Deana celebrated the big 4-oh on May 5 in a manner favored by our family – on a cruise ship.  I celebrated by spending the day with Darrie, in what is becoming a tradition for us three sisters – Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend.

As we were facing our demon, multiple myeloma, last year at this time, I began suggesting a grand plan for Deana’s 40^th birthday – a party at the restaurant Deana has chosen for my pre-race carbo load, family and friend participation in the Saturday 5K race, and the marathon/half-marathon on …

On Good Friday, I reflected on just how far my sister and my entire family have come since this day last year.

In 2011, Deana’s day began with a call from her doctor’s office, alerting her to the need to get to the hospital for three units of blood.  Her blood work from the day before showed a hemoglobin level of 6 g/dL.

When I heard how low Deana’s hemoglobin level was, I knew it wasn’t good.  However, it took some time for me to realize just how fortunate we were that …

Last Tuesday, I made my 13^th trip to Pittsburgh since last April when my sister Deana was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. When I think back to my April trip, I am so thankful for how far we have come.

That day last year when I sat on the plane, I was working hard to keep my composure and ready myself for whatever battle we faced.  My limited research upon hearing Deana’s diagnosis had me very worried, and I prayed we would find out that the doctors were wrong.

As many of you …

In the last two weeks, there have been several occasions where I’ve wished I could be in two places at once, or that I had a clone, or perhaps a private jet to transport me and my loved ones.  Life is full, but life also is good.

On February 4, my sister Deana was feted with a huge benefit in her honor.  Parents of children who play in the same hockey organization as Deana’s oldest two children, Andrew and Clare, threw the benefit to show their support for Deana and her family …

First, I must thank all of you for your interest in my first column, “My Sister Has What?!?!?”  I was surprised and humbled to receive the news that it was one of the Beacon’s top columns for 2011.

However, the very best news of the last seven days was the news of my sister Deana’s remission.

So many friends on the multiple myeloma journey have said that you’ll never forget the day you were told you were in remission.  I doubt we ever will – January 25, 2012.

Just nine weeks …

Today, my husband Peter and I plan to “undecorate,” our household term for putting all the Christmas finery away.  It’s a bittersweet occasion, as I am one obsessed with the Christmas tree.  I take great joy in looking at our ornaments, so many of which hold very happy memories.

This year in particular I enjoyed placing the ornaments my sister Deana and I collected in December 1998, when she accompanied me on a work trip to Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Munich.  We visited numerous Christmas markets in these cities – it was …

When you read this, I will have rung in the New Year in Tampa, Florida, preparing to cheer on the University of Georgia Bulldogs in this year’s Outback Bowl.  In my 15 years at Georgia, this is how I have spent most New Year’s – which is a good thing actually, as it means that the football team did well enough to be bowl eligible.  A good football season is a good thing indeed.

Last year, I spent Christmas with my family in Pittsburgh and then raced to Memphis for the Liberty …