It's been a while

We have been so busy. Carra has started playing softball. If you need a light hearted day, you need to come and watch. These girls are hilarious! They are pretty good too. We have also had 2 weeks of Spring Break, which I believe is too long! I have completely enjoyed my time with the girls though. We have had a lot of lazy days, staying in our jammies and watching movies. Our new favorite is Enchanted. It is a must see! I was also able to read the Lance Armstrong book. My brother, Alby, sent me this book after I was diagnosed. I wasn't ready to read it until now and I am so glad that I did. I have had so much support throughout this ordeal, but I know that learning to live the rest of my life as a cancer survivor is something only I can figure out. Reading this book has helped. I know I am a different person then I was a year ago. I don't think I have quite figured out who that person is yet. I know cancer has changed me. This is definitely a life journey. I know this sounds weird but I am happy that I have been able to experience this. It has taken me to a place within myself that I may have never found. Anyway, back to Lance Armstrong. I feel a connection to him. Mostly in how he tackled his odds. Of course, I have great odds. He didn't. He writes in his book: "If children have the ability to ignore odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell." I choose to fight. I also choose to surround myself with fighters. So, if you need to be uplifted, read this book. I am so glad I did. I want to end this with a few words to Debi. I hope everything went well and you are home healing. I am here for you when you are ready. Just remember, "fight like hell."

4 More to Go!

I can't believe I only have 4 treatments to go. It is unbelievable! Of course I will still be going in for Herceptin, but chemo will be done in 4 weeks! I continue to get such amazing support from so many of you. I appreciate all of you that have sent me prayers, cards, letters, emails, money, etc. You are all amazing people. I have found that the human spirit is beautiful in most people. The goodness comes out when it needs to. Too bad we didn't all treat everyone that way all of the time. It usually takes a life changing moment to see it and to show it. I am definitely guilty of that one. I am going to try to change that though. I want to show people I care when they least expect and when they don't need it. Watch out work hags, I may come back a hugger! Oh, and I am also going to probably come back with menopause without HRT. So, I will be a bitchy hugger! I am actually already having hot flashes. Anyway, I want to send out a thank you to all of my bunco girls and their friends and family. They held a garage sale in my honor and gave me all of the proceeds that exceeded $700. That was definitely a successful garage sale! I can't tell you ladies how much that has helped. I am looking to have my own garage sale now! I love you girls. You have been there for me for 8 years now and I see us sitting around Jacques firepit, eating hot dogs, gossiping and never rolling the dice for many more years. It is those moments that are special with friends like you. That is what I mean about the human spirit. It is beautiful. Well, I am finally feeling better. I got a cold after the flu so I am just now starting to feel like I am on the mend. So, now I need to start training for my 3-day, 60 mile walk. That should help me remove the chemo weight! You know, I worked like hell to remove the college and baby weight, and then I get cancer and find out that you can gain weight in chemo and there is nothing you can do about it. It really sucks, but I will beat that too. I want to end by sending my good thoughts and prayers to Rich. I hope you are hanging in there buddy and I am looking forward to seeing you when you are home. Please know you are loved and keep that fighter attitude. I also know of another lady that has been diagnosed recently that is friends with MaryAnn and Leslie. Please know you are not alone. Please call me 239-8857 or email me riknsuz@att.net . I am not an expert. But I have been through it. It sucks more then anything in life, especially when you have young children, but it can be beat. And I think we become better women, spouses and most of all mothers because of it. I would love to meet you for lunch. If anything, just to lend and ear and/or a shoulder. Love to all~ Susie

Sorry for the delay...

I am sorry I haven't been on the blog for a while. Unfortunately, I have been down with Influenza A. You know, the shit they give you the flu shot to prevent! It seems that the shot is only covering about 40% of the people that have been vaccinated. This is the end of week 2 and I am still a little week, I am coughing like a life long smoker, and I have more snot in my nose then the whole elementary school! What's up with snot anyway? How much can one body produce? It is insane. Anyway, Carina and Rick are both recovering as well and Carra's asthma is pretty bad right now. So, this was the weekend that Rick and I were going to Cayucos as a weekend getaway without the kids. Considering my mom came down to take care of me when I got sick, we opted to take the kids to Cayucos so my parents wouldn't have to come back so soon. I must say that I am glad we decided to do that. We had so much fun with the girls on the beach. I think we brought home half of the rocks on the beach not to mention the shells! Some of you know that Carra is obsessed with rocks. It was a rock paradise for her. She had a blast. Carina had a great time too once she got over having wet, sandy feet! I will try to post pictures in the next couple of days. Great weekend considering Rick and I felt like crap most of the time! I think the reason I ended up sick was because of a girl weekend I had a few weeks ago. I went up to Jill's house in Modesto and our friend Missy came from Portland. We were also blessed with "Dirty Bird." Carolyn, you are great and I hope you make it to all of these weekends! Anyway, I was the D.D. and it was so much fun watching those gals get drunk. We didn't go to bed until about 4 am which really wasn't very smart on my part. But, I love those girls. They have been there for me for a lifetime. And, it was so nice to go out and not have people worry about cancer. It was just me. Not sure it was worth influenze though!! As far as my treatments go, I have 6 weeks of chemo left!!!! I will start radiation a couple of weeks after that and I am hoping to have the summer off to spend with my family. Oh, I am also having a party in June. I want to celebrate the end of all of my treatments and my birthday of course!