Grace and Mercy.

I don't know how many people will actually read this because it has been so long since I posted anything.  Did I kick Cancer in the face???  It got kicked, but it wasn't me, it was a whole group that fought with me.  By laughing with me, hugging me, listening to me, and praying for me.  Plus lots of flowers, letters, books, gifts, and constant love.  OH and medicine, surgery, and some more of that kind of stuff, which is pretty important too!

The month has gone by with some fun.  Dan and I went to see Julie and Julia, the movie. Very fun.  I also saw UP which made me laugh, too.  We had a visit with our friends from Seattle, Mike and Marianne. We enjoyed a fun dinner with friends that ended with a wonderful summer rain storm that we watched from their patio.  It felt deliciously cool, the sound was soothing and the smell of the wet desert is my favorite part of the rain.  Rachel arrived back from the Amazon with tales of adventure and Kate did great at the Pentagon.  this weekend they are on a beach road trip :- )  We hear from Danny as often as he can call from his deployment.  It comforts me a lot.   We got a city condo, and it will be fun to get it comfy and livable.  (for us and family.)  Dan got his cycle from Tasmania and it is up and running great.  It is really pretty, too.  

I am back to work, trying to figure out just what I can and can't accomplish with the stamina that I have.  Normal things sound do-able, but the reality is that I can only do a couple of them at a time, then I am out of battery power.  Eyelashes finished coming out this week, and I draw my eyebrows on each day.  BUT I think the hair on my head is trying to start growing.......... My hands and feet are still numb and stiff from neuropathy.  That should go away someday. 

Let's see what else? Chicken still tastes bad, and most really sweet things, too.  But through all this I have acquired  more of a liking for beef.  Crazy.  And I still love carbs!!

I will have surgery at the end of the week to take out my "port" and do reconstruction.  I was surprised to find out I shouldn't drive for 2 weeks.  Fortunately, there is a fun trip a few weeks later to look forward to.  

After that it is cooler weather, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!!!  Then the start of a new decade. Whew!  I can hardly wait.  I have lots to be grateful for, much to learn, and hopefully more compassion for others.  My heart is full of lots of emotions.  I don't have all the words to express the joys and aches.  Bittersweet is a good start though.  I am grateful for grace and mercy from God.  

Call  me sometime, I'd love to hear from you,

Love , Carmine

Summer of '09

I  am not really sure why I have taken so long to update this blog.  

Well, I can say that I am so glad that the chemo is done.  They told me the second half would be way easier than the 1st half.  It didn't happen that way for me, but now it's done.  There are still doctor's visits, other medications - some by IV- and a few outpatient surgeries.  I will also be getting body scans to keep an eye out for any baddies that want to make a comeback.  

It has been decided that I will NOT be having radiation treatment.  This is good news to me.  It took a while to get all the information, but it seems that it would do me more harm than good in the long run.  

I have been back at work this week and by the end of the day I  am pretty tired.  The accumulated effects of the chemo took more out of me than I expected.  I still have some of the bone aches, especially at night.  

On a  much more fun note, Rachel is off on her adventure to Machu Pichu and also the Amazon.

Kate is winding up her summer adventure in Washington D.C., and we heard from Danny this weekend (he's doing good, thanks for  your prayers).  Dan's sister Jean and her husband and two of their sons have been in AZ for a few days.  It is a tough time to visit AZ (otherwise known as  the nation's convection oven).   Tonight we had chinese food at The Great Wall, and then dessert back here at the house.  Zeke, our 80 lb. black lab, was so thrilled to have so many in the house and he even got some whipped cream on his nose.   It is funny to see yourself become the crazy old aunt.  In my case the bald, crazy old aunt. They asked how I would like my hair to grow back in, you know because so many people have it come in different than it was before it fell out - My answer?  "Not gross."  I mean, what if it comes back only in some spots and not in others? What if I am bald in patches? 

I would consider having a luau to celebrate the end of chemo, but unless we drain the pool, we don't have a good place to roast a pig or two, so I will just have to come up with another idea.  Maybe a clambake on a beach somewhere? I'll have to think about  this.   Just know that I am so glad for your support, constant love, and the many prayers said for me.  

Love ya,

Carmine