Snow Insurance

I must have been a good girl this year as Santa brought me everything I asked for.  (Well, except for world peace, food for all those who are hungry, and the eradication of cancer...maybe next year!)  All in all it was a  wonderful holiday, albeit exhausting, but wonderful none the less. Greg (aka Santa) and I did our normal running around but this year I just could not hit all the gatherings we had been invited to as my broken hand and school left me woefully behind on holiday cheer.  In fact I was so far behind, my nephew Aaron even helped me wrap presents.  I love that kid!  So my apologies to anyone who did not receive a holiday card from us - that was one thing that fell by the wayside.

Anyhow the photo above is of my fave present, the limited edition pink snowshoes made by Tubbs.  I have now guaranteed we will not have snow this year!  Seriously, it has been weirdly warm here; ( not that I am not complaining!) but I am hoping for snow by January 21st 2012.  On that day, I will once again join the Romp to Stomp here in NJ.  This is a great event held at Mountain Creek - a 5K snowshoes race to benefit the Komen Foundation.  Why not join us?  You can register here or even sponsor me: Romp to Stomp. I participated in the race last year as part of a  team started by a former coworker of mine who lost his wife to breast cancer.  My niece Hayden, my sister-in-law Christine and my friend Jess all "stomped" too.  It was a most awesome day and I look forward to having another wonderful day again!

I finished Biology of Disease with a hard earned "A", giving me a pretty perfect first year at B.U.  I'll walk in May for graduation and actually finish up classes in the early summer.  To say I am looking forward to completing this degree would be an understatement.  I have met many wonderful people and do look forward to corresponding with them again come January but have to admit, having the evenings free to read whatever I want, catch up housework, etc. is quite nice!

As I head into another new year, I look back at 2011 with mixed emotions.  We had many great times with family and friends and even gained a new member of our family:  our black lab, Neo. I finally got to go to Coachella. We were lucky enough to visit Alaska.  Greg landed a new gig with the film department at MSU.  I participated in many races, had another great Komen NYC walk and was selected to be in their Survivor Portrait gallery.  However, we also were faced with the loss of Greg's sister Laura, the breast cancer diagnosis of two close family friends, the career limbo I face daily in the wake of the ESI/Medco merger announcement, and the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  A crazy year indeed.  

2012 will bring me to the 4 year mark in survivorship.  (I am planning one major blowout party in 2013 to celebrate 5 years, stay tuned!)  I'll kick off the year on New Year's Day with a five mile run followed by a dunk. Yes, that means a swim.  Yes, on New Year's Day.  In the ocean.  No, I am not crazy. I have done the Tough Mudder... 'nough said.  I'll get through my final four classes.  I'll complete the BAE Half Marathon trilogy, do a tri here and there and maybe even run the NYC marathon again if I get in via lottery. The job thing - I'll wait and see.  We hope to spend many days with friends and family.  My annual round of doctor visits starts January 10th with labwork.  My resolution for 2012?  Hmm, that is a tough one.  I think I just might leave it at getting through school without pulling my hair out (since it took me long enough to get it back!) and to be sure to take the time to stop and appreciate this gift of life and all the joys it brings.    Happy New Year!!!

Holidaze

Somehow seven weeks snuck by without much notice by me.  Thankfully I am finished with classes for the year and have a few weeks to catch up on life again.  So, my apologies to those who have not yet received Christmas cards or a phone call in a while.  I am hopeful the big man in the red suit will deliver the gifts my loved ones want or I am in big trouble having not yet hit the shops...

I should be honest and admit to a few stolen moments such as the 2011 Reindeer Run I participated in with my niece Hayden.  We dressed alike without knowing it and enjoyed the scenic 5K route through some beautiful neighborhoods in Franklin Lakes, NJ.  I had a wonderful birthday dinner with friends at Ninety Acres.  Yes, another birthday celebrated for which I am thankful.  Seems my big health issue of 2011 would be my currently broken hand, a running injury if you can believe it! ( I tripped and caught my fingers in a fence fracturing my knuckles - OUCH!!!)

I had breakfast with my 88 year old grandfather who is back from sunny Florida to celebrate the holidays.  I am thankful each and every time we get to spend time together.  I continue to run when I can, play as much as possible with our now 7 month old "puppy", and try not to worry about what 2012 may bring other than my graduation in May, my brother Nick's wedding in August and the 4 year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. 

This year has been a tough one with many friends battling the beast that is breast cancer.  I wish for them nothing more than the gift of hope this Christmas and the return of good health in 2012.  Me, well, all I really want for Christmas is the same - good health and good times with my family and friends.  Oh, and some pink snowshoes too please...

Enjoy the holidays, whatever it is you may celebrate.  Embrace those you love and tell them that you do. Many thanks to all who continue to support me in this thing called life - you are the greatest gift of all.  ENJOY!!! 

Whoa - where did that six weeks go?

Today is Saturday, November 19th and I am in major denial that this coming Thursday brings Thanksgiving and the official kick-off to the 2011 holiday season.  How the heck did that happen?

I guess I know - between my ethics and biology classes; the Halloween blizzard the resulted in us financing my tree guys winter vacation and a much sunnier yard; training my incredibly energetic now six month old black lab puppy; dancing with a NJ Housewife (Caroline, at a gala fundraiser for the Ramapo Bergen Animal Rescue); eating mud and diving into a dumpster full of ice water on a brisk November day in NJ (Tough Mudder 2011!); acting as co-race director for the inaugural Butler Turkey Trot 5K to be held Thanksgiving morning; and of course allowing for morning runs, kickboxing, a Pixies show, a Lykke Li show, helping to coordinate my department at work's holiday food drive and my company's overall holiday gift drive for children leaves me surprised it isn't January already!!!

Much breaking news in the world of breast cancer research this month too.  you may have heard the FDA revoked the approval of Avastin for treatment.  If you recall, I was involved in a study for this drug and received the placebo.  Yes, I am happy about that.  They have discovered how to overcome resistance to tamoxifen (Scientists-discover-mechanism-tamoxifen-resistance) and it looks like the smart folks at John Hopkins have discovered a pathway that could prove the beginning of the end for this disease.(breast-cancer-breakthrough-seen)  All things to be thankful for this 2011.

Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!  I hope to post photos from race Thursday!!!

Pinktober

Well, I am not quite sure where September went...  we kicked off the month in Alaska and ended it in Maine.  In between we tried to make sense of the loss of Laura, one of Greg's older sisters; dealt with the mess Irene left behind at my grandfather's house in Pompton Plains; tried to give our quickly growing puppy the attention he so craves; of course there is work and things around the house to be done... oh, and did I mention my ethics class with the requirement of a paper a week?  I guess that explains how I can sit here and flip my calendar to October first.

October is breast cancer awareness month.  As I write this, one friend has just started chemo; another is awaiting the results from her biopsy.  Yet another has been told her cancer has moved to her spine.  While I am not a fan of products just jumping on the bandwagon, the fact that at least something is being done to try to rid this world of the disease impacting so many, I ask you to consider buying that fruit or chips or duct tape (yes, even duct tape!) bearing the pink ribbon.  On my Facebook page, I'll be posting my "31 days of pinkified items".  I hope one day that pink ribbon represents the memory of something we no longer have to fight and those who lost the battle throughout the years.  Myself, I am three years out and doing well.  I'll wear pink this month even if it is not my best color. 

Puppy Love

August 1st already.  Where oh where is the summer going to?  Well, as far I can tell it has been creeping by silently as I spend my days smitten with a new man... yes, I have a new love and his name is Neo. No, I am not fantasizing about Keanu Reeve's character from the Matrix (although I would not turn him away...); no, my Neo is the adorable black lab pup you see in the photo above.  Greg and I brought him home on July 6th and since them, well, life has not been the same.  Perhaps it is the lack of sleep, the constant sound of "No Bite!" reverberating across the house, or maybe it is the way he snuggles up against one of us and falls asleep but we have fallen and fallen hard.  He has us wrapped around his puppy tail and knows it.

I am not complaining, we knew raising a puppy would be a lot of work. Throw in summer classes, some vacations, the normal daily routine of jobs and PRESTO!  It is August 1st and I am in denial that fall is just around the corner.  I best keep this brief - I have homework to do....  enjoy the rest of your summer!

Celebrating Freedom

Yes it is already July and everywhere towns are celebrating our country's independence by hosting elaborate firework displays.  The photo attached here is from Pequannock Township's 2011 show which I attended lat night.  Myself, I am also celebrating freedom - I just finished my third class for my MS program and have off until July 5th!  (Thankfully I got the A I worked through the weekends for!)

Greg and I will also be saying goodbye to the freedom we currently enjoy due to having no commitments at home - i.e. a pet.  On Tuesday July 5th we will bring home Neo, our 8 week old black lab puppy.  We are excited and nervous and already arguing over who will be walking him... more to come once we actually have him here!

I have agreed to be the captain for my company's Komen NYC Race for the Cure 2011.  Join us on September 18th!  The more the merrier!  I received the great news that I will no longer need Zometa; clinical studies just have not panned out.  I also received the great news that I have been selected to have my portrait photographed by a well known professional photographer to be placed in of Komen NYC's Survivor Series. I have decided to be photographed with a mammography machine.  Sounds weird right?  I was allowed to pick absolutely any setting and since I just think it is so important to get the message out there that women not need be afraid of the machine - hell, I love that thing, it saved my life - it just seemed like the pose to do! (I will not be having a mammogram - don't worry mom - no topless shots!) A mammogram also caught a very early cancer in a dear friend so again I am thankful to that big hunk of metal.  If I get a copy I can share, I'll post the result!

Like I said, it is July - already....  with my 4th class, two triathlons on my calendar,and a new puppy I am sure this month will fly by as quickly as June did.  I am doing my best to be mindful of the beautiful days and get out to row as often as I can.  Happy Birthday America - I'll be donning red, white and blue in your honor this weekend!

Spring Cleaning

It is pouring outside as I type this entry. The sound of rain against the window is now more annoying than lulling. Sure, my gardens are lush and green, but I have not been able to get out there and weed due to the weather... I do not complain too loudly as I think of the photos being shown today of Joplin, Missouri.  I'll take the rain happily.

It has been a few weeks since my last post.  I have traveled to California for the Coachella Music Festival and Walt Disney World for Medco's 2011 Drug Trend Symposium.  I have finished my 2nd class and started my 3rd.  I ran the Cape Cod Relay with 11 other wacky and wonderful women, and our awesome drivers.  Greg and I received word that our puppy has been born and we should bring him home in early July. (A black lab, he will be named Neo.) I have returned to my rowing team but the weather has cancelled many practice sessions. I have celebrated the arrival of two beautiful babies to couples I adore and the engagement of my youngest brother. I guess you could say I have been busy.

Sadly, during the past few weeks I have learned of women starting their battle with the beast and even more so, about some who have lost the fight. Not sure if it is the weather that depresses me so or hearing these stories. More than likely a bit of both. I try to summon my "the glass is half full" attitude and think about what lies ahead.  I look forward to summer and to complaining about the heat.  I am fortunate to have many wonderful plans: the Spring Lake Five, James Taylor at Tanglewood, a trip to Nantucket as well as the Cape, class number four, and puppy training.   Right now the thunder and lightning just make me sleepy.  Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!