Hello my dear family and friends,
It’s Monday evening, May 18, and I’m writing this note to you from my little corner of the world. I hope it finds you well, happy, and healthy. And if you’re not in a place of peace tonight, I pray that these few moments with me can brighten your world, even if only for a breath or two.
It’s been a full few days. On Friday, we had all new insulation put in the attic. The electrician came to run wiring for the new water heater we’ll be installing next week. And in the middle of all that, we were blessed to have John’s parents and niece here for a late lunch on Saturday. Yesterday, I took John to the airport—we left the house at 3 a.m.—and even though I was looking forward to a quiet day at home, my club had a fundraiser at the local baseball field, so I ended up at a minor league game with some friends.
Honestly, the game itself was pretty boring, but that didn’t matter. It was still nice just being out with people I care about.
Mama Sandy came over for dinner last night, and we talked until around 10. When she left, the pups and I went straight to bed. Surprisingly, we slept well. Of course, I always miss being able to reach over and touch John or snuggle close, but it was such a treat to open all the windows and feel that cool, soothing breeze. I love falling asleep to the sound of rain or wind, but there’s something about a crisp room and open windows that feels like home to me.
Funny enough, when John’s home, I still fall asleep with the windows open—mostly because he stays up later than me enjoying an açaí bowl before bed. Then he shuts off the ceiling fan and closes all but one window. That’s okay though because I’m already fast asleep and I have my little bedside fan. So, win-win for both of us.
Tonight, I wanted to update you on how things are going with Eternal Echoes. I’ve been busy putting together a brochure. My business cards are finished; I just need John to help me submit them to Vistaprint. My YouTube corner is almost completely set up, and I have a game plan for my first few posts. I’ve also been revitalizing my other blog; Have You Evolved Today, and of course, I’m thoroughly enjoying writing over on Substack. Letter writing soothes me in a way I forgot I needed. It brings me so much happiness. I truly forgot how much I love writing letters. I’ll post links to all my new platforms in case you’d like to explore them.
Life has been so busy that today I decided not to leave the house. I made my coffee, sat outside with the pups, then came in and built a wardrobe closet. Nothing fancy—just the one we had in our condo. But I needed the space. John and I share a smaller walk‑in closet, and we simply don’t have room for all our clothes and holiday costumes. Until we can build a proper wall‑to‑ceiling closet, this one will do.
With everything going on, I think I forgot to tell you about the swallow test I had last week. I had it done Wednesday, and by Friday afternoon my doctor’s office called saying they needed to schedule another test. I really thought I was in the clear after surgery, but as I’ve mentioned, I’ve been having choking episodes. A couple of them scared John so badly he was seconds away from calling 911. I couldn’t breathe, and just as he picked up his phone, I finally managed to vomit up the food that was stuck. Gross, I know—but it’s become my reality.
While he’s away, I promised him I would only eat solid food when someone is with me. My doctor wants me mostly on a liquid diet anyway until they figure out what’s going on.
Back to the call from my doctor’s office—they didn’t give me much information. I asked why I needed a chest CT scan, and all they said was that the doctor saw something on the X‑ray during the swallow study. To say I was annoyed is an understatement.
Today, the imaging center released the results. The first thing I saw was a big red box with an exclamation point: Alert: This report is a communication between the radiologist and the ordering provider. You should review and interpret these results only in consultation with your provider. Well… if you know me, you know I’m not waiting around. I clicked the box.
Here’s what it said:
Findings: There is no aspiration or penetration. There is an eccentric esophagus at the level of T1, etiology uncertain, neoplastic normal. There is no evidence of esophageal stricture or mass. Reflux is demonstrated on this study. There is a small sliding hiatal hernia involving the gastric wrap. Eccentric mild filling defect along the right lateral wall of the esophagus near the cervicothoracic junction, etiology uncertain. CT chest is recommended for further evaluation.
On paper, it sounds scary—and it is unsettling—but I have faith it will be okay. It’s just one more thing to work through. And along the way, I’m hopeful I’ll learn even more compassion, love, and understanding for those walking their own path through illness.
As I move through all of this, I’m reminded that life rarely unfolds in straight lines. We rise, we pause, we learn, we adjust. And somehow, even in the uncertainty, there is still beauty to be found — in community, in kindness, in the simple act of being held in someone’s thoughts.
Life is a journey. It’s full of uncertainty and just when we expect one thing, we get another. Nothing but the rise and setting of the sun is guaranteed, and even that, sometimes I wonder. Point is, if I spend too much time expecting something and not being bendable and allowing the different obstacles and hiccups along the way to run their course, I’d be even more of a hot mess.
Like my bestie Jan always says, “tomorrow will be a better day.”
Thank you for being here with me, for reading, for caring, and for walking alongside me in all the ordinary and extraordinary moments. I’m grateful for you.
P.S. If you’re navigating something tender right now, I hope you feel a little less alone after being here with me tonight.
Love Life++ Hugs,
Dawna‑Rae
🦋 may the butterflies remind you that we are all still becoming
My Home ‹ Have you evolved today? — WordPress.com
Love Life with Dawna 
Living life one day at a time is how I live, chocking happens more then I would like, I often tell myself to take smaller bites of food. It seems like you are making some progress with your business.
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Oh Joanne, I’ sorry you have to deal with the chocking. Isn’t it sad how it somehow becomes just part of our life. Anyway, yes, I am making slow but steady progress on Eternal Echoes. Hugs to you my friend and enjoy this glorious day. I do hope things are going well in your part of the world.
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I am doing well generally speaking
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