Today,November 11th is Ella's birthday. It was a great day. She slept in late, so we all got to sleep in a bit. We had her birthday party which was a blast. It was a gymnastics party where she does her weekly gymnastics class which she absolutely loves. After the kids played in there we had our cake and ice cream and presents. Angie's mom made Ella's cake. I wanted a Mickey mouse clubhouse theme since Ella loves Mickey. Angie's mom literally made a clubhouse on the cake, it was incredible!!! Very impressive. Thank you to Angie's family for doing this for her. Thank you to all the family and friends who came and helped us celebrate this wonderful day. I am so blessed to have Ella. The song in my head right now is " You are the sunshine of my life, oh oh oh..." I'm tired!
To tell you more about Chicago. Andrea and I had a great time. We ended up spending the rest of Friday lounging around Sara's condo in our pajamas until it was time to get cleaned up to go out for dinner before we had to catch our flight back to KC late Friday night. Even though we didn't do much, it was a perfect trip.
I do have to say though, it was a dream of mine to get to go to the Oprah show. So I am so grateful that I got to go but I was a bit disappointed in her. She didn't interact with the audience at all. It was as if we weren't really there. It was quite a process to get into the studio and get our seats. We waited a long time in this room while the audience piled in. Andrea and I were one of the first one's to arrive, actually we were the first ones to arrive but because we went to the wrong door, a few other people ended up, greedily, in front of us. They called a bunch of names to be seated before they started seating by number, which I thought was odd. We were getting a bit frustrated, wondering if we arrived early for nothing. We weren't going to be very happy if they continued to call other people who arrived 30 minutes to an hour after they told us to be there before those of us who were there prior to the time we were supposed to be there. Anyway, that part was frustrating and then her not really acknowledging us in the audience kind of put me off a bit. I even overheard a few people behind us when we were leaving saying they would never come back and weren't impressed. Again, I am still glad I got to go and have my dream come true!!! Thank you again Diane and family for the opportunity.
This week is chemo week starting Tuesday. I feel so good besides my back pain it is so hard to face chemo week knowing I will be run down and tired. But I am going to do my best to not let it get to me. Good night everyone. Have a great week....
Oh, Miki, Happy Birthday to you too!!! shawndra
To tell you more about Chicago. Andrea and I had a great time. We ended up spending the rest of Friday lounging around Sara's condo in our pajamas until it was time to get cleaned up to go out for dinner before we had to catch our flight back to KC late Friday night. Even though we didn't do much, it was a perfect trip.
I do have to say though, it was a dream of mine to get to go to the Oprah show. So I am so grateful that I got to go but I was a bit disappointed in her. She didn't interact with the audience at all. It was as if we weren't really there. It was quite a process to get into the studio and get our seats. We waited a long time in this room while the audience piled in. Andrea and I were one of the first one's to arrive, actually we were the first ones to arrive but because we went to the wrong door, a few other people ended up, greedily, in front of us. They called a bunch of names to be seated before they started seating by number, which I thought was odd. We were getting a bit frustrated, wondering if we arrived early for nothing. We weren't going to be very happy if they continued to call other people who arrived 30 minutes to an hour after they told us to be there before those of us who were there prior to the time we were supposed to be there. Anyway, that part was frustrating and then her not really acknowledging us in the audience kind of put me off a bit. I even overheard a few people behind us when we were leaving saying they would never come back and weren't impressed. Again, I am still glad I got to go and have my dream come true!!! Thank you again Diane and family for the opportunity.
This week is chemo week starting Tuesday. I feel so good besides my back pain it is so hard to face chemo week knowing I will be run down and tired. But I am going to do my best to not let it get to me. Good night everyone. Have a great week....
Oh, Miki, Happy Birthday to you too!!! shawndra
17 comments:
Shawndra, I am glad you had a good time and I didn't want to tell you about how it would at Oprah but that is what we experienced too. It is not all it is cracked up to be anymore. Oh well, dream fullfilled but now you know that your real dreams live within your own four walls. It's funny how that happens. I consider you a much bigger hero than Oprah even though she has done great things, she has never faced Cancer or raised a child and those to me are the biggest challenges a person can have. You do it with such grace and love. I never go to her site anymore but I never miss yours. You to me are a hero!!! Love you. Melodie Chrisman
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!!!! I am sorry to hear the Oprah event was a bit disappointing. I agree that the process getting into the studio was very odd, not quite sure what they d. However, the time I went, Oprah did interact with the audience, so that surprized me. Who knows what or why. Maybe next time you will be the star. Anyway, you went, you enjoyed great company.....ahhhhh. Chin up going into tomorrow and have a great week!
Happy Birthday Ella = )
Good Luck this week with your chemo treatments Shawndra, you will be in my prayers.
I go in for my endoscopy tommorow and hope for some answers after that.
Take care and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Naomi,Doug
& Adam
Shawndra,
Hi. I have followed your blog but have never posted before. I found your site through Jennifer Ireland's. Let me first say how brave and awesome you are. Thank you for sharing your story and sharing your personal experiences and thoughts. I pray for your family and hope that you overcome this cancer. Keep fighting. You have a beautiful family. Glad you got to experience one of those things you have always wanted to do. I will just say I greatly agree with what you said about Oprah! I agree with another comment that you are a hero! Happy B-day to your cutie Ella!
Welcome home! I am so happy you were able to make it up to Chicago for a few wonderful days with Andrea and Sara. I know it was a well-deserved escape.
Happy Belated Birthday to Princess Ella! I hope to be able to see her, and YOU, soon! I spent the weekend baby-sitting 4 cousins, ages 2, 4, 9 and 15 - all boys. I have a MUCH greater appreciation for what you and all moms do on a daily basis! You are Superwoman!!!
I hope your back feels better - take good care of yourself this week. Please let me know if I can do ANYTHING for you.
Love you always, d
What a bummer about Oprah, that had to have been a let down after so much excitement and preparation - darnit! Anyway, glad you got to go and enoy some time with your sis.
Happy birthday Ella!
Lots of prayers and positive energy your way this week as always. Hope the chemo goes as best as can be expected...we'll be thinking of you!
Take care~ Deb
What a bummer about Oprah, that had to have been a let down after so much excitement and preparation - darnit! Anyway, glad you got to go and enoy some time with your sis.
Happy birthday Ella!
Lots of prayers and positive energy your way this week as always. Hope the chemo goes as best as can be expected...we'll be thinking of you!
Take care~ Deb
How's my Sweet Girl? Yes, you "the queen". I am so happy that you and Andrea were able to get away for some sister time. You both needed it. When can I go? Oprah was just icing on the cake. Oh, and speaking of cake, the birthday party was sooo fun. I enjoyed letting my inner child out. I hadn't jumped on a tramp in years. Ella had to help her Nana. So Cute! You and she are so blessed. I love you. mom2
Shawndra,
I've been reading for a while but I've never commented. You may remember me as the once nursing student (now praticing RN!) who was there for Ella's delivery and also "remet" your family during my senior practicum this spring.
I just wanted you to know you and your family are in my thoughts often, even though I don't see you anymore. This Sunday, I stopped for a second to think about you and Doug and Ella.
Thanks for letting me be there for her birth, it was an experience that changed my life.
Shawndra,
Greetings from St. John in the US Virgin Islands! Even thousands of miles away in paradise I will be thinking and praying for you Tuesday. Here's hoping your next round treats you well. Always keep believing. You are one amazing girl.
Thanks for the birthday wish! I'm glad Ella had a great day. November 11 is a great day!! Go scorpios!
Miki
Shawndra, Sorry to hear about Oprah. I've gone a couple times and one time she was exactly like that, no audience acknowledgment and a few other times where she was very much interacting. It probably depends on the day and what mood she's in!
We had so much fun celebrating with you Sunday. Aidan said "Ella Happy" many times later that day/night and was very animated in talking about the party well into the evening. I hope you all have fun playing with new toys and recovering from the busy day! I love reading your blog. I am inspired by your courageous and up beat attitude every day and you give me newly found energy to do more and be a better person/parent. You, your family and doctors are all in our prayers daily.
Love you. ADL
Shawndra, I don't know if you recall as you have so many faithful bloggers, but you and I share a birthday (though I was born in 1964 and am several years older). It's kind of interesting to see that Ella also shares a birthday with my stepbrother (Happy birthday Ella & John). I wonder if Doug shares a birthday with any of my family. :-).
Glad to hear you enjoyed Chicago and time with the girls. That's too bad that Oprah didn't interact with the audience. That's part of what makes the shows that I enjoy the most. I realize she's doing a television show. But I would think there would be some time during commercials that she could give the audience some attention. Hubby and I are going to see Wayne Newton's Christmas show in Las Vegas next month. We saw him there the same time last year and enjoyed it so much that we're going back and bought tickets quite a while ago. This time we're in front row, center. I'm so excited. And part of what just made the show as much as his entertaining was the way he interacts with the audience. You leave with warm fuzzies. Guess Oprah needs to take a lesson on warm fuzzies. She gives off the impression of being warm & personable when doing serious interviews. I don't understand why it doesn't flow out in to the audience. Maybe she's carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders with what has been going on in her school in Africa and is a bit embarrassed by it all. I'm sure the media has been stalking her about it regularly.
I hope chemo is easy on you this week. I too live with back pain daily (hourly) and it stinks. I can't imagine adding what you have on your plate to it and managing to stay strong emotionally and do as well as you do with it all. Kudos to you for standing up to all this with a smile on your face. You're an amazing woman. As always, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers this week. Relax as much as you can and take good care of yourself.
Shawndra-
Happy Birthday Ella! You are so blessed to have your Mommy!!! She is a wonderful person.
I am so glad you a wonderful time in Chicago with Andrea. Good luck this week with Chemo. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
The Mudge's
GOOD MORNING SHAWNDRA,
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE POST FROM MELODIE C. U ARE SO MUCH MORE THE HERO TO ME AS WELL...I TOO KNEW OF THE OPRAH DEAL BUT ONE HAS TO EXPERIENCE IT FOR THEMSELVES...LIVE AND LEARN MY FRIEND....I TOO NO LONGER VIEW OPRAH'S SITE AND AM SURE TO READ YOURS AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY DAILY PRAYER TIME...HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO DEAR ELLA....WITH MANY MORE TO COME WITH HER WONDERFUL MOMMIE...HAVE A BLESSED DAY AND KEEP THE FAITH...WITH CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP, YOUR ANGEL IN KC, MO JEN MILLER :)
Shawndra,
I have been reading your blog for some time. I praise the grace with which you are facing your situation. Never have I read anything so moving.
I came out to comment on the Oprah experience. I don't even watch her anymore because of the way she is on her show. She is quite full of herself and even her guests don't get to speak without her interrupting. I am sorry you were disappointed after all you went thru to get there. But such is life and it's experiences. You did get your wish to get there. I am so glad you did.
Blessings on your family
Marie
Happy Birthday to Ella....I'm not surprised at the Oprah letdown. My sister was on the show years ago and she felt the same.
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