Driver's License

Four years ago, I was a bit upset because the time to renew my license came right in the middle of my treatment. That morning, I put on a lot of extra make-up, took special care in fixing my wig, and hoped that I would look healthy in the photo that I would be stuck with for the next fours years. I was satisfied with the picture...I didn't look too bad with my "chipmunk" face. I remember thinking that I can't wait until the next time I renew my license so that I can have a healthy picture of myself. Today, I am going to motor vehicle to do so. It is amazing to me that four years ago seems like eons ago, yet it went so fast all at the same time. Yay, I get to have a healthy picture of me on my license. Yet, I will save the old one to remind me of how far I've come.
Yesterday, a friend asked me if after four years do I ever forget or take for granted what I have been through. I told her that when life seems to get out of hand, I read my journal to put things back into perspective.

Doctor Appointment-4-14-09

Yesterday, I had my 9 month CT scan and visit with my lymphoma doctor. All was well, and my scans are stable. He wants to see me 6 months from now for blood work & a check up. And he said that my next CT scan will be in one (yes 1) year from now! It is very exciting and I was not expecting that news since I only just moved to scans 9 months apart.
He said I will have one next year, then another the following year, then that will likely be my last one. I really didn't expect that and while I am happy to know that he feels I won't always need to be CT scanned, it also makes me a bit nervous. Yes, I am happy but those of us who have had cancer jump for joy with caution. Three & a half years post treatment, I do not worry like I did in the beginning, but CT scans are like a security blanket for me. But I do know that my doctor is a cautious man (sometimes overly cautious) and if he feels this way, I need to trust his judgement. And that last scan is two years from now, and I may be ready to let go of that security blanket by then.

I WALK IN THANKSGIVING

A few weeks ago, I went to a dinner at my church where they were honoring members who have made a difference in our parish community. One of the honorees was Sister Ann Sweeny who passed away this year after a long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She had written a poem thanking all who had touched her life. I did not know this great lady that well. I always said "hello" and "how are you" in church. But this poem touched me deeply and I think it is perfect to share on Thanksgiving Day. Remember as you read, that these are the words of a woman who knows she is dying. I hope this inspires everyone to always walk in thanksgiving and joy.

I WALK IN THANKSGIVING...

for friendship and insight and the gift of prayer...

for windy nights and sunlit waves...

for the splendor of Autumn on rocky peaks,

gold on green and flame against blue,

for music and balloons and the song of the world...

for the intensity of life, for challenge and delight...AND

BECAUSE I WALK IN THANKSGIVING, I WALK IN JOY.

I WALK IN THANKSGIVING...

for life that comes not as a whole but in pieces called people,

for tenderness and strength, for gentleness and warmth,

for weakness and pain, for anguish and ambiguity,

for laughter and courage and the gift of friends,

for the risk of life and the risk of God...AND

BECAUSE I WALK IN THANKSGIVING, I WALK IN JOY.

I WALK IN THANKSGIVING...

for faith and hope and joy and love and YOU,

and because I walk in Thanksgiving, I walk with God

because I have been allowed to walk with all of you,

in what I call a search...

a search for fulfillment, dedication and

giving to me that will pen the

GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD....

My love and gratitude to you.

Ann Sweeny, O.P.

Doctor's Appointment-11/08

I went to see my oncologist today for blood work and to get my flu shot. Back in August, my platelets which are usually low dropped even lower. So, he wanted me back to check to make sure everything was OK. They went up to 114 which is well below normal, but is where I usually am. He was happy with that and he said again that he is not worried about me anymore. :) My next CT scan is in April (on Steve's birthday) which is 9 months from my last scan. So I have "graduated" from CT scans 6 months apart to 9 months apart. Yay!

Happy Halloween!

We celebrated another great Halloween this year. Fun was had by all. Here are some pictures.

Light the Night Walk

Last week was the Light the Night Walk. It was a wonderful night and I had a great time. This year, I was given a tent to set up "Camp Jackiepie" because we raised so much money. They added a survivor's ceremony where they had all the survivors come up on stage to be acknowledged. It was very moving as always. Together as a team we have raised over $20,000 for cancer research! Thanks to all who have donated so generously and special thanks to family and friends who helped me to double my goal!

The Big Move

Hi everyone!
I have been informed that AOL is shutting down it's journal services. They partnered with Blogger.com to transfer our journals, which I have done. I think this is a good move. I like the new journal and I hope that more people will subscribe to it and that it will be easier to navigate to older posts.
Jack