To Woody et al

Woody and gang:

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. I'm still surprised at the outpouring of support from just a line or two in someone's blog. It means a lot to me (and my family too!).

I apologize for not stopping by your blogs individually and offering thanks. I've been blog procrastinating for a while, and since I've been throwing myself back into painting, I haven't been spending as much time on the computer.

Things are going well so far on this end. The oncologist remains positive that the new treatment will work. We just have to wait and see what the next round of tests shows.

Here's to thinking positive, and to some new "blog" friends.

Thanks all,
m.

Surprises... pleasant ones

During the past few days, I've received a couple comments from complete strangers expressing support and well wishes for my mom and my family's current situation. It's been really very awesome.

I obviously don't have many blog "followers," and at times I'm not really sure who's even checking it out. It just sort of made my day. Twice. So thank you, both.

And for a quick update: They changed the chemo. I'll have to find the name of the drug again. But this one's actually an oral medication, which is sort of cool. She still has to go to the hospital every other week for this other drug, Avastin, which is supposed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Side effects with this new chemo are supposed to be more mild, with dry skin and blistering the worst of it.

So there we are.

And here we go.

Happy New Year

The chemo stopped working.

Last cancer post of the year

My mom's scans and tests are next week. Friday I do believe. Results should be in by Tuesday when she goes in for chemo.

I will admit when I stop to think about it I feel sort of nauseous [so I'm not really stopping to think about it too much]. This should determine if the cancer is "gone," when she can stop chemo, etc.

The side-effects are getting worse. While the hair on top of her head has started growing back, her taste is shot to shit again. Since the chemo attacks fast-growing cells like hair, nail and tastebud cells, these things are usually effected the worst. That's why people lose their hair. And their appetites. And lose their finger nails.

She hasn't lost her nails yet, but it's not looking good...

So 2010, let's get this straight now. ENOUGH with the cancer already.

Prayers and crossed fingers would be appreciated.

The whirlwind

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I'm not really sure what it is--the atmosphere, the snap of the cold air that I don't totally mind just yet, the food--but it's always been pretty cool. Even in college, I spent time filling stockings for friends, playing Christmas music and having an awesome few days before flying home (where I'd usually have an awesome 3 weeks of hanging out not really doing anything, eating home-cooked meals and seeing family).

This year seemed to be extra-packed with craziness. My niece came 5 weeks early in the beginning of the week. I think we're all still in shock. Christmas Eve was full of Santa riding past the house on the firetruck (normal), the mother and [beastly] daughter next door having a fistfight with the grandmother trying to break them up (yay trashy neighbors!), Rocket (ha, I didn't make up that nickname, but he's a cool guy) completely trashed, singing and hanging all over everyone outside when we went out to stop the fight, and two white horses riding down the street pulling a sleigh with carolers (not normal).

Our cousins from SC came up, and we were lucky enough to spend 2 days with them. Always great times and the best laughs.

Tomorrow, I think I'll get to see baby for the 1st time!!!

And there's that pesky OBNJ poster that I'm supposed to finish, not to mention the freelance gig that isn't getting done.

Plus New Year! I'm happy I got a few different invites this year. Not really sure which to accept, and just realized now that I only have about 36 hours to figure it out (Yay decisions!).

I'm thinking of sticking around for baby's first New Year, though aside from sleeping and pooping I don't think she'll be doing anything much.

I don't have to go back to the big house till the 4th and I'm already dreading it! It's going to fast, and dare I say it, I'm having too much fun...

ZZzzzzZZzzZZzzzz....

I love when Maggie snores.

Praying for...?

Last night before going to sleep, I actually prayed. As per my small crisis of faith, this is something I rarely do. But sometimes you just need to talk to someone, and options were few. [Besides, I ultimately believe in God--the all-loving one--and even though I might seem like a petulant child, there's a piece of me like still believes he listens.]

I prayed for my mom mostly, and I asked Him not to let her down.

I also prayed a bit for myself. For some guidance, for a sign. You know, all that kinda stuff that never really happens. Or that I over think and analyze away.

Well, I said my prayers, ending with the plea for a sign, for finding my way.

And what do I dream about?

Zombies.

That's right. Not "school" or "family" or "art" or even a frickin' library. Zombies.

So either:
1.) There will be some sort of zombie situation/outbreak/apocalypse and God is trying to warn me.

or

2.) He had a pretty nice laugh at my expense. [I'm actually okay with this, believe it or not.]


If there are zombies in the future, I apologize in advance for not warning you.