One Year Ago Today

Today is a remarkable day for me.
On February 24, 2008, I found a lump that felt the size of a quarter.
That was the beginning of an amazing journey for me. Most of you have followed me on this journey, and for this I will be forever grateful. I thought it fitting to see what I look like today with about 3/4 inches of hair. You will be able to tell in some of the other pictures that my hair came back in gray, but recently I had Robert Evans pull it through a cap and highlight the ends, and it feels much better. It is very curly, I don't know if it will stay that way. I have always had some natural curl in my hair, but never any thing like this.
I am holding my granddaughter, Kenya, who one year ago was only a wish for Tara and Wayne. She has been every mother's dream of a perfectly happy and calm baby that sleeps and eats, but hardly ever cries. She has uplifted my heart so many times over the last 7 or 8 months, as have all my grandkids.

Remember that I invited all of you to a celebration luncheon after my last clear lab report. Only about 10 of us ended up at Fairway Grille, but it was still an emotional lunch for me. I wanted to pay all of you back by buying your lunch. I would have loved to made the food and had a big celebration, but my arm in a sling has been a great hinderance. It had helped me to appreciate my right hand and arm and I don't ever want to go without it again. Tomorrow is 6 wks after surgery and the Dr should release me from the sling and send me to physical therapy. Here is my cancer buddy Paige, her hair growing back too.

This is one of my LONG time friends, Dixie Ferguson, she came to see me almost once a week for the last year, I love her very much.

This mother, daughter, and granddaughter have been a part of my family for over 15 years. Betty Wiltrout, her daughter Amy, and her daughter Jaxan have been a HUGE support to me over this last year, besides the last 15 years.

These last two pictures touch my heart. Grandma Ruth , as she is lovingly known, is Dale's mother. She is over 75 years old, and a breast cancer survivor of 25 years. She has known exactly how I have felt through all of this, and been a FANTASTIC source of encouragement, as has been grandpa in the background. His faithful obedience in the Priesthood, and his willingness to share the blessings with me has meant more to me than words can tell.
This looks like a professional photo, but no, this is Tara taking pics of her "3 kids in diapers" as a happy memory for her. It looks like the boys already know that they will be protecting their little sister.
I have found a whole bunch of stuff about humility that I can hardly wait to share, but I will do it later this week. This is enough for you to have to read right now. I am amazed at what I have learned over this past year, and what I continue to learn everyday about myself. I have spent a lot of time praying and meditating to figure out why I am so wierd, and I may have cracked the code!!

Luckily, I have been so blessed with so much love from you in spite of my "Frailties". I loved all the conversations about humility on the blog, and so I found some stuff that goes right along with what you all said.

I leave you my love, Love 4-ever, Karen Again, Thanx for reading :)