January - a big month ahead!

2010 is starting with a real bang for me already with January being chock full of milestone events in this journey. Tomorrow I will have blood work done to determine if my levels are adequate to proceed with my scheduled swap-out surgery on the 14th (to replace the tissue expanders for implants). I feel MUCH better this past week - only have had a few minor incidents where I've been short of breath in spite of going on walks that I wasn't able to do for weeks because of the anemia effects. I take that as a sign that my numbers are on their way up :). But we'll find out for sure in the morning. I will also need to get an EKG and an exam and have Dr. B provide pre-op sign-off - all within the next couple of days. My awesome mom, Janet, is flying in from Connecticut on Friday to spend a month with us. Besides the obvious bonus of having my mommy here for the same moral support she provided when I had my major surgery in June, but she'll be helping me out with Cooper at night when Bob is away since I won't be able to lift Cooper into/out of his crib or anywhere for that matter for 2+ weeks. I'm excited for her to be here. On the 10th, I am rededicating myself to God at my church, and we are dedicating Cooper as well. I was baptized as a baby but I want to rededicate my life to Him now as an adult. Bob, me, Cooper, my mom, my sister- and brother-in-law, and my mother-in-law will be joining us for the dedication. I'm really looking forward to this important event and I know it will help me ensure I stay focused throughout the year on God's will and purpose for me. Surgery is on the 14th and then two weeks later, if the swelling is gone enough, I'll have my radiation simulation appointment the last week of January to finish out the month of January. The first week of February brings the next and final big chapter of my treatment - I will begin my 7 weeks of daily radiation treatments from Monday through Friday each week. I start back to work this week following the holiday break with increased hours so I'll be working half-time through the rest of my treatment. Getting closer and closer to my "new normal" :). Oh, and my hair is growing back! I look like a chia-pet haha. I'll post some pics later. I'm working on a slide show of pics of me during this journey and hope to have it up soon. It will be a great month, and I know it will be a great year too. Bring it on, 2010! Thank you, so very much, for your love, support and kindness toward me and my family through 2009 and going forward. The encouragement and hope you offer me every day is priceless and I consider myself incredibly blessed to have you in my life.

Olsen family Christmas and New Years Update

We had a wonderful family Christmas celebration once the three of us were finally all together. Cooper had a blast with his fun new toys. His favorite of all so far is the new play guitar which he won't put down. I posted pics on Cooper's blog if you'd like to see. For New Year's eve we had a wonderful dinner out with several of our neighborhood friends at the local Buca di Beppos (yum!). After dinner we came home and put Cooper to bed and then I headed down the block to have a glass of organic wine with a few of my neighbor friends and then came home to cuddle on the couch and watch the ball drop with Bob. Last night was enjoyed attending some friends' annual New Year open house which is always so much fun. Cooper was amazed by their fabulous intricate train village under their Christmas tree. He also played with the other kids non stop for over two hours. He completely conked out in the car on the way home and when we took him up to bed he didn't even wake up while I changed his diaper and put his PJs on. ;) Thank you, Tony and Kathleen, for including us again this year - it was great fun and we love you both. 2009 was filled with a great many blessings and challenges. I've learned and grown so much in such a short time frame, thanks to God's will and guidance. I am excited about 2010. I just know it will bring more beautiful blessings into our life and allow us to continue to learn from apply our learnings in ways to help ourselves and others who face similar challenges that we were fortunate to overcome in 2009. May we all find 2010 filled with great health, peace, happiness, and prosperity! Love, Julie