#414 We Can!

Mets Monday and an intriguing read on why we need more money for research.  Only seven out of one hundred researchers are given grants to study this disease.  In Dr. Buxton's words, "that's Draconian."

 "Indeed it is", says the 155,000+ of us living with this disease.  Resources need to be found NOW not later if we are ever to turn the page on those who need a cure to be found before it is too late for them.

To read more about Dr. Buxton, visit  Breakthrough metastatic research

Here's the best part and how you can help.  Tuesday is Giving Day and the talented researchers are this (fingers pinched together) close to finding out how to prolong our lives so we can see our children grow up or hold our grandchildren for many years. We want to be around to celebrate life's glorious events as they unfurl.  Be part of the solution to help us live our dreams.

To donate go to Make a difference

Thanks for reading # 414 of 7777.

#413 Giving Tuesday

You've heard this before--more money for research-- but I will blast it over and over again until...there is a cure.

Tuesday is Giving Day.  Perfect day for the metster community to weigh in on our requests for more funding to keep us alive.  It is simple.  Go to my webpage One Woman Many Lakes and click on either site to give.  It will take you a nanosecond but could possibly give mucho time to extend our lives. Research--our best hope.

Thanks for caring and reading 413 of 7777.

#412 The Aftermath

Not eating for the winter could be a pretty good idea.

A flurry of stomping and complaining while watching the Packer game after the glutenous consumption of food has left us exhausted and ready for a long deserved nap.  Bears have the right idea to hibernate for the long cold months of winter and not feed their faces until spring; and we  supposedly are smarter than the average bear.  I think not.

After the cooking and the consuming of the one meal a year where a whopping 4000 calories can be gobbled in one sitting it is surprising we can even move two days in the aftermath of this holiday.  But wait, we are only gearing up for the entire month of December with feeding bags fastened to our muzzles so we don't miss anything that might pass into our hungry or not so hungry tummies.

This year I am attempting once more to limit myself because if I do eat too much, the organ that receives this continuous pouring of edibles will rebel in an unpleasant manner.  My mantra for eating  is simple and similar to ones I have pledged every year--but this time I promise myself-- it will be happen.  In no particular order...


1.  Limit the portions.  Duh--easier said than done.
2. Only eat when I am hungry and not when I am moved by the array of delectable morsels in front of me.

• 
  

Humans have an instinctual (even good) fear of hunger. Take the book Into the Wild—when the main character can't find food, his hunger drives him to a screaming, shake-his-fist-at-the-heavens rage, a stark example of the primal nature of our need for nourishment. Today, most of us know where our next meal is coming from, yet our reaction to hunger has not evolved with our convenience-centered world.  How to Stop Overeating

3.  Stop eating before I am full to the rim and my eyeballs don't have room to move due to the food packed into my body.
4. Go for the protein and fiber portions and not the high calorie, mouthwatering sugar laden treats we all love.  Okay, maybe I'll grab at least one.
5.  Have a healthy light snack before indulging on an evening out on the town. (side note--this has been a big fail in the past).
6.  Don't be a vacuum and suck it all in with one quick whoosh. Pace myself.
7. Drink water to ward off the hunger pains that seem to increase when perusing a buffet table.

I'll give an update in January if this brilliant undertaking was still one of those pie in the sky (oops, apologies for the food reference) kind of plan or if I will actually follow through and fit into the 2015 jeans.

Thanks for reading # 412 of 7777.

#411 Yep, I'm Stuffed.

Time to work out now

One word today...STUFFED!

Thanks for reading # 411 of 7777.

#410 It's T-DAY!

Beautiful Bird

Happy Thanksgiving to you on this beautiful morning.  As always, it a tradition to be grateful for something in our lives and this year will be no exception.

This is a short and sweet because my long list of gratitude for life would take up several pages and no one wants to be reading that today so without further ado...

I am grateful to be alive.  I am grateful for my loving family.  I am grateful for the abundance of caring friends. I am grateful. 

 Now go to Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving? and share your knowledge about this fascinating bird you about to consume while everyone stuffs their faces with this succulent fowl (except the vegetarians in our midst and they will be eating tofurkey).

Thanks for reading #410 of 7777.

#409 Flamingo for Thanksgiving?

Funny pinterest jokes

Get ready.  They are coming for you!  Happy Turkey or Tofurkey day tomorrow everyone! Sorry, no time to write--cooking and cleaning.

Thanks for reading #409 of 7777.

#408 Laughing and Cooking and Food, OH MY!

This year's event with a Badger theme and tutus.

Last year's winners

 Mary Weber's cooking extravaganza again proved to be an extraordinary event similar to  last year's festivities of Breast Friends Forever (even though our group did not take first place)  as we shared the raucous laughter and camaraderie of preparing delicious appetizers and dessert for a cause.  The cause this year benefitted METAvivor via fundraising through  an array of fabulous silent auction items. The bidding was fast and furious with winners all around especially those of us living with MBC.  Last tally count--and hostess Mary said the money was still rolling in--makes this a whopping success for the metastatic crowd.

  If the assemblage of wild costumes and clever songwriting alone could find the drugs to keep us alive, we will be thriving and surviving for a very long time.

Thanks to all who attended and kept up the uproariously wild times rolling.  Jock Rock, a little booty shaking and chop chop chopping in the kitchen awards a five star rating to this triumphant bash.

If you'd like to jump on the donation wagon, go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org


Thanks for reading #408 of 7777.

#407 Post! Post! Post!

Good Mets Monday morning to all of you.  Guess what?  Today is the day we can make a difference with Stomp Out BC Virtual Protest on the Facebook from 12-2 ET or 11-1 CT. Start trending on the internet and let's blast the airwaves with our message.  Copy these graphics and post post post on your Facebook page or Instagram or Twitter or whatever social media you use.  Include #dontignorestageiv, #iamsusan.  We want to be #1 and let all know that we will not be ignored.  Join us TODAY.  Support us TODAY. Be with us TODAY. All of us living with this disease thank you.

Below are graphics you can post on your website.  Make sure you use the two hash tags, #iamsusan and #don'tignorestageiv.

Thanks for reading and caring and sharing # 407 of 7777.

#406 You Are Going To Do What? Where?

They could be watching me swim!

Being that I am a swimmer and have been hollering about metastatic breast cancer for over a year, it is now time to see if I'm as tough as a polar bear (or a penguin --I know, polar bears don't live there--but tough as a penguin doesn't sound quite as ominous).

Here's the deal.  I will don my bathing suit (sans the bulky wetsuit that won't fit into my suitcase) and jump into the frigid waters of Antarctica (yes, that continent waaaaay down under)  if donations reach $1000 by December 4th--this is the ultimate polar challenge.  Trust me,  jumping into ice packed waters sounds like the dumbest thing I have ever done but for a thousand bucks I'll jump in with a smile on my face.  More research funding for MBC.  It's a no brainer (I know it sounds like I have no brains for doing this but I digress).

Now, let everyone know about your crazy friend who is going to swim in Antarctica and ask them to donate to make this happen. Pictures will be taken to capture this momentous plunge and you can gloat about the icicle who swam alongside a penguin.

$1000 bucks by December 4th--you can do this--now go!

Click here to get me that $1000 www.onewomanmanylakes.org

Thanks for reading (and sending me into the deep dark depths of the ice cold waters of Antarctica) # 406 of 7777.

# 405 Get a Wrap!

I have mentioned TawGear, http://www.tawgear.com, the company who makes American-made biker gear and apparel in a past blog but wanted to give a shout out to them one more time.  They generously donated hats and apparel for the die-in last October and when I went to North Carolina for a swim, they sent more of their head wraps for a donation.

When I donned one of their creations during my speech and called it my "activist/lifer" hat I felt a powerful statement was made for others to join in the fight.  Since then I have taken it to other podiums to help spread the word about MBC and people are starting to recognize this as symbol of action.

Please support their business as they have embraced the metastatic community.  They are a generous group of people with huge hearts and pretty cool head gear.

Thanks for reading # 405 of 7777.

#404 Massages to Benefit METAvivor

280 W. Netherwood St.
Oregon
608-835-9094

Head down to The Zone Fitness and Training to enjoy their 2nd Annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 21st beginning at 8 AM to noon. There will be multiple vendors, treats from the Firefly Coffee House and the best part...massages offered to benefit METAvivor.  Yep, you read that right.  Ali Sieren will offer a chair massage for a suggested minimum of $10 with ALL proceeds going to One Woman Many Lakes with METAvivor as the beneficiary.  

The Zone is a local business and is incredible as they do not stop giving...for me and for the 155,000+ of us living with this disease.  Time and again they have stepped up to the plate without even asking and continue to have something up their sleeves to raise money for the next drug that will keep us alive.

Please take a trip on Saturday, check out the facilities and get a massage while giving back this holiday season.  Ali's massages are out of this world and we (that huge group of women and men standing behind me) will thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thanks for reading #404 of 7777.

# 403 I Heard It On The Radio

A vintage 1950's radio

I am thrilled and excited that I was asked to be on Sirius XM’s Maggie Linton show Sirius XM Urban View Channel 126 this Friday, Nov. 20^th at 9:30 AM Central Time. Hope you can listen in on our conversation.

 I will be babbling about MBC, the lack of research and how you can help. Hopefully my Dale Carnagie class will serve me well and I will be articulate and concise as I shout out my message once again to anyone who will listen. 

Go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org to find out what else I have been doing and what you can do to help.

Thanks for listening and reading # 403 of 7777.

#402 Stomp Out BC Event--Don't Miss It

This was posted by my fellow metster and activist from North Carolina, Beth Fairchild.  Go to the Facebook page, Stomp out BC Virtual Protest, and join in on the Monday blasting of the airways. It's simple. Copy the graphics on the page and then share on your own. If you do twitter or instagram, share on those sites, too. Use the #iamsusan hash tag on your posts.   Let's work together on bringing this disease to the forefront on the internet. 

Monday, November 23, 2015 from 12Noon to 2pm EST. 

This time, we join forces with METAvivor, #IamSusan, and MetUp!!

This was a movement started by Stage IV BC patients, for Stage IV BC patients. We are tired of pink washing, and awareness. We are tired of being called "Survivors", "Warriors" and "Winners"... We are tired of Breast Cancer being acceptable and celebrated... No one wins with Metastatic Breast Cancer. 

Commit to the event, then invite all of your family and friends to the PINK OUT next Monday. We hope to pummel the Internet, FB, Twitter, and Instagam with photos and hashtags and get Metastatic Breast Cancer to "trend". The more people see it and hear it, the better chance we have at folks paying attention. 

We need our voices to be heard!! Last March we trended #2 on Facebook nearly all day! This time, lets take over social media for the day. 

#dontignorestageiv

This event will be followed that evening, at 8pmEST, will a Twitter chat hosted by the ONE AND ONLY, Kelli Parker!! We will discuss living with MBC, the changes we've seen in 2015, and where we want to go from here. Details to be posted here as we progress.

Thanks for reading # 402 of 7777.

# 401 Blocked

It's a block

Sometimes I get stuck and today is one of them.  Do I write about living and breathing cancer every day or do I compose a witty entry about my comedic husband and his humorous antics.  Neither seems to be working today so I will close with a quote about what else....a writer's block.

 “writing about a writer's block is better than not writing at all” 

― Charles Bukowski, The Last Night of the Earth Poems 

Thanks for reading # 401 of 7777.

#400 Emory University Hits A Homerun

Medicine net

 Fascinating stuff on the internet and filtering through the endless array of information I found an award winning video that caught my eye.  Go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org and click on "Learn More about Metastatic Breast Cancer" and it will explain in straight forward terms what happens to those nasty cells and why they do what they do.

Education, that's what this is all about.

Thanks for reading # 400 of 7777.

#399 I Need YOU!

Brainy quotes

A small reminder about needing a little help since my internet connection will be nil in a few weeks.  Your BEST day or what one would look like if you could choose is needed for my mini vacation from blogging as I sail across the dreaded Drake Passage (go to Storm in the Drake Passage for a brief glimpse at what I'm getting myself into).

 If a best day narrative doesn't work for you, write your own thoughts on whatever trips your trigger.  It doesn't have to be long--even a simple picture; whatever inspires you. Time is somewhat of an essence since your masterpiece is needed by Nov. 30th so quickly put on your inspiration hat and start writing! If you don't wish to be identified, your entry can be submitted confidentially.

On another note, surprisingly the money keeps rolling in even after Rob's matching donation drive is over.  In the past year, including both METAvivor and ASC, we have raised a total of...$130,000!!!  What an accomplishment and none of this would have happened without you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you know anyone who is trying to figure out where their next tax deduction should go, pass this on and give them my website at www.onewomanmanylakes.org for a cause that will save lives.

Now get going and write a blog--today is your best day.

Thanks for reading # 399 of 7777.

#398 Why?

No words.

Crying for Paris

eyes overflowing with tears

when will it end?

Thanks for reading #398 of 7777.

#397 Yep, Smile Through Your Wrinkles!

They don't hurt.

Checked out the mirror today and thought, Whoa!  I should write a blog about wrinkles.  Then I realized it is Fav Friday and I had already groaned about them last year.  Love the quote at the end--helps a bit.

# 34 Wrinkles Are Not Just for Clothes.

"Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Lately I've noticed a strange phenomenon that began about three months ago--my observations of older women on the streets, in restaurants, in the grocery store--wondering if I will look the same at their age.

 I remember years ago I was with my mother at her women’s club when she attempted to point someone out to me saying, “Lucy's the older one with the gray curly hair and blue shirt”. Looking across the room, I saw no fewer than five women fitting that exact description.  How does that happen?

Aging.  I used to think what a shame we look in the mirror one day and, BAM, it is our mother staring back at us. Wait! What happened to me???  Now I welcome that look and conjure a future picture of me--wrinkles and all--but happy to be alive.  Possibly the fixation on the soft white hair framing their beautifully lined faces has me secretly wishing someone, years from now, will mistake me for another gracefully aging woman.

 If you happen to a have a wrinkle or two, this quote will give you one more crease in your nearly flawless face.

"There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt."
-- Author Unknown

Thanks for reading #397 of 7777.

#396 Jump On This Bandwagon

This is not Rob grimacing at writing the big check but a happy monkey because of your donations

The results are in and they are out of this world.  Drum roll, please...October's matching donation extravaganza came to $5000 for a total of... $10,000.  Yes, we certainly made Rob pay and he is pleased to do just that with the possibility of a longer wedded bliss with yours truly.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and rallied behind our scheme to fatten the coffers of METAvivor and American Cancer Society--both organizations will be giving 100% of their donations to research.  Money was pouring in especially at the eleventh hour.  We had no expectations on how much would be generated but we were thrilled to watch the numbers rise every day.

A special thank you to La Lingerie http://www.lalingerieshop.com/lajoom/ for donating 5% of their October sales.  ALL of you have made a difference and the metastatic community thanks you for your generosity.

A break from fundraising won't be happening any time soon in this household as the focus shifts to the bigger picture--the NIH (we are talking about millions of dollars) and the upcoming and critical 21st Century Cures Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/6. It has passed the House and now is sent for review to the Senators on the HELP (Health, Education, Labor, Pensions) committee. They will be hearing from us--and YOU can jump on this band wagon too--about supporting the metsters with increased research funding.  Get your keyboarding skills ready because we now have a link to contact your legislators.  Go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org and click on "How I Can Help" icon at the top of the page.

Thanks for reading #396 of 7777.

#395 How Many...No One Asks

We need someone to COUNT us.

To keep ranting or not.  That is the question even though it seems as if people are beginning to listen to my tirades about poor funding and the invisibility in the public eye this disease has had to endure. Have the big wigs in the various cancer organizations heard our voices or the government lawmakers listened to our cries?

 No cure=not yet. 

 So without further ado and not on a Mets Monday, I will share the latest Forbes article on the lack of precise information on the growing metastatic numbers.  The bean counters of the world keep track of everything from the number of candy sold in a day to how we are feeling about the Kardashians

 
  but...

metastatic breast cancer? What about us--the number of human beings living, breathing and thriving every single day while facing a prognosis that carries a death sentence?  Nope, no system to accurately track who, what, where, when and the how questions.  Get up and help us scream "a little bit louder now" until heads are turned with open ears and hearts.

Go to How Many People are Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer and pass it on.

Thanks for reading #395 of 7777.

#394 You Rock, Gibraltar

More puns here

What is it about puns that make me seek them out and share them with you?  I'll admit I must have a weird sense of humor but it probably is from hanging out with my kids. Cannibals and a cold shoulder--that one cracks me up.

The following are from the website, www.punoftheday.com

Always trust a glue salesman. They tend to stick to their word.

Novice pirates make terrible singers because they can't hit the high seas.

I was going to look for my missing watch, but I could never find the time.

I went to the dentist without lunch, and he gave me a plate.

Where are average things made? In the satisfactory.

 Don't trust people that do acupuncture, they're back stabbers.

It was an emotional wedding. Even the cake was in tiers.

When the cannibal showed up late to the luncheon, they gave him the cold shoulder.

I was struggling to figure out how lightning works then it struck me.

Claustrophobic people are more productive thinking outside the box.

Thanks for reading #394 of 7777.

#393 "An Extraordinary Approach to Metastatic Breast Cancer"

Extraordinary!

Good Mets Monday to you.  The following article certainly gives us hope there is a cure for us as researchers take notice of the mets community.

Read this to find out about the extraordinary approach to metastatic breast cancer.

Thanks for reading #393 of 7777.

#392 They're Baaaaack!

Love this nutty family!

BIG HAPPY ALERT!!

ALL THREE KIDS ARE HOME INCLUDING THE BEST DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND THE BEST BOYFRIEND!

Sorry about the caps but with one on the east coast and two on the west, it has been difficult to have everyone land in the same place on the same weekend at the same time.  I'm loving it!

No time for reflection--just doing it all today.  Laughing, more laughing and even...more laughing.  That's what has been going on at the Gooze household this weekend.  Hate to see it end today.

Thanks for reading # 392 of 7777.

#391 ZZzzzzzz

Rob attempting a wake up call while in combat gear.

Sleep.  It's like a four letter word to my ears except one extra letter throws it off--similar to my rotten sleep patterns.  According to the doc, I have developed an aversion to drifting off to dreamland in my big comfy bed at night.  What?  How can that be? I love cuddling under my quilt on my Tempur Pedic and wrapping my arms around the sleep fairy.  But, alas! she/he has not been available for me in the past year, and a good night's sleep is long over due. Rob can attest (note the picture)-- no sleep equals an extremely crabby me.

Relief may be around the corner in the form of a program called, "restriction therapy". I am not alone with this nasty habit of roaming the halls and this is one way to get back the night for us.

With this new therapy, bedtime is 2 AM and I must think calm, soothing thoughts to combat arousing my sleep anxiety that seem to possess me.  And then it is up at 7 AM ( adhering to the same daily wake up time) to greet the world with a smile.  Yeah, right.  Five hours of shut eye and no nap during the day.  Poor, poor Rob.

What, you may ask, does one do at this ungodly hour when no computer is allowed, only boring reading material is permitted and eating and wild carousing has all been banished.  Good grief! As I read through the brochure I latched on to the only piece of good news in this sleep deprived state-- no cleaning; as in sweeping, dusting etc. etc. etc.  Okay, I can live with that.

I'm told the therapy shouldn't last too long as I progress to adding twenty minutes a night to my bedtime but only if I manage to quickly fall asleep and then stay snoozing for ninety percent of the time. I am giving myself a week to kick this insomnia habit and embrace those elusive sleep fairies that have obviously taken up camp with Rob (Oops--crabby side is showing).

If you are a member of the insomniac club, the tidbits below may help you conquer this ridiculous  habit of staring at the walls and wanting to shoot the sheep instead of counting them.

From St. Mary's Sleep Center

1. Don't go to bed unless you are sleepy.
2.  If you are not asleep after 20 minutes, then get out of the bed.
3.  Begin rituals that help you relax right before bed.
4 Get up at the same time every morning.
5. Avoid taking naps if you can.
6. Keep a regular schedule.
7.  Do not have any caffeine after lunch.
8. Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
9. Do not have a beer, a glass of wine, or any other alcohol within six hours of your bedtime.
10. Do not go to bed hungry, but don't eat a big meal near bedtime either.
11. Avoid any tough exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
12. Avoid sleeping pills, or use them cautiously
13.  Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.


Good luck and good night is all I have to say.

Thanks for reading #391 of 7777.

#390 Newfound Dilemma Repeat

My group of supporters when hairless

Fav Friday and this one resonated with me because it has happened to me more often than not but now I am better prepared to approach someone conveying that I was there once. No need to get on my soap box about recurrence--hand her my website card and wish her well.  

#31 A Newfound Dilemma

Something occurred today in the gym and I'm not sure what I could have, would have or should have said.  As I was changing a woman entered the locker room with an obvious chemo hair cut.  From my hairless experience, it looked like she was past the midway point of her treatments and was feeling better by the day.  My first reaction was to engage her in conversation but was hesitant not knowing her reaction.  As I slowly continued dressing and mulling over what to say to her, a couple of scenarios played through my mind.

Me: Hey, I had one of those hairdos a couple of years ago.
Her:  Really, did you also get gum stuck in your hair and have to shave the whole thing off?

or

Me:  How are you doing?
Her: Fine, why do you ask?
Me:  I noticed your hair and wanted you to know I've been there.
Her:  You've been to Suzie's Salon?
Me: (To myself--oops, this was a scheduled, on purpose kind of haircut)

or

Me: I had breast cancer.
Her: I'm almost done with treatments.
Me: Great! I wish you well.
Her:  How are you doing now?
Me:  (And this is where I stop.  How can I tell this woman, be careful,  be very very careful because 22% of us have to go a second round.  She doesn't need to hear that from me.)

So, I say nothing to her on this day.  I can not lie and say, "You made it!  Good for you!"  because that's not always the case and I don't want to frighten her.  Cancer does what cancer does and when you have it, a day or a week doesn't go by without looking over your shoulder for the next bump in the road.  Talking with others, that feeling never ever goes away.

Maybe the next encounter, I'll "woman up" and greet her with a gentle response in my head if she asks, "How are you now?"

Thanks for reading the repeat of #31 and now relabeled # 390 of 7777.

#389 Madison Magazine--Page 22--That's Me!

Madison Magazine

Check out the November issue of Madison Magazine for an article on yours truly.  One of my favorite students is the managing editor and did a brilliant job writing about my One Woman Many Lakes campaign.  I wish I could take the credit for her masterful writing skills but she obviously comes by it naturally.

A quick add to this blog from METAvivor--They posted the magazine article yesterday on their Facebook page with the headline of:

"Congratulations Mary Gooze! You have raised over $45,000 for research with your amazing One Woman Many Lakes campaign! Read about Mary's swimming:"

Madison Magazine

Pretty doggone cool! The kudos go to Katie Vaughn and the staff of Madison Magazine for helping bring this disease to the forefront for the public's awareness to metastatic breast cancer.

Thanks for reading #389 of 7777.

#388 A Little Happy Dance

Write or email your letters!

A very happy and quick update on my latest bone scan and body check.  The Onc Doc is pleased which makes me ecstatic when he has good news for me.  The bone scan that I had been dreading and losing sleep over due to my rising tumor markers seems to have been all for naught.  No change in the old hip and no new areas of concern.

Hallelujah is all I have to say.  Three months of a reprieve before the next blast-- this is the life of a metster-- scan, hold your breath, results, breathe.  Doesn't always happen this way but for now I will grab this little piece of golden news and Shine! Shine! Shine!

Now on to our next project since swimming is on hold until the ice clears off the lakes.  Go to my website and find the "How to Help" section.  There is a letter template on exactly what you can copy and send to your senator about funding for MBC.  If you know anyone in the other states listed, share and also encourage them to write. We have discovered the senators listen to their constituents but not those from outside their state.  Someone must know someone from Tennessee or Louisiana or Alaska?

With your help we are going to bombard their offices with letters of support for the metastatic community until they hear our voices...and we will be heard.  Go to Write your letters! right now.

Thanks for writing and for reading #388 of 7777.

#387 Yep! Best Day.

These crazy kids make my day!

Help!  I need more "best day" entries for a temporary reprieve from writing this blog due to the Antarctica trip.  It doesn't need to be long--just write from your heart.

 Since having a terminal disease, a best day has to be more often than not so I look at each day and decide, "Yep, this is it-- the best one."

Without further ado, and in no particular order, my best day is when:

I get a call from all three of my kids checking in with their mama. Or a quick call from just one of them.  Hearing their voices make it a best day.

The sun is shining and my friend or the dog would love to take a walk.

It's raining and cold and miserable out and I cuddle under a blanket with a good book.

Rob makes my favorite meal--whatever it is, it's my favorite if I don't have to cook.

I'm swimming.

My energy is up and I feel like I can conquer anything.

Yogi the dog greets me with a nudge in the morning to remind me how much he loves me--or maybe he just wants breakfast.  Whatever it is, his tail wagging and dancing all the way to the kitchen makes it a best day.

A James Taylor song plays on the radio and I sing along imagining I am his back up singer. (Okay, I know I can't carry a tune, but this is MY best day.)

Mail arrives and there is a note from a friend telling me to hang in there.

A good night's sleep--enough said.

I win at Scrabble...or I lose but had a good game.

The onc doc says, "No new developments--scan remains the same--medicine seems to be working."  Yahoo!

I get out of bed, get a hug from the hubby and think, "I'm alive and kicking today"!  Makes it the best day ever.

Thanks for reading #387 of 7777.

#386 Why? Why? Why?

There is always a glimmer of hope.

Mets Monday today and this article explains what is happening in the metastatic world and why we are fighting back.  Let's stop this madness by getting on board for a cure.  Rob and I are preparing our next attack of securing funding for this disease and it involves a major letter writing campaign-- your check book is safe for now--we have another way for you to help. Go to my website and find out what you can do-- One Woman Many Lakes

Why 40,000 women a year are still dying of breast cancer.

Thanks for caring and reading # 386 of 7777.

#385 A Must Read--Really

Girlfriends

“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.” 

― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

If you go to your local library or visit your favorite book store and buy Anna Quinlan's book, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, you will agree with the first part of  J.D. Salinger's quote and realize that as rare as it may happen, it happened after reading Ms. Quinlan's memoir.  Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

The over fifty crowd will find this book resonates volumes and will feel like she must be living in your closet or under your bed or somewhere in the neighborhood.  If you are under fifty, read it and see what we (the fifty plus audience) now realize and what we didn't understand when we were your age.  Not a criticism but reality.

One of many quotes from her book: "Ask any woman how she makes it through the day, and she may mention her calendar, her to-do lists, her babysitter. But if you push her on how she really makes it through her day, she will mention her girlfriends. Sometimes I will see a photo of an actress in an unflattering dress or a blouse too young of her or with a heavy-handed makeup job, and I mutter, 'She must not have any girlfriends.'"

Go use this day to fall back an hour --a whole hour!--and spend it with a delicious book that you will devour.  When you turn the last page, trust me, you will be completely mesmerized with her insight on life and living and wish she was your new terrific friend.

Thanks for reading #385 of 7777.