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

Endocrinologist Appointment

This past Friday, I saw my endocrinologist at MSKCC.  She said that my ultrasound is perfect and felt nothing in my neck.  My thyroid hormone is a little low and they prefer it to be a little bit on the high side.  So she increased my thyroid hormone pills to seven days a week instead of six.

Doctor's Appointment-8/08

Last week, I had another CT scan.  Yesterday, I saw my oncologist and had a bone density test.  He said that my scans are good and that my next scan would be in 9 months instead of 6 months.  Then he took a look at my blood work and my platelets dropped even lower than they usually are.  I had been on antibiotics recently and he said that is probably why they dropped.  But to be on the safe side, he wants to see me in November for blood work again and to give me the flu shot.  Then he'll decide when my next CT scan is.  But he is not concerned because my scans are good.

The results of the bone density test show that I have osteopenia which is better than osteoporosis.  So, all that I need to do is take calcium and vitamin D supplements.  I had been doing so already, but now I need to take more than I had been taking.  That is good, and I am happy that I don't need medication for osteoporosis.

I am still feeling great.  I am enjoying my summer and having lots of fun.