I Love NPR

I saw this article back in December and saved the link. This is the greatest story! I so admire this woman's sense of humor and comic talent even in the face of @#$%&ing cancer!  Be sure to check out her website to see all the funny t-shirt slogans.  Here is one example in case you need motivation to click on the links above!

Headwear Adventures

One of the benefits of following this blog is that you can learn new ways to use a scarf as an accessory! I love youtube and I have found a few video lessons on using scarves as head covers. Kathy learned from a class at the cancer resource center and got a chance to practice with a "coach." The rest of us will have to use youtube and our "life long learning skills." So if you have a flair for the dramatic, (come on, you know you secretly do!) find that scarf you never knew what to do with and follow along with these video clips!





The following video is the first in a series called Pink Renegades. They probably deserve their own post because they look VERY informative and inspiring, but here is the first one.

Suggestions Galore!

Click Here to read But Dr. I Hate Pink's tips for avoiding kemo side effects.  I really like her blogging style--funny and irreverent enough that she had to write a post telling people to go away if they don't like cancer jokes!  As I was browsing her blog, I found this guest post of hers on a breast cancer ezine called Join our Loop. Meanwhile, ChemoBabe has posted about how to How to Talk to a ChemoBabe with some insights into what she is feeling like.  Everyone's reaction to the treatment is different, but I thought these were good tips for people about what a cancer asskicker might be experiencing.

To read other cancer blogs and links, please take a look at the sidebar on the right.  You probably will have to scroll down to see them.  If you find something you think I should include, please let me know in a comment and I will post it.

First Week at Work

This was Kathy's first week at work since she started treatment.  (Is it fair to assume all readers know that she teaches college? We just finished the first week of our spring semester).  So how did it go?
 
Kathy was able to arrange her schedule so that she can maximize time to rest, time for appointments, etc.  I think it is fair to say that she enjoyed the first week in YEARS where she has been consistently on her way home at a reasonable hour!  (It's important to recognize those silver linings wherever they may occur!)
 
Another positive is that she looks absolutely as stunning as always in her new wig!  We liked her short haircut too, but she is wearing the wig to school and keeping her "look" for now.  I predict she may keep the wig well after the kemo days.  How nice to have your hair already done and just pop it on your head as you rush out the door!  Ok, I know it isn't quite that easy, but isn't that a fun visual?!  If the road from her house wasn't so winding she could be installing it as she drove to school, just as you see people applying makeup as they commute. ;-)  "Officer, it isn't dangerous to put on my wig while I drive, women are great multi-taskers."

Unfortunately, the nausea lasted about a week this time, so she was having to deal with that annoyance.  I wonder if these Queasy Pops from Chemochicks would help.  If not, there are always the Chick Sick Sacks.  Talk about attitude!  Here is a quote from the site.

"Nausea and yes, vomiting, is something that we really can be prepared to handle with confidence.[Blogger note: Confidence?  Really?  Wow!]  Each lightweight disposable CHICK SICK SACK comes in a set of five or twelve. The firm round holder allows you to cover your mouth area with the knowledge that you are protecting your outfit, your car, or your desk…Don’t let a little queasiness keep you at home; this couldn’t be an easier, cleaner solution!" 

These Chemochicks are hardcore!  Then again, Hardcore 101 is a prerequisite for entering the Kicking Breast Cancer Program. 
Have a great weekend Kathy!  You have a kemo free week coming up!

Who is Out There?????

I talked with Kathy today and we have both had many people telling us that they are following the blog.  That's great news!  When writing a blog, it's nice to know there is an audience!  I suppose when you are the star of a blog it's also nice to know you have an audience, don't you think Kathy?!?!?
 
So this post is to all of you lurking out there.

Please feel free to come out of lurkdom!  Bloggers (and blog stars) love comments.  So in case you are not sure how to make a comment, here are the instructions:

1. Click on the blue "comments" word under the title.  (My husband says it is too hard to see, but this was a canned blog template and I don't know enough to safely fiddle around and change the colors).
2. You will get a window where you can read any comments made by others and you can also make your own comment in a text box at the bottom that says "leave your comment."
3. After leaving your comment, choose an identity.  If you already have a google account you can use that.  If you don't, or you don't feel like logging in, you can choose Name/URL and put your name.  Or you can click on anonymous and just put your name in your comment.  Or you can just make an anonymous comment, but that isn't as fun for the blog writer or the blog star.
4. You might get a squiggly word that you have to type into a box--this is to make sure you are a person and not a machine.
5. Click "publish" and you're done!

See, it's easy!  Then you can go back to lurking! 

Hanging Tough

My daughter sent this image to me, and between it and my new t-shirt, how can I not be strong? I continue to be surrounded by love and support, which helps me fight. Two of my worst kemos are over, so I'm looking forward to the end of February and the last two, when the nastiest drugs are replaced by kinder (and hopefully, gentler) ones! Thanks to all of you for keeping me in your thoughts and for your kind and generous actions. I appreciate you!

A great way to spend an afternoon!

We descended on Kathy and Rob today after our usual Sunday walk.  By we, I mean this group...

We had a wonderful minestrone with cheese bread followed by blueberry crisp for dessert.  All of this was courtesy of Melissa.  She is such a great cook!  It was good to see Kathy.  She hasn't been out to walk with us since before the semester ended.  Next week Kathy???

We laughed, caught up on the last few weeks, enjoyed great food and company, complained about work, and commiserated about the winter break being over and being back to work tomorrow. Our usual after walk conversation, except for the location!  Kathy sported a new haircut which I LOVE! (Ok, I am biased in favor of short hair) and showed us the wig (also very cute!!) and scarf she got from the Cancer Resource Center of SVMH. 

The Cancer Resource Center is a wonderful thing.  They provide many services for people who are kicking the crap out of cancer.  They also have services for the families.  Together with the American Cancer Society they make it easier for women with breast cancer to say...