Visits, Transfusions and Holiday Preparations

I haven't been very good at updating my blog on a weekly basis over the past few months, I'm well aware of my imperfections.  I've been busy with visitors, cancer crap, studying for boards and getting ready to go home for the holidays.

After I dropped my cousins off at the airport (see previous post) I packed an overnight bag and headed to Aubrey's parents house.  A few weeks before, Aubrey had planned to come for a visit to spend time with me.  I love this sweet friend of mine and I love that she set aside a few days to spend just with me.  It is always fun to spend time with Aubrey.  I feel like Aubrey and I are like sisters.  We even kind of look alike.

We spent 3 days chatting, eating nutritious food (my favorite was the weight watchers chili), trying out fermented food, learning how to juice and make bread and watching Hallmark Movies!  Her momma is the best too.  She made me feel right at home.  I can not tell you how much I love this sweet friend of mine. 

Did you know that when Tenielle and I drove up to BYU the Summer of 1999 after I totally bombed cell biology, Aubrey drove up right behind us?  We instantly became friends.  That Summer I went to BYU to re-take cell biology, but the first day in class I decided being a cytologist was not what I wanted to do.  So I took the easy route by taking Nutrition 101 and spent the Summer having a blast with Aubrey.  That Summer we did Taibo every morning, went to dollar movies where we snuck in our bin candy from Food For Less and oohed and awed over the hot guys across the fence.

Thankfully even though Aubrey got married 9 months later, we have remained the best of friends and will be for the rest of our lives.  I did inform Aubrey that if someday I die before she does ( I have no plans anytime soon) that she has to make sure my toenails are painted, my eyebrows are waxed and that my make up looks just like hers.  We love trading makeup tips, well really she gives me all the tips.

The day after Aubrey left, Cathy and I went to a University of Utah Alumni luncheon.  It was fun to meet other Utes and to have a free lunch!  My favorite was running into the Fiesta Bowl Museum.

This past week I had chemo again, I'm getting so tired of this routine.  I also had a blood transfusion.  I am grateful for the 2 people who donated blood for me.

My cousin Abe, his wife and baby came for a conference last week.  It was fun to spend some time with them before I got on a plane to head home for the Holidays.  I will be home for 7 weeks, except for the few days I'll be in SLC and the week I'll be in Charlotte.

Oh and about those boards...after having gallbladder issues for at least 1 1/2 years, I'm going to have mine taken out on Tuesday.  I swear I wouldn't be surprised if it was gangrenous.  Hopefully come Thanksgiving Day the pain I feel when I eat and when I don't eat will be gone.  I was originally suppose to take my boards that day, but they will have to wait.  I'm not sure which is worse, surgery or taking my boards.