Today I'm Celebrating Another Year

Well, 30 was a tough year but I survived it and I'm geared up ready to go for 31.

I had a nice birthday weekend. My hubby made me Belgium Waffles Saturday morning and we went out for our traditional birthday dinner that night. Sunday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet some relatives that I've never had the pleasure of meeting. I hope we are able to get together more in the future even if they do live in California. :)

Anyway, while my relatives were here, we started talking about one of my favorite subjects and that is my family history. I love genealogy even though I don't do much research at the present. I love hearing stories about my ancestors that obtained a lot of land by selling mules to the union army in the Civil War and the impact that they had on the history of Illinois. My family on both sides has so many fun and interesting stories that really it's a great time when we are all together.

I will say that I can not get over how much my "first cousin once removed" looks like my great uncle. (Not his father but his uncle) Not only does he look like him but he acts and talks like him as well. I felt like I was talking to my great uncle on several different occasions. It was really just uncanny. However, he's a wonderful guy just like my great uncle and his wife is great as well. Of course, it was always good to see his sister and her husband as well. It was a very nice time and I can't wait to do it again with my great aunt and their other sister later this month. (and again when we go to Florida later this year)

Anyway, today is my actual birthday but there was little celebrating today. Meetings all morning, doctor's appointment in the afternoon, and as Relay meeting in the evening. It's cool, it's a nice, busy day just as I hope I have for many years to come.

The Month in Review... February

I am so far behind on updates it is pathetic. Being busy has its disadvantages but it was quite a month!

• I am almost 21 months past the partial resection of my grade three brain tumor.
• It has been 17 months since I completed external beam radiation.
• It has been 9 months since my complex partial seizure and have been seizure free since.
  
• It has been 2 years and 7 months since my brain tumor was discovered accidentally.

Medically - I did hear from Mayo on the MRI front. They agreed with what the local radiologist said that everything is stable and looks good. The areas of enhancement that they were previously concerned with are still there and stable meaning that chances are good it is radiation necrosis rather than regrowth. Their recommendation is to have a repeat MRI at 4 months which will put us in May. I will be seeing my local neurologist on the 8th so we'll be able to start arrangements for the May MRI at that time.

I have finally gotten over my respiratory infection and I'm feeling relatively good in that respect. Good enough I hope to start up my WiiFit again this week. We'll see how it goes. LOL

There isn't anything else going on medically at the moment so I guess that's a good thing. :)

Emotionally - The past month has been pretty good in the emotional front. Pretty normal actually when you look at it. Most of the emotional issues this month stemmed from school grades, getting stuff ready for a birthday party, work, and just plain being very busy.

Mentally - Things have improved some in the mental category. I seem to be sharper and my endurance is improving even if only a little. I'm successfully managing to keep projects in order thanks to Microsoft Outlook's task manager and my iPhone. I'm really not sure what I'd do without those two tools. Outlook keeps me organized at work and my iPhone keeps my life in general on track.

Otherwise, I'm actually getting things sorted out in the paperwork category again which is a good sign. I have dreaded touching paperwork since I had surgery and it's starting to get the better of me. At least now I am keeping up with the current stuff and will slowly make a dent in the year of overflow that I didn't take care of. *sigh*

Physically - My physical strength has returned quite nicely and I'm very thankful for that. I seem to actually be able to get some things accomplished now beyond just the "must-dos". I may actually get things caught up around here before we go on vacation in August yet. LOL

As I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping to get back into my WiiFit this week. It's not to continue losing weight, I am quite happy with the 72 pounds lost that I am at right now, but I do need to start developing my muscle back and I wouldn't mind toning the areas that have seen the weight loss. If I lose more in the process, it will be an added bonus but this time the exercise is for my health not my weight.

Something else occurred physically this last week and I really apologize for not posting pictures sooner. For the first time since before I was in kindergarten, I cut my hair to just above my shoulders. It is so hard getting used to short hair but it is growing on me. It was a long overdue transition. The hair I had lost with radiation was getting long and it was all coming in curly. The hair I didn't lose was straight and not very appealing. Therefore, when the curly hair finally got to a length I could handle... well you see the result. It really looks much better and I'm glad I did it. :)
For the frequently asked questions... Yes it is natural curl and it has always been that way it was just too long to stand out. My hubby says it looks flirty and/or that I look like Shirley Temple (which I think he means as a compliment). LOL My son didn't even notice it until my husband pointed it out.

Work - I'm still very busy at work with the two projects I'm leading and the plant closure. I've vowed not to let it stress me out any further. I'll work on it when I mentally can and I'm not going to stress over what doesn't get done when I want it done. It will get done, that's what's important. I've also come to accept with my projects that if the others don't want to do the testing required to make sure they are ready for the upgrade, it will be their issue to deal with when the time comes. It's no skin off my back. I'm doing my best to convince them of the importance of the project and if they don't want to work on it... I can't force them.

However, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders a few weeks ago. I finally told my boss that I would not be staying at my company when the plant shuts down. I was offered a position and had it been 3 years ago, I would have taken it in a heartbeat but alas, life has changed and I'm looking forward to the opportunities that will be available to me after the plant does close down. What is my plan? I'm going to take training to learn to do taxes. Work four months of the year to make what I need to in order to cover medical expenses. I will also do freelance computer work and motivational speaking. Most importantly, I'll have time to spend with my son during the summer and be able to enjoy the things I currently can't because of working full-time. I really look forward to it and while it will be a struggle losing my steady paycheck, it will be worth it in the end.

I'd like to publicly thank my boss for understanding my position in making the decision not to stay. I really appreciate him going to bat for me and ensuring I had a position to choose if I wanted it. He was more than understanding of my reasons and I really appreciate that. Thanks, Jim!

Home/Family - Well, my son had a nice 13th birthday and last weekend we had a birthday bash for him. I had 9 teenagers in my house for a party and then 6 teenage boys all night. Needless to say, it was quite the weekend. Overall they were all pretty good even if we all were exhausted come Sunday afternoon. There were only a few minor casualties but nothing that can't be fixed for under $10. The cake was awesome and I thank Ashley for the awesome Wii cake. I'll post some pictures of that a bit later.

We continue to work on some of the house rescue that we began at Christmas. You wouldn't believe how much of a toll two years of "coasting" on things can take on your house. We're making progress, slow and sure.

I feel like there's so much more that needs to be put here but for the life of me I can't think of it right now. *sigh* Darn memory anyway.

Well, that's my update for now. Maybe now that the crazy month of February is over, I'll be able to post more often. (yeah right)