Such a wonderful year…

Today is a very special day…for a few awesome reasons.

First…today is my wonderful cousin, Alan’s 29th birthday…he’s 2 months older than me and the closest thing I now have to a brother.  Even though we live on different sides of the world, he is truly a very special person to me!   This summer he became Owen’s God-Father and he is someone I’d trust to raise Owen properly if God forbid something were to happen to Yosh and myself (and Bernie was dead b/c no one would be able to take Owen from her if she were still alive and kicking) . He’s a very independent, strong-willed, amazing Dad, Husband, Son, Brother and Cousin!!  We used to be told that we looked alike BUT I’m thinking this past visit in July we were probably like twins since we almost had matching hair-do’s! haha 

 

 

Second…its my parents 33rd Wedding Anniversary! Yes 33 years…that’s A LONG time! As my Dad used to say “Marriage was worst than a prison sentence…25 to life"!! haha They met in Ireland back in 1960’s…but started dating sometime in the 70’s.  Mother left Ireland; left college, ALL her family, her everything for her soul-mate…the American boy, named Liam. Dad was in the Air Force, so mother was coming over to become a “military wife"  They wed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1978, mother had NO family present, and only a few of Dad’s family was able to make it.  Liam w/ his high school graduation suit, (nice collar Pops!) and mother with her smashing nun-life wedding dress (nice collar Mother! haha) they enjoyed a nice, freezing, snowy day :/   Since they weren’t even 21 yet they weren’t even able to drink at their own wedding reception…they were just babies!!  They are what a true relationship is all about. The love, support, encouragement and dedication they have for one another is the secret to a successful marriage.  They have endured the extreme highs and the extreme lows, more than anyone else I know…and have stuck together through it all! My parents are seriously the match made in heaven.  I am so proud to have parents like mine, and I’m not just saying that!  I’m overcome with joy that this year they are able to be together, celebrate and be happy! …Unlike how they spent last years anniversary…Mom was with me all day at Kaiser, then came home to my house and stayed for 3 nights to help take care of my sick self and Owen (who was only 10 months old at the time!)…she didn’t get to spend the evening with her husband, like she should have been.  THAT’S another reason why my parents are so awesome!!

And for ME…Today is a wonderful day in my “cancer journey”.  (Yes the journey is still going…and I’m not sure how long it will be around) A milestone worth mentioning…  Today marks 1 year of being cancer-free…today 1 year ago was the last time I had to sit in the chemo-suite at Kaiser Fontana. Last time having a “chemo-buddy” bring me to get blood work, then to McDonalds for breakfast, Staters for popsicles, then back to Kaiser for the “fun”.  Last time getting my portacath poked at, last time eating my Sour Patch Kids to keep the nasty chemo taste out of my mouth and me from throwing up, last time sucking on my popsicles to avoid the mouth blisters since the thought of ice made me gag, last time I had to feel like THAT. Yes…after my last chemo I had 11 rounds of radiation but the chemotherapy was the BIG hump to get over during this battle. 

This morning, while I was at my parents dropping Owen off for the day, I stood in my parents sitting room and said “7am…this exact time last year we were heading to Kaiser…”  It seems like a life-time ago. The chemo-haze that I had back then almost helps block out all the horrible feelings, the horrible memories, the tears, fear, baldness and everything that came with it.  Cancer was such a huge part of my life…and I guess still is. Its been such an emotional day for me…and I’m not sure exactly why. Every time I get into the car and think I get tears in my eyes. They are tears of joy, but still tears all the same.  I’m so happy to not have to be dealing with chemo and the baggage that goes along with it again, getting to enjoy my life…and Owen’s even more! I think back to those 7 months that I was going through treatment, and I wasn’t able to enjoy life, my son, my husband, anything. But now I continue to try and enjoy every healthy second I have.  I try to not sweat the small things in life…and have even had co-workers mention the difference in me since going through what I did.  I read these blogs of people I don’t know in “real” life, going through treatment right now…gives me the shivers but I continue to read and follow.  I want them to know that there is another side of it all…it’s a happy, wonder side and I can’t wait for them all to feel alive again!  I have my “One Year Cancer Check-up” on Feb. 18th (ironically its Mom’s birthday, soooo I just HAVE to take the whole day off work to spend some much needed girl time together)…why do I feel nervous about it this check-up?? it’s the continuous cancer doom and gloom that, as a cancer survivor we just can’t shake…always have the fear of “IT” coming back.  I have seen my oncologist every 3 months for the past year and will continue to see him every 3 months until my 2 year “anniversary”….which we might seriously have to have another party for! heehee. 2 years cancer free will mean the Hodgkins reoccurrence rate significantly drops, and I get the clear to try for more babies…ohhhhhh I can’t wait! :)  

These are the flowers that my wonderful husband had sent to me at work today.  He just wanted me to know that he loves me…and looks forward to many many more years of being cancer free together!! He’s so cute…the lavender ribbon around the vase and everything. They are perfect!!!  Thank you babe!!!  And also…thank you everyone that was a part of my amazing support system during my journey…during treatments and even until this now!!! 

PS.  This evening we “celebrated” with great friends (the Gerke’s) at On The Border for dinner…was a nice evening until Addi slapped Taryn and then Owen bumped his face on the booth we were sitting in and cut his eye open a little bit. :(  But Thankfully he was still full of smiles for bath-time. my little trooper!

 

So…Good Night all….