"Chocolate, the dog and a messenger bag"

It seems I'm always starting blog updates recently with not so great news so this time, I'm switching gears. The best part is I really don't have any bad or sad news to report and that's even better! As you can see with the pictures, I'm ready for the TKO with this cancer stuff :)

Chocolate...ladies and gentlemen, there are signs that my enjoyment of chocolate is returning. Over the past week or so, it has smelled good and I figured that was a good first step. The other night I was offered a dark chocolate covered caramel and it looked good so I decided to try it. Tasted yummy going down so I waited the usual few minutes for the taste to turn sour in my mouth as it has in past months. Nothing happened! After several minutes, I tried another and it was good too. Feeling bold, I ate a third and praises! They all tasted just fine and I enjoyed every gooey bite. I decided not to push things and kept it at three, but maybe, just maybe my road to recovery is going to be paved with dark chocolate caramels! Coffee is still off the table, but hey, I can be patient. :)

The dog....back in February Corbett was diagnosed with a level 3 (terminal) disease called mastitis, a type of internal cancer animals get. At the time, she was given roughly three months to live. Devastating news, to be sure. Well, she's outlived that original diagnosis by almost 6 months, looks fine and is acting every bit the queen of the house. A little over a week ago, she had dental surgery to remove an abcessed molar and Lynn, her vet, took chest x-rays as a precautionary measure first to be sure there wasn't something else going on in her body. No signs of tumors or the slightest indication of anything wrong. Praises! She (Lynn) thinks Corbett may have licked the original tumor into such a highly inflammatory state that there was a misread of the original biopsy. She said that if Corbett really does have level 3 mastitis it has done such a good job of hiding itself, it's virtually undetectable. So it turns out that Corbett probably isn't anywhere near as sick as we once thought and she continues to rule the roost as only a diva dog of her caliber can do.

The messenger bag....last Thursday at the start of my last social studies class of the day, a student came up to me, Connor, and said he had something for me. With kids, this could be anything from a piece of candy to a flower to a note from a parent. He then handed me a little neoprene messenger bag with a front zip and said it was for my oxygen bottle so I wouldn't have to carry it around in my hand (the carry bag provided has just a short hand strap). Clearly, this was probably his bag that he was giving to me and it touched me beyond words. This little guy is quiet and doesn't say a whole lot in class, but to realize he had been thinking about me and saw a way to make my day easier with a bag to carry the tank in has moved me more than I could ever say. I tried not to cry too much when I smiled and hugged him and thanked him and it brings tears to my eyes even as I write this. I don't know if Connor will ever realize how much his gift means to me.

The blessings in my life are so many and even as the battle continues with this cancer in my body, my spirit is alive and joyful and so grateful for what God has given, and continues to give me. This last round of chemo has been fairly mild with the side effects and I start the second round next Weds., the 14th - IV for two of the chemicals and a 48 hr. infusion pump for the third chemical. Then two weeks off (no chemo) and a scan to follow shortly after that. I still feel good - fatigue is always present but that's normal these days and I have enough energy to teach and do most anything I want to. I use the oxygen as needed, some days more than others and it's not such a big deal, just annoying to carry around. I'm experiencing a merciful reprieve from what could be very unpleasant symptoms and side effects and that is a huge praise.

Fall has come to Portland full force and the colors are gorgeous. We've had a string of sunny days that really illuminate the brilliant palette of the trees and I love it. Breezes are turning a little chillier than I like, but I have a lovely collection of hats and scarves to use.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Susan