All On A Winter's Day

We received our first snow of the season that required any effort and with the dramatic drop in temperature from the mid 50's down to the teens, I expect that it will last for a few days. Thankfully I do not have many reasons to venture out in this so I can sit back and just enjoy the view.

No Passengers Allowed

When I was first out of school and into the workforce I found that I "needed" a car. I took $300 cash to the dealer and asked him what I could get for that amount. I drove home with a big white Pontiac that was soon dubbed "White Trash". WT served me well, never failing to start especially during the cold of Wisconsin winters and could plow through snow like a 4-wheel drive. WT had some issues; drivers door was wired shut and WT did not like to be shut down..requiring one to lift the hood and give him a whack before the engine would quit...but still he got me where I needed to go. Our Safety Engineer at work had put a sign on the window which declared "No passengers Allowed" (this was done in good fun???) and my dad cringed at every visit when he spied WT. Then came the day that my dad got me a deal on a new car and called to say that he was driving it up that weekend. On Friday night I drove home, pulled into the driveway and imagine my surprise when WT stopped, no whack needed..and refused to start again. Did I crush his heart? So sorry my love...

Carbone Cancer Center

Yesterday I met with the doctors and staff at Carbone and was very impressed, not only with their knowledge, but with their understanding that each patient is more than a bar code on a wristband. As I went through each process during the 8-hour day I was asked about me, the person not the patient, and at the end of the day staff members felt like new friends who were in this with me.

The plan for now is to undergo robotic surgery on 2/20 and my lead surgeon is considered to be one of the best in the field. In the meantime I have a few things that I have been assigned to get accomplished. #1 Lose some weight as the surgery is more successful with patient with minimum body fat., #2 Get my RBC back up within normal range. So it looks like my big word for the next month is diet.

No Regrets

I have added a new item to my bucket list.As some of you know I was recently hospitalized due to massive bleeding. As a result of that it was discovered that I have endometrial cancer. On 1/11, I will be going to the Carbone Cancer Center at UW Hospital to meet with the team of oncologist that will be working with me.. At that time they will determine staging and the treatment options. The doctors at Carbone have a great reputation and I am going into this with full confidence and will do whatever it takes and worry about how to finance it later. There is no price tag that I can place on wanting to live out a healthy life with my family and friends.

And while I do not think that doctors are gods, (sorry JJ) I do believe that a mighty hand guides them as they work and I am a believer in the power of prayer. I hope you will keep me in your thought and prayers and I will use this as a challenge to strike some things off of my bucket list. #1 Kick the hell our of cancer!