Celebrate Good Times: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Today marks four weeks since my last treatment (my official first month-iversary...to borrow a term coined by Krista and Michael Drescher...is Friday). Ahhh. It feels so great to be done and focusing on other things....like celebrations! The past several weeks have consisted of many of those, including one birthday, two post-cancer treatment parties, one wedding, and one baby shower. Here's a brief recap of all of the fun events:

Last IP Chemo Treatment at INOVA Fairfax: Wednesday, September 23



Dr. A, who is Dr. E's current fellow, came by to say goodbye during my last IP treatment. Dr. A and I got off to a rough start (I flipped out on him the morning after my hysterectomy when I discovered he and Dr. E had stapled by incision instead of stitching it, as I had requested for my first surgery...) but became fast friends. He redeemed himself by bringing me fantastic pathology results the second morning he came for rounds AND somehow he knew that I have a huge weakness for trail mix and brought me some every time he came to see me during my IP chemo sessions. Isn't he kind of dreamy? He looks a bit like George Clooney, right?

Okay, this is kind of funny. I took this picture of Dr. A discussing women's...uh...grooming habits and body art with two of my favorite nurses, Sue and Christine. Basically, he's become an expert in predicting what things will be like "down there" based on a woman's age and socioeconomic background. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss offline. Trust me, it was a very amusing conversation.


Time to for the bubbly! That's Dad pouring the sparkling wine at the end of the day.


Grandad joined us for a toast in the hospital room and then treated me, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Annie, who was in town for work, to dinner at Sweetwater Tavern after we left the hospital. It was nice to have him here to celebrate.





Aunt Kathy's 50-something Birthday: Wednesday, September 30

"Brenda" needed a wash and style before Ali's wedding weekend so Mom and I ventured up to the dreaded Silver Spring on Aunt Kathy's birthday to get the wig washed and treat Kathy to lunch at Christina's, which is a great Italian restaurant around the corner from Amy's of Denmark. We were actually able to celebrate with Kathy two times this year. We spent the previous Saturday in Baltimore having lunch and visiting Ladew Topiary Gardens, which were breathtaking, with Kathy and her daughter, Heather. It's always fun celebrating anything with Kathy!

Post-Treatment Celebration at Food Matters' Pasta Night: Wed, September 30

Later that night on the 30th, I met up with about a dozen girlfriends for all you can eat pasta night to celebrate the end of my treatment. My friends were so great to surprise me with balloons (in the appropriate ovarian and GYN cancer awareness colors!) and toasts about "what they love about Jennie besides that she beat cancer." Of course, I totally *hated* hearing all of the great things they had to say about me. From left to right: Joey, Kelley, Alison, Layla, Julie, me, Kristin, Michelle, Christy, Melissa R., and Melissa S.


A close-up shot of the fantastic Alexandria Pastry Shop cake that said, "Jennie Won, Cancer 0" and the extra special teal ribbon sugar cookies that Christy's manager, Mary, made for me. They were delicious!

Ali and Pete's Wedding in Quechee, VT: Saturday, October 3

Rehearsal time! That's me (maid of honor), Ali (bride-to-be), and Millsie (matron of honor) before things got underway. I met (and fell in love with) Ali during our first year of college; Ali and Millsie grew up together in Hingham, MA. Millsie, who is also a cancer survivor, is currently getting her Master's in genetic counseling at Stanford. Needless to say, both of our crappy genes gave us a lot to talk about!

Ali about to practice her walk down the aisle.

The entrance to Murphy Farm, which is where the fun and yummy rehearsal dinner was held.

A shot of the gorgeous fall foliage and its reflection on Lake Pinneo.

Approaching Murphy Farm.

The pretty entrance table filled with the place cards.

The most important element: the bar.

The dining room where the dinner was held.

A close-up of the festive centerpieces.

The guest of honor: Pete and Ali. I think Pete kind of looks like a brunette Woody Harrelson. Agree?

Two of Ali's NYC friends: Christina and Julie.

Christina and me. We've been friends since the 7th grade when she introduced herself to me in Mr. Kennedy's social studies class. I introduced Ali and Christina to each other when Ali moved to NYC. Have you read The Tipping Point? I'm a connector.

Time to get pretty. Pete's mom and sister with Ali in the salon.

Ali's sister-in-law, Suzanne, and her daughter, Olivia, who was the flower girl.

Time for make-up!

Finishing things up.

Picture time! Obviously, I'm having trouble loading the vertical shots AGAIN. The gray overcast skies made for great light for the pre-wedding photos.

I couldn't resist getting a shot of the groom and his men relieving themselves during the photo session.

I think the photographer's shot of this will turn out great!

Just Married! Ali and Pete in their limo on the wedding to the reception at The Quechee Club.

Millsie and her husband, Steve, at the reception.

Our gorgeous flowers and centerpiece.

The Brooklyn hipsters: Christina and her husband, Andy.

So much love in the air!

Time to cut the cake! Ali's mom, who is a fantastic baker, baked all of the desserts, including brownies, cookies, and the wedding cake. Everything was delicious!

Jori and Baby T's Baby Shower: Sunday, October 11

Getting the tables ready at Kristin's great new house, which is where the shower was held.

One of the gorgeous centerpieces Jori's sister, Kristen, made for the shower.

The fantastic cupcakes Kristen also made. She blew up images from the invitation and stuck them in the cupcakes. Isn't that a great idea?

The centerpiece and the lox and bagels. I love me some lox and bagels! The fall brunch menu included: two egg stratas (one with meat and one veggie; delicious!) , lox and bagels, roast asparagus, roast potatoes, mixed greens with cranberries, goat cheese, and toasted pine nuts, pear tarts with carmalized onions and swiss cheese (delicious!), and cupcakes.

A rather blurry shot of the napkins I got in honor of Baby (Boy) T.

The bar.

Jori opening one of her fantastic gifts.

Jori with three of the five co-hosts. Unfortunately, S'Nokes and Mary Morgan couldn't be with us but were so generous to help from afar. From left to right: Kristen, Jori, me, and Kristin.

So, that sums up what's been going on post-treatment....for the most part. Stay tuned for picture of the Sigler's oyster roast and other upcoming fun October events. Off to continue my major organization project before spending the rest of this gorgeous afternoon with my friend Thomas.