Staying comfortable

Right now, the only comfortable position for my arms and shoulders seems to be lying down. When I go out in public, I have to keep my left arm up, which then causes me to tense up my right side, too. Even sitting up in my chair is uncomfortable or at a table.

My last arm radiation treatment is tomorrow so this week I hope to begin addressing the lymphedema, pain, and strength in my arms and I can get out and about more.

I need to ask my dad and Scott to clean out my Humanities office this week.

We are also going to try to hold a birthday party at the pool this coming Saturday for Eddie - a very belated one. ineed to find out how many kids from his class will be in town for the holiday week.

I do think things are getting incrementally better, but is frustrating just the same. My dad reminds me that for several weeks after her heart surgery, she was very weak, shaky, and mom did everything for her. Now, she is doing things for me and has even built the deck. So she is a good role model for me to follow. Slowly but surely, right?

KNOM Radio Interview

P.S. I am having technical difficulties figuring out how to post the audio .mp3 . . . I did it once but that was well over a year ago! Now I can't remember what I did! I'll post it as soon as I can!

While I was in Nome, Laureli Kinneen, the public affairs director at KNOM radio station, interviewed me about the King Island placenames project. KNOM is the "oldest Catholic radio station in Alaska" and broadcasts over a 100,000 square mile area. It is an "Alaska Radio Mission". What I like about KNOM, as opposed to radio stations down south, is that you never know what you will hear playing on the radio: rock music, country, Eskimo songs from all over, prayers and rosaries, educational bits such as the one I heard about a particular bird whose name escapes me, Alaska Native elders interviewed, plus local news items. Laureli interviewed me as a "KNOM Profiles" which airs throughout the week, I think.

Here is the .mp3 of my interview:

KNOM Profile

Laureli asked that I give proper credit for this Profile: KNOM, P.O. Box 988, Nome, Alaska, 99762

I got a little emotional at the end and because of that, I wasn't able to talk about all the elders and community members who worked on the project, not to mention the scientists who have helped, too. I apologize if I happen to have missed you!