Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all good things in 2009!

Christams Prep

Finally made it back on my feet. This last one was a bit more than I bargained for. I think that on top of the treatment , I got a little bit of a stomach virus.. Oh well, that's over with now. I am busy trying to get the last of the Christmas things done this week as I am down to the wire. My sister and niece are arriving on Sunday to take me to my appointments on Monday and Tuesday and Anne emailed and said that she would stop over on Friday. . I am really looking forward to seeing them. Plan on wrapping today if all goes well. Not much new on this end..Enjoy the holiday season and I will write soon.

3 down...5 to go!

Well, we did it once again. Deb successfully drove me into the city without any tales to tell. It was a really long day as the doctors were backed up which backed up the treatment. Anyway, my question to the doctor this week was how do you know this is working? With this, she whipped out her ruler and measured the mass. The mass now measures 6cm x 6cm versus 6cm x 8 cm when I started!! Don't want to get to excited as it is only an outside measurement, but it looks like something good is going on! Keep on praying. This is the most powerful thing anyone can do and it is working!
Once again, I can not thank everyone enough for all their help and support. Kathy and Mary who cleaned my house, my Mom and Dad for helping with the kids and meals, PaulMan and Stacey for the chili and scallops, Maryann, Gary and Julia for the Christmas stocking, moose tracks for Dan and scarf and bag for me, Nance for the nightgown, Dot for the hat, Cloe for the prayer shawl and hat, all me email buddies that greatly brighten my days, my neighbors for their incredible loyalty, concern and terrific meals and most of all to my peers at work who without them donating their days I would really be in a mess! I am forever grateful to each and everyone of you. If anything positive comes out of this it will be that I will see each day brighter and will be a more compassionate person. I love you all dearly.
I suspect that by tomorrow I should be in my week long slumber. I will write again soon.
THANKS!

Feeling good

I am feeling better with each new day. Yesterday was our annual Christmas party at work. Although I wasn't able to make it in person, I was there in spirit. I really miss by buddies from work...

I am looking forward to this weekend. My parents are coming down. I haven't seen them since chemo started, so I am thrilled that they will be here. Aunt Mair and Aunt Kathy are also planning on coming over on Saturday. They are going to help me clean the house! (Yikes!) I haven't seen either of them in a long time. MaryAnn and Gary from work said that they would come by on Sunday. I can't wait to see everyone! Thank God for the good days as that is what I look forward to after each treatment.
Monday it is back to the city for round 3. Debbie is once again going to be a brave soul and venture in with me!! Thank God for her...
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the season... Bring on the SNOW!!!

I am finally coming around. All I can say is that chemo is some tough stuff! Yesterday was the first day since treatment that I actually was up and about. Mike and Loretta took all our kids to the movies so Dan and I actually went and did some Christmas shopping. It felt so good to see the outside world if only for a little bit.
Thanksgiving was very nice. I slept most of the day but Dan did an incredible job of making the day special for the kids. We had a great dinner. Dan played football with the kids and even took them for a nice walk in the woods. It was different and we certainly missed our usual Thanksgiving guests.
I think that most all of my hair has fallen out by now. Yesterday my goal was to get dressed, put on makeup and my wig. Well... I got as far as the wig and realized that I am not sure if this wig thing is for me.. I feel like I am getting dressed up for Halloween. ( That's what I get for wearing all those wigs to Deb and Kens parties) I feel much more comfortable in a bandana and hat. Oh well!

Feeling kind of yucky today but not enough to keep me down. Looking forward to spending tomorrow with Dan and the kids..
Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! Eat, enjoy and hug your loved ones a little tighter..

2 down- 6 to go!

Made it to treatment today and everything went great. All my "Numbers" are great. Met with the oncologist (Dr. Dickler) before we went down to the "Chemo Suite". My hair has started falling out so I guess that it is time to cut it off! That is if I can stay awake long enough. I will touch base with you all at the end of the week when I start coming around again.. Just feeling sleepy...very, very sleepy.

Another Good Day

Feeling really good and getting things done before I get my next Chemo which is scheduled for Monday at 8:45. Dan is taking me in and we are meeting with the oncologist before the actual treatment.. Kind of anxious as I now know what is coming...
Anyway, I met with my hairdresser and the owner of the shop and actually picked up my wig. I think it looks good. Not real anxious to wear it. Tonight I tried it on for the kids. If nothing else, we will all have a good laugh! As you can see, blondes really do have more fun!(That's Travis, not me!)

11/18/08

Today was a tough day. I finally made it back to work after my first round of chemo last Monday. I have to say that I have never felt as loved as I have today. The people that I work with are just incredible. Needless to say, today was also my last day of work for some time.I have finally reached the realization that I can not fight this battle and continue to work. The time has come for me to shift my focus onto myself. This is a hard one for me.
On the other hand, I must say that my neighbors have been just as amazing. Dinner has been delivered to our door almost every night since this whole thing started with such concern and sincerity. Family dinnertime has always been really important to us but without them, this would have been just one more thing that was put on the back burner!
THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING!!