This will be a very long post, but I just want to say that I will always be so grateful for all the friends and family, doctors and nurses who went out of their way to keep me going through the last eight months.
Of course, everyone knows that my mom and dad and brother dropped everything to come down here and help ferry me around to the daily doctor visits. They even had to make several trips back and forth to Ohio, which I know had to be very hard on all of them, but seeing them and having them here saved me. And my Randi....her blog and rampant artistic talent kept me trying to keep creating....something, anything! If I can say anything good came from having cancer, it is that it made me cherish my family in a way I never have before.
The thoughts and the prayers, cards, calls, letters that just kept coming, and still do, are just beyond belief. One of my mother's friends, who probably hasn't seen me since I was a little girl, has sent a card every week, without fail, since she found out I was sick. That's how much she loves my mother:) that she loves me too. I had no idea how much love is out there and I promise that without it, I would have just given up and died. I have been blessed in a way that I still cannot comprehend. Here are just some of the tangible things that people did for me.
My first gift was this mobile from my friend Patty at work. She is such a cool person, she conducts kayak tours and is a great outdoors enthusiast. She found these shells and baby sand dollar while she was beachcombing and said the graduated sizes of the shells made her "think shrink"! (to shrink the tumor.)
The next one was from Annie who is starting her own business called Pungo Couture. She made this great gift box with everything French. There was a pretend plane ticket to France, euros, Godiva chocolates, a Pungo Barbie doll, a French Apartment chenille throw, and much more. It was a fabulous gift to cheer me on when I was at my worst. Just recently, Anne's mother made me a Nanny Blanket, but that is another post!
Then Leslie brought over the pink mimi. She said the whole time she was knitting it, she was thinking, "Think Shrink Pink". Because, of course, I love pink and "Think Shrink" was the mantra for making the tumor shrink. It is like being wrapped in a warm cloud of love! Now Leslie is making purses for Annie's new business. She made the neck roll pillow too.
Then there is the rabbit that my home healthcare nurse brought Monday. I was so touched, of course I cried and cried. I cry all the time now, happy or sad! She said that I had been through so much and always kept a smile on my face. The rabbit, to her, was a sign of rebirth, springtime, and new beginnings, and she believed that God had given me a second chance and that I was meant to do something special with that gift. I pray that I will know what that is and do it well!
These are just a few things that really touched my heart and made me want to do something myself. I am still trying to find what's right for me.
I am surrounded by such a creative, artistic family that sometimes I feel quite bumbling and awkward, but I am trying to learn! Sandy and Rick gave me everything I need to get started painting with acrylics and I am working hard on that. Sue is starting a line of jewelry and gave me the most beautiful bracelet and earrings. I will put her website on here as soon as she gets it going. Her pictures blow mine out of the water!
I did make a little lingerie bag for my nurse, using my new sewing machine that Steve gave me for Christmas. And I made a neck gaitor for Alex. It is just waiting for his neck so I can place the buttons. It has lots of mistakes because I was really knocked out from the narcotics, but I left them in because it is like the story of recovery. And here are also some pictures from Christmas that you may or may not have seen.
