[TriciaK]

Happy Birthday to my birthday buddy, Nitewind! And thank you, Caya and Mary Ann, for thinking of us and to all who wish us a happy birthday. Yes, I am 80 today---rather amazing when you think I have been living on borrowed time since I had severe rhuematic fever at 16! Plus of course cancer three times in the last 25 years (the last time her2), two heart attacks and a triple bypass. I wish I could say I was going dancing today but it will be rather a quiet day. My husband called all our 9 kids, 32 grandkids and nearly 40 greats, asking those who are old enough to send me a special letter today telling me thier special memories and sending love and best wishes. He is making a scrapbook of all the letters and pictures. It has been really touching and we have both shed a few tears at the sweet memories and thoughts we have received from our posterity. He wanted to get them all together for a birthday party but since they are scattered from North Carolina to Texas to California and points in between, a party was not possible, but the scrapbook is really special and I can read it over and over.
The cancer still seems to be in remission after the her2 round in 2004, although my tumor markers are still rising slowly. I am thankful for each day of life and feel I have so many blessings, including this great website and the friends here. Thank you all for being there and especially Joe and Christine for bringing us all together.
Have a good Christmas season and I add my prayers to yours that 2010 will see a cancer cure! Hugs, Tricia