December 21.......Shortest Day of the Year and Winter Solstice

A Christmas carol, yes ....but it has a solstice-y feel to it

P.S.  I'm starting to catch up on some of the blogs I've missed the past couple of weeks....so much interesting stuff to read and see, I think it will take me awhile

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NED........Best Acronym Ever!!!

NED

No Evidence of Disease

!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole's pathology report of her two surgeries showed no further spread of melanoma cells to the underlying tissue or the lymph nodes.  All margins were clear and all 9 lymph nodes that were removed were negative.

Tears were shed, but healthy, happy tears and we are all feeling emotionally drained at the moment, but OH WHAT A FEELING (and even though I feel like breaking into song...I won't.   LOL)

Nicole has to continue to be vigilant due to melanoma's tendency to recur, however going to the oncologist and dermatologist periodically throughout the year is not even an issue in our minds.  

Nicole's 'war' wound

Again, a very huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone for their support, prayers and positive thoughts.  I know I could not have handled this without you all.

I am now looking forward to getting back to some normality (hahaha), enjoying Christmas and making dolls

but first?  gonna have a good night's sleep!

♥

Sofia Isabela, A New Kindred

Sofia Isabela wanted to have hair the same as her older brother's, Prince Rafael.  She lopped off her long, thick braid and then had second thoughts.  She wondered if praying would help.

I was hoping to get this little gal done at the end of November, but unfortunately 'life' kind of got in the way.  Anyway, she is done now and I will put her up on Etsy tomorrow.  

I now have less than two weeks to get several pieces done as gifts......yikes!  I feel like Halloween was just yesterday.

I have just started using NetworkedBlogs on Facebook...if anyone here wants to add me, that would be great!  I'm still trying to figure it out, but it seems like a great idea.

 

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A No News Day

Well, yesterday was an exercise in frustration.

 

We drove into Toronto (the drive to T.O. wasn't bad - it was once we got into the city.....I would never drive in Toronto and am just glad my hubby is used to it or our taxi fees would be ridiculous).

Arrived at Princess Margaret Hospital and went to Nicole's oncologist's office only to be told that her appointment was cancelled because the pathology report was not back yet.  Yes, they HAD tried to contact Nicole but had a couple of numbers of her cell phone reversed and by the time they tried our house, we had left.

 

The wait from her surgery until yesterday has been nerve-wracking on all of us, most of all Nicole, and

to be mentally prepared for basically anything and then to be told - come back next week was a huge disappointment.

 

Nicole says she feels like she is hanging on by a thread at the moment.  She's trying to stay positive, but yesterday set her back a bit mentally.

 

Our appointment now is set for next Thursday, early morning....and so, the wait continues.

Thank you to everyone for your heartfelt messages.

Being in a situation like this, it means so much to me, Nicole and our family to realize the support of people, most of whom I have never met in 'real' life.  I consider you all true friends and love you for being there and for your thoughtfulness.   You may feel that your posts on my blog and emails are not much, however they mean the world to us.

Thank you!

 

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A Wedding and a Birthday

I've been scanning some old family photos to send to my sis who is planning a memorial service in Vancouver for my Dad.  This photo is my Dad's father and mother on their wedding day.  Not typical wedding attire, but it was during WWI.  My grandmother was around 18 years here.  Think they look so cute!

 Nicole celebrated her 31st birthday yesterday - we had a nice day and surprisingly did not stress too much over having to go to the oncologist today for her pathology report.

We leave for Toronto early afternoon and are keeping positive thoughts first and foremost.

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Wordless Wednesday....Dec. 1, 2010

click to enlarge

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I swear that the text/picture area on my blog has progressively become more narrow over the past few months!  Anyone know an easy fix to increase this  space?  (and when I say "easy"  I mean "really" easy!)