Greetings out zeeland

I have what my grandfather explained to me when he was in his hospital bed waiting for the Lord to take him– Tired eyes. I am just resting my eyes was one of Pappy’s favorite sayings.

I have not had a decent night sleep because my little girl is under the weather. She acts great but once the night falls, clingy and demanding become the tired behavior. Let me tell you that my child is not a clinger, and I rarely have seen her hide behind my legs to strangers. So when she clings there is only one reason,  a cold is settling in her tiny little body.  As we spent time on the rocking chair or in the bed, we made up songs and I made up stories with my tiny angel as the lead character.  Here is one of her chorus lines. 

” Walking in the morning,

you come back, (come back) to you and me,

Raining in the night

you are my rain, rain rain rain on me”

I thought that was pretty creative for a 3 year old.

We go to bed early knowing we will spend a greater part of the day on our bikes. I am glad as well as grateful fo this small vacation from the hectic life we lead in Amsterdam. Even my 3 year old is starting to have play dates an a social life.

I am looking forward to:  eating a bolus: a sticky bun / monkey bread with a warmed up milk and pure chocolate kisses dropped in to make hot chocolate from our favorite baker, then off to buy pumpkins for carving and later in the day poffertjes with ice cream. I bought a walking path map that I plan to get full use out of by walking utterly in circles around the dunes. I think I could get quite use to island living. Walking in circles clears the mind of junk and focuses on the task of renewing the spirit which we all need in this day and age.

I can’t do anything about cancer, but I can surely live life

My original Physical therapist seemed to be on a similar life track as me, we both did karate, and meditation, read of other cultures and religions and gleaning what we could from every aspect of life. She sometimes would confront me with questions that really had no definitive answers. Just my take or perspective on life was all I had to offer.

The best tip I ever did receive was to “live life” from a fine young 20 something. Let the chips fall were they may. But with this tip she said to be careful, no radical stuff like jumping out of planes. Just the opposite in fact, to keep a slow and steady course, not to deviate to much from your plan of action, don’t play superhero and do too much at one time. I can’t do anything about cancer, but I can surely live the fullest life possible with in my set physical, emotional and spiritual boundaries.

photos of my getaway

This carosel is attached to the wind mill and when the windmill turns so does this thing

Going Pink because Pink Rocks!

I was just getting dressed, no let me restate, I was being dressed by my 3 year old. She picked out a pink shirt, blue sweat pants, ( don’t have pink yet or she would have color coordinated) and grabs from my table my pink ribbon power bracelet. I was shocked to see her hand me something I have not worn in months, but now I don’t think I am ever taking it off again. 

I am not going to complain about pink items for sale or how sick I am of hearing about breast cancer awareness.   No, I am proud to wear my pink because Pink Rocks! If I can make one person more aware of breast cancer then I have achieved my private goal of one new person a day that will get checked and face the facts that one out of 8 women get breast cancer.

I will not complain that star power brings light to this very heavy subject, thank you Sheryl Crow, Susan Applegate, bless you for going on Oprah and using your star power for good of the breast cancer cause. I too have a star on stand up 2 cancer, just type in Weatherly PA and look for my star to donate to Research that is desparately needed.

I might not have the strength to run a marathon for the sake of cancer, but I am sure if I could  I would!

If you want to participate Here is a list to get you started!

YSC Events and News   Hershey’s Tour de Pink 2008 Hits the Road Friday, October 3rd  more than 150 dedicated riders have been training and fundraising for months and all their hard work and preparation will be put to the test on the road when the Hershey’s Tour de Pink kicks off at Chocolate World in Hershey, PA on Friday, October 3rd. There will be plenty of opportunities to cheer the riders during their 3-day rider to New York City, so please visit the Hershey’s Tour de Pink Route Page for specific information on where to find our rolling sea of pink. Teleconference: Advances in the Treatment of Breast Cancer – Tuesday, October 7th, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (ET) This teleconference is presented by CancerCare in partnership with YSC and will feature: Edith A. Perez, MD, Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Director, Cancer Clinical Study Unit and Breast Cancer Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Chair, Breast Cancer Committee, North Central Cancer Treatment Group Generosa Grana, MD, Director, Breast Cancer Program, Cooper Hospital, UMC, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine Patricia Spicer, MSW, Breast Cancer Program Coordinator, CancerCare For this teleconference, register online at the CancerCare website.                                                                                                                                                                       High Heel Hike – Saturday, October 11th Strap on your stilettos ladies … it’s coming … the 2nd Annual High Heel Hike™ is the most outrageous and glam 1K “strut” in south Florida. Fabulous divas of all ages, shapes and shoe sizes will glam it up to help raise money for Young Survival Coalition and the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.  Jules Burt, America’s Pop-Art Diva, will host the most outrageous event in high heel history. Registration is $25 and includes a decadent swag bag for all participants. For more information or to register, please visit www.highheelhike.com. Check out last year’s photos here. The Fort Lauderdale High Heel Hike will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2008. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. The event will take place on Las Olas Blvd. at Southeast 9th street.

Breast Cancer Community Events and News

Going Solo- babysitter is sick on a day I get chemo

It happens now and again when your support help system breaks down. My babysitter has called in sick, and my au-pair has a full study rooster.

I truly believe I have the strength to “go Solo” today. I just have to take it easy and buy take out after my chemo treatment today.  Our hospital supplies free daycare while you are getting your treatment. The kids have an indoor race track and 4 wheel bikes with a steering wheel. They don’t even notice the time, because they are having so much fun.

I am reassured that my child is getting special attention while I am getting my chemo. The key is to be done with chemo before they close at 4:30pm.  With a 2 pm appointment that my hubby cannot attend ( we usually get a lunch appointment.) I am racing against the clock today. Worse case scenario is that I have to ask someone from my department to ride the elevator with me and help me pick up my child while still attached to my drip / intravenous pole.

I don’t believe I have ever let my little girl see me attached to the pole, but I do believe she is old enough to realize I am sick and can handle the shock of seeing the medicine in liquid form. She has already seen me give myself a shot and has adjusted to that situation as being normal.

So taking it easy is the theme, order take out chinese and eat pancakes for lunch at the hospital. It’s a plan.

A meant to be- free will or fate

Philosophers discuss free will or fate all the time, but I am on the fence about whether my sickness or my daily routine was my fate. But yesterday two thing reminded me that maybedefinately God is playing a roll in my life. This is how it began, and how it was confirmed.

Any time we are off plan in my life, wonderful, God-driven things happen to me. Preschool was cancelled due to a medical emergency of the teacher’s kid, broken leg was the rumor. Plan B was to go to TUNFUN which is an indoor playground only until my princess’ little gym lesson. But before we knew it the time passed us by and there was really know justifiable reason to be late to the gym, so I called it off. That very instant a couple with two children come into our area with the soft benches and tells the mother in english “Look Mommy :she is sewing. The mothers in unison say “it’s knitting”. Well it does not take long for a conversation about America and what are you doing in Amsterdam occurs. While my student/nanny gets an icecream for my child we settle in to find her boy is as active as my little 3yrold girl. Next thing we know they are like two monkeys, and mine has him in a head lock, and later … he has her in a half nelson. Neither of them seem to mind the rough play. Thank you God for high pain tolerance that she inherited from me.

Then the man got down to actual questions.  Do you know of a good realestate firm? Where can I get a decent hair cut for under 50$,  There is no Supercuts in Amsterdam, 20 Euros is the going rate. I gave him a few websites to get him looking for housing and the  name of my friend who is a realestate broker and a good physical therapist.

I believe it was truly meant to be that we meet because of us being not diligent about the time frame and staying the rest of the day at the TunFun. We even exchanged a good icecream store not far from our house.

How do I know this was fate? Here is my confirmation. I went on the internet to check my e-mails, with the intention of inviting them to do something again on Thursday or Friday.  I also quickly checked my blog to see an entry that had been “mis-scheduled”.  It was about a piece of blog that should have occurred before, and I guess my finger hit between the 2 an the 3 making a 23 instead of a 3 for the date of posting.

This post would have just been ignored… But the confirmation is that We received a mail for another position from the Queen, just as my blog had predicted would happen that day. Both my Nanny and I got the chills. You may philosophize until the cows come home, but I believe to day was a fate day- a meant to be day. A celestine prophecy kind of day.

breast cancer and an appointment with Mommy

Our schedules are in full swing and last week I only hand minutes between my husband running in an out of meeting times, that last until mid night on many occasions.  So I have incorporated the appointment with Mommy. My grocery store was giving out two-for cards.( Two for the price of one cards to the movies).

We went to see Accidental Husband, which was light and was definitely a chick flick, but I could not handle the action adventures that were playing. Since I am in admiration for Colin Firth it was any easy choice.  A light comedy seemed fine to me.  But what I was not prepared for was the public filth, I immediately woke up this morning with a sore throat and hacking. I am canceling all unimportant events and drinking herbal tea. I think every cancer patient needs to know when to play it safe and stay inside.

Recent additions

 

At youngsurvival.org

Recent Additions:

Audio Recordings Available from the 8th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer

Teleconference Transcript: Evidence-based Complementary Medicine: An Update for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer

Need Someone To Talk To? Try our Point of Contact Program

Inaugural edition of the ResourceLink Guidebook now available online to read, download or print.

Visit the YSC Chapter homepages: Atlanta, Columbus,  Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Northern New Jersey.

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conservative upbringing rearing ugly face

I had two classes to choose from both on Friday morning before my love-bug gets home from play school. My hubby had two telephone numbers ready for me, urging me to get out from behind the computer and do something I love.  painting and portrait sketching. So with my new found freedom I take the number of the place where I am familiar with the area and how to travel to the class. I have become increasing aware that I am an easy target as a handicapped person, and my little red car is like a big red flag saying, kick me. So I know this place has a undercover garage and I call.

Shocked to hear the teacher on the line not a admin. I say I did a gig of portrait by a school www.mk24.nl and the teacher gets all bubbly. He then warns me that the models are primarily naked and I start to choke down my next few words. My conservative upbringing rears it’s ugly little head.  I say to myself, this is art,you are above such things. You  have seen more medical horrors than a naked person. But truly I say to you I have yet to loose my shy inner-core. I directly try to change topic asking what is required of me to bring, he retorts, a pencil sharpener and pencil and any size sketch pad that I am comfortable with. The sketch pad I am comfortable with, but it is what I will be required to sketch will take a bit of getting use to.

I am pushing my envelope again and enjoying the opportunity to do so. Life is too short to sit behind the computer screen.

door closes window open saga continues

My cleaning lady of over 7 years, shows up to my house exhausted. Just physically drained. This is a familiar and recognizable look to any cancer patient.  She tells me she is tired in her sweet loving Ghana’s accent. I ask her to go home and rest. First a cup of tea to think it over, and she agreed she needed to go home and rest. I can really tell the difference when my house is not clean, but a persons health is way more important than a fresh bathroom smell.  So off she went for some R&R. ( military term for rest and relaxation)

 But before she left she had heard my plight of trying to find a new girl. She suggested I call on Z. Z is like a relative from the old country… there is a branch of our family back in Croatia, ex-Yugoslavia that we just don’t know. For me she fills that family gap. She cooks amazing ethnic food, yes fatty but fantastic.  She brings me back to my roots. 

Wouldn’t you know it, she answers my call on the first ring and agrees on the spot to come back and baby sit/ help cook and clean up. I am so thrilled beyond measure. I scratch out  some potential dates on a small piece of 3m sticky paper and we are off and running again, Thursdays with potential Friday afternoons and Monday early evenings, for that late afternoon rush to cook clean up, bath and bed.

Our first day back wth Z goes good.  I need to go shopping for art supplies and find myself from the direction of Z in an Aldi which gives me a feeling of being home in an American supermarket. We head off to the church to light a candle, and to teach a 3 year old about prayer followed by a children’s petting zoo, and then I moved on to do some further shopping, waving goodbye  to my love-bug and our trusted friend Z.

At the end of the day … life is worth living. Thanks to a wonderful suggestion from a lady from Ghana.