It’s weird being at the hospital on a holiday. The Outpatient Pavilion where Tony was to have his colonoscopy closed at noon. His appointment wasn’t until 11:15, so by the time he was ready to go in and I was to sit in the waiting area, I was the only one there.
Here’s the deal about me and Tony. I am always 100% positive, and Tony is usually 100% negative. We somehow meet in the middle most times. He was convinced his colon cancer had returned, I just refused to believe it.
So when I was called back into the recovery room and he was sleeping, I waited a few minutes only to have the doctor to come in to tell us the news. She immediately said “Oh hi!” to me, as if she knew me. She showed us the pictures – NO CANCER! He does have some polyps that have to be removed, but it was the best news ever. Then the doctor said “are you one of my patients?” When I said no, and realized I recognized her as well, we finally figured out we went to high school together – even graduating the same year – small world! I should note that our graduating class was 1000 people!
Tony was so tired because you have to do the “prep” the night before – he was up and down 40 times and didn’t get any sleep. We took it easy the rest of the day and I simply made pasta for dinner – mine with Italian sausage, spinach and red sauce – Tony’s with just butter and Parmesan cheese.
And later that night, we watched my favorite movie of all time – It’s a Wonderful Life.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what’s under the tree at Christmas, it’s all about family and friends. Even Clarence said “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.” I consider each of you my friend and I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers sent out way – it is appreciated way more than you’ll ever know.
Christmas morning I was up before Tony and made myself grilled grapefruit. My PIL ship me a box of Florida citrus and it makes me so happy – it’s just so good! All I do is drizzle a teaspoon of honey on each side and broil it for about 5 minutes.
And later I had this orange, even though it looks like a grapefruit too!
When Tony got up we ate a later breakfast – panettone, sausage and eggs. I never had panettone before I met Tony – it’s a super light cake – not sure really describe it, but it’s so good! We split a mini one.
I headed to my Mom’s for Christmas dinner in the afternoon. My brother Charlie and his family are in town from Texas, and my sister and her family and Hannah and her boyfriend were there too. 13 in all! I took pictures of everyone, but sadly for a portion of the pictures I had the wrong setting on my camera – so these are the ones that turned out!
My Mom made turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, glazed carrots, fruit salad – everything was delicious! My Mom makes the best mashed potatoes!
We ended up exchanging gifts – I have to say the best one I got was that my Mom was in cahoots with Tony. About a month ago when I was meeting my Mom at church, Tony handed me a box that was taped up and said “could you give this to your Mom and don’t ask any questions.” Um, okay. I completely forgot about it, and yesterday figured out what was in the box – my old VHS tapes of Hannah when she was little. We taped the day she was born and every year I watch it on her birthday. On her 20th birthday, I nearly ripped the tape in the VCR – so on her 21st birthday I was too scared to watch it! With my brother’s help, my Mom transferred the VHS to DVDs.
Now I can safely watch the tapes before and not be worried they will be ruined. Thanks Mom and Charlie!
So all in all – it was a wonderful Christmas. Tony being healthy being the best gift of all!
I got up early this morning because my blood sugar was 49 – gah! I thought I ate enough Chex Mix to be high this morning! My treat day is done, back to the routine as best as I can. I have today off from work, and will be meeting up with my brother sometime today – maybe just hanging out at my Mom’s or maybe a movie – I want to see the Walter Mitty movie!
How was your Christmas?? Hope you have a wonderful day! Stop Dreaming. Start Living!
So so so so happy to read this! I’m so glad he is ok! best Christmas gift ever, right?
Wonderful news about Tony. So glad you guys had a great holiday. How great to have Hannah’s birth day on CD!
Great news re Tony – yes that’s the bestest Christmas gift! But the dvds are a really great gift too!!
Great news about Tony!! Glad you had a nice xmas with your fam.
That’s fantastic news, Biz! Thinking of you guys…
I’m kind of emotional after reading this post. Such happy news about Tony and seeing the photos of your happy Christmas makes me smile but teary as well. You got it totally right: it’s all about family and friends and not only at Christmas. We don’t do gifts at Christmas, for us being together is the important thing.
You had a great Christmas, thanks for sharing it.
So happy for your Christmas gift of Tony being cancer free! So happy you had such a wonderful Christmas! Ours was good too, spent with Den’s family. And this is random but Jen looks like an older Hannah in the picture of you and her!
Great news about Tony! Wishing you both a happy new year !
Wow that’s great news!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Biz!
How wonderful that the cancer hasn’t returned, that is BRILLIANT news! What a Christmas present
Best news ever! Wishing you all the best of health in the new year!
So glad to hear this, Biz. And so glad you didn’t have to wait until January to find out!
So glad you got the good news right before Christmas. That is the best present ever! You and your sister are so cute together. Have the happiest of new years!
Wonderful news to hear Tony is cancer free! What a special Christmas gift! So glad you had a nice Christmas with family.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!
Great news indeed! Merry Christmas!
Catching up on my blog reading this morning – glad, so very glad, to hear that Tony is cancer-free. My mom has gone through the same feelings since her cancer surgery – “feeling” like it’s returned, but when she’s had the CT scans, she’s clear. It must be something that cancer patients might always go through, having THAT thought in the back of your mind, and anytime you feel different, it comes to the front and center. Any case, hurray for health, right?!
Merry merry Christmas!!
It sounds like the best day ever! I think I would have been giddy with that news! Relief is like another word for gift, in my mind. I want to see that movie, too. Let me know how it is. Relax and enjoy!
I was thinking of yall all day. I am so so so so happy for you <3 <3. Health is something we definitely take for granted. For an amazing present. Enjoy your day
I would totally agree that the best part was that Tony was declared cancer free. So glad for that!
I’ve had a couple of old VHS tapes put on DVD and was so happy I was able to do that. Happy New Year, Biz.
I did a happy dance for you!!! I’m so very glad that Tony is still cancer free – best gift for sure!!!
And – hooray for your awesome gift from Hannah’s birth!!!
Wonderful news for you and Tony! So glad they could let you know right away. I love your final comment – Stop Dreaming and Start Living! I think that will be a great mantra for 2014…kind of like, ‘Just Do It’. I have to remind myself of that all the time – I spend wayyyy too much time thinking/planning/listing and not nearly enough doing. Enjoy the post-Christmas time and get ready for an awesome 2014!
What wonderful news!!
That’s some great news about Tony!! Yay!! And what a sweet and thoughtful gift. I love that they worked on that together.
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas!
Yes, good health is a most rewarding Christmas gift. I was delighted to hear everything turned out well. The Dvd’s are such an awesome gift. I have been trying to learn a program for the last few months so I can convert all my photos etc.
I love the family shots so nice to see all the love. I have lost all of my family to cancer. (Father, mother, sisters, brother, aunts and grandmothers) I just received news on Christmas Eve that one of my best friends lost her fight to Lymphoma. Needless to say like Peggy I HATE cancer but like Biz I choose to have a positive outlook.
Yay! I’m so happy for you both! What a great gift.
Sounds like your day was fabulous – Merry Christmas to you and your family, Biz!
Oh thanking the good Lord Tony is cancer free! Nothing can beat that news ever I’m sure!
Absolutely love your gift of DVD’s too! Something I keep telling myself I need to do!
PTL!!!! I hate cancer. There are very few things that I will say ‘I HATE’ out loud. But I HATE cancer. and it makes me super angry that we can GO TO THE MOON but we can not find a CURE to cancer.
I hate everything about it.
I hate that my little girl will never know her Godfather like a little girl should, be cause he got cancer and has gone to his prize in Heaven.
I hate that she has to even know what any of that means. She is Nine and her WHOLE LIFE has been very aware of cancer.
I hate that there is a little girl (one of too many boys and girls) that fights so HARD to kicks Cancer’s ass, her name is Nora, and I have never met her, but I love her and her spirt and her spunk in the midst of all the ick. I follow her on FB, UNIte for Nora, she is amazing, and so is her family. I hate that they are walking through this.
I hate that they are not the only ones.
BUT….
I AM GRATEFUL that Tony remains in remission. As does my daughters Godmother, my Mom and too many others to mention or count.
I am GRATEFUL for the lessons cancer has taught me.
and I am HOPEFUL that one day SOON we will find cancer’s cure and celebrate like we landed on the moon.
I’m SO happy that Tony got a good report! Our health really is the most important thing. Merry Christmas! (Well…I guess I should say Happy New Year! How did Christmas come and go so FAST this year?!)
Best Christmas gift indeed. I love all these connections you are making, I think they are leading up to something big in 2014. Enjoy your day off.