Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Can't ask for anything more...

Well, today is my birthday - my 40th birthday. For those of you that know me, I have always believed that the big ones should be celebrated (16, 21, 30, 40, 50, etc.) and that the ones in between are just that - tweeners. Also, if you know me and my family, it is our tradition to plan your own party (if you want one). That way you get exactly what you want. Well, as you can imagine, I did not have the energy to plan my own party, so I was just going to skip it this year. I guess in a way I was ignoring it. One side of me was happy to get to 40 and the other side of me was hoping if I could sneak by 40 death wouldn't notice. Being cancer free and past my surgeries was enough for me. Apparently, it was not enough for some people. Yep, for the first time in my life, I did not plan my party. On Sunday afternoon, my husband and two of my girlfriends, surprised me with a 40th birthday party. It was a great party with friends, family, food, a bouncy house (for the kids - I have been told you can't do that with a chest tube), complete with Tinkerbell Cake. I didn't cry, but was VERY touched and heck of surprised that I didn't find out. I blame the drugs for that! Thank you so much to Grant, Michelle C., and Bethany for an amazing party that I will never forget!!!! Today, the celebration continued as I showed up to the cancer center, took X-rays, was told that Besty (my chest tube) could come out, that I was done with the surgeon's office, that while my lungs still needed time to heal were looking great and that I was being passed back to my oncologist office. So, with hugs from the surgeon and nurse, we went down the elevator, across the sky bridge and to the oncologist for more hugs, a tongue lashing for not coming by sooner (I looked at him like, "Right, I have just been SO available for that?!?!!"), and of course my next appointment. He is giving me a week off (I asked for 20 or 30 years and was denied). When he hugged me, I said, "It is all gone." and he replied, "Looks like it. Congrats sweetie." We left the building after a couple more hugs and news spreading and Mom asked me, "Wanna grab some lunch?" I was like, "Not here." So, in the car and back home we went. Mom is making a special dinner tonight, we are watching the UW Softball Championships, and I am going to have a virgin somethingorother!!! And then the weather!!!! I think this has been the perfect day. My bandages are leaking a bit, but that is to be expected when they pull a tube out of your chest and I am being weaned off my drugs so that I don't get addicted, but those are minor inconveniences. I think the very best part of my day was when we left the surgeon's office and Grant and I hugged. It was a long hug with a long exhale. Once again, we are here and once again we have hope that we will be the ones that hug each other for a long long time. Oh, and I got jewelry....always good when you get jewelry!!! WOW!! Happy Birthday to me!!!!!! Love, Ang

19 comments:

Charlene Waymire said...

Congratulations sweetie! I don't think you could ask for a better day or a better present! I'm just so thrilled for you. You were/are such a rock star! Have a great evening celebrating!

Daria said...

Happy 40th!

Haley said...

happy birthday my dear! i'm so glad it was a good one, if anyone deserves a special birthday... it is YOU. blessings.

Dawn Finlayson said...

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!!!! You sure did try to sneak that one by us! When you're ready for a night out, dinner is on me. Have had you on my mind a lot. So happy to hear your good news, your good birthday, and am loving the weather right along with you. Celebrate. Enjoy. Bask. Enjoy some more. Hugs, Dawn

auntie jane hainsworth said...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday Dear Angie......HAPPPPPPYYYYYY BIRTHHHHHDAY TOOOO YOOUU-OOOO-OOO!!!!! Now, make a wish,,, lOVE, Jane, Tyrus and Grant

Myrna said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Angie. I remember you when. This is really one to celebrate!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Ang, it is so good to read all the good stuff you wrote. Enjoy those Huskies they like you are AWSOME. love pat&mag

Kari George said...

Happy Happy Birthday Ms. Angela! I am sooooo happy for your success in beating the odds of this thing called Cancer! Can't think of another way to celebrate a 40th birthday celebration! Love that you named your chest tube! Oh my...that's something that I would have done! Can't wait to catch up...I am soooo missing my friend! Dawn has had to step up to the plate of letting me 'bend her ear' for fear that I was going to wear you out! I have some time to stop by and say hi when you are ready for that...let me know! Where are you at these days (your house or grandma/grandpa's house)?

Forever love you!

Jill said...

Happy Birthday Ang!!

Anonymous said...

Tears of Joy!!! Hug him again!! What a 40th you've had.
Thanks for sharing. Rejoicing with you.
Your unmet friend

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!! What great news.

Hope to see you at Shannon's soon!

Kim

laurie@duncancleary.com said...

Sounds like your birthday was bliss, just as it should be. Love you,
Laurie

Vicki Olafson said...

Happy Birthday Ang - sorry I missed Sunday but I'm hoping you got my little gift yesterday? Something sweet for someone so very sweet.
Big hugs and lots of love
Vicki

Anonymous said...

What great news.......what an awsome present you received for your 40th year. I'm so happy for you. Grant is the greatest!!!

Love to you and your entire family.

Ty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ty said...

Did Grant post the last blog comment by Anonymous?

I guess he's pretty good.

Congrats!!!

Love, Ty

Anonymous said...

Happy 40th Birthday, Ang. Hope you had a great one. You deserve it. Looking forward to you having many more 'tweeners' and 'big ones.'

Love, Peter, Jo-Ann, Amelia & Paige.

Anonymous said...

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

~ Anais Nin

Your life is full beyond measure. (And if it gets any fuller your new bracelet won't fit!)

Your 40th birthday party was the best!

Susan said...

Happy Belated Birthday Ang! Great talking to you yesterday! You gave me new energy with the fantastic news. I'll be thinking of you during the STP!