A Micro Chemo Break for Christmas

Hello People,

Some of you may not know this, but I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! I have always loved Christmas. On Christmas Eve we are at my parent's house and Christmas Day we are at my Uncle Paul's and Auntie Gussie's house. These are two special nights with great food, wine, laughter and conversation. It may not be deep conversation (my life is deep enough thank you) and half the time you actually don't finish an entire conversation, but we laugh until we cry and my stomach aches from laughter by he time I get home. Oh and some break out into random song (the Aunts and my Cousin Julianna), but I don't sing - it would be very, very bad and they are very, very good.

I'm sure you can understand why I was a little nervous (angry - very angry) thinking that I would be having chemo until December 20th. Having chemo until December 20th would certainly put a damper (well a very large gray cloud) over Christmas. After MUCH discussion Kelly, Dr. G, Wayne and I decided that I would not have chemo on December 20th.

The current chemo schedule:
Today - everything went well.
Monday, December 13

Monday, January 3
Monday, January 10
Monday, January 17
Monday, January 24 (NO Chemo just a CT Scan to see how we are doing)

Once we have the January 24 CT Scan results and we check my current chemo tolerance level the decision will be made about more chemo or another break.

Regardless of the CT results Wayne and I will be headed to Marco Island sometime after January 24th for a little R&R!!!

I'm very excited that I won't be having chemo the week before or after Christmas. I'm very hopeful that allowing the chemo/Avastin to drain from my system will allow me to enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

So folks....the chemo continues, but I gave myself the gift of a 2 week chemo break during Christmas. Gotta be honest - I think I have earned it. I figure the worst that can happen is it grows and ya know what if it does we will get it in January and then I will head to Marco to relax after all the drugs (wish they were recreational : )

May your Christmas be filled with LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDS, LAUGHTER and GREAT TIMES!!!

Lots of love,
Maria

Secret Pal Strikes Again....

I still don't know who Secret Pal is, but I must say that they must REALLY know me.

It snowed about 3 inches overnight and it is still snowing now. In the end I bet we will have 6 inches. For those of you that don't know this about me....I hate winter. I hate snow, cold weather, gray skies, slush, etc. Winter - you name it I hate it. The only redeeming thing about winter is that Christmas is in the middle of it.

So it's a cold, gray/white day and all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a big blanket and an old movie. Wayne would like to go shopping and I'm like "really, shopping, ugh."

Anywho - knock at the back door and we receive a beautiful Christmas bouquet that smells of pine. It is lovely. Lovely enough to lift my spirit. Maybe I will go shopping with Wayne.

Thank you Secret Pal. Your timing is always amazing.

Much love to all with an extra bit of love to Secret Pal.
Maria