The Latest: I Love My Life

EMANCIPATION. By Emily Dickinson

No rack can torture me,

My soul's at liberty.

Behind this mortal bone

There knits a bolder one

You cannot prick with saw,

Nor rend with scymitar.

Two bodies therefore be ;

Bind one, and one will flee.

The eagle of his nest

No easier divest

And gain the sky,

Than mayest thou,

Except thyself may be

Thine enemy ;

Captivity is consciousness,

So's liberty.

I have recently been occasionally reading some poetry from a collection of Emily Dickinson's poetry. The book I have was given to me Christmas 1990, by my mom's best friend when we lived in Rochester, NY. So I have had this book for twenty years. It is funny how early, we, as human beings, display our tendencies- apparently I was drawn toward the arts as young child. However, I am only now beginning to appreciate what is between the covers of this poetry book...and some of the poems still go over my head! Ha ha. Coincidentally (my mom reminded me of this when she saw me reading the poetry book) I recently learned that I am related to Emily Dickinson, on my mother's side of the family. (As well as Edgar Allen Poe. I already had heard I was related to him on my dad's side, now I am told he has a connection via my mom too.)

I am scheduled for a CT scan tomorrow, at the Mayo clinic. It was ordered a few months ago, by Dr. Garland, my Pulmonologist. If everything looks good (as in, no evidence of pulmonary toxicity in the lungs), then I should be able to finally go off of the Prednisone! I have gained over twenty pounds since I have been on it and it is not the greatest thing for stable moods. Things could definitely be worse, I can't really complain, but still I will be glad to be able to stop taking it. On Tuesday, we (my mom, dad, and I) will meet with the doctor and find out the results of the scan. I am feeling pretty good. I am a little short of breath when I "exert" myself and occasionally I am aware of sensations under my ribs. But the best thing to do, I think, is just to be grateful, if possible, no matter how I feel or what happens. Because there is nothing to lose by being grateful. And I have A LOT to be grateful for!

I have enjoyed a beautiful past few days, including a brief visit from my friends Chris and Chili, and Lincolnville Festival fun in downtown St. Augustine, with my Dad and Heidi. The weather has been beautiful and I have really been having a great time :)