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Hello again to all of you that are following me,

So Michael and I were discussing what is different from before the surgery: here is what we came up with

The night terrors are GONE, bye-bye, poof

I no longer wake up in the middle of the night screaming or crying or striking out viciously  as if to ward of some unseen assailant.  Gone are the nights of nightmares about my previous life before the surgery. While Snarla was a resident she gave me night terrors I believe they started '01.  You see actually '01 she (Snarla) started to grow which in turn started to affect me and my behavior.  But it was so so slow growing and  such subtle changes that doctors misdiagnosed me with all sorts of different psychiatric disorder however 1 single thing was consistent: ADHD SEVERE HYPERACTIVTY.  Why did they not do an MRI?  Because I had one....when I was 8. 

Instead of shying away from touch I appreciate it.
Those two things have majorly changed my life and outlook on life. I have been reading Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, World Renowned Thanatologist (Expert on the dying process) she states a dying person needs touch to stay alive to give them a reason to fight like hell to survive.  It is a fact that infants need to hear their mother breathing and caring touch to grow into a happy, mentally healthy child.  I am warming up to hugging and being hugged in return.

     I like finding out peoples life stories and learning from them. I enjoy putting those lessons to work.

I will never forget this: There was a  Jamaican Nurse while I was at MD ANDERSON, she was on nights.  She was my favorite nurse because she reached out to me like none of the other nurses did.

For example: one night she heard me crying, I did not call her, she came in anyway  just to see what was going on,and if there was anything wrong.  There was a guy on HOUSE having a seizure and I was bawling because I know exactly how painful that type of seizure is. It frightened me to my very core.  She comforted  me and stayed with me until I calmed down; which was was a considerable amt of time for a nurse to stay with a patient.  She told me stories, which I  partly learned to speak from.  She spoke about how lucky I am to have Michael. She spoke of her home and her kids and all about her life. I, as a patient was honored that she chose to share this information with me. Mind you, this stay was over Thanksgiving so she was on duty and missed thanksgiving dinner with her family. That Thanksgiving I was thankful to have her to lean on.

People in hospitals need to take a step out of their roles as doctors and nurses to be sympathetic or empathetic to the patient. That is what Nurse Jamaica did even visitors were allowed and especially when no visitors were allowed.


I am planning to put everything that I have learned through cancer and my whole life toward hospice or hospital patients.

just trying to get the word out......

Michael, Amy, Laura C, and I have created a team for the  DFW Brain Tumor Walk at Trinity Park in Ft. Worth (http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BTW_TX_Homepage) no November 6th.  I was wondering if anyone is interested in joining the team. What would be required to join is the following:

• Be willing to raise at least $350 in donations from friends, family, and co-workers.
• Pay a $50 registration fee (not sure if this counts to the donation goal).
• Put up a personal web page (if you want).
• Show up at Trinity Park on November 6th, between 8 and 9 am, rain or shine.
• Walk 5k (or not, you don't have to) and enjoy the festivities afterward.
• If you can't make it but you still want to be a part of the team, you can become a Virtual Walker (all the responsibilities, but no walking).

If interested, please reply to me. I'll get back to you later.

If you can't do it, no problem. I'll be contacting you for a donation later.

Take care,
Mike

sweet Freedom

SO today I made it 29.  I could not have done it without the prayers and positive vibes being sent my way.  I would also like to thank The Most loving, supportive, dependable husband in the entire world. Michael If it weren't for you....... You know the rest.

SO when Dr fink told me I should sign up for a driving evaluation I forgot to ask if I could ride a bike. I called the Driving evaluation place and it will be on sept 26.   I just called and asked if I could ride a bike and they said it was up to us and as long as I can balance and wear a helmet.  The guy that did my physical therapy said I had better balance than any other patient he had seen.  And since I have accepted the fact that I won't be able to drive now, I am glad.  That gives Teresa and I enough time to get me ready to drive.

The point is that My Husband and I are going to purchase a bike for my birthday!! I feel like a child,  getting so enthusiastic about a bike but it will allow me to get some freedom.

Anyway My next MRI is the 24th and I meet with Dr. Fink the following Monday. SO I will keep you posted!

the rest of my life

The 2nd MRI came back clean!!!! And I still haven't vomited but I am REALLY Fatigued. Anyway, I want to let everyone that has prayed for me   THANK YOU!!!! I got a card from an entire congregation in arksas. I haveo drive again I am going to the nursing home and let them know that I would like to volunteer...in any way possible.  I am thinking of volunteering for hospice I mean I did it once before and they gave me a pt that NO ONE else could take he had skin cancer and it had eaten awy his entire nose and tongue and because every one gasped in horror when they saw him so I had A priest meet me and introduce me to him  and he explained Just how bad it was and so I said OK.   They said he was happiest toward the end of his life than they had ever seen. I think I am being called to hospice care.
I read another cancer survivors story and how she felt like I do and I thought about what I was going to do to fill my time when I am able to drive. That and the one I saw on the woman who has survived cancer and became an artist I saw that on the news.  I have a Parade magazine that I found yesterday that is dedicated to Cancer in America. 

Anyway, THANK YOU PEOPLE that are praying for me. keep on keeping on.

my morning

So I went to speech therapy and had a seizure in the waiting room then I had 2 more with her holding me.  she called Fink and she said GO TO THE ER!!!
So I went in at 9 and just got home at 215.  how is your day..

I am walking

as Most of u know, they TRIPLED my chemo.  More fatigued everyday but I try to take Indy down To Jamba Juice and get an energizing drink,  then walk back  KABLAM!!!!!!!! In yo face doubter mcdoubterson...That is 2 thats righ two MILES  There is a wise woman mary manasse Mother Of Daniel Mannasse:  "I say I are gonna do it and people say YOU CANT."  I say F you watch me.  

Direct quote. 

lots of news

 loop: I had an MRI last saturday then went to dr Fink to see what the results were THE SECOND CLEAN MRI.    have not decrisped enough for her to tell any more info. They tripled my chemo dose  and that is curious considering they havenot seen anything for the last 2 months.  I guess it is designed to really get in there and fight with whats left of Snarla (f ing biatch)  you want to tangle with the Andrea Jordan-Garramone?  Bring it!!!!!