Happy Christmas!

Being a single mom at Christmas already comes with some challenges, but add being tied to a machine and boom...whole new level achieved.

First I apologize for the few that do read this. I'm horrible at it and also in reality not much to report. I'm still on the list. I've been doing testing for this year - yay not as much as last year. I've been on dialysis now for 7.5 months. I made it through my musical--barely and only missed work due to one sick day for myself and some doctors appointments. Our show went good, the last two weeks were rough as I needed to get home and be on the machine. Thanks to some help, I was able to do it all but about 2-3 nights, where i cut it close getting to school on time. I think I was only late one morning and made it before class started. This time around I felt like I literally had no time left to add anything so that was a little stressful. BUT we made it and enjoyed it and said goodbye to the show! Christmas has been the most challenging----how does one do Santa when you can't leave your bedroom at night and your kid doesn't sleep much. I was actually really worried on how this was all going to work..but it happened too and the kid is none the wiser. Although today she said Santa didn't eat a cookie and didn't leave a note...so she suspects it might be just be me. :-( I know it's probably the last year of that Christmas magic, but currently she still very much believes. And Santa got her a drum pad thing...which I told her no drums. HA HA HA. Keep them guessing. She also got a Karoake machine from her grandparents/uncle....lucky me. Let me tell you about this little girl though (well not so little). She is the most kind hearted kid. She honestly didn't care if she didn't get anything on her list or anything at all. Would she have been dissappointed in reality..yes. However, she was greatfull and excited about all of it. She was very sad she only had a cool picture for me. I loved it though. At one point she said she was happier about the books than the toys..go me. Overall a lovely Christmas with her, my parents and brother. I miss our big family gatherings a lot during the holidays especially. I'm so greatfull that I still see my extended family off and on, even if it's not all together. What you really are here for is an update on my health. Still cancer free...thank goodness. No new surgeries! I'm just in a hold pattern. Most of my blood tests are still holding pretty good, my kidneys are still functioning some, and dialysis seems to be helping all of that. During our show time, I was done by the end of the week and crashed most of the weekend. I still tire and do nap on Saturday, but not the whole day anymore. I'd probably be better, but sleeping at night isn't always restful. I'm still very blessed with overall feeling pretty decent. Everyonce in a while I kind of hurt, walking wears me out somedays, and sometimes I feel a little ill. I'll take that over stories I read about. I'm pretty sure my kidneys are still growing so I know I'm extremely lucky. Most of the time I don't feel like I'm in end stage kidney disease. I know listening to a person who has long term illness is no fun and I like everyone wish this was a short term problem. I'm still trying and fighting each day...some days literally I'm yelling at this dialysis machine. I can't even begin to tell you all how much I appreciate each and every one of you who has asked me how I am or supported me with prayer, time, or financial support. This year was so much easier going through this without having to worry about my max out of pocket and where it would come from. I am so thankful for all the support that is given in so many ways. Honestly I mostly appreciate knowing people care. I hope everyone else has had a fabulous Christmas or holiday season and as we enter a new year- may next year bring happiness and health to everyone.