November 24, 2010

I still don't know my right from my left!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Those of you who know me understand that even though the end of this month should be the happiest moment as I will put chemo behind me with my last round, it is sadly the end of the best 30 days of each year - birthday month.   I have attached a photo from the first day of the month (since I never could tell my right from my left I guess I can't blame it on the chemo). 

In addition to gearing up for the end of chemo I have finally assembled the dream team for my next phase.  I have scheduled surgery and reconstruction for the first week in January and will report more on that later.  We are looking forward to getting up to Jackson for the holidays and hope it keeps snowing that cowboy powder.

I am often accused of never finding a club I didn't want to join and quickly become chairperson of its board of directors.  Well this year I found a club I didn't want to join, but I am looking forward to a very long term life membership.  More importantly I want to take the time this Thanksgiving to tell you about a club I can never join.  That club is the one each of you have been members of for quite some time but had to really pay your dues these last five months.  That club is the family and friends of Jill.  Without you we would not be dealing with this nearly as well as we are.  I fear I have forgotten one or more of your contributions, but I especially want to GIVE THANKS for:

Sending cards

Bringing dinner for chemo weeks

Sending gifts from my favorite place on this beautiful planet

Sending flowers

Walking Cody, even when he refused to move from the top of the stairs

Offering a prime spot in the driveway for Andie's Prius on Lab days

Delivering spontaneous bountiful baskets filled from the farmer's market

Supporting me with loving emails

Making the best soups

Giving me the recipe for the best soup

Giving me the most amazing lavender scented microwavable heating pad

Offering me your special birthday grasshopper pie as I crash your celebration

Showing up with an old favorite bottle of wine

Allowing Ella to show her skills as  a mothers' helper

Giving us the perfect person to help with the girls and the house

Allowing me the opportunity to forget to pay you on time or write a check for the wrong amount

Getting my husband drunk

Outfitting my family with warm socks

Knitting me beanies

Calling me on your way to Gelsons to see if I need anything

Calling me on your way to Ralphs, see above!

Loaning me your best Hermes scarves

Taking the time out of your trip to LA from London to catch up with our parallel journey

Making work accommodations for Steve by taking red eyes to NY

Organizing the perfect website for helping hands

Driving to and from chemo and hydration appointments

Hanging out in the chemo cubicle keeping me from freezing her fingers and toes off

Walking or running for the cause in my honor

Adding my name to your prayer list

Taking us to dinner at that perfect Italian restaurant

Showing me I still have a lot to learn to be truly organized

Being patient, not taking no for an answer and finding a way to lift my spirits

Ensuring that Ella and Andie have just enough Halloween treats (or was that Steve?)

Giving me my own  “path to full recovery” sign that rests at the top of the stairs I climb first thing each morning

Providing a safe haven for Andie or Ella to escape Dad trying to be Mom

Getting Ella to the bus when Steve had to be in New York

Hosting Steve and me at your new idyllic getaway less than a 2 hour drive away

Throwing a turnkey pot luck at my house with my “5th grade Moms”

Hosting me and my nearest and dearest for birthday lunch

Covering for me at board and committee meetings

Allowing me to come out as a bald person at your daughter's bat mitzvah

Loaning me 10 carat diamonds for my opera/symphony opening gala

Making a donation in my honor

Dropping off the best batch of chick flicks

Letting your children revel in my bald head

Offering your sage wisdom because you’ve been  there

Being there at the low point, deciphering my path report and keeping Steve from sounding like a fool when he speaks to my doctors

Supporting me from foreign countries: the UK, France, Wyoming!

Letting me cop a feel of your new gummy bear breasts

Updating everyone who we couldn't get to directly

Bringing me “good” magazines

Loaning me your favorite books

Having us to your home weekend after weekend for dinner

Friending me on Facebook

Having dinner just arrive unscheduled

Bringing new meaning to being my doubles partner

Brownies, brownies and more brownies

Being there when I am low

Knowing when I am low

Giving me an excuse to enter Savannah

Helping me understand how close cousins can be— on both sides!

Supporting my fundraisers because I can’t say no to my favorite charities

Keeping Steve company at the hospital

Loving us unconditionally

Happy Thanksgiving!