• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Mothering
    • Encouragement
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Teens
    • Family Life
    • Favorite Toys
  • Hearth and Home
  • Wellness
    • Finding Joy
    • Personal Growth
    • Overcoming Hardships
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Salads
    • Main Dishes
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Simple Celebrations
  • 40 Bags In 40 Days
  • Book Love
    • Historical Fiction
    • Memoirs
    • Children’s Books
    • Other Favorites
  • About
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Clover Lane

Home » Blog » Thinking, Playing, Reading and Some Great News

Thinking, Playing, Reading and Some Great News

by Sarah Turner Family Life, Mothering

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

I’m combining my weekly (or monthly lately) Thinking, Playing and Reading post with some great news!

Let’s do the good news first! Last week Abbey called me while I was driving, crying and incoherent. I heard “Dr. Desai called me….” and nothing else. Of course my stomach dropped as that is her oncologist and I do what moms do everywhere-say “Calm down I can’t understand, what’s wrong?” and think the worst.

But it was THE BEST NEWS. She had a PET scan the week before, about 2 weeks after her 4th (and terrible) chemo session. I hadn’t expected news about that PET scan for another week, and we fully expected to hear that she needed four more chemo treatments.

The PET scan showed that the first four treatments were so effective she needed no more chemo! I kept saying, “Really, are you sure? What did she exactly? It’s all gone?” We were both crying with happiness and relief and just pent up tears from holding it all in during the last couple months.

She will have to have radiation-we have not met with the doctor yet for the protocol, so we don’t have specifics. I never had to have radiation with my treatment so I don’t know what to expect but we know it has to be better than her really tough chemo regimen. Right now she is in good spirits, thin and bald (but boy does she look gorgeous!) and traumatized but she is a toughie and knows how to take good care of herself as she processes it all. I will not lie-her body responded well to chemo in terms of the cancer being wiped out, but she reacted so so badly to it in every way. The nurses at one point (who all loved her in the treatment center) told me that she was as sick as anyone they’ve ever seen. She had just about every side effect and reaction to the drugs that they gave her to combat those side effects. She had to delay one treatment due to low counts and that would have continued to happen, had we not had this great news.

Thank you SO much for your notes, and gifts, and prayers. Really, Abbey has said to me on more than one occasion, “I get the nicest comments and messages from your readers Mom, like the nicest people every follow you.” And I agree! I hope you each know how much all that support has meant to both of us, and know that it will all be paid forward because we intend to use our experiences with cancer to help others enduring the same thing. That’s how the world works when it is good!

I can’t wait for this to be completely over for her and so she can get on with life, albeit a changed life for sure-that’s what cancer does, good and bad.

On to Thinking, Playing Reading:

THINKING:

I’ve been walking and listening to such a great informative podcast. I’ve learned so so much and can’t wait for my walk to learn to more. It’s called The Huberman Lab. If you’ve ever wanted to optimize your mental (so much information about anxiety and depression) and physical health this is a great podcast. It really gets behind the science and he’s just about the best professor in the way he explains things.

PLAYING:

A few of our favorites, most on sale!

Reusable Sticker Pad Vehicles
Reusable Sticker Pads Four Pack
Star Wars Lego Set-$10 Off!
Sharpie Electro Pop Color Set-48% off!
Paint By Sticker Books-24% off
Flexible Track with Cars
Instax Mini Film Camera-Abbey still uses hers! Great gift for teens!
Bath Bomb Set-Save $5

READING:

A couple of our favorite Christmas books from our small collection:

Santa Mouse-my favorite childhood book!
Snowmen At Night-Love this one also!
The Nativity-Gorgeous artwork and from Mary’s point of view-wonderful book!

Thank you again for all your support!

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

December 9, 2021 · 32 Comments

Follow by Email

Previous Post: « A Simple Christmas: Recipes, Thoughts, and Gift Ideas
Next Post: Practical Tips To Maintain Your Sanity During A Family Health Crisis »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Nancy says

    December 9, 2021 at 11:46 am

    What a great post! I’m so happy for you both!

    Reply
  2. Jane says

    December 9, 2021 at 11:59 am

    Oh my that is fantastic news! I’m so glad she is surrounded by her amazing mom and friends and good doctors. And your blog community too! We will continue to pray for her recovery. I suspect radiation will be much more tolerable. And you are so right about cancer changing people. Not because I have experienced it but I hear it in my friend’s voice every time she has a follow up appointment or hears about someone else with cancer.

    Reply
    • Hana says

      December 11, 2021 at 4:11 am

      Great news! So happy for Abby and you all.
      Sending well wishes and love from Malaysia

      Reply
  3. Richella J. Parham says

    December 9, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    Oh, Sarah, I am crying tears of gratitude and joy for you. I am so, so grateful to get this good news. Rejoicing with you!!

    Reply
    • Sarah Turner says

      December 9, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Blair says

    December 9, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    God bless her!!! Wonderful news. I’m so happy for you all.

    Reply
    • Sarah Turner says

      December 9, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Karen says

    December 9, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    That is GREAT news about Abbey! I don’t often comment on your blog, but just want you to know continued prayers are being sent your way.

    Reply
    • Sarah Turner says

      December 9, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Christine says

    December 9, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    Such great new about Abby! Have a wonderful day!

    Reply
    • Sarah Turner says

      December 9, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Jenny Z says

    December 9, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    That is fantastic news! I am so happy she is doing better and on the mend. A very Merry Christmas to you all.

    Reply
  8. Katheryn says

    December 10, 2021 at 1:34 am

    Such wonderful news about beautiful Abby! I’m so happy for her, you, and the rest of your family.

    Reply
  9. Loretta says

    December 10, 2021 at 6:04 am

    Oh such good news this morning! So happy for you and your daughter. Sending more healing prayers your way. Blessings, Joy and Peace this Christmas season.

    Reply
  10. Leah says

    December 10, 2021 at 6:27 am

    What a relief!!
    Sorry to hear how tough the chemo was for her, but so very happy for Abbey and your family!! Praying the radiation goes easier on her.
    And I will check out that podcast-always looking for a good one.
    Also, I had to smile at Snowmen at Night. I remember reading that one a lot when my girls were little! Cute illustrations!

    Reply
  11. Jodi says

    December 10, 2021 at 7:18 am

    I am so sorry for all you and your family have been going through. What an amazing Christmas present. She looks adorable in that hat and coat. Atleast it’s winter and she could wear them. I know first hand what Ohio winters look like. We just moved to Chattanooga last year and although I love it here, I still miss home! I was born and raised in the Youngstown/Warren area.
    I hope y’all have a wonderful Christmas. God is so Good!!!

    Reply
  12. Renee says

    December 10, 2021 at 7:40 am

    What wonderful news to welcome the Christmas season this year! I’m so happy for your sweet family. I’ve been following her and she has a great talent for writing and expressing herself just like her mom! Keeping you all in my prayers and wishing you a blessed Christmas.

    Reply
  13. Jamie says

    December 10, 2021 at 7:57 am

    So happy for you both. I did 4 weeks of radiation and had very little side effects. Mostly just keep your skin hydrated.

    Reply
  14. Amy says

    December 10, 2021 at 8:56 am

    What wonderful news! Bless Abbey for being so sick!! What a relief to have that behind you! Sending all or love this holiday season and a prayer that God will continue to comfort and bless your family.

    Reply
  15. Heather W. says

    December 10, 2021 at 9:48 am

    Praise God for Abbey’s good report! What a wonderful gift this time of year.

    Reply
  16. Bonnie Morris says

    December 10, 2021 at 10:55 am

    Bless both your ❤️‘S. I’ve been a reader since your youngest son was a baby. I feel very strongly that god is calling you both to write a book together. That’s just my thoughts. No pressure but you are incredibly gifted at writing. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

    Reply
  17. Tiffany says

    December 10, 2021 at 11:55 am

    what delightful news! so happy for your family.

    Reply
  18. Kimberly says

    December 10, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    SUCH great news about Abbey!!! Will continue to send prayers her way (and yours!)

    Reply
  19. Liana Kinrade says

    December 10, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    Oh Sarah, what wonderful news! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas with your family!

    Reply
  20. Marie P. says

    December 10, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    “That’s how the world works when it is good!” What a beautiful saying and so reflective of you, your family, and your blog. You have wonderful followers because you inspire and attract others with your goodness, honesty, and wisdom. Wishing you, Abbey, and your family a Blessed and Merry Christmas season and a New Year filled with love and joy!

    Reply
  21. Sarah Westphal says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    What joyful news! What a relief to hear! Praying for you, Abbey and your sweet family. Your blog is light in the darkness. Truly. Thanks for sharing parts of your life with us. It’s a privilege. I lost my mom to cervical cancer and that was gut-wrenching. I can’t even imagine going through it myself…and then watching my daughter! And having my marriage break-up in between…
    Putting one foot in front of other is all you can do and being there for your kids. I guess that is how you survive.

    Reply
  22. Beverly O says

    December 12, 2021 at 1:01 pm

    So glad to read the good news! I have been thinking and praying for you and your family. I have high hopes for you all and all the positives that seem to be coming from what might at first seem devastating and debilitating. Your stamina, your determination, and the positive outcomes that you have are such an inspiration.

    Reply
  23. Cara says

    December 14, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    Oh my gosh!! I came to your blog to check in on your baby and such GREAT news!!!! So happy for all of you. And so sorry she had such a rough time with her treatments

    Reply
  24. Fay says

    December 15, 2021 at 10:32 am

    So happy to hear the great news! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  25. Elizabeth says

    December 18, 2021 at 7:41 am

    Oh, what wonderful news! I am sorry it has been such a rough road for Abbey, but I am SO glad she doesn’t need more chemo! I’ve been reading your blog since before I had kids (oldest is 11!), and you and your beautiful family are an inspiration. Wishing you health, happiness, peace, and joy this Advent and Christmas, and may the new year bring you all the good things you so richly deserve.

    Reply
  26. Laura Lee says

    December 28, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    Wonderful news! Praying for you and your beautiful family. Praying Abbey moves forward on to wellness.
    Better days for all of you, so very much needed. Thank you for sharing your life with us, you are truly an inspiration. xo

    Reply
  27. Nicole says

    January 30, 2022 at 7:32 pm

    Radiation for me was much more tolerable than chemo! I was very tired and then had some skin issues in the past week that resolved within 2-3 weeks after completing radiation. She’s about 15 years younger than when I had my breast cancer treatment so youth is on her side!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Welcome to Clover Lane. I write about my love of motherhood, ordinary days, and simple living.  You can learn more about me here.

Follow by Email

21 years of our best-loved, most-used quality toys!

Topics

Archives

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer

Clover Lane is participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read my disclosure.

Favorite Books

Favorite Children’s Books

Favorite Parenting Books

Amazon Native Ads

Clothing Ad

Amazon Kids

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Disclosure

Copyright © 2022 · Memories on Clover Lane · All Rights Reserved
Please do not duplicate anything on this blog without written permission from the author.
Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links used.