Gratitude, again!

It has been over 2 years since I last posted to this blog!  If it wasn't for one of my friends ~  thank you Julie~ I may have continued my hiatus.
I had my yearly visit with Dr. Greenwald last week & was thrilled when he smiled his big smile at me & said " 3.5 years Cancer Free , you are doing G R E A T!" "Your labs are perfect, you look & feel great, I am thrilled with our outcome!".   He confirmed what I had been feeling. I feel "on top of the world"!
         Of course, it is the time of year for reflection....  and, so it goes......
I am so full of gratitude & blessed beyond measure. I am beyond proud of Rosalie, who appears to love her job working in "the industry" in LA,  Theo, who is finishing his finals for his first half of Sophmore year at Reed College (in Physics!)   Susan, who continues to be the most amazing partner & source of strength!   Bodhi & Luka, who love us unconditionally & complete our cozy home with their canine charm.  A job, that I absolutely love & still manages to surprise & humble me daily.   Good friends, who make me smile constantly.
        And, yet.........  I have two friends who begin their journey today with CANCER. Both of them start Chemo on this very day.  It is this very fact that not only humbles me, but allows me to acknowledge my blessings and be reminded that I do NOT take any of this for granted.   I treasure each and every day, my family ( including Dee & Stan now living in SB),our home, our garden~ thank you honey!) An amazing trip to Europe, an incredible time in Ptown,  great friends,   my job, the beautiful place in which I live, the music that I listen to while walking that puts a smile on my face & a "kick" in my step,  Great movies (The Sessions , Silver Linings Playbook, Argo, etc)  Downton Abbey, Homeland, David Chang's "Mind of a Chef", Great food & wine,  beautiful sunrises, amazing sunsets,  the moon rise, the winter sky full of stars,  fun texts, Facebook, & Green Juice!
          I send heartfelt blessings to these two friends who begin this journey today (& those that may follow) ~  May this journey be quick, pain free, & full of love & support for you both!
           May this Winter/ Holiday bring all of YOU (us!) Peace, time with those we love,  joy & Abundance ~    Blessings,  Sydney

Avon walk for Breast Cancer Santa Barbara 9/11 &9/12

The AVON Walk for Breast Cancer is this weekend in Santa Barbara! Come cheer us on!!!!!!!!!!

We leave Chase palm Park at 7 AM. There will be cheering Stations along the way!
Leadbetter Beach, Cliff & co. (on the Mesa) , the Cancer Center of SB (on Pueblo), Santa Barbara high School.

*Closing ceremonies at 2:30 PM on Sunday 9/12 at Carpenteria State Beach!

The further we walk the further away from Breast Cancer we shall be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Avon walk for Breast Cancer 9/11 & 9/12

Why I am walking

Thanks for visiting my Avon Walk page. I’ve committed to participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It’s a big commitment, one that will require me to spend the next several months training and fundraising. But breast cancer is a big disease, one that still affects far too many people, and I’m determined to do everything I can to help put an end to it. As many of you know I was diagnosed with BRCA1 Breast cancer last May (on my birthday). This walk is a huge challenge for me~ but NOTHING like having breast cancer& even more importantly, ending it! The money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures. I’ll be just one of thousands of people that will walk up to a marathon and a half over a weekend, raising awareness of the cause and educating even more people.

I can’t do it without your help. Though I’m required to raise at least $1,800 in donation, I plan to raise much more!

I hope that I can count on your support.

You can make a donation to my fundraising campaign right here on the website by clicking on the pink "Donate Now" button.*** Please go to Avonwalk.org , click on Santa Barbara & put in my name. Super Easy! If you prefer to write a check, just contact me and I'll send you the information and form.

As I prepare for this exciting event, I plan to update this page frequently so that all my supporters can follow my progress, so please visit often. While you're here, you might want to spend some time on the site to find out more information on why this event is so important, and the organizations and people that will be helped by the money we all raise.

With appreciation & gratitude!
Sydney

End of the Journey~ almost

Finished my last of radiation Therapy today~ 33 "hits'! This part of the journey is OVER!
Went to the Film Festival with Jill. Saw an amazing Documentary Film about Ruth Grueber. What an inspiration & a hero! "Ahead of Time" is a MUST SEE!
Fabulous dinner with Lucy & Susan at Zookers ! Yum!!!!!!!!!!!
Getting Zometa on February 18th. What is it?

What is ZOMETA?

ZOMETA is not chemotherapy. ZOMETA belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates that are used to reduce or delay complications from bone metastases or bone lesions from multiple myeloma. These drugs reduce the wearing away of bone.
I will have my last surgery on February 26th.
I can officially say I am now a SURVIVOR!

Enjoying the Rain!

It has been such a long time since I last 'Blogged'. I believe "no news is good news"! The last month has been a time of enjoying lots of movies, meals with friends, rain (tons of rain!) & radiation. Every day! Monday thru Friday. At 3:10. (1510 for those of you who do Military time). Radiation itself is not too bad. I lay on a table (very skinny, much like our OR table) & the techs position me exactly as determined by my radiation oncologist. This HUGE machine & a beautiful neon green imaging light move around me & aim for the specific places. I get a total of four "zaps". Each lasts about 20-60 seconds. I say a little prayer/meditation with each & every zap, each & every time. The techs, Kim & Peggy, are wonderful; funny, smart, & quick.
My last treatment date WAS scheduled for january 29th. BUT! Dr. Blount feels that one more week with the NEWER machine is needed before my treatment is complete.IntraOperative Electron Radiation Therapy (or "IOERT") is the application of electron radiation directly to the residual tumor or tumor bed during, or after cancer surgery. IOERT has been called "precision radiotherapy", as the physician has direct visualization of the tumor, can exclude normal tissue from the field, and can also protect critical structures within the field. IOERT is a method that provides dose escalation as a precision component of radiotherapy. IOERT has been used in combination with EBRT as it results in less integral doses and shorter treatment times.
(from Wikipedia) Since a couple of my tumors/ lymph nodes were near or on my sternum & clavicle this type of radiation is recommended. Thus, my treatment now ends on February 5th.
My last & final surgery is scheduled for February 26th~ giving my skin a chance to heal.
I am looking forward to returning to work very early April (or sooner). I can't wait to have a "Normal" life again!
My hair is back. I must say I am loving my short hair "Mia Farrow" look. It is fun & easy. My eyebrows & lashes have returned with gusto.
Life is good!
I send a HUGE shout out to all of my peeps for their support, love, encouragement, & laughter! There is not a day that goes by that I don't fully appreciate how blessed I am on this incredible journey called LIFE!

Surprise Surgery

Yesterday, Wednesday, the 16th of December started out as a great day! Rosalie & I met Lindsay at the gym. Then, had tea with Mimi & Sadie. Our plans were to have lunch with Lindsay (so she could have an opportunity to talk to Rosalie about film production) & then go see "Up in the Air" with Lucy & Harry.
Whoa!!! A call from my radiation oncologist (on our way to Fresco) . He says I can't begin radiation until my Right Expander comes out! Too much metal for accuracy. Really?! Wasn't this all discussed prior to the expanders being inserted during my mastectomy 6 weeks ago?! "Well, yes~ but, there is too much metal. They need to be removed ASAP." OK. So, I speak with my Plastic Surgeon (who already just spoke with the radiation oncologist) "Don't eat! We will take out the right expander today at 4 PM". So, I sit with Rosalie & Lindsay (starving!) don't eat lunch, cancel the movie, & organize myself & our favorite anesthesiologist for a 4 PM surgery.
Rosalie took me to the hospital & lovingly hung out with me as we prepared for surgery. Susan had a meeting that could not be changed. She helped me get 'set up", went to her meeting & was there in recovery. Everything went perfect. No pain & no nausea! Thanks Dr. V!
This morning I go for my 2nd CT scan so that radiation can begin Monday~ winter solstice.
Rosalie & I are determined to see the movie we missed (yesterday) Today!

one month post op!

Tomorrow it will be 4 weeks since my surgery! It is amazing how the body heals itself. I am so HAPPY to be "on the other side'~ I know, Radiation will begin soon- But, somehow after chemo & surgery that does not sound so daunting.
The biggest challenge for me was getting cellulitis (where? you ask. The right side~ where the lymph nodes were removed and I had two drains) . I was on two antibiotics that I finally finished today! I was so humbled when I felt so awful. Doing the simple tasks (like taking off a shirt) was nearly impossible. Thankfully, susan was here to nurture me back. I guess the good news is that I lost the 10 extra pounds I put on from the steroids.
I am driving again, wearing my "regular' clothes, & feel like "ME". What a blessing.
One of the "coolest" things that occurred during this journey is that through "Angels List" (Angelslist.org) I was able to have a complimentary facial once a month from a lovely local (& Green) spa. My esthetician, Raquel, (who is so amazingly kind & gentle) gave me an "Angel' bracelet. I needed to make a wish & keep it on until it fell off. Well......... I went through chemo with it (still on) surgery, still on. Then came home. I received two phone calls 30 minutes apart (From my Oncologist & the surgeon) both telling me that the pathology report was clear! (No more cancer) Susan looked next to me on the bench & there was my "broken" Angel bracelet! I do believe in miracles!
Thanksgiving was wonderful. Rosalie came home. Finally! It was also her 21st birthday! It was so great to enjoy our families, outside in warm weather & wonderful food.
I meet with the radiation oncologist this Friday. Chapter III to follow .