December 9th, 2008

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Rainy, but cozy

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Anyone else out there find rain to be cozy? I mean, you have to be bundled up (if it’s a cold rain) and dressed for it, but to me (other than snow), there’s nothing better than rain. It mixes your days up, throws you a bit of a challenge in the wardrobe/accessory department, and as a plus, it cleans off dirty cars! Mom left the white Chevy Impala we’ve rented outside to be cleaned….don’t tell her I said this, but I think it will need a lot more than a little rain to do its job. :)

On another note regarding rain, these Seattleites know how to do it. They put on comfy shoes and waterproof jackets, they wear hats, a few carry umbrellas, but I daresay that every other citizen carries with them a hot cup of tea/coffee/latte/whatever it may be to help them ease through the day with a spring in their step. Plus, they layer….I think I am becoming a much better layerer just by observation. For instance, today, I’m wearing jeans, a camisol, a v-neck long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, a windproof fleece-like material AND my Gore-tex coat (if I’m outside). I’ve pretty much lived in my low-top hiking boots that I got right after moving out here. Anyway, I guess my point is, no one minds the weather out here and that’s how I like it! No whining, just dealing and even enjoying!!!

So, what else is going on out here….I did some research last night, and discovered the architectural firm that designed the SCCA clinic. Lately, each time we go up to the building, I think “I’m so lucky to be coming here, not only for the medicine, but for the view from the building and its beautiful design”…I can thank all the doctors and nurses and employees of SCCA, but I felt like I needed to let the architects know what a difference a building, yes, a building, has made in my treatment. I thought you might want to read what I wrote, so I’ve included it below:

“To whom it may concern:

It is not often that you can find comfort in a building when you have cancer on your mind, but my family and I experienced just that when we came to Seattle in July to visit the SCCA clinic for a consultation. My leukemia relapsed in June after being cancer-free for three and a half years. Luckily, I had a perfect match in my sister, but we were not sure where to have the procedure done.

Thus began the research. We live near Washington, DC, in Virginia, but most people seemed to be directing us either to Seattle or Boston. We visited Boston, which was fine, but the moment we stepped inside the SCCA Clinic, it just clicked. It was a beautiful day, a day I spent much of the time in tears because I could not imagine living so far from home while undergoing a transplant and then staying for 100 days….sounded like a jail sentence to me!

We walked into the clinic and it was brightly lit, everything was clean, and the view….THE VIEW from the 6th floor, where I would spend most of my time, was spectacular. We all had so many thoughts racing in our brains, but we went down to “Chandler’s” for lunch after the consultation and decided Seattle it would be….despite the distance.

I can’t say it was just the building that hooked us, because of course the medicine is world-renowned, but I can tell you that every time I walk in the building, I feel a weight lift, I look for boats and seaplanes, and somehow I relax. That is true talent when you can transform a clinic into a place of peace for any patient or family member.

I’ve just been thinking about it lately, and I wanted to make sure someone received my note. Thank you for helping to make our stay in Seattle full of sunshine (and I even love looking out at the fog and the rain). Just in case you ever wonder whether design truly makes a difference in someone’s soul, it does.

Sincerely,
Julie Matthews”

I even received a couple really nice responses from employees, which really touched me. Mostly, I’m glad that the note was circulated, because I really wanted everyone to know that design and aesthetics has such an important role in life, no matter who the “client” entering the building may be. I often hear others talking about the building and how much they love it, and I wondered, “Do the architects know? Does anyone ever contact them to tell them what role (yes, a building can play a role) the SCCA clinic plays in treatment and recovery?”…and thus the note. I feel so happy to know that there is an entire architecture firm that received my note…happy and thankful.

While I’m typing in my blog, Mom is talking back to the TV. I hate it when the news is wrong and annoying! Sometimes you just have to talk back, you know! :) We’re gearing up to go pick up Aunt Bitsy later this evening….we’re looking forward to seeing ‘ya, Bitz!!! Plus, I thought of a fun game we can all play. When we were watching “Frasier”, they were playing “pudgy bunny”, and it got me to thinking, “Now, when was the last time I’ve played that?!! Have I ever actually played it?” SO, I think we’ll have to be heading to the store for some marshmallows to play. Really, I’m doing it ’cause I know I’ll totally win ’cause my cheeks are fat and can hold more already!!!! Caution: if you try this game at home, be aware of choking! We are professionals.

OK, looks like it’s dinnertime! Sending all our love all the way from Seattle!!!!

Julie

Well helllllllllo there!!

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Don’t worry….I’m not going to overwhelm you with pictures today; I’m just ‘gonna write a reaaaaally long one. hahahaha Only teasing.

Before we begin, let me pay homage to one of the greatest movies ever, “A Christmas Story”….check this out: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/08/christmas.story.turns.25

/index.html Apparently it’s been 25 years since the movie came out! I think I’ve watched it every year since 1983…at least once a year. I know, you either love me or hate me for this nuance of my personality, but you gotta accept it along with the rest of me! “Christmas Vacation” is wonderful also, but it’s not quite up there with “The Christmas Story”. :) When we were in the Christmas store yesterday, they had leg lamps, little bobble leg lamps, and a leg lamp clock that says “Fra-gee-lay” on the hour. hahahahahaha They also had ornaments…who knew there was a whole “leg lamp underground”? APPARENTLY, someone even bought the house from the movie!! One day when I’m in Cleveland, I’ll have to make the trek.

Currently, we’re watching “Frasier”!! (surprise, surprise!) I’m still looking for some good Christmas movies on the family channel and Lifetime (you know, the good, cheesy, girly kind!!!!). We dropped my dad off at the airport today, and he got home safely. He made a flight to come back out on New Year’s Eve, so he’ll make it in time to see fireworks over the Space Needle! Aunt Bitsy arrives tomorrow…Aunt Bitsy, I’m ready to be treated like a “princess” (not that I haven’t been treated like that anyway!!). :)

After Aunt BItsy, Laura, Gobind, Dr. Sethi, and Katie will also come!!! And then my dad again. AND THEN HOPEFULLY I’LL BE GETTIN’ READY TO COME HOME!!!!! I called up some numbers today to see if we can get a free plane ride home through an organization. Anyone who is traveling for cancer purposes is allowed to apply for travel for themselves and usually one other (I believe) traveler. I don’t have an exact date, and I have to make sure I’m ready healthwise, but I feel pretty comfortable thinking it will be just over a month ’til I’m back at home.

Regarding my health, I think I must be doing great! I feel good, and my scheduler called me today to bump me from the doctor’s rounds tomorrow! She said out of seven patients on my “red team”, six are sick and one is well, so bump me they did! I was pretty happy about it too; I mean, I hope the other six start feeling better, but I’m happy to be bumped. So I’ll go in on Wednesday instead….no biggie!!!

I think my mom may be growing weary of my fairly constant talking. :)) hahaha OK, probably not, but I’ve noticed I switch topics and I talk a lot….I’m blaming the Prednisone again!! I’m not crazy unfocused, but it’s just a different side of me….you’ll see ’cause I don’t think my steroids will be totally tapered by the time I come home. ;) LUCKY YOU!!

Let’s see…what else?! Remember those pictures of the pretty big bulbs at University Village? Well, my mom and I were walking around there getting some stuff done today, and I went into the Manager’s office to find out where they got them (I know you liked them too, Rachel!!!). Apparently you can find them at http://noveltylights.com/ . I’m going to check out the website and see what else they have, just for fun! I’ll let you know.

Before signing off, I received a beautiful card from the Bruces today, and I wanted to share the verse with you: “Praise bright blue skies and dark rain clouds. Lift happy voices upon the morning air. Murmur sweet words softly in the evening breeze. Be present in all things and thankful for all things” (Maya Angelou). Don’t think I could have said it much better!!! (um, yah, I don’t think I will EVER be comparing myself to Maya Angelou!)

Anyhoo, that’s all over here on the west coast. I’ve included a few more photos, so I hope you like them!

Love from Seattle,

Julie (and of course, Carol too!!)