Monthly Archives: July 2009
07.26.2009 Posted 12:30 pm
An Oasis in Ocean Grove, New Jersey
I just got back from an amazing experience. There is an oceanfront bed & breakfast in Ocean Grove, New Jersey (about 75 minutes from NYC) called Mary’s Place by the Sea. Although the home is named after the Virgin Mary, this home is open to all religious denominations and does not include religion in any of their activities.
The mission of the home is to give women with cancer a place to rest and revive during and after treatment. The staff caters to the needs of every woman as they work through the physical and emotional rigors of their treatment and their individual cancer experiences. Guests may stay a few hours or a few days, if needed. In addition to great food provided by a nutritionist, they provide Reiki massage, guided meditation, yoga and spa services (I got a facial!)
Their goal is to provide a home of hope that allows the individual to get well and gain strength to win their battle with cancer. Right now they are “renting space” …
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07.26.2009 Posted 12:20 pm
Jen’s “Sexy Back” Weekend
I just got back from a great weekend at the NJ shore with my girlfriends. For a while now, my friends and I have been discussing a bit of a celebration when I am done with chemo and surgery. We joked around that it is my “sexy back” weekend since now that I am off the juice, I can get back to my fighting form.
We know that it isn’t the real CELEBRATION since my odds are still 50/50 of the cancer coming back over the next few years. However, if the past 4.5 years have taught us anything, it’s that we need to celebrate the daily milestones as opposed to waiting for the big moment.
My friend from high school generously offered his beach house in Long Beach Island for the weekend so off we went. The weather was perfect, the house was gorgeous and the company was divine. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful time.
I wouldn’t have made it through the past few years without my friends and …
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07.26.2009 Posted 12:05 pm
Just When I thought I was Out, They Pull Me Back In
Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in – Michael Corleone, Godfather 3
Sometimes I equate having cancer with being in the mafia. You might not want to keep this company but sometimes you don’t have a choice. I was having Godfather flashbacks this past weekend.
Dave was getting ready to go to Israel for 17 days to play in the Maccabiah games. We were enjoying the 4th of July holiday and got to spend July 4th watching the fireworks from the upper deck of the Intrepid Air and Sea and Museum. It was beyond beautiful. The weather was great and we were happy.
However, I had been experiencing sharp pains in my lower abdomen for a few days. I never knew when they were going to come but when they did, they were excruciating. I had never felt anything like it.
Dave was worried and I was just frustrated. For most people this would mean, “Take some Motrin and see what happens”. For me, it meant I had to …
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07.17.2009 Posted 9:27 am
An Amazing Article – About Me!
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I was interviewed about two weeks ago for an article that was going to be about Lance Armstrong’s influence on cancer patients (see below). I was beyond humbled (and thrilled), when the article’s focus evolved into how I choose to live my life fighting this disease. It was extremely gratifiying to see how this report “got me” after only a 30 minute interview. I hope it matches with you how you view me as well 🙂
Lance Armstrong’s Hero Tag Applies to Jennifer: Scott Soshnick
Commentary by Scott Soshnick
July 14 (Bloomberg) — Truth be told, this column was supposed to be about that great athletic inspiration Lance Armstrong, the cycling supernova and cancer advocate who first whipped the tumors and then the competition.
Armstrong is pedaling, yet again, contending for what would be his eighth Tour de France title.
It’s an amazing tale of triumph, grit, determination and will.
Here’s another one for you.
It’s the story of Jennifer Linn, who is also a cyclist, albeit of the indoor and stationary variety.
Armstrong …
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