Saturday, April 18, 2009

Positive Singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Good Morning! Even in the rain, it's a good morning....
Feeling good today.
A good friend, Lica, sent me this the other day and I really think its something everyone should see if you haven't already.

Talk about Positivity is Power.

Speaking of......the Relay for Life event is this coming Friday, the 24th. If you haven't visited the site and you want to sign up for team Positivity is Power 2 or to make a donation to either Positivity is Power, Positivity is Power 2, or to buy a luminaria; please go to http://www.relaygalveston.com/. The deadline to do this on Tuesday the 21st. They have asked me to speak at the event and begin the reading of the luminarias. I am honored. I just have to tell my story. I think I can do that and if I picture everyone to be 6 or 7 like my first grade class, I think I'll do fine.

So, we are into week five of Sutent. I am truly feeling good. I don't think you would ever know if you saw me. The pain and nausea is so infrequent and I am doing a pretty good job staying on a schedule...something I've never been super at. Eating is nothing exciting these days...same cereal in the morning, same PB & J sandwich for lunch, and something different but safe for dinner. Its worth it though! I think that helps a lot and so does all the rest I am getting too. I don't see Dr. B until the 12th and I am hoping that I will be feeling as well as I do now so that I won't need to take any breaks.

Love and thanks to all!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

From the Daily News


This left me speechless.


From the Galveston Daily News –


Relay For Life is still here after Hurricane Ike By Lisa Velasquez Contributor



Published April 12, 2009 GALVESTON — I’m a cancer survivor. I’ve beaten the odds, and I just marked 10 years of being cancer-free.This past year, I learned another important survivor lesson, as did so many of us who call Galveston home.I’m a survivor of a different kind now — there are so many of us who lost so much, including hope, Sept. 13.But we’re strong people. We didn’t give up. We began rebuilding, not just our lives, but rebuilding hopes — as we work toward the return of our beloved island.We hope for a better tomorrow. So does the American Cancer Society in its fight against cancer.Thirteen regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities and millions of volunteers, including everyone involved with Relay For Life, are building hope.I’m proud to support the ACS by participating in Relay For Life, the No. 1 nonprofit fundraising activity in the world, celebrating its 25th anniversary.The Relay kicks off with a celebration of cancer survivors.There are more than 9 million cancer survivors in the world today, and we honor those courageous people in our community.This year, Frank Billingsley, of KPRC-TV in Houston, will be on stage to celebrate our survivors and kick off the official first lap.The Survivor lap has always held special meaning for me.It reminds me of why I became involved in Relay: to celebrate the fact that I’m still on Earth, even after I heard those three dreaded words, “You have cancer;” also to honor my husband, who was fighting cancer at the time and lost his battle.That lap reminds me that it’s possible to inspire others through actions, that what I do as a cancer survivor may impact another person who might be beginning their fight. Never underestimate the power actions can hold to someone who needs to hear “It’s going to be OK. You’re not alone.”The most moving and memorable part of Relay For Life is the Luminaria Ceremony, beginning at dusk.Survivors and those we’ve lost are honored at this unique ceremony.Paper bags bearing the names of loved ones line the track, filled with sand and a candle.The overhead lights are dimmed, and names of those lost to the disease are read aloud.These beautiful tributes provide hope that we can find a light in the darkness that is a cancer diagnosis.Relay is a family-friendly activity, with games, fundraisers and entertainment.I’m urging the entire Galveston community — whether you live, work or volunteer here — to join us at Relay For Life of Galveston Island at 6 p.m. April 24 at Moody Gardens.It provides an opportunity for the community to join as one in the fight against cancer.Celebrate hope right here on Galveston Island.If you can’t attend, please consider a donation in support of this event.For information, visit relaygalveston.com.Cancer doesn’t stop for a hurricane. Neither can we.Lisa Velasquez lives in Galveston.

Friday, April 10, 2009

It's Been A While

I haven't written anything in a while. Don't worry, the chemo is DEFINITELY still working!!! So much seems to be going on around me that I find myself "sucking it up" and trying to help problem solve for others. I have friends who have babies who are at Texas Children's and I have friends whose parents are dying and I have friends whose lives are still ripped apart from Ike. As cheesy as it may sound....they need my positivity mixed in with their own. And I am happy to have the energy to give. So I find my self going to work, going home or visiting with these friends, and going to bed.
No I have not been on Chemo for 4 months. Dr. Benjamin was hoping for that, but my little engine that can sort of steamed out for a while there. Beginning of March some weird things happened. At that point I had been on this Sutent for nearly two months and my body had decided it had enough. And I am not talking about my hair that turned white. Interesting and quite freaky, but fixable. No, my blood pressure dropped very low and my face and chest turned a pinky red and I was VERY grumpy, TIRED, and sick. So we stopped for 3 weeks. And after a few days I felt great. I went to South Lake Tahoe with family and I had a blast. I was able to sleep and eat normally....and I drank like a good little catholic would too! By March 20th I was ready to start this Sutent again. My body, mind, and spirit had truly healed and I wasn't so scared since I then knew what to expect. One day at a time, right? That's the way to do it. I don't worry about the side effects. I think if you think about them too much, it will surely happen. Positive thinking remember?
So here we are.....week 4. I love my hair. It's like brown then white, then brown. I'll have to fix that before Easter services. I can't have the Cardinal seeing that. Hee Hee. So far for the most part I have been fine. I can tell when I have over done it though. At school this week, we had ITBS testing and we also made Easter bags and dyed eggs and had an egg hunt and....and...and. So needless to say by Thursday I was wiped out. This weekend is pretty full too, but I plan to rest in between.
RELAY FOR LIFE!!!! This is on April 24th! Please join my teams. Positivity is Power and Positivity is Power 2. I met this sweet young guy (well not yet in person) named Chris Sanderson. He is so positive and enthusiastic and he was recently diagnosed with RHABDO Sarcoma. He is a police officer down here and he is still working in between his treatments. Well, he is just a joy to talk to. Kind of reminds me of a younger version of me. He is on the Relay for Life team too. Just another reason you'd want to be apart of this. Go to www.relaygalveston.com to see more info about this incredible event. Think of survivors you know. And of those that you hold a special place for in your heart for they lost their own fight. This is whi this event is for. Finding the cure. Fighting the cancer. Supporting the cause. Really, thank you so much for all of your donations and support. Thank you for wearing my bracelets too! That means so much to me!!Your power and enthusiasm is half the battle and in my "darkest hour" it helps keep me fighting.
I go back to the doctor on the 12th of May. I will have more testing to see how this chemo is working and also an MRI on my right thigh. I have these severe pains in it and the CT didn't show anything. It may be a phantom nerve and it only happens when I am on the chemo (I never once had the pain during the 3 week break). So hopefully this will tell us more. For those of you that have to drink 2 tall bottles of barrium......try mixing the berry and banana flavors. Seriously! I have had enough barrium parties to say that mixing it helps it go down so much easier.
Till then,
CARPE DIEM!