December 2011 closing out the year

As those of you who followed us on Caringbridge last year know, these past 15 months have been ones of turmoil for us both. Eva started off with horrible back pain which was then diagnosed (not as the kidney stones we thought) but as type II diabetes, insulin dependent. This was followed within a month by a tumor which was diagnosed as breast cancer, stage 3A. None of this was good news -- as she also turned 50 the same month, she called it her trifeecta of pain.
And so we began the journey through double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and considering other options that lasted 10 months. In addition to finding new and yukky side effects of taking insulin four times a day, Eva still managed to do some body work and keep her sense of humor pretty much intact. With the end of the official treatments, all bets were off and she nosedived, but soon righted herself. Her hair is coming back (now it resembles nothing so much as a poodle), her scars (emotional and physical) are healing, and she is on the path to being someone who had cancer.
As all this was happening, Sandy's mother had a heart attack and needed a triple bypass, which she declined to have. So began a waiting game for this past year or so, in which she is declining slowly and painfully. Her favorite words seem to be "I can't" and they apply across the board.
So, it has been a roller coaster ride and not a thrilling or fun one. We managed to get away last November for a few days to Merida and our friends there greeted and warmed us with their love and support. A healing circle kicked off Eva's treatments and provided a network of angels from afar whose love we held dear in our hearts.
And now, we have just returned from a similar quick dip into Merida. Three days of paying bills, checking and correcting what needed to be changed, and some celebrating, too. Our garden awed and impressed us as did all Jose's care inside and outside. We felt we had come home, if only briefly. the twigs which were under 3 feet tall when we planted them less than three years ago are now giant, shade-providing trees. Our palms have doubled in size. Our flowers bring delight, especially the lirio or giant lillies. We followed this up with a week of sun and sand and sea in Cancun enjoying friends and our relaxation.
And now, we are back in Illinois for the holidays. Holidays that will bring the joy of our families around us despite chilling temperatures. Marilla and Rhodri are having great successes in their careers and happiness in their lives. And Vince, for whom we take credit, is doing brilliantly as well at work and play. So, they are launched, we are healing, and 2012 could be the end of the world or just the beginning of lots of new, wondrous things. Wishing you love and joy and peace. Always. Amen.