Thank you

I would first like to say a special thank you to my husband and children.  They have pulled together and have made cancer life so much easier.  They all took care of me when I was feeling sick and could not get out of bed.  They never got mad when I couldn't go somewhere or do something.  They took all the abrupt changes in stride.  The best thing that they all do is just hug me, rub my bald head, and tell me I am still beautiful.  They tell me and everyone else how strong I am.  Junior has been so strong and I appreciate him everyday.  I just hope he knows he is allowed to show his weakness too.  I love you guys...you are why I fight every day!!!

Next, I would love to thank the best daddy in the whole world. He drove me to almost all of my chemo appointments. It was "our thing." He would sit there for hours bull crapping and telling stories to me and the nurses helping to pass the time.  Imagine that...my dad made new friends...lol!!  I am truly the luckiest girl in the world to have him.  He is so compassionate, but gives me that swift kick in the ass when I need one...like when I'm feeling sorry for myself.  I love you Daddy!!  Oh...and thank you for being Mom's rock through all this.

My mommy...where to even start.  This journey has actually shown me an entire new side of her.  My mom has always been the strong one who never got upset or freaked out in bad situations.  It was my dad who you were normally picking up off the floor.  ROLE REVERSAL!!  She reminds me more and more everyday of my grandma.  My mom has been my rock and a valuable informational resource.  She could probably be a breast cancer MD by now.  She researches everyday about everything from the types of cancer to home remedies.  Heck, yesterday she said, "Dani, I was reading yesterday that if you have any more leg pain, you should put a bar of soap at the end of your bed."  Well, that's my mama!  My mom is having a very difficult time with my diagnosis.  She is very scared that it will come back or show up somewhere else.  I keep trying to tell her it is NOT going to, but she is a worrier,.  She cries often, which breaks my heart.  Who likes to see their mom cry??  Not this girl.  I promise she will be all smiles soon once this surgery is over and I get a clean bill of health.  I love love my mommy!!

Thank you to my dear friend Melissa.  She took the time to organize meals for me each treatment week.  To some that may not seem like a big deal, but to me it is.  As many of you know, her mom is courageously fighting breast cancer herself.  She has been Stage IV for just over a year now.  Melissa is very dedicated to her mom's needs as well as enjoying every minute she has with her.  Melissa herself was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer about one month before my diagnosis.  Therefore, this his been quite a crazy year for her and her family.  Through all of that, she was still able to make time to take care of me.  Not only did she plan the calendar and make all the phone calls to assign people times, but she too cooked and cleaned for me.  I just hope she knows how much I love her and cherish her friendship!!

I would also like to send a special thank you to Christy Hoskins for holding my hand through this.  When I am upset, she is always the first person I call.   She always found a way to make me feel better or to help me laugh.  She made several meals for my family and came over to lend me a hand around the house. She also took me to one of my long chemo treatments (4-5 hours) while I slept the whole time...and btw Christy...I do NOT snore!!
Love you babe!!

Thanks to all my meal train ladies...Melissa Trenkamp, Christy Hoskins, Laura Trenkamp, Mindy Sheppard, Amy Scherz, Amy Commins, Kristi Booth, Nicki Rinthen, Jaime Chili, and Tara Smithson.

The meals were awesome...Junior loved every minute of it...and so did his coworkers with all the leftovers.

If I did not name you specifically...it is my chemo brain....but you know who you are!!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I will keep you posted on my upcoming surgery...hopefully will have a new computer by then!!