37 and Being Thankful

I turned 37 and for the most part I'm so grateful for another birthday because not everyone I know will get the opportunity to celebrate one more birthday.  I actually get sad on Facebook when someone that passed already and a reminder pops up to remind me to post a birthday wish on their wall. 

So I turned 37 and I do feel more mature.  I feel as if my health is stable.  My job is fulfilling, my friends are great and my beau is super sweet. Typical Austin we had a cold front blow in when it was in the 80's just a few days ago.  It appeared it would be a dark and dreary day but I arrived to work to find my office phone ringing and a friend singing happy birthday to me.  I had a voice message that a coworker sang happy birthday to me in both English AND Spanish.  I've never had that happen so that was pretty neat.  I got some gifts from my sweet coworkers and even some gluten free goodies.  (I'll need to blog about that soon.)  It's hard to find gluten free goodies, even in Austin, so it was a nice treat.  I even had flowers delivered to my office.  Even with all that I had a busy day at work that always leave me feeling whole and warm inside.

Dinner was at Uchikos and was amazing as usual.  My two favorite dishes are below:

 Mushroom, basil and peanut works so well together in a roll!  What a great combination of flavors! 

 Best dessert EVER!  I didn't ask if this was gluten free but it was pretty darn amazing and worth the small amount of gluten.  The bottom was layer in a chocolate type of oreo cookie crust.  Then there was a large chocolate ganache, raspberry sorbets, raspberry caviar, microherbs, grapes and then this cream ball. Talk about a party in your mouth!

Saturday was dinner and drinks with my girlfriends at T'jeas and JBlacks. 
Sunday friends picked me up for Catching Fire and the new movie house with yummy food.  I ordered a goat cheese salad, gluten free, and it was pretty amazing.  The company, food and movie were top notch!  


A few weeks prior I had an early celebration with my super sis and we watched Harry Connick Jr. She's my super sis that is 366 days younger than me and she'll never let me live that down. 

Thanksgiving is usually very close on my Birthday or it usually falls on my Birthday. This year I was a whole week ahead but it's always a great time for me to remember why I'm so thankful.  Emotionally it was a roller coaster of a ride but my cancer keeps me grounded.  It makes me appreciate the little things.  It makes me appreciate the innocent.  This is little Hana bear about 1.5 years old.  She's happy as a clam with her croissant.  I'm thankful for her and for my nephews.  I'm thankful for my health and all those that I love.   

Mamma Jamma 2013

On October 26, 2013 I rode in my 4th Mamma Jamma Ride.  I rode 72 miles my first year and then 46 the rest of the years.  This year I only trained for 20 and rode 46 so I'm pretty happy with myself.  The last 16 miles were pretty tough but it was such a great time to reflect and feel the women that we've lost to this disease.  I rode most of it alone but I knew I was never really alone.

I also raised over$1000 which was the most I've ever raised!  Not bad for just sending out a few emails and doing the rest over Facebook!  It also warmed my heart because so many clients donated.  The work that I do it's the little things (in this case big things) that counts.  My heart is full and it was a near perfect weather! Many thanks to all my friends that continued to support me each year!  Much love to you!

8 Year Cancerversary

Yesterday marked my 8 year Cancerversary.  Remember that I used to truly celebrate it but now I'm almost scared to jinx myself.  So on Saturday I went to get my hair cut (probably because is signifies control,) had lunch with a dear friend and then friends came into town so had dinner and a wonderful time catching up with them.  Besides on Facebook I never publicly told anyone about it.  I'm not waiting for the other shoe to drop but as I repeat I do not want to jinx it.  It was a lovely day and keeping busy made me forget how my life was completely and forever changed on the afternoon on November 16, 2005.

Pinktober Reflection for 2013

It's been a while since I've blogged.  In some ways that is a good thing.  It means I've been busy traveling, living and doing other non-cancer related things. However it is October and I feel it's time for reflection.  

A few years ago the color pink became a taboo color because so many companies were profiting from pink products.  Many survivors felt exploited.  It's a shame because the color pink and the pink ribbon is so powerful.  Most cancers do not get the recognition breast cancer gets.  Some cancers are envious of all the attention and money that is poured into breast cancer.  I don't blame them.  Every cancer and disease is just as important, especially for that person living it with.  

I know first hand how much a diagnosis can change you.  I see first hand how a second diagnosis can really flip your world upside down.  The second diagnosis, whether it be an early stage cancer or if it ends up being more aggressive and metastasis can almost make you feel defeated.  First time is a fight and then you feel as if you won.  Second and third time reality hits even more about your mortality.  Cancer wins way too often.  I've attended more memorial services than any 36 year old should need to attend.  Just when you think you have cancer behind you then BAM!  It's back!  Once it metastasis you wonder how long you can keep it in check before it outsmarts the doctors and drugs.  

For me the Pink Ribbon is not a product you purchase or something someone profits from.  The Pink Ribbon is about HOPE.  Survivors hope the cancer will never return again.  Those that have metastatic breast cancer hope that they can keep their cancer stable.  They hope to see an old age.  They hope to see their children grow up.  

I was asked to give a speech earlier this month on being brave.  I don't always feel so brave.  Cancer wasn't a choice I would have picked for myself.  It found me. Regardless, I guess I could have crumbled but instead I decided to help others living with the disease.  Below are two photos from that evening.  The bottom one is from someone I met six years ago after we suffered a loss.  That is a perfect example of the love and connection you feel when you go through something like this together.  This is another example of the power of Pink.

Brain Power 5K 2013

Since it's inception in 2010, I've always been involved with the Brain Power 5K.  Kelly Bolinger is the founder of this nonprofit.  It provides fund for brain cancer research.  Her involvement started with she was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006.  Read her compelling story here and why you would want to help too! 

Kelly and I are good friends and even call ourselves "Sis."  She has worked immense hours each year to make this race more and more successful in terms of size and amount raised.   She even started a blog to keep people in that community up to date.  She even started a marathon relay race at Lady Bird Lake in May consisting on all brain tumor survivors!  How neat is that?  

Anyway, please consider being involved somehow.  You can run, walk, volunteer, donate, sponsor or simply pass along this wonderful cause!  Thanks so much!  This year the 5k will be September 8th.  

Feminine Products

I recently read an article on feminine products and whether or not they are safe.  I switched over to organic brands soon after I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It just made sense to me to use organic products down there if I was going to consume organic produce.  Naturally organics does cost more but aren't we worth it?  Most women's cycles probably last 4-8 days each month give or take.  We expose ourselves to 48 to 96 days of feminine products in a year.  That's a large amount!  There are other alternatives but just something to consider.

The Supreme Court Decision

It was a unanimous decision! The Supreme Court ruled in our favor invalidating patents on the BRCA genes on Thursday 13th! Basically it uplifts all patents on all genes that are naturally occurring.  Only complementary or synthetically created DNA or cDNA can be patented since those are not naturally occurring in nature.  Down the line there may be more issues surrounding the cDNA but not enough for this situation.  Right now 5 known labs are going to offer the BRCA testing by the end of the year and for a half or a third less than what Myriad originally offered it.

How do I feel about it all?  It's finally sinking in.  I set myself up for us to get an unfavorable outcome so I wouldn't  be set up for disappointment but now we claim this decision as a victory!  Also, where do I go from here?  I need to see about getting my variant studied/tested.  I'm sure more to come but my blog can now go back to being live!