Wow, time has been flying. Sorry it has been so long since I updated my blog, but no news is good news, right?
An update on my condition first: Right before Dan & I went to Puerto Rico I had X-rays done and my tumor markers blood work done. The cancer in my hip, pelvis, and back is stable. My blood test tumor markers actually dropped from 43 to 28. That is wonderful news. I hope I will stay stable for years and years!!!!
Puerto Rico was fabulous! It was so beautiful and warm. The beaches were absolutely gorgeous!! I felt so much better in the warm, plus Dan was really good at keeping me on top of my meds so I wouldn't be in pain. Swimming in the Caribbean was amazing. The water was so warm, and I could just float forever. That was the best pain relief- that weightless feeling while swimming.
Part of the time we stayed with a family Dan knew from his mission, the Hernandez's. They were so nice, and it was wonderful to get to know them. They feel like family!
The other time we stayed at a bed and breakfast right on the beach. We had a balcony you could go out and watch the ocean waves crashing on the beach. We had a yummy breakfast every morning, and we met lots of nice people who were also staying there.
We took a sailboat trip to some islands, and snorkeled along the coral reef. We saw so many beautiful fishes, and we even saw a dolphin from the sailboat. We got a little seasick on the last part of the trip, so I may be hesitant to sail again any time soon.
All in all, it was a very relaxing and wonderful vacation. It is always nice to come home; I really started to miss the kids the last 2 days. Of course, as soon as I get home the are fighting with each other, plus all of the homework, housework, temper-tantrums, cooking, teaching piano lessons, and all the other joys of being a stay at home mom that makes me want to hop on the airplane and fly back to paradise. Such is life though. If we didn't have to deal with all of the trials of life, we wouldn't appreciate the precious moments as much.
The sunsets were so breathtaking. You could literally watch the sun sink in the horizon. The sunrises were equally beautiful. Almost every night we would eat dinner at an ocean-side restaurant. The food was amazing, and we enjoyed non-alcoholic pina-coladas.
This picture is Dan & I at the top of a watchtower in in the El Yunque Rainforest. This place was totally amazing. It was so lush and green, and you could hear so many birds chirping in the background. There were waterfalls, and beautiful flowers.
El Yunque Rain Forest
Beach front restaurant where Dan had lobster. We are with the Hernandez's, the people we stayed with.
Dan with his whole lobster.
Old San Juan
Balcony at the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at: Luquillo Sunrise Inn