Updates with a promise

I can’t believe it has been three months since I posted…  I have finished all my treatments, had my final surgery (I hope), been to two family reunions, and moved. I have also returned to work full-time on my own shift-Graveyard.

I have found that I no longer require naps everyday (side effect of the radiation), but I do still need to be careful because, without a nap, I am exhausted at night. I will return to physical therapy on Wednesday to try to relieve the auxillary web syndrome. I hope that is what is making my arm ache as much as it is. My shoulder down to my elbow aches constantly some times worse than others. Hopefully that will get better with the therapy.

I guess the biggest thing on my mind lately has been the prognosis from Dr. Manning. He said that, while things look good for now, I have a greater risk of the cancer coming back either in my other breast (considering a second mastectomy to prevent that), bones, brain, liver, colon… I pray every day that this will not happen. My fear is not living to see my grandkids grow up into outstanding individuals who can change the world.

Speaking of grandkids, Kevin (7 years old) has moved to California with his mom, Holly. Jakobi (also 7) was here visiting for two months and just left last Saturday to go back home. She flew by herself for the first time. Thank you Southwest for taking care of her. I have never met Corvus (almost 2), but I love it when I call Sarah and hear him in the background saying “HI” or “Bye”. And then there is the new one… due November 18^th.

And now onto more family… I spoke with my brother, Bobby, for the first time in 42 years. I know. Long time. When my dad died in 1970 he was 3. That was the last time we saw him. I briefly had contact with him about 5 years ago but I am not a reliable letter writer (or blogger for that matter) and we lost contact again. It was great to talk to him. He is planning on getting married on his birthday on March 1^st, 2013. I want to be able to go out there for that. We’ll have to see…

One thing that did happen at family reunion… one of my cousin’s husband told me and another cousin that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer within the last two weeks. As much as I dislike telling others about how to handle their personal lives, I was led into it by Georgann. I told him that he had to find his reason to survive and not to let it go. I also told him that, in the quiet moments in the middle of the night, when he feels the greatest despair is when he will find his relationship with Heavenly Father will grow the most.

I went camping for one whole night with my friend and old college roommate… It was fun! She had her grandkids there, along with her hubby and the kid’s parents. It was good to be out enjoying the creations of Heavenly Father and to feel some inner peace. I plan on doing that again soon even if I have to go alone.

Here’s my promise to myself… I will write on this blog at least once a week!