Wednesday February 23rd

There's not really very much to report. Betty is experiencing good and bad days. She was determined to do laundry yesterday, but let me finish the project today. She has finished a few more Sun Bonnet Sue blocks. Today's project concerned straightening the tray table by her chair. It looks much nicer now.

She can eat some days and some days not. I have officially become a human food disposer. I let her start a meal and I finish it. I thought when the chemo and radiation treatments finished she would regain digestive health, but it is as unpredictable as always.

Now on a more serious note, Betty agreed with the Bachelor's choice last night. Raymond announced tonight that he now is allowed to lift heavy things and Betty immediately suggested he vacuum. We'll see! He almost helped me change his bed this morning, but he couldn't quite figure out how to put a pillow case on a pillow. He decided to leave the job for me! He is still doing his dishes daily so I'll have to be patient.

Raymond is enjoying squash soup his niece, Jan, provided. He is enjoying it and he shared some with me this evening. It is delicious. Jill's chocolate mint cookies are a hit!

The Boley Family

Monday February 21st

Today's trip to the heart specialist provided confirmation that we are doing a good job of taking care of Betty. She can't be put on a water pill to reduce ankle swelling because it would lower her potassium level. She will try to improve her diet to reduce swelling naturally and she is wearing support hose. She will also take magnesium.

We stopped at Betty and Raymond's favorite Chinese restaurant on the way home and she practiced eating. We praised her good work.

Last night we found a beautiful decorated sweat shirt on the porch for Betty. Thank you dear friend. And we found delicious chocolate chip cookies in the car. Where did they come from?

Raymond found 6 golf balls this weekend.

Betty asked me to wake her in time to see The Bachelor this evening.

No quilting today.

The Boley Family

Sunday February 20th

Betty completed 4 blocks today for a Sun Bonnet Sue baby quilt. I jumped for joy when I found her sewing this after noon. I didn't dare turn on our new favorite DVD, "Two Fat Ladies." I wanted her to keep on keeping on. After Friday night's outing to the South Boston Opry, Betty spent a great deal of Saturday in bed resting, not sick, just resting.

Raymond has been getting out more and more harassing the girls at the bank and any one he sees. The girls adore his harassment and enjoy hearing about Betty. They doubt he'll follow through with his treat to take his business elsewhere if they don't pamper him.

The roses are still beautiful that Raymond bought us for Valentine's Day. Only the very best for his girls.

Betty is still having blood tested frequently to keep an eye on the potassium level so we don't have another emergency. We will see the heart specialist tomorrow to discuss swollen ankles and to arrange a working relationship between Betty's GP and the specialist. The GP is doing a wonderful job of following Betty's situation. (I'm tempted to take a picture of the face Betty's makes when she swallows the liquid potassium. It rivals any you've seen on a child's face.) The grand kids would love it!

My hope for this week is smooth sailing.

The Boley Family

South Boston Opry

Tonight was a treat. Betty decided that she was going to feel good enough to attend the “South Boston Opry,” and she did!

Raymond has been urging her to get out a little and although she has good and bad days it seems like he must know what he’s talking about. She thoroughly enjoyed her evening. I thought we would go about the time it started, 7:00, but she was ready to leave at 4:30 so they could get a good seat! If you arrive early you are also assured of getting a piece of homemade pie. Tonight’s choices were coconut and chocolate.

After one unfortunate evening when a gentleman trying to empress his two female companions refused to honor the reserved seat for South Boston’s Slaw Queen, a royal sign was installed by the management. It seems the man’s self proclaimed large financial donations to unnamed parties did not trump the Slaw Queen’s 10 years of slaw making.

Friend after friend stopped to welcome Betty and Raymond after their 3 month absence. Scott Applegate, the owner, called his wife, Kim, and she hurried to arrive to shower them with love. The song written in Betty’s honor was sung and many joined the chorus. Each friend brightened her day.

You might consider attending the South Boston Opry some Friday evening, but be forewarned, avoid the back row with the large sign, “Reserved for our Slaw Queen.”

The Boley Family

Wednesday February 16th

The Boleys were out and about today. The monthly luncheon of the McCammon family cousins was held at Cheddars. Devona, Karoline and sweet Abbagail joined us. Abbagail received new nail polish for Valentine’s Day. She painted Raymond’s nail at luncheon. Raymond’s little pink pinky was very entertaining. Betty ate a baked potato.

Betty's Home Health nurse was concerned about her swelling ankles. We couldn't get an appointment with the heart doctor so we visited Betty’s GP this afternoon to discuss her swollen ankles. Her blood pressure medicine was changed last week, the new one doesn’t have a diuretic. Water pills would endanger her potassium level so the solution involves eating more protein and drinking more water. (Raymond just asked Betty if she drank one of the additional supplements and with a little smirk she shook her head no.) It's going to take a little patience and finesse.

To celebrate the nice weather we took a little walk down the street. Betty enjoyed the walk.
Raymond found another golf ball today. The golfers were really out today.

Betty is delighted with the British cooking/travel log. Ask her about Two Fat Ladies!
Raymond’s granddaughter, Lindsey, reported on his behavior during his recent doctor’s appointment.

“After the lady called us back we went into a room for about 3 minutes. She asked a question or two and realized she didn't have the right paper work because he hadn't had the ultra sound yet. She came back in after it was done to finish her questions, and Pop doesn't let anyone slide by without joking around with them. While he messed around with her she asked him a couple questions. My mom answered them and I don't think he really noticed. As soon as the nurse left Pop said, "Well what did she want?" (He got a good report :)”

It was a good day.

The Boley Family

Betty is Famous

I think my sense of humor has returned. Time will tell.

Raymond bought Betty and me a rose and a valentine card. He may have gotten Betty one before, but this is the first time my father has done that for me. I am tickled.

Betty and Raymond have a lovely condo that borders a golf course. They’ve never played golf, but Raymond has become the resident golf ball collector. He goes out twice a day and proudly shows his findings. We praise his good work. I suggested since he knows the usual places lost balls land he could erect a sign that says, “Lost Balls!” He didn’t like that idea. They’re in the hall closet in case you need some.

We’re watching “Two Fat Ladies,” a BBC cooking/travel log from 1998. For those of you who have Netflix, you may want to order them and see what you think. These two wonderfully entertaining English women keep you guessing what will come out of their mouths next. The show is keeping Betty entertained while she tries to gain strength.

You may not be aware that Raymond is married to someone famous, well famous at the South Boston Opry. Many years ago after experiencing the wonderful atmosphere and music at this Friday night hoe down, Betty asked if there was anything she could do to help in the kitchen. Their slaw lady had retired so Betty assumed the job. Every Friday night for the last 10 years Betty and Raymond have delivered Betty’s special slaw early enough that Betty could save their favorite seats and the crowd was able to have slaw with their burgers and fries. Over the years their entourage grew to quite a crowd including members from both sides of the family.

The owner, Scott Applegate, wrote a song about Betty, coining her “Slaw Queen.” Raymond was included in the song in a very appropriate way.

Slaw Queen

For Betty Boley

Words by Scott Applegate "06

"Music by Scott Applegate

Chorus:

She's the Slaw Queen

From Scott County

That's a big achievement to me

She makes cole slaw

As good as her maw

It's a good thing we're both spoken for

Verse #1

When we met her

She asked if there was something to do

Mamaw told her

Bring a dish girl

Something ya fix pretty good

Verse #2

She never takes home the extra cole slaw

We take turns taking it home

Once I dropped some

Out back on the sidewalk

I scooped up the clean part to eat

Verse #3

Her husband Raymond

They call him Paw Slaw

He's been eating the queen's Slaw for years

Old Paw's been pickled by the vinegar

The old Fart will live for years

The Boley Family

Sunday, February 13th

Betty is finally consistently eating. She has eaten a normal dinner three days in a row!
The fatigue factor is very high right now. Having experienced a "normal" energy not too long ago, she expects that energy level now that the treatments are over. Perhaps she will have a new "normal" energy level. Time will tell.

Raymond is getting out at little more taking care of business. He has a final appointment with his surgeon and I predict good results. I wasn't planning on accompanying him, but I'd like to hear the conversation.

There's a lot of sleeping going on right now. More later.

The Boley Family