Lesson 7: Hugs are awesome...give a proper one today and enjoy it

I am feeling so great. Don't mean to brag, but each day I feel stronger and closer to the "old me". Scratch that...I'll never be the "old me", but I'm getting to know the "new me" and I'm OK with it. Knowing that I start chemo tomorrow, I'm savoring every second of feeling good. I've read and researched and prepared as much as I can for the next few months...but I honestly don't know what to expect. I figure that preparing for the worst is the best option, and maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Last week was a whirlwind! Between doctors visits, chemo class, surgery--and, oh yeah, a hurricane--we've been quite busy! I had my port put in on Friday (rescheduled from Wednesday due to Isaac) and have been trying to get used to it:

David calls it our new house guest. I like to refer to it as my on/off switch or my easy button. Whatever you call it, it's supposed to make delivering the chemo drugs safer and easier for me. I'll be happy when it is gone. :)

Celebrated my birthday this weekend with friends and family. Had a wonderful day Saturday with our great friends Kimberly and Leo and family. Our kids have grown up together and it is always an adventure when we are together. I've decided that, since my hair is going to fall out anyway, now is the time to get creative with color. The kids (Ian, Lilly, Chaney, Alex and Estelle) were all there to "help" me color my hair platinum blonde. You can imagine the chaos. 

Unfortunately, the color didn't turn out like the package and I'm more of a strawberry blonde (or carrot top as Ian so aptly noted). Oh well...we can always try another color. Maybe really dark?

I also got to go to a baby shower for my cousin Diana. She is expecting a baby boy in November and he will be named Dixon (after my mom's side of the family). So nice to focus on positive things and see my family. It was wonderful.

One thing I've noticed lately that has been bugging me. I can't give a proper hug. I never realized how much I would miss this. It is such a basic way to show affection, but you never realize how nice it is until you can't do it. I'm looking forward to the day when chemo is over and I'm recovered from reconstruction and can give a proper hug. So that is my lesson for this week: Hugs are awesome...give a proper one today and enjoy it. 

As always, I must end with a thank you for the cards, flowers, food and sweet gifts that my friends and family have been sending. I honestly can't tell you how great it makes me feel to have so many people pulling for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Don't freak out if you see me and bear hug you, ok?

Love to all-
Angie