So to recap the last year, here’s what has happened:
In October 2016, we had the unforgettable experience of taking grandson Loren to Disneyland. We love going as adults, but there’s something magical about going with a child!
November 2016, I turned 50. Tina, against her better judgment, threw me an amazing party (with lots of help!) to celebrate. It was a unique experience for me to see all my worlds come together – I had my family there, my friends from Sacramento, my colleagues from work, my Vistage confidants, my church family (including both Pastors) and my neighbors all together in one house.
In December, we spent a beautiful white Christmas with my family in Lake Tahoe.
In January, I traveled to Ashland for the birth of my second grandbaby. When I got the call that Brie was in active labor, I hopped in my car and sped up I5 as fast as I could…only to wait a week while she went in and out of labor, and I finally went home because I needed to get back to work!
Then in February, Genevieve Oreta Brown made her entrance.
After needing to borrow cars to go to Tahoe and Ashland in the winter weather, I traded in my cute little (impractical) Miata for an all-wheel-drive, automatic transmission (because I would not be able to use my left arm for a while after reconstruction) Audi A4 with enough room in the back seat for 2 car seats.
Breast reconstruction: Diep Flap Procedure (more on this in my previous post):
In April, we visited the grandbabies again for Easter:
I got permission from my surgeon to be able to hold Genevieve if I sat down and someone handed her to me!
In May, we went to Disneyland (our happy place) again:
In June, we got Loren for a whole week!
Then (still in June) I had my right breast reduction (so that they would match).
In July, we went to Sisters, OR to spend time with the family at my brother’s vacation home – it was fabulous!
And I went to the Gray Family Reunion in North Carolina (for the first time)!
In August and September, we helped move my parents and Mama Ladd into new homes – 7 weekends in a row! Thankfully, there was lots of help, including these two:
Then in October, we went to Ashland for Loren’s 6th birthday (and Stace’s 31st).
Which brings us to November 2017. More to come soon!
Karen's Cancer Journey & Beyond 