Hooray for Fasnachts!

"Fasnacht Day," more properly called "Fastnacht," is Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. This was the established beginning of the 40 days of fasting during Lent. It is a folk tradition dating to the Middle Ages, a Catholic custom that has survived in Protestant Pennsylvania.
On Monday, dough was put out in straw baskets for raising, then cut in squares and deep-fried in fat, not baked. Served with hot coffee at breakfast, the popular way to eat them was to split them in half and spread with honey. (Today they often come coated with confectioners’ sugar.)
In the old days, this was a chance for everyone to gorge on good doughnuts without reprise, for the lean days would now follow. And the proverbial "dunker" could dunk doughnuts to his stomach’s content. The making of fasnachts helped use up fat and sugar prior to fasting.
"Gruna Dunaschdawk," to those well-versed in Pennsylvania German folklore, means Green Thursday, the day before Good Friday. It was an occasion to eat something green to insure good health for the coming year.
"Kaofreidawk," or Good Friday, immediately following Green Thursday, had an even deeper religious significance. While others of her household were at church, the good "haus frau" (housewife) undertook the time-honored task of boiling and decorating many eggs. When dyes were unavailable, eggs were colored by immersing them in boiling water in which onion skins had been placed. Mother would also prepare the many table courses of food for the breaking of the fast on Easter morning.
Adapted from the booklet PENNSYLVANIA DUTCHLAND by Robert Lash Robbins and Ralph R. Smith, and other sources.

Not an Anniversary, but a Milestone...

First, let me post an update as to my treatments and how I am feeling. So far, other than being tired and the ever present rash, I am weathering the addition of the Avastin. I did have a follow-up with my surgeon today. It was a normal check-up to make sure that my port is okay and to see if everything else is still working okay. I have been experiencing some pain near the original incision site and today I found out that it is due to a weakening of the abdominal wall in the surgical area. It is a common occurrence and could lead to a hernia, but if I take it easy, that could be avoided.

As for the milestone, it is one year ago today that I was diagnosed with cancer. It is interesting to relfect on how my life has changed since that day a year ago. I cannot even begin to put into words all the changes in my life, attitude, and outlook. Believe it or not, it has been mostly for the good.

I look forward to the coming year and all I have planned.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me. Please continue with your prayers, they mean so very much and have so much power!

Keep smiling, Sherri

1+1=3

This week's treatment added in the Avastin. It was administered over a period of 90 minutes. This was addition to the Erbitux, which takes an hour to administer. Also, this week, my magnesium levels were low so I had to have a magnesiusm infusion, which took an hour to administer. So it was a long day for me on Monday. My appointment was at 9am and I was finished at a little after 2pm. Magnesium affects your nerves and muscles, so it is important to maintain certain levels. I now take magnesium supplements every day.

The joy of this all? All three chemo drugs and now the magnesium, can cause diarrhea. So you should all go out and buy stock in Immodium! Today is the first day that I am not cramping and having a reserved seat in the bathroom.

But, through it all, I still feel good, still have energy and I am still doing all I want to do. For this I thank God and all the prayers for me.

Oh, not sure about the hair thing right now. One of the side effects of the Avastin is hair loss, so the hair growth I have been so happy to have may become a memory. Time will tell.

So aside from weathering this bitter coldness, all is well in my corner of the world.

Sherri