A Fill-in Cancer Story

While I'm waiting for Michael's uncle to send me some pictures he took at a bow hunting competition that we went to I thought I would add a blog about something I started doing almost 3 years ago. I have always been a follower of Caringbridge. those of you that don't know what that is it is a site where families that are experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury can share their progress with friends and families through a type of blog site called Caringbridge. I accidentally fell into following a young boy of 12 who was going through a serious cancer diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He had experienced 2 relapses and on the third relapse he was given the gift of life from an unknown donor through a bone-marrow transplant. He just passed his one year mark and is cancer free. Through his webpage I got to journey with him, his parents and his 4 siblings on the incredible ups and down of their life fighting this awful disease. When they had a fund-raiser I sent for the cookbook which I still enjoy. He also asked people to send their picture and a note about themselves making sure to give the city and state which I did. He received mail and pictures from most of the European countries and the USA. I finally saw my picture one day when his mom posted some snapshots from his hospital room in Cincinatti, Ohio where he lives. It's been fun following his journey. Can you find me? It was my passport photo so it's kind of bad.

Thank God for milestone birthdays

The other day at work (I work at a local clinic as a CMA) I roomed someone that was born on the same day and same year as myself. Sometimes I mention the coincidence to lighten the mood especially if they are coming in for a stressful procedure, etc. unless they have a ton of health problems and their gene pool has not been very kind to them as mine has. Most times, however, I don't say anything. My birthday has never been something I have ever gotten very excited about. My husband on the other hand loves his birthday as well as surprises of any kind. This has caused alot of stress over the years, about 29 since we have been married that long. I never know what to get him, I dislike surprises so I'm not very good at it, I stink at cooking so I invariably burn the burnt sugar cake that I have to make from scratch because there is no box mix for that particular flavor and it calls for cake flour which I never have on hand. It always gets him down. This year I decided to take the bull by the horns and give him a surprise party esp. since it was his 60th. I had him concentrate on "the party" while I planned a surprise party the night before. He gave me a list of invitees and I went with it. It was incredibly stressful as in years before but this time it all came through and the blessing we both received from it was worth every moment of worry. We all had a wonderful time, guests included and the party was my gift so I didn't have to wring my hands thinking of something. It really gave me a new perspective on how fun birthdays can be.