Monthly Update For February 2-14-2009

Sorry for the lack of updates but there hasn't been a whole lot to report.

• I am 8 months from having my brain tumor resection
• I am 4 months since ending radiation

Medically - The retina specialist agreed that my funny-looking optical nerve is from surgery and radiation. We will monitor it to make sure it doesn't get worse but he doesn't expect it to.

I had an MRI on Monday and it proved that my new Neurologist and my Radiation Oncologist were correct. It appears to just be necrosis. The MRI showed improvement and there is no sign of tumor regrowth. I get to go 6 months before my next MRI now!!! I won't know how to act since I've had at least 11 since August of 2007. **Does a Dance**

I will FINALLY be getting two of my trouble teeth remove on Tuesday. I can't wait to get them back to healing instead of constant pain. I believe they knocked a filling loose when the intubated me for surgery and it's taken me this long to convince the dentist and set up the appointment with the Oral Surgeon.

In other medical news, I passed my physical with flying colors and I appear stable mentally. (I'll wait while you stop laughing...)

Emotionally - I am continuing to hold up very well and I'm really excited to be doing Relay For Life this year. I think having something to look forward to really helps keep your focus. I've been brainstorming fund-raisers, ways to decorate, and lots of other things. The boys are helping out too so it's a family affair.

Mentally - I'm really not seeing much change here. I'm happy where I am. I can do a lot of the things I did before including my brain games, logic puzzles, math homework, etc. I still have to change my focus now and then to keep from getting bored but that is nothing new.

Physically - I get stronger each day. I can actually work all day now and go home and do the things that need done. I have continued with my wiifit as well and I'm enjoying it. :) I am proud to say that when I started wiifit I could not hold the plank for more than 5 seconds. Now I can consistently do the complete 30. I've also lowered my weight another 10 pounds. I'm just glad to have my energy back. The truth is, there are times I think I have more energy then before I had surgery and radiation. I'm not complaining mind you. I wonder is this was a "side effect" from the tumor I didn't realize I had. Ahh the questions that can never be answered.

Work/Family/Play - Work has been very busy since we came back. We have been migrating and collapsing our domain and dealing with all the brushfires that come along with that. (I know... too technical) Just suffice to say we've been very busy.

Today my baby turns 12. It doesn't seem possible. He's taller than me and he's catching up to me in weight as well. He's a big boy!!! He's struggled recently with school but we hope we have him back on the right track. Please keep him in your thoughts that he can turn things around.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Last night John told me that I need to be sure to shave my legs when I take a shower. He also told me we have to go to bed early Friday night because we have to be up early on Saturday. Suffice it to say, he has a surprise for me. I love when he surprises me like this. I can't wait to see what he has cooked up. I have a few ideas of what it might be but unfortunately I can usually tell when he's lying to me and I don't want to ruin the surprises. :)

The 26th John and I will be going to Indianapolis to see Jeff Dunham in person. He is a fabulously funny ventriloquist that we both enjoy. If you would like to know more you can see his site at: www.jeffdunham.com He has clips on there as well that you can watch. I can't wait to go and best of all the tickets were free!!! (Thank You Andy E.)

Relay For Life - My delimma of which team to join was pretty much decided for me since John will be unable to attend the Relay for Menard County. So I will be captaining my team in the Logan County Relay and will be a team member in the Menard County Relay. Our team name is "A Pot of Cancer Cure" and our theme is Winnie the Pooh. We currently have five official team members and a couple that are still on the wall about it. We can recruit up to 15 so if anyone is interested, let me know. We have some neat ideas and fund-raisers in mind that I will talk about when I do my updates. If you would like to see what we are all about you can visit our team page http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09IL?team_id=419168&pg=team&fr_id=14961 and see what is going on. Our first goal is $1000. I didn't know what to expect for a goal so I was told to start here and you can always raise it later.

Love N Huggles