hey hey hey goodbye

Friday was my last day at the hospital where I've been working for 13 months. My last two weeks flew by, just as I predicted and my last day was both exciting and sad. Our administrative assistant put together an ice cream party in my honor and a lot of people who have meant so much to me were there, from the doctors to the social workers, nurses and PCA's - it was so sweet of everyone to come and say goodbye. They got me a sweet card, a restaurant gift card and my boss gave me some adorable gifts as well. She has really become a close friend and I was mostly sad to say goodbye to her. She really helped me grow and flourish this past year.

I've spent basically the whole weekend preparing for my new job: getting new clothes, tons of laundry, prepping all my meals for the week since I don't know how long it will take to get home and trying to wrap my head around having a normal life again.

Also, while all of this transition was happening Andrew was in San Antonio Texas for a work conference. The first few nights he was gone were fun, I got to watch trashy TV and stay up late but after that I was pretty lonely. I was so happy for him to come home on Thursday night even if it was at 12:45am!

I've also tried to take in some of this beautiful spring weather and all of the blooming trees. Here are a few shots from a few mornings ago.

spring

The weather in Ohio this week has been incredible, over 70 degrees every day, the trees starting to bud, flowers blooming and scenery getting greener. After a mild winter, it seemed as though spring was always just around the corner. One way I always know the season has changed, is when our star magnolia starts to bloom.

I'm anxious for all of the fun spring things to come: Easter, taking the boat out, bike rides, walks in the park, dinner on the deck and sleeping with the windows open. I'm so much happier when the weather is warm and the sun is shining!

moving up and moving on

I accepted an offer for a new job yesterday and let me tell you it was just what I need to cheer me up! The last few weeks have been rough with my grandpa not feeling well and being stressed about my current job. I had gone on tons of interviews at the end of February and already knew that two of the companies did not want to hire me. I needed something positive to come my way and this was just the ticket!

I'll be working for a small non-profit that's involved in the education of social workers. I will be doing educational programming and communications with them. I'm so excited to finally start using my college degree that I worked so hard and payed so much money for!

It will be sad leaving the hospital where I work now, but I know this is a step in the right direction. I tried to move up the ladder here, but things just didn't work out. They felt I did not have enough experience and competing with 12,000 other people for jobs can be really trying. This job can also be really emotionally draining and the odd hours have not been easy for me to get used to either. I may miss having week days off and the occasional four day weekend, but having the same work schedule as my fiance will be nice as well. I won't have to work on weekends or holidays and they have agreed to give me time off for the wedding.

It took such a long time for me to get here, to a place where I finally feel like things are falling into place. I'm sure my last two weeks at the hospital will pass by quickly but I am so ready for this next chapter in my life!

cancer sucks

Over the past year I've been watching my grandpa battle both lung and brain cancer. Through it all I've also been supporting women all over the Central Ohio area who are battling Ovarian Cancer.

Yesterday we found out he will undergo ten radiation treatments to treat the tumor on the tumor at the base of his brain stem. His lungs are also full of fluid from the tumor and its grown a little as well.

I haven't talked about any of this much because its been so heartbreaking and devastating for me and my entire family. I know there is a good chance he won't be there to see me get married, but I just have to let go and let God as so many people have told me!

His first treatment is tomorrow so I think I will take dinner over to them as just a small way to try and support them. All I can really do is just be there for them, go over to visit and make sure that I don't have any regrets that I did not spend enough time with them.

This is really the first time in my adult life that I've had to watch someone in my family battle an illness and I'm not sure how to feel or what to think. If any of you have been through this, I'd love some advice on what I should be doing for them.