Finally! Pictures from the party!

If I ever thought my children were a challenge when they were young - you ought to see them now! They are forever trying to outdo themselves with kindnesses and service to their Mom. Once again, they brought me to tears by throwing an anniversary party just for the simple fact that I survived cancer for a year when I wasn't supposed to. Big deal - thousands of people do it all the time!

BUT, as usual, they were right and I was wrong because it was a wonderful, beautiful evening and a chance for me to thank in person so many people for their love and support and prayers over the last year. (Something I couldn't have done at a funeral). A time to celebrate friendships with those I hadn't seen in so long - and my children totally outdid themselves with decorations (it was like a wedding reception!) and other fun things as you can see in the slideshow. Kudos to a great team who pulled this off in a week: Steve, Heidi, David, Rachel, John, Rebecca, Kathie, Paul, Jennie & Wes and to the grandkids who helped too!

Thank you to all who came and helped make it such a special evening - thank you for your faith and prayers, thank you for your support and strength - thank you for the wonderful memories! I love you all! My life is richer because of each of you - especially my children, Kent, Mike, Scott, Heidi, David, John, Kathie, Wendy, Jennie, Jeff, their companions and each and every one of my 32 grandchildren!!

You're Invited to a Party for Mom/Ruth!

You are invited! Please join us to celebrate the 1 Year Anniversary of Ruth's battle with cancer. Please follow the link below for more information. Please forward this along to anyone that you know that might like to be there. It's going to be fun, and there'll be food, so what more could you ask for? Oh, and Ruth will be there! What a fun time for everyone to get together, share our gratitude for your support and love, and give you the opportunity to see Ruth if it's been a while.

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/LCVMHQTEGTOEBSETSSLX/RuthsParty

Can't wait to see you there!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

One year and a few days ago, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given 6 months to 1 year to live. I'm happy to report that I lived the whole year - and with the new scan results received yesterday, the oncologists feel that I have 6 to 12 more to go!! It was a mixed result on the CT scan, nothing shrank more than a couple of milimmeters, but they feel they got excellent results from the radiation. I may have some radiation pneumonitis, or some spread of the tumors intersitially into the lung, but an X-ray will determine that next month.

So - I am staying with CTCA for now because I feel pretty darn good except for being very weak, easily tired and having fits of coughing and they (CTCA) want to continue to monitor for awhile. I know I've said it before, but though I would never choose this journey, I am so grateful for all I have experienced - and I do mean ALL of it! There have been sad times, joyful times, hard times, memories made that I wouldn't have missed for the world, times my family and friends rallied around to help me out of the pits, the countless miracles and tender mercies the Lord has poured out upon us and the things we have experienced, while not always easy, I think have changed us all for the better.

I must stand as a witness before my Heavenly Father of His constant goodness, His unfailing love and support, for blessing us with miracles, and for the Savior and His atonement which makes whole all of those broken things that we cannot mend by ourselves. I hope to prove worthy of His continued blessings - He is my Rock and the One who holds my life in His capable hands. I know He has a plan for me and for each of His children, designed to maximize the joy of this life and in the world to come.

Once again, as always, thank you, my beloved family and friends, my angels here on earth, for sustaining me with your faith and prayers.