Magical moments

My apologies for, once again, going nearly a week without posting! It's just, as one would expect, a really busy time. This past weekend began what I like to call "Aufruf Season" meaning we're having (or started having) our Aufrufs, both in Virginia, which was this past weekend, and in Pennsylvania, which is this coming weekend - in Dresher at the synagogue where we'll be getting married. This coming weekend is also our tasting, and my trial hair run! Talk about crazy! This past weekend, besides an amazing Aufruf my mom put together at the synagogue where I grew up (there was dancing on the bimah, candy-tossing and seeing about 50-some family and friends, many of which I hadn't seen in months or even years!), Sean and I also hosted a successful Superbowl party (think 10 friends all cudding with Campbell at once and a pineapple fruit tree made by Elizabeth), and we attended Lloyd's birthday celebration, which was a community service project in which we all helped paint a mural at a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C.
So we're halfway in the middle of Aufruf Season, plus I'm in my "zone" which I talked about in the last blog post, which is basically me focusing on me: setting up all my manis, pedis, massages and facials in prep for the wedding. Also, we're in another zone. I don't know what to name it, so I'll just call it (yet another) level of pre-wedding craziness, where we have something going on EVERY weekend between now and the wedding, except for one weekend in March. We've got THON, Pink Zone, my cousin's Bar Mitzvah, another wedding, and other fun things. Life is crazy, but it's good.
This week (Wednesday) I have my final doctor's appointment before the wedding. This one is a follow-up with my oncologist in State College. I met with him last month before my bach weekend, in which he put me into a tizzy saying he was going to "test for Lymphoma" because of the lump in my neck that's been there since November. So, I've been worried about this appointment for a while. Because, apparently, I never know what to expect. But, I am prepared for this. I'm going in with my own dialogue of what I'd like to happen, and how I'd like the appointment to go, and even what I'd like to see happen in terms of follow-up care for my neck lump. (repeat ultrasound in April. If it changes size, get it removed. If it remains the same, keep monitoring it.)
So I'm nervous about Wednesday but I'm going and I'm prepared. I'm hoping for the best, and I'm ready to say NO to any tests before the wedding. I just want to have these next 7 weeks (is it really?!?!) to focus on the wedding. Just, please, these next 7 weeks. No more tests. Medical stuff can wait until after. And it WILL. It's my decision as an informed adult. We're not looking for anything right now. I'm going to heal and I'm going to plan my wedding, damnit.
Ok, so back to the pre-wedding craziness: after this weekend's Aufruf, tasting and trial hair appointment, my dress fittings will begin, we'll be ordering place cards, putting together the favors and out-of-town gift bags, and, come Feb. 28, can start the seating charts. (RSVPs due then!)
Am I having fun yet? YES! A big, bold-lettered, "YES" at the top of my lungs, arms in the air, balloons and streamers flying around me. THIS.IS.AN.ABSOLUTE.BLAST. I love this moment. This is a truly magical moment.
All of these moments are magical.
Now, here's a fairly new picture of Campbell, who will graduate from Puppy One training classes this Wednesday, and a photo from my friend Leah's 90s-themed birthday party not too long ago.

In the past few days that have passed, here is what we've celebrated:
on Feb. 1: the first day I can say "my wedding is next month," one month of welcoming little Campbell into our family, Sean's first day at his new job
on Feb. 2: one year of me and Sean being engaged

I'm not sure how much posting I'll do in the weeks that follow, but I will tell you I love these moments, I am healing and getting used to my prosthesis, and I'm READY (even if it means I'm wearing some battle gear) for Wednesday's appointment. I'm also doing really well, I think, on focusing on my zones, instead of other stuff I could be focusing on. 50-some days. Really?! REALLY?!