Oregonian

Its never fun to see those you care about in pain. Its even worse when there's very little if anything that you can do to help or ease their pain. That's pretty much how Brent and I felt all weekend, and still feel. We went to my cousin's funeral which was, of course, horribly sad. Her kids are amazing and adorable and are handling it all as best they can. Her husband Dave is also amazing and is a great dad. All of her family is very close and they take good care of each other. I know they will all eventually be ok. It will take a lot of time, and a lot of hurt, but they will make it.

While in California with some of the Cannon clan, I was told numerous times that I look like a Cannon, and more specifically my cousin Jen. I have never been told this in my life, so I'm pretty sure the Cannon comparison is from the gray hair. My cousin Jen is one of the family that everytime we went to visit, I felt like I needed to dress a little nicer and look a lot better just to hang out with them. Now I care a little less, but I'll take it as a total compliment to look like her. :)

Yesterday on the way back we had two lay-overs. We first flew to Phoenix, where the airport had to be 90 degrees. I was dying. I'm pretty sure it was a giant hot flash because Brent was totally comfortable and no one around me seemed phased by the incredible heat wave that hit. I felt like sweat was beading up on my head and on my back, and my armpit was on fire. It was awesome. Anyway, I finally recovered in time to get on the plane and then fly to Vegas. Great. The airport was cool enough, but the plane to Portland was cramped, and hot. By the time we finally got off the plane in Portland, I was thrilled to see cold, rainy weather. I usually like warm weather, but apparently I have adapted to this rainy Willamette Valley stuff. I wanted to cry when I went outside into fresh air and rain I was so happy. Weird. I thought the hot flashes were going away, I was wrong.

I have five treatments left. Today was the last one that aimed at the larger area. I now have five final treatments that are targeted at my scar and the location of where the tumor was. These are outlined in a very high tech fashion. Its a drawing on my chest using a sharpie. The drawing faded while we were gone this weekend, so I had to call the radiation people. Brent and I had to buy a sharpie and re-trace to make sure it didn't disappear.