You guys will not believe this...! Tom Daldin, the host of the video in my last post, was walking in downtown Rochester and was hit by a car. Such a sad story...but thank goodness he is okay. But isn't that weird?!?!? The show had not even aired yet when we was hit. Crazy!
Here is the story:
http://www.candgnews.com/news/pedestrian-motorist-%E2%80%98lucky%E2%80%99-outcome-accident
p.s. I feel bad for calling him goofy.
xoxo
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Rochester...under the radar...
I love our little town! It was just featured on PBS. Kinda long, kinda goofy host...but it's neat to see our town on TV. If you want nothing else, fast forward to 13:58 to see the light show!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Guffaw
We were eating breakfast this morning and Angelica, as per the usual, make me laugh so hard that milk nearly came outta my nose.
I was very hungry and wolfing down pancakes. I didn't realize she was quietly watching me, but when I turned to look at her she said -totally serious, "Hey....slow down, little pokey".
xoxo
I was very hungry and wolfing down pancakes. I didn't realize she was quietly watching me, but when I turned to look at her she said -totally serious, "Hey....slow down, little pokey".
xoxo
Sunday, January 9, 2011
What a way to start this Lord's day!
I woke this morning to feel a warm little snuggler next to me in my bed. Angelica came in my room at some time during the night, which I just love. It doesn't happen very often so I don't worry about it. I know there will come a day when she won't want to anymore so I cherish those warm, wonderful snuggle times.
And then came the sound of boys laughter from Oscar's room down the hall. Oscar had one of his best buddies here for a sleep over. They stayed up too late, ate too much junk food and giggled until past 11:00. Pure fun!
And then I walked into the kitchen to see a doe (a deer...a female deer...) right outside my window. She was around last night too. She just looked up, wiggled her tail and went back to eating. I am amazed at the size of the deer here. The deer in Texas were mostly mule deer....and were about the size of large dogs. The white tail deer around here are huge.....huge! I guess it comes from eating all my shrubs.
And then I looked up to see my crab apple tree covered in Goldfinch and other bright songbirds. I think there were even some Orioles, although that wouldn't make sense this deep in a Michigan winter. Anyway, the crab apples didn't drop because we had such a warm fall. So the tree is covered with these birds snacking. It was so gorgeous!!!
I hope you each experience something beautiful today too.
Thank you, Lord, for this glorious day!
xoxo
And then came the sound of boys laughter from Oscar's room down the hall. Oscar had one of his best buddies here for a sleep over. They stayed up too late, ate too much junk food and giggled until past 11:00. Pure fun!
And then I walked into the kitchen to see a doe (a deer...a female deer...) right outside my window. She was around last night too. She just looked up, wiggled her tail and went back to eating. I am amazed at the size of the deer here. The deer in Texas were mostly mule deer....and were about the size of large dogs. The white tail deer around here are huge.....huge! I guess it comes from eating all my shrubs.
And then I looked up to see my crab apple tree covered in Goldfinch and other bright songbirds. I think there were even some Orioles, although that wouldn't make sense this deep in a Michigan winter. Anyway, the crab apples didn't drop because we had such a warm fall. So the tree is covered with these birds snacking. It was so gorgeous!!!
I hope you each experience something beautiful today too.
Thank you, Lord, for this glorious day!
xoxo
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry CHRISTmas!
I did not manage to get Christmas cards out this year. I am ashamed...there are many others that are much busier than I am that pulled it together. :-/ I have the cards. I have the photos. I just never got them coupled up, signed, sealed or delivered.
Please accept this as our warmest holiday wishes and prayers for good health, happiness and joy to all of you and your family! God bless each of you!
xoxo
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Please tell me.....!
We received some boxes from someone. But we don't know who. Kinda reminiscent of years past, especially Christmas 2008. I wish I knew who sent these gifts.
Okay, I have to respect that whoever sent this wants to remain anonymous. Unless I missed a tag somewhere...? I called the UPS Store it was shipped from (Little Rock) but got nowhere.
I have this stongly intense, primal need to write a thank you note...to express my gratitude...to acknowledge the generosity of the person who sent these gifts for my children.
Whoever you are, if you are reading, please accept my most heartfelt thanks for the gifts you sent Oscar and Angelica!
Look for a video next week of the kids in action with their secret Santa gifts.
xoxo
Okay, I have to respect that whoever sent this wants to remain anonymous. Unless I missed a tag somewhere...? I called the UPS Store it was shipped from (Little Rock) but got nowhere.
I have this stongly intense, primal need to write a thank you note...to express my gratitude...to acknowledge the generosity of the person who sent these gifts for my children.
Whoever you are, if you are reading, please accept my most heartfelt thanks for the gifts you sent Oscar and Angelica!
Look for a video next week of the kids in action with their secret Santa gifts.
xoxo
Monday, December 13, 2010
San Antoinio Breast Cancer Symposium
Every year there is a conference in San Antonio (http://www.sabcs.org/) that is dedicated solely to breast cancer. The best oncology minds in the world gather for 5 days. It wrapped up yesterday. I am always facinated to read about the incredible advancements being made.
MOST exciting for me is the report on the trial I was in!!!!! Long read so I will summarize: I had some of the best medicine available!!! My Herceptin and Taxol were adjuvent but still a wonderful regime!!
Drug Combo Tames HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
BY MELISSA WEBER
Treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer turned a corner more than a decade ago with the approval of Herceptin (trastuzumab). More recently, another successful drug called Tykerb (lapatinib) hit the market. The question then became whether Herceptin, Tykerb or a combination of the two would be most effective in stifling the aggressive disease. Two studies presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium offer some clues.
Print this Article
HER2-Targeted Drugs Excel Before Surgery
In the first study, nicknamed NeoALTTO, a combination of Tykerb, Herceptin and the chemotherapy drug Taxol (paclitaxel) outdid either targeted agent alone. Among 455 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, giving the three-drug combo before surgery—known as neoadjuvant therapy—resulted in half of patients seeing cancer cells disappear completely in the breast at the time of surgery. The same pathological complete response was seen in only 30 percent of women receiving Herceptin alone, and 25 percent for Tykerb alone. Serious side effects were more common in the Tykerb-alone arm and included diarrhea, liver function problems, low white blood cell counts and rash. Although heart damage has been associated with HER2-targeted drugs, no patients experienced toxic effects to the heart at the time of surgery, researchers reported.
Similarly, investigators in the GeparQuinto study wanted to know which of the HER2-targeted drugs was more effective when given before surgery. In a head-to-head comparison, 620 women with HER2-positive disease received chemotherapy (epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by Taxotere [docetaxel]) plus either Herceptin or Tykerb. Like the NeoALTTO results, Herceptin edged out Tykerb when added to chemotherapy. No cancer cells were detected in the breast or lymph nodes at the time of surgery in 31 percent of patients on Herceptin compared with 22 percent receiving Tykerb. Serious cases of diarrhea and low white blood cell counts were seen in the Tykerb arm of the study.
Investigators of both studies will follow patients to see whether the absence of cancer cells at the time of surgery results in longer survival.
The HER2-targeted drug combo also works in combating advanced breast cancer. Last year in San Antonio, researchers reported that combining Herceptin and Tykerb helped women with heavily pretreated metastatic disease live approximately 4.5 months longer than Tykerb alone.
Excessive amounts of the HER2 protein cause cancer cells to grow more rapidly—a scenario associated with 20 to 25 percent of all breast cancers. Herceptin, approved for both early-stage and advanced cancers, targets the HER2 protein on the outside of cancer cells. Tykerb, currently approved only for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, enters the cancer cell and blocks HER2—as well as growth signals from another protein called HER1—from inside the cell. Combining the two drugs could essentially knock out the cancer cell with a double blow.
While the studies were very encouraging, they’re not ready for use outside a clinical trial, said Eric Winer, MD, chief of the division of women’s cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “We’ve been misled too often with early results. And while on the one hand we want to bring the best treatments to people as soon as possible, on the other hand, we have to have some greater assurance that they’re really having a meaningful effect.”
MOST exciting for me is the report on the trial I was in!!!!! Long read so I will summarize: I had some of the best medicine available!!! My Herceptin and Taxol were adjuvent but still a wonderful regime!!
Drug Combo Tames HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
BY MELISSA WEBER
Treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer turned a corner more than a decade ago with the approval of Herceptin (trastuzumab). More recently, another successful drug called Tykerb (lapatinib) hit the market. The question then became whether Herceptin, Tykerb or a combination of the two would be most effective in stifling the aggressive disease. Two studies presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium offer some clues.
Print this Article
HER2-Targeted Drugs Excel Before Surgery
In the first study, nicknamed NeoALTTO, a combination of Tykerb, Herceptin and the chemotherapy drug Taxol (paclitaxel) outdid either targeted agent alone. Among 455 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, giving the three-drug combo before surgery—known as neoadjuvant therapy—resulted in half of patients seeing cancer cells disappear completely in the breast at the time of surgery. The same pathological complete response was seen in only 30 percent of women receiving Herceptin alone, and 25 percent for Tykerb alone. Serious side effects were more common in the Tykerb-alone arm and included diarrhea, liver function problems, low white blood cell counts and rash. Although heart damage has been associated with HER2-targeted drugs, no patients experienced toxic effects to the heart at the time of surgery, researchers reported.
Similarly, investigators in the GeparQuinto study wanted to know which of the HER2-targeted drugs was more effective when given before surgery. In a head-to-head comparison, 620 women with HER2-positive disease received chemotherapy (epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by Taxotere [docetaxel]) plus either Herceptin or Tykerb. Like the NeoALTTO results, Herceptin edged out Tykerb when added to chemotherapy. No cancer cells were detected in the breast or lymph nodes at the time of surgery in 31 percent of patients on Herceptin compared with 22 percent receiving Tykerb. Serious cases of diarrhea and low white blood cell counts were seen in the Tykerb arm of the study.
Investigators of both studies will follow patients to see whether the absence of cancer cells at the time of surgery results in longer survival.
The HER2-targeted drug combo also works in combating advanced breast cancer. Last year in San Antonio, researchers reported that combining Herceptin and Tykerb helped women with heavily pretreated metastatic disease live approximately 4.5 months longer than Tykerb alone.
Excessive amounts of the HER2 protein cause cancer cells to grow more rapidly—a scenario associated with 20 to 25 percent of all breast cancers. Herceptin, approved for both early-stage and advanced cancers, targets the HER2 protein on the outside of cancer cells. Tykerb, currently approved only for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, enters the cancer cell and blocks HER2—as well as growth signals from another protein called HER1—from inside the cell. Combining the two drugs could essentially knock out the cancer cell with a double blow.
While the studies were very encouraging, they’re not ready for use outside a clinical trial, said Eric Winer, MD, chief of the division of women’s cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “We’ve been misled too often with early results. And while on the one hand we want to bring the best treatments to people as soon as possible, on the other hand, we have to have some greater assurance that they’re really having a meaningful effect.”
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
So fast...thank God
When I wrote about Elizabeth Edwards this morning she was still here...now she is gone. What a blessing. Not that she is gone but that it happened so fast. If you have ever watched someone you love die of cancer, you understand. And I seriously doubt that there is anyone reading who hasn't had the wretched experience.
It is a horrible death but she was such a powerful, beautiful woman that she managed to even handle the process of her death with dignity. I love this quote from her:
"The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful."
Amen.
xoxo
It is a horrible death but she was such a powerful, beautiful woman that she managed to even handle the process of her death with dignity. I love this quote from her:
"The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful."
Amen.
xoxo
Elizabeth Edwards
The news of Elizabeth Edwards imminent death has kicked me in the gut. Every time someone loses their battle with cancer it is devastating. For me, the loses to breast cancer just plain scare me…obviously.
Elizabeth has been my beacon. I have always marveled at how much she has endured and her grace through it all. Losing a child, the public betrayal by her husband, and so much more.
I remember thinking about her when I was diagnosed in 2008...and specifically thinking that she will be fine and so will I.
Dear God, please give her peace.
xoxo
Elizabeth has been my beacon. I have always marveled at how much she has endured and her grace through it all. Losing a child, the public betrayal by her husband, and so much more.
I remember thinking about her when I was diagnosed in 2008...and specifically thinking that she will be fine and so will I.
Dear God, please give her peace.
xoxo
So much to tell...
I am sorry to have been away so long. My life has been very busy, as I am sure yours have also. We had a very special visitor from Guatemala. A member of Oscar’s foster family was here with us. Her visit was incredible. We will forever cherish the memories we made while she was here. I have oodles of photos to post and will do that soon. Jandy, thank you for being with us. We love you!
xoxo
xoxo
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
AFV
We love America's Funniest Videos. It seems like a safe, family-friendly show. Not too much trouble to get into by letting the kids watch it and giggle uncontrollably...right...?
Last night the kids were up in my bed watching. I was 20 feet away getting ready for bed (okay....busted.....we go to bed REALLY early around here). I hear Oscar shout out a groan slash laugh after one of the scenes. Here is the exchange I hear next:
Oscar: Ohhhhhhh....dude...aughhhh!
Angelica: What happened Oscar?
Oscar: He got hit in the crouch (yes, he said crouch...as in "to hunker down"...lol)
Angelica: Oh no....his weenis!!!
Oscar: Yes, Angelica, his privates...his weeeenis!
Time for Anatomy 101. LOL!
xoxo
Last night the kids were up in my bed watching. I was 20 feet away getting ready for bed (okay....busted.....we go to bed REALLY early around here). I hear Oscar shout out a groan slash laugh after one of the scenes. Here is the exchange I hear next:
Oscar: Ohhhhhhh....dude...aughhhh!
Angelica: What happened Oscar?
Oscar: He got hit in the crouch (yes, he said crouch...as in "to hunker down"...lol)
Angelica: Oh no....his weenis!!!
Oscar: Yes, Angelica, his privates...his weeeenis!
Time for Anatomy 101. LOL!
xoxo
Monday, November 1, 2010
GREAT news....the recession is over...
At least it appears that way by the amount of candy people were giving out last night. The kids went trick or treating in our neighborhood only and, oh my gosh, they were loaded down with candy. It was a boondoggle! When we were kids no one gave out full size candy bars. My kids buckets are full of them!
We had a great time that started with Halloween parties on Friday in the kid's classes. Angelica was a princess (shocking!) and Oscar was a Star Wars trooper (doubly shocking!!). Then on the actual Halloween day we had block party down the street with all the neighbors. From there the kids went out begging for candy. It was a blast!
Hope you had a happy Halloween too!
A certain angel was not very happy here.... :-/
Oscar is checking out the competition.
We had a great time that started with Halloween parties on Friday in the kid's classes. Angelica was a princess (shocking!) and Oscar was a Star Wars trooper (doubly shocking!!). Then on the actual Halloween day we had block party down the street with all the neighbors. From there the kids went out begging for candy. It was a blast!
Hope you had a happy Halloween too!
A certain angel was not very happy here.... :-/
Oscar is checking out the competition.
xoxo
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Oscar's 8th birthday
Oscar is 8. How the h.e.double hockey sticks did that happen? My precious little man is growing up way too fast. Here is a golden oldie!
I am a little slow in posting pictures. It was a delightful night with Molly, Megan, Marty and the boys. Here is a self timer of all of us. I love our family so much.
You can see the delight in Oscar's face when he opened the gift from our Guatemalan family, the Vela's. We love that family so much too! :-)
As a fun surprise for Oscar, I strung yarn all throughout the house. He had to follow the yarn and every once in a while there would be a little surprise for him. It was fun for the kids but a little challenging for me! Ha. I got tangled more than once.
I made Oscar's cake. It was a Star Wars theme. I made the frosting from scratch. Thanks, Megan, for the recipe. I crumbled oreos for the dirt. It turned out hideous. He loved it. :-)
xoxo
I am a little slow in posting pictures. It was a delightful night with Molly, Megan, Marty and the boys. Here is a self timer of all of us. I love our family so much.
You can see the delight in Oscar's face when he opened the gift from our Guatemalan family, the Vela's. We love that family so much too! :-)
As a fun surprise for Oscar, I strung yarn all throughout the house. He had to follow the yarn and every once in a while there would be a little surprise for him. It was fun for the kids but a little challenging for me! Ha. I got tangled more than once.
I made Oscar's cake. It was a Star Wars theme. I made the frosting from scratch. Thanks, Megan, for the recipe. I crumbled oreos for the dirt. It turned out hideous. He loved it. :-)
xoxo
Sunday, October 3, 2010
My 2nd Cancerversary
Every person I speak with has a different opinion on what constitutes the date that survival statistics begin. For example, if you talk to a surgeon, they say the date of surgery is when the clock starts. Some say it is the date of diagnosis, since we are survivors starting the day we find out we have cancer. And still others say the anniversary date is the day that you stop chemo or treatments.
It is estimated that 207,090 women will be diagnosed with and nearly 40,000 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2010. Statistics are very important. Specifically, the 2 year mark and then again the 5 year mark have the greatest drop in recurrance risk. Of course, it would help to know what day that mark is. LOL
October 1, 2008 was the day I was diagnosed. So, regardless of when the clock starts, Friday was an important day in my little world. I spent it with the neighborhood girls and my sister playing Bunco and drinking jello shots. Seriously. It was so much fun!!
xoxo
It is estimated that 207,090 women will be diagnosed with and nearly 40,000 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2010. Statistics are very important. Specifically, the 2 year mark and then again the 5 year mark have the greatest drop in recurrance risk. Of course, it would help to know what day that mark is. LOL
October 1, 2008 was the day I was diagnosed. So, regardless of when the clock starts, Friday was an important day in my little world. I spent it with the neighborhood girls and my sister playing Bunco and drinking jello shots. Seriously. It was so much fun!!
xoxo
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Detroit...
Interesting 3 part series on Detroit. I tend to feel a fierce defensiveness about my birthplace. It is a mess, but it feels optimistic. And there is no place else that I want to be.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Big news
Angelica came home from kindergarten and told me she got married. I will let you know where she is registered.
xoxo
xoxo
Sunday, September 26, 2010
I did it!!!
I am great at doing laundry. But I suck at folding it and putting it away...lol. Just now I actually finished every last speck of laundry in this house. All of it. And, are you ready for this...are you sitting down? I folded it all and put it all away. I even matched socks and put, oh, probably 40 tucked little bundles in the right drawers!
Only one problem. None of us will know where to get our clothes for school/work tomorrow since the laundry room and laundry baskets are all empty. :-)
xoxo
Only one problem. None of us will know where to get our clothes for school/work tomorrow since the laundry room and laundry baskets are all empty. :-)
xoxo
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Giving up hope and replacing it with a deadline...
I LOVE this cause!
http://www.stopbreastcancer.org/2020/about-this-deadline.html
By the way, Dr. Dennis Slamon (go to the Experts tab) is considered the "Founder" of Herceptin. Herceptin is a life saver, truly, for those of us diagnosed with HER2+ cancer.
http://www.stopbreastcancer.org/2020/about-this-deadline.html
By the way, Dr. Dennis Slamon (go to the Experts tab) is considered the "Founder" of Herceptin. Herceptin is a life saver, truly, for those of us diagnosed with HER2+ cancer.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thank you, Jesus
I am not sure why it has been so long since my last post. Because I continually think of things I want to tell you all. But, unless there is a pad of paper and a pen close by, the ideas slip right through my brain like grains of sand in an hourglass. (wheeeeeeeeeeeeeew-weee, that was poetic!)
Life is good. I mean, really good. Angelica has a cold, Oscar should be getting it soon, work is awesome although I haven't closed my most recent deals yet (but I am so close), Autumn is almost here (so excited!!), my house and neighborhood continues to delight me with many new friends. In a nutshell, LIFE IS GOOD and deliciously normal.
More soon with photos of Oscar's 8th birthday party. He was so happy to have his Aunts and cousins and Uncle Marty here. Although he wished it could have been his "whole family", to quote him. He loves his aunts, uncles and cousins! I am sure someday he will appreciate his sister too. :-)
In the meantime, here is one of my favorite videos from the archives. We got a wonderful message from our Guatemala family, the Vela's, that reminded me of this sweet video of Oscar asking "'Low, abibobidehr?" or, translated, "Hello, is anybody there?"
xoxo
Life is good. I mean, really good. Angelica has a cold, Oscar should be getting it soon, work is awesome although I haven't closed my most recent deals yet (but I am so close), Autumn is almost here (so excited!!), my house and neighborhood continues to delight me with many new friends. In a nutshell, LIFE IS GOOD and deliciously normal.
More soon with photos of Oscar's 8th birthday party. He was so happy to have his Aunts and cousins and Uncle Marty here. Although he wished it could have been his "whole family", to quote him. He loves his aunts, uncles and cousins! I am sure someday he will appreciate his sister too. :-)
In the meantime, here is one of my favorite videos from the archives. We got a wonderful message from our Guatemala family, the Vela's, that reminded me of this sweet video of Oscar asking "'Low, abibobidehr?" or, translated, "Hello, is anybody there?"
xoxo
Friday, August 27, 2010
Couple thoughts this TGIF...
First, I would like to warn you all to never buy the 1 pound bag of new pretzel M&Ms. They are dangerously addictive.
I had to travel to Indianapolis this week for my job...very nice town. On the way I saw this billboard and loved it! Wanted to share. It said:
Recession 101: Self Worth beats Net Worth
My sister Suzanne will be here today...last minute trip. We are so excited although she is coming for a funeral so that is sad.
And, finally, one last little bit of news...........
I GOT MY PORT OUT THIS WEEK. Almost 23 months after having it put in. Wow...wow...wow. What a good feeling! (Well, it will be a good feeling once it stops hurting) :-)
xoxo
I had to travel to Indianapolis this week for my job...very nice town. On the way I saw this billboard and loved it! Wanted to share. It said:
Recession 101: Self Worth beats Net Worth
My sister Suzanne will be here today...last minute trip. We are so excited although she is coming for a funeral so that is sad.
And, finally, one last little bit of news...........
I GOT MY PORT OUT THIS WEEK. Almost 23 months after having it put in. Wow...wow...wow. What a good feeling! (Well, it will be a good feeling once it stops hurting) :-)
xoxo
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Pinkness
Here is the montage I put together to thank all those who made donations. You are all my supporters so I wanted to share with you too.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
3-Day video - part 3
Megan did such a good job getting this video. There were thousands of people....thousands...and it was unbelievably loud and chaotic. So, try to hear the words. And try to take me seriously in my outfit.
3-day videos
Here is my 3-day posting part 1....the intro video. By the way, have I told you about the team we
merged with??? Merry, Katy, Lisa & Rhea...the most AWESOME girls ever. Merry has agreed to be my blog spell checker. You can all thank her. More about them soon.
merged with??? Merry, Katy, Lisa & Rhea...the most AWESOME girls ever. Merry has agreed to be my blog spell checker. You can all thank her. More about them soon.
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