Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...

It is not actually my brithday, but today is the 1st anniversary of my first of 2 back surgeries...tomorrow is the 1st anniversary of my 2nd back surgery. And this is a picture of Colleen visiting me in the hospital on day 6 of my stay: I smelled bad, but she got close anyway (she loves me).
It was the Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving last year, and it was the scariest thing I'd ever done, but also my only choice...I could not live my life like that. And I had 100% confidence in my surgeon, Dr. Thomas Hopkins in Encino (yes, this is my plug for him).
Since those days 1 year ago I:
  • went on a family cruise (this was a hoot)
  • received final divorce papers (OMG...how fabulous)
  • started walking
  • was diagnosed with melanoma
  • had surgery and got all of the cancer removed
  • visit the dermatologist and oncologist every 3 months
  • walked a marathon (26.2 miles)
  • raised $4100.00 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
  • lost 33 lbs
  • am mentoring new Team in Training participants, and am preparing for many half and full marathon events
  • have a boss who rocks/ have a sis-in-law who is really a sis
  • have a family others would LOVE to have (and they share well)
My life is so blessed. I hope you and your family have the blessing of time together this holiday season... and if it isn't the family you're born into, I hope it's the family you've created.
Love, hugs and Happy Thanksgiving to all,
S

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

PATHETIC!

It has been one month since my last post, but really a lifetime!

After much cursing and anger (me), and many phone calls back and forth (again, me)... I made it to San Francisco... finally got into a hotel room, and finally got registered for the Marathon. The weekend was perfect, except for one thing: the pink Nike wall. Every participant was listed on that wall...I will be next year! Everyone should have the opportunity to feel, at least once in their life, the way I felt at the end of the Marathon; not the overwhelming exhaustion, but the overwhelming sense of accomplishment. One year ago this month, I could not have accomplished this awesome task, and feel quite humbled by the experience.

The following weekend was the Ontario Expo, and hanging out with the "G" chicas. The posse that is so cool, I'm not sure how I got lucky enough to be included. OMG: what a FABulous group of women! You all surely lighten my heart when ever we're together! And the weekend after this was a "G" crop...oh, 2 weekends in a row: SCORE! xo

Good thing I thought to vote by mail because on 11/3, when they sucked out 1 ovarian cyst, 1 ovary and one fallopian tube I was going nowhere for a few days. It's amazing: first that they can suck all that shit out of 2 tiny holes, and then that that ittie-bittie surgery knocked me on my ass for days! Apparently the doctor inserted a bag into my abdomen and bagged the cyst before popping it, so that any cancer wouldn't spread...but it was benign, so all is GREAT!

I completely missed election day, and only vaguely remember David telling me that Obama is our new President, before I rolled over and continued my very long sleep. I am fascinated by the process, and hope that you all made the choice to vote...I told Ian that unless you vote, you have no right to voice your opinion. For my darling friends: 8 sucks, and we will continue to fight to overturn it... I truly believe it was a twist on words, or is that me being naive?

I saw the doctor yesterday for a follow-up. He proclaimed himself a brilliant surgeon. My grandmother would have told him to be careful not to break his arm, patting himself on the back so much. Grammy was surely a tough cookie, but fiercely protective and quick witted...she was truly a Frankel woman, and I'm proud to follow in those footsteps. Then I headed to Topanga for some retail therapy: I LOVE H&M (even if I do size up on their silly European-sized pants)!

Today was my first full day back at work, and my butt is kicked. I'm still working on putting the house together. Perhaps by New Year?

I'm back with Team in Training for the Spring season...we're training for a variety of events, including the Carlsbad Half, the Surf City Marathon, etc. L.A. was just switched to summer, since as of yesterday they moved it to Memorial weekend: I won't do it, as 4 weeks later I'll be in Seattle for the inaugural Rock & Roll Marathon (SO me-ish)! When did I stop being a sidelines girl and start being an ATHLETE?

Join us! Call me and join the team! OR don't join the team, and come do events with me: City of Angels, Carlsbad, Surf City...I know there are more, but I can't keep track!

We are 16 days from Thanksgiving. Today I am thankful for being cancer-free and pain-free. I am blessed.