The 2025 BreyerFest Volunteer Shirt

The BreyerFest 2025 Volunteer shirt arrived yesterday and I love it! The fabric is super soft and I like the color a lot, much more than the red they used for several years running. (Last year's shirt was teal.)

It's interesting to note that the back of the shirt has "Volunteer" on it. My other shirts do not.

Here are the other BreyerFest volunteer shirts I have for comparison.

2022, Prost

2023, Driving Forward

2024, Against All Odds

2025, Cheers to 75 Years

While I love the shirt, I'm not gonna lie; the pictures taken yesterday shocked both Craig and me. When he began taking them, he asked me to stand up straight. This was the best I could do.

Neither of us realized that my spine had gotten this bad. I don't look in the mirror just to check how I am standing. (I rarely look in a mirror any more - I'm retired!)

But the photos show how much my spine has deteriorated. I knew that I had lost two inches in height* since I see doctors fairly often, but the photos of the 2025 shirt were particularly jarring, to me and to Craig. 

No wonder I am using a walker more and more. Bummer. 

Tomorrow we will take a look at the GLC Chinas Photo Show EOY winners. Stay 'tooned!

* The height loss is due to several factors: desiccated discs, scoliosis, the two spinal fusions, and a hip replacement that left my right leg shorter than the other.

Second Post of the Day: A Difficulty

Second Post of the Day

I don't share everything that happens in my life on my blog, but today I am sharing a difficulty I have been going through. I wrote it several days ago but have been holding back on posting it due to its very personal nature. But, my blog is my journal, and I do want to record this. It's not horsey at all, so skip it if you wish.

So, here I am. Again. 

I've been here many, many times. I like my surgeon and all of his staff. But I'm not excited to be back. 

I've mentioned that I had taken a walker out to Utah for the JC2's wedding, but as time has gone on, I have been using it more and more. My legs are numb and very weak, and I just can't stand very long without needing to sit down.

As background (and something I don't think I have ever shared on social media), I also have two brain tumors. We have been watching them since 2000 when the first was found and 2008 when the second one was discovered while checking on the first. One of them may or may not be involved with what is going on with my legs.

Last week I finally called my primary care physician and reported the leg weakness and numbness. I was in x-ray two hours later and then had an appointment at my neurosurgeon's office. 

I am now scheduled for three MRIs (one brain, one cervical spine, and one lumbar spine). I am hoping that the brain tumors are behaving and also that I won't need a third spinal fusion. (Although Dr. Jackson told me after my last one that the time would come when I would need another.)

I have mixed feelings. I am so tired of surgeries, but I am also tired of being unable to walk very far and the back pain. There is a possibility that this could be the second brain tumor growing, pressing on an area of the brain and causing the issue with my legs. Brain surgery is a scary thought, but I really trust my neurosurgeon if worse comes to worst. 

I'm concerned about being able to participate in the Feast. I'm concerned about the approaching holiday season as we will have our usual family gathering and I so want to be physically able to participate in that.

Lots of things are on my mind right now, but honestly, I had a pretty good idea that this was coming when I first started having trouble months ago.

The good news? I have a great surgeon, good insurance, a supportive family who will pitch in and help (or simply take over, hah!), and I have folks who will pray, send good thoughts, or karma for me if I need it. All appreciated and helpful.

I may have started down a path I'd rather not walk, but there is some light at the end of this tunnel. In the end, it will be okay.