Happy Happy!

Bruce is doing great post surgery...while he's sore and moving a bit slower he says this is a cakewalk compared to getting your chest cracked.

I think today we'll both feel well enough for a spin around the block with Rosie.

And I'm feeling much better...my energy level is creeping up and I'm feeling stronger every day.

And finally I'd like to wish my lovely niece Kelsey a very Happy 8th Birthday!! Wish I could be there to watch her blow out the candles...have a big slice of cake for me!!

One Grateful Girl...

I had my last chemo on Tuesday, November 22nd and we had quite the celebration. Bruce, my Mom and Heidi joined me (Liz and Amy were sick so they were there in spirit!) and we had cake, sparkling cider and laughed with the nurses. At this point they're part of the family!

I must say it feels like they decided to save the big guns for the finale. The fatigue, the nausea, the headaches...the couch and I have become fast friends! And a few of those nasty side effects I thought I'd managed to avoid have made an appearance. The worse being the mouth sores...but it's all temporary and in a week or so I'll feel like myself again.

And seeing how we just celebrated Thanksgiving I am feeling very grateful these days. We had such a lovely dinner with my parents, Taylor, Jason, Jenn and Hunter. We played games, watched movies and talked about things that matter. Then it was time for the big game and the Ducks didn't disappoint. We sent the kids and watched from home as my seat on the couch was the best in the house! And all the while I thought of our family and friends...those who could join us, those who were absent and those we miss everyday and I am so thankful for them all. At the end of the day it's the relationships with those I love that make me smile and remind me how fortunate I am.
And I get to switch places with Bruce today...he's having a ventricle hernia repaired (a result of his heart surgery in January) and I am awaiting news from the doctor. I know everything will be fine but I have so say I hate the waiting. But I do prefer to be the caretaker rather than the patient!

I'll update later and let you know how he is...

I'll Be There...

It's been a busy week...staying healthy with Physical Therapy and Acupuncture and having fun seeing friends and enjoying a night on the town. Bruce and I went to Cirque de Soleil's Michael Jackson show at Matt Knight Arena on Tuesday night. It was quite a spectacle and the dancers and acrobats were amazing. They did it all...the quintessential moonwalk, the infamous sparkly socks and the single glove, and the songs we all know by heart. And they included a medley of old Jackson 5 hits and I was taken back to my adolescence...watching American Bandstand, listening to my favorite records over and over and some very fond memories of me and my friends standing on our Tillicum Village fireplace (the stage) putting on shows belting out these songs. From Rockin' Robin and ABC, to Ben and I'll Be There, we knew them all!

I'll be visiting my surgeon tomorrow to have the seroma under my arm drained and hopefully discuss plans for my upcoming surgery. Still hoping for mid-December but if it has to be January that would be fine.

Looking forward to the big game on Saturday...Bruce says there are lots of big time recruits in town. Hopefully they were told to dress warmly. It's going to be a cold one!!

This is for my dear friends and family who have been with me every step of the way...thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6bARIaMhCM&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXfxLwE-OMg7kN5NlXkA7BoB

Make mine a Bloody Mary....

Spent the day at the hospital yesterday getting a blood transfusion. My red cells have taken a hit after over the course of my treatment and I needed to top off my tank. It's amazing how exhausting a little anemia can be!
My mom, bless her heart, drove down the night before so she could be with me. It was so nice having her with me. We talked and laughed and played Words with Friends. Made the nearly 8 hour day seem to fly by.

This happens to be the Civil War Blood Drive, where Duck and Beaver fans donate blood in honor of their school. Oregon State has claimed the prize over the last number of years but the real winners are Oregonians (like myself :-) ) who benefit from the gift of donation. So if you're a Duck or Beaver fan and interested in donating blood, this is a great time to do it!

http://www.laneblood.org/uncategorized/civil-war-blood-drive/

My doc said I may need another before my surgery next month and I'm thinking that a Team Edward t-shirt would be fun in light of all the Twilight hoopla!

Looking forward to watching the game this weekend...should be a gas!

Get Ready to Ride

As my chemo treatments come to a close, I am beginning to feel the same familiar nervous swirl in the pit of my stomach I felt when I was diagnosed. There is an odd sense of safety and comfort that comes from having this viscous nectar pumped through my veins. The chemo is in search of cancer cells...the chemo kills the cancer cells. So what happens when I'm done? Will the surgery and radiation be adequate to finish off the job? I'm betting my life that this will have the one-two-three punch of a classic Tarantino film. I say a line or two of witty dialogue that gives way to a kick-ass, slightly ironic song. Then I fight like hell and, surrounded by my slain enemy, my cancer, I walk off the set, victorious. I'm a warrior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfuHgzu1Cjg

Truckin' along...

The Ducks won, Halloween night has come and gone (but not our candy!) and my 5th chemo infusion is a done deal. Here are a few pictures from the last few days...we're truckin' along!

Stephanie (my daughter-in-law) and I at the game. What a great afternoon!

Ashley and I...talkin' Ducks and wedding plans!

My Dad rolled his eyes as I encouraged Cas to sit with me on the couch. Do you think Rosie was jealous?

Speaking of Rosie...here's my girl ready for Halloween treats. She's dressed up a Pink Warrior with the scarf I got her at the Komen walk.

Liz, Heidi and Amy (not pictured) kept me company during chemo today. And Bruce stopped by during lunch. When I walk in to the room I feel like the soundtrack from Cheer's should be playing...I'm bellying up to the bar, getting my "liquid nutrition" where everyone is a friend :)

Good Night and Sweet Dreams