Happy cancer-versary!

It is no secret that we are a family that loves ritual and tradition. Tonight, we marked the one year anniversary of Mom's cancer diagnosis. Greg and I went to Mom and Dad's to have a Skype date with Jess and TJ for a toast:

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." (Lao Tzu)

Also, Mom, Jess, and I added a bead to our Pandora bracelet. The bead is called "Forever Entwined."

Thanks, again, for all your love and support. Here is to a healthy year!

The Real Tough Cupcake

The bell rang a year ago when Linda got the wind knocked out of her with a breast cancer diagnosis.  The boxing match was on and it wasn’t a fair fight.  There were four brutal rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and 30 rounds of radiation. 

Staggered, but not felled.

Her fans rallied her.  Fed her.  Cheered her.  There was roadwork, stretching, and Livestrong:  “Eye of the Tiger” stuff.  As summer cooled into fall, the doc in her corner told her “Remission.”  And today, following her December 31 full-body PET/CT scan, Linda got word from the same doc that there is no sign of cancer in her body.

Queue up Pat Benatar: Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Here’s a reprise of the video on her last day of chemo.

As Vince Lombardi famously said, “I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.”

While unfortunately her opponent lives to fight another day, we will enjoy the victory, exhale, and eat more Pearl's cupcakes (which Richmonders love and our guests envy).

Happy Holidays!

On Sunday, December 23, it will be one year since visiting a doctor about what I thought was a rash.  Then, in January, I wrote to let you all know that I had breast cancer.  Now, as 2012 nears the end, I find myself reflecting over the past year.  The challenges of this year have changed me forever.  I found even more strength and an inner peace that I did not know I had.   I discovered yoga.  I’ve walked a couple of hundred miles.  I learned I could live without breasts, but my crazy curly chemo hair drives me a little insane. 

I have been feeling great and taking full advantage of my energy and good health.  Friends and family have visited and we have shown them around Richmond.  We have visited Long Island, Peaks of Otter, VA, Leland, NC, Washington, DC, Drakes Branch, VA, Fredericksburg, VA, and Charleston, SC.  

While I do not know how long I will ride this wave, I do know that if I do fall down, my “village” will be there to pick me up and keep me going.  Thank you – all of you!

I am having a PET /CT  body scan on December 31^st.  I am feeling great, so I don’t expect any surprises.  I will let you all know the results as soon as we get them. 

As we have done for the past several years, Bob and I have made a holiday donation to charity. This year, we chose the American Cancer Society.   Our hope is that someday soon, we will wake up to see a headline that says: CANCER IS CURED!

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ribbons around the country

It is hard to keep up with all the pink and ribbons, but here are some submissions from Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Sweet treats in NYC

I made a pit stop at Magnolia Bakery in Bloomingdales while walking through NYC today. Any excuse for a cupcake!

Sister time!

Mom spent the day with her sisters yesterday, which involved doing their part to stimulate the economy. The Brighton store had this balloon so, of course, Mom has to buy herself a necklace!

Hometown Awareness

Even Simsbury is getting in on the pink ribbon fun.

The Zumbathon sounds like lots of fun!