Good Bye 2011!!

I'm writing from Boston.  Got here earlier this week and was able to spend Christmas with Doug and his Family.  It's been a great trip but I'm also ready to get home. 

Almost two weeks ago I got one of the most devastating phone calls I could have received... My friend Alison passed away from a long battle with breast cancer.  It eventually spread to her lungs and was incurable.  As I have written before, she was my back bone in dealing with  this mess.  All the while, she never led on to the fact she was suffering and in immense pain.  Her service was beautiful as I would expect and there were tons of people in attendance.  I was able to say good bye to her and thank her again for everything she has done for me and all the strength she has given to me.  I don't know if she ever quite knew how much she meant to me.  I will miss her more than I can put into words. 

I turned 32 last week - the day of Alison's funeral.  Glad to have come to another birthday but felt a little guilty celebrating too.  With cancer all you can do is look forward to a birthday.  They become even more special.   I know Alison would have wanted me to celebrate also.  We celebrated with a wine tour to Fredericksburg in a Hummer Limo.  It was great fun! 

I wear my pink ribbon even more proudly than I ever have.  Proud of the family I have made in this process and the friends I have made. I feel VERY lucky to have developed the bond I did with Alison - even if it was for a short time.  I'm proud that Alison fought for as long as she did and gave it her all.  She's with her mom now and leaves behind a devoted husband, her 4 yr old son, and lots of family and friends.

Here are the tattoos Doug and I got a few months ago:  Unfortunately noone is immune to this disease and all we can do is raise awareness and money for research. 

Yesterday I received a call from another friend.  He had another friend approaching a double mastectomy todday.  He gave me her number and I called her.  I needed to give her a comforting voice as that is what I had.  The mastectomy is such a scary ordeal and all you need is someone who understands.  I look forward to meeting her in person very soon once healed.

I'm saying goodbye to 2011 in style and with mixed emotion.  This was the year of the ultimate fight of my life.  This year tested every relationship I have made along the way with God, my parents, my children, my husband, and my friends.  It's been a roller coaster of ups and downs and learning and dealing.  My body has been put to the test physically and emotionally.  But on a brighter side, I have learned so much about myself!  I have learned that I am stronger mentally and physically than I EVER thought I was.  I also found a calling and met some incredible people.  I have made some LONG lasting friendships that I will forever be thankful for.  However, I'm READY to bring in 2012! 

Thank you again for an amazingly CRAZY BEAUTIFUL year and all of your support and strength through it all! 

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"