I'm a day over the 1 year mark!  My "anniversary" was something truly to celebrate! Not because I had cancer- gosh knows thats not something to be jumpin' up and down about.   But to celebrate what we've been thru and look back at what has made us stronger over the past year.
I also just realized I had to update my stage cancer from 2 to 4 on this website...that was a little...umm... unnerving.  The scale doesn't go over 4 :(!

I spent the morning making deliveries to Wright & Associates (my pcp & cheerleaders - LOVE you guys!), to Dr Ponn (my breast surgeon) and to Dr Topol (my plastic surgeon).  I got to visit with all but Dr Ponn as she wasn't yet back in the office.  I brought flowers and a card and a little slide show of pics from the last year - including every chemo treatment and surgery.  There is always a camera at these events- and helped to chronicle our journey! (I mailed Dr Crow- my oncologist his card & dvd as I didn't know if he'd appreciate pink flowers- LOL!) I also gave them all the boobie stress relievers, which make me laugh every time I see them!  It was nice to visit with them all - and I thank them SO VERY much for taking such good care of both Todd and I!  Not only physically- but emotionally!  Thru good and bad- each and every one of them has extended their arms and their cell phones and their time to us, and for that we are extremely greatful!

This week was WICKED exciting!  Wendy & Becky from Wright & Associates came over to the house as well as Jennifer Vaughn from WMUR News 9 with her camera man!  They did an interview with Todd and I about our experiences and the house.  Todd of course was not very excited to hear that they would be coming to the house 1, and 2- that there would be cameras involved!  You see- we bought our house 8 years ago this month- and it was a fixer upper then.  It remains a fixer upper now.  We've put in central vac (my bday last year), and converted the costly electric heat to forced hot water (many years ago- couldn't afford the $600 electric bills in the winter!).  But the house remains needing a roof (re-pitched), fixing the crack in the ceiling, flooring (we have wood- PLYwood), replace the huge non-efficient windows, paint and fix the water damage done in the bathroom./bedroom before we had bought the house.  Todd has also been wanting to put a second story on the house- so he can change the pitch of the roof.  Right now- it is almost flat- and in the winter- we have to shovel it off so we don't get ice dams or cave-ins!  We've got a little snowblower that we actually put up there in the winter- makes it go quicker- but reaks havoc on the shingles sometimes- hee hee!

We took a trip over to Harvey Industries in Manchester earlier in the year- and Todd had me pick out the shingles, siding, front door, windows and decking I wanted.  We then went over to Lowes & Home Depot one day and I picked out sinks, bathtubs, toilets, flooring, you name it!  That was exciting!  Working on the house seemed as though was going to happen- but now is just a little bit out of reach.  We have some money saved up- but would rather hold onto it- not knowing which direction life will take us.

At this point- I'm content just owning my own home- and am perfectly fine with anyone who wants to see it.   They come to see us afterall- not our house- right?!

ANYWAY... Todd swallowed his pride some, and I think realized that its okay- our house isn't something to be embarassed about... its ours.  Just needs a little tlc- but is ours.  It's not whats most important- and people know that.

Becky & Wendy's mom & aunt came to clean our house earlier that morning- which was SO freakin' nice of them- and still remains tidy as they left it- Thank you!!

Becky & Wendy came over first and we gave them the tour.  Then down the driveway she came... Jennifer Vaughn and her cameraman (sorry- i forgot his name- but he was WICKED nice!)!  I stood there in awe as I watched her get out of the Pathfinder.  Oh my gosh!- kept going thru my  head!  She was MORE beautiful than on tv and was so very sweet! 

They came in and we sat down to the interview.  Todd and I sat on the couch while she sat in a chair next to the camera- off camera.  She asked about our experiences over the last year.  Asking the timeline of what happened. 

At one point- after we talked about the initial lumpectomy- she asked "then what did you do?!"  I said with a big smile "We went to Disneyworld!" - which we did!  Todd and I both answered questions, my voice getting all cracky- partly nerves (although Jennifer was so very easy to talk to - and made us feels so very comfortable) and partly from my breathing- i was so excited!  I even got some tears in there- good for ratings- hee hee, just kidding!  Todd spoke as if he was a pro- and kept his composure.  We held hands and smiled and looked at one another. 

Jennifer also interviewed Wendy- who was "my most favorite nurse" I talked about in the beginning of my entries.  We figured I'd been seeing her for 12 years- since I was 16!  She interviewed Wendy while I sat next to her... not knowing where to look. At her, at Jennifer, at Todd standing off camera....back at her... I'm not used to this tv stuff! 

Then they had us talk about the house and walk around in the backyard- which to us, felt a little strange and we couldn't get a grasp on it- so Jennifer helped us out and asked us questions.  We seemed to do better with that.

We wrapped it up and said our goodbyes and hugs.  It was such a pleasure to meet her and not only is she beautiful on the outside- but she exuded beauty from the inside too!  She was so supportive of us and even offered rides to appts in the mornings if I needed them.  And then to have Becky & Wendy with us- that meant so VERY much to us!  I'm so glad they could come- and see our house that I've been talking to Wendy about for the past 8 years- HA!

We sat watching the news that evening... in complete awe with smiles plastered to our faces like little kids.  I kept saying "Jennifer Vaughn was at our house"... and at one point- Todd's response was "Jennifer Vaughn hugged me!".  We anxiously anticipated the 6 o'clock news - just to see her again- and we both giggled... like little kids!

Here is a pic of the three of us, and then with Wendy & Becky <3.

We'll keep you posted as to when it will air on tv!

Now... bring on the  holiday weekend!!!