Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. This year it was a small celebration here: me, Joshua, and my mom. We each brought something to the table, which was nice. Technically, I didn't bring food to the table...but I was helpful in setting places, getting drinks, and most of the cleaning afterwards. It is a powerful and positive experience to help as I'm able right now.

I've been reflecting on the past year - in particular the past 6 months. Although there are reasons to feel other ways (which I do on occasion), today I am thankful and would like to share some of these blessings with you readers:

• being married to a wonderful spouse who loves me right back - under construction and all
• my parents working together to help me through this challenge in my life 
• having my mother's steadfast support through thick and thin
• my dad and stepmom who have helped me with occasional "sanity check" phone calls and who have also helped us with cooking meals
• Joshua's parents, who have listened to Joshua's needs and support us from afar
• my medical team doing the best they can to help me fight and win this battle
• kind neighbors that help us in so many ways
• friends that are new in my life and those that have known me for a long time doing what they can to help and show their interest and support
• strangers surprising me with uncanny connections and tales of triumph
• having time to make "the" decision about the clinical trial and whether I'll take part in it or not
• this blog providing a way to communicate directly with family, friends, and acquaintances; serving as a time capsule of sorts about this journey I'm on and some of the particulars involved; and (I hope) aiding someone unbeknownst to me that's also been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer that wants to know more about the possible journey ahead
• good food - and my voracious appetite!
• my expanding lady lumps

Thanks to all who read this blog. Whether you comment or not, I am amazed at the viewership of these posts, and will continue updating with news when I'm able. If not for cancer, I would not have a blog. So thank you, cancer, for giving me an outlet for writing!

I hope to provide more updates in the coming days/week. There's been a lot of change going on around here...especially in the hair department. More soon!