First "real" vacation in 10 years!!!

KierstenRx

Hi all,
Sorry I haven't posted much lately, but read the posts a few times a week. For all you newbies my history-stage III rectal cancer at age 32 (diagnosed 9/18/06), chemo/radiation, bowel resection/hysterectomy/permanent colostomy, and 8 treatments FOLFOX/Avastin. Latest scans in March 08 show NED.

Anyway, just wanted to share that life DOES get back to almost normal. After many years of being sick and not feeling well I am going on an actual vacation. My parents, brother, and I are leaving for the gulf coast this weekend!!! Only drawback is hubby has to stay home and work. I can't wait to walk on the beach and lounge under an umbrella with a good book. The beach for me is the most peaceful place on earth and I haven't set foot on one since 1998. I really feel like this trip will allow me to reflect and get closer to the old me.

Kiersten

tootsie1

First of all, congrats on the NED. Awesome! Hope you have the most wonderful vacation ever.

Gail

KathiM

You GO, my dear!! Enjoy every minute!!! You have worked so hard to earn this!!!

Remember the sunscreen!

Hugs, Kathi

CherylHutch

Wow Kiersten! First, let me congratulate you for being NED! After being sick for so long, it must be like having a whole new life. And now you get to go on a vacation where there will be a beach for you to relax on. I'm so excited for you. I can't imagine not being near a beach for 10 years, so I wish I was there with you when you see the water and shoreline when you first get there

I live across the street from a beach and now, I can't imagine me living anywhere that didn't have a beach/ocean/bay where I live. So I totally understand when you say the beach is the most peaceful place on earth... there definitely is something magical about it

Cheryl

nudgie

Bury them feet deep in the sand

claud1951

Kiersten,

How cool is that! Good for you and have a blast!

Congrats on being NED.

Claudia

kmygil

Hi Kiersten! Congratulations on NED!!!!!!!!!! If anyone deserves a beach vacation, it's you. Go. Enjoy! Hugs!
Kirsten

hoagiemom

claud1951 said:

Kiersten,

How cool is that! Good for you and have a blast!

Congrats on being NED.

Claudia

That is great. I just got back from fl for 10 days so I know how you feel. I wasn't away for 10 years but this year felt like 10. Enjoy the beach,the sounds and the smells. It was sooo relaxing. Congrats on your NED..

Michelle

kristasplace

Congratulations Keirsten!! I can't imagine being away from the sea so long? Do you live far from the coast, or was it just because of your illness? I wasn't able to go the beach for a while either because the sun was satan, but now i go whenever i can (dog beach espeically!).

Have a WONDERFUL time, and please share your experience with us when you return!

Many hugs,
Krista

KierstenRx

kristasplace said:

Congratulations Keirsten!! I can't imagine being away from the sea so long? Do you live far from the coast, or was it just because of your illness? I wasn't able to go the beach for a while either because the sun was satan, but now i go whenever i can (dog beach espeically!).

Have a WONDERFUL time, and please share your experience with us when you return!

Many hugs,
Krista

Many issues why I haven't been able to smell that salt air. Only the past two years was it because of illness. Main reason was geography (lived in Ohio and now Memphis, TN) and $$$$$. When I met and married my husband in 2001 I put him through law school and then we decided to open his own practice. I am not even quite sure where I am going. I believe it is Fort Walton beach. My father is driving so wherever we end up is just fine with me as long as there is sand and water.

Kiersten

pamness

Have a wonderful vacation, and more importantly, congrats on the NED. Hope you have a wonderful time.
Pam