I want to touch on a few different things, so please bear with me.

I’m trying to take on a new attitude.  One of the toughest things – and I’ve just resigned to the fact that it’s going to be this way for the rest of my life – is worrying about a cancer recurrence.  It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer you have.  Once you’ve had it, dealing with The Big C becomes a life long struggle.  It’s tough to not be paranoid every time I have a headache or a sore back or a cough.  I try to just ignore the aches and pains, but there is a balance that must be met – a balance between ignoring and freaking out and running to the doctor’s office.  So, Sal and I are trying our best to really make the most of every day and to live for the moment.  We’re taking on the motto of, “Things are GREAT……today!”  Life can change with no notice so carpe diem!

I felt like I got bitch slapped on Thursday morning when I opened The Times Leader app on my phone.  I’ll explain.  A few months ago, Sal and I ran into my first grade teacher in the chemo treatment room.  As a side note, teachers, if you ever wonder if you have an impact on your students, let me attest.  I can name every elementary school teacher that I’ve had.  I can still remember the names of my high school teachers and my college professors.  I can still remember which teachers were good, which ones were bad, which teachers had a clue, and which teachers were crazy – and I can still remember all of the reasoning behind my opinions.  You all have such important jobs.  You’re molding young minds.  I hope that you find a sense of accomplishment after every tough year.  Anyway, Mrs. Oschal was a great teacher.  She was such a kind and pretty woman.  I still go for treatments every third Wednesday so I would look forward to seeing her and her very supportive husband.  3 weeks ago, she was pretty upset and told me that she would be going for surgery.  I didn’t see her this past Wednesday and I was wondering how she made out.  Her funeral Mass is today.  Cancer really sucks.

I know that there are a lot of you out there who think that I’ve done something extraordinary or that I’m living in an extraordinary way.  The truth is, I’m really just living my life the best way that I can.  I really hope that, God forbid, if any of you were in my shoes that you’d be doing the same thing.  Life doesn’t stop – for anyone.  You have to just roll with the punches and play the hand that you’re dealt.  Everything in the life – the good and the bad – is momentary and no one likes a complainer, so suck it up!

I’m certain that you’ve all heard about Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy.  It was breaking news this week.  I appreciate what she’s doing for breast cancer awareness.  Any kind of publicity on cancer is good publicity as far as I’m concerned.  It means that more money will be thrown at finding a cure for this bitch.  There’s a tricky thing about genetic testing, though.  For example, if I were tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes 10 years ago, I would have tested negative but I still would have gotten breast cancer.  I have a genetic mutation somewhere but scientists just haven’t found out what it is yet – it’s not one of the most common genes.  So, you have to be careful.  Self breast exams and mammograms are still the most important thing that you can do to discover breast cancer early.  Jolie should still be commended for what she did.  Tackling a problem head on isn’t easy.  It also isn’t easy to share your problem with the world.  But, the more people that know, the more awareness is raised, the closer we get to finding a cure.

I wanted to share the following story with you.  Please read this article and tell me that these people aren’t whacked out.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57580900/second-child-of-faith-healing-couple-dies-after-no-medical-care-sought/  Learning of what occurred in Philly reminded me of a story that I heard in a homily a few months ago.  I actually found it when I googled it:

 

The Downing Man

A man’s boat had capsized in the ocean and he was in the water praying for help. “Dear God, please don’t let me drown.”

Another boat pulled up and offered to pick him up but he declined saying, “That’s okay, I know that God will save me.”

A second boat came by and again offered to pick him but once again he declined saying, “Thanks, but I prayed to God and I know that he won’t let me drown.”

Left alone in the ocean, the man finally succumbed and drowned. He died and went to Heaven. Upon his arrival, he asked God, “Why didn’t you answer my prayer to help me from drowning?”

God replied, “You dummy, I sent two boats to save you.”

Listen, I pray.  I pray a lot.  I believe that God has answered many of our prayers in the form of new medications and advances in medicine.  Don’t be an idiot!  Don’t turn your nose and some of these things and think that you’ll be ok if you refuse medical treatment.  These parents should be smacked, especially when I think of the many couples out there who are trying to have children and haven’t been blessed with them.  You’ve got to be kidding me.

I’m still thinking about what to do with the very generous funds that I’ve been receiving.  Please read the following and be sure to watch the moving and very informative video.  http://penniesinaction.org/  A friend of mine was once told that when you’re dealing with cancer, you only have to stay alive until the next treatment option becomes available.  Thank God that breast cancer is one of the most researched cancers in the world.  I really believe that we can thank Susan G. Komen for that.  Wouldn’t it be great to be vaccinated for cancer like we are for polio or chicken pox?

The other day, Sal asked me what I’m impressed by.  Not much – really!  I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  Doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, therapists – they’re all just titles and have nothing to do with your character.  Trust me, I know enough pharmacists that shouldn’t be allowed to sort M&M’s and I had classes with therapists that I wouldn’t want to work on Gumbi!  BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus- they’re just pieces of machinery that don’t encompass who you are as a person.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I love nice things but I’m not impressed by what I have or by what other people have.  It’s all just stuff and it really doesn’t matter.  So, I figured out that I’m impressed with my kids – their ability to learn and develop into small human beings impresses me.  My sister’s ability to pack up her life and move all by herself to the opposite side of the country impresses me.  I was looking at pictures from October of this past year and I can’t even remember being present at some of my kids’ functions.  But, I was there.  Even though this year – all of it – has been a blur – from being under-slept with a newborn baby to a cancer diagnosis and treatment – I continued living.  Not letting cancer get the best of me and keeping my kids’ lives as normal as impossible makes me proud.  For that, I’m impressed.

 

 

Reminder – This will be here before you know it!

6th Annual Liberty Tax Fundraiser:

Pre-Tournament Mixer

When: Friday, May 24, 2013 Time: 6-9 PM

Where: The Brickhouse, Dupont, PA

$5 donation at the door which includes raffle tickets for Baskets of Cheer

Raffle baskets, 50/50, drink specials

 

 

6th Annual Golf  Tournament

Benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness in honor of Barb Sciandra

Where: Stone Meadows Golf Course (Route 115 Buck Township) Dupont VFW (Dinner)

When: Saturday, May 25, 2013 8 AM Registration, 9 AM Shotgun Start

Format: Captain & Crew

Cost: $80 per golfer (Fees include: green fees, cart, dinner, shirt and prizes) $20 dinner only option

Sponsor Levels: $100 (Gold), $50 (Silver)

For more information, contact Jeanna Mihalka at 570-237-0521.

 

 

Pending Posts:  A Patient’s Perspective and Think Pink, Wear Pink……stay tuned!

 

“If you spend your life worrying about death you’re going to miss out on what you’re scared of losing. ”   You can quote me on that!

 

LIVESTRONG and God Bless!