I’m sitting in the airport waiting to board my flight and I feel so excited to get some rest and sister time in. I have never been away from my kids for this long but I know it will be really good for all of us. Yesterday was an exciting busy day. It started with one of my best friends and biggest supporters Jenna having shoulder surgery. She did really well despite the fact that she had a really unusual tear. The Dr said in the 10 years he’s been doing that surgery he’s never seen one like it but feels confident that they got a good repair. I was really glad that I got to be there for her as she has been by my side through my entire journey. She and I had lunch within hrs of hearing that something was desperately wrong with my body, she took me to my CT, let me stay with her before, after and during all of my treatments and procedures and was by my side every chance she had. She is a real gem and was so funny and brave through out it all.

While she was in surgery I went over to the chemo suit and had my port flushed. Every time I walk in there I feel very overwhelmed with emotion. I notice the people who have all their hair and you can tell are getting ready to “start” this journey. They are unsure of what to expect and some of them look defeated already but my favorite are the ones who look so determined. I only hope that fire and fight don’t fade as the effects get more and more uncomfortable. There are those of us with a variety of short hair styles anxiously waiting to see if we are maintaining those oh so important numbers and praying that we never have to go back to the beginning ever again. The hardest ones to see are those who are bald, quietly covering their bald bodies with fake eyelashes, painted on brows and the little scarves and hats that mostly keep your head warm and provide you a little security to feeling like people don’t know how you look under there. I wish there was a way for me to tell everyone how they can make a few lifestyle changes, whether they stay on chemo or not, that could dramatically affect the out come of their lives. It’s for that reason that I have decided that I WILL write a book to share my story. There are many details that I still need to work out about how I intend to go about it but last night I met with my uncle Marty’s girl friend who a published author and an English professor. She told me that she would be glad to help me and connect me with her publisher and other connections as I progress. I am very excited about where this will lead. I also met with another woman, who I met through facebook, to discuss our plan to start a cancer clothing line for people with scars, appliances and other medical “defects” A lot of exciting stuff to come. I am excited to start filling my thoughts with all of this new passion instead of cancer. Those days are coming. For now..off to Florida to welcome a new baby niece into the world and nurture a relationship with a sister :)

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