Family Gatherings - Lot's of Hugs to Give

Christmas is fast approaching - and health matters are still very much the focus.  Between David's admittance to the hospital in June and November 1st,  I was able to complete a Christmas stocking for my wonderful daughter-in-law Katharine Ann!  As you can tell,  there was a lot of sitting around time done during that stretch.  The needlepoint was a good diversion and focus for healing.

It is now hanging on the mantel in Suffield along with the four stockings done for the boys by Cathy Walker Hopkins's mom when they were born!

Since I last wrote, all the boys have come to town and are safely ensconced in Suffield. Will and KA have made great strides in settling in and I am glad it's working well for all of them.  Johnny arrived the 18th which gave me time to enjoy his company alone,  We went to a yoga class and a yoga retreat together - sharing a new part of his life of fitness and serenity.  It is so special to get that one on one time.  Thanks John!!

Also during that week I met with my oncologist who is very pleased with my progress but hadn't been informed of the Dana Farber Qualification.  I will meet with him again December 31st as we will remap the next version of therapy with the additional information.  I will keep you appraised.  Meanwhile, Friday I had my fifth chemo treatment and I'm only now suffering some con sequences.  Saturday John and I went into New York to see the Barber of Seville at the Metropolitan Opera.  Opera?  It was in English and shortened but still by Rossini!  The trip to the city was a great diversion. We did a lot of walking and window shopping as well as dining and operaticcing.

Tyler and Davey arrived Sunday - driving across country with their two big dogs!  The full compliment is here!  Let the games begin.  It is wonderful that they have been able to spend so much time with us here.  Tyler and I went shopping last night - didn't accomplish much but it was great to be together.

I will be spending Christmas eve and Day with the DeWeese family - after all, John has the grandchildren that he is graciously sharing!! They have all been very kind and welcoming to me and I know it will be joyous.

This feels vaguely like the Christmas letter I used to write about all the busy-ness of raising a family - only different!  These pages are a bit more somber, real, genuine, and very heartfelt.  It's a tough road but, again I am trying to share to good parts - but you all know there are tough times and your support and understanding is invaluable.

So, with that - have a very Merry, Happy Holiday.  Give lots of hugs to those with you.  Listen more intently to what they might have to tell you.  Be a bit more open in your own sensitivities.  We all need to work together.  I thank you for being there f

Good times - good news

Ellen ANSEL,  my great friend from Oakland, Ca came to visit.   When she first heard my diagnosis,  she immediately booked a flight to come East.  I was quite surprised and flattered.... But I know she expected to find me less energetic etc.   Ellen and I originally met at Rancho de la Puerto in Tecate Mexico in 1988 or 9.  Since then we would get together at least twice a year - once at Rancho and in the winter to ski at Vail.  We have shared a lot in those years... And much more in the last three days.  I miss her already.

As we started our friendship with exercise... We relived it a bit by spending the day at Kripula - a Yoga training center in the Berkshires.   We walked the labyrinth (having been encouraged by some incredible words gifted to me by Suzan Zeder), went to a "yoga dance" class, ate vegetarian, and had an oily massage or facial.  We then returned to Longmeadow where John had dinner ready for us an Will and KA.  That was a slice of the fun we had... But mostly we couldn't stop talking!!

And the good NEWS....the Doctor I saw at Dana Farber called to tell me that my cancer DOES qualify for the new immunotherapy that is going on in The battle against Cancer.  My genomes have the ROS 1 mutation, which is in less than 1% of patients with lung cancer.   There is a targeting chemo program in pill form which has been very affective.  Right now we will stay the course with the chemo as long as it is working and start the other when we need a new attack procedure.  I don't pretend to understand this new therapy but I am thrilled.  What I will be taking is not on trial basis,  it's been approved by the FDA.

There's the good news!

So now, more preparations for Christmas, the boys and the DeWeese family.  I enter it with a little lighter heart from friendship and news.  Let the good times roll!

Beginning of Christmas

Getting Ready for Christmas

Thanksgiving  has come an gone. Just finished the last of the leftover... turkey sandwiches, turkey tetrazinie, turkey pot pie, turkey salad... maybe that's why we only have it once a year!  Do we over do it that once...  moderation!!

David and Tyler are back in their respective homes.  Will and KA and settled into my home.  changes are moving forward.  John comes out the 13th for two weeks over Christmas and Dave and Ty will be here for one week.  

After the dust settled in my new home,  John set out to decorate - so far just the outside of the Victorian.... But doesn't it look great!  Even with the incredible early darkness - the lights on the house make me smile in  the darkness at 5 pm.  Today we well do a little on the inside - or, at least that's the plan.

Progress on the war on Cancer on a personal level...  I had chemo the Friday after Thanksgiving... seemed to suffer more from nausea and fatigue than before.  I am finally feeling a bit more normal and thankful that I have two more weeks till the next dose.  Unfortunately that puts ""sick the three days before Christmas and the next "sick" at my birthday.  Gotta plan something special to look forward to.

Mentally,  I am working on more positivity and accepting the things I can't control - and being thankful that I still have many things to enjoy and look forward to.  I have received some great thoughts and "nuggets"   from friends like you.  I have been put in contact with some awesome people that friends like you have offered to share with me.  Next week my amazing friend Ellen from Oakland is coming out and I can't wait to see her and share.  I have lots to look forward to - including my FIRST Christmas with John!

One source of encouragement is from a High School friend (oh... SO much MORE)  who has a number of friends going through what I am dealing with... and she is offering each of us incredible support.  Every day she walks a labyrinth at her home in the mountains and every day she sends an new WORD for the day.  Inspirational and worth pondering .  Each day I take that word and try to work in into my every action.  Suzie is a writer - always had a way with words.  My heart is so with her and I am so blessed to call her friend - and amazed she does the same.  We go WAY back.

So send your words... it's hard to know what to say...  just to know you think of me is encouraging.  A story or a remembrance puts a smile on my face.  Anything you say will be right - accept me where I am - I can't change it but I am still here.

This weekend we are going on a Christmas house tour in Suffield and a party for the Connecticut historical Society.  John and I did this last year... I enjoyed it!  He endures for my sake.  It's important for me to get out and among people and not hide... for all of us.   Sometimes I need to push myself - but I can do it.  We are taking Will and KA as well - I am so glad they are so near and I can share my Suffield with them.

Have a great weekend - It's so good feeling good again ( thank you Robert Earl Keen)