Ahh...Family, Holidays, Winter Break!

Hello out there!

Well as time passes things always get smaller. It was now the beginning of December 2006 and I was feeling relaxed and energized to fight another day. Thanksgiving was great. Dan and I decided to do Thanksgiving separate this year because our dinners were at the same time. I saw him the next day for leftovers at his house. I still have a hard time thinking about not seeing my family on Thanksgiving. I have a break from the hospital until January...this is something that is quite a tease.

Christmas is my favorite season. It is a time to make presents and show people how much they mean to you. I have gotten a greater appreciation since I have had cancer. There is never a time that I don't embrace the opportunity to let people know how important they are to me. This is something to live by; cancer or no cancer.

Me, Dad, and Dan went to Wellsboro shortly after Christmas to visit. This would be Dan's first time meeting my Dad's side of the family. It was a blast. I love showing Dan off and to have him meet my cousins was really great!

Of course...I don't think I will make it through one entry without something changing in my cancer status. But the more I blog the better my chances I guess. It was now mid January and I had been scanned again. The results were....surprise....not good. This is typical now. I had 3 new tumors in my lungs. I was devastated. I never let myself think that the surgery would be the end of it, but 3 months later....really? The largest tumor was 1 cm....not very big but still. It was time to start chemo again. My hair had just gotten that great peach fuss length too. My chemo schedule had also changed to a regimen that will be too much for school. I decided to remove myself from the spring semester at Frostburg. Just another thing. The chemo cycle was 2 weeks on and 1 week off. I think deep down I knew I was ready for a break; just wanted to keep moving forward and not let the cancer win.

I went out to Missouri to visit Shirley and Erik. It was great. We did all sorts of things. I got to see a bald eagle up close. It happened to be their migrating season. There were sooooo many in the sky it was amazing. We went to an exhibit where I held a snake. I will post the picture soon. I was soooo proud of myself. Dan would have flipped (he hates snakes).

I wrote in my journal about how great my friend Kelley was during this time. We were talking 2 times a day some days. I thought I would write it for the world to see. Friends are what keeps me going. Thanks to everyone who sent me packages (jodi), or brought me ice cream and carebear stuffed animals (sarah). I am soooo grateful to have the support system I have.

Chemo, my dog, has learned many tricks now. I decided he should know how to "little bark" and "big bark". He caught on soooo quick. He really brings me so much joy. He is constant love and excitement. Maybe I will learn how to post some video on the blog so everyone can see his tricks.

There is a lot to look forward to. We are almost to the present day. It is now 2007 in the blog and we only have 3 more years to catch up on. We are at the halfway mark. Though the past 3 years have certaintly been the most eventful. I can't wait to tell you about them. Stay tuned!