“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Semisonic, Closing Time

Every time I hear this song, I think of a few things.  First, and foremost, I think of my friend, Cathy Ramiza.  Next, I think about college and a strange ride home.  Lastly, I think about the movie, Friends With Benefits – Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis – cute movie.

Anyway, Happy New Year!  I hope that each one of you are doing well.  We had a very busy week leading up to the New Year.  It was really fun, but really busy.  I apologize to those of you that I had to break plans with or decline on plans.  On New Year’s Eve, I wanted to spend a quite night with Sal and the kids to ring in the New Year.  We did just that and it was really nice.  The big kids had a blast playing the Wii and wearing their new pj’s from my cousin, Katie.  They’re a riot!  Cam was in bed by 6pm.  She’s been sleeping at least 12 hours a night which has been great.  Here are a few pics from this past week:

Here is a pic of me in the snow on Saturday evening.  We were supposed to get an inch or so and ended up with about eight.  I should have been a meteorologist.  You still get paid every time you’re not correct.  Sorry!  Anyway, we still made it to a basketball birthday party in the afternoon and a gathering at a friend’s house in the evening.  Both were a great time.  When we got home, we put the kids to bed and started digging out.

Sal loves his snowblower!  His quad will be ready for the next snowfall!

We went to Mass at 4:30 on New Year’s Eve and came home to find the following bottle on our porch.  It’s from our dear friends and neighbors, Cheryl and Kellie.  It was so thoughtful of them.  It made Sal and I start laughing as soon as we saw it.  Cheryl and Kellie have twin girls a few months younger than Jameson and a little boy a few days younger than Cameron.  The kids are crazy about each other.  Fast forward 10 years from now – TROUBLE!!!

Sir Chase and Madame Jameson!  Chase probably wanted to wear a real tux (or a tuxmedo, as he was calling it) while Jameson probably wanted to wear a really fancy dress with real (tacky) jewels!  Cameron has the same pair as Jameson.  They looked so cute!  So, you’ll all get a kick out of this, too.  During Christmas Eve Mass last week, we were sitting behind friends of ours who thought that it was so funny that Chase was wearing a suit.  I told them how Chase loves being dressed up – sport coat, tie, suspenders.  They started referring to him as Alex P. Keaton which I thought was a riot.  While this was going on, Chase was winking at the little girl that he goes to school with who was sitting in front of him next to her Mom.  I’m not kidding.  Like I said, we’re in trouble.

So, after we got the kids to bed, Sal wanted to open a bottle of champagne.  We’ve been saving this 1996 bottle of Dom Perignon for quite sometime.  We graduated from high school together in 1996, thought that it was a good sign and decided to pop it!   I even got our fancy glasses out!  Cheers to all of you for much health and happiness in the upcoming year!  By the way, I think that New Year’s is lame.

 

 

We planned on having a quiet day on New Year’s Day, but then Sal and I decided to invite my Mom and Sal’s parents over for dinner.  I was inspired to cook, so I made a pot of chicken soup, an egg casserole, and 2 pork loins.  Apparently, you’re supposed to have pork on New Year’s Day.  I don’t think that I did last year.  That’s probably why I got breast cancer in 2012!!!!

The nanny search.  I’m not really sure what we’re doing with this.  I got so sick right after Thanksgiving which is why I was having such a tough time managing everything.  We’re going to hold off for right now and just see how the next month and a half goes.  My sister will be home until mid-February which will be a big help with Cameron, so we’ll see how things are going.

My thank you cards.  Please bear with me.  My goal was to have them finished by Christmas.  Obviously, that didn’t happen.  They’re going out slowly – one by one – in no order at all!  Now, my goal is to have them finished before February 1.  Please know how thankful and appreciative both Sal and I are for all that you continue to do.  You’re all a part of my Strong Box, remember?  Your love and support helps me to remain so tough and I thank you all for your kindness and words of encouragement.

Right now, we’re less than one month away from the big day.  I had my 11th chemo treatment today and I have one more to go.  It’s gone by so fast.  I’m so, so lucky that I’ve tolerated everything as well as I have.  I don’t want to jinx it, but my ear is slowly on the mend, too.  Of all things, my ear!  I saw the ENT last Friday.  He told me that the fluid is gone, but it could take another month to heal completely.  At least I won’t need tubes in my ear.  I’m currently going through spurts of hearing and not hearing.  I cherish the moments that I can hear without a crackle or the “Charlie Brown Mom” noise in my ear!  Right now, it’s about 50% better than it was 5 weeks ago.

A few people have asked me if I’m nervous about having the mastectomy on February 1 and I’m really not.  I’m happy that I’m having the reconstruction done at the same time because I think that it would be rather traumatic to wake up without breasts.  It would also be difficult trying to explain things to the kids.  Maybe that’s just me, but I’m happy that I need to endure general anesthesia only once.  The surgery will be easy for me – I’ll be asleep for 8 to 10 hours.  It will be tough for Sal and my family having to wait for so long.  Sal, my Mom, and my sister will be in Philadelphia and the rest of our family will be in Laflin looking after the kids.  I’m looking forward to waking up from surgery and saying, “I saw Blue.  He looked glorious!”  My dream is to one day have someone sing the following song replacing Stacy with Chase:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4.  You all hate me, I know!

During chemo today, Sal and I came up with a list of goals for 2013.  We also started a list called, “The Sciandra Wellness Act of 2013”.  I’ll share a few of them with you:

1.  Beat Cancer

2.  Pray more – not just in times of need, but also to give thanks for what you’ve been blessed with

3.  Be more thoughtful – make an opportunity once a month

4.  Have more gatherings for family and friends

5.  Read more

6.  Our “Wellness Act” consists of ways to live healthier:  30 minutes of cardio at least 4 times per week, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating 3 meals per day, and beating cancer!

Right after my diagnosis, I said to Sal very seriously, “Sal, I want only 2 things for Christmas this year.”  He said, “Anything, Barb.”  I said, “I want to beat cancer and finish my basement!!!!”  I can’t tell you what Sal said as I started laughing.  Our basement isn’t even close to being finished which means that I have one hell of a shot of beating cancer!!

So, 2013 is the Year of the Snake.  It is.  I looked it up!  I was hoping it was the Year of the Honeybadger, but whatever!  What does the Year of the Snake mean?  Well, I think it’s a pretty awesome sign.  According to astrology.com:

“Welcome to Year of the Water Snake! Snake is the Yin to last year’s Dragon Yang.  That said, Snake does not settle for mediocrity, either.  We’re likely to see significant developments in the area of science and technology this year.  Research and development are apt to flourish.  This is a Water year as well, the element most closely associated with education and research, making 2013 a very special year for scientists and scholars.  Snake is a great sign, a positive one, with energy that can help us face all of the challenges ahead of us.  Let’s take advantage of this vibrant influence to improve our lives — and our world!”

Believe and Hope!

LIVESTRONG and God Bless!