Every now and then a little rain has got to fall...

Yesterday the rain was tears...  probably a little overdue?  My first real cry since this all started back on February 24. 

The day started off rather nicely.  I spent 3 glorious hours with Tate Thomas.  We played and belly laughed and had the best time ever.  I love that he doesn't see me any differently than he always has...  I'm just Grandma to him.  :)  We laid down for a nap together and my heart nearly overflowed as he drifted off to sleep cuddled up next to me, his little leg draped over mine.  Love you little bug!  When he left I realized how much I miss him and how challenging it will be to see him even less when chemo starts again. 

I took a good long look in the mirror and knew it was time to do something about my hair.  I headed out to the nearest barber and told him "take it off".  5 minutes and $10 later I was bald!  I sat in my car for awhile looking at myself in the mirror.  I reflected on the last 6 weeks and all the experiences and changes that have occured.  The tears started. 

I cried with real purpose.  I looked directly into the face of my emotions, I acknowledged all my feelings, good and bad, and embraced them.  And then I let the negative, useless ones go.  There's simply no room for stress in my healing journey!

I'm a little emotionally "hungover" this morning but I'm climbing right back up into that saddle.  I have one more week of feeling amazing before the battle resumes and I'm determined to make the best of this precious time.  I have doctor's appointments to organize, people to see and yummy food to eat (while I still can ;)  So this morning I'll get organized and later this afternoon I'll be visiting the wig store.  Tonight I'll have a favorite dinner.  

Today's shout out is for my sister Katie in Portland.  She was finally accepted to the dental hygienist program at Mt. Hood college!!!  Katie, you've worked so hard and you never took your eye off your goal.  Your perserverance has paid off.  You are such an inspiration to me!  Thank you.

Today I'll be happy and thankful.  Life is good.  Reba.

Doctor Appt Thursday!

Hello!

I had a busy morning.  I saw Dr. Xavier, my oncologist, for a check up.  Everything continues to look good with my chemo recovery  :)   I headed off to meet with Dr. Duggan, the GYN Oncologist.  She was impressed with the reduction in size of my uterus, which means the chemo did it's job and knocked it WAY back!  Dr. Duggan shared she had a very similiar case in 1998 and that patient is still doing well, very promising  :)

So now we move forward with the hysterectomy.  It looks like it will be Monday, 4/19, but I won't know for sure until Monday.  I will once again be staying at the lovely Chateau Mercy, most likely a 5-day stay. 

After recovering from the surgery, Round 2 of chemo will be discussed...  a lot will be contingent on what they find during surgery.

I continue to feel great!  After the doctor's appoitments today I met the lovely Leslie Muench for lunch at Beach Grass Cafe in Solana Beach.  Of course I came home from lunch and needed a nap, gee, I'm such a lighweight these days  ;)

Keep the good vibes and prayers coming!  Right now I'm getting a little breather from the battle but soon I'll be right back in there fighting the good fight and I need your support, you are all my source of courage and strength and I thank you!

Big Hugs, Reba

Happy Tuesday!

I continue to get stronger everyday and I've bounced back from Round 1 of chemo quite nicely...  I think my doctor's are even impressed!

Will have an update after my visit with the Oncology GYN this Thursday... stay tuned!

Congrats to Annie and Jared Kooiker on the arrival of their new son, Andrew.  Such JOY!

A BIG thank you to Carl Jackson.  I met him for tea on Easter morning and he surprised me with a bag full of bracelets!  You know, the kind Lance Armstrong has?  Only these are blue and white and say, Go Fight Win, We love you Reba, and on the inside, Get better soon.  Every time I look at one I get choked up.  Carl, you are just too sweet!!!  If anyone would like a bracelet just let me know :)

Well, I just wanted to check in and say hello!  I hope this note finds you all happy and healthy. 

Keep the love and prayers coming, I feel them and they help more than you know.

Fondly,  Reba