ZAPPED! Nov RAK: Okay, you guys are too much!
My husband and I came home after running errands, and there were two packages on our porch. One was my husband's book from PaperbackSwap, but we didn't know why there was a large priority mail box. I haven't been shopping on Ebay, because discretionary spending is being directed into airfare from CO to FL, haven't been trading because my traders and me being in the same place has been rare, all the Christmas gift orders had already arrived. I picked up the box, and saw the return address and then swore at a little blue troublemaking fairy. :lol:
I haven't been around as much as I would have liked in 2014. I don't know how much info my RAK nominator shared, but here's my story. In mid-March my Mom felt a suspicious lump, and was officially diagnosed in early May with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, with 2 gene mutations that makes the cancer highly aggressive, and more resistant to treatment. At the end of May, I flew to Florida for 3 months, while my Mom received her first line chemotherapy treatment. Mid-Sept, my husband and I went back to FL on our vacation that was scheduled prior to her diagnosis. Unfortunately, while we were there, we learned that the first treatment was unsuccessful. Went home for about a month, to return to FL for 3 weeks in Nov while she started her second line chemo treatments. Unfortunately, after the first round, we could tell this treatment was not working either. I came home right before Thanksgiving, had a nice holiday with my husband, did a little shopping, and a little decorating, and woke up December 1st with a cold, which is still giving me problems.
Last Thursday, my Mom started, plan C, her 3rd chemo regime. It's too early to know how well it is working, but the tumors have shrunk enough that they have stopped causing her pain, so we are hopeful. The goal of the chemotherapy is to get her system clear enough, that she can proceed to having a stem cell transplant. If she makes it that far, that will be a long process involving about 3 weeks in hospital, and then another 3 weeks minimum where she has to be within a certain distance from the hospital, in case she develops an infection before her body's immune system has had a chance to reestablish itself. If she is cleared for transplant, I'll be going back to Florida for probably another 2 months to help my Dad with the caregiving. During the post transplant process she can't be alone for any period of time, someone needs to be with her 24/7. And the procedure will be done in Tampa, so my parents will need to be away from home for the whole process. Thankfully, she has very good insurance (yay, Disney) and her side-effects from the medications have been not as bad as we feared. Her energy levels cycle, her stamina is short, but she's maintained her appetite and avoided the nausea and other debilitating side effects so she's been able to maintain a strong fighting spirit. If this chemo doesn't work, I'll still be heading back to Florida while we figure out where plan D will take us.
So as you can guess, this has been a very stressful and scary time for me and my family. And so this RAK is so very appreciated. Selen has really been the only one I've been talking to about this, and so I instantly knew she was the "responsible party" before reading her admission in her card. While opening the box, I was explaining to my husband what the RAK process was. But he was still shocked when we looked inside the box to see
and then them all spread out
Normally, he zones out with my pin stuff, but he stayed with me as I opened everything. Some of you have obviously taking lessons from Judy in regards to the amount of tape used. But eventually, I got everything opened and here's all my goodies.
Aside from the pins, there were also many scrapbook goodies that will go to good use, and some candies, the Japanese Tangled necklace and a recipe book. Which will be really helpful, because while I've been in Florida, I've been the go-to chef. We're getting a bit tired of our usual "quick & easy" meals, so having more to chose from will be great. Selen, Jason claimed the Lego candies, even before we read the card, learning they were in fact his! But since this is a pin forum, here's a closeup of all the pins.
We are overwhelmed with everyone's kindness and generosity. A big virtual hug goes out to all who participated. And we could appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and pixie dust that 2015 will bring good news and good health to our family. And we offer the same to your families too.
I haven't been around as much as I would have liked in 2014. I don't know how much info my RAK nominator shared, but here's my story. In mid-March my Mom felt a suspicious lump, and was officially diagnosed in early May with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, with 2 gene mutations that makes the cancer highly aggressive, and more resistant to treatment. At the end of May, I flew to Florida for 3 months, while my Mom received her first line chemotherapy treatment. Mid-Sept, my husband and I went back to FL on our vacation that was scheduled prior to her diagnosis. Unfortunately, while we were there, we learned that the first treatment was unsuccessful. Went home for about a month, to return to FL for 3 weeks in Nov while she started her second line chemo treatments. Unfortunately, after the first round, we could tell this treatment was not working either. I came home right before Thanksgiving, had a nice holiday with my husband, did a little shopping, and a little decorating, and woke up December 1st with a cold, which is still giving me problems.
Last Thursday, my Mom started, plan C, her 3rd chemo regime. It's too early to know how well it is working, but the tumors have shrunk enough that they have stopped causing her pain, so we are hopeful. The goal of the chemotherapy is to get her system clear enough, that she can proceed to having a stem cell transplant. If she makes it that far, that will be a long process involving about 3 weeks in hospital, and then another 3 weeks minimum where she has to be within a certain distance from the hospital, in case she develops an infection before her body's immune system has had a chance to reestablish itself. If she is cleared for transplant, I'll be going back to Florida for probably another 2 months to help my Dad with the caregiving. During the post transplant process she can't be alone for any period of time, someone needs to be with her 24/7. And the procedure will be done in Tampa, so my parents will need to be away from home for the whole process. Thankfully, she has very good insurance (yay, Disney) and her side-effects from the medications have been not as bad as we feared. Her energy levels cycle, her stamina is short, but she's maintained her appetite and avoided the nausea and other debilitating side effects so she's been able to maintain a strong fighting spirit. If this chemo doesn't work, I'll still be heading back to Florida while we figure out where plan D will take us.
So as you can guess, this has been a very stressful and scary time for me and my family. And so this RAK is so very appreciated. Selen has really been the only one I've been talking to about this, and so I instantly knew she was the "responsible party" before reading her admission in her card. While opening the box, I was explaining to my husband what the RAK process was. But he was still shocked when we looked inside the box to see
and then them all spread out
Normally, he zones out with my pin stuff, but he stayed with me as I opened everything. Some of you have obviously taking lessons from Judy in regards to the amount of tape used. But eventually, I got everything opened and here's all my goodies.
Aside from the pins, there were also many scrapbook goodies that will go to good use, and some candies, the Japanese Tangled necklace and a recipe book. Which will be really helpful, because while I've been in Florida, I've been the go-to chef. We're getting a bit tired of our usual "quick & easy" meals, so having more to chose from will be great. Selen, Jason claimed the Lego candies, even before we read the card, learning they were in fact his! But since this is a pin forum, here's a closeup of all the pins.
We are overwhelmed with everyone's kindness and generosity. A big virtual hug goes out to all who participated. And we could appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and pixie dust that 2015 will bring good news and good health to our family. And we offer the same to your families too.
Sending good vibes to you, your mother and family! 
And I'm sending prayers for your mom.