The Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center is almost here.
I was recently asked a few questions.
Feel free to check out my story.
www.triumphovercancer.org
Ancora Imparo
Marla
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year
Hello 2010!
May this new year bring health, happiness, peace and prosperity to all of us.
A lot has happened for M, S and I since March of 2008.
We are all hoping that cancer treatment can now be a closed chapter in our lives forever!
I have continued to heal very well since my surgery on 12/3. Dr. B continues to be very happy with my progress and I was able to ring in the new year bandage free which is HUGE.
Thank you for continuing to share your love and light with all of us.
Ancora Imparo
Marla, Mike and Sully
May this new year bring health, happiness, peace and prosperity to all of us.
A lot has happened for M, S and I since March of 2008.
We are all hoping that cancer treatment can now be a closed chapter in our lives forever!
I have continued to heal very well since my surgery on 12/3. Dr. B continues to be very happy with my progress and I was able to ring in the new year bandage free which is HUGE.
Thank you for continuing to share your love and light with all of us.
Ancora Imparo
Marla, Mike and Sully
Monday, December 7, 2009
Reconstruction is all done...
Thank G-d. My last surgery is now behind me (insert chorus singing "Hallelujah".)
The last phase of reconstruction went well from a surgical standpoint but it seems that it just wouldn't be me if there wasn't some sort of issue that arose. Thankfully we caught the dropping sodium levels before there was a real problem (i,e: what we went through in June) so it basically came down to my spending an extra day on an IV, being monitored by a new doctor, having my labs checked every four hours and getting additional rest at PSJMC. My beautiful sister B was my overnight buddy both nights which was a big help. This time I wasn't so loopy so we were able to have some really nice long talks.
I am so very happy to be home and slowly getting back into the swing of things. I will find out later this week when I can resume driving. The key is to really take it easy in an effort to get the grafts to take. The pain is really minimal and Wednesday will be the big reveal when the bandages are removed and Mike and I will be able to see Dr. B's handy work.
It is surreal to be at this point.
I am so blessed to have the treatment and surgeries now behind me and am ready to close this chapter in the book of my life.
Does this mean that I won't think about this journey? Of course not. But it does mean that I will be able to move ahead knowing I won't have to undergo another surgical procedure and knowing that I have really done everything in my power from a medical standpoint. Healing of my mind, body and spirit continues...
Thank you for your love and support.
Ancora Imparo
Marla
The last phase of reconstruction went well from a surgical standpoint but it seems that it just wouldn't be me if there wasn't some sort of issue that arose. Thankfully we caught the dropping sodium levels before there was a real problem (i,e: what we went through in June) so it basically came down to my spending an extra day on an IV, being monitored by a new doctor, having my labs checked every four hours and getting additional rest at PSJMC. My beautiful sister B was my overnight buddy both nights which was a big help. This time I wasn't so loopy so we were able to have some really nice long talks.
I am so very happy to be home and slowly getting back into the swing of things. I will find out later this week when I can resume driving. The key is to really take it easy in an effort to get the grafts to take. The pain is really minimal and Wednesday will be the big reveal when the bandages are removed and Mike and I will be able to see Dr. B's handy work.
It is surreal to be at this point.
I am so blessed to have the treatment and surgeries now behind me and am ready to close this chapter in the book of my life.
Does this mean that I won't think about this journey? Of course not. But it does mean that I will be able to move ahead knowing I won't have to undergo another surgical procedure and knowing that I have really done everything in my power from a medical standpoint. Healing of my mind, body and spirit continues...
Thank you for your love and support.
Ancora Imparo
Marla
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The recent news...
When we heard this, Mike and I were completely shocked. Here I am 45 years old and a breast cancer survivor. Thank g-d I was being monitored and having the screening tests I had been having regularly or I might not be sitting here writing this...
And to not teach women breast self exams... I know several women who found suspicious lumps/masses this way and thankfully had doctors that followed up on their concerns and guess what -- these were not high risk women and oh yea they were in their 40's!
Personally, I think we need another form of early detection since mammograms do not pick up on all breast cancers. It did not lead to my diagnosis. And doesn't seem to be an effective screening tool if you have dense breast tissue which most women have. And to want to make this recommendation because of the psychological implications with a false positive reading... Ridiculous.
It just illustrates that you have to really be your own advocate and fight for what you feel is important.
The following article seems to be a bit more on track.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/22/nih-chief-ignore-governmentsmammography-recommendations/
Ancora Imparo
Marla
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
One Day...
Yesterday I went to a funeral for a dear friend's mom who lost her battle with cancer. I was incredibly moved by something the Pastor read. I know we all come from different faiths and have different beliefs but I truly think this is beautiful and want to share it with you.
Ancora Imparo
Marla
One Day
If God gave us only one day of life, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one springtime or fall, one summer or winter, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one day of laughter, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one beautiful meal, beautifully served in a secure home, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one friend to share the journey of time, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one child, sound in mind and body, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one storm that left us unharmed, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one day for a good time with friends, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one talent for creating beauty, it would have been generous.
If God let us laugh only once in the face of calamity, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one moment's pride in the success of those we love, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one springtime or fall, one summer or winter, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one day of laughter, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one beautiful meal, beautifully served in a secure home, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one friend to share the journey of time, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one child, sound in mind and body, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one storm that left us unharmed, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one day for a good time with friends, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one talent for creating beauty, it would have been generous.
If God let us laugh only once in the face of calamity, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one moment's pride in the success of those we love, it would have been generous.
But God has given us life and time, joy and sorrow,
sunshine and storms, laughter and tears,
gifts to share and days to remember.
God has given us friends and lovers, children and parents,
you and me, and Himself as well.
sunshine and storms, laughter and tears,
gifts to share and days to remember.
God has given us friends and lovers, children and parents,
you and me, and Himself as well.
It is God who gives us life,
who tells us ever after to choose life,
God who is our resurrection and our hope,
who dwells within our hearts as the spirit of life,
the vanquisher of death,
and the comforter of the afflicted.
who tells us ever after to choose life,
God who is our resurrection and our hope,
who dwells within our hearts as the spirit of life,
the vanquisher of death,
and the comforter of the afflicted.
-Donna Gordon
Monday, October 12, 2009
Fall is here...
And mid October at that.
I am now another year older -- 45 can you believe it!
There is a chill in the air although I am hearing we will have some warm California weather over the weekend.
I had the honor of volunteering at the weSpark booth at the Taste of Encino (street fair) yesterday. S came with me. M would have loved to join us but had a ton of work to do for his D-project. After our shift, S was a good sport helping me distribute Wings of Courage fliers. Then we had a chance to go exploring which included him sliding down the largest inflatable slide we have ever seen and buying an extra large bag of fresh popped kettle corn to bring home to M.
Hoping the new season is treating you well.
Thanks for your continued support.
Ancora Imparo
Marla
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Feel the feelings without the story...
I am continuing to have the opportunity to go to my post treatment support group. Today we talked about allowing ourselves to feel the feelings we are experiencing without attaching a story onto them. I need to sit with this idea for a while.
It is easy to get ahead of oneself and plan out an entire scenario before it happens or in my case attach someone elses outcome onto my journey. It is not a battle but more of a reminder that my journey is simply that -- MY -- journey. Having cancer is in my past. My mom and Jack (step-mom) paved a path that preceded my diagnosis and treatment but that is where the similarity ends. So when I stop and remind myself to feel the feelings... it grounds me and brings me back to the moment.
On the follow up front, I had my 3-month oncology appointment yesterday. It was a bit of a comedy of errors when they went to draw my blood. For some reason the vein tapped wasn't compliant but after a couple of sticks they got what they needed. Because I am still dealing with some fatigue they are checking for a few things. But Dr. M does not seem to be concerned. According to him I look good and my hair seems to be a conversation topic. I am truly grateful to have hair. And I am trying to embrace and love the hair that I have. I am getting there. In a little while I should really be there. I am getting used to being a larger self. The numbers on the scale continue to go up. I am trying to stay active and get into a regular exercise routine. I will be having a bone density and hip X-ray as I am unable to sit cross legged. I am hopeful that is not from the Arimidex (aromatase inhibitor).
I am thrilled with the support that www.wingsofcouragebelieve.com is getting. It is really a tremendous feeling to have an idea and see it come to life. I launched a Face Book page for my Wings of Courage pendant. Make sure you become a fan.
I continue to be touched and honored to have so much love and support.
Ancora Imparo
Marla
It is easy to get ahead of oneself and plan out an entire scenario before it happens or in my case attach someone elses outcome onto my journey. It is not a battle but more of a reminder that my journey is simply that -- MY -- journey. Having cancer is in my past. My mom and Jack (step-mom) paved a path that preceded my diagnosis and treatment but that is where the similarity ends. So when I stop and remind myself to feel the feelings... it grounds me and brings me back to the moment.
On the follow up front, I had my 3-month oncology appointment yesterday. It was a bit of a comedy of errors when they went to draw my blood. For some reason the vein tapped wasn't compliant but after a couple of sticks they got what they needed. Because I am still dealing with some fatigue they are checking for a few things. But Dr. M does not seem to be concerned. According to him I look good and my hair seems to be a conversation topic. I am truly grateful to have hair. And I am trying to embrace and love the hair that I have. I am getting there. In a little while I should really be there. I am getting used to being a larger self. The numbers on the scale continue to go up. I am trying to stay active and get into a regular exercise routine. I will be having a bone density and hip X-ray as I am unable to sit cross legged. I am hopeful that is not from the Arimidex (aromatase inhibitor).
I am thrilled with the support that www.wingsofcouragebelieve.com is getting. It is really a tremendous feeling to have an idea and see it come to life. I launched a Face Book page for my Wings of Courage pendant. Make sure you become a fan.
I continue to be touched and honored to have so much love and support.
Ancora Imparo
Marla
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
