One More Round

Monday was T minus 2, which means that I only have one more chemo cocktail to go, as is demonstrated by my pincushion of a finger. I won't specify which finger it is, but if you know me at all, you don't even have to ask which finger was flying high to shout it out that I only have one more left. I actually and very happily made my very last appointment at the chemo cocktail lounge, and had Cassandra my chemo calendar goddess autograph my LAST appointment card. December 21 at Noon! That felt really good. And then mix in a wee bit of the surreal, I mean, half of me can't even believe that I have made it to the point where I can say I only have one more round! 24 rounds of chemo cocktails seemed like the biggest number in the world a year and a half ago when I started this chemo trip. And yet here I am almost on the other side of it all. Look how happy the little girl on the band-aid is and that about sums it up. Can I get a hallelujah?

I have a chemo cocktail music mix that I have compiled and worn out to encourage me when I've needed it. I've walked many miles trying to fight off tears, fighting to get my fitness back, trying to walk off my foggy brain and soggy feet from the chemo, with this soundtrack on my iPod, and it has ministered to my soul. One of the songs is practically my very own theme song. I don't think it is about chemo, except that it has become so, to me. And I really am in the mood to especially blare it these days, as I have finally gotten to the title!

"One More Round"

by The Barlow Girls

Round one wasn't what I thought it'd be

Round two I'm struggling to breathe

3, 4, 5, 6, 7 times I wondered why I stepped inside this ring

I may be knocked down and so bruised

But I'm here to tell you

I may be knocked down but not for the count

1, 2, 3, 4

So take me one more round

I'll just keep fighting

One more round

You're messing me up but I'm still here

One more round
I'll come out swinging
One more round
I'm telling you now I'm not going to lose it here

It's so hard to get up off the floor again

But I know that victory is when

I'm pushing through the pain that tries to feed me lies
That I wont reach the end

I may be bloodied and so bruised

But I'm here to tell you

I may be knocked down but not for the count

1, 2, 3, 4

So take me one more round
I'll just keep fighting
One more round

You're messing me up but I'm still here

One more round

I'll come out swinging

One more round

I'm telling you now I'm not gonna lose it

I am not defeated

Though you cannot see it

I have never won a battle on my own

I find strength in weakness

I find hope in believing

God is for me who can bring me down?

So take me one more round

I'll just keep fighting

One more round

You're messing me up but I'm still here

One more round

I'll come out swinging
One more round

I'm telling you now I'm not gonna lose it here

Last month Amanda and I got to see The Barlow Girls in concert. I wanted so much to tell them how much their song meant to me but we didn't get to stay to stand in line to meet them. I did however buy a couple pairs of really cool mini boxing gloves for myself and my fellow chemo junkie, Shelly, that they were selling at the concert. They say "One More Round" on them. I have mine hanging from the rear-view mirror in my Mini. Shelly has hers tied to her purse, and every once in a while she busts them out and starts shadowboxing. It's cute. But then, she is cute so what are you gonna do? Here is a pic of Shelly and me, not duking it out with our mini boxing gloves, but en-garding with our holey fingers (hehe) in honor of my one more round. Also, I guess it's entirely possible that we accidentally became blood sisters, which just makes me smile when I think about it.

Cheers and love, everyone. And thank you for praying. Your prayers have been like a magic carpet to me, carrying me through this chemo trip. I'm your grateful travel guide, Joules

The Tiffany Foundation Fundraising Event is a Week from Today

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Tiffany Floth Romero, but I had the honor of running into her legacy last December at the Ballers Against Breast Cancer/Tiffany Foundation Event at my tennis club.

The Tiffany Foundation was formed to honor the life of Tiffany Floth Romero, who died on August 5th, 2006, after a 4 1/2 year battle against Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Tiffany had an indomitable spirit that both stuns me and spurs me on in my own battle against breast cancer.

Tiffany didn't put life on hold while she faced and fought cancer. Her battle was more difficult than I can imagine, but despite everything she lived passionately, loved deeply, laughed, hard and often, and she played tennis. I would have loved to play tennis with her. I would have been honored to be Tiffany's friend.

Last December the Tiffany Foundation gave me a holiday, of sorts, away from the cancer and the chemo: a year of tennis at 5 Seasons to help me get back on the courts. Through the year, both on the courts and off, I have been aware of Tiffany's generous gift and spirit.

This December I get to "pay it forward" so to speak, and be part of the passing on of the torch to the next Tiffany Award recipient. Pictured with me above, is Kristi Frazier, the 2007 recipient, who handed me the torch last year and whose hair growth I am trying to catch up with this year.

The Event will begin with tennis! from 5:00-6:30 p.m., followed by a silent auction, live music, food and spirits, in celebration and honor of Tiffany from 7:00-10:00 p.m.

5 Seasons is located at 11790 Snider Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249.

The club phone number is 513-360-4332. It's web address is http://fiveseasonscinci.reachlocal.net/trainerfinder/websites/60124/cincinnati/index.html.

Please R.S.V.P. here or by calling 5 Seasons so they can cater accordingly. Also, feel free to bring friends. The more, the merrier. The more to join with The Tiffany Foundation and 5 Seasons in the battle against breast cancer, in honor of Tiffany. The more to stand beside and bless the next Tiffany recipient.

As it is a Fundraiser, the Event is $35 per person.

Cheers, and I hope to see you there!

P.S. Learn more about Tiffany, her story and The Tiffany Foundation at http://www.tiffanyfoundation.org/.