It's 2:55am and I should be sleeping. Unfortunately, I am not. My hips have been bothering me and tonight I'm having some major hot flashes. Keep waking up in a sweat. So, what does one do when they cannot sleep? They blog!
Tanner is wondering why someone is up, but when she realized I wasn't up to anything fun and exciting, she went back to bed! Not even company from my own dog. Fair weather friend my ass! :)
Ahh, my World of Warcraft patch has completed downloading! Hurray!
Work is good. My friend Libby is returning to Athena after an 8-month vacation! LOL It will be awesome to have her back! Although, we are having a space issue. The issue being there is no space! I suggested that we build UP, double decker cubicles! They laughed. Yuck it up, but that's the wave of the future, mark my words! LOL
We were discussing comedians at work, and my all time favorite is Jeff Dunham. He has specials on Comedy Central and he uses puppets. He has me in hysterics! Some of his puppets: Jose the Jalepeno (he's a jalepeno on a stick), Achmed the dead terrorist, and a crumudegy (sp?) old man named Walter! Look him up on Youtube! You'll be glad you did!
Well, I'm going to go now. Try not to miss me too much! :)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
My co-worker and good friend, Coral Titone, is participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this weekend, May 17-18. The following is part of the letter that she is using to further the cause:
Coral has been fundraising and training for this event for the past 8 months. We created a poster together that is displayed in the cafeteria at work.
I am once again asking for your help. Please help Coral reach her $1,800 goal. She is 72% of the way there! She will still be able to take donations after the walk. Please go to her website and help if you can:
http://tinyurl.com/37q3rn
You can copy and past the address in your browser window, for some reason, the program isn't creating a link, so you will have to do it manually. Sorry!
Many many thanks to all of you who have already contributed! You DO make a difference!!!!
I might as well give you an update while I'm here. I've been having some hip pain for the past week or so, but Advil keeps it at bay.
My brother-in-law is now in Dubai. He's a pilot and got a job flying some hoity-toity people around and he moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He landed at the airport around midnight and he told us that the temperature was 102 degrees...at midnight!! He said the earth caught on fire after that! I don't care if it's dry heat, moist heat or whatever, that's friggin hot! He's the color of mayonnaise, so he needs to wear sunscreen with like an SPF of 135! LOL
On May 17-18, I’ll spend the weekend walking, along with thousands of other people, in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I will walk the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles) on the first day, and a half marathon on the second day. I will also raise at least $1,800 in donations to the cause. I’ll have to spend the next few months training, fundraising, and preparing for the event. It’s one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever taken on, but I’m very excited about doing it because I know it will make a real difference to the millions of people affected by breast cancer. I lost my mother-in-law, and have had several friends and relatives beat it. I also have friends who are fighting it now. I am sure that most of you have had someone close to you diagnosed.
Coral has been fundraising and training for this event for the past 8 months. We created a poster together that is displayed in the cafeteria at work.
I am once again asking for your help. Please help Coral reach her $1,800 goal. She is 72% of the way there! She will still be able to take donations after the walk. Please go to her website and help if you can:
http://tinyurl.com/37q3rn
You can copy and past the address in your browser window, for some reason, the program isn't creating a link, so you will have to do it manually. Sorry!
Many many thanks to all of you who have already contributed! You DO make a difference!!!!
I might as well give you an update while I'm here. I've been having some hip pain for the past week or so, but Advil keeps it at bay.
My brother-in-law is now in Dubai. He's a pilot and got a job flying some hoity-toity people around and he moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He landed at the airport around midnight and he told us that the temperature was 102 degrees...at midnight!! He said the earth caught on fire after that! I don't care if it's dry heat, moist heat or whatever, that's friggin hot! He's the color of mayonnaise, so he needs to wear sunscreen with like an SPF of 135! LOL
Friday, April 25, 2008
Happy Anniversary??
Today is the one year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. I'm kind of torn about this day. I'm happy because I am able to celebrate another year here, but I'm sad because it's become a day to acknowledge. April 25th will not just be any other day for me anymore. I can remember that day vividly in my mind. What I was wearing, where I was sitting in the waiting room, what was in the waiting room, what was on the TV that was playing in the waiting room. Walking into the Xray room, seeing my mammogram up on the light box, and thinking to myself, "Wow, that doesn't look normal." And also thinking to myself, "That's not what I pictured cancer to look like on an Xray."
I remembered what I had for lunch that day...a Lean Cuisine panini...and where I threw it up. To this day, I cannot even look at a panini sandwich without getting nauseous. I remember getting home that day, crying my eyes out, and then taking a nap on the couch. I just wanted to sleep so that I would stop thinking.
Those first 8-9 months were the hardest to get through. I don't know how I did it, well, actually, I do. With the love and support of Thom, that's how. He's been my rock and he has been there through it all. Thank you, Thom. I didn't think it was possible, but each day that goes by, I love you more and more.
I've been doing surveys for Dana-Farber since I started there, it's the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study. They want to know about all kinds of things from the perspective of a woman under 40 with breast cancer. They ask about background, work status, health status (umm, I have cancer!), emotional status (not enough room to discuss that!!), body image, activities, social impact, etc. I get a package in the mail a couple of days ago and they want to know how my life is one year after diagnosis. They want to compare it with the first survey. For the next 2 years, I will receive surveys every 6 months and subsequently, I will receive them yearly for 7 years. So I will be around for at least 7 more years so that I can complete the surveys!! At least! God willing!
So, today I am celebrating surviving one year! YEAH ME!!
Baby steps, one day at a time.
I want to thank you all for being here too. Your support and laughter help me more than you know!!
And I'd like to thank the Academy...
LOL, I crack myself up!!
I remembered what I had for lunch that day...a Lean Cuisine panini...and where I threw it up. To this day, I cannot even look at a panini sandwich without getting nauseous. I remember getting home that day, crying my eyes out, and then taking a nap on the couch. I just wanted to sleep so that I would stop thinking.
Those first 8-9 months were the hardest to get through. I don't know how I did it, well, actually, I do. With the love and support of Thom, that's how. He's been my rock and he has been there through it all. Thank you, Thom. I didn't think it was possible, but each day that goes by, I love you more and more.
I've been doing surveys for Dana-Farber since I started there, it's the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study. They want to know about all kinds of things from the perspective of a woman under 40 with breast cancer. They ask about background, work status, health status (umm, I have cancer!), emotional status (not enough room to discuss that!!), body image, activities, social impact, etc. I get a package in the mail a couple of days ago and they want to know how my life is one year after diagnosis. They want to compare it with the first survey. For the next 2 years, I will receive surveys every 6 months and subsequently, I will receive them yearly for 7 years. So I will be around for at least 7 more years so that I can complete the surveys!! At least! God willing!
So, today I am celebrating surviving one year! YEAH ME!!
Baby steps, one day at a time.
I want to thank you all for being here too. Your support and laughter help me more than you know!!
And I'd like to thank the Academy...
LOL, I crack myself up!!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Doctor's Appointment
Went to Dana-Farber on Friday. Guess what?? He looked at me, told me I looked fine and sent me on my way!
We scheduled a CT scan in July. He measured the lump on my left breast and told me that it got smaller. I don't really notice it too much because I feel it everyday, but he has the advantage of only seeing it once every 3 months.
The hot flashes have been bad, but they go away so quickly, it leaves me wondering if I was just imagining it. The doctor told me they might get worse in the summer. He prescribed some medication that may help relieve the hot flashes, Neurontin. I used to be on it for my restless leg syndrome. Yes, that is a real phenomenon. It's worse at night when I'm trying to sleep. Thom tells me that it seems like I "walk" in bed because I have to move my legs to make them feel better. But I digress...
Got the latest picture of my niece Brianna. She's beautiful.
Not much else happening here. I am going to have my next Lupron injection tonight. (Get the harpoon ready!) Let's hope it doesn't hurt as much as the last time.
I'm excited...the new season of The Deadliest Catch starts tomorrow on the Discovery Channel! LOVE that show. Thom bought me a tee-shirt for my birthday which reads, "It's twelve degrees, sleeting sideways, and there are 40 foot swells. Go Fish." I LOVE IT!
Well, not much else to report. It's getting warmer out, which means Summer is on the way!!! My favorite season.
We scheduled a CT scan in July. He measured the lump on my left breast and told me that it got smaller. I don't really notice it too much because I feel it everyday, but he has the advantage of only seeing it once every 3 months.
The hot flashes have been bad, but they go away so quickly, it leaves me wondering if I was just imagining it. The doctor told me they might get worse in the summer. He prescribed some medication that may help relieve the hot flashes, Neurontin. I used to be on it for my restless leg syndrome. Yes, that is a real phenomenon. It's worse at night when I'm trying to sleep. Thom tells me that it seems like I "walk" in bed because I have to move my legs to make them feel better. But I digress...
Got the latest picture of my niece Brianna. She's beautiful.
Not much else happening here. I am going to have my next Lupron injection tonight. (Get the harpoon ready!) Let's hope it doesn't hurt as much as the last time.
I'm excited...the new season of The Deadliest Catch starts tomorrow on the Discovery Channel! LOVE that show. Thom bought me a tee-shirt for my birthday which reads, "It's twelve degrees, sleeting sideways, and there are 40 foot swells. Go Fish." I LOVE IT!
Well, not much else to report. It's getting warmer out, which means Summer is on the way!!! My favorite season.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Say What?
I went to see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor today because I think that I'm beginning to lose my hearing, in the words of Roger Clemens, I "mishear" things.
Well, I walk into the exam room and the first thing I see is this old fashion-looking chair. I was asked to sit in it. OK. I look over to my right and there's this weird looking table, and some old looking instruments. I'm getting nervous here. Did the sign on the door say Dr. Frankenstein? What kind of a joint is this?? I look around and I see rubber tubing...who still uses rubber tubing??
While I'm sitting in this peculiar chair, the vent above me turns on and starts making a lot of noise. My over imaginative mind starts working and I'm picturing some kind of knock-out anesthetic is coming from the vent and that I'm going to be knocked out in a matter of seconds. Then Dr. Freak-a-zoid was going to come into the exam room and do something funky to me and no one would be able to hear my screams!
Doctor comes in, looks semi-normal, looks in my ears, tells me that everything looks fine, and I'm going to be given an auditory exam. OK. Walk into another exam room and there is this old looking machine, which I assumed was the hearing test machine.
The "audiologist" walks in and tells me he's going to give me a hearing test. I put on the earphones and then he proceeds to test my hearing. Beep, Beep, Beep, lower and lower the tones get, but I can still hear them. Then he takes out this piece of paper with words on it, and the paper is yellowing! How old is that piece of paper?? What kind of a joint is this?? He says a few words and asks me to repeat them. No problem. He announces that I have perfect hearing. Huh?
Soooo, I go back to the "doctor" with the results of the hearing test and he tells me that I probably get distracted and don't concentrate on what's being said to me.
This whole thing took about 10 minutes. I left there not feeling any better. It can't be that most people around me are mumbling! So please, if you talk to me, please be sure not to mumble. I would appreciate it. It's NOT me, it's YOU! :)
Might go for a second opinion, and if I walk into another exam room with some weird looking torture-like instruments, I'm walking out!
On Monday, I had my Zometa injection. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Thom and I got some lunch and sat down in the lobby to eat it. While we were sitting there I noticed something. "There's a boy...in the hospital...with a broken leg!" Thinking of you Jerry!! There really is a boy...in a hospital...with a broken leg! You weren't lying!
And oh yes, forgot to mention that the doctor that I see for my monthly injections is leaving the practice and going somewhere else. Wonderful.
That's all from the land of the fruity and nutty! Remember, it can only happen to me!
Well, I walk into the exam room and the first thing I see is this old fashion-looking chair. I was asked to sit in it. OK. I look over to my right and there's this weird looking table, and some old looking instruments. I'm getting nervous here. Did the sign on the door say Dr. Frankenstein? What kind of a joint is this?? I look around and I see rubber tubing...who still uses rubber tubing??
While I'm sitting in this peculiar chair, the vent above me turns on and starts making a lot of noise. My over imaginative mind starts working and I'm picturing some kind of knock-out anesthetic is coming from the vent and that I'm going to be knocked out in a matter of seconds. Then Dr. Freak-a-zoid was going to come into the exam room and do something funky to me and no one would be able to hear my screams!
Doctor comes in, looks semi-normal, looks in my ears, tells me that everything looks fine, and I'm going to be given an auditory exam. OK. Walk into another exam room and there is this old looking machine, which I assumed was the hearing test machine.
The "audiologist" walks in and tells me he's going to give me a hearing test. I put on the earphones and then he proceeds to test my hearing. Beep, Beep, Beep, lower and lower the tones get, but I can still hear them. Then he takes out this piece of paper with words on it, and the paper is yellowing! How old is that piece of paper?? What kind of a joint is this?? He says a few words and asks me to repeat them. No problem. He announces that I have perfect hearing. Huh?
Soooo, I go back to the "doctor" with the results of the hearing test and he tells me that I probably get distracted and don't concentrate on what's being said to me.
This whole thing took about 10 minutes. I left there not feeling any better. It can't be that most people around me are mumbling! So please, if you talk to me, please be sure not to mumble. I would appreciate it. It's NOT me, it's YOU! :)
Might go for a second opinion, and if I walk into another exam room with some weird looking torture-like instruments, I'm walking out!
On Monday, I had my Zometa injection. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Thom and I got some lunch and sat down in the lobby to eat it. While we were sitting there I noticed something. "There's a boy...in the hospital...with a broken leg!" Thinking of you Jerry!! There really is a boy...in a hospital...with a broken leg! You weren't lying!
And oh yes, forgot to mention that the doctor that I see for my monthly injections is leaving the practice and going somewhere else. Wonderful.
That's all from the land of the fruity and nutty! Remember, it can only happen to me!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Femara
Took my first Femara pill last night. It's TINY! I hate small pills because I always wonder if I actually took it, or if I dropped it on the floor! No side effects...yet. I will keep you posted.
And for those of you who are concerned...my butt is better, thank you! :)
Happy Birthday to me! Thank you for all the well wishes. My department took me out to lunch today and I'm going out tonight too.
I played an April Fools joke on some of the people I work with! I sent out an email telling them that I gave my notice and my last day will be the 14th of April. Underneath my name was a standard disclaimer that I rewrote to say that this is a prank etc. I got a few people! You can't fool an April Fool's baby, but they can sure fool other people!
April 2 is Kick Butts Day. So, tommorow, kick someone's butt, even if it's your own!!
Talk to you later!
And for those of you who are concerned...my butt is better, thank you! :)
Happy Birthday to me! Thank you for all the well wishes. My department took me out to lunch today and I'm going out tonight too.
I played an April Fools joke on some of the people I work with! I sent out an email telling them that I gave my notice and my last day will be the 14th of April. Underneath my name was a standard disclaimer that I rewrote to say that this is a prank etc. I got a few people! You can't fool an April Fool's baby, but they can sure fool other people!
April 2 is Kick Butts Day. So, tommorow, kick someone's butt, even if it's your own!!
Talk to you later!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Doctor Who
Well, I had an appointment with Dana-Farber today, but I had to cancel it. We have an unnounced inspection and I have to be here for it, considering I'm part of QA.
No scans were scheduled, just a visit to the doctor so he can look at me and tell me I look fine. It's rescheduled for April 11th.
Not too much going on otherwise. My ass still hurts a little, the bump has gone down significantly, but is still there.
Other than that, all's quiet on the Western Front.
Later!
No scans were scheduled, just a visit to the doctor so he can look at me and tell me I look fine. It's rescheduled for April 11th.
Not too much going on otherwise. My ass still hurts a little, the bump has gone down significantly, but is still there.
Other than that, all's quiet on the Western Front.
Later!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Ass cancer??
My butt has been hurting for a week now from the injection. Today, I just noticed that the injection site now has a hard lump around it. There are no doctors in the office to call, so I have to wait until Monday. Figures.
I have to laugh because it seems like I have no problems talking about my butt, injections, boobs, whatever. I have no shame anymore talking about this stuff, I just put it out there. It just cracks me up.
I was just joking about the ass cancer, by the way! :) That's for my mom, so she doesn't worry and call me all upset!
Speaking of mom, we are going over there for Easter. Spend some quality family time with...the family! La Famiglia!
Happy Easter everyone! Write to you soon!
E
I have to laugh because it seems like I have no problems talking about my butt, injections, boobs, whatever. I have no shame anymore talking about this stuff, I just put it out there. It just cracks me up.
I was just joking about the ass cancer, by the way! :) That's for my mom, so she doesn't worry and call me all upset!
Speaking of mom, we are going over there for Easter. Spend some quality family time with...the family! La Famiglia!
Happy Easter everyone! Write to you soon!
E
Monday, March 17, 2008
Lupron
Got my first injection of Lupron on Friday night. It is to be given intramuscularly...in other words, I got a shot in the ass. And man, that spot on my ass hurt for 3 days after. I have attached a picture of the lovely injection that I will be getting every month. The picture just doesn't do it justice.
The needle itself is about 2.5" long. I'm REALLY beginning to hate needles.
I don't feel anything different. The doctor said that I might feel an increase of bone/joint pain, which is good. I haven't felt that yet. I hope it's working. I get so damn paranoid about these things. If he says that most people feel this, I expect to feel it, and if I don't, I worry that it's not working. It's really hard being me. [Sigh]
I've been following the story on the (former) New York Govenor Eliot Spitzer. The reports say that he didn't wear condoms. Umm, I have to comment on this, I can't let this go by without saying something! She's a prostitute...a WHORE (I just like saying that!)...you are not the first guy...you don't know where she's been...why the HELL wouldn't you wear a condom? You might as well stick your piece into the mouth of a komodo dragon. Except for the teeth, it's pretty much the same!! OMG! Nasty! LOL, I crack myself up!
Are any of you on Facebook? If so, I have a page, feel free to add me as a friend! Here's the website: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=680345138
Well, that's it from crazyville.
Happy St. Patty's Day! Today, everyone's Irish! I'm wearing my green, are you?
The needle itself is about 2.5" long. I'm REALLY beginning to hate needles.
I don't feel anything different. The doctor said that I might feel an increase of bone/joint pain, which is good. I haven't felt that yet. I hope it's working. I get so damn paranoid about these things. If he says that most people feel this, I expect to feel it, and if I don't, I worry that it's not working. It's really hard being me. [Sigh]
I've been following the story on the (former) New York Govenor Eliot Spitzer. The reports say that he didn't wear condoms. Umm, I have to comment on this, I can't let this go by without saying something! She's a prostitute...a WHORE (I just like saying that!)...you are not the first guy...you don't know where she's been...why the HELL wouldn't you wear a condom? You might as well stick your piece into the mouth of a komodo dragon. Except for the teeth, it's pretty much the same!! OMG! Nasty! LOL, I crack myself up!
Are any of you on Facebook? If so, I have a page, feel free to add me as a friend! Here's the website: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=680345138
Well, that's it from crazyville.
Happy St. Patty's Day! Today, everyone's Irish! I'm wearing my green, are you?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Snakes...why did it have to be snakes?
I don't know if you all know, but Thom and I have had a pet snake for about 15, maybe 16 years. Well, our pet snake passed over the weekend. Don't know why. Maybe not the most affectionate pet in the world, but she would come up to our face when we held her and flick her tongue as if to say, "Hello there!" When I had longer hair and could put it up in a ponytail, I would wrap her around it and go along doing what it was I had to do, and she was more than content to be there.
I'm sad, it's hard to have something for so long and then...not. But she was a very docile, sweet snake and she will be missed.
Bye Bye Phee.
I'm sad, it's hard to have something for so long and then...not. But she was a very docile, sweet snake and she will be missed.
Bye Bye Phee.
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