Merry Christmas!

We are safe and warm in Amarillo, and I've had a wonderful time with family. I haven't done anything that is neat or impressive, but have had lots of fun. The most fun was taking Angel and my nephews to Cadillac Ranch and took lots of pictures I promise to post when I have more time. I will post more later...

May the blessings and peace of the Christ Child be with you on this special day.

I haven't posted in a while because of two reasons: first, I've been VERY busy, and I've been concerned about a weird new thing that started happening a few weeks ago, and I didn't want to say anything, but I didn't want to keep anything away from anybody until I knew what was going on. My arms and hands have been going numb and to the "pin and needle" feeling. It has been very upsetting to me because I know somebody with spinal metastasis and didn't want that to be me. The good news is that it is just neurothapy due to the chemo and that there are no new tumors to report since my PET scan last week. The bad news is that my arms and hands go numb every now and then. My doctor is so awesome. He was quick to make me feel at ease and recommend some things that will help...I hope.

Today was the last day of the first semester. With some awesome help, I'm done grading the semester tests, and I believe all my students passed my class. I think that is the first time that has happened in my career, and that is awesome. We're out for Christmas Break, and I get to go home to Amarillo soon. Most of my extended family lives within 90 minutes of Amarillo, and I hope to see all of them.

State of Emergency

The state of Oklahoma has been hit by freezing rain and more than 600,000 homes in the OKC metro area are without power at this time. We've been lucky and haven't had anything more than a light dimming, but much of the area is dark. When I went to the doctor's office today the two oncology nurses were without power at home. The roads are safe to drive on, but school has been canceled due to no power. It has already been announced that Chris and Lexie will be off tomorrow, too.

The trees look like a tornado has hit them. Many are split down to the trunk, and some are broken at the root. We have several large brances that are broken, but our tree had no leaves so it wasn't as bad as many.

Medical notes.

I'm home safely with a reconstructed nipple. I won't get to see it for a week since the bandages need to stay on. There was a skin graft taken from my abdomen. The good news is that all the areas are numb from previous surgeries, so the only thing I could complain about is feeling sleepy from the anestesia.

My mother-in-law is out of the hospital and doing well, and I have no report on my brother-in-law. He may be resting but isn't answering his phone. I'm just thinking no news is good news and hoping they're getting some rest.

Another prayer request

Chris' little brother, Jeff, is in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism today. That is a fancy way of saying that a blood clot has lodged in his lungs.

Chris' mother is doing better. They didn't have to cut into her chest so her recovery will be much easier. I didn't understand much from Chris since he is under lots of stress right now.

Time really flies...

I'm up later than normal since Chris is out of town with his mother and I don't sleep well without him. From what I understand, she will have a bi-pass surgery tomorrow. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

October and November are normally fast and furious months for me, but the last two months have been even more so. Unless you live under a rock, you will know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Although I'm not a girlie girl, I've have a bit of Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) in me now and then and like pink things. I got prett sick of pink during October. I'm not one to scoff at any donations being given to find a cure, I DO get tired of seeing pink stuff with miniscule amounts, especially non listed amounts going to "breast cancer awareness." I'm pretty sure we are all aware of breast cancer by now...let's find a cure. Anyway, I got to participate in my first Race for the Cure and go back to work after a nasty recovery time. The end of October is the beginning of hunting seasons, too. I married into a family that doesn't get together for Christmas, but gets together for hunting season. The hunting area is on a ranch owned and ran by Chris' aunt and uncle. They are the hosts for family from around the country (well, Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma) during the week of Thanksgiving for rifle season. October is the Youth hunting weekend and the beginning of muzzleloader season. The temperatures were unseasonably warm and we primarily wore jeans and t-shirts. The girls are now seasoned hunters and like it more than I would ever imagine.

I can't believe November is already gone! Hunting season was very successful, and it was great to get to see Chris' family. During the beginning of the season, temperatures were in the 80's, but soon dropped to the normal lows in the 20's (all in 5 hours one day). November was also Oklahoma's 100th birthday as a state. There were numerous celebrations during the whole year, but some of the most fun happened last month. One of my favorite was one small town making the largest birthday cake in the state...nothing wrong with a little cake!

My life is still trying to get back to normal. I still struggle to find the energy of BC (before cancer) and hope that energy will someday be found. It is weird now that my life doesn't totally revolve doctor appointments and recovery from various treatments. By the way, I will have a small surgery on Friday morning to install a nipple. It will be skin colored until it is tattooed after healing. I never thought I would ever have any kind of cosmetic surgery, but I'm becoming an old pro now.

Please keep several people in your prayers:
Glenda who is going through chemo for breast cancer.
Jennifer who is in the same boat I'm in (also NED) but also has two beautiful boys she needs to stick around for.
Uncle Herb who has surgery next Monday for cancer.
Denise who has surgery later this week to find out if she has cancer.
All the awesome women I know who have inspired me to kick cancer's butt.

I know I couldn't have done any of this on my own... God helped me all the way through. I pray the same for them.