This is the Year of the Rat. I'm a Rat. So far, "my" year has been a biggie in the "experience" and "learning" categories. I will never view things quite the same again, meaning that I am trying like hell to NOT ever take anything for granted again. That's a good thing.

I have to say, the past two weeks have turned out to be one of the most intense roller coaster rides of my life. I started out on a major high, as I globetrotted 12,000 miles down unda to be with someone I thought was the love of my life. All the endorphins were flowing and I was on Cloud 9. Then, of course, on the 7th day I went plunging to the bottom of this ride, as I was unceremoniously dumped by the Aussie. Then I was launched back up to the top of the coaster by the unconditional love of my family and friends - I was back on top of the world in ways I never could have imagined... 

Then only days later, I received some horrible news about my dear friend, Frank, who has been bravely undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma the past few months. After his CT scan, the doctor said that the masses did not appear to be shrinking and that apparently the chemo had not worked as hoped. This was absolutely devastating to all who love Frank, but especially to his beloved Jim, his partner for over 12 years. There were tears, tho we didn't want to give up just yet, as there was still a PET scan to do for a better assessment of what was really going on in there. 

Well, today Frank and Jim got the results of the PET scan - I was already bracing myself for some dismal news. They stopped by my house this afternoon... they both had rather odd facial expressions and I feared the worst, fighting back tears as I went to hug Jim. Then he said in my ear, "The cancer is dead. The "masses" in the CT scan were actually just scar tissue" WHAT???!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAYYYY! This was the "miracle" we had just been asking for recently!!! And it actually happened!!!!! The chemo worked!!! THANK THE GODS A MILLION TIMES!!!! Oh, and the doctors, too.

So it's back to the top of the roller coaster again!! Yes, Frank is going to be not only well, but cured!!! He does have to have two more chemo treatments "for good measure", which is nothing to look forward to, of course. BUT, at least now he knows that the impending discomfort is temporary, and there is finally a happy ending in sight! This is SO amazingly wonderful for obvious reasons, and now Frank has a real-deal legitimate new lease on life... and a new life... and life, itself! And all is well again. 

Frank's "challenges" during this period since he was first diagnosed in January have been huge. Every three weeks, he sat in a chair connected to tubes that delivered poison into his body - all the while joking with the staff and other patients at "MacChemo", as the facility was nicknamed. Then he would have the post-chemo effects of feeling "blaaahg", as he would say with dramatic flair in an attempt to add levity to the situation for our benefit. I have admired Frank since the first day I met him 2.5 years ago, but I can now say that he is truly one of the bravest, strongest and most incredible people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing... and stubborn as hell! (which is why he beat the cancer) His sheer "will" through all of this has been beyond inspirational and made me realize that all the other little "dramas" in life short of traumas on this level are so trivial by comparison, including my own little heartbreak episode recently. Yes, life is precious, and no one appreciates that more than someone who has actually faced losing it. I'm taking the lesson from this, too, and trying to be more conscious of just how lucky I am to not only have my peeps, etc., but to have my health and a fully functioning body and mind. What more could I ask for, really? 

OK, maybe a winning lotto ticket while we're at it? If not, no worries - I am feeling very rich right now in much more important ways.