Scan Day Request

Scans are tomorrow. Any and all strings that can be pulled with the universe are most welcome.
Seriously. Pull them. Now.

A Note from the Teacher

I've been watching the flowers awaken from their winter sabbatical and the trees explode like fireworks with full coats of colorful blossoms. I'm monitoring the progress of my lilacs and expect to be breathing their fragrance by the end of this weekend.

I've made a point of basking daily in the warmth of the Spring sun, and I happily attend morning and evening concerts by the songbirds in my yard.

I have even been the happy (yet groggy) recipient of cappuccinos made especially for me by The Kid on the past two Saturdays.

Despite all this, I still am not feeling like myself. Fatigue and body aches distract me from being fully engaged in the goodness around me. The thieves. It's frustrating.

But then I found an e-mail from The Kid's teacher in my inbox today, and this has my soul jumping with joy and pride. Want to join me? Here it is:

I meant to email you yesterday, but time just got away from me. We had
morning meeting outside with Mrs. Mason's class yesterday, who has many special needs children. The Kid was so kind and so compassionate toward them, and I was so proud of him, and wanted to share my observations with you.

He was greeted by a little girl, who can only make eye contact, and the
teacher with her said to the classes, "Whoever Natalie is looking at, gets
greeted." And right away, The Kid chimed in and said, "She is looking at me!" So, the teacher rolled the ball from Natalie's hands and The Kid greeted her.

Your son has a big, kind, and compassionate heart. He is a joy to have this year!

sigh

My Fiesty Friend Angie

My friend Angie had a really crappy Christmas. She spent it (and several weeks following) at MD Anderson after lung metastases knocked her on her ass. She learned during that time that she had also developed liver mets. This after spending months training and then completing a triathlon!

But, she is relentless in her pursuit of healing and her husband has been keeping those of us who love Ang up-to-date with a CarePage. This spirited girl is not to be held back and I love it! Here's the most recent update:

Angie is really in tune with her body. We got the
results back yesterday afternoon, and just like she predicted in the previous
post, the cancer is less active and in fewer spots. Dr. C and his nurse
practitioner Pam used the word "stable". We'll be getting copies of the full
reports as soon as they are finalized, but no surprises. She said last night
that her body just hasn't caught up with her mind on her body being healed. So,
we'll keep knowing that she's healed and that her body will follow.

Angie asked for a week off chemo yesterday, but Doc
said no. That's the right decision since her cancer is being kept in check. He
did promise to work on moving her to a different chemo in the future so her hair
can grow back, but he said that right now our biggest focus is to heal the
heart.

We just got back from a long weekend in Cancun. She's
looking great and her voice continues to get stronger.

Please send Angie any positive energy you can roust from the universe so she can continue beating the bejesus out of her disease.

Come on Now... Group Anxiety Attack

Scans are scheduled for Wednesday, April 30th. I've got the whole lot of them (bone scan, brain MRI, chest CT, abdominal CT, pelvic CT and a mammogram) all set up to be done by 1:30 p.m.

Everyone stop eating and sleeping... NOW!

How's This for A Reality: I'm Lazy

I don't have to write a single word today. (Even though I just wrote several.) I don't have to wrack my addled brain for the best words to describe my reality. Nope. Seems that I share similar thoughts about the realities of enduring a long-term scuffle with cancer with Leroy Sievers at NPR. He shares them in his blog post today.

Thanks, Leroy. I'm sorry that you get it.

Oh, Yes! Yes! Yes! Wait... No, No, No, NO!!!

Sometimes the discoveries in cancer research can be so great and hopeful. And fun to manipulate in my mind. You know, bend it to fit my personal experience. Like this news about one of my favoritist antioxidants. I've been conducting my own unscientific, protocol-less, uncontrolled, completely unblinded and absolutely anecdotal study of red wine and its effects on chemotherapy for YEARS. My carefully evaluated findings clearly show that red wine totally enhances the effects of chemotherapy leading to longer term survival. However, if Dr. Okunieff manages to get funded for additional studies of red wine and its fabulous ingredient, resveratrol, I will be first in line to participate in his trial. That's right; I have no problem sacrificing myself in the name of scientific discovery. I'm that selfless.

But, wait! There is also this. Is the treatment for my disease not cruel and grueling enough? Does it not sufficiently deprive and detract from my existence? I've surrendered my thick and shiny hair (multiple times, I remind you), my manicured and well-kept finger and toe nails, my self-defining energy, my rather hot bod (shut up, you), and occasionally the contents of my stomach to fight this disease. But, fast for two days before treatment? Now you go too far, cancer! You go way. too. far.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to scarf down some french fries and red wine. Oh, and chocolate. Can't forget the chocolate.