Guess WHAT!!!

I did it!  I registered for the St. Jude half marathon in December!!  I am nervous, scared, excited, ready--all bundled up into one!  This run is my FAVORITE run to participate in! I know I have a journey ahead of me with training, but I also know with sheer determination it will get done! Wonder if my family (cousins, brother, sister in law) will run the half again this year?  ....yes---this is directed at them intentionally....


Things are going well for me these days.  School is wrapping up and summer is around the corner!  (I told a friend today it's getting harder and harder to get up in the mornings) 

I spent the weekend with some of my favorite people.  God has mightily blessed our family this past year! 

I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming weekend! 

  Do you ever just have one of "those" days?  I have.  Am having one today, as a matter of fact.  

   Marathoners sometimes hit a "wall"--their body starts acting up and their thoughts may move toward quitting a race but most marathoners push through and FINISH their race.  I think that's where I am today...I have hit a "wall".  I can see the finish line and I know that I don't have very many chemo treatments left.  Tomorrow will be #14 for me, so 5 after this one. ( I only need one hand to count them with!!  THAT is exciting!!  But I am "over" it, if you know what I mean...)  I am ready for our lives to be "normal" again.  

    My daddy had SUCH words of encouragement to me today.  He said "Em, in my mind I see you as almost one year cancer free!"  Those few words spoke VOLUMES to me this afternoon!  I haven't thought of myself in those terms.  I'm not sure I have ever really thought of myself as a "cancer patient"---some view this as denial, I view it as a hiccup on my life's path, however we view it--we are almost there!!!!!  

   Please continue to pray for us.  I am so blessed and thankful to have my family and friends to help pull me through this journey in life.  You know--the Bible says that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  There are a couple of you that have stuck by me and helped hold me up in times of turmoil.  You know who you are.  I love you mucho!  Thank you for loving me, being there during my highs and lows and always encouraging me to  "go, go, go"!!    

Until next time...

E

   

Honestly...

Where has the time gone?!?! It is so hard to believe that we are into March full-swing, knocking on spring break's door!  (whoop!whoop!)  So much has gone on, but nothing has gone on, if that makes any sense? 

I am alive and doing great!  I have completed 12 chemos and have 7 left ... I have no real words of "inspiration" in the midst of all this right now.  I just know that I get a little emotional thinking that the end is near and I will be finished with this "season"  soon.  Probably sooner than I really realize...funny how life does that do you, isn't it? 

Truthfully, the month of January was an emotional roller coaster for me.  I knew I was on the downhill slope of all of this but my life has so drastically been changed that sometimes, it's just down right frustrating!  My mind is telling me one thing but my body is saying something else.  I feel like I am in a constant battle with my emotions and the physical part of me.  Those of you that know me well, know that I tend to be a bit hard-headed (Yes, I realize this is an understatement!), anyway....this has probably been the biggest challenge for me with this:  Admitting that I need to slow down and rest for the moment.  This. Is. Hard.  Probably one of my life's hardest lessons.  I like to be on the go all the time.  I like to be "moving and shaking".  It's hard to admit that maybe, just maybe my endurance isn't quite the same right now. I hope this will change, but for now, I am learning (or trying) to learn to slow down. 

I go next week for round #13.  Almost there.  Almost there.  Almost there...yes ladies and gentlemen, I believe I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  As I was checking out of the clinic today, I noticed a "survivor dinner" next week in the surrounding area.  I got a little choked up thinking that this time next year, I might like to go to that dinner.  I mean, by then, this ole gal will have earned her place in the "survivor" realm, right!?!  Again...my eyes well up with tears.  Another "medal" to match my wall...one of my toughest, right?  You know, as bad as I am ready for this ordeal to be over, do you know that I would not change a thing about it?!?!  Has this been easy?  No.  Has my life changed? YES!!  DRASTICALLY!!!  But so much for the BETTER!!  Truly. I am sorry if I sounded like I complained earlier, or any time for that matter...but some days, I do long for "normalcy" again.  I am ready to be "me" again. 

I hope I won't be as long blogging again.  But until next time please continue to pray for my family and me,

Until next time!  BLESSINGS!!!

E
 

Clean Slate

Tonight, as I ponder the past 12 months and the future 12 months, I am full of a heart of gratitude.
  I am so grateful to be alive! 
I am so grateful for a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me, who meets my every need, and no matter how bad I mess things up by getting in the way, loves me in spite of it all!

I am grateful for the love and support of a wonderful, Godly husband and my precious children.  I am grateful for my mama--who understands my pits and has loved me through them all.  I have the best sister-in-law too, she is one of my best friends.  She and my mama are my sounding-boards and I love them to pieces!

I am so very blessed! 

I don't know what God has in store for me this 2013, but I know He has plans for me!   I have a willing and open heart.   I want to be a vessel He works through.  Things may not always be what I think I want them to be but ultimately, ultimately, I know He has my best interest at heart. 

I challenge you this new year to have an open heart and ears to hear Him calling.  We serve a mighty God!  I cannot express in words the peace that I have in knowing Jesus Christ.  He is my Calm in the middle of this storm.  People say these days: "E, you are WONDERWOMAN!" and I cringe a little inside.  You see, it's not ME that's super...Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in this world!!

We celebrated Christmas just a few days ago.  Over Christmas break we went home and visited my parents' church.  Their preacher talked about how we should have the love of Christmas YEAR ROUND, not just a few days out of the year.  And if you have a relationship with Christ you share the joy of Christmas day in and day out.  If you do not have the love of Christ today, I challenge you to open your heart and invite Him in today.  He will fill you and sustain you all the days of your life. 


I hope you and yours had a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful new year! 


Happy new year and bring on 2013!!

Until next time,

E
 

Reflection

I am overwhelmed this Christmas.  I have so much to be thankful for!  2012 has been an "interesting" year to say the least!! Ups and downs:   I was nominated Teacher of the Year for my school for 2011-2012, we lost a very dear friend to a horrible disease, I was diagnosed with non Hodgkins lymphoma, and the list goes on and on...Many highs and many lows but this has been an AMAZING year in so many ways too!!    

I told my mom this week that I get a little choked up while buying Christmas gifts this year. The gifts are chosen very carefully with much thought going into them. I always do this, but this year, it just seems to mean so much more to me.  

I am so grateful for my family!  We have weathered many storms together and I am SOOO glad I have them to help me along this path of life.  I honestly don't think I would have enough words to express how much I love them.  Each one of them!   

I have been blessed through friendship this past year in a mighty way.  God put a couple of ladies across my path several years ago but through all of "this", we have grown so close.  They have laughed, cried, prayed, and simply loved.  My daddy always told me: "Em, if you can count on ONE HAND 5 GREAT friends.  You've been truly blessed!"  He is soooooo right on the money with that statement!  Two women, in particular, have truly stood in the gap for me over the past 8 months and I don't know what I would have done without them.  They have helped me keep my eyes on the goal, picked me up on some rough days, held my hand and let me cry, and encouraged me all along the way. 

Yes.  I am truly overwhelmed this Christmas season.  God is good!!


Until next time,

E

Another milestone

I conquered another milestone in this season of my life today.  I completed the St. Jude 5K.  I am very pleased to tell you that my official time was 34 minutes.  (Pretty good for a girl whose body has been put through the RINGER the past 7 months, dontcha think?!?)  

I didn't cross that finish line alone either.  My awesome brother and sister-in-law never left my side (even when I had to stop and walk a minute).  Today was another emotional day for me.  Actually, this past WEEK has been emotional.  No, I do not need to take anti-depressants--it's simply part of this battle that is raging on and I think it's perfectly normal and GOOD for me to release these emotions (sorry if you happen to be the one who "sets" the tears off--it's not "you" --just quite simply the ride of this journey).


I actually think I am going to frame this year's race bib and medal alongside my last year's full, 26.2 marathon race bib and medal.  After all...these are my two marathons.  :0)  


I head back to the hospital for round #10 next week.  Last week's visit to my oncologist was a good visit.  He said my blood counts and all of my levels "look GREAT!".  Praise the Lord!!   I am so thankful and blessed beyond measure.

I took numerous pictures along the way today that I plan on posting as soon as I figure out how!  HA!  It's been a year since I've done that and I am going to have to call my sis-in-law to walk me through the process.  Not a "techi" person...my friend that passed away this year always made fun of my lack of knowledge in this area....that's what friends are for, right?!  LOL 

Anyway--I'm off to rest and relax.  Wishing you a wonderful weekend!!  God bless you!!

Until next time,

E

So I'm just going to be honest with yall and tell ya:  I am SOOO glad next week is Thanksgiving break!!  I am T.I.R.E.D lately!!  I need a break!!

There's so much going on at school this time of year that it's hard to come up for air!  We have Thanksgiving holiday, an upcoming music program for our grade (which makes the kids CUH-RAZY at school because they are out of their routine!), Grandparents' Day and then Christmas is just around the corner.  Time seems to be FUH-LING by and there aren't enough hours in the day to get things done!  And this time change?!?!  Ugh!  It's DARK so early!  Boy....I might be complaining a little today, eh?  I don't mean to be, necessarily....this is just the busiest I have been since, uhhhh...let's just say it's been a while I have had this kind of "stress"!!  LOL  and it's kind of throwing this girl for a loop!  I ran only once this week (which is okay....right?).  

I am excited to see my "whole" family during Thanksgiving this year.  My aunt and her family will be in from overseas and I have not seen her in several years (how bad does THAT sound!?!) and my uncle who is HYSTERICAL will be driving over to see all of us too.  I'm expecting a great time catching up with our family over the break.  We have SO.MUCH. to be thankful for!!! 

Well, I hope this "note" finds all of you well and I'm wishing you a peaceful and BLESSED Thanksgiving!!!

Until next time!!

E

 

My, what a year can bring!

I ran my first 5K since all of this began with me.  I initially stopped running in the spring because of the excruciating headaches I was having.  Although it really isn't that long to a lot of people:  I have missed being "me" and my running...

A precious friend told me about the race 2 weeks ago.  She told me it benefitted fallen soldiers.  What a great cause to run for on Veterans Day weekend! 

Another close friend drove a little over an hour to accomplish this milestone with me.  This is HUGE as she doesn't consider herself a "runner"....yeah, well, honey, that has changed!  ;0) 

The opening ceremony was really sweet.  There were a couple of speakers and our Pledge and National Anthem.  Truly beautiful. 

After the quick ceremony they called for the "runners" to line up in the front of the line.  "This is IT!!!",  I thought. And the tears began to flow.  I choked them back really quick because I really wasn't expecting to be emotional about a 3 mile run.  Afterall, this time last year I was pushing 20!!  (But THAT'S a whole different "story"!)  Anyway....my 2 friends and I prayed and then we were off and running!  Again....tears.  I broke out into what I thought was a decent stride only to be dismayed around .8th of a mile.  Shin splints.....GRRRRRR!!!  (It's what I get for not stretching beforehand)  Needless to say, I perservered through one of the HARDEST races I have run since I began running races (a little over 7 years ago).  My emotions were a bit all over the place and I cried like a baby when I crossed the finishline, just like I did when I crossed after 26.2 miles....yet another milestone in my marathon training of life. 

God is so good. 

The sweet friend that told me about this race gave me balloons and a sweet card at the end.  She typed the following verse and glued it on the inside:


And He said to me , "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness."  Most gladly, then, I will rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me...for when I am weak, then, I AM STRONG.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
(Yes, tears again (and every time I read the card) ...I can't help myself.  God gave us emotions and my tears are "tears of cleansing" ---according to my precious MAMA!!  Not to mention:  this is an emotional ride, people!!) 


God bless!!

-E

Something exciting is in the air!

Exciting news, people!  I have officially registered for TWO 5ks!  Can I get a whoop whoop!!!  Those of you that know me well, know that I LOOOVE to run in races.  It's not necessarily the running, but the BUZZ in the air at a race that I love!  I love watching people warm up and seeing the comrodary of people of all walks of life coming together.   I also like to bet in my mind who's going to be the fastest!  HA!  (I'm usually surprised by who ends up with a fast time!)   

My first 5k is this weekend.  I'm amped!  I may not have the fastest time but by-golly I will have the MOST determination!  My second 5k is for St. Jude December 1st--and I can't WAIT for it!  THAT's my FAVORITE race to run during the year....talk about PEOPLE!  WHEW!!  10s of 1000s and I am NOT exaggerating!!  From the racers to the supporters,  it's incredible.  People of all ages and places come out to support this weekend event.  It's AWESOME!  I tell people all the time if you've never experienced it, you should!  At least once! 

Speaking of 5Ks, I love my sister-in-law!    I got the sweetest text from her this morning.  She told me that I had been on her mind all morning.  She was thinking about my year and the things that I have done and faced.  Ultimately the text told me that she and my brother have registered and will run the 5k with me in December.  She told me that they were going to "cross that finish line" with me this year.  This text sent me into tears.  I choked them back for a good 5 minutes!  You see, my brother and s.i.l are avid runners, so 3 miles is a mere "stroll" for them.  Crossing that finish line is a metaphor for what's going on in our family these days.  It will represent so much to us.  Not a time.  Not a percentage.  Not even a medal.  No, that finish line that we are going to cross represents perserverence to the enth degree and that no one is alone in this family.  I am so VERy thankful for the love and support of my family.  I knew we were a close knit group before all of this started, but let me tell you....there's a bond here that's hard to break, my friends!  I say it all the time and I will say it again:  I am so VERY BLESSED!!! 


Happy Tuesday!! GO VOTE!!!

Until next time,
E

 

WHEW! October was a whirlwind!

I seriously cannot believe it is November already.  October was a mere whirlwind to me!  It's also hard to believe this whole thing that's been going on with me is taking on its 6th month....time flies when you're having "fun", right?  ;0)  You won't hear me complain though.  Although tough at times, God isn't finished with me yet and I can honestly say I am learning SOOO very much from this whole experience.  The thing that has impressed me the most: people need the Lord and just want to know that someone cares.  Even if it's a simple card, email, text, or phone call----so many people are hurting.  We live in such a fast paced, exciting life these days, I think we often think we can't slow down, but we should.  That's why we're here...to love each other. 

I had a BUSY week at school this week.  If you have never experienced Halloween week at a school, you are REALLY "missing out".  HA!  But ESPECIALLY Halloween on a WEDNESDAY!!!??!?!?!?  I was SO. TIRED. by Friday that my body ached!  Seriously....even my assistant asked me : "WHAT have you done to me this WEEK!?  I feel like I have been in a BOXING RING!!"  (hee heee...not me, babe, not me...)  I felt the same way.  All kiddos from kindergarten to seniors in high school are totally excited about dressing up and trick-or-treating that it's exhausting.  THEEEN, you throw in all of the CANDY!?!?  Serious sugar rushes.  Of AAALL ages.  I'm just glad this week is over!  ;0)  A friend of mine said : "I just wish we could change Halloween.  I wish it was a 'set' Saturday in October.  The last Saturday of October!"  ---GIRL.FRIEND!  FABULOUS IDEA!!!  Even we parents are a weary once it's all said and done.  Onto THANKSGIVING!!!  

Speaking of thankfulness:  my next round of chemo will be Dec. 5th.  If you count it up, that's in a whopping 5 weeks....YEEEE HAAAAAAAAA I will  DEFINTLEY  enjoy my Thanksgiving break!!! 

Anywho--things are still going well.  God truly has me under His Divine Protection.  I am so very thankful for the blessings of health, healing, hope, family, and friends.  He is GOOD!!

Until next time, peeps!!

E

Life is Good!

I am still amazed that "people" are "amazed" by what I do and how I am doing .  I have said it from the very beginning of this curveball of life and I will continue to say it and believe it:  God has got me in the very PALM of His hand and I am under His Divine Protection.  He is my PROVIDER and my STRENGTH, in HIM I will find PROTECTION and STRENGTH.  After all, He tells us in His very Word:  I can do ALL things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS  me!!  From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet I am believe Him and am putting my faith and trust in HIM.   

I am up to about 3 miles of running now (can I get a whoop whoo!!!)  There are good days and bad, as anytime, with training or trying to build stamina, no matter where you start!  BUT....I have a NEW PARTNER!!!  Yes, yes and I am SOOO EXCITED to have her!!!  My very best bud, Kim, has decided to take up running too....wooooHOOOOO!!!  Our dear ole Scott would be ALL OVER this!  He used to pick on her unmercifully about running but GUESS WHAT, BUDDY!?!?  SHE'S DOING IT!!  We do miss him terribly....

I got GREAT news from my oncologist this past week!!!  He told me I am doing "so great, no side effects, and no major issues", that he is going to "knock back your MRIs from every month to every OTHER month.  I don't see the need for a monthly MRI at this point.  Nothing is showing up."  PEOPLE!!!  CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!?  AAANNNDDD.....HE TOLD ME I COULD HIGHLIGHT MY HAIR AGAIN!!!  WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO  LIFE. IS. GOOD!!!  So, I made an appointment with my girl for 8:00 this past Saturday morning and I am BLONDE AGAIN!!  YIIPPPPEEEEEE!!!  (it really is the little things in life!!  ))

Anywho....I check into the hospital this Wednesday after school.  I am trying to remain positive and keep good thoughts about what's headed my way.  Any extra prayers are GREATLY appreciated!!  I am anxiously awaiting the words:  "You don't need any more chemo".  I am praying and believing I will hear these words MUUUUCH sooner than intiallly planned.  Afterall....I haven't been a "textbook" case with this lymphoma from the beginning. (But we all knew this to begin with, right???)

Have a blessed week!  Keeping thoughts and talk positive!!

Until next time,
E

Life is GOOD!

This has been the BEST week!  I have run 5 days in a ROW and did it WELL!  WOOOHOOOOOOO!!  I feel amazing and I look forward to the upcoming week.  Life seems to be returning to normal (baseball is over for the year). 

Today has been a great day.  Started off with a morning run, grocery store, and then....sit down and brace yourself.... I COOKED!!  HA!  I'm not talking just some little thing, people!  I'm talking about:  buffalo dip (hey-it's FOOTBALL SEASON!!), a big pot of vegetable soup, and not 1, but TWO chicken pot pies!  Yes, folks, E is feeling her Wheaties these days!  :0) 

I hope yall are enjoying this AWESOME fall weather!  If you're not:    GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN!! 

Anywho...have a fabulous Sunday!

Until next time,

E

Family Time

Went home to celebrate my nephew's 4th birthday.  It was so great to go home.  I love going home in the fall!  It's one of my favorite times of the year.  I told my mom today that her house is so peaceful in the country, I could've sat on the porch and listened to the rain pitter-patter all day today.  Sometimes that's just what we need to do, isn't it?  Stop and "listen"....

Welp, another work week ahead.  Last week was a good first week back.  I was tired early on but by Friday, I was good to go!  I am trying to instill routines that I want done in my classroom and this will take time nd LOTS of PRACTICE!  HA!  "Slow and steady wins the race"---seems to be my motto for life these days.

Hope yall have a great week!

Until next time,

E

I'm BACK!

Well, today was my first day back to school and let me tell you:  IT FELT GREAT!! My sweet peers welcomed me with breakfast, had a pot-luck lunch and made me feel so loved!  It was so good to see my friends again!  I have MISSED THEM!!!  After running in to beat the time clock :0)  ((keep in mind I have not been at work for almost 5 months, people!  Naturally I would be running around like a chicken with its head cut off the first day back.....right?  riiiiiiiiight??  Of COURSE!!))  
 I was so ready to finally meet my new students!! The day FUH-LEW by, to say the least!  My assistant and I were "movin' and shakin'" trying to stay ahead of the "pack"  HA!   All in all it was a good day and I can't wait to go back tomorrow! 

Hope everyone has a great week! 

Until next time!!

E

WHEW!

Well, here I am once AGAIN attempting to get back into a routine of RUNNING!  Couch to 5K, day 1 completed AGAIN but this time I am anticipating a long stretch of actual training with no interruptions.  It's been so hard to attempt to run within a regular regimen when I was going into the hospital every other week for 4 days at a time.  

I am going to register for St. Jude 5K today.  It's time.  Those of you that know me well, know that the St. Jude Marathon weekend is one of my FAVORITE things to do during the year! 

Another beautiful Saturday ahead ladies and gents!  Get out and ENJOY THE WEATHER! 

Until next time!!

E

Round 8!

Round #8 finished!  Whoop whoop!!  Now I get 5-6 weeks "off" before my next round of chemo.  I am SO THRILLED words cannot even EXPRESS how "free" I feel today.  Again....I can't imagine how I will feel this time next year when my doctor says :"Okay...all clear!"  Whoop Whoop!

Back to school on Monday.  I am excited to get back into the classroom and into my routine of "life".  My children are SO. EXCITED I will be returning to work (???), who knows what that's about !  HA!  I'm seriously thinking it's because it's our "normal".  

Anywho....it's a BEEEAUTIFUL day outside!  Hope yall can get out and enjoy some of this AWESOME weather God is showering us with!  Hope ya have a great weekend!!


'Til next time!!

E

RING THAT BELL HARD, HONEY!

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY I HAVE HAD TODAY!!  I had an MRI this morning and it looked great AAANND:
  1.  NO MORE CHEMOS AT THE CLINIC
  2.  AFTER NEXT WEEK'S CHEMO IN THE HOSPITAL, I DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK IN UNTIL 6 WEEKS!!! 

CAN I GET A WHOOP!  WHOOP!! 

The nurse today made a BIG announcement in the chemo room that today was my LAST INFUSION WITH THEM!!  WHOO HOOOO And....of course, I got completely choked up and emotional about it.  A GOOD emotional.  Tears of JOY!!  Then Hubby said: "let's go outside and you RING THAT BELL HARD!" (There is a big bell outside of the clinic that people ring once they've completed their treatments.  Again...tears of joy!) 

I feel like I am just about to tip the top of this hill I have been climbing and it feels SO. DANG. GOOD, PEOPLE!! 

I hope yall are having a good week.  Almost Friday! 

Until next time!!!

E

Busy, Exciting Life

Well!  Let me just tell you:  the past week has been an "exciting" one in our little ole family!  ;0)

We will be celebrating a wedding this upcoming spring!  Fun, FUN!  My cousin (although he's more like a little brother than a "cousin") and his sweet fiance have set a date in March.  Definitely something to look forward to!

And....my little brother and his crazy friends went alligator hunting.  Yes....I said ALLIGATOR HUNTING!!!  Initially, my reaction was : you're stupid.  WHY would you INTENTIONALLY  put yourself in HARM'S WAY for a few minutes of "A THRILL"!?!?  But now that they're all safe and sound and HOME....it's kind of cool (in a twisted kind of way).  I haven't actually talked to him about his whole "experience" but I have seen pictures.  Quite frankly, that may be enough for this big sister (especially since I STILL tend to be slightly overprotective of him). 

Anywho....back to school in 2 weeks and I can't. WAIT!  So ready to meet and get to know my students and get in a "normal" routine.  Our lives have been "slightly" turned upside down, inside out and the "normalcy" is a welcome to this family. 

Have yall been outside today!?!?!?  Holy MOLY It. Is. AMAZING!  I can't WAIT to get out in it and watch the youngest play some baseball.  :0) 

Happy Sunday to you and yours!  May you have a blessed week!! 

Until next time....
E

Maybe a little clarification??

So, I think I need to help clarify what's going on with me in the "chemo realm" these days.  Several people have called or texted soooo....here goes:

June 11th was my first round of chemo.  There were set to be 8 rounds of this every 14 days.  2 weeks ago my oncologist told me once this initial phase was finished (which is the week of Sept. 17th), I would have 11 more months of chemo once a month.  Yes....another year of this.  :0/  All I can say at this moment is:  I have trusted God through the last 4 months and I will continue to trust in His way.  Is this easy?  No. But I will not give up and my attitude will remain the same:  I am healed and I believe He has me under His wings of protection. 

I am shooting for the end of September to return to work.  I look forward to this as it will be routine and normalcy in a way (although I would make a GREAT stay at home mom and housewife!). 

I hope everyone had a great long weekend.  We laid low and had a good visit with my little brother and his family. 

'Til next time!!

E

Harder than I thought

So I started walking/jogging this week....hmmm...is it vain of me to say that I SOOO appreciate the shape I was in before say, December 2011?  WOOO WEEEE!!!  It's TOUGH starting at ground zero, people!  I have a totally new appreciation for people that are just starting out.  Although I am thrilled to be walking/jogging again, I am also a little frustrated.  2 miles is hard!!! I have to keep reminding myself that I am just starting back from a pretty "rough" time off...just keep swimming, just keep swimming, la la la la la laaaaa (can't you just hear Dorie from Finding Nemo right now?  You're welcome....  ha ha) 

No new news this week.  I had a pretty encouraging biweekly appointment with my oncologist, or maybe it's just that I know these 14 day chemos are coming to a close?  yippeee!!!!

Hope yall have a great Labor Day weekend!  Be safe!! 

E