Words With Friends

Words With Friends:

    On my off weeks, I usually feel pretty decent.   I feel up to going places and seeing people.  The only catch is that my immune system is at its lowest during this time.  So when I feel up to seeing people and going to stores, I can’t.  I usually just hang out in my house in “isolation.”  My attention span is not so great due to the Chemo.   Lately, I have been playing this game “words with friends.”  It is perfect for me.  I make a move and then my opponent makes a move.  Sometimes the games take a few days and other times I finish one in a few hours.   It forces me to use my mind some.  When I really can’t focus I don’t have to play.  When I am bored there is usually someone who is willing to play with me.

  

    I have several games going on at one time.  In some cases I have several games going with the same person.  I even play with people on the west coast.  Some nights I have a hard time sleeping so it is great to turn on my computer and have a game waiting for me.  I have even made Stephen play the game with me.  He sits in the basement and I sit upstairs. I can usually hear his computer “bing” after I make my move. I know that we could play a board game together but that has no chance of surviving with Shua around.  He has been practicing yanking the table cloth off and trying to leave all the objects on top of the table.  He is failing miserably.

    

        At first, I started playing games with my extended family members.  I figured they could tolerate my chemo brain.  Now I feel as I am a professional “words with friends” player.  (I still won’t play with Erica’s husband Bill again….I think the score was 519 – 26).  I have touched base with friends from college and high school through playing this game.  It is great to play and chat with everyone.

    

      Many of you know that I am very competitive.  “Words with Friends” has provided me with some competition as well as using my mind.  After losing my first game to my cousin Josh, I had to keep playing until I won.  That first round I lost 347 to 280.  It was an ugly game.  Not as ugly as my game with Bill Arrington though.  Josh was kind enough to continue playing with me.  After a few more games I won.  It was a personal goal to beat him. My other cousin Kim has warned me that Josh comes up with ridiculous high scoring words.  She didn't lie.  During this last game, I made sure that every move was worth the maximum points.  He promises that he will win the next game that we play.  He probably will but I will keep at it. 

    

       Thank you to all my “friends with words” players.   You have helped me pass the time of round 7.  You have helped me keep my mind by doing something that requires thinking.   You have made me smile with some of the words played.  The friendly competition has been wonderful for me.  Our conversations during the games have provided me with human contact during “isolation time.”  It was a just “game” to you but it was “everything” to me.  Thank you and keep the games going!

Quote:  Ok, I am sure you are doing much more important things like healing, tending to your children and is there a holiday this week? BUT I am just reminding you that you have not moved in 29 hours!!! You know (wordswithfriends) LOL-Hope all is well!  ---Christine Birney Wans (posted on my fb page)