As you all have read we had our 8th annual golf outing supporting Y-ME. Every year I get up and give a short talk about who Y-Me is and how the money is used. Since we have a good following and 85% of the people who attend have been with us for several if not all 8 years I decided the message was getting a little stale. So as usual I was driving and thinking about what to say. So thinking about the Y-ME message that "no one faces breast cancer alone" I realized that they not only help the patient but everyone around them. So here's my message to you which (God forbid) you are ever in this situation or anything like it, I hope you remember these words or can pass them on to someone you know who may learn from them.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!
What I've come to learn (through experience) is that yes, I am the one who has this terrible disease and going through treatments, rashes, diarrhea, aches, exhaustion, etc but everyone around me is also affected. I have some control over what happens as far as treatments, eating right, resting enough, etc. but you as friends and family are sitting on the outside looking in helpless. This not only affects me but my family, friends, co-workers and caregivers. You are the ones who do not know what to do. You are affected emotionally which is why Y-ME is out there not only to help the patient but anyone who surrounds them with information and support.
WHAT I LEARNED IS THIS IS NOT AN "ME" DISEASE BUT A "WE DISEASE".
Until I come up with more profound words - Remember - JUST DANCE !!!!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
What a great turnout for our 8th annual golf outing to raise money for Y-ME. The weather did not start out that good but it turned out to be a beautiful day. Thanks for all who participated and hung in there with us. Thanks goes out to our great volunteers - Carol Lucht (thanks for keeping me sane) , Wendy Shahriakian (you rock), Roxanne Klingenmeyer, Jamie (matthews girlfriend), Kathy Huro, Courtney Huro, Megan Huro, Kevin Michelini and Cindy Michelini. We couldn't have done this without your help. Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters especially Jewel/Supervalu and Designcraft. Your support every year keeps us going.
It was great to see all our old friends as well as make new ones this year. We were especially excited to have 14 alumni there from our (Glen, Mark and mine) grammar school (St Robert Bellermine). Thanks for showing up and giving us your support. Even those who could not make it from SRB sent us donations.
Not sure what we were able to raise until all the bills come in from St Andrews Golf Club. I'll make sure I let you know as soon as I get the numbers together.
Otherwise things are progressing as usual. My hands and feet are peeling like crazy despite all the lotion and salve we are applying. My nails are so soft I have to keep them very short otherwise they just rip off. Looks like I'm losing most of my toe nails too. Some days are good and others I'm so tired I could hardly make it through the day. I'm like the Energizer Bunny and keep on going. Or for all us oldies I'm like a Timex watch - I take a lickin and keep on tickin! Potassium issues being low but we are dealing with it and hopefully next blood test will show good results.
Next CAT scan to see how the chemo is working is Sept 6. Let's keep everything crossed that it will show tumors shrinking or at the least no change.
Until then my friends I wish you all good health and happiness. Remember - Just Dance!
It was great to see all our old friends as well as make new ones this year. We were especially excited to have 14 alumni there from our (Glen, Mark and mine) grammar school (St Robert Bellermine). Thanks for showing up and giving us your support. Even those who could not make it from SRB sent us donations.
Not sure what we were able to raise until all the bills come in from St Andrews Golf Club. I'll make sure I let you know as soon as I get the numbers together.
Otherwise things are progressing as usual. My hands and feet are peeling like crazy despite all the lotion and salve we are applying. My nails are so soft I have to keep them very short otherwise they just rip off. Looks like I'm losing most of my toe nails too. Some days are good and others I'm so tired I could hardly make it through the day. I'm like the Energizer Bunny and keep on going. Or for all us oldies I'm like a Timex watch - I take a lickin and keep on tickin! Potassium issues being low but we are dealing with it and hopefully next blood test will show good results.
Next CAT scan to see how the chemo is working is Sept 6. Let's keep everything crossed that it will show tumors shrinking or at the least no change.
Until then my friends I wish you all good health and happiness. Remember - Just Dance!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Things are progressing normally. I seem to have a 3 week cycle of how I feel. First week after chemo is good. I seem to have a good appetite and energy. Second week I tend to get more fatigued and appetite is so-so. Also my stomach starts to bother me and everything I eat goes right through me (if you catch the drift). Third week is when everything seems to fall apart. Can't eat, always tired, stomach issues, etc. At least I know the drill and can try to plan around it. It helps to keep busy.
I'm staying positive and although I know there is no cure (yet) I'm hoping all these drugs will keep me going until there is one. Got to stay positive - I truly believe 50% of this is mental. Once you give up your body has no reason to fight and that's when things start happening. I'm sure (positive) that I will have issues down the road and reasons to want to give up but as my family and friends its your job to keep me going. As you know I am very stubborn and I REFUSE TO DIE!!! ( BTY - that was my New Years Resolution).
Looking forward to our 8th Annual Golf Outing to benefit Y-ME Breast Cancer Org. Looks like a record year with 101 golfers and 12 attending for dinner (to date). Last year we raised a record $10,600 and a total of over $50,000 over the course of 7 years. It's a labor of love and we work hard to make sure everyone has a great time. We have attendees who have made all 7 events as well as newbies. Friends from the past (grammar school if you can imagine), co-workers, friends and family all coming together for a great cause. Hope to see you there.
Until I have more to report - remember - JUST DANCE!
I'm staying positive and although I know there is no cure (yet) I'm hoping all these drugs will keep me going until there is one. Got to stay positive - I truly believe 50% of this is mental. Once you give up your body has no reason to fight and that's when things start happening. I'm sure (positive) that I will have issues down the road and reasons to want to give up but as my family and friends its your job to keep me going. As you know I am very stubborn and I REFUSE TO DIE!!! ( BTY - that was my New Years Resolution).
Looking forward to our 8th Annual Golf Outing to benefit Y-ME Breast Cancer Org. Looks like a record year with 101 golfers and 12 attending for dinner (to date). Last year we raised a record $10,600 and a total of over $50,000 over the course of 7 years. It's a labor of love and we work hard to make sure everyone has a great time. We have attendees who have made all 7 events as well as newbies. Friends from the past (grammar school if you can imagine), co-workers, friends and family all coming together for a great cause. Hope to see you there.
Until I have more to report - remember - JUST DANCE!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saw the doctor yesterday before chemo. Found several new small lesions in lung area and a new lesion in the right breast. However, the liver had no change which is what we are more concerned about so I'm taking this as good news. I continue on the IV hercepton, injection Abreva and Xeloda pills for the next 6 weeks and then another scan. Hopefully it will show better progress.
Until then I continue my usual schedule and get on with my life. I'll keep you updated as I get more info.
Until then I continue my usual schedule and get on with my life. I'll keep you updated as I get more info.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Hi ~ Today started out early as I was at the hospital at 6:15AM for my CT scan on my liver. I have had this tech before and he is very good with a great demeanor. Everything went well as far as the IV. I decided that after 8 years of not having IV's in my right arm that enough is enough. I made an executive decision that chemo is in the left arm and tests in the right arm. It's my arm and I'll do what I want to (do what I want to - do what I want to). Sorry got carried away there. After the test was complete I had a sense of peace if that makes any sense. Almost like I could feel all the positive energy coming from my family and friends. Let's hope it a good omen.
Test results tomorrow afternoon before chemo. Depending on the results they may change the drugs I'm getting.
Until I hear more - keep those positive energy vibes coming my way!
Test results tomorrow afternoon before chemo. Depending on the results they may change the drugs I'm getting.
Until I hear more - keep those positive energy vibes coming my way!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Hope everyone is surviving the heat. I for one like it. Just remember February 1st (the snow storm - not my birthday). Compared to that this is heaven.
Feeling better today. The weekend was a bust. Spent most of it sleeping. Yesterday wasn't any better but managed to get through the work day. Thank God I have wonderful people who surround me and try to make my day easier to get through.
Next week Tuesday (July 26) is the big day. CAT Scan on the liver. Hopefully is will show improvement or stable. Let's all keep our fingers (and toes) crossed. I expect to have the results when I see the doctor before chemo the next day and will let you know as soon as I hear something.
Until then remember my new motto - JUST DANCE!
Feeling better today. The weekend was a bust. Spent most of it sleeping. Yesterday wasn't any better but managed to get through the work day. Thank God I have wonderful people who surround me and try to make my day easier to get through.
Next week Tuesday (July 26) is the big day. CAT Scan on the liver. Hopefully is will show improvement or stable. Let's all keep our fingers (and toes) crossed. I expect to have the results when I see the doctor before chemo the next day and will let you know as soon as I hear something.
Until then remember my new motto - JUST DANCE!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, July 6
Once in a while a thought will hit me and get me starting to think and in most cases over analyze things. Driving home last night I was listening to the radio and a song came on that started me thinking of my life and current situation. I realized in a strange perverse sort of way that my diagnosis is a gift. Ok, before you thinking I've really gone over the edge let me explain.
We are all going to die sooner or later. That's a given we just can't get away from. But when I was told last year of my cancer I was given a hour glass filled with tiny particles of sand. I don't know how big that hour glass is or how fast the sand is falling but I know its there. I look at every day as a gift. So many of us look at living in the past or future. What we should be doing is looking at living in the present and taking advantage of everything put in front of us. It's so easy to say that we will eventually get to it and in some cases that time never arrives. Problem is we think there is always time and until you're in a situation like I am you don't think that that time could be shortened in a heart beat. So my gift to you my friends is to tell you to DANCE. Don't put things off you want to do because that time may never get here. Take those art lessons, travel to that spot you always wanted to go, make that new friend, be with your friends instead of worrying about cleaning the house. Remember for every door that closes another one opens. Your have a choice - you could just sit it out or dance. Just DANCE!
We are all going to die sooner or later. That's a given we just can't get away from. But when I was told last year of my cancer I was given a hour glass filled with tiny particles of sand. I don't know how big that hour glass is or how fast the sand is falling but I know its there. I look at every day as a gift. So many of us look at living in the past or future. What we should be doing is looking at living in the present and taking advantage of everything put in front of us. It's so easy to say that we will eventually get to it and in some cases that time never arrives. Problem is we think there is always time and until you're in a situation like I am you don't think that that time could be shortened in a heart beat. So my gift to you my friends is to tell you to DANCE. Don't put things off you want to do because that time may never get here. Take those art lessons, travel to that spot you always wanted to go, make that new friend, be with your friends instead of worrying about cleaning the house. Remember for every door that closes another one opens. Your have a choice - you could just sit it out or dance. Just DANCE!
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