This week's update

As you know from a previous post, my grammy has lung cancer. Last Wednesday she had her first chemotherapy treatment here in Camden at the hospital. She did well, only hit a few minor bumps, but she's tolerating things well so far. I have to say also that the staff at Kershaw County Medical Center's oncology/chemo department are FANTASTIC! I ran up with my mom Wednesday to take my grammy something and met them. I'm so impressed and I couldn't have asked for better people to take care of my grammy during this time. They're so caring, up beat, and positive...which is something you definately need during difficult times. Of course, my grammy gave me a good laugh when I went up there and she was sitting there talking with another lady getting chemo beside her...

Grammy: "That's Jessie, my granddaughter, and she's a nurse in Columbia."

Lady: "Oh, she's a nurse?!"

I had to laugh. I don't go anywhere without someone announcing that I'm a nurse. I guess I should be thankful that my family is proud of me.

Today, I did get sad news that her friend, Kathryn Elmore, had passed away. She found out around the same time as grammy that she also had cancer, but my understanding is that it was more extensive. Ms. Kathryn was such a sweetheart and such a good friend to my grammy. Unfortunately the last time I was able to see her was at our wedding. Our thoughts and prayers go to Ms. Kathryn's family. She'll be greatly missed.


(My grammy and Ms. Kathryn at the wedding)


As my grammy said earlier this week: "When it rains it pours."

In response: "It's not about learning to weather out the storm, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

2009

I can't believe 2009, the year I anticipated most, has come and gone! It was quite a busy year for our families. Jordon got his job at the golf course; I graduated, got a job, and passed my nursing boards; we got married; we got a puppy; bought a house. Almost all of this came in May and after so it's been a very busy last half of the year. Jordon and I have been very lucky to have been healthy this year...and my migraines finally got under control (woohoo!). However, the last few months seem like it's been filled with sickness for our families. Jordon's grandma Carolyn was in the hospital, my grammy found out she has lung cancer, and my Uncle Allan just had bypass surgery this week. Grandma Carolyn came home the week of Thanksgiving. Grammy has stage 3b cancer, but luckily it hasn't spread to any organs other than the lymph nodes so she's starting chemo this week to see how the tumor responds and then we'll go from there. We ran by last night to see Uncle Allan and he's doing really well and will hopefully get to go home this coming week.
As far as working goes...Jordon is still enjoying his job and well I wish I could say the same. I love nursing, just not the kind of nursing I'm doing. I actually just applied for 2 other positions at Richland, so we'll see how that goes. I just hate going to a "job." I want to work and it not even feel like work because it's what I want to do. Oh well, I'll get to where I'm supposed to be someday!
I'm hoping 2010 brings in a fresh new start and lots of new and exciting things for us! Happy New Year!