Chemo 7 and Fa la la la la

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
  We've definitely been slacking some on the blog front, but we've been busy otherwise!  Let's see what we've been up to since we last saw you...

 First of all, we received an early Christmas gift from Auntie Cappy and Uncle Jim.  They got us tickets to the Patriots/Broncos game on December 17th. 

Nicole had never been to a pro football game before, so it was certainly an exciting day for her. 
 It was an afternoon filled with lots of laughter, sunshine, food, parachuters, an F-16 flyover, and of course a Patriots win! Not too shabby for your first football game! :)
 
Since Ken had Chemo a few days before Christmas and because we were traveling home to New England for the holiday, Nicole needed to be creative!  So...instead of opening all of his gifts before we left, Ken got 12 days of Christmas this year.  Now we have a few things to look forward to this spring like going and watching a great college hockey rivalry and to the theater to see Wicked!!

On December 20th, it was business as usual, when Ken had chemo treatment number 7.  His neuropathy continues to get worse, while his spirits continue to remain high.  After this next treatment, should the neuropathy be the same, we will need to consider whether or not Ken will take a medication to counteract the neuropathy or to just have him come off that particular chemo altogether. 

Friday, December 23rd, it was wheels up, as we flew to the northeast to enjoy the holidays!!  We were able to spend time with and see so many wonderful family and friends and eat, eat, eat! 

We made it as far north as Rutland, VT to see JC and family. 

As far east as Framingham, MA to visit Grammy. 

As far south as New Haven, CT to visit the Peabody museum with Sophia and Joseph and to eat some delicious pizza...

and many place in between! 

 We would like to thank everyone who rearranged their schedules and drove many miles in order to see us, hotels Kent, Bolduc, Soriano, and Thulen for putting us up, especially Sophia and Noah for giving up their beds for us and to Jim and Cappy for taking such amazing care of our doggies while we were gone! 

  Now we're back in reality and awaiting chemo number 8 this week.  With 2011 in our rear view mirror, we are able to reflect on everything the year had given to us...the good, the bad, the ugly.  And while the most recent things aren't the best, we've come to realize that all of you are the ones that keep us energized, optimistic and full of love.  We consider ourselves so fortunate to have you!  It is our hope that 2012 is a year full of health and happiness for you all...oh, and a cure for cancer wouldn't be so bad either! ;)
  Cheers!  Ken & Nicole