2011: The Good

Now that my previous post is out of the way...

Let's move on to the good that has happened over the past month and a half.

Most importantly, this happened:

Mirza graduated from the University of South Florida with his Bachelor of Science in Music Education!

 ...

with honors!

Now he is on the hunt for a job!

I'd hire him!

And 2 weeks ago, I traded my scrubs for a suit...

...drove over the Howard Frankland bridge and back to my Alma Mater for an interview to get into graduate school! As some of you may recall, I applied last semester and was DENIED. Huge upset.

Well, I am happy to announce that I learned a few days ago that in August, I will begin the 3 year, part-time journey to become an Adult Nurse Practitioner!

Congratulations! It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted for admission to the Master’s Program at College of Nursing at the University of South Florida for the Fall 2011 semester. You will be receiving a written confirmation by email shortly regarding your acceptance as well as information on orientation and registration. Thank you.


Finally, on May 21st, I ran a 5k and finished within my goal time..

That's that. 
Please check out my Reading Space and the Tribute to my Mother, as they have been updated.

I also wanted to add that on May 29th, this blog celebrated it's FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Thanks to those who have been there from the start....well, is there anyone left? I doubt it. It is hilarious to go back and read my posts from 2006 as I anticipate starting nursing school, and then the journey through my program. Let's look back to June of 2006 when I found out that I was accepted into the nursing program...and then there's my highly amusing first day of clinicals, and  September 22nd 2008, hours before I took and PASSED my NCLEX.
This blog definitely started as primarily just a blog about nursing school, but transformed in so many ways over the past five years. I know that I will continue to document my journey through my career and other aspects of my life, as well. I'm glad to have others along with me for the journey...

2011: The Bad

Let's see...where to begin. I will make a two part post. The first part will be titled, "The Bad." Here we go...

I think I will start with the part I am dreading the most.

On May 5, our beautiful Max was diagnosed with gastric lymphoma. It is terminal and even with chemo, the average outcome for life would only be 4-6 months. We opted to not put him through that kind of treatment. Instead, he is receiving oral steroids and for the past month, he has been doing fairly well. At this point, we're just trying to give him the best life possible.

His entire life, he wanted to go outside, but we never let him. Well, now, he goes on walks with us. He's intelligent and walks right besides us. My vet thought this was funny and deemed it a "kitty bucket list," which is so true.

I wish I could tell you that we weren't absolutely devastated, but that would be a lie. Max is such a huge part of our lives. When he passes away, I honestly do not know how we will function. I mean, I just lost my mother in January, and now my 3 year old cat? I don't know how I can handle anything more.

It would seem that 2011 is dead set on breaking me down. We are both trying to be strong and positive. We brought him to the vet last week and he did gained some of his weight back (he had lost 2lbs, but he was nearly 17lbs, so he had some leeway), and for the most part, with the help of steroids and pepcid, he is eating and has energy. There is no crystal ball to help us gain insight in to how long he can go on like this, so we just take it one day at a time and help him live the best life possible.

We have been enjoying our time with him, too. He provides us with hours and hours of smiles and laughter. As you can see, he's not exactly a small kitty. And when we go out for our "walks," the neighbors take notice from their balcony/porches.
"Is that a tiger???" one guy asked..
Another, comes out onto his 2nd floor balcony, laughs to himself and very, matter-of-factly says, "pft, I have never seen a cat just walk."

It's pretty cute.

And he's getting used to car rides to the vet...



So, that is the bad part of what life has been throwing our way lately. The next post will be part 2, "The Good."