[Pam P]

Thank you everyone for your encouraging posts and support and suggestions.

Today is the day I announce to the staff at our weekly meeting that I will begin my leave of absence tomorrow. It's roughly 15-20 people depending on who's here. Only 4 already know. Hoping I don't cry, but I've had to tell it a few times now & each time it's a little easier. I don't know if I've mentioned before, but I work for a church, so after today the word will spread and there will be lots of talk & lots of questions so I'll be telling it to individuals over and over. I've been on staff at the church for 25 years & I'm a member there too so I'll not be leaving per se. 3000 members, many I've worked closely with on committees, projects, etc. and many have become good connections and friends. So I'll have lots of support, but this will be big news on the grapevine in the next few weeks.

I am treating myself to a trip to Santa Cruz CA July 10-20 to visit my cousin. It's wonderful there & right on the ocean, paradise you might say. So that will be a good transition time.

Then I come back & have my scans on July 21 & see the dr. on the 23rd to learn my new plan of attack for chemo etc.

So most of July is accounted for. Then if I have to change chemo drugs I can begin that without the stress of the FT job too. I am hoping to start a weekly routine in August - do more water aerobics at the Y. I used to go 2-3 times a week, but haven't for a long time so will get back to that and also will try out the yoga classes offered there. One step at a time.

So here I go with another big day - last day of full time work. (Unless my disability is denied then I'd be back full time in the fall, but I doubt that will happen.)