SUSAN G KOMEN RACE/WALK FOR THE CURE

Hi Everyone,

I recently paid $30 to join and accept the challenge to raise money in honor of Selena in the 2009 Komen Houston Race for the Cure® being held on October 3rd in downtown Houston.

I will be walking the 5k (because if I ran, it would become Chris Mitchell's Heart Attack for the cure :)! I am obviously not asking you to come to Houston to see me walk. That would be really boring. All I am asking is that you please join me in the fight against breast cancer by pledging your support in the race. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund local innovative outreach, awareness and treatment programs for the medically underserved in the greater Houston and Galveston (UTMB) community as well as national cutting-edge breast cancer research. Please click here to go to my Susan G. Komen website page. The site accepts credit cards. What could be easier?

Thank you for your generosity.

Imagine Life Without Breast Cancer.

Sincerely,

Chris

Selena's New Car

We were really lucky to get the car. Our finances are not so good right now, but our other car was paid off and they gave us a really high trade in for it because we had done all of the maintenance at that Honda dealer. It was a little miracle that we got the car.

New car

Chris and I got a new car! Yesterday we bought a new CRV. It is silver and VERY nice. We are grateful that the old one didn't get too bad. The transmission was going out, we are sure of it. Now we can feel safe to drive wherever we need to go. Chris should be touring a good part of Texas with his residency interviews, so we feel better about that.

I saw a friend from Central, Tonya Boxley, at the Walmart tonight and she has just had back surgery. I wish I'd have known! Her daughter, Armani, was with her and that young lady has grown like a weed. One of her other children has type A flu. She is really upbeat about it, which is typical for her, but my thoughts and prayers go out to her.

Things keep moving

I went to a training last week, Saturday actually, and got to hang with my friends who are still at Weis. The best thing to come of the day was that I realized how fortunate I am. I have a great job, which I enjoy, and they are having to put up with LOTS OF CRAP. I am so grateful to not be there (at Weis) this year!

I am still battling the "nerve thing" which may or may not be sciatica. Some days are worse than others and I'm starting to think that it may be time to find a chiropractor. I've never been to one, but it may be time. I need to look into whether my insurance pays for it or not.

I dyed my hair. I got tired of being referred to as Chris' mom. I also kept seeing myself in the mirror and thinking it didn't look like me. In my mind I have dark hair. I also am much thinner, but what can you do? So, I dyed it. First it came out sort of light brown/gold - not my intention. I used temporary dye because I've been told that sometimes dye can react with the drugs left in your hair by the chemotherapy. So, the next day I dyed it again, just darker. I liked it BUT now since I've washed it a couple of times it is getting too light. I think I will just dive in and use a permanent dye on it and if my hair falls out, well... I've been there before haven't I?

I think Chris and I will be buying a car this weekend. Chris was in a wreck in our CRV last year and it was repaired but it still doesn't run right. We are a little leary of driving long distances in it because of the sounds it makes. It is out of warranty and things are starting to go wrong. The dealership will give a decent price on a trade-in so it is time. I let you know what we do.

Disappointing

Disappointing appointment today at Dr. Hatch's. She didn't like the way my site looked and didn't release me. In fact, I have another follow-up. I also am to call her if I need her. She made it sound like I would, need her I mean. She used the word "necrosis" a few times and even I know that means death of tissue. She thinks that the area just above my scar is looking not so good. I am to avoid any trauma(even seat belt rubbing), stop wearing my compression garment, sleep only on my left side, and not do any lymph massage or major exercise. She also said something very scary about "rupturing," and I choose not to even think about that. The big problem is that radiation has compromised the circulation and the cellulitis has not fully gone away. She did say she thought my hair was beautiful - she hadn't seen me in a while(since I had very little hair) AND I just dyed it brown. Hard to believe I have any vanity left...

Tonight was "meet the Teacher" night at my school and I had the opportunity to realize how inadequate my Spanish is. I struggled through a number of parent meetings and nobody told me I sucked. I just knew it instinctively. We also had a showing of Ike: A Documentary. I am so proud of my two former students, Maria and Melnikia who are part of the team that created this great film. They are going to some film festivals - Yay! I am definitely buying a copy of it when it is finally released. Tonight's version is SO different from the version I saw in May.

Less is more?

I know I'm posting less. There is just less stuff going on with my health - and that's a good thing. I'm still having trouble with my sciatic nerve on my left side. I've been taking muscle relaxants and ibuprofen and I can't say it's any better. In fact, it seems to go more down my leg now. I went for a massage last weekend and it helped. I really don't know what to do about it. The doctor said to stay on my feet and out of the chair, and I do. I rarely sit down during the day.

This Tuesday I have a Dr. Hatch appointment. She is/was my Radiation Oncologist. I guess it will be just a follow-up. I am feeling fine boob-wise. I have a little swelling around my surgical site, but it is not bad and it's controlled somewhat with the compression garment. I admit to being lazy about wearing it all the time since it is uncomfortable. So I'm trading one discomfort for another...

2 down..

We just finished our second week of school! I ended up staying extra late today because I realized that next Friday I have to do "progress reports." Yeah, I know. So...there was a frenzy of grading today after school.

My principal was asked to talk me into doing UIL One Act. I told him I would need a budget of at least $2500, hoping that would kill it. Turns out I have a "meeting" with the powers that be on Thursday to discuss. I told my principal, Mr. Paul, today that I thought my plate was too full to take this on and he said if I still feel the same after the meeting, we won't do it! I love this man.

Health wise, I'm feeling pretty good. I have a little more energy every day. I've gotten to the point where I don't have to lie down immediately when I get home from work. I have stayed up until 9:00! I'm a big girl now. I have also gotten used to my prosthetic and don't really notice it after I have had it on for a while. I'm going to steal a term from a fellow blogger and start calling it my FOOB (fake+boob= foob)