On Baldness, and Christmas and stuff...

I'm Bald!!!!!

So now that I have your undivided attention....Happy New year!!!

It's 2012. Hard to believe. I have mixed feelings about saying good-bye to 2011. It was an amazing year for me in many ways. I got to do what I love to do for an absolutely amazing theatre company with people whom I truly love and respect. I couldn't have asked for more. Here is a plug for the most beautiful show that, fortunately, I was well enough to attend in December: http://www.jumbliestheatre.org/upcoming/like-an-old-tale/ Unfortunately the show is now over, but check out this amazing site anyway...it represents the culmination of almost 3 years of work for me and my beautiful and talented colleagues, as well as so many beautiful and inspiring community members.

The end of 2011, however, was obviously much more difficult, and I have to say that it won't be hard to to 'bid adieu' to the past few months of the "cancer grind" (with the knowledge that I still have half a mountain to climb). Please, 2012...be kind.

So the latest on the treatment front:

-This Tuesday I finished my 4th chemotherapy treatment which means I am officially half way through!!!! HOORAY!!!! This is a pretty major milestone...just knowing I am over the hump is a big deal.

-I have a first radiology consultation next week in the case that I need to have radiation after the chemo. I am crossing all fingers and toes that this is not the case. But "Que sera, sera".

-My P.E.T scan is scheduled for Feb. 6 which will basically tell me exactly how my progress is going, whether the chemo is doing it's job and whether I will need radiation as well. Quite a lot hinges on these results, but I am more than ready to get whatever news and get on with it....as they say.

In other news, I was overjoyed to have been able to spend Christmas with my family in Ottawa. It was looking a little precarious there for awhile, but thankfully all worked out and I had an amazing 2 weeks being pampered by my parents and friends. And to top it all off, my cousin had her beautiful baby girl while I was in Ottawa...Isabella Jean. What a perfect gift for the holidays!

Speaking of perfect gifts....I bought myself a sweet little parlour acoustic guitar as a gift to myself this year. I'll post a pic sometime soon.

One other major highlight for me was making up impromptu songs (complete with actions) with my niece and nephew. My 3 year old nephew decided the first song would be called "Kitty pooped her pants" (Kitty is the name of my cat), and the other song he decided would be called "Big Bald Head" (of course referring to mine!). So we had a concert where we sang them both...to a somewhat astonished little crowd. In a word: Hilarity.

Anyway, I truly hope this year holds wonder, excitement, deep fulfillment and is 100% Cancer free for all of you!!! I'm learning a whole heck of a lot right now, but one of the major things is: Enjoy the moment. It really is all we have. The "right now". Make it count.

I also just wanted to say thank you again to all of you for everything, and bear with me if I haven't gotten back to you. I guarantee your name is written down in my planner...too many lists!! ;)

Big Love, Julia
xo