I love rain.

This will be the most random blog post by me ever. Maybe. I was drugged on some of the previous ones, so...

To start, there are some Light the Night walks coming up in October. We are doing the Dallas one again this year. It's on October 18th. Short notice, I know. I'll get a team set up soon and post if you're interested in joining. My extended family did the one in Colorado again this year. I posted pictures under Light the Night-Colorado 1.

Also coming up is Walk Now for Autism. Autism is my passion and by doing this walk, I feel like it spreads the awareness a bit. I have a team every year. Last year, I hosted a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A. I'll get that going again and post about it, as well. If you're interested in joining, this is our team link. If you're interested in donating, go here. I hope you'll do both. I mean, I did have cancer and all. ;)

Speaking of, I have some appointments coming up. I'm in the process of getting a scan scheduled and I have a check-up on the 19th. I feel better and better with each passing day. Except for the nightmares, which have returned in full force. I know it's due to the upcoming appointments and I'm hoping once they're over and done with, they'll slow down or stop. And you should see my hair!!! It's almost completely grown back. Yippee!!! On the topic of hair, a friend and co-worker, Susana, grew her hair out to donate to Locks of Love. I love that people do this. It's such a great organization and cause. Thanks, Susana!!!!

For even more random topics...I'm obsessed with this: Playing for Change. Matt showed it to me and I can't get enough of it! I love the music and the message. I'm also obsessed with Dexter. Just thought I'd throw that out here. I tried to post my Jamaica video on there, but kept getting an error. Ah well.

Now I must go. I have to finish decorating for Halloween. It takes a couple days at my house. I have a village and everything! I'll post pics of that next time. And the Cowboys play at 3. Against Denver. My cousin, Jeff, and his wife, Stephanie, will be there. She's for the Cowboys (she's the sane one in the family) and he's for the Broncos. HOWEVER, he is painting himself in blue and silver because he's a good sport. Watch for them in the endzone...they'll be holding a sign with all of our names on it. Go COWBOYS!

Something I Don't Like...

I've had a case of writer's block lately. I used to write as therapy. Now anytime I sit down to do so, my screen stays blank. Just like now...I try to write and eventually just leave it and come back. I started writing the last post 2 weeks ago. I just finished and published it the other day. Eh...oh well.

I've hit some milestones lately. For one, every year we go to Nokia Theater for our convocation for the district. We end up parking a good mile away due to the traffic. Last year, it took me FOREVER to walk to the building. We had to keep stopping on the way just for me to catch my breath. This year, it took me no time. My lungs are finally building strength and I'm able to walk a distance without my usual huffing and puffing. Yea! I'm still doing yoga amongst other things. My legs are still tingling, though.

Another milestone...on September 9th, I've been in remission for 9 months. I have another PET scan and check-up in October. I'm trying hard to focus on other areas of my life instead of this one. Not working out so much.

I was going through pictures and found this video. I took a ton of little clips when we were waiting for baby Jacob to be born. This was from the first night. For some reason, it makes me laugh. Thought I'd share. Oh...and check out the jersey. ;)

Must stop writing now. I've got things to do before noon. Brad and Jill are coming over to watch the Cowboy game. Oh...and I love the rain out now. So soothing.

Go Cowboys!

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag

Fancy title, eh? I wrote something about everyone's birthday in the month of April. There's one more today. Her name is Phoebe. She's our German Shepherd and she's 4 today.

We got Phoebe in November of 2005. We had just moved into our house the previous October. And 2 weeks later, we were broke into. At the time, we only had Peanut-our Dachshund. I've always liked big dogs and especially German Shepherds. So I searched Petfinder religiously for a month and finally found her. Except...it really wasn't her. The picture I found and the puppy I got were totally different. But I'm glad she's the one we got.

She's the epitome of a perfect dog. She's obedient (for the most part), lovable all the time, and will attack at the drop of a hat if she thinks we're in danger.

So here's to Phoebe. The best "German Shepherd" ever.

Another.

I had another anniversary the other day. Yet...procrastinated in writing about it until now. Some things never change.

On August 1st of last year, I had my first chemo. I'm not sure what to write about that I haven't already said. Hence the procrastination. All that can be written of now are feelings. One feeling from that day: I was terrified. Thank goodness for Ativan.

In my last post, I mentioned going out with my brother that night. Well...he flaked out because he was "sick". Whatever. ;) He did, however, make it up to me with an even better idea. A group of us went to Jamaica Gates. The group included Jilly, her husband Brad, and my other two "brothers", Todd and Oscar. We drank Red Stripe, ate jerk chicken nachos (and other
stuff...Oscar), and listened to great live reggae. We had a blast. And even got some ideas for costumes for Halloween.

Back in February, I wrote about starting yoga. I posted a picture of a lady doing yoga specifically to show a pose. And I got a lot of grief over it all because I said it wasn't my mom. So...

There. There's my mom on the beach in Jamaica. Happy now? Good. :)

Thanks for reading.

Flashback

The hardest week of my life started on July 21st of last year. I said in a post that this month is full of anniversaries. I don't feel the need to post about all of them (...or do I?), but I will sum up some. I do it because it's interesting to me how much time changes. For instance, last year, at this very moment, I was sitting in a doctor's office with a needle in my arm, like this:

But, TODAY, at this very moment, I'm drinking coffee, writing and getting ready to spend the day with Jill. We've been in workout mode. Today is walking, swimming, and yoga. And tonight, I'm going out with my brother, Bryan. We're going to paint the town...green. Because we can. No really. We're going to Home Depot first for the paint...

Must go now...thanks for reading!

Lots of change and a show.

A year ago today, I was officially diagnosed with cancer.

My life changed forever on that day. I remember the feeling I had when I was told it was cancer.

Two days before, my doctor had called with the results of my surgery. He had said that my lump showed features of Hodgkins lymphoma. I would probably have to do some "chemical treatments" (chemo) and maybe some radiation. I took it well on the phone with him...and then I hung up. I went straight back to the bedroom to tell Matt and I couldn't even get the words out. I finally did and him, being forever calm, said, "Okay...what do we do next, then." He had to call my mom and tell her. I couldn't.

I got my official diagnosis when I saw my surgeon to have my bandages removed. By then, I'd had some time to let it soak in. I remember he had an intern with him that day. When he confirmed that it was, indeed, cancer, the poor intern looked more shocked than I was. He told me a little more about the cancer and treatment and that I'd have to come back to him and get the port put in. He even took one out of a drawer to show me.

I've changed since that day...and I've been through hell since that day. My changes have been emotional and physical. I'm stronger now. I know how short life is and I'm sad that it took this for me to know. I have more scars and tattoos (...from radiation and celebration). I've had less hair, more weight, less weight, dark circles under my eyes, pale skin. And I've emerged to someone completely different than a year ago. But better.

So today I'll celebrate. I'll celebrate being diagnosed...and being alive a year later. Matt and I are celebrating by going to see Rancid and drinking these:

instead of these:

like I was doing last year.

And as my best friend, Jill, writes, "Happy 1 year today...a day to look back and see all that you've accomplished and all the ass you've kicked :D". Well put.

Thanks for reading.

Post Script

Something I should've mentioned on my last post was an anniversary. On the 3rd of last July, I had my cancer lump removed. The 2 weeks of waiting for the results following would prove to be hell, but nothing compared to what was in store. Instead of rehashing the details, you can read them here. There will be several of these posts to follow. I'm a sucker for anniversaries...and July is full of them for me.