I'm back!

So I had my party and I thought it was awesome. I felt so looooooved! :o)

My only regrets are that I felt like I barely said "hi" and "bye" to almost everyone - didn't really have much of a chance to sit and talk to anybody... Bummmmmmer. But hopefully we will catch up if we didn't get to there. I'm also bummed that I didn't take enough pictures! argh!

Awe well, I still had fun and it was great to see so many friends and family who have been so supportive to me over these past 7 months. And it was a great way to kick off my new adventure - getting back to a "normal life" - YAY!

Speaking of a "normal life", today I went back to work. It was not very successful cause my login didn't work, but it was still pretty exciting to be back. Hopefully tomorrow will go smoother in as much as my being able to access my account. I have ALOT of email to go through!

I'm gonna post the few pictures I did get and I also thought I would post recipes for the Sangria and the Sausage Potato Soup - I got asked alot for both of those.... (Click on picture to view album...)

Pomegranate Sangria

1 bottle fruity red wine (I used Lambrusco)
2 cups pomegranate juice (I used Blueberry-Pomegranate Juice)
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup Triple Sec
1/4 cup simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, cooled)
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1 large orange, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 pineapple, sliced into wedges
1 lime, halved and thinly sliced

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 48 hours before serving. Serve over ice.


Sausage Potato Soup
(Copycat) This is a clone of the Olive Garden
4-6 servings
1½ hours
20 min prep

1	lb Italian sausage
2	large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half,and then in 1/4 inch slices
1	large onion, chopped
1/2	can Oscar Meyer bacon bits
2	cloves garlic, minced
2	cups kale or swiss chard, chopped
2	cans chicken broth
1	quart water
1	cup heavy whipping cream

1. Cook sausage in a 300°F oven for approximately 30 minutes.
2. Drain sausages on paper towels and cut into slices.
3. Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot, and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
4. Add sausage and bacon.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
7. Turn to low heat.
8. Add kale and cream.
9. Heat through and serve.

Quick update...

Just a quick update since I've been told I am slacking :o)

I am doing great! So happy to be done with chemo, just can't stop smiling. My side effects are going away - I don't have nausea everyday and my face doesn't hurt as much (headache, jaw-ache and watery eyes)... I still have fatigue and am sleeping in and I have neuropathy in both feet and both hands, but especially bad in my left hand for some reason. I've been wearing a glove to ease the discomfort and have heard the Michael Jackson comments a few times - so hahaha :o)

Other than that, excited about my party on Saturday. Woohoo! Hope to see you there!

Officiallly Done with Chemo!

Yesterday I completed my last banana phone (take home chemo). And then I went into the clinic to have my central line removed. Praise God. I've had those plastic tubes sticking out of my chest and arm for 6 months! You don't know what a relief it is for me not to have them there anymore. I am soooo happy!

So yay! I am done with that. Moving on to the next phases... Some testing, lots of waiting. But I'm sure it will be easier than chemo was.

Chemotherapy - Session XII

Haha! I actually don't have much to say except Hooray! I had my last chemotherapy appointment today!!!!!

Everything went well. I had low magnesium, but nothing that stopped the treatment. I also was advised to take a vitamin supplement for my neuropathy (tingly fingers and toes). And I found out that I might have to come back in three months vs six months... either works for me. As of now - I am in REMISSION!!!! or NED (no evidence of disease). Praise God! And on Friday afternoon I will go in to take my pump off and remove my central lines. YAY! I am way excited about that!

My mom took in a big cake to celebrate. Mondo visited for my last treatment.... and as I finished my infusion, the nurses came over and sang "Hit the Road Jack!", gave me hugs, wished me well and sent me off with a card signed by all. It was pretty sweet. As I was leaving, another patient started talking to me and asking about my treatment. She was on her 2nd and was pretty scared. I told her about my experience and how I think my attitude, my friends and family and my faith made a BIG difference in how positive my experience was. I gave her a hug and wished her well. I hope hers goes as well as mine did...