Friday, June 21, 2013

All Clear and Good Health!

I am thrilled to post that my ultrasounds have come back with no 'nasties'.  I have been waiting for a week to get the results, but figured that if there had been any problems then I would have heard sooner.  Still, it was good today to get the all-clear.

So next step, is just to LIVE!  I have been given the most amazing gift - my life and I intend to use it to the full. 

Yesterday, I sent off my second novel to the publishers - in around 2 weeks, I will get my initial feedback and then it is just a couple months of process and progress until Book 2 - The Destructors is released. 

Excited and motivated. 

Thank you to everyone for your love and support over the past six months, now we can move forward together to inspire the world.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Doing the Happy Dance

Today has been an awesome day.

First of all my blood tests have come back with excellent results - my cancer markers are down. Down even from my last test at the end of my chemotherapy - 8 weeks ago.  They were at 1.8 and are now down to 1.4 - Woo Hoo!  All other blood work is also 'in the black' - so good news.

I don't have the results of my ultrasounds yet, but this news makes that seem less worrying.

The other amazing news is that I have just signed a contract with Balboa Press to publish Book Two in my Chronicles of the Guild Series - The Destructors.  I am floating and doing 'the happy dance'.

I am in for a few weeks hard work as I prepare the manuscript for submission; it has been through a full re-write and edit, and is awaiting my 'Editor and daughter' - Elizabeth's approval and suggestions.

Thank you world for making this an amazing day! 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Good News . . . But . . .

Today saw Dr Vasey, my oncologist for the results of my PET & CT Scan - the news is really good - there is no sign of cancer.  It is a relief and I am so happy, that the last six months of chemotherapy has been successful.

Now for the But . . . the scans have picked up three minor areas of concern:

The first is a minor lesion/haemangioma on the liver, a possible cyst or IPMN on the pancreas and a possible diverticulum in the bladder.  While all three of these are normally not of any major concern, because of my history - further investigation is required.  So Friday, I am having an ultrasound of the liver and bladder and will have a follow-up PET Scan in 4 months instead of 12 months.  Also I have been referred for a mammogram - more tests and time spent under the excellent care of our medical profession.

I have also had another blood test, to check my cancer markers and provide a level from which to work. Instead of the all-clear which I really wanted, I am under close monitoring for a little longer.

I am grateful for the advances in technology that are allowing such amazing follow-ups and for the care which I have been given.

So for now, I am celebrating, with bated breath, and just a few sad feelings. I guess that is normal.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Love and appreciate your parents. We are often so busy growing up, we forget they are also growing old.

Tonight I am posting a message to my Mum and Dad.

I love you. I love you for the life you gave me, for the love you give me and for the chance that I have now to give you a little in return.

Thank you for teaching me to be the woman that I am.
Thank you for showing me what to value in life - family, family, family.
Thank you for listening to my life story and taking the time to value it.
Thank you both for just being you.

Tonight, I went to see my Dad in hospital - his second stroke has caused little or no serious damage that we can see, but it is a lesson to me, that everyday I need to let him, and my Mum, know that I love them.  Dad is 75 in August and for the first time, I can see the years behind him. I know that God has heard the prayers from us all, and from all of you, and realised that we need him here for just a little longer. So thank you for them all. And thank you God.

To you Mum, please know that I love you.  Ask me for help - I am here for you, every step and every day.  Mum you are amazing, so strong and so independent, but remember your family can and will willingly help you, just as you have helped us.

I love you both, Mum and Dad.  I hope that you know this.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

A very busy week.

No post for a week - life got in the way of writing.

Although the great news is that I have managed to get back to editing book two of The Guild Chronicles series - https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyAdairWritings - follow my progress on Facebook.  I have now completed 23 chapters and 36 134.  Re-writing and editing a book I wrote a couple of years ago has been fun and a challenge.  I have found myself falling back in love with the story and characters that I have created, almost a daily adventure.

The other personal and enjoyable 'time-passing' activity which I indulged in yesterday was a few hours of traditional scrapbooking.  My love of this hobby began in 1999 when I became a Creative Memories Consultant.  For years I made 'traditional' albums, but over the past couple of years I have indulged in the digital format.  With the recent bankruptcy of CM - the digital option has passed (although I can find another provider) - so I thought I would return to my roots and use up the huge pile of stock that I have on hand. Ten pages and all of May 2007 photos scrapbooked.

Messy, but fun!
Yesterday, was a fun but also a concerning day.  My Dad was taken back to hospital - with a return  of the left-side weakness, blinding headache and pain behind the left eye.  They did a number of tests, keeping him in to do an MRI today (that has been postponed until tomorrow).  Good news is that he seems to be okay again - bad news - we still have no idea what is causing these issues. 

Then the highlight of the day. 

Elizabeth and I had 'birthday tickets' (Jan & Feb birthdays) to see The Bolshoi Ballet perform Le Corsaire - what a wonderful evening.  The dancing,  sets, choreography, music and story were outstanding.  The ballet was 2 hours 40 mins long and those ballet dancers were on top form for the entire performance.  What a great way to spend an evening.
My beautiful Elizabeth and me - all dressed up for the ballet

Beautiful girl - that ballet pose still works

Dressed up and somewhere to go.