Hanging In There

 I’m still here and sorry for being away for so long. I’ve never been much of a blogger although I wish I was better at posting. The surgery I had in September was a bit tougher than I had anticipated. I also had some problems with a blockage while in the hospital and that left me pretty sick plus extended the length of my stay. By the time I came home I realized the warnings of that being a difficult surgery were absolutely true! I don’t think I’ve had anything hit me as hard as that did and it has kept me mostly out of commission, although I am already back on chemo.

So, how did the surgery go? I had been told that they hoped to remove almost all of the visible cancer. They knew there would be cancer left but they hoped nothing major. As it turns out they were not able to remove as much as they had hoped. For a time, I lied to myself that I was headed for a remission and even hoped that I would have a chance to ring the bell. I can still hope that those things could be in my future, but not anytime soon.

I am having the heavy-duty, all-day chemo every three weeks. I had my first one three weeks ago and I have another one this Thursday. I had to tell my daughter-in-law, Kristi, that for the first time ever I would not be able to help with the preparations for our family Thanksgiving meal. Of course, she understands and has been so sweet. The doctors already have plans for me to start on infusions of Avastin (Bevacizumab) every three weeks beginning in January and continuing as long as possible. I will also have a pill form of chemo along with it. The infusions will be given at the Cancer Center so I will still get to see all the friends I’ve made there. I’ve been going to the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center for almost a year now and those girls are absolute angels! I love them all.

Tom and I have a week of medical appointments. Tom has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, I have one Wednesday, I have chemo Thursday, and Friday I go back in for an after chemo injection. It keeps us busy.

So, what else has been going on? Well, my dear great-granddaughter Juniper has just been the joy of my life! My granddaughter, Annika, her hubby Nick, and Juniper come to visit us around once a month and also bring dinner when they come. It is wonderful to see them all! When I can’t see them Annika posts pictures and videos of Juniper for me to see. She is not quite 18 months yet and she has grown so fast. She’s walking everywhere, has a great vocabulary already, and loves all of her books! I am so grateful that I am able to know and enjoy her!

My grandson, Gavin, stays busy with his job as a firefighter. We are all so proud of him although sometimes his job can be a little frightening, at least to his grandma! He is such a special and caring person and makes me feel so blessed, just like the rest of my family.

We are all looking forward to a family Thanksgiving dinner at my son’s house. There is nothing I love better than those occasions when our whole family gets together!

I hope you are all well and happy. It’s hard to believe this is November already! Thank you if you are still reading despite the fact that I am so slow about posting. I appreciate you all!