Saturday, December 31, 2011

Christmas stories 2011



We have had a lovely Christmas. Luke didn't end up getting a really big gift (I listened close when he sat on Santa's lap, "I want a servant to bring me a present every day!" And then he laughed at his joke he had probably been planning all night). But after he had opened his modest presents (mostly board games) he ran up to me and gave me a big hug. "You know what I wanted for Christmas, mom?" "What?" "Everything you gave me!"



You might notice from the above picture that we have a little Star Wars love over here. Here is one the nativities gracing our piano.



My kids had a great time buying each other presents. They do this with very different motives. We are lucky Luke spent any money on his brothers (he did find what he wanted first, and then made sure any other presents fit the remaining budget). Last year Luke decided he wasn't going to buy James and Sam anything. His brothers were shocked. James got an angry look on his face, "But Luke, that wouldn't be fair! We are buying you something!" Sam looked at both of them confused. "But Luke! Don't you want to see the look on their faces when they open your gift?"

I guess I don't write enough about Sam, but boy this kid has a big heart. Here is what I found in his book bag yesterday. I asked him what he was supposed to write on it, he said just what his Christmas wish was, toys, travel, etc.



I save everything he writes because his spelling is so creative. "I wish that nowon wod get canser. Because it wod help a lot of people."

Josh has never been able to surprise me with, or even(according to him) come up with just the right gift. I do love everything he gets me (mostly because he always includes a romantic card, and after 20 years he still finds new ways to say he loves me), but he is never satisfied with his gift, and usually, I have already found out about it (it's as easy as the google search history).

But this year he had a dream. The week before Christmas he dreamt he went to the jewelers and bought a string of pearls for $2,500. But he wasn't excited about it because he was so worried I would be mad about the price. He woke up and immediately started to retell the dream. Of course the whole time I'm beaming up at him in yesterday's smeared mascara, imagining him clasping the necklace around my neck under the Christmas tree lights, taking me by the shoulders, turning me around, pushing me away from him to have a good look. Eyes go from the pearls to my shining eyes, to the pearls, to my glossy lips, and those he cannot resist. Kissing me big on the mouth he whispers "They so perfectly suit you, darling!." But I snap out of my fantasy when I hear, "Well, you wouldn't wear pearls anyway." My eyebrows shoot up. "Would you?!" "Wouldn't wear pearls!!! Me?!! I've been dying for pearls since Matthew Cuthbert gave the most beautiful set to Anne Shirley in the upstairs room at Green Gables! And that was like...a hundred years ago!"

So yes, under the tree Christmas morning, I had a sting of pears. The perfect gift. Even if it wasn't a surprise. Stay tuned, Josh has now figured out to keep those kind of dreams to himself. 19 days till my birthday. But no pressure or anything Babe!



Christmas morning Josh and I had to speak in church, so I put them to use right away. Josh fumbled with the clasp, so I ended up getting it on, but he did give me a big, lusty kiss.

The truth is, I did get a surprise for Christmas. A HUGE one, that I hope doesn't come across as depressing. I got an email right before Christmas from the nurse at my oncologist's office. He said "Merry Christmas-your tumor tested positive for the BRAF mutation". WHAT??? When I researched my type of melanoma (spitzoid) the study I read said 2 of 17 or something like that of the spizoid melanomas had the mutation. And so I thought I certainly would fall into the larger category (why? I seem to always be in the small percentages). In all of melanoma there is about a 50% chance of having the mutation. Any way, I have read more articles that are saying it is not as rare as I thought in the spitzoid melanomas, and who cares?! I have that little mutation! What does that mean for me? They approved in 2011 a medication (zelboraf) that interferes with the signaling pathways of the cancer cell. It is not a cure, but a miraculous drug that can shrink melanoma tumors quickly and without chemo-like side effects. It is an awesome drug, extending life in half of the patients who are BRAF positive. Unfortunately, eventually the body finds a way around it, and the cancer comes back. Trust me, I never want to get to the point of using it. But I felt like someone just handed me months of extra life. And what could that be? An entire dream trip? An extra summer? Another holiday season with my babies? I cried when I opened the email and thanked God for the best surprise I've ever had.

15 comments:

  1. Sound like you guys had the perfect Christmas, full of Star Wars Legos, Pearls (way to go Josh) and the best Christmas gift ever! SO glad you have that little mutation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alisa, that is great news. So glad to hear it. Your Christmas sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love it! Cool news about the BRAF thing--I'm crying because I love that news so much!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It has been brought to my attention that last year was 2011, not 2010. I will change the title now. The other thing Josh surprised me with for Christmas was my old blog printed out in a book. It is full of these kinds of mistakes. Details...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your so amazing, I loved Sam's cute stocking: Little kids are so so amazing with the way they express themselves, I am thinking Josh is a great guy, I knew he was but I know better now=) I would love to have someone just go and print my blog, I have thought and tried, it's such a pain or I need Josh to help me do it Ü Congrats on your lovely Christmas your family deserves it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The pearls do go so well with your shining eyes. And Josh is just too much. Did you know back when you were falling in love with him just how good he was?
    Happiest of New Years

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with Sam. And I love extra time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing such wonderful news! (P.S. And maybe Josh can give Mike some tips...j/k)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wrote a comment yesterday, but maybe it was too offensive to put on here? I wanted to know why Josh gave you a sting of pears in 2010. Maybe he misunderstood what you really wanted or he was still half asleep. I am excited for your news too! Mutation is just another word for superhero. And you did an awesome job on your talk. Drew needed a recap as he ended up in the bathroom with Coop and missed it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good news on both accounts! The pearls are beautiful! You know Alisa, I think about you often, actually it is mostly when I am in bed in the morning with Daniel and I go get Magnolia and bring her in too and we all just hang out there. I think of your family picture done in bed, and I love it. I love what is shows and what is says about you and your family. You are an amazing lady who I really appreciate and adore (even from afar and through words!)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I missed this post until just now, but it was a good one. I'm glad you got some good news that I hope you never need to actually use. And I love the Star Wars Nativity.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your talk was amazing. I love your posts. You are so eloquent!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Pearls!!! You look amazing in them!!

    ReplyDelete