Sacha's shower - Highest highs (and a couple of lows)

May 15/11

My cousin, Sacha, is a very lucky young lady! Her baby shower was a huge success and she received everything a mother-to-be could need to welcome a new little one into the world.

Since I hadn't seen Sacha in a number of weeks, it was surprising how much she'd "grown!" But a more beautiful expectant Mum would be hard to find.

Gorgeous mother-to-be, Sacha with her balloons!

Each guest had their gift placed atop the grand piano. So many pretty, colourful gift bags, boxes and bows. Sacha's parents, Marilyn and Kevan, were the perfect hosts, beaming throughout the festivities, serving lovely food and drinks and delighting in watching, as their daughter opened the extravagant, well-chosen prezzies.

So many lovely gifts!

It was nice to catch up with friends and family, after having lived a rather "sheltered existence," these past two months. Despite the great support of so many family and friends, I've found this time from breast cancer diagnosis to nasty, nerve-wracking procedures, to surgery, to excruciating pain, drugs and recovery, to the great emotion of it all, has been, at times, quite overwhelming and has definitely taken a toll. I SO wanted to be in "party-mode" today, (and tried my best to be), but was feeling shaky, queazy and generally, just out of sorts.

Since this blog started off to be about my journey with breast cancer, I'm continuing this saga to try and tell it like it is - in between "normal living," on days when no appointments or procedures are scheduled). I'm sure some family members are having a tough time figuring out what's going on with me, as I haven't quite been my usual bubbly self. I also have very little appetite and my weight today hit a low of 105. I know food is important to getting better and feeling stronger, but it's sometimes tough to eat when you're feeling down or stressed. Tomorrow, I hope to try to get back to a regimen of small meals throughout the day.

Despite not feeling quite up to par, it was a fabulous party, and from my own personal experiences with baby showers in the past, I know it's a day Sacha will never forget. I was glad to be a part of it.

Sacha opens my baby care-package gift

The Staples/Kiewiet clan - top row: Jan, Marilyn, Bep; bottom row: Sacha, Auntie Ray, Kevan

Mother's Day!

May 8/11

It's Mother's Day!

There are some Mums I want to give a special shout-out to today.

First - to my incredible Mum-in-law who has officially been my "other Mum" for nearly 28 years! I love you very much.

My wonderful Mum-in-law (Jean Bornstein) with me

To my sister, Carrie - and wonderful Mum to her son, (my nephew), Lee!

Best mother, best sister, best friend - Carrie! (Photo taken today!)

To all my sisters-in-law - Jan (Mum to Sean and Robin), Carolyn, (Mum to Jason, Jenny and Adam), and Debbie (Mum to Justin).

"Sittin' on the dock of the bay" - chillin' with Carolyn and Debbie

The lovely Jan - (also chillin'!)

To my cousin, Marilyn - (Mum to Sacha) - and soon to be a "GRAND-MUM" to a new baby in June!

My cousin, Marilyn with "her baby" in blue - Sacha!

To the great Auntie Ray (now my "surrogate Mum"), mother of my cousin, Kev!

Let's hear it for the incredible Auntie Ray!

May you ALL have a very happy day!

And of course, to my late Mum, where ever you are, I love you today and always!

My beautiful Mum

Oh, and what the heck - here's to me too! (a very rare good-hair-day below). I am Mum to Kate and Max, who by chance, just happen to be the best kids I've ever known!

With my kids, Kate and Max (photo taken today!)

The whole Bornstein gang - (taken at a resort a few years ago)

How can you be so calm?

March 24/11

It's fantastic to receive messages from family and friends. No matter WHAT people say, there is always SOMETHING you can take or file away from their comments and hold on to when you're feeling down, depressed or frightened.

My sister-in-law, Jan, has one of the calmest voices in the world. I've admired that for decades. Having been an on-air news reporter on both radio and TV, I've always hoped my voice could come across as kind of Walter Cronkite-like, calm, cool and collected - (no matter WHAT you might be feeling INSIDE). I have NEVER known what it's like to be completely calm. I guess some people must know that feeling. I've watched reporters and anchor people who CAN'T be flustered, no matter WHAT happens. They are my dream. Jan is one of those people.
Years ago, I was about to have four root canals done all at once. I asked to be "put out" for the procedure. It cost an extra thousand dollars to do this. They gave me a shot, and nothing seemed to happen. I was freaking. They left me alone in the exam room, staring out a huge glass window to the city below. (At the time, I was still working as a reporter and had taken the day off for this procedure). All of a sudden, this UNBELIEVABLE feeling came over me, and my last thought was, "If ONLY, I could feel THIS calm, when I go on the air.".........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

When Jan got word that the initial consult with Dr. McCready was over, we spoke on the phone for a long (calm) while, and she also wrote me, saying, "It is now a relief to feel that the train has begun to roll and that you are in very good hands. I hope you are able to feel some of that today. A few years ago, I read a book about finding meaning in life and it reminded me that there are always simple pleasures, a song, the way the sun lights up a puddle, the smell of spring. I hope that these, the kids, your adoring husband, provide distraction and some inner peace. Look after yourself. We are all with you and love you."