Dreams Fulfilled

Well, in 5 days one of my major dreams will come true. I will arrive in Huntsville, Alabama for Bernina II Licensing with Martha Pullen. I have dreamed for 25 years to go to Huntsville. With 4 daughters, it just wasn't a reality. Now, they are all on their own and I have a 9 month old granddaughter. I can go. I'm apprehensive and excited at the same time.

Remodeling Again

Yes, we're remodeling again. We're doing the entire first floor except for the kitchen and breakfast room which were done last year.

The outcome is so worth it. I hate the process. I hate the plastic walls that seal you off from dust. I hate only having hard, wooden, did I mention hard?, chairs to sit in.

We were almost done when John and I decided to replace the bookcase in the library. They spent last week building it. Oh, my house will be beautiful!

It seems...

that I'm always talking about cancer. John and I attended the Memorial Service for his boss, Pat Wilson, on Saturday. She was diagnosed in February with brain cancer. She was 58.

One of our bestest friends, Stephen, is in his final days. He has prostate cancer.

I hate cancer.

I got an e-mail...

That blew my socks off. A hundred years ago, when I was a student at Texas Christian University, I joined Alpha Gamma Delta. Sadly, the chapter closed. I always believed I could do more, so for many years I was a member of what was then called the "Official Family". I worked for a number of years as a New Chapter Development Consultant. My daughters all grew up knowing about Alpha Gam. I am proud to say that all four of them are Alpha Gams. They are members of Epsilon Upsilon at Tarleton State University. I now have a granddaughter, Anna, who I fully expect will be an Alpha Gam.

Today I got an email that said that AGD has been asked to make a presentation at TCU in September. This means a possible return to campus. I can honestly say I'm shocked. I'm thrilled. I don't have the words to convey my emotions. I just know I will be there.

It's been a very long time...

I can't begin to describe my life since the cancer diagnosis and the wonderful pathology. I have been truly at a loss as to why God spared me. I still have no answers.

What I can say is that many friends have been diagnosed with different cancers. I now know what they are going through. Maybe that's why I was spared. I can understand.

It's Been Awhile...

I never thought I would be away from this blog for so long, but three days after my last post I was scheduled for a regular screening colonoscopy. The news was not good. What followed was 3 and a half weeks that are almost a blur.

I had a 5-6 cm. mass in my rectum. The pathology came back as In Situ cancer which was good, but we had to meet with a colo-rectal surgeon, have and Endoscopic Ultrasound, and a PET Scan.

On Monday, the colo-rectal surgeon told us that the mass was movable and surgery was scheduled for Wednesday. The Ultrasound was Monday afternoon. The results of the Ultrasound showed a T3 tumor which was not good. Surgery was delayed a week and we were looking at the PET scan, which came back with no metastasizing, a quick surgery for biopsy, chemo/radiation for 6 weeks and then massive surgery including a colostomy.

A week ago I had the quick surgery. When the surgeon got in there, he found that there was not a T3 tumor, but localized cancer. He ended up excising the tumor completely. Pathology came back with In Situ cancer and heavy dysplasia. What that means is that I had Stage 0 rectal cancer. While that isn't great, it's the best news I've heard in a long time!

No further treatment is necessary. I will have another PET scan in 3 months and then get the privilege of colonoscopies every year... I'm so happy to have the privilege of a colonoscopy.

I have been blessed by a miracle from God. The end result of this experience is only because of all the people who prayed for me and I am humbled at the outcome.

It's Been A Long Time

Life has been moving pretty quickly around here... Anna is 3.5 weeks old!

Things are going OK. We learned Sunday that a good friend is in hospice. He has colon cancer and his wife, sister and step-daughter are all with him. We're praying for peace and understanding. Another good friend is scheduled for major back surgery on 21 February.

Our first night as hosts of our monthly card group was last Friday. Talk about a stressful day! All went well, but it took us 2 days to get the house back in shape.

Yesterday, was Valentine's Day. Special cards, special food, relaxing evening.... well, none of that happened. Men, you can't live with them and you can't live without them. 'Nuff said.