hip hip HOORAY!

This is a letter my mom sent out (my comments are in bold):


Dear Family near and far,

Yesterday was my last official chemotherapy after 6 long months!!! (haleluyah). All the boys came a half hour before I was done with balloons and sat with me. Morgan and Daniel had a tour of the Radiation room (I know they loved the free chips) with the 1 foot thick concrete door, while the other boys sat and watched "Hello Dolly" with me. (I bet the boys were wishing there was Nintendo) (I watched lots of movies while getting my treatments) When they took out the infusion I got to wear a crown and there is a little bell in the corner of the room All of the infusion nurses and doctors who have worked with me, and the boys all came and stood around while I "rang the bell!" It is a ritual they do at this Cancer center, and it was kind of a closure for my boys. (I’m sure each boy rang that bell, including dad) I will begin radiation treatments in 2 weeks which will last for 6 weeks. I go every day. I was even tattooed for that...3 freckles. I told them if I had to do that, I would like hearts but they didn't think I was being very cute. (I think she should have gotten skulls tattooed).

I actually I will be going back for a full year as a participant in a clinical trial for more infusions, (boooo) so I thought it was anticlimactic to ring the bell, but we decided it would be good for the boys. Especially since summer is going to soon be over and everyone will be getting back to their schedules, and mom will too as my energy level comes back! I am starting to get my hair back, and it even gets disheveled when I take my hats off..."hat hair!

Thank you so much for your love and support through this very interesting experience. I will need your continued support as I continue to heal. Cancer seems to be a life time process of constant tests and checks and I will always be on some type of medication to keep it away. My new adjustments to life! But that is okay!

But for now we are celebrating. I came home to streamers and a big sign with little cancer men drawn dead on one side and a circle with a slash over the word cancer! The boys even did fireworks in the driveway at 11:00 at night to celebrate (to be honest, our boys never need an excuse to do fireworks). It was a good excuse to try out some of those big ones they bought in Ohio on the family reunion they went to.

Here is a thought: Many people believe that the basic issues of wellness are (1)disciplining ourselves to eat well and (2) exercising regularly. Not true. The single overriding objective to wellness is creating constant personal renewal where we recognize and act on the truth that each day is a miraculous gift and our job is to untie the ribbons.

Living life with joy! Joy--the emotion evoked by well-being. Delight. Bliss. Genuine happiness. True wellness is the ability to generate a joyful stance toward life on a daily basis.
When you feel this you will want to praise yourself and do things that make your feel at your best.
I love you all,
Jennifer, Aunt Jenny, Mom