Well...first of all Happy New Year to all!  We celebrated our New Year as we often do...with my cousin Trish, her husband Gerry, kids, John and Heather and Kelli and Mike.  We were all in Whitefish at Trish and Gerry's new place!  Geoff and Lindsey also were down for a couple of days but had to return to Calgary on the 31st as they worked bright and early on New Years Day!

Kelli and I decided that a blog might be the good way to go with me as many of you are wondering what is going on.  I always knew I had lots of friends but when something like this happens you really start to realize how much people care about you and how much you care about them!  Honestly, everyone, the most difficult part so far has been telling each of you this awful news.

It has been a busy couple of weeks to say the least.  Despite it being the holiday season I have been cruising through the Medical System in high gear.  On my first visit to the Tom Baker the doctor seeing me glanced at my file and said "My goodness....you are on the fast track!  This is how the medical system should work!"  I know everyone does not have this experience so I am very grateful that things have been working for me in this regard.

My family have been wonderful.  Kelli came home as soon as she heard and spent three weeks with us.  It was nice to have her come with us to the many appointments because she often thought of questions that neither Bill nor I considered.  On the downside I think she knows a little more about what is in store for me which makes her worry more.  I have done very little reading on the subject of my condition, my attitude being they are going to what they are going to do and I am going to respond the way I am going to respond so reading and being prepared isn't going to make one speck of difference.  Geoff and I are much alike in this regard!  He is very positive and never have I appreciated his positive attitude more than I do now.
Bill is looking after me and trying so hard to "plump" me up!  This is the first time in my life I have had a goal to gain weight!  It is a very weird thing to purposefully order french fries and then eat every last one!
The Christmas baking everyone has been bringing me has gone to good use this year!  I have so many friends that are excellent cooks!  Funny how we all want to feed each other in times like this.  I am the same way but am now on the receiving end!

OK...so the purpose of this blog is to keep you posted on what is going on.  I have had four CAT scans, a PET scan (which tells if the cancer has spread), a pulmonary function test (I blew their machine out of the room performing at 160% of normal), a ECG (abnormal....my hear rate was 40 BPM which is normal for me)  The scariest test for me was the PET as this was the determiner of what happens from this point forward.  This was the best news for us as the cancer is localized which means I am going for the CURE!!!  It is not going to be easy but it is doable!  I had my PET scan on December 30.  Scariest thing I have ever done.  Bill and I then got in the car and headed for Whitefish.  When we reached the US border the alarms were going off.  I was told to step out of the car and three big customs officers came out of the building and escorted me inside while Bill had to drive the vehicle through a sensor to see if there were radioactive substances in the vehicle.  Once inside the building I was scanned with a machine to determine what "substance" alerted their alarm system.  This entire process took half an hour and they finally agreed to let me through warning me that in the future I should travel with a letter from my doctor.  I guess I will be radioactive for some time!

We had such a nice time down in Whitefish.  I feel so healthy right now I sometimes have to shake my head when I know what really is going on.  Sometimes I think they are going to tell me they made a mistake and mixed me up with someone else.  Wishful thinking.  My PET did come back clear though so now I go onto the next step which is five weeks of radiation and chemotherapy combined. My first treatment starts on January 9. I  will have my chemo on Mondays for five weeks and radiation five days a week for five weeks.  Should have just shaved my head at the Terry Fox Head Shave.....am regretting now that I didn't as I am going to lose my hair!  On the good side I already know what I look like bald and it wasn't that bad!  My short term goal is to be healthy enough to be in Mexico in May for Geoff and Lindsey's wedding and believe me this is not a party I want to miss!!!  I will be doing EVERYTHING in my power to be there.

Thankyou to each of you who has said prayers for me, to all of you who remembered to say your White Rabbits on January 1 (for the first time ever Bill said it and meant it!), to all of you who phone me just to talk,to those who drop by for a visit,  to all of you who have brought me goodies, for the email messages, for the many offers to do absolutely anything from driving me to appointments, to walking Boomoer, to cleaning and cooking.  Right now I don't need any of these favours but it means a lot that you have offered.  Thankyou to all the people in my life.  I am truly blessed and I know it!