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Fearless Blog
Thanks to Renny Maslow, Seth Meyers and his friends, Andy Samberg and Jack McBrayer for making an awesome PSA for Cycle for Survival. Please register at http://cycleforsurvival.org and donate to my team at http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/fearless. 100% of the money raised goes directly towards cutting-edge research studies and trials for rare cancers. If you'd like to share this video with friends via Facebook and Twitter, you can do so at http://cycleforsurvival.org.
Hi everyone! I made a little trip to urgent care on Sunday because I was vomiting and had bad stomach cramps. We were concerned that I had a bowel obstruction which apparently my surgeon claims is “The crappy consolation prize for having 6 abdominal surgeries.”
I am getting a blood transfusion right now in the day hospital at MSKCC. I am feeling really good these past few days (knock on wood) but my energy levels (hemoglobin) were a bit low so I decided to get a transfusion so I can feel extra strong.
I have a big week coming up…in addition to getting a CT Scan and heart tests to confirm that the chemo continues to be effective, Dave and I are hoping to take my nephew Ben to Duke this coming weekend for the Duke/UVA game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. So, I must rest up!
There’s a quote from Ivy Baker Priest, a former U.S. Treasurer that I love: “The word is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.”
If you read my article in this coming month’s Whole Living Magazine, you know that I prescribe to the theory that day-by-day we find our way. We begin again. And it’s never too late to start. I believe that your perspective on a situation can greatly change how you “move through” the situation at hand.
Hi everyone,
I had NO IDEA my readership is so fashion savvy! I must say that I received SO MANY emails about how you all loved the fantastic red heels that I wore during my Buddy Media speech. Well, thank you, and what makes them even cooler is that they are HOT PINK (I took a close-up picture so you could enjoy them in all their glory).
And what's great is that I ALSO have bright red heels - they are fabulous as well.
This week has been OK. Ironically, I have been handling the chemo pretty well but I got this nasty bacterial/fungal infection which really set me back. I am on some seriously strong drugs right now and am starting to feel a bit better. The good news is that my blood work came back strong one week post chemo cycle 3 which means I don't need a blood transfusion this time around. I do love them because they give me energy but I am thrilled that my body is getting a bit stronger and able to produce enough energy on its own.
I apologize for not writing in a week or so. I find that either I am really tired and sick on days or I have some energy and am anxious to try and get out and do something. So, the good news is that the days leading up to chemo cycle #3 were more “good” than “bad”.
The past week has been tough with some good days mixed in. What was truly a blessing is that we got our first bit of what seems to be good news from my Doctors yesterday.
I had an echo test that basically measures the strength of your heart. This test is important for me to get every 6 weeks or so since the chemo I am now on is potentially damaging to your heart. A big concern I have is that we will hear that the chemo is working but I can’t take any more if t because my heart is weakening. Well, the reassuring news is that my heart is exhibiting the same strength it did in September before I started the chemo. This is a big relief. I am the last person to welcome this chemo as it has been kicking my butt, however, if it’s working, I am not going to stop taking it!
In the spirit of "all press is good press", we were thrilled to find a great article on Cyle for Survival (http://cycleforsurvival.org) in the 11/29 issue of the National Enquirer. Lodged between stories such as "Who's the Real Mommy?Travolta Wife Egg Donor Shocker!" and "Madonna has Head Lice!" was a really nice, truthful story about the heart and history of Cycle for Survival.
Apparently one of the writers found the website and was very touched by the story. He decided to write the article and publish it over Thanksgiving weekend. We found it by chance (my nail salon found it :). Although the National Enquirer wouldn't naturally be our top place to be, apparently 10MM people read it and pass it along to others so we will take it! Great timing to get more excitement , exposure, involvement and funding!
I love the quote, "You can't experience the highest of highs unless you have experienced the lowest of lows". I don't know who said it but I always remember it when I am having a particularly wonderful moment. I realize that the only reason I truly know it is a wonderful moment is because I have had many moments that were the stark opposite. I do believe that the heights of joy and gratitude you can reach are much higher if you have had some sorrow or sadness in your life.
I am happy to report that things definitely seem to have improved a bit since I returned from the hospital on Tuesday. I seem to have my pain management more or less under control and my thrush symptoms are definitely gone thanks to the antibiotics. As a result, I am able to really drink a lot more and get some of my strength back.
Dave has become quite the connoisseur at making smoothies for me. Sometimes he combines an Ensure protein shake with some milk, bananas and peanut butter. Sometimes he mixes orange juice with frozen mangos, bananas and protein mix. I am very glad that we decided to invest in our fancy Vita Mix blender a few months ago. It has really made quite a difference.