Hello dear family and friends,
Since I have been too busy to blog, I guess you’ve also been too busy to check in. Well, despite all reationalizations it is good to be back in touch. Christmas/New Years was bustling time, even for me in recovery, so I can only imagine what most of you had going. Slowing down to our pace had some definite advantages. As a family we definitely spent more time together, and much less time shopping and even cooking. I say that although the cooking was shared between my sisters, Sarah and Ellen, and Clark and Luke. I still don’t have much of an appetite, but really have to force myself to down calories.
I probably have said before that I lost 30 lbs. between Mid-Oct. and several weeks after surgery, so eating and nutrition become major medical issues. Clark and I have considered ourselves quite careful about our eating, dieting, taking supplements, and at least periods of monitoring sweets, and drinking. We both also had worked on healthy exercise habits, with me really working on it over the last 2yrs. Because I was working three days a week, it opened up some reallly good classes in Yoga and Pilates that I esp. loved. So, we do need to add organic and many anti-cancer type recipes into our cooking. Meanwhile, I’m just looking for those big times calories. Two examples I’ve found that I haven’t touched for years are mac and cheese and pot pies. Also milk shakes and Ensure are highly recommended. On exercise, one of the real pleasure of the holidays was taking walks- slow and short at first, but now I’m getting up to 10-12 blocks. Yesterday Clark and I walked over to the Marina across the way and took a rest on a sunny bench, and then walked home. We also took Luke’s dog, Mary Jane, with us, and she decided to go chase some coots into the water, so that added some excitement. I generally think those walks have been a joy and major stress relief for us all.
We have decided to do our chemo phase in Marin, at the Marin Oncology Center. It has all of the advantages of the city, and is so much more do-able. At this point we are going to participate in a study offered at the center which has advantages of some extra monitoring. I still need a lot of energy, and have daily issues to get thru. Over the holidays, when I knew things would go late, I allowed myself two-a-days—naps, and it really helped. I was worried that being in bed too much would set back my recovery, but I now think the naps are a key. Sometimes I only sleep for 30-40 min., but it makes a big difference.
New project this week looking at wigs, hats and scarves, since it is inevitable that I will lose my hair. Fun!
I’ll close now, with wishes and prayers that 2012 will be a great blessing bringing healthy challenges and changes and newness in your lives.
Love Noel /Annie
noelstanton 
We have been thinking of you over the “Holiday Madness” time. So glad you were able to have good family time, good walks and good food. Keep it up!
Good luck with the start of your chemo phase. Any chance we will see you at Book Club anytime soon?
Love, Kathy & George
You are an inspiration to us all…….all our prayers and good wishes to you and your family
Glad that you are out and about. Sunshine can always help. You are in our thoughts and hearts always. Fight like hell!
Kathy & Jack
hello, i’m john’s friend and have read all of your blogs, hope you’re getting better day by day, enjoy the yoga and healthy foods, i love them alot too, makes happier lives, good luck 😀
Hey Noel…missed you at st. Raphael..know that by evening you’re probably running out of had…
Lord knows I am!! Hope that when it is a good time that I can come by and see u for a.few minutes…if there is anything I can do on a Wed or Thursday I am here for u!! Xxoo Annie
Hi Noel,
Walks, pot pies, naps – it all sounds like good choices to me. As for the wigs, hats, etc. you’ll look beautiful no matter what is on your head.
Love you,
Jacky
Hi Ann .. I was happy to hear you decided to do your chemo in Marin. I went to California Cancer Care. Is that the same as what you are calling Marin Oncology? Either way, all oncologists are wonderful and you will get great care. And I say, don’t bother with the wigs, scarfs, etc. .. just wear your bald head proudly.
Bald is beautiful and kind of fun. You are doing great .. Luv, Donna
It sounds like your energy & strength are returning.
Keep up the good work,we are praying for you!
Keep smiling.
Love,
Dana & Dona
I told Claire on the way home from church this morning I was getting a little concerned about you, but so glad to get on your site and see that you are doing well and enjoying the family time and walks and naps (we all need to do a little more of that) God bless you and your family. Some day soon we will have to have a live chat on the phone. Until then our love and prayers.
All your SCL friends are cheering for you. (I guess I should make that praying for you . . . but I’m sure you get the idea.) Sister Dominque Long especially asks about you
I just figured out HOW to reply and will do it more often. I check you blog three or four times a day.
I think I agree with the one who suggested no wig, no cap, no scarf. Then I taught iin Laramie there was a gorgeous 7th grade girls who lost ALL her hair overnight. They coudln’t figure out why and urged her to wear nothing. However for proms and Easter, etc she did create a special bandana to match the rest of her costume. But do whatever is comfortable for you
AND I am so glad I went with you to FC last summer.
I’m happy to go with you when you pick out wigs. Not sure Clark would be good at this girly thing. Of all of us you DEFINITELY had the thickest best hair. I work Tues & Wed but free the rest of the time. I can also bring Lola over & we can go for a short walk. Next craft night is Feb. 16th if you are not too tired & want to just come & visit.
Hey there, you-
You sound and act like a woman ready to take on the battle! I check your blog often and now it sounds as if you’re going into the study. Both Jennie & I have been praying for you and the fam. We stand by you, admittedly, at a distance, but as Goethe said, “Love is time and distance, measured by the heart.” Give us a line or two if you have questions, especially Jen-she literally knows what you’re going through.
Your OKC nurse contingent,
P&J
Noel,
As this new year begins you are remembered in our thoughts and prayers each day.
Tim and your Salesian colleagues
Noel, Just a note from a Falls City Cornhusker. I am grateful for your blog. I continue to pray for your healing. I am deep into advocating for comprehensive immigration reform from the Feds and no mean policy to come from the Kansas Legislators. Know that I care about your piece of God’s Kingdom, YOU and the people in it. Special greetings to Ellen and Sarah. Therese Bangert
So happy to see your current blog.
2012 is going to be a good year!
My grandmother always told me that a nap was a “treat for the body.” She was a very smart woman. So keep on napping.
Think of you daily.
Carmelita
Dear Noel, I will be praying for you so that you will have the strength to go on to the next phase of your treatment. We miss you here at Salesian, and hope you come back to us soon. Much love! Katie O
Noel,
The Salesian community said Mass for you this morning. We had a special Mass for those who are sick, and you were remembered! We continue to keep you in our prayers, and the students and I at Salesian prayed for your complete recovery this morning at prayer. God bless you, and thank you for your inspiration and faith-filled love!
Fr. Nick
Hi Noel,
I love reading your notes (blogs? letters?). I wish I had your kind of positive attitude about life, and I’m not the one going through so much. I’m trying to send you energy through the ether (I mean, psychically, right?). I’m also relieved to know you have so many great folks around you now.
Things are about the same here, so what you are missing isn’t any thing you haven’t seen, dealt with, laughed about, fumed about, or sighed over over the last 19 years (!).
Blessings to you and yours,
Andy