Dear Friends and Family,
I am sorry for this long delay. Yes, I’d say bogged down is an understatement. I have decided many days to do a brief blog and then it just doesn’t happen—–so, I’ve got be more creative, but I do so want to be able to stay in touch. Thank you so much for your comments and input. I will respond personally eventually. Sorry, I’m so slow.
So, the chemo is working hard, hopefully making the cancer even more miserable than it is making me. A little glimpse into life. One of our teaching mantras is “Life is what happens when you’ve planned something else.” My best days after my weekly Fri. chemo are the rest of the day after my nap on Fri., and Sat. until about 5 P.M.- so we at least have a little weekend time. Sun.’s used to be easier, but have changed. So some fun things, Clark and I drove to Santa Rosa for an appointment, and then went to a great spice store. Our friend Bob Wicker from MN. told us about it. So many of cancer fighting foods are connected to herbs and spices. We are learning so many things. More later. Penzey’s is a great place to learn about spices and herbs- smell, taste, and buy small quantities. I am going to send this now, but will get back within a week. Please do keep me in your prayers and thoughts.
Love Noel/Annie
noelstanton 
Hang in there, Noel. I’m so glad you discovered Penzey’s! That is our very favorite spice store, and we found it in MN too. At least short outings are a spirit lift.
Thinking of you, Kathy
Please hang tough Noel. My friend who was in your circumstance gains strenght and hope each day.
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Judy
Noel, what a spirit and inspiration you are. I hold you in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers. Chris Ibanez
I love Penskies Spice store. Have used it for about a year. I have recently heard there is another spice
store in Santa Rosa also, somewhere near 4th St. Haven’t checked it out yet, but I will.
So glad you’re doing better with the Chemo. It’s such a strenuous thing to go through, but I heard a little saying recently that says
“If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it.”
God bless.
Cori
I still have the glog for you.
Noel Anne,
It will get better! Visualize those bad cells being deleted by the chemo. Good to hear about the source of healing herbs in Santa Rosa. Thoughts and prayers from all-
Carol
I looked for you at book group on Thursday. I picture you there sitting with us and jabbering about the book and our lives. The talk this time was about the politics of contraception and the flap between Obama and Catholic Church. I hear your voice and see your smile. You are missed, Noel. I so look forward to the day when you are stronger and can rejoin us. We are all crossing our fingers for you. Blair
Why won’t this blog let me say
hugs
Oh Noel, my heart goes out to you. I just need to think of you and Clark on Friday and Saturday (after your nap) and know you have a smile on your face. As for the rest of the week, I’ll pray like crazy.
Would you say a prayer for my Greg? He is not teaching right now because of major back pains. We are working on plans to help him, but so far nothing is helping.
Think of you constantly,
Love,
Jacky
You are in my prayers Noel. My mom had a rough time with chemo (8 years ago) and today she is celebrating her 85th birthday. Penzey’s sounds very cool, I will check it out on my next trip up that way. Good thoughts and wishes Noel! Love, Janet
Next time at the spice store, a friend of mine tells me to get Ceylon cinnamon, not the regular kind.
Thinking of you in Kansas.
Sounds like you are going though the rough days with great spirits. I had not been on your blog for some time, so it was great to get the update. I thought of something that might cheer you and think I will send you a few family event pictures via email. We actually have a Penzeys in Omaha also and have been going for several years fpr cooking but did not know about the healing spices. Where would I get more information? Maybe I will ask next time I go
I have great memories of our last visit at our high school reunion and the great tallks and walks we had and looking forward to seeing Ellen and Nancy this summer. Love you and praying for you.
Sharon S..
Hey Noel,
We are praying for you in Minnesota still! Stay positive!
-The Schroeder family and all of my roomates (Mike Petersen, Peter Herkenhoff, Seth Gieske and Aaron Schiffler)
Thanks for the update. Thinking about you both. Love, Kathy and jack
Hey There, Noel-
I’m finally back from Austin, helping Judy take care of Wally during his own chemo and radiation therapy. We hit a few bumps along the way, but he is doing much better. His graduation from 6 weeks of radiaton to his neck was yesterday, so we are all grateful to God Almighty for that. I liked your lifelong meditation and printed a copy for myself.
I’m always thinking about you and the fam, each day I say 3 Hail Marys for you guys, It’s a struggle I know, but there/s something to say about the worth of the struggle itself. It does link us all together.
Love to you & all/
Peg
I say have Clark bake cinnamon rolls. It’s a different way of getting spices – via the nose ! Now that aroma will do you more good than many things.
A thousand hugs,
Jan
Best remedy I have heard yet! Go for it Clark