Showing posts with label breast cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Singin' in the Rain


Is this one of the most adorable little girls you have ever seen, or what? I literally had to stop a conversation I was having with someone at the market to shoot this. Those little shoes, and that dress just make me smile.

I felt much better today, I think the slight temperature drop helped. But then again, who knows?

Tonight we watched Singin' in the Rain and I loved it. I could not believe how smiley all the characters were,in particular, Gene Kelly. Wow, the dancing and singing were just incredible. Lately I've been nostalgic for our mom and this added to it. She used to be a tap dancer when she was young; even still had her tap shoes until I wore them some years ago as part of a Halloween costume. Times like these when I would love to ask her about it....

You will be happy to know that I got a 100 on the midterm in that class. As well, the responses that I bitched about were 100s. I imagine you are thinking how couldn't you get a good grade in that class, apparently there were those who didn't. He is trying to be creative and come up with a way for students to earn points to add to their grade.

No word from Mr. Roger yet on their son.

It is so challenging for Bruce right now; I feel just terrible for him. Typically he calls me nightly at 9 to chat when he is on the road. These days I can't even keep his whereabouts straight, nor his schedule. He is up weird hours and sleeping when he can. Sad.

I've just completed The Power of One. I saw it at the library and thought for sure my sister-in-law Judy recommended it. You may know that she is a venerable high school English teacher in town. Anyway, it is a good story about a persecuted young boy who aspires to be the welter-weight champion of the world. The setting is South Africa, beginning in the late 1930s. 500 pages later, give or take a few, I'm torn. Africa is a big continent-- it was just a little too pat for me, with him re-meeting his persecutor years later etc. You may like it.

I always need something to read because I don't watch television--on our bookshelf I found a book of short stories by the wonderful Canadian writer, Carol Shields. The first two stories were remarkable. I believe she died of breast cancer several years ago.

Speaking of which--Pink October. It's importance has gotten way out of hand in my book. It started years ago quietly and has grown to gargantuan proportions. I know I sound like a cynic, but the media, and marketplace have turned it into a circus. No amount of money raised will solve the riddle. What happens is some research is done, people jump on that bandwagon because they don't want to sound like dissenters. Eventually that theory is proven to be hogwash, another replaces it, and the cycle continues. What isn't said is that MOST women will never get breast cancer!!!!!!!
I can't say that often enough. Another fact is that most of the breast cancers that are discovered via mammograms are tiny, tiny, and probably would never threaten a woman's life. It is just that they don't know for certain (although some researchers are working on this) if you left it alone what would happen. Most women are not willing to be guinea pigs, so the minutest cancers are treated aggressively. I'm even hearing of young woman opting for double mastectomies. This is pure craziness.
I liken it to skin cancer. There are three kinds, basal, squamous, and melanoma. Only melanoma kills, the others are a dermatologists bread and butter.

For those of you who have known someone who died from breast cancer, I sympathize. I do as well. It's just that the industry has taken on a life of its' own way out of proportion to the actual problem. I read an article a few years ago in the New York Times about how much is actually donated and it's not much. It has just become a big marketing campaign. Alright, I'm done ranting on this subject.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Many Hats


Here is the hats and glove I promised--very cool right?

Yesterday I wore many hats, unfortunately pain was one of them. Boo hiss!
Neverthetheless, here's what I was up to:

Student--I started the day this way as I was hurting too much to do anything else. I did not go to Speech class as our professor was speaking at a conference. We were to research topics for our upcoming speeches. She told us about a website--whysanity.net that has lots of movie monologues. I printed out about eight and I'll choose from those. As well we have to give a historic speech which we also have to bring in. I think I will do Conan O'Brien's commencement address to Harvard. Jonathan shared it with me some years ago and it is hilarious. It is probably too long but we'll see what she thinks. It certainly fits the situation. First thing about giving speeches--know your audience.

Homemaker--Fridays are when I do my housework. I only do laundry once a week, vacuum, change the sheets--you know what I'm talking about. I managed to get it all done albeit a bit slower than sometimes. I did some ironing as well.

Patient Advocate--What do I mean by that? A neighbor's daughter-in-law has just been
diagnosed with breast cancer and she asked me if I would chat with her. She came over and we visited for a while. What a nice woman--she is 39. Let me just say right off that she does not have breast cancer that kills. She has VERY EARLY breast cancer which complicates decisions she must make. We had lots in common so I think she felt comfortable with me. I talked to her just like I used to talk to my patients--basically giving her the inside scoop. I feel terribly sorry for people who must navigate the medical maze without help. I gave her my e-mail address so she could write me if she has further questions. I was happy to help.

Photographer--Maureen came over to buy the print for the wedding gift. I picked up my order on Thursday morning and was quite pleased with what I got. I hope the recipient is happy with her selection. As well I had to sign all of them which takes awhile. Let us hope that some get sold tomorrow.

Lastly Wife--We normally go out on Friday nights but I was just too tired. I made a very simple dinner of Parmesan chicken breasts with a pasta dish with broccoli. I was doing ok but when we went to bed violent retching took over my body--you guessed it, had to take some medicine. DAMN!!! Please forgive me for any errors in this post.

Surprise, Surprise!!!!