Okay, friends and family! I am hearing from you that you are wondering how I am. I mostly disappeared after the insertion of a pain pump for my new diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer. On June 19, I had a Medtronic pain pump inserted into a "pocket" incision made into my right upper abdomen. The …
Continue reading Adventure on Holy Ground #6 / Pancreatic Cancer
I have a new diagnosis. Not exactly a pleasant one. I found out after I had a CT scan of the abdomen three weeks ago. I’d just flown home after six weeks in AZ, and when my daughter picked me up at the airport, I asked her to take me directly from the airport to …
Continue reading Hatpins, Waist Squeezers, and Unplanned Naps
Please listen here. Spread the word about my book. Refusing chemo is an option. This podcast was sponsored by the Chicago Writers Association in concert with my book being given the Book of the Year Award for Indie Nonfiction. I am beyond grateful and will write more about that event later. (Enjoy the podcast with …
Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage is now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or me. If you would like to buy directly from me, you may send a check for $15 to: Lois Roelofs, 5013 S Louise Ave, Box 232, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57108-2268 All my proceeds, except for …
Continue reading “Marv Taking Charge” Now Available – (A “saying no to chemo” story )
Finally! Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage is scheduled for release on April 18, 2023. The book is available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you would like to buy directly from me, please email me at caringlessons@gmail.com. All my proceeds, except for S/H, will be donated to …
Continue reading Countdown – Two Weeks to Publication ( A “saying no to chemo” story)
Finally, Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage will become a reality! I hope to have books in hand by mid to late April. An introduction: Lois Roelofs always knew that Marv, her husband of fifty-five years, had strong convictions. So when he was diagnosed with “very aggressive” small cell lung cancer, …
Continue reading Countdown – Five Weeks to Publication ( A “saying no to chemo” story)
Your surgical experience will be unique. Therefore, sift through what others tell you about their experiences, salt those accounts away, and don’t take them out of your experience cupboard unless you find them useful to your situation. There is nothing to be gained by lamenting you are doing more poorly than the rest of the …
my caregiver daughter and photographer Every year on the anniversary of my husband’s death, I have dedicated a blog post to that event. Marv passed away four years ago on July 25, and I’ve not had a minute to mindfully think about the impact of his loss in my life. On July 25, Monday, I …
Continue reading Grief at Four Years Means a Cookie Sheet in the Bed
I stand here by a wall of metal file cabinets—three in a row, four drawers each—a nursing career of memories nestled in the southwest corner of my study. My life’s work written on hundreds, maybe thousands, of pages hanging neatly in file folders. After twenty-two years in our three-bedroom house in suburban Chicago, I am …
Continue reading S is for Saying Farewell to My Nursing Files
An entry for the Blogging from A to Z in April Challenge A few months ago, a blogging friend, VJ Knutson from Canada, asked for a copy of my nursing memoir. I was elated. Caring Lessons was published over 10 years ago, and it's rare I get asked for a copy anymore. I so appreciated …
Write Along with Me 