Heavens how do you follow a post like that....as you all can see I am so very blessed. I have the most incredible friends and family. I am not sure that I would be fortunate enough to realize that love had I not faced the struggles that I have in my life over the last 5 years. As you can see by my sisters post we all get caught up in our own lives. Family would come to visit and I would find myself to busy to spend quality time with them. I can only hope that those of you reading these posts call someone in your life that you have not talked to in some time just to catch up. I spent over 3 weeks in the hospital surrounded by my friends and family with cards, emails, visits and phone calls I would not have gotten through it without your prayers and support I cannot possibly thank each of you enough nor express how much it has all helped me through a very difficult time.

I am doing very well, still experiencing some pain and weakness however I do think I am getting along and progressing each day. I go to chemotherapy every friday and not experiencing too many side effects. I have gone back to work a few hours a day, I will say it wears me out but I am so happy to be back. Luke has been going to all sorts of camps he had the opprotunity to go back to Bridges for a week with some old friends and he loved it. This week he is in baseball camp which he is really enjoying however he is very tired when he gets home. Brett is doing well and business is steady in the summer it does slow down a bit which is good I think simply due to the heat that they all contend with working on the cars outside. I am still not a lot of help in the evenings or outside with the yard so he is busy but doesn't complain.

Again, thank you all for your continued prayers.

"If God brings you to it.

He will bring you through it."

This Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Trini at home in Florida with Tami

As many of you know my sister Trini is an amazing person. Recently I had the privilege to learn this first hand. Trini is 12 years younger than I am and a bit shorter. When Trini was born my Dad said, “It’s a full house.” She would always be the baby of the family.

When I graduated from high school, Trini was just finishing Kindergarten. When I got married, she was 11 years old. When I came home to visit she was a busy with life: high school, learning to drive, dating, shopping and hanging out with her friends.

Trini moved to Florida. We saw each other less. She got married and Luke was born. In 2003, I got a call that Trini had been diagnosed with breast cancer. You always think it will happen to someone else. Here we are, in 2008 fighting the fight we never imagined would be ours to fight. Last month when Trini was hospitalized, I traveled from Michigan to Florida to help out in any way I could.

This is my silver lining. I got to know my sister.

She doesn’t complain. She loves Luke with all her heart. She doesn’t like burnt toast or her egg salad all ground up, but keep the Coke and pretzels coming. She can shop. She’d like to take Brett and Luke to Burnt Hills to see where she grew up. She wants to write thank you notes to each of you for the meals, gifts, gift cards, flowers and notes of encouragement that she has received. She worries about not having the energy to get them done. She worries. She is not very organized, but appreciates those who are. She is brave. She is beautiful and her whole face lights when she smiles. She is fighting as hard as she knows how. She inspires me not to waste my life. She is my sister and I am proud of her.

Please continue to pray for Trini, Brett and Luke.

"God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Blessings,

Tami

There's No Place Like Home

Trini, Luke and Oreo happy to be home together.

Trini has been home from the hospital for 10 days. The good news is the x-rays continue to look good and she is able to eat a little bit. She is getting stronger and regaining some energy although she would like for it to be happening faster. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

Take a Deep Breathe and Exhale

Those were the words the doctor used as he pulled out the fourth and final chest tube at noon today. The x-ray of the lungs looks great!

We all would love to have a grand celebration, but what would a celebration be without some good food. At present, Trini continues to struggle to keep down any food. She had her third round of chemo on Tuesday and is very happy to be home trying to regain some energy.