Starting Today July 31,2015 ………….

Mid-level at Booth’s Corner Farmers Market

Jessie’s Bag’s Coping With Cancer

Come tell us your story & we’ll tell you ours…….

Resting at home!

Jessie had her procedure and did not have to stay in the hospital!

She is home resting.

 NO lifting or strenuous activities for the next week. So that means no sewing on the machine. 

She is going to hate that.

 You know she has to stay busy and she loves to sew.

If she feels good we may put her to work doing some hand sewing.these are some things I put together while waiting for the surgery to be over.....

Thanks for all of the support and prayers!

the stressful night before a procedure

The night before a procedure breast cancer or not is always stressful. 

Its going to be a long night!

The wondering about the future… the questioning should she or we be doing this… the praying for a calm mind and heart...

 The thoughts that I need to sleep so I can be fresh and not exhausted tomorrow….

We got the call we have to be there early…

 I will see the sun rise early tomorrow morning….

I'll read the bible              Psalms… 34......

 a little better…

Maybe I will try to rest a little…

.

Tomorrow will be here soon enough……

..

What do you see?

Last week I stopped in to check on Jessie’s Sister at a local nursing home where she has to live.  She no longer can stand and must be helped with daily activities. She does however have a 10 year old falling apart jazzy wheel chair that allows her freedom. She is very active with in her space.

I had not been to see her for about a week due to my being sick. This is not the norm. I randomly stop in several times a week different times of the day. Sometimes more than once a day they will see me & Jessie.

I found her at an  activity. BINGO  She had 2 boards and was busy. she didn't have time to talk to me then..... So ...

 I decided not to stay but as she looked up I noticed her RED EYE.

I asked how long your eye has been red. She said it was like this yesterday.

OK …….

At this point I went back downstairs to the nurse’s station. The shift was starting to change it was around 3 pm.  most of the nurses were around the desk working on reports.  I asked how long her eye has been red. One staff members reply….. Is it red? I didn’t notice.

I have no medical training, the only background I have in care-giving is spending the last 9 years taking care of Jessie and her sister. But as soon as a looked at her I saw noticed the red!

I wonder didn’t you or some nurses give her medications morning and night? 

TWO DAYS Did they look at the person or just hand her something and walk away. How could you not see this?

How did the aid that helps her Dress miss this? She is dependent upon people to toilet her did none of them saw this.

If you have a family member in a nursing home or Facility you must be visible. You must be alert! You must be seen. Do care givers care?

And if you work at a nursing home or facility look the person in the eye and notice the obvious!

I SEE THIS HOW DID YOU MISS IT?

I also see who really cares and pays attention.

 It must be me!

Jessie's Bags loves to travel.....

 Jessie's Bags loves to travel.....
WE  bring our community service project to you   ............................


A Bag building workshop @ your location......

Philly 

New Jersey

Delaware 

Maryland

for details ....... Follow us on FACEBOOK....  & 
       INSTAGRAM # jessiesbags

#jessiesbagsontheroad

Conversations not always what they seem……

Some conversations are straight forward others not so much.

We had to have a conversation about another breast cancer surgery. At our last Cancer doctor’s appointment instead of the all clear I expected   the doctor found a lump. It was a little tender and it was on the scar where the breast was removed 2 years ago. Jessie if she had noticed had never mentioned it to me.  DR Brooks would have removed it then and there however mom is on blood thinners. So now we had to schedule the event…the procedure …the call it what it is surgery!.

This morning I decided we had to have the conversation……. the one that said so much without saying too much.

………Things needed to be discussed.

I asked mom do you want to have this procedure. (Translation do you want to be cut on again you are 86 slowing down is it really worth it. Can you survive it or will it MAKE THE AGEING SITUATION WORSE?)

Her response do you think I need it? (Translation I’m not sure do you think I can survive it?)

More was said…. always with an underlying thought.

At the end of our conversation I could sense she has made up her mind to do this. I know she trust this doctor and that says a lot about why she will have it done.

We don’t know what the future bring but we will proceed forward.

So now we get the test that clears her for the surgery….now we get Jessie off the blood thinners…..  And most of all continue to pray for wisdom for us to make right decisions about this…. We will pray for the doctors and nurses to have the skills & wisdom to do a good job.

I guess the real conversation at least the one I have with myself is am I prolonging her life or am I shortening her life.

I guess it’s like everything else in life you never know till it’s over. There are no do overs. You Make a choice and live with the consequences….. Jessie has made a choice to have the procedure and we will continue forward…..

I just want to be comfortable knowing I am doing my part to keep Jessie around as long as possible.

Procedure scheduled for the end of July…  I will keep you all posted…

The thing I appreciate about Mom is she doesn't sit around and dwell on the negatives. she stays busy... sewing mostly.

Even though we are going through this Breast Cancer issue again for the 3rd time we are focusing  on something else. We are opening a store at Booths Corner Farmers Market where we will have bags for sale  and invite others to see how we are coping with cancer.  This is scheduled to open a week after the procedure .For us coping means not letting the cancer rule your life. we are not letting it stop us. it is not going to define us. we acknowledge it and discuss it and keep moving.this is what works for us.

The next conversation later that day.......

Jessie is downstairs teaching one of the volunteer sewers how to fix her sewing machine…oh boy I think we are going to have to buy her a new machine....... mom it has electronics that may need to be repaired you don’t know how to fix that!…..didn’t I blog about when mom was trying to fix her machine …….

(translation mom you are not a repairman!)

her response (  Translation watch me ....I can fix anything)

I videoed part of this action so you can see it for your self because you have to see it to believe it.....  stay tuned....

Jessie's new adventure coming soon!

Jessie’s Bags will Have a permanent  location at a local farmers market where shoppers will be able to Purchase Jessie's Bags & pillows. We will also  provide  information on products and services unique to survivors. 

. The sale of these products will also be helping fund the bags we give out to Breast Cancer Survivors.

 This upscale boutique styled booth will also offer gift items for survivors. We hope to have scarves, hats, mastectomy & lymph-edema information & supplies along with  Jessie’s Bags.

 We are reaching out to you to ask if you and your company would like to join us. You have the opportunity to rent a space, shelf or display area that will have your products & information represented. If these items are for sale we will have a sales person on site to accept payments. If you would like us to set appointments for you there will be an additional fee which will help fund Jessie’s bags that are given to Breast Cancer Survivors. We are willing to work with your budget for pricing. A variety of options are available. Call Joanne to discuss the best way to showcase your items.

We are hoping for a 6 month minimum commitment from you and your business which will allow time for clients to recognize our presence at this well established location.  This is a unique location close to Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

We will promote the opening in the tri state area and hope to get clients from all 3 states.

We will have information about customize Bra fittings with A nonprofit 503-c organization and we will be able to set up appointments for home visits. If you would like to showcase your products in our location along with our bags please e mail me with the details. jessies bags at gmail dot com

Thank you for considering us.

Jessie’s Bags

Joanne Owner & Jessie’s Daughter

    follow us on Facebook &     Instagram #jessiesbags jessiesbags.com