My Gratitude List

I am grateful to live in Washington, DC that has some of the best doctors in the nation and to have one official Oncologist, Dr. Kaltman, and one unofficial to me Oncologist, Nico from the National Cancer Institute, reviewing my tests and spurring me toward hope.

I am grateful that there is now a drug call Herceptin to treat the Her2+ cancer in my breast and now on my liver. Six years ago people like me were simply sent home to die.

I am grateful for family and friends who are surrounding me, taking me to appointments, feeding me, just showing up or calling. I may miss some but here are some of my beloved angels:

-Lisa my biopsy and chemo buddy extraordinaire;
-Ann who calls, finds wig resources, sends helpful books;
-Jo Ann who did the doc shop with me (10 hours), asking questions, and somehow missing the chance to glance at my boobs during exams. And then when the diagnosis became Stage IV spread to liver, Jo Ann drove to pick me up from work while I sobbed and drop me home to be with my friends Lisa and Ingrid;
-Aunt Carole and Uncle Mike who  seem to have unofficially adopted me, who call and email constantly. Aunt Carole will also be coming to spend this weekend to help get me through this lump of fear. They are a blessing beyond belief;
-Jeanie and Karin who have provided fabulous food. I won't get sicker to get more food but it might be worth it.  Thank you;
-Jill who will be taking one of the nights of terror at my house this weekend, and will be driving me to a tattoo artist to discuss a tattoo I can get once this is over. Keep hope alive;
-Jennifer, a two time survivor of breast cancer who calls, emails, and inspires hope;
-Sheila who brought me Nico and graciously drove me to yet another MRI;
-Deborah and Carole who keep tabs on me and Deborah who drove me to yet another MRI (thanks Jeanie for the other ride);
-My nephew Josh and his wife Niki who flew in last minute to stay last weekend and walked into a morrass of it might of spread (it did);
-And Ingrid, who when the chips were down and she didn't know where to find hot fudge in the store, bought hot fudge and ice cream to the house just because that's what chicks do for each other sometimes when the news is bad.

I know I missed some folks, but I just wanted to focus on the gratitude in my life. I've lost a lot of hope in this last week. But yet, I am grateful. Cancer in the liver be damned. I have a love-filled life and I am blessed among women (except without the virgin birth thing).