Although we enter the 2009 holiday season with the big "C" word hanging over our heads, I can only reflect with gratitude on the many blessings I have been given: The love of a wonderful woman, two terrific and responsible sons, two beautiful and patient daughters-in-law who love their husbands and adore their children, four fantastically adorable grandchildren, a grand-dog who gives unconditional love regardless of my condition, wonderful friends, neighbors, and co-workers...I could go on and on. Diagnosis is a glioblastoma, brain cancer with not the best prognosis. I've already had a craniotomy with tumor excision. I will start radiation therapy and oral chemotherapy early in January.
Through all of this, I've gained a little insight.... Christmastime is for children, with cookies and ornaments, and visions of presents. Give your significant other and children plenty of hugs and kisses, and do it now, and tell them you love them, and show that you love them. All families are faced with some sort of adversity, and we are no different. We just need to face it head on with hope and optimism. This diagnosis is one that often comes with an admonition to "get your affairs in order." (Tiger Woods should have paid attention to that a few years ago.)
I've learned some new names for Santa's reindeer: "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Ataxia! on Apraxia! on, Dysphagia and Blitzen!
Darling Drew was born last December 30, so he is approaching his first birthday. And Sweet Sofie, our mellow Muilenburg, was born March 24. Boisterous Brady will be 3 on our 40th wedding anniversary in February, and Lovely Lucy will be 3 in October. Four grandchildren born within 26 months of each other. So magical and wondrous!
We took a wonderful trip to Santa Fe with our good friends (and Pete's in-laws) the Jendrzejewskis in May, and a baseball trip to St. Louis in July to watch my beloved Dodgers get their hats handed to them 3 out of 4 games by Marge's Cardinals. Our gracious hosts, the Cavanaughs, didn't even rub it in.
Marge is recovering nicely from her hip replacement done in late October. We can join a mixed rolling walker basketball league!
We are happy to have Pete and Tracy back in the U.S. after two years at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. They are both now at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene, OR. Andy and Ali both work for her family’s business, Mill Power Inc. You can check out photos of their impressive operation at http://www.millpower.com.
Ali created a blog to follow my progress:
http://normmuilenburg.blogspot.com/
We are looking forward to seeing what 2010 brings! Wishing you all the best for an enjoyable holiday; excuse the lateness of this if it reaches you post-holiday. I borrowed this from Bill Cole:
May you always have
Love to share,
Health to spare, and
Friends that care.
Two out of three ain't bad!
Love,
Norm and Marge Muilenburg
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3 comments:
MERRY CHRISTMAS MUILENBURGS!!
Ann and Kris and Kambria and I as well as the rest of the Hittelmans all send our love from Sin City; we've got quite a crew here with my niece and nephew and our combined 4 dogs. Chuck even made the trip, though it was a bit more eventful than we were hoping for ;)
Norm, it's great to read your note and we're all behind you as you fight the good fight. Our thoughts are with you and I'm looking forward to the band being out your way in late february as I'd love to stop in and say hello (and meet the newest additions to the fam!)
Take care, everyone. Kam and I send many many hugs.
Much love,
tim
Norm: I have great respect for you as a co-worker. It has been really nice to get a glimpse of your personal life. What a great family you have...with you, the leader of the pack! Thank you for sharing. Let the good folks in the Oncology dept. take good care of you. My thoughts and prayers continue for you.
-Shantel
Dear Marge and Norm,
I just wanted to thank you, Norm, for your lovely words of wisdom as we grapple with the "small stuff" of life...
Did you dance at Pink Martini??
Nancy Miller
p.s. our dear former Corvallis High principal (not by our choice!)is at Marist - Jay Conroy! We miss Jay!
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