Twenty days have passed since my positive covid test, so they let me back in the building at MD Anderson. I’m back on track with treatment. We had to reload the Herceptin since it’s been more than four weeks. But, I just learned today, the Perjeta doesn’t have to be reloaded unless it has been more than six weeks. Yay! Usually, the drips are 30 minutes each. But this time it was 30 minutes for Perjeta and 90 minutes for Herceptin. That was enough time for us to conduct a research interview without interruption.
As I sit in front of my laptop watching the traffic outside of Panera Bread, I’m reminded of a road trip we took a few years ago with our two oldest grand-daughters. We took them to Arkansas to visit their great-mama (Tim’s mom). About half-way there, Alison (about four at the time) said in quite an emphatic voice, “I’m boring!”
Tim and I gave each other that quizzical, “what did she just say?” gaze, then busted into a gut-wrenching laugh as the translation to “I’m bored” settled in beneath the lightbulb. From that moment on, we no longer feel bored. Instead, from time to time we tell each other, “I’m boring.”
I don’t know why I’m particularly boring right now. I had a nice walk, it’s a beautiful day, I chatted with a friend, enjoyed a great salad and read some interesting stories. I have several hobbies, I’m learning a new language, and I’m working on some new books.
I sat in front of my computer and pondered, “what now?”
Perhaps I’m just a bit unmotivated rather than bored. However, this feeling did send me on a journey to read Healthline’s “Causes and Treatments for Boredom,” as well as “8 Reasons Why You Are So Easily Bored,” in Psychology Today. (Hmmm, there was a mention of autism. Perhaps I’m on the spectrum 😳.) And I read WebMD’s “Signs of Boredom.”
I also recalled some information about boredom from my marriage and family training. In the Prepare/Enrich assessment, individuals and couples are assessed on a number of factors. Stress is one of them. Stress is a curvilinear factor. What this means is: too little or too much stress can lead to a lack of production or even dysfunction. Too much stress can lead to anxiety, or depression. Boredom occurs when we have too little stress in our lives. We need just the right amount of stress to keep us moving, feel good, and accomplish our goals.
Now that I’m on a roll, it’s time to look at what the Scriptures have to say on the subject. Interestingly enough, the word “boredom” doesn’t appear in the Bible. If you search for it, you will find multitudes of passages where a woman “bore” a child, and where Jesus “bore our sins on the cross.” I would hardly equate these to boredom! Moving on…
Many Proverbs describe boredom in terms of laziness, and slothfulness. You know the sloth, the cutest (always smiling) creature that can barely move because it is sooooooo tired.
Hmmm. Not sure I like that one. I love the sloth and one day I want to see one in person, but I don’t want to be one. He could probably use a bit more stress in his life. I don’t want to be like the sloth unless my stress level gets too high, and then some sloth advice might come in handy. For example, “don’t hurry, be happy,” “hang in there,” “sometimes doing nothing is time well spent,” and “don’t quit; keep climbing.” But when I am boring, it is probably not the best time to sit and contemplate the sloth’s guidance on life.
Other Scriptures tell us what to do to overcome boredom. Paul directs us to serve the Lord with zeal, and not to be lazy in our service. I’ll tuck that one into my hip pocket for sure. I never want to be a sloth when it comes to serving the Lord. Here’s what Paul says in Romans.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Romans 12:11 (ESV)
Be fervent, he says. Merriam Webster defines fervent as 1.very hot, or glowing, like the fervent sun, and 2. exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling, or zealous. When’s the last time you were on fire for Christ?
One way to overcome boredom is to do something different. Bump up the stress level just a little bit. Take on a new challenge. Find another purpose for the moment, the day, or this season of life. Look for something that brings back that zeal. Paul says to be fervent in spirit. I asked myself, “How can I change what I’m doing to very hot? Glowing? What can I do to increase the intensity of feeling, and become zealous in serving the Lord?”
Hence, this blog. I decided to do something productive with the feeling of boredom, rather than turn to social media or some other addictive game I might otherwise choose to play. I am here to serve the Lord by serving you, my readers. I hope you can see a glow, even if it is a very small flicker of a candle. At least now I can honestly say, I’m no longer “boring.”
À la prochaine…see you next time!
Do you ever feel bored? Leave a comment below and let us know what you do to overcome it. Your email address is only used to ensure you are a real person. Or to send you a Christmas card at the end of the year. Well, that is if I take the time to send them out. Well, maybe if I am boring at the time.
Tim got it on Christmas Eve, and I followed two days later. I was fortunate to spend time with the family on Christmas before it hit me (we didn’t know it was Covid at the time, but everyone who came over did fine). Tim missed all the hoopla as he was in bed all day. We both had a fever, and we both spent about three days in bed. Mine started with a horrible stomach virus, which was different from Tim’s fever and cough. It was so bad both eyes hemorrhaged. 😳 Nearly two weeks later my right eye is still blood red.
MD Anderson did my covid test. It was the fourth day (Dec. 29), and by then I was feeling fine. I honestly thought it would be negative since all my symptoms were basically gone. We were both feeling fine, organizing the garage, and pulling down Christmas. I only went in since I was scheduled for chemo this week.
When it came back positive, that meant I couldn’t step foot back in the building for at least 20 more days. And, my doctor said I should quarantine for ten days (even though the CDC says 5). Apparently the new five day guideline is to keep the economy going. But, if you can stay in for ten I was told it is better to do so.
My chemo schedule got interrupted as well.
After mine came back positive, we set out to find a test for Tim. They were all sold out during Christmas week, but a pharmacist friend managed to find us a home test kit. We drove all the way to south Houston to get it.
If you are a regular on my blog, you know how much I love to drive to Houston (not!), but we managed to multitask. The weather was shifting to freezing point over New Year’s weekend, and we needed to winterize the Airstream to avoid any possible pipe breakage. (Lesson learned from last year at this time.) We quarantined in our second home while wrapping up the pipes, avoiding contact with people the whole time.
We took the kit home and Tim turned out positive. So, we both spent time in Covid jail. We had already canceled our trip to Arkansas to see Tim’s mom; we missed all our traditional Christmas Eve traditions and Christmas services; and then we canceled our family plans for New Year’s Eve. It was a very quiet week with just the two of us hanging out at the house. We got a lot of cleaning and organizing done!
In addition, I finalized some videos and uploaded those to YouTube. Subscribe to our YouTube channels for fun stuff! We have two channels. One is for personal stuff, and one is more ministry related. Subscribe to both!
Several pastors and key leaders at the church got it as well. There weren’t enough people to play in the band or watch the children; they ended up cancelling in-person services the first Sunday of the New Year. Pastor Chelsea did an amazing job on the message though. That was worth tuning in for.
Tim was stir crazy once he started feeling better, so we took a few drives in the truck and a couple of times we ordered curbside (contact-free) takeaway during our quarantine. I didn’t wear make-up for a whole week! Tim’s second test a few days later came back negative! He went back to the office on Wednesday after New Year’s.
Me? I’m finally out of quarantine. Yay! I called the doctor last week, but they didn’t get back to me until Monday due to the holidays. She said getting the antibodies at this point wouldn’t help much (your body builds them for up to three months). So we both opted out. Good to know my body will fight it naturally, and even protect me for the remainder of the winter season.
I’m writing this blog from our favorite café (Panera Bread). I’m wearing a mask and steering clear of people even still. Since we were here last year, they added power outlets all around the building for people like us. We have some gift cards that have to be used this month, and of course I get my free tea. We are looking forward to a nice salad. Sitting here makes me feel a little more normal!
Interesting. “Blessed Assurance” is playing on the speaker. In Panera Bread! 🥰 That song is a great reminder to trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus (all the day long).
MD Anderson requires 20 days from a positive test before coming back into the building, but they don’t require a second test or a negative test. On my original schedule I would have had gotten infused yesterday; but, I will soon get back on track. They will have to reload. This means a slightly longer than usual time in the infusion center. It’s kinda nice to have a break.
We scheduled my next treatment for January 20th. Providentially, this new schedule works better for the remainder of the year. There’s the silver lining. 😶🌫️ I am truly hoping 2022 will turn out better once we are back on schedule.
Whew! Another year is gone, and a New Year has come. 2021 seemed to fly by like a bullet train, especially after the snail’s pace with which we met 2020. We all thought it would be a better year. We had high hopes for 2021. Somehow we thought it would rush in like Superman and save the day.
Well, the pandemic stuck around and even brought some nasty variants. It did seem to have some rough patches, but as I looked back through the year I discovered 21 milestones/achievements/new experiences. Some of it is personal, and some of it we did as a team. Here is my 2021 year in review…
Read the whole Bible using a Bible Plan on YouVersion. At times I fell behind, but I managed to catch up and I DID IT!
Lost some weight–about eleven pounds this year.
Finished in the top tier on Duolingo, and completed a 602 day streak (learning French).
Walked 203 miles (that we counted).
Spent about 40+ nights in the Airstream: north Texas (Grapevine) at the AS workshop, Bridgeport, Lake Whitney, west Texas (Odessa), south Texas (Donna), and the Jetstream RV Resort at NASA, (south Houston).
Took three long trips on my motorcycle, and a fourth on the back of Tim’s. Earned my 100,000 mile patch. Rode over 10,000 miles through 23 states this year alone. We have accomplished our domestic motorcycle bucket list. Time to do some fly and rides!
Served as a CNS officer (editor).
Painted feature walls and upgraded our shower. Turned our guest room into a playroom for the grandchildren. Sold our bikes and reclaimed our garage.
Awarded a research fellowship and attended our first residency at Villanova University.
Bought a Mini Cooper, then traded and upsized to the Countryman.
Our fifth grand baby Mikayla was born! We also learned we are expecting #6! Spent a lot of precious time with the grandkids last year.
Tested positive for Covid-19, Omicron variant. Yucky stuff!
Sat in a DeLorean time machine!
Fostered and rescued a dog.
Tim started a new job, and ended his work with TXM.
Published my first children’s book. We published a second book for sermon notes as well.
Wrote a few songs.
Cooked some new meals.
Watched a Carolina Wren raise her babies.
Completed our first Escape Room.
Big SNOW in Conroe that lasted a whole week in February.
I suppose I could add one more…stayed alive. I have made it to the five year mark since my metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, a day many professionals didn’t think we would see. I’ve already blogged about that, but it is certainly a milestone!
Our theme word for 2022 is “simplify.” We have already begun looking at the calendar and making plans for the new year. I am hopeful this year will be better than the last two. However, looking back on all we have experienced in 2021, I can’t complain.
Forget what happened before…I’m making a new thing.
