Susan's Celebration of Life

Scott and I boarded a plane and flew to North Carolina for 3 days for Susan's Celebration of Life Services on Monday 3/22. It was the first time to North Carolina for me. It's a pretty state and Spring was blooming. It is unfortunate that we visited under such sad circumstances.

The Memorial Service was really nice. Susan's husband, Karl, spoke about Susan. Sometimes we laughed and sometimes we cried. Old friends and colleagues also took the podium and gave us more insight into the Susan not all of us knew. Even Jordan, Susan's and Karl's 12 year old daughter spoke. It was a beautiful service. Afterwards, we all dried our eyes, gained our composures and mingled among friends and then had dinner.

Except for driving around the UNC-Chapel Hill campus (which I must say is beautiful!) Scott and I spent all of our time with Karl, his and Susan's family and friends. The house always had people! Though we didn't want to be in the way, Karl insisted we be there. Susan's mom from the USVI and Karl's mom were there and made sure everyone was well feed. I gained two pounds! Thank you Midori and Mary :-)

We arrived home on Tuesday night just in time to put the kids into bed - somewhat late - but they wanted to stay up. No big deal. We just slept in this morning and I drove them to school.

Next week is Spring Break for the kids. Andrei has track practice every day and I have my last chemo scheduled on Good Friday, April 2. Glory! Glory!

Tears of Sadness

Last night at 8:10 pm, my dear friend Susan (Cancer Fight) died. She was an incredible woman who fought till the end. I learned much from this woman - most importantly, never to give up. She touched many lives and will continue to do so. It was a honor to be her friend.

Aruna and I were at church last night and both of us were saying our own private prayer for her. At the time, we had no idea she had just passed. We were helping her go home. As we drove home from church, we both commented on how bright and beautiful the night sky looked. Now we know why. We know God has welcomed her home and she is at peace. We find great joy in knowing this.

Please keep her husband Karl and their two children, Jordan and Marcus in your prayers.

Until we meet again.......

Daylight Savings Time - A new Season

We lost an hour last night and the kids are loving the longer evenings. It's 7pm and they are outside playing basketball together. Spring has come to Wisconsin. The temperatures are around 50 and will warm up to close to 60 by weeks end. The winds are really blowing and Aruna took advantage of it by flying a kite today. And for the first time in what seems like forever, she and I walked the dogs.

This past Friday I had another treatment. Same-O Same-O expect this time a had a kick-butt room with two windows!!! Nothing like saving the best for last. I also had an appointment with Dr. W. I was right, she was wrong. My LAST chemo treatment is April 2nd, Good Friday. This whole adventure started on December 18, 2008. A long time. Even though the treatment will be over, the tests are not. On June 21st, I have a 6-month mammogram to follow-up on the two spots they found 6 months ago. I also have an appointment the same day with my Radiation Oncologist. On August 16th, I have a one year follow-up CT Scan of my lung to check up on the nodule they found. The decision has been made to keep my IV port in until the results of the tests are in and I am truly declared cancer free. I know this isn't the most positive thinking, but, for me, the safest.

I still am tender under my left arm. Dr. W thought maybe this could be from the radiation. I'll have to research this and see what I find out. The acupuncture I had was a complete success. My hot flashes and headaches are much more manageable now and on some days, they hardly exist! It is good to not have to take narcotics to control your pain.

My friend Susan (Cancer Fight Blog) is rapidly declining. Today she left her in-home hospice for full Hospice care and monitoring. She is in much pain and continues to be brave. Please keep her, Karl, their children and family in your thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult transition.

Scott is in Nevada for a few days so I'll be sleeping single in a double bed - unless of course Aruna decides to sleep with me. Tuesday I am working at the kids elementary school. I love being paid for being on the playground! I have landed a 3 week job at the end of April into May to proctor student testing. I'll be working with 2nd through 5th graders.

Spring Break for the kids is the week of March 29th to April 2. We're not going anywhere again this year. Andrei has track practice everyday and I have my LAST chemo treatment on the 2nd. I don't know what we are doing for Easter yet, but I'm sure the Easter Bunny will come.

Sexy Bald Chick

That's what I became a year ago on February 28th - Bald . Today, I have a head full of curls. Though I am no longer blonde, my hair is a light brown with lighter highlights. It actually is quite nice looking - and I didn't have to go to the salon! I have decided to grow my hair long and see how it looks. I have been lucky as to not have the 'growing out pains'. The curls really do make a difference. I hope they last.

I have had two acupuncture treatments so far and they seem to be working. My headaches have diminished tremendously and my brutal hot flashes have also lesson - both in quantity and intensity. My back still hurts and I will have that issue addressed when I go for my third visit. The Susan B. Komen Foundation gave the cancer clinic a grant so that patients can have up to 3 free visits to Integrative Medicine. At this point, I feel this has benefited me greatly and it is something I will want to continue.

I am starting to wonder if my treatments will ever end. It has been 14 months. I thought I was done in April, but both Dr. Mark and Dr. Kari have said June. In the meantime, I go every three weeks. It is just a part of life. I know I blogged that I was getting excited about it, but I would be more excited if I knew a date of my last treatment.

In June I have my 6-month follow up on my mammogram. When I had one in December (exactly one year from when we discovered the cancer) they found two spots they want to re-examine. In one respect, I am not all that worried. On the other hand, I am not sure I want to get my IV Port taken out after treatment is done should we get more bad news and round #2 starts. Even though Dr. Kari said I could get my port out right away, I'm not so sure.

It has been nice to not have to go to the hospital as often. Though I do miss my friends there. I never see them anymore and I wonder how they are doing and if they are still with us.

My friend lost her Dad to pancreatic cancer and I attended the funeral. It is always so sad to lose someone.

My friend Susan (Cancer Fight) is now in home hospice care. Please remember Susan and her family in your prayers as they prepare themselves. This is extraordinarily difficult for me. Right after my diagnosis, Susan sent me a card and she and I have stayed connected throughout our journeys. I spoke with Susan today. She's tired and worried about her children. She is fighting a valiant fight that we can all learn from. It is very sad for me to know I will have to say good-bye to a woman who has enriched my life. I wish I could give her one last hug. Perhaps Karl could do this for me? I do know she will live in my heart forever.

Andrei now has his Driver's Probationary license. Scott and I have been shopping for a car for him. Andrei has decided he likes the little Audi. It is small, four doors, lots of air bags, anti-lock brakes, and it will be stick shift. It is next to impossible to drive, shift and text all at the same time. Plus, none of his friends will be able to drive the car. Scott is always thinking.

Life is starting to be post-cancer. I have been working again and enjoying it. I try hard not to touch my face when at school so so I don't get sick again. It took over 12 weeks for me to get rid of the cough I caught right before the holidays.

I am still slightly swollen underneath my arm from lymphedema. I've had that since the beginning of January - I think. it's been a really long time. I don't hurt any more, I am just tender. I am hoping that this isn't something that will happen frequently.

Please remember to say a prayer for Susan and her family.