2018 Christmas

Last year at this time was brutal and we have spent this past year battling the beast! So this year we went back to our tradition and spent the week in Kiawah with the family, a tradition that means so much to me. Being in Kiawah and at the beach makes me feel like my Cancer is far away and I am given time to pause, relax and not worry so much.

We have enjoyed every moment of our trip. We have walked the beach, biked, puzzled, shopped, spa’d, cooked and enjoyed each other’s company.

Monday night we did a cook off between two teams. The theme was Italian and team 1 decided to make spaghetti with a bolognese sauce and team two decided on filet wrapped in prosciutto and served over spinach.

The event ended in a tie, we had 4 categories and it was even with each team winning 2 categories. It was such a fun time and a new Christmas tradition that will continue for all upcoming Christmases.

One thing that we do every Christmas is the family picture. This brings the most stress over our Christmas week. Getting six women dolled up and camera ready takes an hour but this year we did it in record time of 15 minutes and it came out really well – at least I think so!

I have been feeling really good this week and only had a few moments where I wasn’t feeling very good but the feeling good days really trumped them! We were able to push out treatment 6 extra days which will also help with my next treatment cause I will go in stronger! My doctor and I do quite a bit of negotiating on my treatment especially when I have upcoming plans that I want to feel extra good for. I have been so lucky that I have felt well to attend and/or travel to and participate in events this fall and this holiday season. I have been to the beach 3 times, as well as a trip to Saratoga Springs and Scottsdale!

I truly have the most amazing oncologist and palliative care doctors. My palliative care doctor was at my finger tips going into this trip as I developed an infection and we were able to get on an antibiotic and within a day I was all better. She was kind enough to give me her email and she responded so quickly and called me! So blessed!

On our final day and we had a visit from my dear college friend Lucy and her daughter. What a treat! Nothing is better than a hug from a dear friend, which will carry me through the next treatment round on Monday!

So here are some more pictures of our trip. If you look closely you will see that my mom is in a sling…in prepping for our trip she fell from a step stool and broke her wrist. Unfortunately she will need surgery which will be next Thursday the 3rd and then she will be good as new. She is navigating things with one hand really well including painting with her granddaughter.

We are all packed up and headed home, where reality smacks you right in the face, Incase I had forgotten my reality of living with cancer! But what this cancer doesn’t realize is that I plan to beat it and will fight with all my mite to get there. So step aside I’m a comin for you! Happy New Year 2019 is going to be my year!