Good News Friend

A friend had a great day today and text me some good news. I love when my friends are happy. Nothing makes me happier.....

Hockey Interviews

Hockey players must be trained at hockey school on what to say during an interview.  They all seem to say the same stuff.  Here's a narrative:

"Um, obviously we gotta take this season game by game and obviously outwork them. Obviously when we play our game plan it's huge for us.  Um, thought we are doing the right things but obviously gotta give them credit for winning the battles after getting the bounces.  Um, we aren't obviously playing our best hockey right now and um, could do better.  We got to get pucks to the net and play the full 60.  Obviously we thought we came out strong and gave a good, um, team effort.  But the bad bounces, um, they obviously hurt us.

But it is what it is......we created chances, but obviously, um couldn't deliver and bury the puck....Tomorrow night could be a big 2 points. We got to play our best hockey......obviously 

(Absolutely, I love hockey)

Baby Skunk Smell

Driving down the road tonight there was a baby skunk dead on the side of the road.  Chris said, "Is that a baby skunk?"  I said, "yes".  Went up the road a piece and started smelling something.  Chris asked, "is that baby skunk smell?"  I said, "yes".  (I don't think a baby skunk smell, smells any different from an adult baby skunk.  But I didn't say anything...)

Jane Goodall

Had lunch with a friend today, her little girl and the little girl's friend.  Talk turned of my friend's little girl going to Africa and seeing gorillas.  I'm not sure exactly how it went but the other little girl said something like, "Or Jane Goodall can bring you a gorilla back."  I said, "Do you know who Jane Goodall is?"  She said, "Yes".  I said, "How old are you?"  She said, "9".  I thought, oh lawsie day, it's a little Marna!

Moonrise Kingdom

You have to watch the movie "Moonrise Kingdom".  It's pretty stupid but so good.  Chris laughed his big laugh and put his head in his hands saying, "This is soooo stupid!!!!!  But I can't keep my eyes off the screen. 

Skydiving

Our cousins Jeremiah and Sarah, one of the cutest-most adventures couple ever, went skydiving for their second wedding anniversary.  Years ago, Chris used to talk about going skydiving all the time.

Chris asked about us going and I said,
"No.  I can't believe you asked.  Remember, I'm the girl you said would be a horrible contestant on 'The Bachelor' because I'm always saying 'no way, I wouldn't do that', or 'nope, not me, that's crazy', 
when they go on their dates on the show."

Chris said he'd probably be nervous now that he is older should he try it.  He said he'd probably need some coaxing before jumping.  I said, "I'll be watching from the ground."

Maybe I could borrow some of those cool orange light sticks the guys use at airports to direct airplanes on the ground.... I'll just point mine straight down at the ground instead of using all those fun hand motions in the air.  I'll not need to because straight down in the dirt is where Chris would go.

Ice Hockey is the Greatest

This video is one of the many reasons hockey is the greatest sport in all the world. Gregory Campbell of the Boston Bruins took a slap shot puck to his leg in the 2013 Stanley Cup Series against Penguins. He went down but then came but up and played as best he could with a BROKEN fibula. He was skating for quite a while as there was a power play and they couldn't clear the zone for a line change. Hockey players aren't playing for individual fame, they play for the team, for the boys. When something gets hurt they finish their shift if possible, then go to the bench for Doc to look at, then back out on the ice at their next shift. Tough? Yes. Dedicated? A resounding yes! In other sports if one gets a hangnail they'll run to the bench to be fixed. Hockey players work until there is time to be fixed.  More important stuff going on than a little bloody nose or a tooth knocked out......... or a broken leg.  ouch...... 


Admiration for dedication......

A Life Motto

"I shall pass through this world but once.  If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now... For I shall not pass this way again."

               -anon

Photo of Daddy and Tanner

My favorite photo of Daddy and my nephew Tanner

My Check Up - BRCA Testing and Breast Cancer

Blood work was perfect today!  I will get a call later about Vitamin D levels from third blood draw.  No more appointments with oncologist till November!  

Dr. Charles went over the same ole same ole things he always does about reducing my risk of cancer coming back:

Still pushed to exercise at least four times a week for 20 minutes (proven to reduce risk of re-occurrence up to 50%) 

No wine/drinking (wine increases production on estrogen in your body).  So even though research shows wine may help reduce risk of heart problems it elevates, highly, the risk of breast cancer which is much important issue as a breast cancer survivor.  

No smoking - no worries, never have, never will

Keep Vitamin D levels up to reduce my risk of cancer coming back by a large percentage though I can remember the exact.  I wonder how that relates?  My totally un-researched theory?  Chemo weakens your bones and you need to make sure to strengthen once finished with chemo.  Vitamin D is essential for calcium to be absorbed into your bones.  Perhaps the Vitamin D normal levels help your bones regain health through absorption of calcium?  Those with high risk of re-occurrence can have new cancer re-appear in bones.  Maybe the Vitamin D is so important to strengthen your bones which when strong might fight off cancer cells???  I have NO idea.  That's just a out there kinda stretch of my imagination.  Nothing based on medical or scientific research. (Although it would be neat to look into this further.)

My Vitamin D levels dropped very low last year.  I believe you should be around a 30 for normal Vitamin D level.  My average is 27-28.  But one appointment my level was 15.  I was put on 50,000 units of Vitamin D a week for 4 weeks.

Dr. Charles, who in my three years with him seems to be a very conservative oncologist when it comes to future tests and radiation based tests (PETs, etc) due to exposure, suggested I have the new 2nd generation genetic test.  I'm not big on genetic testing but since Dr. Charles wants me to I will.  I trust him.  This test is mostly for risk of breast-ovarian cancer (HBOC) I believe.


Hmmmmm, writing on Jolie a few weeks ago shot right back at me. I pretty much know if the test turns out to be positive (first generation wasn't) what my plan will be.  And will go with proactive prevention/research due to my prior diagnosis being estrogen, progesterone and HER2 positive.  Reminder to self: knee jerk reaction to a test can cause future problems in other areas (no ovaries = having to worry about all the problems related to having those removed itself and treatment for that issue which would in turn mess up keeping an eye on my estrogen levels (fat cells produce estrogen, not just ovaries) which all in turn impacts risk of re-occurrence of breast cancer.......

Dr. Charles has never encouraged me to have a hysterectomy because of potential links.  A large reason being that fact that your body produces estrogen in other areas-not just ovaries.  Therefore removing ovaries doesn't cure risk of cancer returning for those with estrogen fed cancer.  But it does cause problems association with hysterectomy.  

This is all just too complicated……

Interesting side note: there are many proactive things you can do for prevention of breast cancer or re-occurrence of breast cancer.  Such as diet, exercise, vitamins (D), no smoking, etc.  The only dietary proven prevention: no drinking.  

Doc this Week

Oncology four month check up this week.  Wouldn't it be WONDERFUL to be cleared for only six month check ups????