Happy new year

So, kind of a crappy end to the year (whoo-whoo, brain tumor!) but am determined 2010 will have plenty of good, happy, wonderfulness to provide some balance. The underlying diagnosis/prognosis is still the shits but if anyone has a chance to fight the good fight, it's me, with my underlying good health, a phenomenal support system in my unbelievable family (which includes two wicked-smart medical doctors who help keep my "official" medical team on track, financial resources, the best medical insurance money can buy, an unparalleled team of medical practitioners, and I live in a place where the medical treatments are the cutting edge with the best success rates out there. So. Could be a lot worse.

Kirk and I head down to Aptos this afternoon, where my sister & brother-in-law (Deborah and Whit) will be treating us to a weekend of caretaking that's like staying at a lovely bed-and-breakfast but one where we'll be the only guests and we can walk around in PJs and get into the refrigerator whenever we want to. And given my steroid-induced appetite, that means eating every 1-2 hours. Hulk hungry! (Seriously, when the steroid hunger hits...don't get between me and my calories, as I take no responsibility for any damage that occurs to you.)

My daughter, Dani, who now lives in Monterey, will be joining us for New Years Day, which makes me oh-so-happy, as you can imagine. I believe she'll be bringing her relatively new beau, Matt, which I'm very pleased about. She's found herself a good man which would be a good thing at any time, but makes me especially happy right now as this is a good time for her to have another person on her support team. Helps me to get through a tough time, knowing my girl's got someone helping her get through her tough time.

My brother and sister-in-law and family are in my home town, Palm Springs, for another few days, visiting the family "manse" and spending some time with my unbelievably wonderful Dad and his equally wonderful wife, Judy. I'm jealous. I miss them all and can't wait for some time with all of them. But it was great to talk to them last night and they head back right after new years, so I'll get some good quality time with them soon. (Well, hopefully, that will include Dad & Judy, if I can convince them to head north for a visit some time soon!)

Just want to say another quick thanks to all of you for all the love you're sending my way. Your posts frequently make me cry, but -- for those of you who don't wear your emotions on your sleeve like some of us do -- be assured that the crying feels good, it's how my body responds to the love I feel from you (well, helped along by the way-high steroid dose I'm on).

Here's to a happier, healthier 2010. Love you all.
/ab