A Map Through The Valley: 2026

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Image: Photo of French Bee Boarding Sign at Newark Airport 11 May 2026

LESSONS LEARNED: PACK LIGHT

By Gail K. Kachnycz on 20 August 2026

While I was couch surfing with friends and family during our house renovation, I learned that you

don’t need as much stuff as you think you do. Rick Steves, well known for his travel shows on PBS, has

said, “You’ll never meet a traveler who brags: ‘Every year I pack heavier.’”

Out of necessity, I had to remove every article of clothing for drawers and closets, since furniture was

relocated and closets were used to store boxes, small furniture, and almost anything that could be crammed

in. However, I did not use all the clothes that were taken from the house. Since the time away was

October through March, summer items were put into deep storage. As I mentioned in the post last week, I

sent garments needed for special events to my sister who lives locally, so I would have access should the

need arise. For most days, I rotated about three to four sets of long pants, scrub tops, and long sleeved

shirts. For colder days I layered with turtlenecks, long sleeved T-shirts, sweaters, and hoodies. I had two

nice tops with sweaters that I wore with nicer pants on alternate Sundays or for social events. That was it.

Granted, I am retired so I don’t have a dress code for the workplace or need to entertain business

associates at upscale restaurants, but you get the idea. It was for a defined time, and most folks understood

the limitations.

When it was time for the trip to France in May, I easily fit my clothes into the standard 22”x14”x9”

carry-on bag, and it weighed only 15 pounds. Packing light has several advantages: no wait time at

baggage claim or fee for checking luggage. You are more mobile and less tired than if you are managing a

heavier bag.

Living a life that is “packed light” usually also involves a good look at how we spend our time. If we

are not encumbered with a lot of material possessions, we don’t need to spend time to maintain them.

We can respond more quickly to opportunities that the Lord brings our way.

My time of living from a suitcase was only six months. When the renovation was complete, I returned

to the house. Some of the things that were packed away, such as the summer clothes, needed to be

retrieved. As our seasons of life change, it is a good idea to review what is needed and what can be

rehomed and used by others instead of being stored away. During the process of packing and then

unpacking, I have tried to maintain that attitude. I have asked myself, “What have I been saving ‘just in

case,’ or because it might be useful in the future?” Much of that stuff can be donated, to serve a useful

purpose right away, not “some day.” Some organizations will provide pickup at your home. Some benefit

non-profits or charities such as Red Cross, veterans, or cancer societies. Check the links below to find out

what household items each accepts. There may also be local thrift stores that accept donations.

Good Will

gogreendrop Green Drop (emails you a form to declare for tax purposes)

ReStore ReStore (Habitat for Humanity)

Salvation Army Donation Pickup

For recycling, these are local to the Philadelphia area, but there may be similar options in your locality:

eForce Electronic Recycling Anything with a plug, fluorescent tubes or compact bulbs

611 Metals Recycling You bring it, weigh it, and get paid!

Household Hazardous Waste (oil based paints, pool chemicals, etc) Check your county website,

usually collections are specific Saturdays May through September

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Lessons Learned 6 April 2026

Image: Edith's Birthday Party August 2026

LESSONS LEARNED: LIFE GOES ON

By Gail K. Kachnycz on 12 August 2026

On April 6, 2026 I wrote a post about the lessons I learned while living with friends and family for six months while our house was repaired and renovated. Here is a link to that post:

I think it is most appropriate that the first lesson I share is that “Life Goes On.” From the first week of

October 2025 through the end of March 2026, I was living from a suitcase. I couldn’t just put life on hold

because I was not in my usual surroundings or following my familiar routines. A lot can happen in six

months, and a lot did. The very weekend before I left the house, I attended a wedding. While visiting my

sister out of town, I saw her grandson and granddaughter perform in their high school musical.

Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings took place. In January there was a baby shower, and in February

the baby was born. Our own grandson was born the first week of April, when I had been back in the

house for only about 10 days. While all this was going on, I was helping to plan a reunion of my nursing

school classmates, which took place at the end of April. May 11 I left for two weeks in France. That trip

had been planned since 2024!

In Romans 12:15, Paul wrote: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Often, the two occur almost simultaneously. That is the way life is. Chronic illness is just that: chronic

and on-going. While the affected person may be struggling or declining, babies are born, weddings take

place, and other important milestones are achieved. My advice is: celebrate the happy events whenever

you can, as much as you can. Even during chronic illness, life goes on.

Another lesson I learned was that celebrating with others forms the connections that help when

support is needed during times of stress or sadness. Sometimes we, as caregivers, need that support. It is

usually offered by those in our network of relationships.

There may need to be some differences in how we participate. First of all, give yourself permission to

modify what you do now that you are a caregiver, which may have affected the time or resources you

have available. Set limits and communicate them clearly. If appropriate, offer alternatives. For example,

if you can’t arrive early to decorate for a party, perhaps offer to prepare the invitations or decorations

ahead of time at home. For many of the events I attended, I dressed more casually than I usually would

have, simply because the dressier clothing was packed away. I gave gift cards or had gifts delivered

directly to the recipient, since I had no place for storage.

Here are some ideas that may help make it easier to participate in events that may arise:

-Give gift cards

-Purchase gifts online

-Have gifts delivered directly to the recipient

-Bring food that requires minimal preparation (search Recipes section of this blog)

-Use food containers that do not need to be saved/returned

-If you will be attending alone, try to find others who are going and see if you can join them

-Wear clothing that can be dressed up or down with use of accessories. I stored the dress I wore to the

wedding and some clothing appropriate for a funeral with my sister who lives locally, to have access if

needed for these two extremes. Otherwise, I relied on about three outfits.

Our first hosting event in the new house was a birthday party for our dear friend Edith. She was a

longtime caregiver for her husband Fred and their story was featured in this post:

Fred and Edith: Extraordinary Story

recipes

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Image: Costco Farm to Table July 2026

RECIPE: MORE MELON SALADS

Since July has five Wednesdays, I decided to double up on the recipes. Watermelon seems to have universal appeal; from Kate Middleton to everyone who shops at Costco. Below is the recipe in the Farm to Table section of the July publication from Costco. The Mandarin Oranges really piqued my interest.

The recipe calls for using a melon baller, but I think cutting in small chunks would work just as well.

3 cups Dulcinea PureHeart Mini seedless watermelons, scooped with a melon baller

2 cups Dulcinea Red or Green Grapes, halved

1 1/2 cups Dulcinea Mandarin Oranges, peeled and segmented

2 TBSP honey

1 TBSP fresh lime juice

1 tsp lime zest

Pinch of sea salt, plus more for garnish (optional)

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Feta, crumbled (optional)

In a large bowl, gently combine the watermelon, grapes and oranges. In a small bowl, whisk the honey, lime juice and zest, and a pinch of sea salt. Drizzle the dressing over the fruit, then gently toss to coat. Sprinkle mint over the top. If desired, add crumbled feta and sea salt. Chill for 20 to 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor. SERVINGS: 6 to 8

Christmas in July 2026

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Christmas in July 7/24/24

Image: Christmas Notepad

Christmas in July 2026 by Gail K. Kachnycz on 16 July 2026

Christmas in July has become a tradition with holiday themed parties and movies. The idea of planning for Christmas well ahead of December is a good one. I am not much of an online shopper, but with all the hype, I became aware that Amazon Prime Days occur in June and can offer some great prices. Many other types of sales, such as "Memorial Day" may extend through the entire month of May. Back to School bargains have already begun in July, and prices for summer items will be slashed soon. "Black Friday" deals will probably start November 1. By taking advantage of these offers, preparing for Christmas can be less expensive and less hectic than waiting until the holiday season arrives. For me, the priority is to allow Advent and Christmas to be more Christ-centered.

Here is a link to a previous post to explain more about how to allow Christmas in July to make life easier for a busy care-giver. Before inserting the link, I read through the post and was actually surprised at all the helpful suggestions it contained. It is a great reminder and I will be using some of the tips & tricks since Christmas 2026 will be the first one with our new grandchild!

Government/Legal/Financial · Resources/Community

Work Ethic Scholarships Info

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Mike Rowe Works Foundation

Image: mikeroweworks.org accessed 15 July 2026

Scholarship Information Time Sensitive

At first, it may not seem that scholarships for "hands on" type jobs relate to caregivers. A direct connection might not be apparent. However, those in a "Sandwich Generation" situation may be using funds to provide care for elderly parents and therefore not have the ability to provide financial aid to their children for career education. Chronic illness or disability often diminish income. Perhaps having a better paying job would allow for hiring assistant caregivers or pay for a time of respite care.

Mike Rowe, probably most famous for hosting the TV show "Dirty Jobs," has a foundation that is providing scholarships for learning skilled trades and other hands on jobs. The link to the website is inserted below. However, this opportunity is time sensitive and will close in October. Even if this information is not immediately helpful for you, please share it in your sphere of influence.

As mentioned above, care giving and chronic illness do impact finances. Links to previous blog posts related to money are also inserted below.

Finances and Chronic Illness

Finances for Special Needs 4/9/25

Royal Recipe: Watermelon Salad

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Image: Kate Middleton Watermelon Salad from Better Homes and Gardens online July 4, 2026

ROYAL RECIPE: Watermelon Salad

We are in the midst of watermelon season. As a kid growing up, watermelon was consumed in half-moon slices with salt. Now, the crunchy melon lends itself to a cool salad that is both sweet and savory. The connection to a Royal is just a bonus. Here are the sections of the article in Better Homes and Gardens that give the recipe for this salad.

Personal/Practical · Resources/Community

HOT WEATHER SAFETY

Friday, July 3, 2026

McMaster University: Heat Harder with Age 20 May 2026

Image: Weather App 3 July 2026 for Philadelphia, PA USA

Hot Weather Safety by Gail K Kachnycz on 3 July 2026

As Philadelphia anticipates celebration of 250 years of independence, FIFA knock-out round game, parades and Welcome America concerts, we are in the midst of a heat wave requiring a health warning. Locals expect this type of weather pretty consistently through July and August. We hibernate in air conditioned spaces and escape "down the shore" or "up the Poconos."

The elderly and those with chronic illness are more sensitive to hot weather. Older folks have a decreased sense of thirst, and less ability to concentrate urine, so dehydration is a concern. Some medications cause increased urine output, predisposing to dehydration. Some drugs cause increased sensitivity to the sun, intensifying the danger of sunburn.

I recently received information from Community Support Connections, an organization in Waterloo, Canada, dedicated to improving the health of the elderly in that region. A link to McMaster University provided a video with 5 quick tips on beating the heat, as well as a short list of medications and how they impact the body's ability to keep cool.

laugh/cry/inspire · Resources/Community

National Cancer Survivor Month

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

September Spotlight 9/10/26

Image: Cancer Ribbons from Kirbypines.com accessed 9 June 2026

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVOR MONTH

The month of June salutes cancer survivors, so I wanted to post an acknowledgement before the month is over. Cancer overlaps with chronic illness in many ways. In the past, a diagnosis of cancer was a prompt to "get affairs in order." Now, fighting cancer can include surgeries and months of chemo or radiation. Although the drugs and radiation are much more refined and targeted than when they were first used for treatment, there is still a debilitating effect on the body, mind, and spirit. The person requires supports of all kinds: functional, emotional, social, spiritual. One who has been a caregiver may find roles reversed. This month we salute cancer survivors and those who have sustained them along the way, with supports both large and small.

My mother was a cancer survivor. She was treated with radical surgery and radiation in 1964. From that time on, she said she considered every day a gift. She went on to raise the youngest three of five children as a single mom, achieve her Bachelor's degree in education, and teach kindergarten for 16 years. She was a passionate gardener and participated in activities to improve the beauty of the neighborhoods where she lived in her later years. She was an amazing example of courage and faith, and encouraged others to face life with a positive attitude. When she was called home to heaven at age 79, it was not due to cancer.

My mom, Helen, and me our last Christmas. Her smile radiates her inner joy.

Here is a link to the post from 10 September 2025, which includes information about the AACR, the American Association for Cancer Research

laugh/cry/inspire · Personal/Practical

Fathers Day Salute

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Father's Day Tribute Post 2024

Image: Josh and Theo, like father/like son

Image: Mike and Josh

FATHERS DAY SALUTE by Gail K. Kachnycz on 16 June 2026

Hello Everyone, just wanted to salute all the fathers. These men are so important in our lives. The research bears this out. I am inserting a link below to a previous post that gives more details on the positive effects of fathers who are supportive and involved in the lives of their children.

I have also had requests for a picture of my grandson, Theo. Here he is in the "kangaroo" shirt with his dad, Josh. Just thought the matching hats was a nice touch! It also reminded of the picture of Josh zipped up in Mike's jacket, many years ago!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the dads out there!

National Fatherhood Initiative

Back in Town; New Ideas

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

1 comment

Image: French Omelet by Gail K. Kachnycz 18 May 2026

BACK IN TOWN; NEW IDEAS

Did you guess that I was in France? Yes, I had a real French omelet for a late lunch in Bayeux, France. This town in Normandie was our home base as we spent three days at the museums, monuments, cemeteries and beaches that were the location of the D-Day landings. If you ever have an opportunity to explore Normandie, I highly recommend that you spend time to honor those who spearheaded the campaign leading to victory for the Allies in World War II.

Now that I have had a few days to adjust my internal clock, I am reviewing some of the ideas that developed during my time away. Some topics include how to approach end of life decisions and what it means to be a medical proxy. I will be discussing with my tech support, Julie, how to make a way for blog readers to send in questions or suggest topics. As soon as that option is in place, I will let you know. This blog has been active for over two and a half years, and I will begin to refer to archived posts so that newcomers can benefit from earlier topics and links to resources.

Thanks again to the subscribers and readers who have encouraged me to continue in this endeavor. Thanks to the Lord for His blessing on this humble blog.

Self Care, But Where?

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Video: "Dinner with Gailia, Baked Oatmeal 2" October 19, 2021 (about 10 minutes)

Dinner with Gailia

Hello to Readers and Subscribers to A Map Through The Valley. As I explained in the previous post, I am taking off some time for self care. The nature of chronic illness means that during our roles as care-givers, we, and others around us, are experiencing other life events as well. We need to rejoice with those who are rejoicing at the birth of a child, a wedding, a special anniversary or reunion of friends. We need to laugh. I hope you will enjoy this video I made for the bridal shower of my daughter-in-law. It took place during the tail end of the pandemic restrictions, so it was a Zoom meeting. It may provide a clue as to where I will be during my time off. Select your best guess:

1. At a spa for a ten day cleanse from refined sugar.

2. In France, learning to cook the perfect French omelette.

3. At comedy camp for a week, learning the basics of improv (YES, AND)

By the way, I have actually made baked oatmeal using marshmallows for the sweetener. Here is the link to the regular recipe for baked oatmeal:

Banana Baked Oatmeal Bon Appetit!

Life Gets Busy!

Friday, April 24, 2026

Image: Lawn, No Mow April by Gail K. Kachnycz 24 April 2026

LIFE GETS BUSY

by Gail K. Kachnycz 24 April 2026

Above you see a picture of my backyard, taken this morning, April 24. There is a current trend for "No Mow May" to allow vegetation to mature and flower for pollinators. Maybe I can stretch out my "no mow" through next month! Every once in a while, the timing of events overlap and some things just become lower priority. April has been very busy, starting with the birth of my grandson! Mike met his grandson for the first time on his own birthday. It looks like they will be celebrating birthdays together in the years ahead. The family of my daughter-in-law flew in from out of state for the event. Simultaneously, the plumbing at our house went on the blink and we had to wait four days for the repair. The major renovation is accomplished, but Punch List items (small tasks needed to fully complete the job) have been attended to this week. Since Mike & I are both back in the house, we needed to relocate the belongings we have just unpacked to clear the way for the workers. This week I painted a large closet, since once the clothing and items to be stored go back in, they are not coming out again. Next week is jam packed, with showers for two other family member expecting babies, and a two day reunion with classmates from my nursing school. Window treatments will be installed April 27, which means all my houseplants can be returned that evening. Furniture delivery is scheduled April 28. That morning I will be caring for my grandson to allow my daughter-in-law to get some rest while my son returns to work.

I was exhausted just reading over that paragraph. Sometimes life gets busy. It has been a challenge to trust the Lord to direct my activities each day. For example, yesterday, in the midst of painting that closet, I learned that a member of our church had no heat in her house, and the furnace would not be repaired for several days. We had three electric heaters, due to Mike's recent time in the trailer/RV during the renovation. So, after finishing the coat of paint, I took the heaters to her. The closet project will be finished a little later than planned, but the immediate need of a friend was met. Sometimes the action to take is not so obvious, and we need to be sensitive to the Lord's direction. I am inserting the link to the post from July 3 this year, "Today's Plan."

Today's Plan 3 July 2025

May looks very busy as well, and I am taking some time for self-care then. You may see fewer posts, or links to previous posts that are worth repeating. Thanks for reading & subscribing!

recipes

RECIPE: Overnight Oats

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Princess Diana Overnight Oats

Image: Overnight Oats and Add-Ins by Gail K. Kachnycz 6 April 2026

RECIPE: Overnight Oats "Princess Diana" by Darren McGrady

While I was living out of a suitcase, I could not always make baked oatmeal. I wanted to have a quick breakfast that I could eat without draining the supply of breakfast foods of my host families. Before I had begun my nomadic life, the recipe for "Princess Diana Overnight Oats" came up on my email feed. I tried it out, following the recipe fairly closely, and the result was quite tasty. The link is below, so you will have the exact recipe by Diana's chef, Darren McGrady. I have some variations, which I list below the link.

This breakfast is probably the most simple you can make, but the trick is to remember to make it the night before! Here are my adjustments:

-Oats: I use either rolled oats ("old fashioned") or quick cooking type. Steel cut oats do not work.

-Liquid: any type of liquid will work. If I want to reduce calories, I use water. The ratio I use is 1/4 cup of oats and 1/2 cup of liquid.

-Cooking: Darren McGrady's recipe does not cook the oats. It is possible the acid of the orange juice has some effect. I use a small Mason jar (pictured above) so in the morning I can heat the oats 1 minute in the microwave. Cover lightly with a paper towel to contain any splatters. This warms and softens them more and kind of "plumps" them in my opinion.

-Yogurt: this supplies the protein component for the meal. Greek non-fat yogurt is what I use, either plain or "fruit in the bottom." IMPORTANT: check the label to be sure there are active cultures in the yogurt. Vanilla flavored or blended fruit yogurt usually does not have active cultures. Also, don't stir in the yogurt before heating in the microwave. This will kill the cultures, and the yogurt becomes watery, which is not a pleasing texture.

-Flavorings: If using plain yogurt, add flavorings suggested in McGrady's recipe: honey, nuts, berries. An easy exchange for grated apple is a small portion of unsweetened applesauce (half of the prepackaged cups). I usually use a tablespoon of jam instead of honey & berries. Another alternative is "fruit on the bottom" yogurt instead of honey & berries. I also have used dry roasted unsalted peanuts instead of walnuts, just because they are easy.

-Calories: This is a good breakfast if you what something that will stick with you but have low calories. The protein in the yogurt and the fiber in the oats have "staying power" to keep you feeling full. Peanuts may be calorie dense, so be careful how much you add. If you check the calorie count for what you use the first couple of times, you can use the same calculation for future meals, so you can quickly enter it into any nutrition App you are using.

Living From a Suitcase; Lessons Learned

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Going Off the Grid 2/13/25

Image: Bedside Table Laptop by Gail K. Kachnycz 25 March 2026

LIVING FROM A SUITCASE; LESSONS LEARNED

By Gail K. Kachnycz 06 April 2026

“Be sure to write in your journal,” one of my friends advised. “You are sure to learn a lot through

this experience.” On March 24, I returned to our newly repaired and renovated house. I was away a total

of six months, living out of a suitcase and dependent on the hospitality of friends and family. During that

time, journal entries were made about 14 times; seven in the first two weeks, and seven in the remaining

five and a half months– hardly a frequent record of events and thoughts. Although I did not write down

my reflections at the time, there were some lessons that I will begin to share. For those of you who have

become readers or subscribers some time in 2025, here are some links that explain why I was on the

road for six months:

Elephant Sisters 5/15/25

Emergency Tea Kit 5/28/25

The repairs and renovations were quite extensive. A partial list of interior work included: repair water

damage to walls in garage & laundry room, raise/level “sunken” living room floor, install new flooring

on 2 levels of the house, bring electrical circuits up to modern code requirements, renovate kitchen &

three bathrooms including adding a shower to ground floor bathroom, paint all living spaces of the house

except paneled family room. The general contractor that we employed estimated that the job could be

completed in four to five months. I had been cautioned by those with experience in home projects that it

would take longer, so mentally I prepared to see the process take six months, extending through March.

Although I am back in the house, there are “punch list” tasks that need to be completed, and furniture is

not back in place. Everything is still in boxes, so it is rather like camping. But, I wholeheartedly agree

with Dorothy as she returned from Oz, “There’s no place like home.”

When I anticipated living from a suitcase, free from household tasks, I thought I would have time to

do at least some of the things I had put off while I was downsizing and packing the house before interior

demolition and construction began. Some of the projects I envisioned were: setting up a schedule for

prayer times and reading through the Bible. I packed the Spanish CD’s from Pimsleur and the Navigators

Topical Memory System cards of Bible verses. I brought materials to make a Tee-shirt quilt, and books

to read for education and pleasure. Most of these items remained in the boxes, untouched. Had I

surrendered this unique opportunity? Had I simply drifted along, life on hold for six months? No. The

answer is, the experiences and lessons I learned were different from what I was expecting. They fall

into three main categories. Future posts will elaborate on each one.

1. “Big Rocks” Fit First; make space for what is important

2. Life Goes On; maintain connections/relationships

3. We Don’t Really Need Much; blessing is practical

Look for these topics to appear as posts over the next weeks or months.

Easter Dawn Revisited

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Image: Easter Dawn by Gail K. Kachnycz 31 March 2024

Blessed Easter to Everyone. Here is a link to the story behind the photograph.

Easter Dawn Story 4/3/24

WORD SEVEN: The Son of God

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Image: Images from Book of Matthew; heartlight.org Accessed 18 February 2026

SEVEN WORDS TO JESUS; Word Seven: The Son of God

By Gail K. Kachnycz on 7 March 2026

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple

was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. Also the tombs were

opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs

after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now as for the centurion and

those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things

that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God” Matthew 27:50-56 NASB2020

Parallel Passages Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45, 47-49

The centurion was a professional soldier and had probably seen his share of combat and keeping

order in the region of Judea. He had probably participated in more than a few executions by crucifixion.

The ominous darkness that covered the city was a sign that the death of their prisoner was not routine.

The earthquake that took place as Jesus gave up His spirit struck fear into the hearts of this veteran

officer and the guards assigned with him. These were seasoned Roman soldiers, so the events they

witnessed must have been truly terrifying. They saw the cataclysm as an indication that this was no

ordinary man, but the Son of God.

Do we join with the centurion in declaring that Jesus is the Son of God? Do we do so with a grateful

heart each day, or does our world have to fall apart before we acknowledge that we need Christ to

sustain us?

In Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28 KJV

Let’s not wait for disaster, but give Jesus the honor He is due through both times of blessing and times

of testing.

Looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured

the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NASB2020

Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His

glory, blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,

majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24&25 NASB2020

WORD SIX: Calling for Elijah

Wednesday, March 25, 2026