Hey... Life gets so busy! Sorry I haven't been around! Hope all is well with you! Hugs...

Hi Gina... OMG... summer has been crazy! Glad the relatives are gone and I have my house back.. LOL!

Howdy Gina... Goodness my life gets hectic fast... I hope you are doing good! Big hugs...

Hi Gina,
Sorry, I have not written in awhile. I just get lost in my own world somedays and forget to write anyone.
I keep thinking my life is going to be normal again, but I just can't figure out how to get there. Seems I am always running in a million different directions and never find the center.I use to have a purpose in my life and most days I don't know what that is anymore.
But I get up everymorning thinking it will be different today. So I just made some coffee and will figure out what direction to take today.
I hope you are good.
Thank you again for writing.
Brenda

I lived in a town called Wadsworth. It is about 45 minutes north of Canton and about 60 minutes from Cleveland. I tell you the winters with the Lake Effect snow was a bear! I am trying to be strong each day and I do try to keep an overall positive attitude. It is hard sometimes, but Bob and I have decided that we have to laugh or we won't get through this event. The common joke is "tell your wife to take an asprin and go to work" and "you had to go and get caner- what you won't do for attention"- I think that they are quite funny, but I guess you just have to know us because we aren't offended by the jokes. Relay for Life is a great thing. I would like to be able to do that this year and who knows with this new course of treatment I might be out there getting in shape in no time. Plus, Zumba classes are waiting for me! I am glad that you think about your mom and that the two of you had a close relationship. Sometimes we take those relationships for granted, even if we don't mean too. At times, I have set boundaries and limits to what should or should not happen in relationships, but in the end I have figured out that they don't work that way. People are in your life for a reason. Bob and I met at the right time. I just knew I would be with him when we met. Audrey was born at just the right time and really saved my life. I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for my family!

Hey Gina,
Dogs are a gift from God, aren't they. Mine hangs with me no matter what. She was funny the first day I came home with my chemo purse - she kept attacking it and trying to pull it off me. My husband finally had to put her outside. That's my pup.

Hi Gina,
Yes, they are Newfies! All 130 lbs each of them. They are the sweetest things. The younger one is a big, spoiled baby and clings to be like glue. His beautiful face every morning keeps me going. I don't want to leave them. Of course, that goes for my "people" family too :) My son and his family did a Relay for Life recently and lit a luminarie for me and many of his co-workers did also. Such a nice thing to hear about. I was unable to go since my new treatment has left me very tired. I am happy that I am still hugely independent and even flew to San Francisco to visit my daughter and family earlier this month. This weekend will be two years since my Stage IV dx. So thankful for this time.
I am sure that your Mom is an angel on your shoulder every day.

Treatments are wearing on me at this point. It seems like each week that my blood counts plument and it ends up being treatment, hospital repeat.

I have had several symptoms that are obscure and even the doctor can't explain them at this point. I have even had Erythema Nodosum and have been unable to even walk at times (http://dermatology.cdlib.org/DOJvol8num1/reviews/enodosum/requena.html).

Even though things have been increasingly difficult, I am thankful that I the support of my family, friends, church and community. Cancer has brought my family and my husband's family back together, it has made the community aware of cancer at a younger age, and it has brought my school family even closer.

I have been reading a book called "Now that I have Cancer I am Whole" by Jihn McFarland. It has really hit home in a humourous way and it is not not just for the patient, but also for the caregiver. I know that sometimes it is hard not to be lost along the way. And, several times my husband has just wanted to give up, but he tries to hide his emotions to be strong for me. I want him to talk about his feelings to me, but he doesn't want me to worry. Caregivers are the most important part of treatment. It isn't the drugs that make the difference, it is the people. People who I don't thank enough for just being there for me, even when I find it impossible to let go of my stubborn streak and ask for help.

The Realay for Life is a WONDERFUl thing- I wanted to go to one this year, because this is the first year that it really hit home, but I haven't been able to yet. I am going to make it to one this year because it is a great cause and if you need shirts- look at cafepress.com because they can give you some great deals.

Oh and this cancer stuff has allowed me to stop and enjoy life because now I live day by day and am happy just to be in the moment. Thanks for stopping by my page. I look forward to talking to you again.

I used to live in Ohio- where is wintersville?