Pretty Day ...

Well, it's been a lazy Saturday. I love that. We rarely have weekends off. We're always booked. So, today has been great. We didn't do much of anything until T and I left to take the dogs to the dog park. The boys napped, as they are both sick and Kevin has a show tonight. Hope his voice holds up. There is no way he could "fake it till you make it" with the type of music they play. His vocals are pretty striking.
Golden Gardens was beautiful today. It was wonderful to walk through the forest there with the pups and see how green and gorgeous this city is in spite of the falling leaves. It's a gorgeous dichotomy. And, it's a gorgeous city.
Silas is now watching The Wiggles and has been jumping on the bed and dancing. The pictures show how much fun he was having, as his pants fell off. He's now naked... go figure. He's my son.
My head is still bald, but getting some nice blond peach fuzz up there. It's so bizarre that it's growing back in the same manner that it did when I was on chemo. Still so surreal ... and funny.
We're heading to a joint baby shower tomorrow for 2 of my co-workers. It's a baby frenzy at Salon Joseph. They are both expecting boys. The WHOLE salon has boys. So, it's pretty amazing. Chock-full of testosterone. I love being a mama to a boy. I think I've always know that I would have a baby boy. I love it. He's such an hilarious and dreamy boy. Everyone calls him "an old soul." He's always thinking ... even if he's in the midst of playing with the other kids. You can see those wheels a-turnin'. He's his own little man. I love that.
Happy Saturday, everyone.
xoxo
Anna

Great evening ...

So, I just logged into the Young Survival Coalition boards and saw a wonderful post. One of the women on the boards consulted with a fantastic oncologist and spoke with him about her stats. She asked him about her HER2NU status. I am HER2NU positive, as well. She wanted to know about her recurrence rate, being HER2NU positive. He said that he doubted that she would EVER recur, as he's had only 1 patient ... of all his patients (and they are ALL breast cancer patients) ... recur. WONDERFUL NEWS. Herceptin is a great drug for us HER2NU positive gals. Before it came out, things looked bad for, as it made our cancers much more aggressive. One in Four women, on average, are positive for the HER2NU mutation. So, this leads into my next point. I'm continuing on Herceptin. Typically, it's done over one year. Some choose to go on to do two years of the drug. My oncologist and I have decided that I am just fine moving on to a 3rd year. My heart scans are consistently good. I don't know anyone (that's not metastatic) that has done 3 years, but I'm damned aggressive with this disease. My oncologist thinks that it's a wise move. We're tight. He knows that I was diagnosed at stage 3. Pretty late stage. Plus, I'm a young woman with a young child. He's wonderfully supportive of my being so aggressive.
On to politics. Leave now if you don't care to read about it.
So, the debate was a bit anticlimactic for me. I missed parts of it, as I worked late and my boss and I got it to air on the speakers throughout the salon. But, my blow-dryer was drowning out the debate. After listening to the end of it on NPR, it sounds like everyone thinks that both candidates did okay. Funny thing though: NPR pointed out McCain's comments about how "nasty" Obama's adds have been. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? John McCain started this huge flame-war in regards to the adds. He's the one that continues to associate Obama with a "terrorist" who was accused of such when Barack Obama was 8 years old. Come on ... is that all you've got? Let us not forget the Keating 5. At least Obama was 8 years old when the guy was doing his "nasty deed." McCain, not so long ago, was taking vacations with and using the private plane of a man that was indicted only a few years ago. Who in the hell told McCain that dragging Obama into this "terrorist" shit was gonna bode well for his campaign. Someone is getting fired!
McCain is desperate. I think his running-mate shows that. Again, my step-brother has Downe's Syndrome. I've never seen my step-mother use Shane as a card in any game. I HATE THAT. She's NEVER put him in the spot-light for her own gain. She's never shoved him in front of her to gain ANYONE'S sympathy. Sarah Palin is a parody of herself. She has chosen to drag a pregnant teenage daughter into the largest spotlight that that girl will ever experience: the entire world. I cannot imagine dragging my child into that. If you're that young, wait four years AND THEN RUN FOR VP. But, ambition, as we've all seen, is quite the Siren. DEADLY.
xoxo
Anna
p.s. I've been told by many people that they are afraid that Obama might be targeted by extremists that want to cause him harm. I SAY TO THAT: If you are that simple minded that you want to harm someone because of their race, you need to look within yourself and the Bible (which I'm assuming you "pristine" people subscribe to). Jesus was of middle eastern decent. HE WAS NOT WHITE. Shocking! Shocking for people that are totally clueless. Pull your ignorant heads out of your asses and remember that that region was inhabited by many human beings before our blessed America was even a baby. If you're too ignorant to understand that, take some time to reflect. If you cannot do so, turn your TV off and, FOR GOD'S SAKE, DO NOT GO TO THE POLES. Find a therapist and get over your race issues. GET A HOBBY ... AND A VASECTOMY. The last thing we need in this world is more of YOU!

Wonderful evening...

So, we had the honor of being able to catch up with an old friend of mine that happens to be my sister-cousin's (Angi) best girlfriend from college. Her name happens to be Angie. I love this woman. Cracks me up. She's not only gorgeous on the outside, but her insides are pretty damned beautiful, as well. She's in Seattle for business. Angie has witnessed many things that have happened in my family and defined my best friend "The other Angi" and myself. She's been there during marriages, babies, deaths in the family, and other crises. Silas, Kevin, and myself got to meet up with her for a cocktail before she had a dinner meeting. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with her. It felt like I had an hour of South Carolina right here in Seattle. I miss South Carolina. I miss my family and friends. It's just so unbelievably wonderful to sit, bald, with a girlfriend that has known me since I was in high school. She knew that I had gone bald for no reason. Didn't seem to make a bit of difference to her ... even though I caught random stares from people in the restaurant. You always get that. You, basically, become immune. It was so great to focus on the present and to hear about her two beautiful girls and see her playing with my son. Angi, I KNOW you're jealous! You should have flown up with her!
xoxo
Anna

I'm bald ... again...

Yes, you heard it correctly. As if the crazy arm infection wasn't enough ... the thrush due to the antibiotics dealing with the infection wasn't enough ... I HAVE LOST ALL OF MY HAIR. AGAIN.
My head starting hurting last week. It was hurting for no reason. It felt the same way it did when I was on chemo and it was fixin' (I"m not Palin) to fall out. Next thing I know, I get out of the shower on Saturday and rubbed my achy head over the sink. Hair falls out. I pulled a clump out. Then, I pulled 4 more, as I'm most certainly an over-achiever.
So, after speaking with my oncologist and another at the renowned Swedish Cancer Institute, there really is NO explanation. We've covered all my meds. We have our hypotheses. But, it doesn't add up. Like how I speak in terms of "we" in regards to my doctors? That's because I've crowned myself an amateur oncologist. You have a question, I'll answer it. I'm fixin' to start charging.
In any case, I shaved my head on Saturday. That led Mosey to shave his little head. He wanted to look like Mama. I didn't mention any treatment stuff. Just told him that I was wanting a a change and wanted new hair. Then, by Sunday, the little nubs of hair were still falling out. So, we revisited chemo days and just duct taped my whole head last night. Most of it came out. There are still little nubs here and there. But, for the most part, it's gone. Cue ball gone. My clients, today, were taken aback but so calm about it. Just laughed right along with me. They are ROCK STARS!
I could care less, honestly. The only thing: I'm supposed to be recorded for the news tomorrow as a thriving survivor. Oh holy hell!!!!! Gonna have fun explaining my health and how I'm two years out (TODAY, AS A MATTER OF FACT) and am suddenly bald.
I'm gonna tell 'em that I got struck by lightening or something. It's just easier.
xoxo
Anna

Ding Dong

Just wrote that Title, as we've inherited a new computer from a great friend, but it has an asian script every time I go to type. Thus explains the strange text that you might be seeing. I like it. Just want to see what "Ding Dong" ends up being in Japanese or Chinese. I'm still not sure what Asian lanuage we're dealing with.
So: the debate. Interesting. It's clear to me that Sarah Palin tends to talk like a beauty queen trying to win a crown. No doubt the lady is intelligent. She sure is. But, she is removed from what this country is going through, in my eyes. Her previous interviews have rendered me in stitches from laughter ... especially, after Tina Fey's impersonation. It was spot-on. You CANNOT get better than that.
Tonight, I thought that she was very evasive. Namely, in the beginning. She caught "her" stride and built some confidence after "debating" for a while. I'm sure she is a fine person. But, she has NO clue what she is talking about in regards to this entire country and foreign policy. Joe Biden,on the other hand, did well by me. I was afraid that he would be abrasive, as he can do that. But, he was spot-on. Stuck to the task at hand and was focussing on what was thrown at him. I cannot say that about Palin. I was hoping that he would, simply, focus on the questions ... AND HE DID THAT. Sarah Palin did not. When one has to announce that they refuse to answer a moderator's question, you have to question their motives. I was embarrassed for her. For, maybe, one second.
In any event, I was pleased with the debate. Biden did a great job. I was very proud of him. Let himself settle, and not get out-of-wack.
Oh, and by the way, if my step-Mother had thrown my step-brother in front of her for sympanthy during any life situation, I'm sure she would have gotten a huge sack-full of fans. My sweet step-brother has Downs. We went to Jr. High and High School together. Before we became relatives, we were pals. Now, we are brother and sister. My step-mother would have NEVER put him on stage at every chance she got. She would have NEVER had a family meeting about his existence while he was in her belly: Sarah Palin did this. How can someone that is "pro-life" have a meeting about the decision of bearing a child with Down's Syndrome? It's hypocritical, at best.
He's not a flag, or a sign, or a decree. "He's my brother...", as they say.
xoxo
Anna

सतुरदय

Looks like you people are ALL about my Gilda. Didn't wanna brag about her in the beginning of the poll. But, she has been my favorite since college days. Interesting that she had cancer, died of cancer, and Gene Wilder helped to set up "Gilda's Club" all over the US. I go to Gilda's for "group." Her face is everywhere. It's bizarre. But, she's a kindred spirit and you can feel that vibe in that gorgeous space.
So, now I'll talk politics. If you don't want to hear my opinion, feel free to log off now..........
Anywho, We all know I'm an Obama supporter. Cannot imagine being anything other than that. This country is screwed. It's an atrocity. My bank just got bought out by Chase. I was never worried about my money, as I know that my $13.99 is insured by our "powerful" government. I, honestly, could care less. I'm broke. I'm fine with that. I know that our economy has sucked for some time. The thing that pisses me off is that our "president", for months OR years, has said that our economy is just fine. What is George Bush smoking? Suddenly, NOW, he is saying that things are amiss.
Don't get me wrong. I'm sick of the partisan and polarizing issues that are present in a, basically, two-party system. I don't think that ALL democrats are fantastic.
But, we're going down. And, if we don't fix this shit. It's not gonna get better. All great empires fall. Throughout history, this has been proven. I would just rather cut to the chase and negate the same thing that has happened over and over and over and...
Obama isn't as seasoned as many. I'm fine with that. Bush WAS ... look what we've become.
Obama focuses on health care. As a breast cancer survivor, I WANT SOMEONE IN OFFICE THAT ACTUALLY FOCUSES ON HEALTH CARE. I want someone in there that is new and fresh and not jaded by all the DC bullshit. I want someone in there that is compassionate. That is the ONLY way we can gain back the respect that this beautiful country deserves. Aggressive ... AND compassionate. There's an idea!
Sarah Palin ... Oh hell, where do I begin. I'm offended, as a mother, that she went full-force into this election KNOWING THAT HER 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS PREGNANT AND WOULD BE DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD. My mother would NEVER have sought fame at my expense. And I would never do that to my child. I think it's sickening. She has a child with Down's. You know what? My amazing step-brother has Down's. I've never seen my step-mother use him as a crutch. He's always been allowed to be his own person WITHOUT his mother holding him up like a flag that says, "HEY, look at me, I'm such a great person because I kept this child." It's disgusting. Oh, and by the way, if you're so pro-life that you don't even agree to abortion if someone is raped, then maybe you shouldn't have a "family meeting" to decide what you should do about your pregnancy when you found out the baby had Down's. It's sick. Hypocritical, at best.
John McCain. You know. I don't think he's a bad guy. But, I don't think that he's some HUGE hero. EVERY member of our armed forces are heroes, REGARDLESS of if they end up as POWs or not. It's a job. Why aren't we hearing about the other POWs.
I've been called a hero for battling breast cancer. AND I'M NOT!!!!!! I cannot reiterate this enough. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I happened upon a disease that I had to fight ... just like EVERY person that I know with cancer. I'm not a hero. I'm, simply, a gal dealing with a set-back. But that does not make me qualified to start running my own oncology ward. I've got the stats and many answers. I've studied the hell out of my disease. But, I'm not a pro. You CANNOT vote for someone, simply, because they were a POW. When you sign up and train in the military, that is a given. You sign on the dotted line, you train, and you KNOW that that might be a possibility. Bless his heart for going through all that torment. But, I DON'T feel like he and I are far off from our own battles. His POW experience is not much different than mine. Well, his lasted longer. But, our treatments may have been parallel. His is done. I'm in "remission". Mine, for the rest of my life, will be back there, somewhere ... waiting to rare it's nastiness. He's free. Oh man, how I would love to hear the words, "you're cured." I won't. I'm dealing with that. I don't want pity, I don't want people to worry, AND I don't want to people to think that I'm some damned hero. I'm not. I did what ANYONE would do to survive. It's not fucking rocket-science!!!!!!!! You fear for your life, you do whatever you can do to survive...especially for that baby that is smiling at you. But, please, please, please don't vote for someone simply because they were a POW.
PLUS ... what was up with McCain not EVER looking Obama in the eyes the other night? He was being a douche.
So, I"m done for now ... I think. But not for long.
xoxo
your "hero" ... Anna
p.s. maybe I should run for president, as I can throw a great cocktail party.

Happyday

So, as you've all been told, I've got some pals with some issues.
Well, sidle up to the bar, I'll pour you a drink and you can listen to this ...
Sweet Jennifer's brain MRI ended up great! Well, not "great", but it WAS NOT CANCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing cartwheels behind the bar. Apparently she has some sort of "gliosis"(?) that is up in her damned brain. This could be caused my any number of things: trama, MS, or a mild stroke. We're not sure what caused it. We don't care. As long as The Beast hasn't returned, it could be a yard gnome for all I care. She's thrilled. I'm thrilled. That's that. Bless you my sweet friend.
In other news, K-dawg went in to move onto a new and VERY advanced form of chemo. It's called Exempra ... or something like that. Her blood test came back fine, as they do those before even letting her do the actual chemo. Unfortunately, she waited half the day to get the damned blood tests back. Good thing several of her best cancer-club girlfriends crashed the infusion center to back her up ... oh, and Silas. Where I go, he goes.
So, she finally got the meds. She was, actually, in good spirits and was her same old crazy-ass self. The other gals had to get going around 2:30. So, Silas and I stayed during the 3 hour infusion, as I wanted to make sure she was okay to drive after the deal was done. She napped. Silas napped. I confiscated most objects in the room that weren't nailed or taped down. Hell, we're paying for it. As soon as she was hooked up to that infusion, she had just bought the bed, the toilet, the two televisions, the mirrors, and the bed pans. I did NOT take the bed pans. I did end up with some lovely robes, blue pee-pee pads (for my agent's incontinent cat), surgical tape (I use that stuff all the time), crackers, juice. My purse looked like it was 12 months pregnant. I don't consider this stealing. I consider it getting back what is owed to US. Oh, and I definitely got some "Splenda". Got guests staying at the house tonight. Gotta make sure we can sweeten their coffee in the AM. Hell, they could be diabetic for all I know.
So, all in all, it was a great day. K-dawg received a shit-load of print outs on other amazing chemo drugs and trial studies from our brilliant co-survivor Korrelly. That lady is amazing. So, that gives her some idea of the amount of meds that are out there to help in the fight.
WE will also be in the forefront of her fight, as she is us and we are her. Cancer is, again, gonna get its ass handed to it.
I know that at any moment, these women would drop everything to be with me and help me in a time of crisis. Cannot tell you how blessed that makes me feel. They are truly my soul-mates.
Have a wonderful night and a great weekend.
xoxo
Anna
p.s. Soul-mates are the new black