Well it seems having just read Heidi’s “family” thread and Louise mentioning the missing BB’ers, I will now share what I have been going through. Haven’t known how to break it.
I really haven’t been posting much since November. DeeDee(Dublin) picked up on it around Christmas. I was diagnosed with stomach cancer the first of November. I had surgery the latter of November. It turned out to NOT be a surgical situation. I have been going to the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale once a month for chemo therapy. Going Feb 11 for the third go round. Chemo has NOT been awful, few side effects, did lose the hair last week though.
So much for the bad news. 
Here is the good news. I really feel very good. I get winded, but I am in no pain and not on any pain medication. I am working about 3 days a week as I feel like it. But the best part is I AM STILL RIDING. 
My horse is the most wonderful guy. After standing around for weeks at a time, and I yank him out, tack him up and away we go. Of course both of us can’t trot more than two 20 meter circles in a row without getting winded, so it works out great. The best part is when I am up on Bud, I am not sick. It is the best therapy of all.
I am on oxygen when I do anything that is exerting (so far housework is not on my list). 
So I made them give me the really small portable tanks and rigged a backpack so I could ride with it. We have our priorities after all. After Bud got used to the entire racket from the zipper pulls and the fabric going swish swish, he was fine with it. I am engineering some sort of cantle bag now for my dressage saddle for the canister. I tried it on my western saddle like a bedroll and it worked great. I just can’t get that hulky saddle on my 17 hand horse by myself. (see attached pictures from last Sunday)
My husband is a saint. He has been there every minute for me. Even took delivery on my special ordered Trail-et horse trailer in December. We have only used it once, but it is the greatest. I am looking forward to many more trips in it!
So gang that is where I have been. I thank God for every day I have that is pain free and I am up and at’em.
And if I may be just a tad philosophical, I might add; kiddos don’t take a day for granted. The prognosis is not real good but I am only 51, and by God I am not done yet. I have many more people to terrorize, don’tcha know. 
And to LordHelpus(Pam) I would love to hear from you again. I will try to find your email. Small world huh?
Hugs to all of you, Kath
My email is on my profile if anyone is interested in mailing.
“The older I get, the better I used to be, but who the heck cares!”
