Spring Break is over

It's been a while since I last updated. I'm getting really bad at updating my blog.

I had a crazy Spring Break this year, it was Wednesday to Tuesday. It was nice having a week off, but it was a busy week. I started the vacation by going to the Minnesota Zoo for a sleepover with 50 4th and 5th graders. It was a good time with a lot of learning time for them. We got to the zoo around 5:00pm and they were learning about dolphins and the other aquatic animals until 10:30pm. It was a long day for the kids. Wednesday I went to the Wild game with my little friend Alex. It was fun seeing the game through his eyes also the importance of snacks. Thursday the whole family went down to Austin to help my dad and Auntie Patty clean out my grandma's house. I will say and my aunt may hurt me next time she sees me but I was upstairs at my grandmas and my aunt was talking downstairs and I told Dena she sounds just like Grandma Gabrielson but don't tell her. We had fun giving my aunt a heart attack when we were moving the stove from the basement. Friday I went to a movie called the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I can't say it was good or bad but the kids at school really like it. We also had some family over to see my aunt before she left. Saturday, I actually ran in a 5K. My goal was to finish which I did. I can't believe how good it feels to run again. Sunday of Spring Break was Easter, it was nice spending time with family. Monday was my day of cleaning and resting. My last day of break I went to lunch with Joshie (one of the boys I used to get up in the morning). It was fun seeing him and his friends.

This past weekend Dena, cousin Mary, and myself hosted a Bridal Tea Party for our cousin Jeanine who got married in February. It was fun meeting Ross's family and seeing Mary. Sunday I meet some girls from the pool and their babies for brunch at Oak City http://oakcitymn.com/

Now I'm back to work and life is back to normal or my new normal. I'm still running and try to swim a little. I'm throwing the idea of doing a 1/2 marathon before the end of the year and maybe a sprint triathlon in August. My parents keep telling me to be practical and don't get my hopes up to high and that I need to listen to my body. It's also been nice that I haven't had to to go the doctor in a month and I still don't have to go until May.

Finally

The snow is finally gone. I was able to go on all the planned ski trips with the kids. I ended the year with 4 broken arms, 2 minor head injuries, and 1 major wipe out by the advisor (that's yours truly) with all that said it wasn't a bad year.

One of my favorite things about teaching swimming lessons is when the kids do something new and really like it. Yesterday we had the last day of swimming lessons for this session and lifejacket day all in one. Finally one of the girls who I have had all year went off the diving board by herself and wanted to go some more. It's so cool to see their excitement of their accomplishments.

Since I'm done skiing, one of my friends kids had her day of fun with me. We went to the Mall of America to Underwater World. I haven't been there in a long time so it was fun seeing it through the eyes of a four year old.

I have also been running with a friend 3 days a week, usually in the morning. We have been following the Coach to 5k plan. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml We have finished week 6. I signed up for my first 5K in over a year and a half. Dena and I are running next Saturday in the Running Opener. You are welcome to join us if you are a runner. http://finalstretch.com/races/running_opener/Info.html I must say I'm very excited to run again. My goal is just to finish.

This morning I finally got my hair colored. I can't tell you how great it feels. One picture is from yesterday (teal is taken by a four year old) and the other one is from today. Dena, you finally have your picture of my hair.

Tomorrow, Aunt Pat (aka Auntie Patty) comes to town to help with the fun job of cleaning my grandma's house out or bonding with her brother.

On Wednesday I start my spring break but first I have my annual Minnesota Zoo Overnight with 50 4th and 5th graders on Tuesday. I'm hoping they decided they need some sleep, because I really like to sleep. I have my week planned with some fun stuff, a Wild game, trip to grandma's to help clean, a trip to the movies, a 5K to run, lots of seeing friends and family, and some time for some relaxation.

Until next time
Anna

Clean Bill of Health

First and foremost Dena is requesting I update my blog. She is tired of being my last blog entry.

On the health note, I received a "CLEAN CLEAN" bill of health on Monday afternoon. It was exactly 1 year and 4 days after I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. What a year it has been. I have been very blessed with a great support system especially my parents and sister, a number of friends, and especially the boys in the morning. The boys were more then amazing with me. Not once did they care if that I was sick because to them I was always just Anna. To them I'm very blessed to have them in my life. Also at the doctors appointment I found out I can color my hair. Watch out world the color change will come in March.

A few other things I learned is how much fun it was to wear hats and a great pair of BIG earrings. I saved so much time in the morning.

On the fun note, one of our cousins got married in Mexico followed by an awesome reception in Rochester in January. You can't beat a dessert reception and a reason to dress up.

I also have been skiing a few times. I'm loving all the snow especially when it comes to skiing. I'm not really liking the shoveling. The house I'm staying at has the longest driveway in the world.

Tonight we celebrated Jessica (my sister in-law) birthday. Bryan, Jessica and the kids came over for dinner and ice cream cake.

Have a wonderful week
Anna

Happy Birthday Dena

Today is my sister Dena's Birthday. Dena has been one of my main supporters. Without question, she was at many of my chemo treatments and doctors appointments. I actually think she likes going to the doctor with me. I have a pretty entertaining doctor. She also makes sure I answer the doctors questions correctly and asks the right questions. We have spent quality time together this last year. I think I even turned her on to my favorite part of the morning, Kathie Lee & Hoda. Dena is also one of my proof readers so who knows what this will actually look like later. Thanks Dena and Happy Birthday.

Each week for me things are gets better and better. I was able to ski on Friday night with the kids and kickboxing on Saturday morning. This morning I went for a run/walk with a friend. I'm only hoping I can move in the morning. It's so nice to be active again and driving everyone else around me crazy because I'm willing to try everything.

And the Vikings had a great win this afternoon.

Happy Birthday Dena
Have a great week!!
Anna

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and safe and Happy New Year.

Since my last blog things have gotten back to normal. Each week things get better and better. My dad will tell you that each week I get more and more stamina. I’m hearing less and less 'do you really need to do that?' Watch out world here I come!

Also, I never knew how entertaining watching hair grow is to some people. People are frequently touching or commenting on my hair.

One of the most exciting things is right before Christmas, Adam , one of my cousins, celebrated his 5th year cancer free. Adam has been lucky enough to answer my crazy questions through treatment and he more then understands what I have gone through. He’s one of a few people that hasn’t told me to slow down. Many people don’t understand what it’s like to be inactive for so long especially when I was so active before. We both got awesome Christmas presents.

I was able to go skiing with the ski club kids right before break (I had 12 days off for Christmas) and then Rolly, one of my cousins, and I went up to Spirit Mountain to go skiing. Spirit is one of my favorite places to ski in Minnesota. We went at night so it was actually pretty slow and we didn’t have to wait for the chairlifts very long.

Over my Christmas break I met my goal of not being home and trying to find stuff to do. Here are a few highlights of my week. Minnesota had a nice Christmas snowstorm and what fun it was to shovel the driveway. I am my dad’s daughter and I like having a clean driveway.

Christmas was three days long after it was all said and done. The picture of Jakob is one of my favorites from Christmas, he is pretending to be a present. The girls at the pool had a little gathering (thanks for hosting us Cathy). Not having to work, I made my biweekly trip to the Shortstop to hang out. It was wonderful seeing the Symen's family.

I went to Austin with my dad, he makes a trip to about every other week or so, to get the mail, check on the house, and work on projects. I basically supervised and helped him get some things ready for the Salvation Army. He did stop at Our House (one of the places my grandma stayed at) and got the last picture of Grandma, Dena, and myself. I also stopped at Grandma’s (Wetterlund) one day for lunch. She made our favorite Potato Dumplings followed by an afternoon of sledding.

The other exciting thing that I did during break is I finally set up my own facebook page. The pool girls, family and friends have been giving me a hard time for a while so I finally took the leap and did it.

I’m now wishing I was still on break, I didn’t get my list of stuff done or praying for a snow day. I’m also trying to decide if I should adventure and do a half marathon with a friend late spring or early summer.

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

Exciting News

Here is the exciting update.

Yesterday my Dad and I went to the doctors (my family won’t send me to the oncologist alone). And Dr. Larson was actually on time. Dena and I have waited 45 minutes to see him. The exciting news is the lymphoma is gone. I still have three lymph nodes they are watching. I will be one of those people they are always watching. We also got to see my last scan. I do have some lung damage from radiation (I also had some before radiation) and he also said my two lungs won’t look the same any more.

He did ask about my cough and I said some days I cough 5 minutes a day and some days 5 hours a day. He asked if I want some medication and I told him no if it was prednisone. I have been on it long enough and I don’t like the side effects (weight gain).

Also Dr. Larson said I could start working out again. Even with a high heart rate (126 yesterday at the doctors, it should be between 50-90). He told me that I know what I can do. I’m sure my Dad didn’t like that answer, Dr. Larson doesn’t know me very well, and I can be a little stubborn. I have an Echo gram on Monday and a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday to have my heart rate check out.

We have our winter dog Bailey back. I think she is loving life.

It’s nice having a great report right before the holidays and I have a great three-month break from oncology.

Thanks for your prayers and support
Have a great weekend
Anna