July 4th

I had a great July 4th weekend. Even though my job didn't recognize Monday as a holiday and I really did only get a two day weekend, it was still great. Last year I was getting chemo on the 4th so really it didn't take a lot to impress me this year. Mel and I went to Dallas and I met his dad, step mom, big brother, big brother's girlfriend, little brother, and little sister for the first time. I really enjoyed it. We relaxed, watched movies and ate yummy food all weekend, driving back home from Dallas Sunday night we even got to see several fireworks shows along the way. It was really a great weekend.

Our family photo after church.

Be still my heart....

It was flutters when I think of this pizza. Soooo good. I credit it for getting me through last week. It is what my soul needed (and hugs and kisses which I got plenty of too). If you are in Houston please go here and prepare to have your life changed. I recommend the deliciousness below...prosciutto e rucola-add mushrooms. Your welcome.



I'm glad last week is over. It's definitely not the worst week I've ever had but it was a little tough. 1 spot is now 2. I read my records-I can do that, it's ok, but probably not recommended- and the final radiologist report stated that there were 2 spots not one. My oncologist confirmed with me through email. So now I wait. My doctor presented me at a conference today so hopefully he will email me tomorrow and let me know if the plan is the same, wait 6 six then re scan.

My dad is doing well. For those of you who don't know he fell a few weeks ago while sitting on a stool, putting on his shoe. Yes, he just fell off the stool. We spent a few hours in the ER, after much convincing to even go there, and then he had surgery the next week. 7 screws, 1 plate and 2 casts later he is healing well. Stubborn, not wearing his cast all the time and DRIVING, but doing well. I'm sad he hurt himself, but it was nice to not be the one being cut on this time.

Going to bed early tonight. I'm going to see Drake in concert tomorrow!

Feeling like myself again...

Is it just me, or is anyone else happy that the holidays are almost over. I am not a scrouge or a grinch but I just seem to get so much more enjoyment out of the more typical, mundane times of year. There just seems to be so much pressure for the perfect holiday. I guess I don't like having all of my time, money and energy sucked out of me for 2 or 3 days. I like to spread it out over the whole year.

I have been feeling well and continuing to get my eneregy back. I am happy to announce that I have secured a job and will hopefully be returning to work on January the 4th. It is a cancer treatment center. Gasp! The type of place I swore I would never work. Lesson learned, never say never. My heart was softened last month and I had a strong feeling that this was where I needed to be. I hope that I am able to be a light and a source of encouragement to my patients. Not by telling them what I went through or that I even had cancer. But just by being empathetic, sympathetic, and dropping some hints on how to get through the process a little easier if I can. I am a FIRM believer that when I am a nurse, I am a nurse and when I am a patient I am a patient. I try as hard as I can to not let the two mix. I wouldn't want my nurse breaking down when I get bad news. I can get the warm fuzzies from else where. I need my medical team to be strong, alert and focused. I feel that my patients deserve the same. Not to say I would never share my story but I think it would be far and few in between.

The best part about this new job is hopefully I will be able to move out of my parents house soon. I love them, but I'm almost 27, and it's time to go.

I am so happy Project 365 will be done is a few days. I'm thinking this year I will do a few pictures a month. It's not as hard to do as it was a few months ago but I definitely need a break from the daily pictures. I am however, so thankful that I discovered this. I have one of the hardest/best years of my life documented. This project forced me to think about the "everyday". I have memories and stories captured that I will be able to look back on for years to come.

Dec 26- My Christmas presents. I love them all but I am especially excited about my Best Buy giftcard (for a computer) and a new lomography camera (supersampler) from sister.

Dec 25- Ohhh Christmas Tree.

Dec 24- Allison had a New Year's Eve fish fry. Her guests had a great time and made the reindeer do bad things.

Dec 23- Will and I at Pappa's.

Dec 22- Santa Paws is ready for Christmas.

Dec 21- Kim gets the award for coming to visit me the most!

Dec 20- Dog sitting Darla. I had to get a picture of them being nice to each other, this was a rare occurence with the not niceness coming from my child.

Dec 19- I really enjoyed going to Kentucky to be Randi's maid of honor and finally getting to meet her wonderful family. We met almost 7 years ago through a program called chemo angels. We have come from pen pals to dear friends. I'm so fortunate to have her in my life.

Dec 18- Another pic from the tea. The food was amazing.

Dec 17- In Kentucky with Randi at my first high tea. The hats were provided by the tea place.

Dec 16- On the way to the airport. I'm not sure how this happened but this light was swinging from the post into the street. Had to take a pic.

Dec 15- Sister is home for the holidays.

Dec 14- I am a little preoccupied with my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Can you blame me? I missed them.

Dec 13- Anything and everything chocolate. I am not a big chocolate fan but I do like small amounts every now and then.

Dec 12-House of Pies has a place in my heart forever.

Dec 11- Celebrating Laura's graduation from college.

Dec 10- Will took me to the Rothco (spelling?) chapel in Houston. It was very pretty and peaceful but the mesquitos joined us.

Dec 9- I made scallops, green beans and potatoes for dinner. The scallops are on top mixed greens with avocado.

Dec 8- My supplies for my CVC line (IV line used for chemo). I had the line removed a few months ago but I can't seem to be able to throw my supplies away. I guess I will tuck them away until I'm ready to part with them.

In Loving Memory

This week has been very challenging for me. My dear friend Allison lost her mother after a long battle with cancer. Allison and I became friends in kindergarten and her mother was our school nurse until 6th grade. Some of my best memories from all stages of my life: childhood, teen years, being a young adult involve Allison and her mom. I can't help but smile when I think back to all of the great times Ally and I have had together that her mom was apart of or made possible- sleep overs*Galveston Galveston Galveston!* beach house* ham sandwiches* introducing me to Pear Tree tea room*the smell of apple cider tea before school*coupon books*big white suburban*truly understanding my battle with cancer*our last lunch at Gringo's.

Thank you Paulette for gracing this world with your presence. Everyone who has had the chance to know you is better because of it. Allison is family. We have been best friends for 21 years. I will look after her and I look forward to being her friend for the rest of my life. Know that she will be taken care of. Rest in peace Ms. Adams.

http://www.claytonfuneralhomes.com/obits/ Please take a moment to read her obituary.

new heart, fresh start!

I feel brand new. The surgery is behind me and I have been at home recovering. The heart defect was successfully corrected and the tumor was removed with CLEAN MARGINS. This will most likely mean that I do not need radiation. I will not know for sure until I see my oncologist in 2 weeks. I feel pretty good. The pain is a lot less than what I was expecting. Because the sternum (chest bone) was cut I have to follow sternal precautions for 4 more weeks-no lifting anything over 5 pounds, no driving, no repetitive arm movements-basically I have to chill out for another month. My 2 week house arrest is up tomorrow (I had to stay at home for 2 weeks post op to avoid infection) so at least I can leave the house now.

Aug 11- Bye sister. She left to go back to Wisconsin. I am all alone again : (

Aug 10- Camille (sister) baked dark chocolate, white chocolate and coconut cookies. They were delish!

Aug 9- Had a few visitors at the house and I watched movies with their kids all day.

Aug 8- Some of the cards I received...thanks to everyone for the encouragement.

Aug 7-A cute little tree one of my dad's co-workers gave me.

Aug 6- Sister came home bearing the gift of Sprinkles.

Aug 5-This is in the early hours of the morning. I had to take a trip to the MD Anderson ER because I was dizzy with a temp. Some fluids and antibiotics made me all better.

August 4-(pic from spring 09) Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Aug 3- The pillow I sleep with after chest surgeries. It is too uncomfortable to lay flat so I sleep sitting up.

Aug 2- The incision. The derma bond makes it look wider than what it really is. It is one of the nicest incision I have ever seen, it so thin. I am very pleased.

Aug 1- I was doing well so I was released from the hospital earlier than planned. My neighbors met me with balloons and warm muffins.

July 31- The chest tubes used to drain fluid from my chest after surgery. They were about to pull them out. I was pre medicated with morphine before they did this.

July 30-The drains attached to my chest tubes.

July 29-My platelets were too low for surgery so I was admitted to the ICU the morning of to get platelets before the operation.

July 28-The pretty flower art in the lobby of the hotel I stayed in the night before surgery.

Happy Birthday to you.....

Happy 24th Birthday Camille!!!!!!