2009

As the new year starts, I think back on 2008 and the many blessings, opportunities and trials that I as well as my family were a part of. Blessings came in the form of a new granddaughter, grandsons growing and staying strong, kids now taking on more as grown adults, and health for Patti and me.

The year started out rough with January 2nd being doctors getting ready for skin surgeries and six weeks of radiation. Then more operations and then the interferon. It started still being sore and limited on movement from the previous surgeries. It still is sore today, more than a year later but improving. Sometimes I wish, like this morning, that I would remember to get out of bed in a different way that didn't start my day off with such pain. I could roll the other way, but then the pain would be from the fall to the floor. I know that the mornings start off with pain but it subsides as I do things physical. They probably wonder at work why I work in the warehouse whenever I can. The physical activity actually decreases the pain. The other thing that hope to remember this year is how to get dressed and undressed. Pull over shirts and taking off regular shirts or jackets if not done right causes all sorts of pain. Now saying all that, I notice that more of the area has been getting feeling back. It was strangely wonderful this morning when I actually had an itch on the top of my shoulder. Even the pats on the back and the grabbing of my arm are giving me less pain. Not sure if it will ever all go away, but it has improved.

This year my resolution is to make sure that the little things as well as the big things are important and worth my time. But even more important, I will stop to enjoy the small things more. Those things I have little or no control over will not occupy my time.

This blog in 2008 helped me tell people what was going on and how I felt with my cancer. Well, I will continue to use it in 2009 to tell people what I am doing and how I am feeling "living with cancer, not dying from cancer." I may have cancer occur again or some other health problem possibly, but I have resolved never to let it rob me of my life. There is so much more to life and only God will end my days here.

Have a great New Year and enjoy every day of 2009.