Day 1 of Vacation

Today we drove down to Phoenix where we'll catch a flight to Puerto Rico tomorrow.  Steve and I are both fighting off bad colds, and I completely lost my voice today. Steve has a terrible sore throat, so we were communicating with the kids in sign language.  Plus, we both have stopped up ears from the change in elevation.  I told Steve this is good practice: someday it might be like this all the time!  ;-)

The kids traveled really well and kept themselves entertained pretty much the whole way.  Hopefully, that trend will continue for our long flights tomorrow.

The girls are all really excited.  Rachel said she had flutters in her tummy this morning, just like Christmas.  This is the furthest and longest they've ever traveled from home.  My hope is that this trip makes up for all the times we had to tell them, "no, you can't do that [insert extracurricular activity] because Mom has [insert various doctor appointments and cancer treatments]."

When we originally planned this vacation, we thought I would be completely done with all things cancer-related.  Then my surgery got postponed, so I still have one big hurdle to go over--plus I won't look as good in a bathing suit as I hope I will after they're done sculpting me--but overall, the worst is behind us, and good times are ahead!

To Hair is Human

What would a cancer blog be without several posts devoted to hair?  I've found that even though I've been growing it back in for nine months, I'm still just a little obsessed with it.  Call me shallow. 

Lots of folks comment these days on my hair and how curly and beautiful it is.  Well, I guess when you're used to nothing, anything is beautiful.  But, seriously, folks, my hair was always curly--it's just got a bit more kink to it now.  I suspect that my kinkiness will fade as my hair continues to lengthen.  Maybe that's a good thing.

Anyway, I've decided that I have Hobbit Hair, for the time being.  Maybe that means I will soon be asked to embark on a quest with a strange wizard that shows up at my door in a pointy hat.  Should I go?  Might be fun.

I went to another writer's conference last weekend and met some awesome writers.  One, whom I've met before, is going through some challenging health problems, including a couple of recent close calls with cancer.  We commiserated on our troubles, and talked about how this is a wake up call for us both about losing weight and getting fit.

Well, I'm proud to tell you that I'm working toward being able to run a 5K.  This is a decidedly odd announcement for me, as I have always hated to run--even when I was a kid.  But, I've recently discovered a very motivating app: Zombies, Run!  Yes, I am running away from Zombies every other day, and that keeps my feet moving.  I guess in order to catch my interest, a physical activity just needs a plot line.  I'm a bookworm and a writer, after all.  Maybe someday I can turn this into a thriving business for other reluctant exercisers like me.

Speaking of thriving business, tax season is finally over (whew!), and I have completed a rewrite of my novel that flipped the whole plot so completely on its head, it was like writing a new book.  (whew!  again)  Next step?  Write the sequel.  But my next writing project will not happen until fall, as the "kids-are-out-of-school torpedo" is about to hit my house.  Plus, we will be gone the entire month of June on the Mother Of All Vacations.  After the year and a half we've had, I think we've earned this one.

I will post a travelogue and photos of our trip to Puerto Rico, just to make you all jealous. ;-)  Plus, watch for Steve's post about medical expenses.  (Be sure you have string handy . . . to keep your jaw off the floor.)

Rock Star Authors

We spent part of our spring break vacation "up north" so that I could get my final chemo treatment.  While we were there, I found out that Brandon Mull was having his launch party for the last book in his Beyonders series.  I'm a big fan of Brandon Mull, and so are my kids.  Not only are his books great, but he's a really friendly guy (I got to meet him last year at the LTUE conference), and I've heard he does some awesome stuff with his free launch parties.  I've always wanted to go.

But I was afraid the party would be too crowded.  I did some research on the Internet to see if I could get a feel for just how crowded it would be.  I didn't find out much, but I did read one blog where a dad overheard some kids at an earlier Brandon Mull launch party.  One kid surveyed the wild crowd and said, "Gee!  You'd think he was a rock star."  A second kid said, "Well, he kind-of is."  I think that's totally awesome: that we have author rock stars!

So, I wavered on whether to go or not until my sister said she'd like to join us, and that pushed me over the fence, so to speak.  We went.

The bad guy, Maldor, looks way too happy.

 The crowds weren't as bad as I expected.  That was probably because we arrived an hour early.  We got a decent place in line.  The time passed quickly as we got to take our pictures with characters from the books and purchase souvenir T-shirts.  I was sorely tempted to blow the cost of a chemo treatment on books, especially when my sister came back with a sack full.  But I staunchly resisted. I told myself I'll get the ebook versions: then I won't have to try and squeeze new books onto my already over-stuffed shelves.

Me with Fablehaven's Newel; or is it Doren?

The "party" is really more of a stage show, featuring Brandon Mull's buddies in DC Comedy.  It started with a skit of a support group of authors--including such heavy hitters as Richard Paul Evans, Christopher Paolini, Brandon Sanderson (who was a bodyguard!), and of course Brandon Mull--who recite the rules of their organization, like "Just because someone doesn't like my book doesn't mean they hate me.  They just hate everything I think is cool and awesome."  It was hilarious!

DC Comedy threw out glow sticks, but our section didn't get any because they kept going into the balcony instead.  Still, it was fun to watch the crowd waving their glow sticks around between comedy skits. 

With a Fablehaven fairy and a couple of ladies from Beyonders.

By the end of the show, my hands hurt from clapping so much.  I really enjoyed it!  And I know my kids did too.  They have proudly worn their shirts almost constantly since then.  (I really need to convince them to take a break and wash them.)   

I came away with my head swimming with ideas for my own book launch party, when I finally get to that point.  You're definitely all invited!

 

The show is about to start.  We're so excited!

The girls with their aunt.  We loved having her along!

I'm done, I'm done, I'm DONE!!!

This is me, jumping up and down, shouting for joy.  Yes, folks, I finished chemotherapy yesterday, and it was a happy day!  Not that I didn't like all the awesome nurses in the infusion lab, but I was tickled pink to walk out of there for the last time yesterday.

The Kindness of a Stranger

I made it through my first pitch session yesterday, and the editor encouraged me to send my book to them . . . when I have the latest revision finished.  I made a couple of mistakes in my presentation that I hopefully won't repeat next time I pitch to an editor or agent, but overall I felt I did pretty well, all things considered.

I spent all day yesterday at the LTUE conference.  It was a really good experience.  I learned a lot from all the classes I attended, but far and away the best class was called Drawing Out the Dragons by James Owen.  He is a gifted writer and illustrator/artist. 

His class encouraged the audience members to make wise decisions.  He started out with the saying: "If you really, really want to do something, no one can stop you.  If you really don't want to do something, no one can help you.  The choice is always yours." He had several other very wise sayings.  Then he talked about some personal experiences that illustrated his points.  His experiences really touched me, because there were a couple of times when life handed him a really difficult challenge, and he overcame them and went on to do what he loves.

After the class, I found the bookseller shop and purchased the book that goes along with his class.  A little while later, I found Mr. Owen to ask him to sign it.  I don't usually tell people I've gone through cancer, but I felt comfortable enough--given his own experiences--to tell him.  I'm glad that I did.  I felt such an outpouring of love and support from him!

He told me that he has a dear friend going through the same thing I'm going through.  He dies his hair purple in support of her and others who are facing a difficult challenge like that.  (Yes, his hair was purple!)  Then he signed my book in purple ink.  (That was a happy accident that I pointed out to him.)  Finally, he gave me a hug.  I'm normally not a very demonstrative person, and I think people are often afraid to hug me because of that, but I still need hugs.  When he did that, I was touched  deeply.  Later, I realized that it was a very Christ-like act.  I will always remember the kindness James Owen showed for a complete stranger who needed it.  He told me, "You are strong enough to do this!"

Mr. Owen has created a new fan in me.  I didn't know anything about his books before, but I definitely plan to get into them now!  I hope that someday I can influence people for good the way Mr. Owen influenced me.  Really, that's what Christ wants us to do: to love and support each other on this journey of life.

Picking Up Where I Left Off

I told you so!  When I'm not sitting around languishing from chemo or surgery all the time, I don't get around to blogging like I should.  Sorry if you've been waiting anxiously for news. ;-)

I have only 2 herceptin (mild chemo) treatments left, then I'm really done with chemo and all things resembling it.  (Hurray!)  I guess you could say I will soon be liberated from the Borg (see some of my earliest posts).  My most recent treatment was last Monday.  It went well.  I haven't had any problems with my port for awhile, so that's a blessing.

On Thursday, I started working for Steve as his secretary and office manager.  It was different, going to a real job outside my home, but I found to my surprise that I enjoyed it.  I like getting things done for him so that he can work more efficiently.

Yesterday, we finished our bedroom remodeling project.  We have yet to move several pieces of furniture and sundry belongings, but the girls slept in their own rooms last night.  I think everybody is happy with the new arrangement!

Here, the walls are going up.  You can see the completed mermaid in the background.

Really jazzed about the hot pink in her new room!  OK.  She's hamming it up . . . just a little.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

I did the dolphins, but she painted the coral and several of the fish herself.

For the last month (since my last post, in fact), I've been rewriting my novel.  I guess being away from it for nearly a year helped me see some of the flaws more clearly, and I decided I'd better fix them.  There were some big issues (like going from first person point of view to third), so it required a complete rewrite.  I got the first draft finished last week, and now I'm polishing it up.  I gave myself a deadline by signing up to pitch the book to an editor from Shadow Mountain at a conference this coming weekend.  The rewrite won't be finished, but I hope I'll at least have the first 3 chapters polished to show off.

Sometimes I wonder if I've gone crazy, diving into a pitch like this when the book is in the middle of a rewrite--but I think I just really needed to pick up my life where I left off, one year ago.  The conference I will attend (Life, the Universe, and Everything) is the same conference I went to last year the very weekend I found a lump in my breast that turned out to be cancer.  In a sense, I've lost a year of my life, at least as far as progressing in my career goes.

However--as my mother-in-law pointed out to me recently--a year is really not that much, in the grand scheme of things.  Besides that, I've progressed in so many other ways.  I feel like I'm a much better person for the experiences I've had this year.  I know I'm a stronger person.  Pitching to an editor terrifies me as much as it did before cancer, but I have the scars to prove that I can do tough things.

(Not that this editor is tough: I've heard that she is kind and easy to talk to.  In spite of jitters, I'm looking forward to meeting her because I'm a fan of not only all the books she's edited, but also those she wrote herself.  So, there will be just a touch of hero-worship in there.  ;-)

Shameless plug: This is a great read for those who like time travel romance!

Catching Up

I see it's been awhile since I've written a post.  I have a perfectly wonderful explanation for this: life has been normal for a month or so since I finished radiation.  "Normal" means my days are a whirlwind of activity, but it's so nice not to stress over cancer every minute of the day anymore.  I'm truly coming to the end of the tunnel, and the light gets brighter every day.

I enjoyed each minute of this holiday season: 

Our sweet Nativity, with baby cousin as Jesus.

Steve playing his traditional organ hymns.

Breaking out the pinata!

Some of my favorite gifts: The Piano Guys CD (I love them!) and a pizza peel.

Ringing in the New Year in style!

I sang a duet this year in church with my husband (who was insecure about it, but did an awesome job!).  It's been a long time since I've performed.  The emotional turmoil of cancer took its toll on my voice, so it felt really great to be able to sing again.  Afterward, someone mentioned how glad they were that I was there to perform.  I think they meant they were glad I wasn't up north, but when they said that, I realized what a blessing it was for me to be here, on this earth, to share my talents.  All throughout the day, I kept reminding myself how grateful I was to be alive and with my family this Christmas.

On Christmas day, I stopped wearing hats.  It was difficult at first (sometimes it still is), but my hair keeps growing!  What a wonder: to have hair!  I even tried to dye it.  I went for a carroty-red at first that I just couldn't get used to, so after a couple of days I dyed it again, this time a brown that now looks like a dark auburn. 

When I moved home after radiation, I grabbed my life back with gusto.  I've been attending a Zumba class about twice a week in a determined effort to make my future health a top priority.  (Although, I have to watch out for those big hip swings.  My old joints can't handle them. LOL!)


I took up a challenge to paint an underwater mural in one of my daughter's bedrooms.  We're dividing the erstwhile "playroom" into two rooms so the older girls can have their own space.  I was a little insecure about painting the mural, but I love to try new art expression, so I "dived" in (ha ha!).  So far, it's turned out better than I expected, and I've been pleased with my effort.  The only thing I don't like is how long it is taking to finish.

Starting out.  Notice how boring and plain the walls are.  Time to spruce it up!

It was tricky to blend the colors together to look like an ocean.  I'm so glad I discovered glaze!

Mermaid half finished.  I guess since I went without hair so long, I have to give my creations wild crazy hair!

In February, I will start my first job outside my home in almost twenty years.  My husband needed a receptionist/secretary for tax season, and I volunteered.  Hopefully, I can help this tax season go a little smoother for him than last year's--when I was diagnosed right as he was starting his first tax season as an independent CPA.  I think Steve was the one losing hair last year as he tried to juggle all the chemo treatments with tax clients.  He's really a trooper!

I have just begun to pick up my pen and paper again to try and get some writing done.  When I was first diagnosed, I thought I would have oodles of time to write, but the emotional roller coaster of cancer effectively cut off my creative brain as well as my voice.  I haven't made much progress on my trilogy this year, but I hope that the creative juices will soon begin to flow again and I can get something accomplished toward my goal of becoming a published author.

So, things are going well.  Forgive me if I don't write as often as I have in the past.  I don't sit in my chair with exhaustion much anymore, or spend my days twiddling my thumbs waiting to recover from surgery (that will come in late April).  I'm so grateful that I can get up and move around and take care of my family again!  I didn't realize before what a blessing that is.

Someone recently shared a quote with me from Elder Holland who comforted a woman scarred by fire:  "We look for Christ's scars because they are evidence of what He did for us," Elder Holland said. "Your scars tell a story, too.  Although they may not make you feel attractive, they are a witness of a miracle, that God blessed you to live, and that you have accomplished very difficult things."

That quote touches my heart every time I read it.  I have scars from this struggle, inside and out, and they will never go away.  But they are also a reminder of all the Lord has done for me this year, to help me get through this and to allow me to stay here on earth with my friends and family a little while longer.