Love for our E-Beth...

Just wanted to send some love to a lovely woman that has changed my life:

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
~Dr. Seuss

I love you, dear girl.
xoxo
Anna

Take me out to the ball game ...

My man Silas and I spent a fabulous day with some wonderful people today. We were taken to the Mariners' game by Grammie, Grandaddy, Levi, and Regan.
We had a bit of lunch first at the new Hard Rock Cafe downtown. Our server was, obviously, high on some sort of powder drug and was sweating all over us. If I think someone is a spazz, you know they have have issues. I was just praying that he wouldn't sweat in my nachos. Regan, however, pointed out that it might add a bit of salt to the mix. So ...
After leaving The Hard Rock ... and Captain Crazy ... we headed to Safeco field.
The game was awesome. I'm not a person that enjoys sitting around watching sports on the TV. If I'm there in person, however, I quite enjoy the experience.
The Mariners, actually, won. Hopefully this season proves better than most of their past seasons.
It was great to see them play the Red Socks ... another of my favorite teams.
Perfect weather, perfect game, and a perfect day for my little man. He had a ball!
xoxo
Anna

Silas is a WIDE receiver...

The Gamecocks logo is, of course, a selfish plug. However ...
Silas, "Chico", and I were in the back yard on Thursday and were playing football. I play football with Silas quite a bit. But, I'm not a MAN who has actually played the sport regularly. Though "Chico" is now in a wheelchair, before his car accident, he was being scouted by many colleges. He was a super-star sports hero in his high school. I hate that he never got the chance to experience what "might have been." However, he has taken what "might have been" and has turned it into something SO amazing. He's, truly, a dear soul and someone that advocates for EVERYONE with disabilities. One of ten national directors for training and technical assistance for the ADA ... this guy is amazing. He is an advocate for so many people ... including myself.
Though I was able to teach Silas how to throw a good spiral (my dad was also a football hero in high school, so it's ingrained in me), I don't remember a damned bit about plays or line-ups ... or anything technical in regards to strategy . I use to in high school. But, it's been lost in the mix of years. All I can do is throw a good ball.
Cue "Chico". We're out in the back yard after dinner. Silas pulls his football out ... and I just sat and watched.
It was adorable to see Chico telling Silas to run toward "that" pine cone and then "break right" and run to your Mama.
Silas, after a couple of turns, got it. He was on FIRE. Those boys were having a ball.
Chico is a man who has known me since I was in diapers. He is such a saviour to my son and myself. He showed up ... out of the blue ... when I was getting married here in Seattle. We danced together at my wedding ... in his chair. He has been with myself and most of my family members during times of crises. I can assure you that there have been many.
My Dad and I, actually, had a conversation a few weeks ago about this lovely man.
My father said to me, "If I called 'Chico' and said I need you to be at 'X-Place' tomorrow at Noon, he would be there ... and he would ask not one question." My Dad's right.
I'm so, so happy that Silas has a gentleman to show him the plays.
On my part, I can only show my son how to throw a mean spiral. Not saying I don't "get" the game but, sometimes, it takes a "true" man to show a young man the logistics of the game. And, I cannot think of anyone better for that task.
My son and I are so blessed to have that fabulous influence in our world.
Game ON!
xoxo
Anna

Amazing new research...

Just received this e-mail from The Army of Women ... a website started by Dr. Susan Love:

"Is it possible that there are molecules in your exhaled breath that indicate that you have ovarian cancer? A group of researchers in Marin County, California think the answer may be yes. They also believe that these molecules can be detected by dogs that have been professionally trained to identify them.

Why is this study important to us? Because, as many of you know, women who carry the gene for breast cancer have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer! And women with ovarian cancer have a higher chance of carrying the breast cancer gene! But most of all because there is no good screening test for ovarian cancer which is often diagnosed too late.

Don't live near Marin County? Please pass this e-blast along to friends, family members, and any other women you know who do! Let's get this study filled!

Remember, if you aren't able to sign up for this study or if you haven't been able to sign up for a study so far, we still need you to hang in there. Many more studies are on the way and, eventually, everyone will be able to participate!
What's the study about?

The research team is using specially trained dogs and a chemical test to analyze breath samples for substances called biomarkers that may be useful in diagnosing ovarian cancer. This type of research has been done before with breast and lung cancer.
What's involved?

If you agree to participate in the Early Detection of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Exhaled Breath Markers study, you will be asked to go to the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California, to breathe through a plastic tube for 30 to 60 minutes. You will also be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about your health history. You may be asked to return to the Pine Street Foundation to provide another breath sample up to three more times over the next two years.

The breath samples you provide will be analyzed two ways: by chemical analysis in a laboratory at the University of Maine and by dogs being trained to detect cancer at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, Calif. (You will not have direct contact with the dogs unless you specifically request to meet them.) Your breath samples will be coded with an anonymous record number and you will not receive the results after the samples are analyzed.

The study is expected to last two years. The researchers may contact you again if the study continues longer.

The researchers need to enroll up to 30 women in this study: 15 with ovarian cancer and 15 with endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Who is conducting the study?

Touradj Solouki, PhD, at the University of Maine, and Michael McCulloch, PhD, at the Pine Street Foundation, San Anselmo, California
Where?

Pine Street Foundation, San Anselmo, California
Who can participate?

You can join the Early Detection of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Exhaled Breath Markers study if you match ALL of the criteria in ONE of these TWO categories

Category 1. You are:

• A woman with a diagnosis of endometriosis OR polycystic ovarian syndrome

AND

• Age 21 or over

AND

• A non-smoker

AND

• Have no prior diagnosis of ovarian cancer, breast cancer (including DCIS), fallopian tube cancer, or primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum

AND

• Have tested negative for the BRCA mutation (if known) OR have no first- or second-degree relatives who have a BRCA mutation (if known). If you have never been tested for BRCA, you can still participate in the study

AND

• You live near Marin County, California (or are willing to travel there at your own expense)

OR

Category 2. You are:

• Seeing a doctor because you have a newly diagnosed or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cavity cancer AND have not begun treatment

AND

• Age 21 or over

AND

• A non-smoker

AND

• You live near Marin County, California (or are willing to travel there at your own expense)

After you RSVP, the researcher will ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a good fit for you."

Sounds absolutely amazing. AND ... of course it's the animals that can show us a thing or two...
xoxo
anna

Anne Sexton is a rock star...

My first semester of college, I was given the "task" of writing an essay that analyzed one of Anne Sexton's poems. I had never read her works before. The poem was entitled "The Abortion." It was quite a meaty work. Hard to stomach and the analyzation was astounding to a young woman who was fresh out of Arkansas and in her first year of college. But, it is an amazing poem. So, so gut wrenching and lyrical.
I happened across her again recently. I was looking up some of her works and up popped a poem entitled "Anna who was mad." It's a gorgeous poem and, as it bears my name, I (selfishly) took a look-see.
I'm sharing it with you.
Look her up. She's amazing.

"I have a knife in my armpit.
When I stand on tiptoe I tap out messages.
Am I some sort of infection?
Did I make you go insane?
Did I make the sounds go sour?
Did I tell you to climb out the window?
Forgive. Forgive.
Say not I did.
Say not.
Say.

Speak Mary-words into our pillow.
Take me the gangling twelve-year-old
into your sunken lap.
Whisper like a buttercup.
Eat me. Eat me up like cream pudding.
Take me in.
Take me.
Take.

Give me a report on the condition of my soul.
Give me a complete statement of my actions.
Hand me a jack-in-the-pulpit and let me listen in.
Put me in the stirrups and bring a tour group through.
Number my sins on the grocery list and let me buy.
Did I make you go insane?
Did I turn up your earphone and let a siren drive through?
Did I open the door for the mustached psychiatrist
who dragged you out like a gold cart?
Did I make you go insane?
From the grave write me, Anna!
You are nothing but ashes but nevertheless
pick up the Parker Pen I gave you.
Write me.
Write."

xoxo
Anna

Home from Chelan with my fabulous tan ...

Lordy, Lordy ... where to begin. Well, first off, The Hoodies' trip to Lake Chelan was a ball. The lake, itself, has to be the most gorgeous lake that I've ever seen. Crystal blue water surrounded by rolling hills. We, of course, ate our weight in fabulous food. Drank EVERYONE'S weight in booze. And, laughed like a bunch crazy people ...
Our accommodations were a bit ... rustic ... to say the least. Actually, the house itself was adorable. But, getting there (down a 3 mile gravel road on a cliff that drops off into the lake) was dicey. Once there, we realized that the house runs, solely, on solar power. I'm, absolutely, all for "going green". However, this was a challenge with 8 ladies and a water pump that apparently only wanted to work when we were NOT in the house and in need of water.
Oh ... and there was no AC. As as southern gal, I am no stranger to hot, hot heat. However, I am also no stranger to the frosty goodness of my pal AC on a hot summer day. I slept outside on the deck at night to keep cool... net to the bush where the rattle snake liked to hang out. That's right, the rattle snake. It should also be noted that myself and Sarah are the resident snorers. So, we get banished to the same room at night. She's a fabulous bed-mate. Oh, and I am the resident "spooner". So, it was much to my surprise to wake up on Saturday morning to find my face imbedded in crook of Sarah's knees. Apparently, in that stifling heat, I had decided (in my sleep) that it'd be a good idea for ST to wear me like a meat-coat. After trying to push me off, she thought it'd be a good idea to turn upside in the bed to get away from me. Sarah's knees STILL are not talking to her after that move ...
We added a day this year to our trip. So, we didn't leave until Monday. 3 days in that fabulous AND FRIGID water did a girl some good. Why I was desperate for AC, but scared to death to get in the cold water, is beyond me. But, I made it in.
We splashed around, skinny dipped ... not mentioning names, and basked in the sun. The neighbor, actually, had to get the boat out to go save Andrea, as she drifted off on her float and couldn't make it back to us ... couldn't get back on her float ... and was dog paddling for her life. We, probably, could have paddled out to help her ... that's if were weren't laughing so hard that we couldn't breath.
All in all, another fabulous trip with fabulous women. We're thinking of making it a biannual tradition, as it's too much fun to only experience once a year.
Dear God ... I don't know if we will survive it.
xoxo
Anna

Oh Mr. Joe Cocker ... you had it right!

Getting by with the help of one's friends never felt so good. I happen to have the best. A little ditty that rounds up my world:

"What would you do if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away
(Does it worry you to be alone?)
How do I feel by the end of the day,
(Are you sad because you're on your own?)

No, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody
I need somebody to love
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.

Would you believe in a love at first sight
Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
What do you see when you turn out the light
I can't tell you but I know it's mine,

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody
I just need someone to love
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
with a little help from my friends."

I love the fact that it takes a village. That way we can all meander off on our own, quietly, and face our demons... or our angels. Either way, we know our paths.
xoxo
Anna

Chelan ... we're coming for you!!!!

Welp ... it's upon us again. This time every year, The Hoodies ... my dearest group of cancer-club ladies ... take our annual vacation together. It's our time to play, party, and reflect.
This year, we will not be at the The Hood Canal. We've chosen a change of scenery and will be going to Lake Chelan. Chelan is a gorgeous deep, deep blue lake in eastern Washington.
I will, truly, miss our hideout on the Hood Canal. But, as is always the case in life, change is inevitable. And, for the most part, it is good. We may very well end up on the Hood next year. But, until then ...
The entire group won't be there this year. Life's circumstances find their ways into your world sometimes. I'll be missing my sweet girls that cannot make it this year. Won't be the same for me, honestly. But, it will still be a beautiful time of reflection and rest ... well, maybe more reflection, as rest is elusive on these excursions.
It's been a pretty damned long year for me. At some point soon, I might feel comfortable enough to get into it here on my blog.
Until then, I'm gearing up for this amazing house that we've procured. Right on the lake. A dock with a slide that goes right into the lake. A handful of fabulous ladies with which to spend a very memorable weekend. It's gonna be the bees' knees!
xoxo
Anna