I’ve been blessed with the privilege of having such a huge support group between family, friends and co-workers, that I want to take this opportunity to thank a few.

Thanks Deb, for giving us access to your house in between appointments and for your constant support and concern. Living out of town and trying to coordinate multiple appointments on the same day is not always easy so having a place to burn time in between has wonderful. I’m sure there will be many more to come.

Thank you Sharon and Hugh for bringing dinner on Sunday. Dinner was great and it was so good to see you. Thanks for the books too. I’m sure they’ll come in very handy once I start chemo and I’m couch-bound.

Thanks again to my friends at NPD (so many people to thank). With the money from the collection from you all, I got pink sapphire earrings and a pendant. Pink of course to represent breast cancer (pink is my favorite color right now). For years to come, every time I wear them, I’ll remember the support everyone gave me. Sue and Diane, thanks for everything from meals on wheels, gifts, cards, and calls. You both have been wonderful to me, as well as numerous other people from the station who have called with well wishes.

Carol, thanks so much for going Christmas shopping with me. I don’t think you realize just how much help you were the other day at the mall. For three hours you walked by my side, up and down the mall, in and out of stores, carrying all my packages (Diid I have packages - She wouldn’t let me carry a single thing). Because of you, I’m about 75 percent done my shopping. I need to get it done before chemo starts next Thursday because Dr. Rao said I need to stay out of the malls or anywhere there are large groups of people because my resistance to infection will be low. I’m so grateful. And thank you for the goody bag. Lots of great stuff.

To end this chapter of gratitude, I’d like everyone to know that I met “Bald Wendy” today. She’s not so bald anymore, and she is not only beautiful on the outside, but she’s truly beautiful on the inside. She’s the person who gave me strength from the very beginning, and I didn’t even know her. Reading her breast cancer story enlightened me on what was to come in my immediate and perhaps not so immediate future. She’s got strengths I know I’ll never have, but I’ll strive for them, and with the support system I
have, I know I’ll get through this not so pleasant journey with flying colors. Wendy, you’ve truly been in inspiration to me, and like I said, if I can help just one person with my story the way you’ve helped me, I’ll feel I’ve repaid you because I know you want to help so many other women through Breastcancerstories.com. It’s a wonderful website (only to get better) and I know that through your efforts, hundreds of other women are going to be assisted by you in their time of need.

I’m going to sign off now. Tomorrow I’ll go back to Dr. Chatson’s office for another fill-up. John’s taking me to Dr. Chatson’s Andover office because his Nashua office will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Wish me luck. I’ve just started feeling good again and it’s going to start all over. Oh well, like anything else, if you want things to grow, they need plenty of water, right?

Bring on the saline!!!