#511 La La La La...I Feel Great!

Hiking on the top of the mountain

I am completely stumped this week to come up with a blog entry.  Usually I can wiggle something out of my brain but...nope, not a thing is jumping out at me of what to say.

After thinking about this dilemma, I have concluded that it must be a number of reasons why I am void of words tonight.  Here are a couple of thoughts in no particular order.

1. I feel great--no pains or aches or worries--finally.
2.  Rob has been behaving himself and hasn't created any type of comedy routine I can report.
3.  Kids are moving through life quite nicely.
4.  Grand baby, well, I could write volumes about her but will spare you.
5.  Some big meetings coming up with legislators and the #3 man in the White House but will wait until it is over.
6.  No issues with anyone that I can think of offhand.
7.  I'm hiking and swimming; and did I mention I feel great?
8.  Life feels normal for a change.

And that's about the best summary of why I am in a writer's block funk.  No problem because this feeling of floating along like a La La Land movie is pretty darn good and I can't ask for anything more than that.

Now for a gentle reminder to keep me in this writing funk (it's okay, really) is to donate to UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Thanks for reading this non blog of a blog #511 of 7777.

#510 Surprise, Surprise!

The two of us after the surprise

Surprises come in all shapes and sizes and least when we expect them--hence, that's what defines a surprise (more later on my brainless, and oh so obvious, declaration).

Lately it seems I've had my share of "not so grand" surprises clobber me.  It began with the first bombshell from the suspicious mammogram. No, it can't be cancer because that doesn't happen to healthy old me...surprise, yes it does.  Scans revealing progression--the surprise was in my denial the cells were still behaving themselves.  Surprise at the negative reactions of some people when they find out I have metastatic breast cancer ( Don't run from me, I am not contagious).  The white blood count surprised me when I was feeling robust; and low and behold it was in the pits.  Surprise from the response of the last series of injections that left me bedridden for two weeks.  Enough of these bombshells. According to Jane Austen Emma, "Surprises are foolish things.  The pleasure is not enhanced, and the convenience is often considerable."  I'd have to agree with her.

Until...

Along came one of those surprises that bowled me over leaving me speechless and dumbfounded but thrilled with the outcome.  The story, which will be told for years to come, began three weeks ago between Best Ever husband, Rob and my super sneaky and fabulous sister, Susan.

A few weeks ago, I had a terrible reaction to the hormone injections I receive once a month and, as a result, have been in considerable pain.  Super sneaky Susan contacted BE husband about coming out to cheer me up and, in her words, "While we're at it, let's keep it a secret" (She didn't realize the amount of pain killers I was on so, in my defense, it wasn't too difficult--but I digress and also making excuses).

With friends in on the scheme, they arranged my ride to the doctor's office while Rob covertly picked Susan up at the airport.  Meanwhile, these so called trustworthy friends boldly lied to me about the need to head directly to pool 8 before going home.  Naive me never had a clue.  Walking to the pool I searched for our friends and saw a woman across the way smiling at me.  I distinctly remembered registering in my brain how familiar she looked--cousin Liz, I thought--but kept cluelessly walking towards the couple.  Friend, Colleen, had to point out that Rob was there--didn't even see him --when this familiar/unfamiliar person stood up and said hello.  Suddenly I realized my clever as a fox sister had pulled the ultimate prank on me.

Both of them, without me even remotely suspecting anything, can be crowned Academy award winners of all as the instigators behind the biggest and best surprise...ever!  So, Jane Austen Emma, I guess all surprises are not necessarily foolish things.  Yes, I did feel a tad daft for being completely bamboozled, but it was well worth the end result.  Thanks, sneaky Susan and wily Rob.  You got me!

Of course, to celebrate surprises go to UW Carbone Cancer Center and donate so my sister and I can continue shocking the britches off each other. It's my turn to get her back!

Thanks for reading # 510 of 7777.







  

#509 A Vote For Greg is a Vote "Garding Against Cancer"

Working together is what we do to make sure cancer not only takes a back seat but gets kicked under the bus.  The UW Men's basketball coach, Greg Gard, has a campaign under way through ESPN supporting researchers by providing them with more resources to make cancer disappear or at least renders it to a chronic condition.  That is our ultimate hope; and being generous philanthropists, they are willing to work towards that reality.  "Show us the money, ESPN" and let's make it happen.

You can do your part by going to the website (below) to send Greg on to the next level of funding.  It is so simple I even did it-- once a day--takes less time than brushing your teeth in the morning.  Garding Against Cancer--one more way to make this playing field fair for all of us.

Sink a three pointer from your comfy chair and vote every day until he wins the big one. All you need to do is click here-- Vote for Greg Gard and it will then direct you to sign up for ESPN. Next, find Greg Gard's name and push the vote button.  Bingo!  You are done.  Oh, and no worries-- it won't cost you a dime.  Trust me, it is so easy and will make a significant  difference for our researchers at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

After clicking on Greg's site, go to mine, More For Stage IV , and make a donation to further increase the possibilities to finding that elusive cure. It's there; and with more funding and your help this dream could win the most humungous prize of all.

Thanks for reading #509 of 7777.

#508 Let The Good Times Roll

Urban Sports Talk

This, my friends, is a happy post. One of the happiest posts I've written in quite a while.  What is the basis for all this delight?  Life continues on and on and on; and right now I am smack in the middle of it.  That's it.  Nothing more but ecstatic that I'm part of this universe.

If you remember the past few posts have had me whining about the literal pain in my neck and woe is me as I struggled to manage the havoc this new debilitating condition had rendered me.  Yes, this menacing pain has created havoc on my daily activities and has dealt me a poor excuse for an acceptable quality of life.  But, enough is enough. It's now "hi ho hi ho", it's off to life I go.

Leaving this merry old tune aside and speeding the message of good cheer along-- the story is the onc doc upped my pain patch to a new high which then propelled me into this feeling of elation. (On a side note, these mega pain killers may have led to this euphoric post but I digress).  I know, I know, it is not a cure and without this "bandaid" I'd be back in the fetal position moaning and groaning but for right now--let me say that again--RIGHT NOW--I can function like a normal (?) human being.  This makes me jumping for joy after the twelve days of hell that enveloped every cell in my body.

The stupendous news is that life really is not only good but amazing and I will appreciate each pain free moment with more gusto than I could ever imagine.  Heather McManamy's mantra was "Every day matters".  I understood it to a point where, yes, I do have a terminal disease and live every moment to its fullest; but I have not had extreme pain and had not personally experienced the horrible underbelly of what this despicable disease can do to fully be grateful for living a torture free life.

I'm there now and will forever acknowledge those good days when they roll around.  Not to sound like Patty the Preacher, but I would suggest that you ( especially those without cancer) revel in your good days--even if they number 365 this year.  Enjoy, relish, luxuriate in, adore--all of the above--and savor every minute.  It's the best gift we can give ourselves.

To help me keep reveling, go to UW Carbone Cancer Center and donate, donate, donate.  Gracias, mi amigos.

Thanks for reading #508 of 7777.