Knee Deep Blog

Video Views Raise Money for Susan Komen Breast Cancer Research

Here's an easy way to help raise breast cancer research funds - simply watch a 4 minute video.  Aftrer watching I decided it's been quiet far too long on Knee Deep Blog.  Long enought that my mom can officially say she too is a breast cancer survivor.  Breast cancer has marked three generations of our family in a row.

136 former cheerleaders (some of them breast cancer survivors) got together to do a dance routine to benefit "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" (Breast Cancer). When they get 5 million views on the video, United Healthcare will make a $50,000 donation to the Komen organization. Their goal is to get 5 million hits, which will lead to $100K raised, but United Healthcare will donate ANOTHER $50,000 at 8 million views!

Please can you take a moment to watch the video - and, just as important, pass this link onto your network of friends, family and colleagues? It benefits a very important cause!

Thanks for helping!

www.KomenPhiladelphia.org/Video

What Is Your Belief About Cancer Reoccurrence? - 2 Year Update

The other night I had an intense dream about a conversation with a cancer psychologist; who probed my beliefs about cancer potentially reoccurring.

I have to admit that I woke up somewhat disturbed. What did I really believe about cancer and the possibility it would reoccur?

It's been a good two years since I finished 9 months of treatment. Each month brings more life post breast cancer. Yet every three months I go in for my quarterly check up filled with blood tests, my visit to the oncologist is often the same set of questions, review and physical check in. It's also generally filled with an hour plus wait in the oncology department where I see many, although I only really notice the women, in various stages of pretreatment, during treatment and post treatment. This keeps my own cancer memories fresh.

My heart is filled with compassion for those I can tell have been recently diagnosed. You can always tell because there is extra hand holding, nervous glances towards others, especially the bald heads, and sometimes consoling of one women by multiple others. They are just being exposed to the new language, the language of cancer, oncologists, treatment, chemo, radiation, support, education, etc.

TMI But I Have To Share - Dog Butts

Ok, Tim is always saying TMI (too much information) close the sharing window, butt, I mean but I just can't help myself.

My girlfriend told me a story about a conversation she had with Eli and Carly's butt hole and I was going to leave it alone, until I found Eli with a mirror in the bathroom and I could hardly keep a straight face.

Story 1. Lori's Butt Adventure with Eli

When you do strange things - being absent minded

Yesterday I was in a hurry prior to leaving for a client and wanted to brush my teeth.  As I raised the toothbrush I notice there was a lot of toothpaste and it was clear...kind of weird I thought.  And truth be told it was weird as it was facial cleanser on my toothbrush.

Thankfully my brained noticed it wasn't white and had me hesitate for a moment just long enough to stop the action.

I posted this on my FB, twitter and other social networking sites and had a good laugh at the responses.

The names are left out to protect the innocent - outside of my personal facebook world, but I couldn't help but share a few comments.

• LOL! Maybe there's something in the air! Today I got all packed for my trip, kissed B & the kids goodbye, arrived at work and realized my trip is actually tomorrow afternoon, not today.
• Maybe I can better that: I sprayed deodorant on my hair. I, also, absent-mindedly put the shampoo in the fridge
• Ugh. I brushed my teeth with shaving cream that used to be sold in a tube - after a grimy 12 road trip. Then I ran into the kitchen to eat some food out of the fridge and get the horrid taste out of my mouth. Pulled a peach out of a can (not my house or fridge) and it had been in for a long time and had that evil can taste.
• Yuck- better than Preparation H

So it seems we can all be a bit absent minded and still bring a smile to our face and now I feel like yes, we are all part of that same absent minded club which reminds me I have lots of stories but for now I'll just keep them to myself.

Have a good one.

How do you feel? You look great!

This year I joined a mastermind based upon Gay Hendricks book, The Big Leap (a great book by the way).  My friend and creator of this group, Kathy and I met up for lunch a couple of weeks ago and I shared this story which she urged me to write about to the group.  I did and wanted to share on my blog too.

How do you feel? or more commonly - how are you? are both stated again and again without much thought, rather a greeting that is quickly not heard as we move into the meat of the conversation that is wanting to be said.

My observation:

The Difference of Getting It Done and Your Big Picture

Due to my last post on letting go of desk piles, books, notebooks, and other stuff that is cluttering my home office and downstairs I've engaged in a discussion with a college friend on facebook and have connected with a few  - being told that it's inspiring.  It seems that I've got company  in the let it go department and I'm sure that there are a few more nodding in agreement, a few taking action and a few putting it on their list for some day.

This morning on my walk / run I was listening to a podcast about dreaming.  Not the kind you have while you sleep, rather do you still dream of possibility or are you focused on just getting things done?

Immediately I connected with the actions I've been taking in my office and I thought, "why am I clearing things out?"  So after the podcast was over I did some contemplation during my walk and felt the need to write it down.

Deep Thoughts That Keep Life In Perspective

I've been focused all day...getting the huge pile off my desk which is both work and some personal stuff that kept getting shuffled in. It also required me to search for some backup information that's included in emails.  While looking for info from our CPA I did a search.  It brought up this deep quote, well really a deep thought from TUT (totally unique thoughts).

It only seems like others have it all figured out, Michele; that their challenges are simpler, their friends are jollier, and their grass is greener. But, Michele, you should hear how they admire you.

The Untold Risks and Stats of Tamoxifen

Although I made my some what agonizing decision to stop taking Tamoxifen 3 months ago, a friend sent me this recorded message from Dr. Pam Popper regarding the stats and facts aka risks when you do take Tamoxifen to help prevent reoccurring of breast cancer.

Uninformed consent and fear are why we often take "miracle" drugs.  Sadly many of these drugs create other less beneficial side effects.  Based upon how I now feel I know it was the best decision.

Listen here:

Download PamPopperTamoxifen

I'm not suggesting that you do or don't take drugs prescribed by your oncologist, rather have the facts and make an informed decision that best supports you. 

I'm also recognizing that a reluctant activist is emerging.

Breast Cancer the Continued Silent Soliloquy

After waiting close to an hour and a half I was finally escorted into my oncologist's office.  My examination room was still open and a nurse was pulling my charts up on the computer in the room - outside the office three of the admins were trying to figure out how to spell soliloquy and looked my way.  In that moment I had no idea how it would play into my appointment and the discussion of my continued breast cancer treatment.

Michele's NFL Debut

Here it is....a few photos from my NFL debut as a photographer.  It almost looks official.  Of course I had no idea my photo was being taken, that's because Harry is an actual NFL photographer and he caught us from afar on his zoom.

It was very fun to open FaceBook and see few of the literally hundreds of photos I know I took during the day. I love the one of me goofing with the coaches headsets which of course I wasn't suppose to be doing. I swear I didn't tell anyone about the Seahawks secret plays that shut out the Jaguars.  I can hold a secret.  I promise.  Corinne of course played by the rules and refused to be naughty and simply laughed at my antics. 

  Here's my impromptu shot with Harry Scull Jr as he was walking off the field at the end of the game...he gave me the secret code of "take my picture" which I did, because I'm a good photographer's assistant.  Truthfully it happened so fast I wasn't even sure it was in focus and I smiled when I saw it on Harry's FaceBook photo album.

Getting out of the box is good in life.  Now it's about remembering to do it more often and with zeal.

Here's a link to the original post.