Happy 40th Birthday to ME!

Dear friends,

Today isn't my birthday, but it did manage to slip by yesterday.  Before I get going, I'd like to share a story with you.

Once upon a time there was a little girl who experienced so many things for the first time, but couldn't, can't, won't, etc remember any of it.  She began her life much like any other baby, but we don't know exactly when, where, how much she weighed or how long she was.  She doesn't remember her birth.  She had a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th birthday, but she doesn't remember...

Then one day, she and her biological brother were dropped off at a market and were picked up by the police and transported to a local hospital and then off to an orphange... she doesn't remember.

Soon after, she and her younger brother were adopted by a beautiful couple from the United States.  A plane ride was to be had on the biggest, loudest, wonder of a plane, but she doesn't remember.  After the plane, there was a 2 hour ride home in a new car, with new people but she doens't remember.

The little girl and her younger brother now have a new home with so many new options and a future that has no boundaries... that date was April 9th, 1976.  The next day this little girl turned 5, but she doesn't remember.  That September, this little girl started Kindergarten, but she doesn't remember.

I did start remembering things eventually and life was good... you know normal just like everyone else.  I celebrate this 40th birthday with an entire bag of mixed emotions.  Normally, we would have teased one another about the big 40 and then laughed because its just a number.  Yet on the other hand, I would have never imagined that I would have started my 40th year in the position that I am...

Even though yesterday slipped by while I was mostly sleeping and not feeling so great with the complete understanding that this 40th birthday was literally the worst one I've ever had, I still felt loved and encompassed by all of you who are fighting this battle with me.

I'm going to relish this month of April because there are going to be many good things happening and I'm hoping that this chemo break will give me lots of extra energy to continue on.

Here is a card that I created last week.  Its the floral theme... can't wait for all the real flowers to really start blooming.  I have to re-make the birthday card I made for myself because I forgot to take a picture of it and left it at the infusion center with the cookies that Lisa made for me.

And here are the cookies that Lisa made for me to celebrate my birthday with the nurses!

Thank you all for celebrating with me.

Until next time.

-Katie