An Announcement

I have waited a long time to post this as Megan and Dole did not tell their entire family till the holidays.

It is a miracle, but Megan is pregnant!She was about to undergo testing to see if her eggs were viable after all the chemo and radiation. I guess those tests will not have to be performed as she is closing on 8 weeks pregnant. She had a PET scan done early on in the pregnancy, which does put her at a higher risk of miscarriage, but so far so good, and the test was negative.

She cannot be tested again until after the baby is born as it is too high a radiation to do 2 more scans. So we hold our breath, take life one day at a time, and hope that all goes well.

We all had a delightful holiday; lots of joy, love, family, friends, good cheer. We did not have a lot of time together, but what time we did have was spent in great joy.

No longer do we take anything for granted--that is the great gift that has come out of cancer. Each day is wonderful, time together cherished. I no longer feel the need to worry about the little things, as in ten years, most of the little things won't matter at all. Megan and I rarely argue, and if we do, it is a matter of a short amount of time before we revisit the issue and talk it out.

It is hard to believe that at 50, I will have two grandchildren. I look forward to the adventures ahead.

The only thing that worries and saddens me is that Dole leaves in March for Afghanistan and Megan will be alone. I am saving my money from my long overdue child support that has been coming from my ex, for the trips ahead to Tennessee/Kentucky. I am sure I will also be taking Alanna for some time in the summer....the blessings of having the summer off as a teacher.

For those of you who read this, please say a meditation or prayer for my friend Gary who is dying at home of cancer. He does not have much time left on this earth. My visits to him have been wonderful....though death is never an easy thing to deal with, I am learning about love, grace, and comforting those who have touched my life.

So much to learn, so little time.

Patti

Can't Wait!

This is a photo Megan just sent of us when I went down to visit her in Tennessee at the end of October. I snagged it from her Myspace page to post it here. Thanks Andrea for the great photo, and Megs, for sending it!

I look awfully young in the photo...wondering if my friend did a little touch up on me, or if it is me au natural.

Megan and Alanna are due to arrive here momentarily. I can't wait!

Meg's PET scan last week was again negative, which gives us great reason to celebrate!

And more to come...soon, very soon.

patti

Coming Home

Megan and Alanna fly in next Friday for a week. It has seemed like forever since the last weekend of October when I went to visit them.

I have stripped the bedding, cleaned the sheets, and re-made the bed in preparation for my girls. Dole still does not know if he can join his family for their first holiday together. He is slated to leave for Afghanistan in March, and has been in various places of training for the deployment.

I just envision peace and wisdom over them both, and know that I cannot change a thing, that everything that happens is part of all of our collective and individual journeys.

I haven't asked Megan about her latest scan. I figure I will know right away if anything is bad. Right now, we are in the rejoicing mode, in preparation for the celebration of friends and family.

And I shout to the heavens, to the trees, rocks and fabulous mountains, THANK YOU.

Patti
The amazing photo of Megan by Larry of course...an 8 x 10 taken in our dining room.....