TEAM SUSSEX

I have been sidetracked with many things but this weekend marks the 2rd annual (and biggest ever) TEAM SUSSEX walk for the cure at the summer run. Still time to sign up at www.summerun.org and go to team sussex. I am so elated to have you all on board and feeling uplifted once again at all the support I continue to get each year this battle goes on.

An update on my treatments...I am currently undergoing chemo treatments for a persistent spot on my lung. We are changing up the drug since it seems to be resistant to the last chemo I was taking. I have been struggling with the whole concept of feeling sick when I have chemo, and feeling great in between. Why is all this necessary? Can't I just get a break? Yesterday I went in for the second dose of the new treatment (cisplatin and gemzar-or some such thing) and wasn't over the nausea from the week before. I was cured almost immediately when the doctor sent me home without more chemo (my white blood count was too low). I am told to rest, but I don't feel like it...I am told to eat, but I don't feel like it...and what am I supposed to eat anyways? There just aren't enough statistic es to prove anything about a cure or we would all be doing it-believe me!

My positive braclets are helping, but they go missing all the time. Even I haven't been able to stay on track for 21 consecutive days. I am going awol from work. Just escaping from the life I have been living and trying to find something more satisfying. I love the sunshine we have been blessed with. It highlights natures best-the water sparkles like diamonds, the trees shade feels like such a retreat and listening to the rustling of the leaves means that a breeze is coming through-it cools my sweaty bald head-I run around with sweet abandon-wigless. The plants respond vigorously to the sunshine and blossoms turn into fruit. I can't get enough of the sweet yellow tomoatoes, the blueberries, lettuce, and now blackberries are beginning to ripen. This is my favorite time of year! Come play with me.

Merry go round

I feel like I have been on the merry-go-round for a big whirl now and I am ready to get off and get my balance. Enough is enough and besides I am dizzy and feeling motion sick. Hopefully July 1st scan will verify that the tumors are zapped and I can have a reprieve. It has been somewhat of an out of body experience listening to the everyday issues that seem so mundane and unimportant. I think that my listening skills have improved.

I have started (and restarted) using my bracelets for the 21 day challenge and would invite you all to try this with me (I can get you a bracelet). The challenge is to speak positively for 21 days consecutively. If you get caught speaking (you can think negatively-come on-we are human) negatively, then you have to move the bracelet to the other wrist and start the 21 days over again. It takes the average person 7-9 months to make it 21 days. If I surround myself with positive people it influences me also! We all win. Blog me back with how you are all doing...I have started over a few times already.

On another positive note-the summer run is off to a good start and that is another challenge. For some of you, it is just the ticket, and others too big a challenge-so maybe start with the bracelet first and then get to the physical challenge. Mind, body, spirit-we need it all to be whole.

Blessings.

Summer run part 2

Ok, I am getting jazzed up about being the best I can be again. The summer run puts competition for a cause and celebration of life together for me with a positive outcome-besides, it's my life we are funding research for! Today it is all about all of you chellenging yourselves along with me and inviting your friends and family to do the same for a cause that will make a difference to lives to come (and probably someone you know). So sign up now on Team Sussex www.summerun.org

Summer Run kick off

Last night was the 3rd annual (for me) kick off for the Marsha Rivkin ovarian cancer run that continues to inspire me to new heights. The Rivkin center was established by Dr Rivkin (Swedish hospital oncologist) who lost his wife to ovarian cancer. The funds raised by this running event he puts on, fund new research that is keeping me alive today. It is inspirational to hear the speakers at this event that include survivors, research doctors, Dr Rivkin and his family, and all the support team who are helping set up web sites, doing the volunteer work, and most importantly raising fund for the cause. The run is on July 26th and I wanted to let you all know so you can join in the fun and party afterwards. Mark your calendars now, and check the progressing website to join Team Sussex www.swedishsummerun.org .