Happy Holidays to all,

Can’t believe the holidays are here.  What a difference a year makes!  Last year I had chemo just a few days before Christmas, my red count was low and I was feeling puny.  But wow…here I am… a little worse for wear but here.

Just to update you all…I had my thyroid biospy (well attempted to) and it was discovered that the nodule was smaller so the doctor stopped and told me to have an ultrasound in a year.  Since it was smaller, it couldn’t be bad news, so I’m happy with that.  I decided to postpone my MRI on my acoustic neuroma until February.  I want to enjoy the holidays and not be feeling the side effects of radiation (if I had to have it).  I saw my cancer doctor and he had me do a chest xray and a bone scan.  The bone scan was an experience because they wouldn’t use my mediport to inject the solution and my vein kept moving and collapsing.  I found this terribly frustrating since it had been over 8 months since my last chemo treatment I thought my veins would be in better shape.  I decided I am never taking my mediport out (well at least for a long time).  After all that, my bone scan was good too.  I see my cancer doctor in March and may at that time finally be switched off of Tamoxifen to something else.  I also will have a bone density test at that time.

I have some lingering achiness and joint swelling.  I believe it may be from the Tamoxifen but not sure.  I started taking an over the counter joint lubricate but so far haven’t seen a big difference.  They tell me it may take a few weeks.

Jeremy’s house is finally done!  He moved to his house in early December.  It turned out very nice and we are very glad it is done.  In January, Jeff and I are heading to Mexico for a week.  A local radio station morning DJs are going and were promoting it so it was a spur of a moment decision for us.  We have never been to Mexico but are looking forward to it.

After the first of the year, we may finally see what it is like to have an Empty Nest.  The houses are done, Jaylyn will be back at school and it will be just Jeff and I.  Can it be that life is finally calming down?  Time will tell.  I will let you know how my MRI goes in February.

We continue to be thankful for all the support and encouragement each of us received during our cancer experience.  Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement.

This holiday season and always, enjoy any time you have with your family and friends.  In the meantime, we want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2008.

Love, Lori