aLive @ Stage 4!

This blog post has been in my mind for quite some time.  When I was asked to speak to the employees of the biotech company that produces my medications, this is the topic I chose.  If you are reading this, you are a part of my village.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  Here is the link to the blog entry about my trip to San Francisco:  Visit to Genentech . Here are the highlights of the talk that I gave there: They say it takes a village to raise a child.  I also say that it takes a village to care for a sick person.  My village starts with my husband, my primary caregiver.  This man has been my rock, the person I lean on figuratively and literally.  He has come to every single medical appointment I've had.  He has dried my tears.  He has made me laugh.  He has given me strength.  I wouldn't have made it through the hell that has been the past year and a half without him.  He and my boys.  Of course, ...

What an unbelievably awesome time we had! I got to meet the people who work for the company where the medicine that keeps me alive is manufactured.  How cool is that?! Genentech is the biotech company that produces two of my maintenance medications,  Herceptin and Perjeta .  Click on the links if you want more information on the company and/or the medicines and what they do.  I receive Herceptin and Perjeta via infusion once every three weeks.  These medicines keep the cancer at bay.  I will be on them for the rest of my life. Genentech has a program called Patient Connect.  I was a part of that this year.  I flew out to San Francisco to visit the company and to talk to their employees about my experience with Perjeta.  Over the course of three days, 12 patients, on different medications, were there to speak to the employees.  My day was Friday.  The day started at 7:15am when a car picked my husband and I...

It's fair weekend where I live.  The county fair has always been a big deal here.  The schools are closed for students on the Friday of fair weekend; kids get in free on Fair Day.  Today, Saturday, was a really nice day.  Historically, going to the fair means muddy shoes; it's unusual when it doesn't rain a day or two before the fair opens, and I remember once or twice when it had to be shut down for a Hurricane.  So, with the good weather today, and my post cancer diagnosis seize the day attitude, I talked my husband and 15 year old into going with me (the 19 year old was already there, working). I was feeling good.  I had a blog post forming in my mind.  It was going to say things like, "Get outside when the weather's good, get some fresh air!" and "Have fun when the opportunity arises" and "Eat the fried oreos, ride the fun rides!" and the like.  I knew I wasn't going to able to ride my all time favorite ride but I was kind of okay...