Life Is Good

Just checking in to say all is well here. We are enjoying a great season in the sugar house, having made at least 12 gallons of maple syrup to date. It usually draws a crowd, which means a lot of muddy kids, rides on the 4-wheeler and beer. Red Neckish to the nines. Last night Chase discovered what is actually in the canner... syrup. He was quite happy drinking it from his little Dixie cup like the big kids. Syrup is not just for pancakes anymore! Sadie loves having her friends from school come up and hang out.

As for me, I am so happy to have more energy to be doing things... anything. This round has proved to be easier, especially getting a treatment every week. As my energy level rises, I realize more and more how miserable December, January, and February were. I am so thankful that part is over and I hope NEVER to have to repeat it.

I have five to go, and then radiation will begin. This week, I go see the radiation people again and I believe they are going to do a simulation... pinpoint exactly where they will radiate. I met with the plastic surgeon last week and there was some question as to whether the expanders that are inside my chest could actually stay in for the radiation. I was less than thrilled with this information, because it would have meant another surgery to remove them. In the end, I was told they can stay. The actual reconstruction after radiation (removing the expanders and replacing with implants) is still somewhat of an unknown, largely because reconstructing radiated tissue all depends upon how the tissue holds up throughout the course of radiation. I need to hope for the best and also keep the important factor at hand: making sure that I am doing everything I can so that there is no recurrence. Sometimes I feel like I am talking about the Bionic Woman, not myself!

Once again, I thank everyone for their help, their phone calls, and words of encouragement. We couldn't do this without all of it.

Ash