Happy New Year!

I have taken these three words for granted for most of my life...  "Happy New Year!"  means so much more to me since my diagnosis!  I wish I could say I rang in the new year healthy but I have come down with another respiratory bug.  I am heading into Dr. Posner who did my radiation treatments to have him check me for radiation pneumonia which can occur to a small percentage of breast cancer patients since the radiation does reach a small portion of the lung.  I will be relieved to know one way or another and even if I am suffering from this it means I will have to be on steroids but will kick it once my body allows these drugs to strengthen the lungs back to "normal."

Even though I was sick I still kept our plans for this special day...
This new year's eve was spent with my parents and my children and my husband.  I was in the best company and loving all the time and activities we enjoyed.  Mom, Katelynn and I took the opportunity to go to the Marriott to see "White Christmas" which was amazing!  Katelynn is a talented Tap dancer and she so enjoyed seeing these amazing professionals tap dance.  It was so awesome to see her watch their feet and know she was thinking about all the steps they were doing because she knew them and how hard it was to do. 

We had dinner all together at Mom and Dad's.  Keith grilled the steaks, Dad made the twice baked potatoes (a huge treat we love to enjoy when he has time to make them!), and the girls set the table.  We all eat well and enjoyed talking through the meal.  There is always a story that we tell or a comment one of the girls makes that keeps us laughing!  I sat at the table for a moment and realized how blessed I was to have this amazing family.... oh and then the girls started fighting so I had to break it up and come back to reality! 

Sarah is having a great deal of trouble with me being sick again.  She seems to be rather sensitive to thought of me being sick again and she shows it by being so frustrated and mean.  We are watching her and trying to help her know that everything is going to be fine.  BUT she is not quite ready to believe this yet. 

Lindsey is hugging and kissing me a great deal more!  Whenever I cough or look tired she comes over and hugs me so she can check on me at that moment. 

Katelynn may be worried about me but her evil eyes and horrible faces full of attitude are coming out much louder than any concern could.  If it gets in the way of her needs she is mad.  I know this too could be her way of dealing with the concerns of another cancer or more time mom will be sick but there are moments I am not sure she really even thinks about it!  I know... this is what it is like to have an almost teenager!!

I may be the one who had cancer BUT everyone around me was affected by it in some way or another.  We are all changed by it!