Allie back at U of M Hospital-Out Patient Surgery

I have not written in a long time on this blog. We went Friday for a mini-surgery and now waiting for the results. I can not stand the waiting. The doctor's said, "This time it is totally fine." I feel blessed that the results look good. Allie came home today so I could help her bandage her back after a shower. She is amazing, as much as she hates the scares she still moves forward. I listened to her ask some very intelligent questions to the doctor this time. She is my baby but it is her body and she is of age to get the results on her cell phone which makes me a bit uneasy. In my world, I will always be her mommy and I should be deciding what is right for her. I am used to doing everything and making the decisions. Listening to her, I did realize she has a good hold on her health. We go back for another six month body check-up Nov 19th.

I have two daughter's that are living really wonderful lives. I watched them grow up into such beautiful, strong, young woman that have compassion for other's. My job as a parent is never done. I am my mother's baby and they are my babies. I have this picture of Allie with her blankie from when she was a newborn. As grown up as she is, she still loves to keep that blanket around. There is a part of her that is still a little girl. I am so thankful for my daughter's.

Running for Cancer...

I have not added to the blog in awhile. I leave next week for Paris. I have tried to get ready for a half marathon before and never followed through. This time I followed the whole schedule because I had a bigger purpose. I am running for the people I care and love that made it or did not make it. My Dad passed away of Leukemia. He was a rock solid forward thinking person in his day. He would say to me, "Bari, your grandfather had the gift, I have the gift but you really have the gift." What he was talking about was the gift to do something with your life. I am blessed with this special person who challenges my thinking in my life say to me...(you are reading this and you know who you are-S :) "How many nice hotels can you stay in? It is the adventure that makes it great." This man not only is on one adventure after another, he uses his resources and time to impact people for the better. I take note of what he does and admire his fortitude to get it done without letting any barriers get in his way. That is what my Dad was talking about He did not even know I was pondering his statement as we were eating lunch in a whole in the wall restaurant, but it is true. Why not have an adventure and make a difference at the same time. I get to run for my baby who has to constantly get checked because of her age and the depth of the melanoma, and cut to keep the cancer from coming back. At 19 she has six scars and we are going back for another recheck before she leaves for Australia. So...it feels really good to challenge yourself and make a difference at the same time.

Summer is Coming..I have resources on this blog. NO TANNING BOOTHS AT ALL. NO LAYING OUT WITHOUT PROTECTION. Melanoma is one of the fastest moving cancers. Please... read the information. I don't know a word of French, but I do know that if you are nice to other's they will be nice back to you. So I am relying on that to get me through..take care.

Happier Times...

Allie is studying in Australia for most of the summer. She is 19 and wants to have fun, I don't blame her. There was this moment when I got down about this whole thing. My dear, best of best, friend stopped that quickly—Thank you Corri! Hayley got a promotion; I am so blessed!

We will be doing check-ups for a long time. I am certain there will be no more cancer! That is how I am creating it.

Tomorrow in the snow I will be running seven miles! I can't wait till summer!