I apologize for not writing in a while.  Now that I’ve joined 2014 and am an official member of Facebook, it’s just so much easier!  Here’s what’s new…..

I realized not too long ago the purpose of all of this – my purpose.  It’s crazy to know that at the age of 36 which I think is pretty young.  Right now, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to do.  Everything in my life – grade school through high school through college, making friends, learning how to network, cancer, this blog, everything thus far has prepared me for this.  What you’ve been bearing witness to since August 17, 2012 has been the start of my own non-profit organization called Paint Pittston Pink.  Let’s back up…..

All of this started last May.  Paint Pittston Pink began as a very small idea. My initial goal in approaching the City of Pittston was to inquire about selling breast cancer awareness flags to line Main Street for the month of October, national breast cancer awareness month. Needless to say, this idea spiraled into something much larger than any of us could have ever imagined. Our flag sale turned into a 5K and Family Fun Walk which led to a celebrity bartending night which led to a silent auction/beer and wine tasting event along with a yoga class, spin class and zumba class. Many local businesses couldn’t wait to have their store front windows painted and planned their own events to raise money to support our efforts. It has been truly humbling to watch The Greater Pittston Area join together in support of such a worthwhile cause that has directly impacted my life.

And here we are.  The success of the weekend was phenomenal.  The outpouring of supportive was overwhelming.  I set a fundraising goal of $50,000 knowing that we’d never reach it.  I also didn’t think that we’d come close.  However, we did.  This weekend, checks totaling $30,000 will be sent to The Pennies in Action Fund at The University of Pennsylvania.  A formal check presentation will be done with Dr. Brian Czerniecki, Uschi Keszler, Marie Kromplewski, and staff members – Susan, Liz and Mike at the end of January – on the day of my last vaccine.  Unbelievable.  To think that 1 year ago I was begging to be accepted into this trial and now, together, we’re paying for 1 person to receive a life saving vaccine (it costs $25,000 per patient).  We freaking did it and I couldn’t be happier.  I’m pretty damn proud, too.  One person can make a difference.

As a side note, all of my numbers are almost back to completely normal.  My immune responsible has been phenomenal – even better than what Dr. Czerniecki expected.  I am fairly confident that if I did not receive this vaccine, I would be looking at a cancer recurrence for a type of cancer that is very difficult to treat.  I had zero antibodies for HER2 at the beginning of this trial.  None.  Zilch.  I count my blessings for this trial and this research nightly.

Back to it – like anything, there were some minor bumps along the way.  Many people didn’t think that we’d pull it off.  You know, though, after reading this blog that I’m motivated by naysayers.  I love showing people that I CAN DO IT after they tell me that I CAN’T.  Never say never to me.  Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Our community pulled together to support something bigger than all of us; something that we truly believe in. These events weren’t about me. These events were about each one of us and how cancer affects all of our lives. It has been said that when a loved one has cancer, the entire community has cancer – because it takes a village – an army in my case. As an army of supporters, my area should be so proud for all that we’ve accomplished. For those of us who are lucky enough to have children, our legacy will live on through them. As a close-knit community, it is my wish that our philanthropic spirit will live on in events such as this.

Things got very busy with Paint Pittston Pink but not really until 2 weeks before the event.  I had a great group of people that I worked closely with.  My right hand lady was Qiana Lehman.  Qiana and I work very well together.  I also had a friend in Jay Duffy who was instrumental in making sure that the 5K ran smoothly.  Kristina McHale was responsible for anything fun that happened on race day – window painting, entertainment, etc.  My silent auction team consisted of Joleen Lazecki, Lisa Licari, Kara Martin and Chris Skibitsky.  They made everything pretty!  Erin Berlew was the lady behind the lens.  She took about a gazillion photos!  I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people to work with.

I’m proud that Paint Pittston Pink didn’t interfere with my daily life.  My kids always have and always will come first.  I worked on everything after my kids went to sleep at night.  Sal passes out on the couch early so it didn’t interfere with me serving him his dinner, ironing his clothes or rubbing his feet after work either.  Uh huh.  After he drew my bubble bath, massaged my shoulders, fed me Bon Bons and read me the latest US Weekly.  I just wanted to make sure that you were paying attention!  It’s not 1984.  And I don’t remember my parents ever doing those things, either, so give me a break.

To answer the big question – YES, this will be a yearly thing and I hope that it grows bigger and bigger year upon year.  Cancer is a part of my life and it always will be, unfortunately.  I hope, though, that cancer isn’t the scary diagnosis that it is today.  I hope and pray that a cure is found within my lifetime.  And if it doesn’t happen in my lifetime, then please, God, let it be within my children’s lifetime.

 

Here’s my rant for today:

Remember that time that I asked for your opinion?  Neither do I!

If you don’t like the way I’m living my life, that’s too damn bad.  If I’m doing something that you don’t agree with then be glad that you’re not me.  I don’t tell you how to live your life so you shouldn’t offer your opinion on how I live mine.  Until you’ve walked in my shoes you can butt the hell out.  And I mean it.  You don’t know what it’s like to be given a shitty diagnosis and undergo surgery after surgery and treatment upon treatment.  You also don’t know what it’s like to cry yourself to sleep at night worrying that you’re going to die way too early and your kids won’t remember you.  You don’t know what it feels like to carry a heavy burden worrying that you’re going to abandon your spouse left alone to raise 3 kids.  So, buzz off.  Right now I feel really good – physically and emotionally.  I also feel so proud about doing something philanthropic that means a lot to me – something bigger than me that I really believe in – and should be proud of it, too.

I’m not the type to sit around and watch the grass grow.  I’ll never take pleasure in sitting on the porch drinking lemonade and swaying in a rocking chair.  I’ve stopped to smell the roses……and they make me sneeze.  If that’s what you like to do, go nuts in your rocker.  I won’t judge you as long as you don’t judge me.  Each one of us is entitled to do as we please.  And I’m here to live – to jam pack my days with excitement and as much life as I can live because none of us know how much time we have so we should make the most out of every single day.

I’ve gotten to the point where if you have the nerve to ask me an inappropriate question, make an inappropriate suggestion or give me inappropriate feedback you will get an honest, inappropriate answer.  I don’t really give a flying YOU KNOW WHAT what you think about me.  I’ve worked too damn hard on every aspect of my life to allow room for negative people.

The haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate and the players gonna play, play, play, play, play!  Damn you, Taylor Swift!

Thank you very much!  I feel better now!

 

What else has been going on?

 

Ladies in Pink

I’ve never been a huge fan of public speaking, mostly because I get nervous.  I’m usually ok as long as I read from a prepared paper.  So, that’s what I did and I actually loved it.  I was invited to speak at an event called Ladies in Pink the weekend after Paint Pittston Pink.  It was an amazing event.  There were 600 women in attendance – those going through treatment, survivors, supporters, etc.  It’s a wonderful organization that helps cancer patients in our area.  I am so proud to be a part of this group and can’t wait until next year.

 

Halloween

We had a great time trick-or-treating with our friends.  You’ll never guess what the girls dressed as – Anna and Elsa!  I wanted Chase to be Olaf but he wouldn’t have it.  He chose Wolverine instead and I can’t say that I blame him.  He’s in kindergarten now.  Image matters!  If you haven’t heard of Elsa, Anna or Olaf then you’re either living under a rock or you don’t have children!  They’re characters from the movie, FROZEN.

Here’s my favorite pic from the past few months:

Cameron isn’t the best napper.  OK, she’s a terrible napper!  Cameron passed out right on the floor in the kids’ elementary school during their Halloween party.  I wish that I’d had yellow caution tape and a piece of chalk to draw around her!

 

A few months ago a grade school classmate of mine was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.  I received the extremely upsetting news about his passing the day after Halloween.  He was 37 years old and leaves behind a wife and 2 children as well as many family and friends.  Cancer is a terrible disease and we need to find a cure sooner than later.  37 is way too young to die.

 

Disney

We’re being terrible parents and are yanking our kids out of school for 1 week in December.  I told the kids’ teachers that this is the closest to home schooling The Sciandra Children will ever get.  God Bless the teachers, God Bless the home schooling parents – I don’t know how you do it.  The puzzle was Sal’s idea!  I’m not sure who’s more excited – the parents or the kids!

Next on my list is to turn this blog into a book so if you know of anyone that would like to work with me, please pass my information along!  Go ahead – tell me it will never happen.  I dare you!

I promise to stay more updated with this blog.  Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

LIVESTRONG and God Bless!