When a tree falls in the forest… That’s how it felt yesterday as I went through my final (and I say that with ALL conviction and belief) chemo treatment at the Mayo.  I felt apprehension, disconnection.  Discombobulation, even.  I was blessed that H took the day off to be by my side for this closure…

With a forty-eight hour penalty.  Arghh.  Apparently the universe feels that I need more time practicing patience and living in the now.  In its uber-efficient manner of scheduling itineraries a mile long filled with a gazillion tests, consults and probings, the Mayo has snuck in a colonoscopy (really?!?) on Tuesday, pushing my chemo back to…

“We can never know about the days to come, But we think about them anyway, yay.” What a bizarre, wonderful, horrific and provocative time this is for me.  After a whirlwind but fun adventure in Asheville, I flew to Denver and helped pack up a huge house, running up and down two flights of stairs,…

We spent our last night in our beloved Franktown home on an air mattress in front of the fire, puppies snuggled by our sides.  Sooo many memories swirled in my head.  Fabulous parties that we hosted with such joy.  I will miss my gourmet kitchen, perhaps not most, but up there.  Too many illnesses to…

Last night we celebrated the life of Madeline Kimmel, who passed to the other side one year ago.  Since things generally come in “threes”, that was also the time that I was diagnosed with breast cancer and Cathy Kimmel (Madeline’s daughter and Annie’s sister) was diagnosed with colon cancer.  I flew out to Asheville post-surgery/pre-chemo…

The myths and downright fallacies about the soy plant are apparently grossly exaggerated, notwithstanding the ’70’s science fiction cult flick.  At least according to my oncologist at the Mayo. When I was explaining my holistic plan to control my estrogen levels through, among other things, diet, he literally jumped out of his chair when I…

What the world needs now is more people with the heart and soul of Captain Swenson.  I was moved to tears today when I watched the video account of his unbelievable acts of heroism in Afghanistan.  He’s the kind of person that makes you proud to be an American, and on a broader scale, proud…

Having been raised in the midwest, I have an inherent love for the changing of the seasons, especially Fall and Spring.  Nowadays, the only palpable signals of autumn are temperatures plummeting into the 80’s.  It’s all relative, I guess.  Not quite boots and down coat weather, but I am wearing a sweater in the evenings.…

…is defined as stupid obstinance.  With added emphasis on STUPID.  A huge disservice to pigs, no doubt, but it seems to be a universally accepted simile for people who are intransigent, unyielding and obdurate for their own personal agendas, to the detriment of peace, harmony and the welfare of others.   Yes, it’s Day 4 (and…

Today marks the first day of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  As a very recent survivor, I’m not sure why we only have to be aware of breast cancer for a mere month, but apparently such symbology has its merits. We are a sound bite society, after all, with attention spans the size of a…