Oh happy day to me!!!

What a great day it was! The boys brought me breakfast in bed as I was getting up although Andrew was somehwhat upset because I wouldn't get back in bed. My husband gave me a diamond circle necklace and a beautiful card that made me cry. The opening verse said "To the woman I would marry all over again"! Well, you know, having gone through what we have in the past year and me not looking my best...well, sob, he just couldn't have said anything nicer. Plus lots of gifts and well wishes from family and friends. The day couldn't have been any better. (Kim, I love my platter and candles and the "spit tune" will get lots of use Kelsey).

These pictures are of my good friends and scrapbooking and room sharing buddies, Beth, Leanne and Vicki Lynn. The scrapbooking retreat at the Old Orchard Inn was great. It just keeps getting better and better. I got lots of pages done and had some R&R with the girls.

They are kissing my semi-bald head in the top photo in the hopes that the hair will grow in faster!?! They did keep mentioning how it seemed to be longer every time they looked at me! We did alot of laughing and crying (Beth) that weekend. It was very therapuetic. These are also the friends, who along with some family members, made us a freezer full of meals and treats during my chemo treatments. I just love you guys!! Thanks for a great time.

A friend at the retreat told me that her good friend was just diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. This is rare and very, very nasty. She is 33 years old with a 3 month old baby. She and her doctor thought it was mastitis from breastfeeding but when it wouldn't clear up she was sent to a specialist. Whenever we think our load is too heavy, we are reminded that there is always someone whose load is heavier. She has a long road ahead of her and needless to say, she and her family need our prayers.

So far the radiation treatments are going well. They are much like a x-ray..no pain and you are in and out within 10-15 minutes. My radiation oncologist, Dr. Maueen Nolan, is the total opposite of my Medical Oncologist...she is funny and sweet and I can talk to her about anything. Everyone of the radiation techs have been really nice so it tends to make it a more enjoyable experience. Sara and I are heading into the city tomorrow. I have a radiation appointment at 3:00 and then we are going to stay overnight at Mom and Dad's. After my appointment Friday morning we will head back home for the weekend. 

We're Back!

Just a quick note to let everyone know we are back home. The scrapbook weekend was fantastic and our trip to Pennsylvania was wonderful, just what I needed!!! I have so many stories to tell and photos to share!!

I started radiation yesterday and it is a breeze after the chemo (I hope I don't live to regret those words!!). It takes at the most 15 minutes! I am just getting tired of the drive into the city everyday and its only day 2!

I am off to bed as I have to be in the city early to have my portocath flushed before my radiation treatment. I'll post again tomorrow night.

To Cheryl, Mallorie, Lisa, Charmin, Sarah, Erin, Shannon, Annette, Esther and Kim,

When I scrapbook I always put a little piece of myself into it. My creativity, emotion and most times, love. Many times I agonize over a page to get it just right. Some pages cost me a ton of money in supplies.
Others are so simple yet are right from the heart.

So when you girls gave me the album last night I was overwhelmed because I know the investment you put into it...the time and love.
How do you say thank you for that?

Every page is different and personal and is a reflection of that person and I LOVE that. After I got home last night, I had to reread the journaling and look at each page over and over because my eyes were swimming in tears. It is simply beautiful and means more than I can put into words. I feel so blessed to know women like you and am honored to be called your friend.

Cancer can take so much from you. I've never felt that because I keep being blessed and blessed. I have been give so much and to me, this album is a symbol of the cancer...of what it CAN'T take from you!

So thank you....for your gift of love.

Gone....

My posting about my ipod is gone!! I don't quite know what happened but Kim emailed me saying she was going to leave a comment but it had disappeared.

I am loading my (or should I say Randy's) ipod with songs to listen to during my radiation treatments. So if you have a song or two or three that you like please send me the title and name of the artist and I will track it down on the internet. It will be kind of neat to see the mix of music and I'll think of each one of you when I hear the song.

Thanks for your help.

My Mom

My Mom would kill me if she knew I was using this picture of her or any picture for that matter but they don't have the internet so she won't know, tee hee.
It can't be easy knowing your child has cancer and there is nothing you can do to fix it. I can't even imagine the scenario with my own children. Yet my Mom has been amazing. Despite the fact that we deal with things differently, she is more emotional and I am more matter of fact, she has been there for me from the very beginning.

Mom and Dad live a hour away yet she jumps in the car and drives down in a moments notice. Despite having Dad to look after, she takes the kids for days on end. She comes down and looks after our whole house. She has everyone she knows praying and sending well wishes. She is always leaving me little notes or sending me cards.

It doesn't seem fair to single Mom out to thank when so many others have helped in so many ways. My brother, Derek and his wife, Kim have taken the kids for the weekend many times and made delicious meals. Randy's Mom has helped out with the kids and cleaned my whole house, even scrubbing my kitchen floor!! I can't even begin to list the friends who have sent gifts and meals and treats.

But there is nothing like having your Mom there to hold your hand.
Thanks Mom for everything.


(Looking at that picture....I really miss my hair!!) 

Ode to the Willow tree

The morning after the first big wind storm we awoke to the loss of our big Willow tree. This was one of my favorite trees and it just seems so sad to see it lying there like that. Its amazing to think the wind could just snap it right in half like that. We are lucky that it fell in the direction it did. If it had fallen in the other direction it would have landed in the horse paddock and taken a good section of fence with it. The boys have been busy and have most of the branches cut off it and they still have all their fingers. 

I love Fall!!

We had a photo op on Saturday to take advantage of the beautiful fall leaves. The kids had a great time raking all the leaves into a pile and hiding in them. I had to pretend to be surprised everytime they jumped out.




Since then the wind has blown almost all of them away.