Hoping 2011 brings happy, healthy New Year to all

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! Sorry for the lateness of my post as I have been very busy trying to enjoy the holidays. I'm hoping the new year continues to bring good news, as I recently received the news that my kidney and pancreas tumors and cysts have remained stable and there is no spread to my lungs. YAY!! Thank you for all of your prayers as I was very anxious this last month awaiting the news. Unfortunately, I still continue to have the original issues and plan to see a rheumatologist in the new year as well as a bone specialist- my left shoulder pain returned and my deep bone pain continues in my upper back and arms (wish I knew why). Perhaps I retriggered the pain a bit on Christmas when I fell due to not seeing some steps because of the snow.

Santa was good to all of us. We have been having a nice visit with my sister and her family. They actually extended their trip to New Years Day. Santa (Mr. Steve) bought me a photo collage for the wall with 3 very important words; Live, Love, Laugh....something I plan to do more of in 2011.

As for my New Year's resolutions, I'm going to try to eat healthier and get in better shape. Who knows, maybe while the kids are at school I will be dancing to the Kinects Dance Game.

This Christmas holiday has gone very quick for us...went to Wilmot with some friends, kids went sledding, shopping, lots of eating and playing games. Happy New Year to all and I will keep you posted as things arise.

Prayers needed...

During the past month, I was still seeking the cause for my various aches, pains, etc... I have had multiple calls and visits to doctors, as well as a full series of MRI's of my brain and full spine. I continue to have an absess in my cervical spine (at my hairline), yet due to the fact that it has not grown in size and appears somewhat smaller (possibly due to the aspiration they did November 1st) they aren't convinced that it is infected. Rather, they decided to continue to watch it, as there is some erosion of the bone right up to that site. They don't want to go in there and cause more trouble if it isn't necessary.

I had a full panel of lab work. The only things that could point to any problems were that my white count is high and my vitamin D level is low. Although the doctor doesn't believe the cause of my issues is the vitamin D deficiency, I have decided to take a supplement.

After discussing everything with my doctor, he decided the next step would be to see if the renal cell has moved out of the kidney to other areas, such as my lungs. I will be having MRI's of my abdomen and chest this Thursday and will get results when I see the doctor early next week. If these tests don't show anything, the next step will be a body scan.

Please say your prayers that things remain unchanged in my kidney and that is not the source of my problem.

I've been staying inside out of the cold and enjoying my Christmas decorations. It's been a nice change of scenery! Like everyone else, I am busy trying to prepare for the holiday. I was excited to learn that my sister, Robin, and her family will be driving in from Pennsylvania to spend the holiday with us! She will be here from the 21st - 28th. We are looking forward to spending time together without there being a medical reason for the visit...

On September 2nd, Steve and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary. As our belated celebration, we went into the city this weekend to see the musical, Wicked! We brought the kids with us & everyone loved it. Because of my vision loss, I was able to sit in the 5th row and could see really well.