"Dreams are postcards from the subconscious, inner self to outer self, right brain trying to cross that moat to the left. Too often they come back unread: 'return to sender, addressee unknown.' That's a shame because it's a whole other world out there - or in here depending on your point of view." Dennis Koenig… Continue reading Day 195: Morning Fog
Author: Melissa Gerdes Zapanta
Blogger. Writer. Digital Creator.
Published author, essayist, and poet.
(Former journalist.)
Obiter dictum (other things said, in passing)
In my convalescence I've had a lot of screen time since I haven't been able to do much physically. I was on social media and saw the misuse of the term dictum. Usually, I pass by these things, but in that instance, I gently let the poster know what a dictum is. For me that led… Continue reading Obiter dictum (other things said, in passing)
Day 171, 10 Days Post Last Chemo, Stay Golden Ponyboy
Day 171 I'm in the mindset that it only gets better from here. I'm in the nadir of my last chemo cycle, so I'm feeling pretty down - exhausted, weak, and have neuropathy and chemo brain. But I feel better days are on the horizon. I just have to get through the next thing, radiation.… Continue reading Day 171, 10 Days Post Last Chemo, Stay Golden Ponyboy
How it feels to have cancer…
There's an unreal-ness to having the diagnosis, even now, nearly six months in, there's a separateness for me like it's not really real. I know it's real but maybe it's more of a lack of acceptance. I just keep doing the next thing but I'm aware of this otherness. It feels like all the beautiful… Continue reading How it feels to have cancer…
Reducing clutter!?!
Bloganuary writing promptWhere can you reduce clutter in your life?View all responses I have several areas in my life that could use a reduction of clutter and I've been thinking about it for a while. I still have remnants of my old life that need to be sorted through. There is too much stuff lurking… Continue reading Reducing clutter!?!
Does Anyone Celebrate the 12 Days & the Ephinay anymore?
For most of my life I had no idea that the Christmas carol I had fun memorizing as a child, The 12 Days of Christmas, was based on an ancient feast that ran for twelve days and that it ended with the Epiphany. I knew that the Epiphany was a holy day but not really… Continue reading Does Anyone Celebrate the 12 Days & the Ephinay anymore?
Bloganuary: Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
Daily writing promptDo you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?View all responses The great thing about reaching middle age and being an empty nester as a GenX’er in my mid 50s is that I’m very skilled at occupying myself with play/fun. And the great thing is that in my present life… Continue reading Bloganuary: Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
A New Year Missive
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a wonder time celebrating the end of 2023 and the start of 2024. As we enter a new year, we often make resolutions to improve ourselves and our lives. But sometimes, we also need to think about what to avoid in the new year. Here are some… Continue reading A New Year Missive
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year friends! I'm almost halfway through chemo and I'm looking forward to being on the other side of chemo and radiation hopefully by April. Be safe out there if you're joining the revelries tonight. I wish everyone a most excellent 2024.
10 New Years Resolutions to Give Up on Before You Start
It's that time of year again, when we all make promises to ourselves that we know we won't keep. But why bother with the guilt and disappointment of failing at your goals, when you can just give up on them before you even start? Here are 10 New Year's Resolutions that you should ditch right… Continue reading 10 New Years Resolutions to Give Up on Before You Start
Christmas Dad Jokes
If you're looking for some festive humor to spice up your holidays, here is some corny fun to get some eye rolling laughter. Here are some of my favorites: What do you call a fish that wears a bowtie? Sofishticated. How does Santa keep track of all the fireplaces he's visited? He keeps a logbook. How does… Continue reading Christmas Dad Jokes
Skin Care Challenges
It's day 18 of my first chemo cycle and the challenges this week have been memory issues, nausea, fatigue, hair loss and irritated skin. In three days, I will be having my second round of Docetaxel (Taxotere) and Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). This week has not been as bad as week one and two, but I'm far… Continue reading Skin Care Challenges
Crowd Sourcing
It's eleven days post chemo and I've been too sick to even think about looking at a screen until now. The side effects have been rough. I hope all is well with everyone out in the world as I peek back into it. It feels like I've missed a lot. I need to crowd-source a… Continue reading Crowd Sourcing
Thanksgiving Antics
If you're looking for a way to spice up your Thanksgiving, here are some ideas to make it happen. First, invite some guests who have nothing in common with your family, such as your ex, your rival, or a random stranger. Then, prepare a feast that is completely opposite of the traditional Thanksgiving menu, such… Continue reading Thanksgiving Antics
Embracing the Battle
The following quote reminds me to be gentler with myself and to understand that illness has things to teach. It serves a purpose. The illness that I currently feel is my body defending and freeing itself from the cancer. I am not my cancer. The cancer is a foreign invader. I am the organism thrashing… Continue reading Embracing the Battle
Generations…
Before I took a break for my surgery and recovery, I was contemplating my grandmother's birthday back in September. She would have been 111 if she was still alive. She passed 34 years ago this past August. I think about her and how important my relationship was with her. In those moments that seem ordinary,… Continue reading Generations…
The Anne Boleyn Myth-Buster: #1, Anne’s Looks
Our ideas about Anne Boleyn’s looks tend to fall into two equally inaccurate categories. The movies and television have taught us that she was a ravishing beauty, a la Natalie Dormer. Yet mythology surrounding Anne describes her as six-fingered and sallow, covered with disfiguring moles, sometimes with three nipples. In the “Corpus Christi” festival in… Continue reading The Anne Boleyn Myth-Buster: #1, Anne’s Looks
Well Meaning Wishes
I need to vent... This kid is really not all right. I'm a week out from surgery. It's been a rough week. It feels awful when people are dismissive about the seriousness of breast cancer in general. Also, for me, the pathology from surgery isn't even in yet, so we don't know how much it… Continue reading Well Meaning Wishes
Navigating Breast Cancer
Hi everyone. I've put together a little guide with some links at the bottom of what's it's like navigating breast cancer. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be wondering what your treatment options are and what to expect from them. I'm sharing what I've learned about common tests for diagnosis, surgery… Continue reading Navigating Breast Cancer
Tests, tests, and more tests
The past three weeks since my last post have been a whirlwind of learning and further defining my breast cancer diagnosis. I'm in the realm of there is no normal and have learned that everyone's breast cancer is different. Re-cap To re-cap my journey to date, in April my sister was diagnosed with stage 4… Continue reading Tests, tests, and more tests
Our Humble Road 