I really have gotten behind in writing in this blog! We went out of town during New Year’s and that first week, so I didn’t really have access to using the computer that much. Pete took the laptop, but I felt more like just spending the time with family rather than on the computer. I did check my mail just to make sure I wasn’t missing pet care clients, and there were a couple of them I did need to respond to so I still made sure I got the important stuff.

We drove to my twin sister’s in Huntington Beach the day before New Year’s Eve and spent a wonderful time with her family. Dinner was waiting for us, and her son with his family (four children) and Steve’s sister were all there. It was a wonderful time! We had a belated Christmas and it is always amazing how quickly all the children grow. They are always a delight to see. New Years Eve we had a quiet evening with Suzanne and Steve with dinner and a DVD. I am still recovering, so a quiet New Years was in order and very nice indeed.

On New Year’s day, we drove to Phoenix to visit Pete’s mom, Cass; and while we were driving there, our niece Courtney texted us and told us that her brother proposed to his girlfriend at midnight. What a wonderful New Year’s surprise! She took pictures so we got to see those the next day. I had been hoping that Ryan would propose to Bryn because she was a great match for him. Most definitely a keeper. I had been praying for that actually, so it was answered prayer. I am so happy for them.

Our other niece, Kati was still in the hospital when we got there, and we went to visit her on January 2nd. She had been stuck there for four months because the twins she was carrying were at risk for too early of delivery, so it was bed rest in the hospital for all this time. It was her first pregnancy and with a boy and a girl no less! Very exciting indeed! On Friday even though it was two months early, the doctor decided it was time to do a C-section because the tiny girl, Kennedy, was in some distress and it looked like she was not growing like her brother, Carter. So Friday, January 4th, we got to see the twins at about 2 hours old. Kennedy was 2.10 lbs, and Carter was 4.5 lbs. I was so happy to be able to see them since we do live so far away. They are doing well, and breathing on their own. They do have to stay in NICU and be fed with tube feedings and in the incubators, but they are doing very well regardless being so tiny. Kennedy was actually more active than her big brother. He sleeps more and she was opening her eyes and looking around, and moving more. She is a fighter.

I am considering these two wonderful events as prophetic signs that good and great things are in store for this year. New and fresh things. I know there will be difficulties ahead, but I know there will be great things to come of all of it.

I have been struggling for over a month with low back pain that seemed to start up after I had two falls. I had an x-ray in December to see if anything might have broken, and it showed mild disk narrowing of L4-5, which happens with aging (don’t you just love it?), inflammation/arthritis of the low back, and a slipped disk as well. Degenerative issues with a fall equal OUCH! So I went to my general practitioner which I ended up seeing the Physicians Assistant who was very nice and new to the area. She recommended another doctor in the same group in SLO who is family practice, but specializes also in sports medicine. That way I may get some physical therapy to aid in the process or at least he will know what course to take. I am not too interested in seeing an orthopedic surgeon. I don’t want any more surgeries on my spine thank you very much! I still have my breast reconstruction surgery coming up later this year.

I had wanted to have a big celebration party for the end of my treatments on my birthday on January 12, but because of my back pain I just couldn’t get the house ready in time. I still had Christmas decorations up, and the house was not tidy or clean. So I made it simple and we went out with my wonderful breast support friends to a restaurant here in Los Osos. It was very nice and I just had to do something, but I needed it simple. Then we came to my house and had some cake. I almost like the smaller group because we got to really talk and get to know one another even more. We cannot talk like that with large crowds, and this small circle of friends we can talk about things we can’t talk to other people about. It truly helps to be able to talk about what we are feeling and going through in this season. Even though two of us are done with the cancer treatments, we are still healing and having pains and discomforts that other people wouldn’t even have a clue about in understanding. We still have our reconstruction surgeries coming up, so in reality, we aren’t done yet even though it looks like we are.

Tomorrow I start with the Well Fit program at Avila Bay Club which is free for cancer patients. I hope I can tolerate some good exercises with this low back issue, but I have already alerted the personal trainer about it, so she helps us with our individual issues especially the ones we gained with our treatments and surgeries. I am excited about starting on my path towards good health and building my strength back again. I will have to be careful none-the-less. It looks like a very nice gym and spa. There are so many wonderful things for me to do there while I have this eight week membership. I am going to try to take advantage of all the amenities while I have a membership there for the next eight weeks.