I am absolutely loving my winter break. It has been so nice to to sleep in, to spend time with the family, and have the freedom to read books that I want to read versus the books that I have been assigned to read.  I'm keeping up with my workouts by meeting a friend and using TRX straps outside at a track so we can watch our kids play and run around. It's been good for both of us, and our kids, to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

A tradition that I have missed and am so glad we can take advantage during out school breaks is to pile everyone into the van for a drive to explore new areas, like the Blanco river.

We decided to visit Blanco, Texas earlier this week to visit the Real Ale Brewery (http://realalebrewing.com/). The brewery offers a free tour on Friday afternoons and samples of their seasonal beer. The nerd in me loved that the tour guide explained the science behind making the perfect batch of beer and the beer drinker in me loved that they gave out five free samples that were really, really good.

Today, I had the pleasure of going to Round Rock, Texas to visit The Salt Lick, (http://www.saltlickbbq.com/), and meet up two of my very best friends, Jay and Marcie. A group of us met on the internet 10 years ago, formed our own separate MSN group, and became good friends. Over time we met in real life, after we making sure that the person we were meeting wasn't an ax murderer or an internet "weirdo", and continued to stay friends. After my cancer surgeries Jay and Marcie would either Yahoo chat or Facebook chat with me listen to me whine and complain. They helped me through some of the darkest times of my life and for that I will always be grateful.

It was nice playing catch up and having a conversation that didn't involve a computer or a phone. Since Marcie lives in the Northwest and Jay lives on the opposite side of the state we don't always have the ability to meet up for lunch so today was a very special day. I really hope that one of these years our entire internet group will be able to meet up for lunch. (hint, hint).

It's been a while

Merry Christmas!!

I can't believe how long it's been since I have written. Life has been crazy busy and I have been trying to enjoy every bit of it; although, every so often I will think "Oh, I should write about this" and then.. I don't. Since my third surgery I have:

• Gone back to school with the goal of getting my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I have a long way to go, but I know that with hard work I'll achieve my goal.
• Walked the San Antonio Half Marathon. It took me 4 hours, but I did it. I finished the race. I was training for the Kansas City Half Marathon when my tumor was discovered and I always promised myself that I would finish a half marathon, even if I had to crawl across the finish line.
• Started fostering dogs for the Texas German Shorthair Pointer rescue. 
• Spent two awesome summers enjoying my kids at different amusement and water parks.
• Continued to grow bone around my implant. 

Since it has been almost 2 years from my last surgery, I have decided to change the name of the blog from Life With Chondrosarcoma to Life After Chondrosarcoma. When I received my diagnosis and had my various surgeries I never felt like there would be a life after cancer. I am so glad that I was wrong. There is life after cancer. Yes, it is something that is always at the back of my mind when I go in for tests and appointments; however, I don't let that fear and worry consume my life.

Some of my goals for the upcoming year include:

• Continue losing weight. When my doctor told me that I probably wouldn't lose any weight until after a year from my last surgery he was right.
• Do a triathlon in April
• Walk another half marathon
• Keep my 4.0 GPA

Before I go, I want to share some pictures of my friend, Beth, and I at the half marathon. Beth lives in Arizona and I am so happy that she was able to fly in to Texas and walk with me!

 Before the race

At the end. We were smiling because we were glad it was almost over.

 Tired, but very happy

We were so happy that when we tried to "Hi-5" each other we missed. Of course the photographer would have to capture that moment in time.