Let it snow...where's the snow..oh no!

I am excited to say I had my last round of "heavy" treatments yesterday...and I am doing great.  I had Oliver come and take a picture of me lounging in the oncology ward, watching movies and "taking it all in"!  So now I continue to go every 3 weeks for the "Herceptin" drug to treat my unique HER2 cancer gene.  These sessions will be about 90 minutes tops - and I have been taking that drug for 4 cycles now so I know that I don't have any reactions to it.

Me in my chair, always #3, with the Tranquility Garden behind!

We met with the plastic surgeon on December 16th and I am happy to say that I am going for surgery to remove my right breast, and have my expanders implanted on both sides on February 7th in the new Abbotsford hospital.  I will have one overnight stay, and I know it will be a bit tough with the baby after the surgery, but I have a lot of help so we will make it through.  Once I am recovered from that, the plan is to start radiation in early March.  I have to go to the Abbotsford Cancer Agency every day, 5 days a week for about 5-6 weeks (between 25 and 28 radiation treatments).  The sessions are only about 10 minutes long, but then there is the prep to get ready before and after so I figure it will take about an hour a day.  After that, then the plastic surgeon will start to "pump me up" to get ready for the implants (who knew I would every have them!!).  I guess this is one of the perks of breast cancer - a new pair :)

We have also officially started our new business venture - well, we are ready to start as soon as the snow decides to arrive.  Mullen Bros Landscaping & Snow removal at your service!  That has been a fun, and sometimes harry, experience so far, but we are super excited to get that going.  Now we are just out pounding the pavement getting customer contacts.  If you know anyone in the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Langley area looking for our services, please pass on our contact number 778.242.1844. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Look at this beauty - 9ft Plow, 8ft Salter - OH MY!

And..we have the keys to our new place.  Our official moving date is January 15th and our new address will be 10891 249th Street, Maple Ridge, BC, V2W 1Z7.  We are in the middle of painting and moving things over slowly.  We just wish we were in the new house now as our current home is closing in on us for all the "stuff".  Soon enough we will have all the space we could dream of.

..and last but certainly not least - little miss Keira is just growing like a weed.  I figure she is at least 16lbs 5oz by now - and she is just a delight.  She is still sleeping through the night.  She went on her first train (the West Coast Express Xmas Train), and rode the Seabus for the first time - and Daddy gave her her first taste of real food - ICE CREAM!  Mommy wasn't thrilled with that choice, but it was pretty cute to see her lick the ice cream off the cone and realize what there is more to life than Enfamil A+ from a bottle.  We picked up some rice cereal yesterday so that is the next step for our little pumpkin.

No, I'm not a snowman - or am I?

I am thrilled to nearly be done with my Christmas shopping.  Oliver and I are headed out tonight to pick up some last minute things.  Once that is done, I can relax and get into the Christmas spirit.

For those who celebrate, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  For everyone, happy holidays to you and may 2011 bring you peace, health, happiness - and love!  Thank you for being there for me during the last 7 months - it has sure been a ride, and I am grateful for all the lovely people I have in my life.

Until next year!
Love Kelly, Oliver, Aidan and baby Keira

Ho Ho Ho...

Wow, I can't believe how fast the time goes.  It was almost 3 weeks ago that I wrote my last entry.  Feels like just yesterday.

Things have been going great.  I had my 7th round of treatment on November 30th.  I had some numbing/tingling again, and felt a bit more tired than last time this past weekend - but I am feeling great now.  My hair is growing back fast and furious - it feels so weird now to have the peach fuzz.  Just one round of the heavy stuff left (Dec 21st) and then I drop down to the one drug, Herceptin, every 3 weeks for the next 9 months.  We meet with the plastic surgeon in less than two weeks so looking forward to getting the plan for that and the radiation all squared away.

Me and my beautiful girl!

The Family!

We have been busy bees since I wrote last.  We have decided to start our own business (Snow Removal and Landscaping) so that has kept us hopping getting the equipment, insurance, and all that fun stuff going so we can be ready for the snow we are expecting to get this year.  I never thought I would wish for snow but now we say "BRING IT ON!!"  (sorry for all of you that have to commute in it!). If you or anyone you know needs snow removal services in the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam area - residential, strata or commercial - let me know!

On top of that, we have decided to move into a bigger home.  We have 2.5 acres, and 2 stories of living area...we can't wait!  We have the keys already and will gradually move with the hopes to be settled in the first part of the new year!

Baby Keira

..and as for our little munchkin, we had our first picture with Santa at the BCAA company Xmas party this weekend.  She did great - only a little bit of a "beard" tug!  We went for our 4 month shots today, and she did fantastic - hardly any tears.  She is a trooper just like her mother.  She now weighs 15lbs 5oz - preemie...whatever! She is getting quite the little personality - and we are excited to say she is sleeping through the night!  We are truly blessed with an amazing little one, so happy and chatty - pretty low maintenance (for the most part).  Now if she could just learn to keep her diaper explosions to a minimum.

My first Santa sighting!

What's next? Naturopath for Vitamin C and Iscador "Mistletoe" injection tomorrow.  Plastic Surgeon Dec 16th. Chemo Dec 21st.  Moving snow and moving house throughout December.  Enjoying every minute of the Christmas season with my friends and family!

If I don't get a chance to write again, Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.  I know it can be a hectic time, but remember to stop and enjoy the moment - it'll be over before we know it!  Ho Ho Ho!