My Christmas Thanks

Thanksgiving is the usual day for thanks, but my favorite holiday is Christmas and that is when I reflect on what I am thankful for.

I am thankful that Jim is with me. His dementia with his end-stage liver disease is severe, but even though he is not lucid enough to know it is Christmas, he knows me and loves me. I pray he can somehow recover at least some of his abilities, and for Christmas, I ask all my friends to say a short prayer/wish for the same thing.

I am thankful for Max, Ennis, and Lily. I am thankful that Max is in remission, and even though he is failing with his CRF, he is still just happy to be here. I am thankful that Ennis is starting to respond well to Levemir, and that Lily is finally putting some weight back on.

I am thankful that even though I lost Bailey this year, he was an incredibly gentle soul who will have a place in my heart forever.

I am thankful for the handful of local friends who have been helping me with Jim. They stay with him to make sure he is safe while I do necessary chores outside of the house. Of them all, the best is Liza, who calls or comes over almost every day to check us out. If I had a daughter, I would want her to be Liza.

I am thankful that I am now calling myself a breast cancer survivor. I have my final surgery in February, and hope to be completely recovered from all the treatments by mid-2007. It would be nice to get full feeling back in my fingers and toes.

I am thankful for the dozens and dozens of friends I have on the FDMB. People who help me find information to deal with some of my daily challenges, and those who support me with hugs and PMs of encouragement. I especially appreciate those who have lost beloved furries recently who take the time and effort to reach out to me. I don't want to name names, because I would certainly leave someone important out. But you know who you are, and please take this as a very personal and heartful thank you.

I am thankful for my brother Les and his wife Donna in TX who are my rocks. They are ready to come help me whenever I have the need. I am thankful for Annie from Harrisburg who came to help me during my 2nd mastectomy and Betty from FL who came to help me while Jim was "dying" in ICU. I can't even get close to the emotions I feel about their help and concern.

I am thankful for Patrick, the young man from a private-duty organization who stays with Jim 4 nights a week. Jim and Patrick have formed a special bond, and I can't imagine going through this without Patrick.

You all are my gifts, and I envision you all wearing brightly colored bows on my mantle this morning. Thank you so very very much!