Honored to be Honorary
I have been a nervous nellie since the adorable Shara Park visited our humble black, white and green home (I joke about that because of my initial discussion about my decor preferences when I blogged about naming the RV Fifi) and interviewed Mike and I for a news segment about me and the exciting responsibility Susan G. Komen Utah bestowed upon me as the 2015 Honorary Race Chair. We chatted for an hour, so you never quite know what...
Big Data, Pink Ribbons and Racing For the Cure
There are a lot of varying opinions about pink ribbons and breast cancer organizations/fundraising. I participated in the Stomp Out Breast Cancer – Don’t Ignore Stage IV effort because many people are very undereducated about Stage IV breast cancer unless they know someone with it. I also don’t want to get in everyone’s face and shove my opinions down their throats, most of the time. I am mostly focused on...
MD Anderson, More Tumors and Adventures in Texas
My post has been delayed this weekend. Every time I sat down to write it I ended up digging through my medical records, emailing doctors instead of posting or I was just out goofing off with Mike. We turned the trip into “Mandi and Mike’s goof-off-fiesta in Houston.” I turn every trip anywhere into a vacation. I love to travel and explore, it is my life’s passion. We are delaying our trip to Europe (this trip...
On Taxotere, On Perjeta, On Herceptin
A new chemo is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. I started out my week debating with myself if I had made the right choice. I had pushed for this (although it had been an option thrown out there in December). In my heart I do. I want Perjeta in my regimen, I know they may change at one point how and when you have access to it – but I don’t want to find out they haven’t changed it and...
Just Keep Swimming
Today I met with my favorite Oncology Nurse Practitioner (I only have one, but she is still my favorite!), my oncologist was scheduled elsewhere (which I knew would be the case before my appointment). This week has been a more emotional one for us. I have been trying to wrap my head around how I managed to get ONJ so early and WHY. I point fingers at myself in 5 different ways. I drink wine, maybe my gums weren’t healthy…...
Year Four
I remember the moment, 4 years ago. The look on the radiology tech’s face when she set down the ultrasound wand, walked out of the room and came back with the radiologist. When he looked at the lump and within moments he shook his head and said it was cancer. We didn’t expect the news. I have never heard of anyone being diagnosed directly from an ultrasound. We were confused. Mike was there… He came with me. We had...