All things personal

Last post was all medical - this is all personal and fun things.

Since surgery I have felt very good overall which has been nice. I started to drive 12 days after surgery and that allowed me to be free to do what I like and go to the store and all those things. Went to a movie, went to my friends sons birthday party and did a wagon ride, dressed up for Halloween, went to the last summer farmers market at Wheeler Farm, took the boys (Ben and Jack) out trick or treating in my sisters neighborhood (which was really fun), turned 34, got the keys to my new place and have started to slowly move in.

Social Butterfly

My birthday usually is a big deal for me but with surgery and the whole no eating fat thing I kind of was a downer about it for a bit. I never realized how food centered a birthday is until I couldn't have anything fun! In the morning I met up with little Ruby, her mom Ali and her sister Jane for some acai bowls and healthier food. It was fun to be goofy with the girls and of course to see sweet Ali. You can read her blog here. Since I got the keys early (got them on the 1st and was planning on getting them on the 5th) I had some friends over to the empty place that night and just ordered pizza for them and such. It was a lot of fun to have everyone over to see it.

Look at this pretty cake my friends got me - even though I couldn't eat it until the next day. My wonderful friend Elise also went out of her way to make me a sans free birthday dessert - strawberry shortcake. It was delicious!

Since then I have been slowly moving things in and we have movers coming tomorrow to load up my storage unit. I'm a bit nervous to see what I have in there... some of the stuff has never been used so it will be like Christmas! I'm still deciding on what I am going to do with all my Sweet Janes stuff. I'm torn on it - want to keep it but also don't want to just store things to store things. I am also not sure I want to close that chapter all the way. We will see. I have until the 30th to have the storage unit completely cleaned out.

Besides moving I am going to try and do some fun things before life gets shaken up on the 10th. Not sure what, but definitely will do something each day not medical or moving.

One thing I want to acknowledge is that there is a saying that you never know your true friends until you have to ask them to help you move. Well, I am overly blessed in the true friend category. I have too many helpers! How is that possible? I sure do love my army.

Viva La Mexico!

I just got home from 5 days in beautiful, warm, sunny Puerto Vallarta! My mom took me for my birthday and we were joined by her friend, and two of my best friends Tyler and Brooke. We swam with the dolphins and sea lions - which was amazing! We hung by the pool and went on the lazy river tons. Went through lots of sunscreen and bugspray. I got stung by a monster bee (hurts like a B!) Watched 50+ baby tortoises be released into the ocean. Went to a beach hideaway and snorkled, drank margaritas and tried mezcal, held monkeys and snakes and ate some great food. Went into town. Attended a Mexican fiesta on the beach. And just relaxed and laughed. It was a great birthday week of celebrating!

It's been a long time since I had been to Mexico and we had a great time. The resort was GIGANTIC and a lot of fun, also beautiful. Excellent pools and good drinks too. Room was big and perfect for our size of group. Our group was good and we all had a lot of fun. So glad there truly wasn't any damage from hurricane Patricia - literally there wasn't any destruction that we could see. Pretty amazing. Can't wait to go back!

Always prepared... 

Little baby turtles making their way to the ocean

32

Today is my 33rd birthday. I love birthdays, unlike some people. I love having a reason to celebrate and a reason to get my friends all together.
I always look back on the past year and try and find the highest points and also the lowest, and try to take away some good things to continue on with for the next year. 32 was rough. Some may even say it was bad or horrible. But there was also a lot of good things too. Late November last year is when I got the call saying there was a large lymph node in my neck and that I needed to get it checked. That is when my second melanoma journey started. I followed up that phone call with a CT scan and then a biopsy. And then surgery, then chemo, then this current treatment. Definitely a trying year. Definitely a medical year! I spent 14 nights in the hospital. Received over $750K in treatment/medical, so far (thank heavens for insurance!!) I've had some of my toughest/sickest days of my life this year, and know what it really means to not feel good. I've formed a medical family with my doctors and nurses - I see them more than some of my family! I met my cancer soul sister Mandy, someone who I can't explain the closeness we have since we are in the same boat. I hate to see her struggle, but happy to offer her some comfort in the battle.  I have been poked far more than any other year and know what veins are good and what aren't... I have become an expert on melanoma and explaining my current situation. All these things, although could be bad, make up who I am today in this very moment.
During this last year I also realized the love and support I have surrounding me. My friends and family really showed up and it helped me get through some of my toughest days. From amazing fundraising campaigns that have helped support me for almost a year as well as the numerous gifts, food and care packages. Constantly checking in on me through texts, emails and calls. Truly making me feel loved.
I have shorter hair than I ever imagined I would have, and I actually like it. I have learned to look around and be happy for the little things - things I definitely overlooked before this year. I have lost 40lbs (not the way I would want to, but still) and hope to lose more this coming year, get more healthy. I wore skinny jeans for the first time! I have traveled with some great friends to some amazing and relaxing places. I watched my friend get married and look happier than I have ever seen her. I have watched my best friends babies grow and steal my heart one smile and giggle at a time. Life has been good. It wasn't a bad year, it was a trying year and a growing year.
33 looks good going forward - besides 33 sounds like a lucky number and I'll make it prove it. Here's to a great year!