It IS a New Year.

I had some great news about my friend Karen - 2 years into her cancer following some surgery and lots of radiation, a clean MRI. How fantastic is that a way to kick off the year!

My CT scan shows a lot of unremarkable stuff. Which is great. There was some other discussion that had even more syllables per word, but Chemo Kaufman says that they are a 'natural' result of having surgery and chemo and radiation, and not to be too concerned about it.

My blood tests are headed in the right direction - not perfect but headed there. More great news.

I did try to give Kaufman a hard time about the side affects I've been experiencing. He pretty much told me to get over it - we have abused my body a little in our treatment choices and I just might have to put up with things for a while. Funny thing is that the very next day my guts started feeling better than they have in a month. I had regained a few pounds that I had lost over this last treatment.

We've scheduled blood tests in 6 weeks and another scan in 3 months.

I'm working on getting more stamina and getting stronger every day. For now, there is no waiting for anything to happen and I just get to LIVE for a little while. This family is looking forward to a few weeks of not thinking too much about cancer and letting life be good. Every day is a blessing.

Happy New Year!

Dates like New years have become far more poignant for me in the last 21 months. My birthday, April 13th and Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving carry a special meaning colored by surviving - joyful that I've reached another and pensive about how many are left.

This New Year finds my health steadily improving. My weight is stable, I gain strength and endurance everyday, I feel great. There's still a way to go - my guts have not settled down since the conclusion of treatment a month ago and I'm ready for a nap at the drop of a hat. Mati and I are going out for a walk at the lake later today for the first time in a couple weeks. We are both looking forward to it, and the nap that follows. Between working and the naps in preparation for working or to recover from working there doesn't seem to be much left for walking.

I have a CT scan and blood tests scheduled for the 5th and a visit with Chemo Kaufman on the 12th. I'm not nearly as tense about it as I have been for previous tests. I don't know if that's because of my recent therapy, the busy holidays, or that I've found some way to let whatever comes wait for when it actually happens. Don't borrow trouble as the saying goes. Plus I get to browbeat Kaufman a little about these most recent chemo side affects, offering at least a little mental relief.

That's all I have other than to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2009!