Peaks and Valleys

Last week was so much better. I was really feeling good. This week I've been exhausted. I'm learning what the definition of fatigue really means. Jim reminded me that I'm still going to experience peaks and valleys (hopefully more peaks than valleys).

I had the opportunity to enjoy the company of some dear and treasured friends. On Thursday, I spent the morning and afternoon with my friend Sandy. God put us together as neighbors 19 years ago. I was so sad when they moved to another house in Corona. Our lives just got busy in different ways. We were brought back together two years ago when we were both summoned for Jury Duty. We have such wonderful memories together, and are beginning to make new ones. It's one of those friendships that just slips right back to where you left it. Sandy has blessed me so much during this journey as she has sent me a card every single week. Her and her husband Carlos are getting ready for an extended visit in Peru. I'm already beginning to miss her, and thank God for email.

On Saturday I spent the day with my long lost friend, Coreen. I've known her for 28 years. We went to high school together, shared our first apartment together, and were each other's Maid of Honor. We haven't seen each other in 13 years. I had completely lost contact with her when we moved to New Zealand, and had tried several avenues to find her once we returned. I was able to find her on Facebook. We were planning a reunion once I felt good. She drove four hours to see me (from Fremont - not really - personal joke - the four hours is true though). We spent ten hours talking, eating, talking, getting my first pedicure since chemo, eating some more, talking some more, and purchasing an Aloe Vera plant to use during my radiation treatments. I felt so bad that she left at 10:30 at night for a four hour drive back home. It was so great relaxing and catching up. It felt like we were just together.

I really thank God for times with such wonderful friends. I feel very blessed. Even today, I was able to have A Cuppa with my friend Anna (who also lived in New Zealand). She's the one person I have here that can relate to my time in my far away home.

I was able to go to church Sunday. Have I told you that I have such a wonderful church family!! They are so encouraging and uplifting. I left feeling so full of love. I was so tired afterwards that I almost fell asleep at lunch - not a bad problem to have.

I have no doctor appointments this week...yahoo! I forgot to mention that when I saw my oncologist last week my white blood count was back to normal at 9.6 (the highest since having chemo). They also took blood to have me tested for the BRCA 1 and 2 gene. It will take four to six weeks to get the results. It won't change treatment for me, but will allow us to know if Katelynn is at risk. I'm now scheduled to see my oncologist once a month instead of once a week. I will now see the Radiation Oncologist each week, and the plastic surgeon every other week.

I've been trying to get my house back in order before radiation starts, and before going back to work. I remember cleaning out every drawer, cupboard, and closet before having my Mastectomy (just in case I died - smile). I go through those areas now and wonder how they can be so messy. I then realize it has been NINE months! It still feels like ONE LONG DAY. I can't believe how long a process all of this is, and it's not over yet. I'm not as motivated to have everything cleaned now...I'm just too tired.

I'll share a funny thing with you...it's all about how vain I am - again. Each morning when I wake up I check to see if my eyebrows or eyelashes have come in. I keep thinking the eyebrows will show up like caterpillars again. This time when I scream it will be out of true joy. I think I counted three new eyelashes this week. Of course I send a text to Kellie right away to tell her. I know in the scheme of things this really isn't important, but it would save me from walking around with one eyebrow on (with pencil & powder). I came home from somewhere last week and was mortified to realize that I had been walking around with only one eyebrow. I realized that my sunglasses are taking them off, so now I'm driving around squinting just so my eyebrows will stay on. I'm so vain!

Well, I'm off to go rest...in my own bed. I've been in there for four days and I'm loving every minute. Sweet dreams!!