Trying to get back to normal

Here is my update since my last blog entry.

My hair is back. I don't have to wear a hat every day. I still have a lot of hair but it's not the same texture as before or the same color. I must say I miss wearing a hat, do you know how much easier it is in the morning just putting on a hat.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, it was nice and relaxing. I had a lot to be thankful for this year. It's amazing how much ones life can change in a year. I'm very lucky to have such wonderful love and support. I was able to see "The Blind Side" during Thanksgiving break. What a great movie.

I had my last doctors appointment to have my heart rate check out right before Thanksgiving. I was given a clear bill to start working out and my Echo and EKG came back normal. I was told by my doctor to try to be active 30 to 60 minutes a day, to try and get my heart rate to drop.

Ruben came home from Hawaii for a long weekend last weekend. My dad and I were able to spend some time with him. Thanks for bringing us winter Ruben. I had to cancel my first ski trip of the year in early December due to no snow. It finally snowed last week.

I'm back to teaching Aqua Jog actually getting in the pool, some of the ladies I think thought I was going to melt the first time I got in. It had been a long time since I was able to actually get in and teach. I'm also trying to swim with the triathlon group on Wednesday nights. The key word is try. I can swim about 10-25 minutes and each time gets a little longer. The first time I got in I could only swim about 150 yards and I had to stop due to the crazy coughing.

Friday night I went on my first ski trip of the year. We had 50 middle and high school kids at Afton Alps. It was tons of fun, it helps when the kids are good. I actually skied quite a bit more then sometimes. No injuries with the kids so that helps me be able to ski more. The weather was great as long as you dressed for it. I was actually a little too warm.

Last week I got the crazy idea that I should try kickboxing again. I haven't been to kickboxing in over a year prior to being diagnosed. Good thing I know the instructor so I emailed her asking if I could just show up. She was excited to have me back, I think she likes to kick my butt. I can't wait to roll out of bed tomorrow morning feeling the pain.

Saturday night we celebrated my dad's 60th Birthday. He had a good time and it was great seeing a lot of our family and friends support. My dad truly has amazed me in the last year. He has gone trough a lot, first his daughter getting diagnosed with lymphoma (not knowing what to expect), my brother getting married (one thing to celebrate), and his mom getting sick and dying. He was one of my main supporters especially during chemo and my first few hours at home. He always without failure stopped at Target to get me my favorite Blue Raspberry icee on our way home and sometimes had to go out later in the evening and get me another one. He would frequently remind me to slow down when I didn't and don't want to. He spent many hours with my grandma taking her to the doctor, helping her find a new place to live, and being with her on her last days of life. My dad's actual birthday is on Wednesday December 16th. You can email him at dgabes@hotmail.com and wish him a Happy Birthday. My mom's Birthday is on December 17th she will only tell you she is 29 years old.

Overall I'm almost back to my normal. I still like to do way too much and end up paying the price in need of more sleep than my liking.

I'm wishing for more snow this week. I'm skiing again this Friday at Wild Mountain and then Rolly (one of my cousins) thinks we are going out skiing on Saturday some place.

Have a wonderful week
Anna