This past week seemed like "ole home week" to me.  My brother and sister-in-law came in from Florida and we were able to have our traditional lunch at Julio's and I must say that Pam outdid herself with the minestra.  It was delicious and we all brought some home for supper that night.

 

On Sunday, we celebrated my sister, Joan and her husband Virgil's 60th wedding anniversary with a very nice party planned by their children.  All of our families were there with the little ones and it was great to be able to interact with them.  That does not happen often enough these days.

 

It will not be long until we will be celebrating the Italian Heritage Festival.  I hope I will be able to get there and have the opportunity to see all of you. It is always a great place to reconnect with all of our friends. From the early plans I have heard about this year's Festival, it looks like we are going to have some really good entertainment and they will be honoring some great people this year. Make plans now to attend.  And as usual I am sure there will be plenty of good food.

 

My condolences to Josie Faix and the D'Annunzio family and the Mancina families on their recent losses.

 

I just cannot seem to get enough of those fresh tomatoes out of the garden for a good salad. Dave is not too happy with them because he thinks they should be larger, but they still make a great salad with the fresh onions and basil. Our zucchini plants seem to be dying but we have really had a nice crop and been able to share them. There is nothing like that first tiaela.

 

Finally it seems that the Swiss chard is coming up, not a lot but I am sure that I will be able to have several messes of it.  Last week I went to the Produce House and got some fresh spinach.  I par boiled it, drained it then put it in a skillet with Olive oil and peppers and onions.  When the peppers had cooked I added eggs and we had several meals off of this delicious dish.

 

Since all of my readers and friends have been so supportive of me through this recent illness I have been facing, I feel that I should update you on the current situation.  This past week my wonderful cousin, Ruby Oldaker and I went to what we thought would be one of my final appointments at the UHC cancer center.  The check-up wasn't what I had hoped for. I came away with the news that I would be facing another surgery and another year of chemotherapy treatment.

 

Although this was devastating news for me, I am slowly accepting the diagnosis and preparing for the future.

 

When I was first diagnosed with cancer a year ago, I was also told that I was not in charge and that there was someone bigger than me watching over the situation. I am learning that this is the truth and I accept the premise that this illness is something I have to face.  And I will do just that.

 

As we approach winter and the loss of my hair again, you will once again see me in my collection of pretty hats. I guess I was really smart to have packed them away for future use and now is the future. 

 

The "silver fox and the old gray mare" will go into hiding and hopefully will be back with us next spring. I thank you all for your prayers and concern and hope that you can provide me with another year of your caring support.

 

There are many others that are in the same situation as I am and I urge you to reach out to them as you have reached out to me. It means the world to us. I cannot convey to you  how much it means to get that hug from you or to receive that card in the mail that seems to brighten up what may have been a bleak day for us.  I promise to keep upbeat and to give this fight my best. With your support I will make it through. Words can never express exactly how much you all have all helped me and I am sure that you will be with me throughout this next year.

 

I would certainly be remiss if I did not thank all my doctors and caregivers at UHC and my cousin Ruby for the wonderful care they have given me. I couldn't get better care and attention. The support Dave and my children have provided has been very important to me. Part of beating this disease is a great support system and a positive attitude.

 

To that group of caring individuals at UHC that work in the chemo department "I know you thought you were rid of me....but have that chicken salad sandwich ready!  I'll be back."

 

Keep in touch with me at spanishqueen86@aol.com and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."