January 9

Well hello all.!!!! Hope this past week has been a productive one . I had a relatively great weekend ( even though my boy did not come home from MUN)  and had a fantastic Sunday. I got to see my newest great nephew Jake Micheal being christened and welcomed in to God's family. What a beautiful service....saw my sister in law Paula wiping a few tears from her eyes and thought " Gee that what being a grandmother must feel like - heart bursting at every milestone your grandchild reaches" ...... so happy for them all and even though I'd love to have a grand baby to spoil I am nowhere ready for one yet!!!!!  Then after church we went to the hall for a family luncheon and  to celebrate my father on law's 80th birthday. Had a wonderful time and got to see some family and friends I havent seen in a while. Was heart warming to hear about all  who are praying for me still.  Got to spend the rest of the afternoon with my mom which was nice....she's so cool. She wanted to get on Skype so we could chat with Luke at MUN and Eric in Darthmouth. It was fun. She is right into facebook and is learning lots which goes to prove you are never too old to learn. Eric informs me that he is flying home to see me at the end of the month and I am so looking forward to that.... he is my nephew for those who don't know,  but is more like my brother. He makes me laugh so much and is great at rubbing the calves of my legs.... I wonder will he still make me pay him $2.00 to do that  like he did when he was a boy!!!!  Looking so forward to spending some time with him  and hoping his wife Colleeen and daughter Charlotte can make it later to see me as well.

 I just got back from the hospital so I thought I would post this update. I saw the dr and he was speaking to my oncologist at the cancer clinic so here is the plan: get bad tooth out asap and leave all other dental work for fear of complications. Then back to hospital on Monday for reassessment and will start chemo as soon as blood work indicates it is safe to do so , which may be Tuesday or Wednesday.  But the  REALLY GREAT NEWS is that the port in my chest is still in the right place so I do not have to go back to O.R. to have anything done with it. That is my prayer from yesterday answered....I tell you I prayed some hard for that while I was kneeling in church yesterday morning but no surprise all my prayers have been answered thus far and God is listening indeed........... I often think  how blessed I am to have so many people praying for me. Keep them coming guys!!!

So at 9:00 a..m. tomorrow I will sitting in the dentist chair. Now I have to tell you I have the most amazing dentist in NL. Dr. Noel is so patient and gentle and does not make me feel one bit embarassed about the fact that out of all his patients I am probably the bigggest scaredy cat. I can't help it but after having a bad dental expereince years ago I can't seem to get over my fear of the dental office. However I am in fighting mode again and will take whatever he gives me tomorrow.  Now I have to tell you something funny ( which some of you may not find funny but I do have a warped sense of humor on times so I think it is funny!!!!) On the way back from the hospital I was discussing my fear of dentists with my friend Helen who went to the hospital with me this morning (Glenn is still in major back pain and I would not let him go for fear of making it worse sittting around for 2 -3 hours) . I said to her "Tonight  I am going to pray  and ask God for peace of mind so I''ll  be ready for the dentist tomorrow"... well then I pulled into the post office to check my mail and lo and behold there was only one little piece of mail ....a card from Blue Cross Life Insurance that had the words PEACE OF MIND in big letters at the top of the little info. Well I started to laugh and could not stop!!! People must have thought I was foolish as I walked out of the post office but as Helen said it is just as well to laugh and that is what I plan on doing.

I guess that's about it for the updates. Hope all is well with all of you guys...now don't forget to keep me in your prayers ... add Dr. Noel and his assistant in there too as they will have their work cut out for them no doubt. Just imagine not only am I going to have a great set of boobs at the end of this journey, I am also going to have an amazing set of teeth!!!! I may be ready for Hollywood indeeed!!! Nahhh I don't think so.  I want to go back to room  209 and Ascension and teach all those hormone crazy teenagers who keep my spirit as young as they are. Missing all of them this week as I know they are in pre exam study mode  ( or they better be!!!!) Missing my colleagues too as I know they are all to their ying yags now trying to get review done and exams made up!!! I ' ll try to send in some treats for the staff room table to help your sweet tooth during exam week!!!

Now to end off with a joke for today ( just in case you did not think my life insurance story was funny enough!!!)    Here goes :  George was a thoughtful husband. He wanted to give his wife something special for her birthday which was coming up soon. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he watched his wife turning back and forth and looking at herself in the mirror. "Reta," he said, "What would you like for your birthday?"
His wife continued to look at herself and said, "I'd like to be six again."
George knew just what to do. On the big day, he got up early and made his wife a bowl of Fruit Loops. Then he took her to an amusement park where they rode all the rides. Five hours later, Reta's stomach felt upside down and her head was reeling. Never the less, George took her to McDonald's and bought her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake. Next, it was a movie with popcorn, soda and her favorite candy. As Reta wobbled into the house that evening and flopped on the bed, George asked her, "Well, Dear, what was it like to be six again?" Reta looked up at him. Her expression changed. She said, "I meant my dress size!"