tale of two weekends

Oh what a difference two weekends can be. Two weeks ago we went to Port Stephen's.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Port+Stephens,+New+South+Wales,+Australia&sll=21.654282,-158.060646&sspn=0.009254,0.013711&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FVrtDf4dPWARCQ&split=0&hq=&hnear=Port+Stephens,+New+South+Wales,+Australia&z=11

It was about 2.5 hours outside of Sydney- not a bad drive (very peaceful since everyone but me napped). A pretty coastal area filled with many inlets and scenic beaches. It had been a while since we explored a new part of Australia so I was excited to check it out. All in all we had a great overnight there. We stayed at a Holiday Park- think RV park plus cabins. That was one of the only open places left to stay -guess that is what you get for booking it the day before you leave. Good thing there aren't tornados in this area (or at least I think not). Fine for a night and the kids loved the bunk beds. We tried to do some touristy things without much success (go-kart track was closed down; ATVs had a minimum age of 10 and Nate can't pass for 10; and everyone feel asleep in the car on the way to sandboard -huge sand dunes there that you sled down).....but we enjoyed the views. (pictures below)

On the other hand last weekend was a completely other story. Nate and Reese caught a cold and Reese spent most of Saturday and Sunday puking- including twice on the couch. I spent most of the time doing seven loads of laundry (I think I washed every towel we own). Better than Michael who got puked on not once but twice. I am very happy to report that it was a violent but fast case and other than a stuff nose we are all much healthier now. (no puke pictures ;)

Arrrrrrr

Yo ho ho - me hardies.......

here are my favorite pirates. (Nate's current favorite thing is pirate legos). He even watched Yellow Beard (one of Michael's favorite movies) and now walks around quoting the movie. Michael has never been so proud ;)

Go Ravens

It is soccer season here in Australia. Nate has joined the Curl Curl team and Michael is the team coach (I volunteered him to get Nate on the team post the registration deadline). We just had game two and we are off to a solid start....you may recall last year's first game was full of tears. Not this year- Nate is loving it and playing aggressively. He seems to be a natural defender.

And of course Reese is his biggest fan :)

Check out some pictures:

last chemo session

Wednesday was my last chemo session (hooray! yippee!)....let's hope it was the last forever. It was a bit odd at the hospital- no fanfare, crown or singing. No celebration at all. You get to know the nurses there going every two weeks over last four months....plus you know me I had to bring in homemade baked goods. Oh well. At least my oncologist thinks I am a rock star- in that my body handled the chemo (extra often and high doses) remarkably well.

Michael took me out last night for a celebration dinner at a new fancy restaurant that just opened in Manly. Here is picture of me in my wig- although it looks a bit off center already - and I hadn't even drank yet.

What's next you ask? I get seven weeks of recoup and healing for rebuild my system prior to surgery. My lumpectomy (the tumor is now only 1 cm) is scheduled for June 4th. The about two weeks later after recovery I will start the last part of my treatment plan- radiation. Daily for 6 weeks- ugh.... But I'll deal with that later.

Unfortunately that means we won't be able to travel to Seattle in July as I had hoped. But when we do come in August/September post radiation I will be done with all my treatments!!! I might even have a little new hair by then. It should start growing in about six weeks....still fuzz for now.

family picture on Manly beach:

date night photo:

enough about cancer- how are the kids

Let's take a break from all the cancer updates shall we ;) Instead how about something more fun and interesting- my kids. What are they up to these days you ask? Besides enjoying all the letters & care packages that come to the house (thanks again everyone).....

Well- Nate is doing great at school. He is used to the routine and rhythm of school. (I am the only one who sometimes forgets the library bag or water bottle). It is a good thing we live so close to the school- as we usually head over at 9:05 for a 9:10 start. Nate has become friends with several of the boys and formed a tight posse. His laid back, easy going, "Natedog" attitude is working great for him- the self confidence and not caring seems to attract the other kids. If he could keep it up he'll be set for life. Apparently his gang want to be like Nate- wear sneakers to school, play soccer with on his team, etc.... of course I'm sure Nate doesn't notice any of it.

I like the school very much and his teacher seems great- very organized and on top of everything. Nate's reading has advanced so much since the start of school. They kids have to read nightly to parents at home and daily to the teachers/reading volunteers at school. I'm very proud of him. In terms of non-school we spend many afternoons at the playground/park nearby (scooter tricks are advancing too), or in our pool. Nate just started soccer (go Ravens)....Michael is the team coach (lots of running in their future). I'll keep you posted on the games once they start in April.

Reese just got her own scooter and is learning how to ride it. So far she really enjoys just standing on it (anything to be like her big bro) and occasionally scoots. I'm sure she'll pick it up quickly. Otherwise we enjoy going to her Art n' Move class and ballet class. Plus her new interest in nail polish- pure joy over having pink toes ;) Sometime she is very girly She is looking forward to starting preschool in June (I think she would join Nate as school if she was allowed). We are making major progress on the potty training but need to step up our effort over the next couple of months prior to school starting. I'm sure that she'll love being a big girl (figuratively as she is still quite short!!!) and going to school. Of course she is going to need to diversify her lunch choices as the preschool has a no- nuts rule. I wish she liked some veggies too....another thing to work ;)

Here are some recent pictures: (the naked soccer playing occured after Reese pulled off her diaper and pee'd on the grass - she later walked all the way home naked)

showing off her mani/pedi-

follow on to update

I forgot to mention another cancer/chemo "positive" - my nails are long. Bizarre really- my nails are long and pretty strong- so much that I need to trim them for fear of cutting myself. Of course I am not "allowed" to go to a nail salon and get a manicure (can't risk cutting my cuticles and getting an infection). Yet on the other hand if I get a paper cut or minor scratch or even a pimple (surprisingly my complexion is clear- must be my calm zen like state of mind), it takes weeks to heal. What like I don't have any white blood cells left working anymore. Anyway it is all fascinating to notice how my body is impacted. Of course I would have been willing to read about it versus experience it first hand.
ok- biology class is over....

update on Mimi

Dear family and friends
Sorry for the delayed update. It must be a while since I wrote last because I’ve started to get calls of concern. I am happy to report that I am fine. This week I had my 6th chemo session- my second with my new drugs Taxol & Carbopatin. I had planned to write this update during my session on Tuesday but somehow the 6 hours past without me accomplishing much of anything. Two cooking magazines, some mediation and music later and all of sudden I was done. Here is a picture – for those who wonder what Chemo sessions looks like. Not so scary is it. Would be better if there were massage chairs and pedicures given (probably in Seattle with personalize flat screen TVs or so I imagine). I'll put some ideas on the suggestion cards ;)



My energy level and appetite has been good (no such luck on losing weight on chemo) despite most foods tasting off. Not a real taste for wine either- bummer. I still have icky taste in my mouth most of the day (thanks for those who sent sucker candies) but it appears to be better in the last week or so. Not sure if that is due to my Chinese herbs or the new meds. On the downside I experience some random aches and body pains with the new drugs. We’ll see what this week brings (as I usually feel the worst Fri- Tues after chemo).

Great news to report- the wonder drugs (I no longer call it poison) are working. Tons of appreciation going out to the pharma companies for making these amazing drugs that stop me from puking and rebuild my white blood cells. I don’t care that they cost thousands of dollars (just awaiting my insurance company to choke on my latest claim). As of two weeks ago the tumor has shrunk down to 17 x 11mm vs. the original size of 33 x 26mm and the peak size of 40 x 29mm. For those of you weaker in math or don’t have a calculator handy- the tumor is about 1/3 of its original size. The radiologist wrote on the report “ considerable reduction” – it is pretty uncommon for them to meet folks doing chemo first and everyone in the last was dutifully impress with the results. Hopefully Taxol will continue to as great a job shrinking the tumor as AC did. I am hoping that my surgeon has very little left to remove. But there still will be surgery – to remove any bits left plus some margin around and double check for lymph node involvement. I am still hoping/planning on making it to Seattle in July assuming no complications arising between now and then.

What else is new on the cancer front…..this week’s pros: (yes there are some positive benefits) I’ve never been fast getting ready –shower with no shaving, very little shampoo, so not much to do then no styling your hair and this week’s cons: hot flashes (body is sent into abrupt menopause). I heard a funny line that explained global warming on the number of female baby boomers experiencing menopause- enough hot flash to melt the polar ice caps:)

Overall I have very little to moan about (not that it would help) –sometimes I feel guilty that my body is handling it so well. Call it bizarre cancer guilt….but some horrible mouth taste and minor back and joint pain isn’t much to complain about given how bad it could be. Heck I know friends with worse pregnancy side effects and they get less care packages. Of course they don’t have my lovely collection of scarves to choice from. But let’s just hope my luck continues. I am doing my best to stay grounded and centered during the chaos and swirl of cancer. Only two more chemo treatments to go – YIPPEEEEE!

I really miss you all. Thanks for your sweet cards, messages, prayers and positive thoughts, plus the awesome care packages.
Many thanks for your and support. Love Mimi

here is a picture of me and my yoga partner (although she isn't great on staying calm and relaxed- she is more of a power yoga girl)- thanks Jen for the DVD.