Giving thanks for a good year

{Aliso Beach, California  September 2011}

For our family, this year started on a low note. James was laid off for the second time and we had just barely struggled through another depressing Christmas with no job prospects on the horizon. Thankfully, James found employment with the first company he started with in the surveying field, Meridian Engineering. It felt like coming home for us and we've been very happy being back.

We've had a lot of fun this year and the highs have out numbered the lows. We traveled to Boise, Denver, Las Vegas, West Yellowstone, Aston, Idaho, and Newport Beach this year with family. It was a lot of fun and we're already looking forward to visiting some fun places next year!

As the year comes to a close, I have a lot to be thankful for. I am grateful for modern medicine and the ability to make people better. In August during a routine physical my doctor became concerned about my abnormal menstrual cycle. It didn't mean much to me, it was something I'd dealt with all my life but she was very worried about it.

A fast trip to the OB/GYN and one hideously uncomfortable vaginal ultrasound later, it was determined that I had to have a hysterectomy. This hit us pretty hard. The "having our own babies" boat has already sailed for James and I, so that wasn't an issue. But I will admit I was scared about the recovery and the procedure. I had the best doctors around and although the procedure took longer than planned and I struggled to come out of the anesthesia, the results were good and my ovaries remained, which meant no need for hormone therapy. Hurray!

Two weeks later, everything changed. I got a call from the OB/GYN Oncologist while Bridget was at school. She said after further examination, there was one cancerous cell in my discarded uterus. It was small - less than a centimeter big. But it was big enough to concern her. The presence of cancer in my uterus meant an increased chance of the possibility of ovarian cancer later. The decision was made to go back in and remove the ovaries to eliminate the threat of ovarian cancer. That surgery will happen on December 7. Hmmmm....

Cancer is ugly, its scary and although I put on a brave front for my family since we caught it so early, I was scared. It made me think about my life and what was important to me. My cancer story had a happy ending because of my hysterectomy. I know many people aren't that lucky. I'm so grateful for Dr. Laine and Dr. Zimpolic. They are listened to my crazy concerns, wiped the tears away and held my hand when I just couldn't be strong anymore. They are both amazing women and I owe them my life.

Tonya lost her dear friend Whitni earlier this year to a rare form of single cell ovarian cancer. At the time she died, we had no idea that there was a tiny cancerous cell getting ready to take over my body. Whitni lost her brave battle against cancer after fighting it like a gladiator. She was a rock star and she will be missed. I am so lucky to be able to sleep next to my husband at night, pinch Bridget's bum when she runs up the stairs, be frustrated with my family when they irritate me, go to the grocery store, and do laundry after my own tiny cancer scare.

Christmas and Thanksgiving this year means something different to me. I'm so grateful for my family and the love and support they have given us through this difficult process. I'm a lucky girl. I have so much to be thankful for. I can't possibly name everything here. It shouldn't take something as serious as medical problems to make a person realize how much they are blessed. None the less, I have a new found love and respect for the wonderful people in my life and I hope next year I can do what I can to serve them so they will know how much they mean to me.

We wish all our friends and family the very best this holiday season. Have a wonderful Christmas filled with joy, laughter, love, and most importantly our Savior. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!