Everybody sat down after several minutes of congratulating Dana and welcoming her back. They stil couldn’t believe that she was completely out of the hospital, and not just for the holidays. She was out for every minute of everyday of every year. Dana couldn’t get the smile off her face and she didn’t want to.

Dana said, ‘Well, it’s official. I am out and I am going to stay that way.’

Tina asked, ‘But aren’t there some restrictions; special diets. Or something like that?’

Dana answered, ‘Kind of. I’m on my regular dietary regimen and I’m also on 2 new ones. There’s the gluten free diet and the low sodium diet. I’m pretty much more of a health nut than I was before.’

Carmen asked, ‘Does your immune system still need to be checked out?’

Dana answered, ‘That’s pretty much a "For the rest of my life" situation. I can still get sick so please be careful when you sneeze’, and she giggled.

Angus said, ‘This is just great. Tell you what? Just name a drink and it is yours.’

Shane said, ‘Mocha Java with some espresso.’

Cherie said, ‘Mocha Java, no espresso, plenty of cream.’

Bette said, ‘Ice tea unsweetened.’

Tina said, ‘Same here, with a mandarin orange.’

Dana said, ‘Extra large plain soymilk, lite.’

Jenny said, ‘Pina Soy Latte unsalted.’

Carmen said, ‘Same here, with salt.’

Alice and Helena got a wheatgrass juice with an apple and orange mixture. They didn’t want to order something sweet and make Dana feel jealous. Fact is that Helena got Alice turned on to the whole natural fruit and vegetable drinks from the Juice & Java bar at Wild Oats. It wasn’t "The Planet" but it made an acceptable substitute. Kit didn’t have much time for a break so she had to get back to work.

Kit got behind Dana, hugged her by she shoulders, and said, ‘Girl, don’t you go and get sick on us again. If we have to, we will go all Hitler on your diet because we want you to stay alive to grow old, get wrinkled, and still getting busy.’ Then she kissed Dana on the forehead and got back to work.

Dana asked, ‘So, what are the plans for Thanksgiving? I am invited, right?’