Well, good news from the Dr. today. All of my tests came back great and it looks like the only thing standing in my way now is me. My CAT scan was good, no evidence of a relapse. Blood work is what he expected, so basically normal. I get to get this port out in April, woo hoo! I feel like I am still recovering and I have to say it is getting old. I have a ways to go, in my opinion. My lungs do have some scarring, but he is hopeful that the scar tissue will soften over time. As for the pain in the area of radiation, he has no idea. The radiation oncologist suggested that it may be some arthritis or just some inflammation. Hoping that will ease over time as well. So, all is well. Now I just have to get my head back in the game. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Maybe now that it has come and gone I can get on with the living. Thanks for all of your thoughts. If anything changes I will let you know.

I am hearing through the grapevine that I am not posting enough so I will try to do a little better job of keeping you all informed. For the most part, things are going very well. I am starting to breathe a little better, able to exercise a little, which helps my outlook on pretty much everything. There are a lot of little things that get me at different times, like this crazy tingly electric sensation that runs down my legs when I look down. Apparently another issue of radiation. It should go away, and it isn't painful--just a little odd. Various pains in the area of radiation, most likely due to inflammation associated with radiation, and hopefully it will all go away as well. So, there is the physical update. Mentally, I think things are going pretty well. I feel like some progress is being made so I am not so helpless anymore. Somehow I am actually feeling like a survivor now, which is so great. Tomorrow I am going to a Relay For Life meeting and I am so eager to be a part of that again this year. You will all be directed where to send your hard earned money later! I got a call from someone last week asking me if I would pose for some photos for a "Weekend of Hope" in Powell. I don't really know what this is, and I am VERY uncomfortable in front of a camera, but I will do it for the cause. I should have some news in mid February about my lungs and the tumors. Just waiting for good news. Many thanks to you all for caring. It is very powerful.