Thank you is not enough...

Hello everyone, I am so excited to be writing on my own blog after a very long 9 months. I must start by telling you all how amazing YOU are. Thank-you all for your support. I have received so many e-mails, phone calls, cards, gifts, prayers and just plain love that "thank you" can not accurately describe how I feel. I can not tell you how much you have all meant to me over the last nine months. When I first started to receive cards one of my friends was here and she took ribbons and attached all of the cards down the ribbons and hung them on the wall of my bedroom. At one point almost everyone of my walls was filled with cards and if I had continued the card hanging I don't think I would have an empty wall in my house. I eventually took the cards down and they are now overflowing in a shopping bag in my bedroom. Every now and then when I am feeling down about this crazy situation I grab a handful of cards and remember everyone out there rooting for me. You all give me so much strength! The crazy part about being diagnosed with cancer is that you find out how much good there is in the world. People that have not even met me but send support in so many ways. I am so blown away by these special people. After my second round of chemo my parents were here and I remember telling my dad that I was the luckiest girl I knew. He kind of looked at me like I was crazy but I truly feel that I am blessed to have so many amazing friends and family. I read a quote the other day that said, "there is a big difference between making a large amount of money and being rich." I, my friends, am rich!!

During the last year our home had a revolving door. One of my sisters would leave and one of my friends would come the next day. I went to the airport so many times this year and yet hardly ever left the state. My mother practically moved in this past year trying to help in any way she could. I have always been extremely independent and it has taken some getting used to needing people. However, everyone that came made it seem so effortless when I know in fact it was not. You acted like you felt lucky to be here to take care of me. Some of my friends came during my good weeks when I wasn't feeling so bad just to keep my spirits up. Some came on weeks I was in chemo and knew I would never even remember they were there. I have always known that I have a great family and amazing friends but you all proved to be more then I could ever imagine.

I can not write my first blog and not mention the most amazing person in my life. Ryan has been a godsend. To be honest we have been together for eight years and I never knew he could take care of me the way he has over the last year. I am not sure what I would have done without him. He has more patience and grace than anyone I have ever met, and let's not forget his mean writing skills. I keep asking myself how I got so lucky. I will tell you all that you don't know how much someone means to you until you realize you might lose them. Ryan and I got to find out first hand and trust me when I say that you need to tell that special person in your life that you love them at every opportunity. So I will take this opportunity to tell Ryan, I love you and that you mean the world to me and last but not least I owe you.........my life. Kristine