February 2024

Happy 2024!

I hope your holidays were wonderful and safe and your year is starting off with tons of joy! I spent about 3 months in Greenville, SC over the holidays with many of my family members and my new boyfriend John. Julia flew in from Boston for Thanksgiving, and we had a really fun girls’ day out. She is absolutely thriving at Northeastern University, by the way. This mama is proud of her girl.

And…It’s that time again! I just had my MRI scans on Feb 6th. I’m happy to share with all my loved ones that there have been no changes to my disease, and my scans are stable! I’m at about 2 1/2 years now that my MRIs have been completely stable. (huge sigh of relief)

After 4 years, PT and OT have officially come to a close. My PT decided it was time for me to “graduate”, even though I haven’t yet met my goals of walking without my cane and leg brace, then running and finally relearning how to do stairs with alternating legs. She did, however, release me with some challenging exercises to continue to strengthen and increase my aerobic capacity. I try to regularly ride the recumbent stationary bike, when I have help securing my left foot in the pedal. My OT ended due to my upcoming departure from Seattle-I’ll continue stretching my left shoulder, elbow, and fingers though. Something that’s been helpful with loosening up the spasticity in my left arm and hand are Botox injections every 3 weeks into those muscles. Now I can more easily stretch those muscles and get my hand into my splint at night.

I guess another graduation that has happened, so to speak, is I’ve moved on to my second chess coach. She has a completely different teaching style, and I’m learning so many new chess strategies and history! Fun fact: Did you know chess was invented in India?

I miss my glass fusing class tremendously. All of my travel has put a wrench in consistent attendance at my classes. 

Other exciting things going on in my life: After almost 30 years in Seattle,  I’ve made the decision to move to Asheville, NC. This will allow me to be just a 1.5ish hour drive from my parents and my sister Libby and her family. Why Asheville? It feels a lot like Seattle-very liberal, beautiful landscape, rich in culture, good restaurant scene, and last but not least, my boyfriend John and I will be moving in together! Big and exciting life changes. Here’s to 2nd chapters…

But I will miss so dearly the amazing beautiful lifelong friends I’ve made so many memories with here in Seattle. I do plan to return at least every 6 months for my MRIs and visits with my oncologist, Dr Taylor, whom I trust immensely.

But I will miss so dearly the amazing beautiful lifelong friends I’ve made so many memories with here in Seattle. I do plan to return at least every 6 months for my MRIs and visits with my oncologist, Dr Taylor, whom I trust immensely.

Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and following my journey,

Eden