"Oh, The Places You Will Go…"

Dear Family and Friends:

WOW!!! Thank you all so much for everything! And I do mean everything. You have all been so encouraging and have helped pull me through the past 7 months. I really could not have been so strong without you.

So sorry it has been such a long time since I have had the time or energy to post this blog. So much has happened.

First of all, thank you to all of you who took the time on Saturday to come to “our” remission party. Our girls put on quite a party! The food, drinks, inflatable jousting-jumper and the company was incredible. Thank you again to everyone. I am overwhelmed by your generosity and support.

The past three weeks have been a whirlwind. About 3 weeks ago, Bill’s cousin living on the Big Island of Hawaii called us to let us know about some pasture land he was purchasing and told us that there was 15 acres just below his property for sale. He sent us pictures and really encouraged us to come over to take a look.

As far as the crows fly, you can seen the ocean about 4-5 miles away and Mauna Kea snow peaked mountain. So Nicole and I found cheap tickets on US Airways and decided what the heck, let’s go take a look. The day before we left, Bill decided he would take the time as well and the ticket prices were still very low. So off we went to Hawaii. When I got to the airport, it really hit me that I had not been anywhere out of Phoenix except for our place up north and of course Tucson since last summer! Honestly, who gets to go from a shut-in to Hawaii? I was so overwhelmed and excited. The land we are considering is just as beautiful as the pictures that were sent to us. We are still on the fence about what to do, this would be a great investment, why does money always get in the way?

Well, we stayed in a hotel on Hapuna Beach. This beach is just breathtaking!! We were there for 3 fabulous days. Something to consider about purchasing this land is the fact that Aloha and ATA went out of business while we were there and of course plane fares have now shot up to double what they were. I’ll let you know what happens next.

We were only home a few days and I headed back to Tucson for the first round of 12 months of continued chemotherapy. Even though I am in “clinical remission” my doctor has recommended that I continue chemotherapy for another year but it will be just one day a month, as I said before this is like eating a cupcake, no problem. And thank god, this last treatment went much better than Round 6 of IP treatment in which I broke out in a terrible rash all over my head, neck and joint areas. I was on benadryl around the clock for about 3 solid days and then just as needed for about 3 more days. I did not break out again after the first maintenance dose, good sign!! However, I have developed neuropathy (tingling and numbness) in my hands and feet and am taking proteins and vitamin B6 to try to control this.

The day after treatment, I headed to Des Moines to see Billie for a sorority mother/daughter weekend. I was pretty tired and Billie and I pretty much hung around the hotel and watched movies and ate. I had a great weekend with Billie.

Two days after I got home from Des Moines, Nicole, Chloe and I got on a plane and headed to LA for a textile show. During the past months, with a lot of time on my hands, especially at night since I was having problems sleeping, I have come up with a few ideas for a business. Right now I am just exploring a few things and will keep you posted if any one of them can really be put into motion. Nicole and I stayed with good friends in LA and it was wonderful catching up with Judy and Pete. Billie also came to LA to go to the Italian Embassy to get her visa. She will be going to Florence for the month of June to study. Then we flew home on Friday just enough time to clean up the house a bit for the party.

I will admit I am a bit tired and really need to slow down, which I am currently doing. Michelle and I left for our place up north this morning. Michelle is getting ready for her finals and I have some work to do for the office and plan to rest. We will be home on Friday morning.

Just a reminder, our friend Carlos who kicks for the Atlanta Force will be here playing against the Rattlers. Carlos set up “kicking for the cure” with donations to go to the Ovarian Cancer Institute in Atlanta. He has been donating money for every extra point and field goal he makes. We will be going to the game, which was moved to Saturday, to support all his wonderful efforts. Again, if you would like to join us please let me or one of the girls know, we would love to have as many people join us as possible. We are thinking of tailgating or doing something before the game. I will let you all know. To purchase tickets, call Matt Audibert at (602) 379-2338 and ask for tickets in the “Kicking for the Cure” section. The tickets are supposed to be great and only $21 a piece.

I have another favor to ask of all of you. On Saturday I met a young woman who needs your prayers. Lacey, 17 years old, is the daughter of Pierrette, who works at the law office. Lacey is an exceptional young woman who is currently battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Lacey could really use the support, encouragement, love and kindness all of you have provided to me. Believe me, this kind of energy goes a long way to keeping your spirits up. You can leave messages to her on this blog or she does have a “my space” and I will pass that link on to you as soon as I can.

Thank you all for everything you have done to help me and my family. This is a battle that really takes a village, and I live in the best of all villages.

I love you all,

Colleen