Christmas 2007 I wasn't driving so I was picked up by a YSC member who lived in South Seattle. She had come to me in Woodinville via Factoria and we were going to Ballard my first YSC holiday potluck with a cutthroat, pink elephant gift exchange. It was snowing or raining or something that made the traffic really bad. All in all I think it took her 3 hours to get to the party.I met K for the first time at that party. We were both examining the fare. She said, "Hi! I'm K. You're …[more]

Last night I received the good news from Dr.K that the MRIs of my right hip and lumbo-sacral spine show no new progression of disease. This is great news! We had some concerns because my CA 27-29 had been going up at a semi-alarming rate (40 to 60 to 80.) Additionally, I have been having a lot of pain in my hip and low back on the right. When I say "a lot" of pain this is probably the kind of pain that most would rate a "10" out of ten. Since I just continue to trudge on through the pain (wit…[more]

Well, the Trusera Video has made it onto Glamour magazine's website Glamour.com. This is under VITAMIN G: DAILY HEALTH & FITNESS BLOG. The piece is actually called: One Woman's Health Nightmare: "You Have Breast Cancer--But the Doc Can't See You for 2 Weeks." Who knew that this would make its way to a major publication? I am happy to say that the comments are so positive and proactive. So many women that are posting are setting aside their fear and…[more]

On September 10th I sat down with journalist Sally Kassab at the home of my friends Jenn & Keith Schorsch, The Founder and Right Hand of Trusera.com (You can choose their roles as they must change on any given day.) They wanted to interview me about my experience with metastatic breast cancer. Sally was a wonderful person and was very well prepared. She asked me many questions that were thought provoking and intense. I did my best. I think the finished product is something that…[more]

Well, here I sit on the eve of my 42nd birthday. Considering my status I guess this is a great accomplishment. It doesn't feel great, in fact, it doesn't feel like much of anything. Don't get me wrong I am not ungrateful. I have two amazing girls that continue to blow my mind with their wisdom and honesty. I am going on 10 1/2 years with the man of my dreams. We have been through so much and yet I am always safe in his arms and happy to be by his side. I truly love these three people unc…[more]

I have been "beating breast cancer for one year, one month and one day." It is so strange that everything about cancer is about fighting, and beating, and battling and killing. So very warlike, very offensive (the double entendre here.) They do say the best offense is a good defense.I don't feel like I am FIGHTING. I mean it's not like I go into the ring and give the old cancer a left jab and a right hook to the chin and then a sucker punch to the kidney. Yes, this would cause …[more]

GUEST BLOG!!!Greetings to all out there reading this. I’m coming to you live from Nashvegas, USA. Miss Michele has asked me to guest blog for her on this, her cancerversary. Yep, one year since our dear friend got some seriously life-changing, mind-blowing news and we were all left stunned and saddened. Since then, she has been a courageous fighter and a source of inspiration to us all. She recently received some more potentially bad news...the results of her latest P…[more]

Tequila and SaltThis should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true. 1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they g…[more]

There is this horrible side effect of taking Zometa or any bisphosphonates called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ.) After the Z-pac in the previous post made me sick I was taken off it. I was still having this horrible sinus and face pain. I took some Sudefed to dry things up and still face pain. It was getting worse.Well if you ever look up ONJ on the internet have a barf bag ready because it is pretty gross. I had absolutely made myself believe that I had it. I just knew it! In my new "mandible free…[more]

Friday night I went out to a pub to hear live music with my friend Dana. What a treat. I was so excited. We were going to start at her house and she was going to drive. Then I got to sleep over at her empty house. Matt said he could handle the Friday to Saturday morning schedule. My freedom on Friday was matched by having to attend a Chuck E Cheese birthday at Noon on Saturday. Fair trade in my book.So we arrive at find princess parking. We get to the pub and order up a couple of drinks…[more]