Sometimes...

Sometimes, life knocks you down. And sometimes, life knocks you out... for a bit.

Looking back, I feel like I got knocked down back in March. But I was able to get back up, and all in all, felt like I only had a few scratches at the end.

Last weekend, I got knocked out.

So, you might ask me how I'm doing - and the honest answer is - physically, I am doing GREAT! It's been two months since my last chemotherapy treatment and I am back to work full time and really happy about that. And although I probably won't be able to do more than to say "I'm okay"... I still am hopeful. I still believe. I am not angry. I do not feel like God is doing this to me. And I am soooo thankful for my friends and family... and sometimes, even strangers.

Speaking of strangers, I had a plumbing emergency this past weekend at my duplex and a very nice guy came over and did the work. I was a total mess and he was really sensitive to that. And after all was said and done, he said he was sorry for what I was going through and then offered to work out a payment plan with me after the holiday season to make things a little bit easier. Boy, he had no idea what has been going on, but that was sure a nice thing to do. Anyway, the least I can do is plug his business as he did a real good job there too...

Bill Contreras
FlashPoint Heating and Residential HVAC Solutions
3644 S Nepal St
Aurora, CO 80013
720-940-4469
sales@flashpointhvac.com
www.flashpointvac.com

A month gone by..... already?

Guess what today is... my one month anniversary of being chemo-free. Well, at least my last day of chemo was October 10th when I disconnected my infusion pump (banana phone) and had my central line removed. Who knows how long the stuff sticks around inside me.

Boy, this month seemed to fly by. I've been at work for two weeks now and it's going well. I am only working part-time, 4 hours a day and that really worked out to be a wise decision. My hands are aching by the time my shift is over and I am still pretty tired when I get home. I think if I were to be working full time right now, I could probably handle the fatigue - but not sure what I would do about the neuropathy. Still praying that it will eventually go away or at the very least, that the pain would lessen.

Anyway, that's all. Just a quick update. Life is good.

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.