Having already made plans to spend my birthday on the Cape this year, Ash surprised a few days early – at work. Balloons & banners, stayed late the night before to decorate my office – so much effort. WOW, very much appreciated. Thanks Ash 🙂
Cards, birthday greetings & celebration dinners continued all month.
May my next 50 be as full of adventure & love of life!
birthday text from Mom:
“To laugh often and much.
To win the respect of smart people,
And the affection of children,
To earn the approval of honest critics,
And face the betrayal of false friends,
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch,
Or a redeemed social condition,
To know one life has breathed easier,
Because you have lived,
This is to have succeeded.”
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- AARP — seriously?
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- office surprise
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- birthday dinner: shrimp, corn & new potatoes — wrapped in foil, 20 minutes on the grill — FAAANNNTASTIC!
ridiculous, but true
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- again, kid on the right — guessing that was my spot 🙂
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- Sis always stole the show
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- assume we wore GREEN on purpose – HA!
the big 5-0
Not all life journeys are planned. For me, cancer is part of my path. Wasn’t sure if I would ever blog ‘bout the subject but find something freeing to calling it out – and moving on.
Been a roller coaster of emotion these past 2 months. Lotta new people enter your life. Lotta life advice. Medical bills. Doctors. Blood tests. Hospital diagnostics.
Stomach cancer.
Went to my doc for possible testicular cancer. Humiliating, humbling process – turns out I only have a benign cyst. Blood tests however revealed high lipase levels. Endoscopy for potential pancreatic cancer. 4 samples lab-tested, 3 spots of cancer – stomach cancer, sphincter muscle between my esophagus & stomach.
6 weeks for a solid diagnosis, then almost instantly proposed surgery & chemo- the following Tuesday. WHAAAAAT? Are there absolutely no alternatives?
**personal choice** Doctor change, radical diet change, super tight circle of positive-minded friends & my Sis.
Whole lotta juicing (carrot, in particular), supplements & pills, PRAYER & ABSOLUTE BELIEF that I will overcome. Endoscopy every 3 months [for 2 years] to monitor cancer growth or remission. Acupuncture for digestive support & pain relief. Mix of both Eastern & Western medicines. Meditation. Immunology treatment & Gerson Therapy.
**complete open mind** Local friend invited me to a Native American sweat lodge. Two gringos, whole lotta Lakota. I was asked to not blog details about my experience. Found the evening overwhelmingly SPIRITUAL.
I am mentally & physically strong. thankfully, I’m a marathoner. Many people crush cancer without chemo. I allow myself good days & bad days. My Christian faith is HUGE. 100% all in — marathon distance not a 5K sprint.
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- the incredible shrinking ME
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- acupuncture magic
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- fave Western med
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- Lakota sweat lodge
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- Eastern supplements
Don’t think too hard – I’m still a registered Libertarian.
but [First Lady] Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention – WOW, just WOW! Definitely, worth a view. It’s not just the words, her delivery — it’s the emotion in those words.
That is the story of this country, the story that has brought me to this stage tonight, the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent, black young women playing with their dogs on the White House lawn.
If you can’t handle the Clinton rah-rah hoopla, forward to 11:20 in the video below. GREAT speech!
That said, still voting my conscience this election cycle – choosing Johnson/Weld for President. Both former governors, both qualified to run our country. If ever a time to buck the trend of voting major party – Democrat/Republican – this is OUR year.
HUGE fan of states’ rights & self rule. Can’t be convinced that white men 2 time zones away know best how to govern my adopted home, Colorado. Can’t be convinced that the needs of Colorado are the same as those in New Jersey. Our country is super diverse, big government STAY OUT & let native thinking take care of local needs.
Ask me what I think about selecting Supreme Court justices? ARGH! 🙂
