"Hello 2008!!"

"Good-bye 2007"

In less than 36 hours, this year will be behind us and I for one will be glad. I never expected us to have this type of year and I am very glad that Rene go through it. We both discovered that we were stronger than we realized and that was needed with this cancer situation.

We still have some more unknown journeys to take but I don't expect them to be as draining as what we have already experienced. There are changes that both of us will discover over the next several months that are the result of this year.

Rene commented how nice it is not to have any more doctor appointments or treatments once she finished her radiation on Christmas Eve. She had forgotten what life is like when you are living within a doctor's office! She is now adding time in a gym and she prefers that instead.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Time...

A Great Present

Today was a day that I did not expect us to celebrate this year when we first discovered Rene was suffering from cancer. Yesterday she received her final "zap" of radiation and did not suffer any side effects from this treatment.

She is now free of any ongoing medical requirements at the moment; this is a great way to end the year. She received a special care package from her brother and sister-in-law yesterday. Homemade Christmas cookies and she is even allowing me to partake in the goodies! Francine is a wonderful baker and her wedding cookies are fantastic.

Switchboard Signals

We were very lucky to speak to everyone within our immediate families this morning. Normally you get either a busy signal or an answering machine! Speaking with my mother today was not easy because it is our "first" Christmas without Dad.

She visited his grave over the weekend to tell him that Christmas was coming and I felt that prepared her and my brother for today. I am also experiencing an empty feeling today because I was unable to have my usual short conversation with him. We enjoyed our talks with her father, brother, and my grandmother. Yes, it was a busy telephone day and that is how it should be for everyone.

Tumbleweeds Central

Typical Arizona surprise...very windy this morning and I witnessed actual tumbleweeds "flying" across the highway from the desert. I could not get to my usual trail to ride my mountain bike and if I did, I would have to avoid these things along with the occasional coyote!

Toys!

Presents

Tomorrow will be the final radiation zapping for the year and then it will be monthly visits for the next three months. It would be an understatement to say that Rene is looking forward to this! The last seven days of the this year will be days without having to be inside a doctor's office; party time.

Whisker Wars

The length of my beard has now officially moved into the annoyance phase for Rene. She doesn't want it to grow any longer and of course, I want to keep it going. It doesn't that some women actually like the new look. I told her I need about another inch in length so I can braid it on a regular basis.

Gym Rat

We joined a gym in near our home and she is officially embracing life as gym rat. She is very committed to this change because it will protect her health in the future. Don't worry about her becoming a muscle bound lifter, instead she plans to increase her overall health by making this part of her daily routine.

Count Down....

Six More To Go!

On Friday Rene learned that she need to visit the radiation office six more times and then she is done for the year! She is very happy to know this news and it seems that she is responding well to this treatment. Overall, she wants this "Brat" gone so she can put this completely behind her.

Overall, she is doing very well; she is able to work again and has officially "kicked me to the curb" for most things. The fact that she can drive anywhere she wants means pure freedom for her. She states however, it not a very graceful approach she takes to get in and out of her SUV.

Happy Anniversary

On Saturday we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and yes this one was very special based on the "fun" of this year! Since we have found a real German restaurant, we went there to remind ourselves of our honeymoon in Germany. The polka and German music and dancers was fun to watch again; it has been awhile since we have experienced this.

Caroling Again

For the past five years, Rene has always participated in a volunteer Christmas caroling at an assisted living facility. This year was very important to her to be there and sing to the residents. This year there were many children participating and this brought smiles to the residents. We realize that this could their last holiday and we want them to feel cared for and happy.

Finally!!!

Welcome Back

The first week back in the office was not eventful from a health standpoint. She was happy to see everyone and had the usual issues associated with anyone that comes back to the office. Using a notebook is somewhat humorous for me to observe with her. For the first time, she can bring her office with her at anytime!

I can tell that she is very happy to be back in the workforce again. The last six weeks she spent at home was great for her and she was ready to get back to work. The strangest thing for her to acknowledge was the first day back in the office.

She looked at her desk and realized that everything was left at her last time in the office back in February! She could remember the last issues she was dealing with and she hoped that they were addressed during her absence!

Smoltzy's Place

We discovered a new German restaurant in the Valley this weekend and the food is truly German. Since 2001 Rene has not had a real German restaurant to go to so this was great find for her. To add to enjoyment, there is real German music on Saturday evening and it is lead by the father on her favorite Braves pitcher, John Smoltz! She is truly in heaven with this information!!!

Back To The Grind (Baby Steps)

Finally!

Tomorrow Rene gets to do something she hasn't done since the second week of March; return to work. She is not diving in full time, instead she getting her toes "wet". She is very excited that she can do this and looking forward to seeing everyone again.

I am glad that she is finally able to do this because it allows her to regain full control of her life. There is a part of her that will miss her last six weeks of recovery because it was not filled with medical issues. The radiation is not causing any problems and at this point is not glowing in the dark at the moment.

The strangest thing in all of this will be the adjustment to having to work again and not worry about any health issues. The last three weeks before she went into the hospital she could not envision herself being able to focus on anything. Now that she is past the worst of her cancer issues, she can actually focus on her upcoming projects issues at the office instead.

"Fire Phasers Mr. Sulu"

Brat Zapping

The first week of radiation has been very uneventful at the doctor's office. A close friend described her remaining tumor as the "Brat" and it must leave her body immediately! She shows up and in ten minutes she is done. The trip on the highway to the office is more eventful due to the usual drivers found Highway 101 in the Valley!

She is not feeling any negative impacts from the treatment. She has consumed enough chemo that could kill several horses and we don't expect any problems from radiation! The doctor informed her that anyone that has already had chemo usually doesn't suffer any impacts from the treatment.

This will be her last week of relaxing, she goes back to work in December and she is looking forward to it. She will do the telecommuting at first then she will rejoin fellow co-workers in the cubicle farm! The interaction with others should aid in improving her recovery.