the same thing. So I feel for Mr Granny. The thought of anything happening to your spouse is devastating. Especially after being together for so long. You will both be in my prayers.

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  5. Hugs to both you and Mr Granny. I want to "Thank You" and your family for sharing your strength of spirit, faith and unity with the rest of us. You remind us again that's it's always about the Love. Love for yourself, and the love your family returns. May the circle never end.

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  6. Granny, we are glad to hear that you will have a garden after all! Keep up the good spirits and make sure that wonderful family of yours does something special for Mr. Granny too! We are keeping you, Mr. Granny, and your entire family in our thoughts. My son E (9 yrs. old) says he hopes you can harvest more this summer and to continue dreaming your dream of harvesting a garden.

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  7. You go girl!!! You are in my prayers.....you are an inspiration..keep on fighting!!! God Bless, robbie

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  8. You're going into this with the right attitude - a fighting spirit! You will make each day count!
    God bless you and Mr. Granny and the entire family throughout this journey!

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  9. I am so glad to see your family helping you out so you can do the things you love! Sending lots of good wishes, positive vibes and prayers your way!

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  10. I'm so happy to hear that your family is going to help support the garden, and with other things. Hopefully that will make everything easier and happier! Best wishes... I'll be thinking about you!

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  11. I just discovered your blog through Two Men and a Little Farm and I've got to tell you, I was so sad to learn that you would not be able to have a garden during your battle with cancer. I put you in my Bloglovin' feed anyways hoping for a miracle. I am so happy to learn that you have such an amazing support system through your family and the garden will live on! Prayers to you and your family and I will be eagerly anticipating your posts as long as they keep coming!! Keep fighting the fight because we are cheering you on!!

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  12. I am so glad your family is going to help out with your garden! Gardening is very therapeutic, even if you are just walking around admiring it and not doing the work. Best wishes to you and your family. Keep up the fight and prove them wrong.

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  13. Prayers to you and your family. Hope you have a great family garden this year. Wishing you well wises and praying you win the fight your fighting. May God Bless you.

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  14. Praying for you and your family. Glad to hear you will be having a family garden this year. Wishing you well wishes for the fight your fighting. May God Bless you.

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  15. So glad your kids and grandkids are able and willing and close enough to help you have your garden this year! And your son, John, is such a good son. I'm thankful he could find what you needed and install it for you so you could bathe again. You were starting to stink, you know. ;) Continue to keep us updated. Love you!

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  16. Here you are inspiring us again! You typed that whole, long, wonderful post with your left hand? You're too much. I'm glad to learn that you have those excellent cancer centers nearby and won't have to travel for your treatments. We have a good hospital here, but it's parent hospital is in Atlanta -- very congested and a nuisance for those who are referred there.

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  17. OMGosh Granny, I had no clue. That's what I get for taking a sabbatical from the internet. What a beautiful fighting spirit you have. You're an inspiration to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Big, big hugs! Gammy Tammy

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  18. gardens are hope! I'm hoping you are around to enjoy those peppers and tomatoes.

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  19. So happy to see your post and that your kids are pitching in for you so that you can still enjoy your gardening. What a wonderful family you have! Keep that positive spirit! None of us really know how long we have to live. Will keep praying for you. Nancy

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  20. I never knew what I liked more about your blog, the garden or your family. Now I think the family wins. You are so blessed to have the kids, their spouses, the grandkids, and great grandkids you have. You did something right they way they take care of you. My prayers continue for you and Mr. Granny and the fam.

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  21. You and your family are AWESOME! I'm going to love hearing about your wonderful garden!

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  22. Granny, the Energizer Bunny! You are loved and so is Mr. Granny and your wonderful family, please tell him and them. How awesome that you have such a great family to give you so much support. By the way, I vote for 3+ more years!

    I'm Gardening for Granny!

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  23. I am glad to see you still participate in something that brings you much joy!

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  24. When the going gets tough...the tough get going! I am so glad to hear your family is rallying around both you and Mr. G! It clearly shows you've raised them well!

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  25. Thank you for posting-you sound amazingly cheerful. That's wonderful! We are all so glad the family has rallied 'round-it is really no surprise, they are a testament to the loving goodness you have demonstrated all your life. We look forward to reading more posts-no matter how short, we are happy to have you. Take Care, God Bless.

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  26. I just noticed the change in the blog title. Love it!! I was also going to say that I love that second picture where he's looking at what I can only imagine is your direction and going "um, am I doing it right?". ;-)

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  27. Stay strong Gran! Send everyone our love and appreciation. Hooray for garden!

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  28. So glad you decided not to give up on gardening. You are an inspiration to many of us, myself included. We are eagerly awaiting your (many) future posts!

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  29. ...and here you are back just four days later, inspiring us all over again! I must say, you and Mr. Granny sure raised a fine crop of kids. Looks to be true to seed as well, what with the grandkids pitching in too! You bless us with this window onto your garfen and family. Please tell each and every one "Thank you!" Especially Mr. Granny!

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  30. I just hopped onto the blog after being away from it for a while and read the news. Sending positive thoughts your way! Keep up the attitude, and enjoy your garden helpers! (((hugs)))

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  31. I do wish I could reply to each and every comment personally, but I hope all of you undrstand that just isn't possible. Not for now, anyway, but either the radiation treatments, or the steroids or both have already given me more control over my right arm. Unfortunately, the fingers still have very limited movement but I can see a slight improvement.

    The CT scan did not give me good news, as it showed the cancer is also in lung, chest and abdomen. Chemo is next. Granny will be going wig hunting :-)

    I feel fine, I'm in absolutely no pain, just gimpy. I will attempt to keep the blog going for as long as I can. I have daughter Amy who can take pictures if we manage to make anything grow, LOL.

    I thank each and every one of you. Your love and concern shines through your comments, and that does so very much to keep my morale up and prevent me from dwelling on what may lie ahead for me (and dear Mr. Granny....he really does try!) It makes me so happy to see all the lurkers and the newbies coming out, as one commenter said, from under their copost piles to wish me well. Please stick around....your words help me more than I can say.

    Love you all,
    Granny

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  32. We love you and you mean the world to us. Crazy how you can feel that way about someone you have never met. Praying you have the best garden ever! Lots of love is going into it, it has to feel the love. Keep your spirits up, you are amazing! I don't have a blog, but I am with Two Men and dedicating my garden to you. Gardening for Granny!

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  33. Gardening for Granny has had a good effect on my garden already! I found my first Roma tomatoes on the plants this morning. They are about the size of a garbanzo bean. So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Hooray for tomatoes! I have four little ones on my indoor Minigolds, from pea sized up to small grape size. I have unplanted spinach and lettuce seedlings too. They're getting quite large, so Im thinking a patio table container cut and come again salad garden might be worth a try.

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    2. Yum, that sounds like a great plan.

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  34. You are looking a great person when you are working in garden. This is a pleasant work. Thanks for sharing nice post.

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  35. That's the team spirit! Clearly you are well loved both at home and in the ether that is the internet. Bless you!

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  36. Granny so sorry to hear your predicament. People born in our time frame can be pretty stubborn so keep your chin up and pray the chemo does its job I know we all will be praying. John

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  38. Thinking of you Granny. I know from your writings that you are a determined and strong person. You will get through this. We are all thinking of you and sending positive vibes.

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