Bucket list item #1

Concealed weapons class....check.
This is one class every woman should take even if you do not plan on carrying a firearm. Informative, empowering and educational. As a woman, you have a few more rights than a male should you encounter a dangerous situation. Your home is your domain and you have the right to protect it and your children. Find a class near you and sign up...you will not regret it.

New year, new me....slowly

Radiation will suck the life out of you. It will burn your skin, tighten your muscles like a super Tends Unit, irritate your esophagus, give you heartburn and make you fall asleep at the dinner table sitting up. Are we having fun yet?!

I have learned to nap when needed...which I have NEVER done. Doc reminds me only a short nap as to get back up and moving to keep muscle mass. Easy for her to say. I have been using my free weights to help stretch my arm. I may even consider a yoga class to help stretch the muscles and sore joints. Chemo loves to screw with the joint system of the human body.

Radiation was completed on February 3rd! I am looking forward to getting new sneakers to start walking again. I need to get the legs back in shape for two reasons....train for the 3 Day and a lifetime experience to Bali, Indonesia. Feet training her I come!

As I mentioned in my last post, time spent with others is the most important. Rich surprised me at Christmas with a spectacular gift...Mickey. Not the mouse...lifetime friends since second grade. Over the years it has been difficult for us to get together between school schedules and deployments. Maia was three last time she saw Aunt Michelle. Way to many years have gone by.

Mick arrived the second week of January for a few days well spent. Bless her heart as she made the daily trip with me to radiation and a few hours of work. Two foodies in a gourmet grocery store...one can only have been there! Thai food for lunch, yummy dinners cooked and laughter to be had. We took an overnight trip to Sedona. We enjoyed a few small easy hikes, as my energy allowed. Dinner was decided upon at Dahl & Deluca. Having been there before, I knew the dining experience would be exceptional. No better person to share such a experience with than Mickey. I am not sure who moaned over dinner more...Mick or me. Comment card was left behind completed by Mickey..."better than sex." Description complete.

2010 Holiday Season

November was the countdown month for my last chemo treatment. Lucky me, two days before Thanksgiving! Mashed potatoes have never tasted better. As for turkey, anything in the poultry division was not on the palate of favorites during chemo. Tart cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes hit the spot.

John & Mom's table was wonderfully decorated to serve the army of a family and dearest of friends, Jen, Jose and Sofia.

December brought in the beginning of my radiation countdown. 5 days a week for 35 treatments. Little did I know how exhausting this would be.

Christmas angels were chosen off of the tree at the store and gifts were purchased. This is Rich and Maia's yearly tradition.

Christmas Eve was enjoyed at the Kondikoff's and Christmas Day was served up at The Reidinger's. Chase, Olivia and Maia had their Santa list fulfilled. Video games, Nintendo DS, American girl dolls, books, clothing, etc.

I wished I had a little more strength during the holiday season, but I came to terms with the fact it was OK if all the cookies did not get baked. It was OK if the whole house was not decorated, if I missed a few ribbons the world won't end. Tough choice for a perfectionist.

After going through this cancer crap twice, what matters the most is to be surrounded by those you love. There is nothing greater than time spent. The simple things in life will do.

As for New Year's Eve...in bed by 11:15...to tired for anything else. Happy New Year!

Angels among us

While 3,000 people were walking 60 miles, I sat teary eyed in the sidelines with my own battle. I was not alone, as my mentor was also unable to walk. Linda Kacmarsky came into my life in 2008. She was the driving force behind Team W.I.S.H. This was her year to shine...One Million Dollars raised in seven years. Linda was unable to walk due to what doctors thought was gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis would have been an easy cure.

Linda was diagnosed with cancer. This disease took her life on December 20th. Her husband Frank said it best, she got tired of waiting for a cure for Breast Cancer, so she wanted to have a one-on-one conversation with God.

It is difficult to write about someone that touched your life in so many ways. I miss her. She is an angel leading the way.

Come and gone

I just realized it has been since October since I updated this blog. The intentions have been there, but time slipped by. I guess I should backtrack a few months.
November: Rich walked the 3 Day once again, while I watched the news snipits of the event by the recliner. I had planned to attend closing ceremonies, but chemo side effects told me differently. Rich, my mother and John(my fill in) enjoyed the 60 mile treck with "Flat Heather." For those of you with children and have ever had to do a "Flat Stanley" project, should understand.

My dear friend Julia came up with Flat Heather the night before the 3 Day. She took her everywhere...including the Port-A-Potty. She was bandaged, fed and tucked in at the end of the day. After the Arizona walk, she was then transported to the San Diego 3 Day. Flat Heather brought me many tears knowing she was surrounded by so much love. She made her final appearance on the evening news. Next year Flat Heather will look a little more inflated:)

My father and stepmother came to visit while the rest of the family was walking. I knew I would not be able to accomplish much, so the help was greatly appreciated. I was very nausiated from the chemo drugs. I was having issues with my port, so Karla spent the morning with me at the hospital until I could see the doctor. A few days later, my father took me back to the doctor to have my port removed. I ended up with a severe infection that almost left me septic. My father asked if they have a warrenty.....one could only wish.

My last round of chemo was done through a regular IV the week of Thanksgiving. One step down and one to go. Radiation began in December.