Thoughts on 2 years

A blizzard kept me from celebrating 2 years of (as Emily says) kicking C butt with friends last night....but, I sure did celebrate the fact that I was still here to tip a glass. (And I did so by tipping a glass...or two!) I am able to be here to celebrate because of YOU, because of Dr. Kanard and the chemo nurses (truly angels here on earth) at the Cancer Center of the Rockies, and because of Alimta.

It has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions these past 2 years. From the high of "I will beat this," to the lows of "is this my last Christmas?" From days when it is all consuming to those days when I hardly think about it. From long nights of terror to days of HOPE.

Let's all take HOPE into the new year...I know I am.
Hugs,
chris

Blessings of friends and family

I wrote about blessings at Thanksgiving...but, must again, for I am truly blessed.

23+ family and friends gathered in Laramie at Cathy's for Thanksgiving, sharing our blessings. Liz was here in early November, Carrie came at Thanksgiving. Connie, a pal from grade school days was here the end of November/first of December. My brother Tige (Dana) and his wife Betsy were here all last week. We traveled to Casper to spend some time with dad. I also had a wonderful visit with Cindy (a dear friend from high school days). This last Friday Tige and Betsy and I went to Denver for a gathering at my sister Gaby's house. My grandmother, my aunt Marilyn and Uncle John were there (from Pierre, SD), my cousin Bengta from Utah, my cousin Chris from Oklahoma, my nephews Gian and Alex, Alex's wife Niki and stepdaughter Jendara and my daughter Carrie all together for a big dinner and hug fest.
On the way back to Cheyenne I stopped in Fort Collins and had a delightful lunch with Jep and Gail.
Sunday, Kathy, Gayla, Sheila and I delivered the rest of the cheesecakes that we had made to raise funds for our team going to Guatemala. Sunday afternoon I got to go be Auntie Chris and watch Natalie in her first dance program (so darn cute!).

Really....does it get much better than all that?!

hugs,
chris

Festive Physiology

I am quite in the holiday spirit today--very green with a red face! A few little lights and I would be all set.

Chemo yesterday. Number 20 for the Alimta. All hail Alimta! If I knew who created this I would kiss them right on the mouth!

I am going to try to get a ton of things done tomorrow before I get too squishy. Last round I was down for the count Sunday through Tuesday after chemo. My brother and his wife are coming in on Sunday. Yippee! A bunch of family are gathering in Denver next Friday. My 92 year old Grandmother will be there. She is such a kick! Hope you are all having wonderful gatherings, too. Tis the season!

Interesting entries on Leroy Sievers' blog, http://www.npr.org.

Stay in touch!
Hugs,
chris