My Review of 50/50

I went to see the movie 50/50 a few weeks ago with fellow survivors and a friend. Overall, I feel the movie did a good job portraying a 20 something young adult going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment with only a 50/50 percent chance of beating the cancer. The movie left out some key issues which no film can address every issue but they left out big ticket items. They did not touch basis on finance, insurance and work which are big issues not to cover. What they did cover were more of the emotional side of things like the emotional shock of the diagnosis, death, dealing with a challenging mother, abandonment, anger, dating and his friend. Humor, both appropriate and inappropriate, were sprinkled throughout the movie. For other young survivor this will most likely hit too close to home even if they did leave out key issues young survivors faces.

I'm almost 6 years out of my diagnosis and I have to admit that my eyes were red and swollen by the end of the movie. I didn't think any of my friends left without shedding a tear. We may not all have the happy ending but we all deal with hearing the words, "You have cancer" which makes all of us with cancer the same even if we all have our own stories and all have our own journeys.

I love this quote which goes with the picture above. Katherine the therapist: "You can't change your situation. The only thing you can change is how you choose to deal with it."

6th Cancerversary

November 16, 2011 will mark my 6th cancerversary, the day I was diagnosed. Now that I've reached the big 5 years, I'm uncertain how to feel about it. I know that the further I'm out the better but I also know that my HER2+ status doesn't make me immune. I also know that each time I ride my bike or drive in Austin doesn't make me immune to getting hit but maybe I'm being dramatic.

My hair is about the length it was when I was first diagnosed. Wow, I guess that is pretty much the only similarity I have from my November 16, 2005 life to my current life. I've been wanting to grow out my hair to donate it. I think I'll celebrate my cancerversary this year by getting long side layers again. This should still allow me to donate my hair when I'm ready.
I hesitated a little getting long layers because my sister that moved to Austin a few years ago has bangs. She is constantly getting mistaken for me and vice versa. I think it's worse for her because I've lived in Austin longer and know more people. At the first Mamma Jamma she kept having people come up trying to hug her thinking it was me. I think it's rather comical but will be celebrating the big 6 years with a hair cut. Cheers!

Jammed at the Mamma Jamma

October 1, 2011 Third Annual Texas Mamma Jamma RideCheck out our sweet looking jerseys! My second time as a rider and I rode 42 miles after I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to even ride 13!

We had one brutal summer. We had 90 days over 100 degrees! You can tell from the background of the above picture that the grass is dead. My only saving grace is that it was dry heat this summer so that meant no hot flashes from the humidity and it was the dry heat I was used too. The bad news of course was the major drought which caused one of the most horrible forest fires in TX history and also our overworked air conditioning.

I also was officially diagnosed with chondromalacia of the patella in May. I was uncertain if I would ever be able to bike again. I was finally told good news when I visited with my third physical therapist. She gave me some exercises and told me to shoot for 30 to 50 miles and I did! I was able to ride 42!

Blanca came in town and it was her first ride/run so she had a blast! The weather was amazing with the high in the late 80's and very dry. The volunteers, as usual, are the best.

The picture above are some of my current and past coworkers whom I adore!

And THIS is why I fundraise and why I ride. The above photo is my client who is currently going through treatment. Chemo has been challenging for her. I've been corresponding with her via phone and email. This is the first time we met in person.

The last day to donate is November 1st. Right now I'm just shy of my $800 fund raising goal. It's not too late if you would like for me to hit my goal!

**For confidentiality I blurred out her eyes.