New Year's Letter

(edited from last year's letter-because I liked it a lot...)

Dear Self,

May you have a beautiful 2009. May you learn from things that seem unfortunate and appreciate the wonderful times that much more. I hope you try to better yourself and the lives around you. Try to keep yourself healthy in ways that you can control. May you enjoy the beginnings and the endings. Be grateful for it all.

Love,
Me

Health Insurance Gripe

I probably should not even complain...I know that I am really lucky to even have health insurance-much less great health insurance (I feel for those who do not) but the other day I got a lovely letter in the mail...it let us know that starting in 2009, my monthly insurance rate would skyrocket by 30% (it was already pretty pricey). It just stinks because they know I do not have a choice. They know I won't get picked up by other insurance companies because of my cancer history. If we tried to negotiate, they'd just raise the deductible (to lower the monthly payment) which would end up costing us more in the long run...frustrating. As my friend used to say, It's like being between a rock and a hard place...

Just venting...thanks for listening!

Today, I am grateful for my family, friends, the help of others in SO many ways, and of course, God.

Rach

Lucky Duck

Maybe I should knock on wood or I might be jinxing myself BUT I have just have to say I been so amazed by my immune system lately. Maybe it's the flu shot, maybe it's that I wash my hands a ton, maybe it's this or that but the fact is I haven't been sick lately and it seems everyone around me has! This is a FIRST for sure. For so many years, my immune system has been suppressed and I guess part of me assumed it would be like this forever and I'm sure to an extent, that's true. I was the first to get sick, the last to heal and it usually turned into something worse...not a good combo. Even a year ago from now, I had a pretty serious infection in my blood. I know those days will most likely come again but for now I am content to just battle this exhaustion from the new(er) nerve meds (from Nov-Dec time) and not be sick on top of it!

Thank God!!

Today, I am grateful for: one less 'challenge' in life lately-that of not being sick, a wonderful night last night!!, a morning of extended rest, life, friends, family and God.

R