tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59714636628501867372012-02-16T07:17:49.125-05:00dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.comBlogger3201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-32260580966160677392012-02-13T22:44:00.000-05:002012-02-13T22:44:36.380-05:00

My friend Angela is running for Congress.  She's already beaten out 4 other men and will be going into the primary unopposed.  This means that she will be facing Rep. Bob Latta, voted one of the Worst Enemies of the Environment, for the real election.  Latta rode into office on his father's coat tails.  He's cut spending to the military, environment, education, poor... Regardless of where you

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-11977506915463513842012-02-12T00:49:00.000-05:002012-02-12T00:49:46.625-05:00

I wrote this in the midst of waiting to find out if I had metastatic cancer.  I saw that damn cancer Care Bear in the side bar on my Facebook page. Living with, living through, living beyond cancer is the exact opposite of everything that bear evokes, except that in me, that bear evokes anger.  Whether it is breast cancer, or pancreatic cancer, or brain cancer, or small cell neuroendocrine

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-63850755227948821482012-02-11T00:28:00.000-05:002012-02-11T00:28:28.196-05:00

As soon as a person is diagnosed with cancer or suspected cancer, this train ride starts.  If the diagnosis has been made or seems certain, it's a ride on a bullet train.  From the day I first went to the CNM with my suspected lump until I got "the call" and had my pathology read to me, I experienced a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, and MRI.  Those were 5 expensive days!  Within the next two

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-13398010980209619452012-02-10T00:33:00.001-05:002012-02-12T02:12:59.470-05:00

I saw this image today in the ad bar on my Facebook feed.  Of all the silly pink images I've seen in the last 2.5 years,  this is the most offensive. Two days ago, two wonderful women of the blogosphere died from metastatic breast cancer.  Rachel, at Cancer Culture Chronicles, and Susan (@whymommy), at Toddler Planet , were not the cute, retiring, fluffy, demure Care Bear types.  Neither in life

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-6725056922749895282011-12-20T08:32:00.000-05:002011-12-20T08:32:50.883-05:00

"Come gather 'round people, where ever you roam....." Yep, that's what it feels like here these days as we approach the Winter Solstice, which for my family is our midwinter holiday. It's always somewhat of a hassle seeing as my university semester frequently ends less than a week before the solstice.  In fact, there have been years when graduation was as late as the 23rd of December.  

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-67098482688474904252011-12-18T18:59:00.000-05:002011-12-18T18:59:47.756-05:00

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a (much) younger mother of two sons with a husband who worked two jobs.  I, also, worked two jobs.  I had the same job I have now, only part time, and I babysat for two other little boys, who were, age-wise, on either side of my then youngest child. In my memory, those were sweet days.  I remember giving in gracefully and subsisting on "kid

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-70184793378858860642011-12-11T11:16:00.000-05:002011-12-11T11:16:13.812-05:00

Many bloggers have caught a lot of flack for not being gung-ho SGK/Pinktober rah-rah. Part of the problem is that the Pinking of Breast Cancer denies reality for many.  Of course, we all want to hear stories about long term survivors and those whose lives weren't drastically changed.  Even more, we want to know about people who have survived treatment and then climbed Mt. Everest or sailed

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-68178662508600190002011-12-02T17:51:00.001-05:002011-12-02T18:03:47.990-05:00

About 11 months ago, I wrote this. The past few days, I've been having some odd twinges, feeling swollen, weird PMS-like pains on the same right side.  I really feel like something is off on my right side. Having been sidelined by foot problems and elbow problems for the past several months, and coupled with dealing with the declining daylight, end of the term stress, and financial woes very

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-70500690107382810822011-11-20T23:03:00.000-05:002011-11-20T23:03:19.977-05:00

14.  I'm thankful for Smartwool socks.  They are just about all I wear.  They are clearly worth the investment.  I'm also thankful that I am able to find them at greatly reduced prices.  They are incredibly comfortable on my chemo-ruined, always cold feet. 15.  I'm thankful for weekends away, even though I rarely go far, even if they would be seen as many as mundane.  There's nothing quite like

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-86805284700831605602011-11-20T12:06:00.000-05:002011-11-20T12:06:15.564-05:00

I was just copied on another "awareness" meme on Facebook.  This time, the person who sent it to me is a long time, much loved, highly respected friend of mine.  One of those awesome friends I met online over a decade ago and whom I have grown to love deeply.  She is, in many ways, a much loved mother figure to me.  And I don't want to hurt her feelings although I fear I may have.  I hope, if she

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-50144797851038213602011-11-13T22:46:00.000-05:002011-11-13T22:46:30.627-05:00

It's the little things in life that can make or break you.  For the last six months or so, a little thing has been wearing away at me, and I'm nearing a breaking point. an example of extreme lymphedema I've had problems off and on with "Golfer's Elbow" in my right arm.  However, somehow, in trying to be healthy, I injured my left elbow sometime last winter or spring.  And now it's driving me

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-28549888137461375142011-11-13T21:45:00.001-05:002011-11-13T21:47:16.296-05:00

7.  I'm thankful for good friends, too many to list.  They support me, make me laugh, and help make life fun and exciting. 8.  I'm thankful for a dishwasher.  Need I say more? 9.  I'm thankful for good mentors for my boys. 10.  I'm thankful for health insurance.  Very, very, very, very thankful for health insurance. 11.  I'm thankful for pain relief of various sorts.  Anti-inflammatories rock.  

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-1350093048989194052011-11-06T20:32:00.001-05:002011-11-06T20:32:38.820-05:00

It has now become rather de rigueur on Facebook and elsewhere in the month of November to post one item a day you are thankful for up until Thanksgiving. I'll be doing that weekly.  So, here we go for week 1: 1.  I'm thankful for my husband who has supported me through a lot in the 26 years we have been married....burying babies, cancer, job loss, financial emergencies....just to name a few.  

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-18473400292187952212011-11-04T20:24:00.000-04:002011-11-04T20:24:06.371-04:00

My friend Pattie and her husband have had a long 10 months.  Last winter, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. As a result of a bad and surprising reaction to a very toxic form of chemo, he nearly died.  He was unable to continue with the chemo, so ended up with whole brain radiation which was very hard on him.  Meanwhile, Pattie has held down the fort, doing all the driving, managing records

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-27279561353749849902011-11-01T21:24:00.000-04:002011-11-01T21:24:03.044-04:00

I never got around to mentioning it here, but I had my "annual" MRI (or rather the MRI which I guess is to become an annual thing....) and the results were "unremarkable."  In this instance, it's good to be unremarkable. I'm not sure the stress and expense of an annual MRI is called for, seeing as I have very little breast tissue (probably an "unremarkable" amount) and any recurrence is likely

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-28894194802806319132011-09-17T23:43:00.000-04:002011-09-17T23:43:06.137-04:00

It really pays to have rock awesome doctors. Let me backtrack a little here.... Earlier this summer, I had to have a regular check up with my surgeon.  The checkup went fine, but that day had been a particularly bad, emotional, depressed day for me.  I was totally out of sorts.  Insanely so. In the office, my blood pressure was sky high, higher than it has ever, ever been.  Scary high.  Crazy

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-68267620302396589722011-09-07T10:14:00.000-04:002011-09-07T10:14:53.842-04:00

Hey all, If you'd like to be a guest blogger here in October, which by the way is Breast Cancer Awareness month, leave a comment here (not on facebook) so I can keep track.... You don't have to blog about breast cancer.  You don't have to have or have had breast cancer.  I'd kind of like to keep the focus cancery and maybe tangentially related to life with cancer or observing cancer or being a

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-76045602881805349952011-09-05T23:18:00.001-04:002011-09-06T00:42:29.665-04:00

DISCLAIMER:  I apologize for letting this blog lie dormant lately.  I owe a HUGE apology for not handling my time better and keeping up with it.  Also, tonight's topic is one I've been dwelling on for a few days, but just now sat down to work on.  This will be neither well organized nor clear, I'm guessing.  I'm trying to cram in a little bit of TV watching at the same time before the start of a

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-34395363993387916442011-08-06T12:21:00.000-04:002011-08-06T12:21:09.773-04:00

 Be not disturbed at being misunderstood; be disturbed rather at not being understanding - Chinese Proverb

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-79846817370046202012011-07-12T22:10:00.000-04:002011-07-12T22:10:35.239-04:00

There's been a lot of chatter in blogs lately about Komen, pink branding, and, most damning, that very little of the KOMEN money...all those races and walks and bracelets and ribbons...actually goes toward researching a cure for cancer.  There's also talk that Komen is in bed with big pharma, which admittedly, has its own set of issues.  I deny none of this.  In fact, while I will be running in

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-8119530353432522612011-07-07T01:10:00.000-04:002011-07-07T01:10:33.594-04:00

Wow.  It has certainly been a long time since I've written anything.  It's not that I don't think about blog posts.  I have many good intentions; I have many ideas for posts and notes jotted down; however, I have moved my laptop from the couch to the table.  This is both good and bad.  It's good in that I'm less likely to get sucked into watching tv and hanging out online.  It's bad in that I

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-90705700758828132082011-05-29T12:54:00.000-04:002011-05-29T12:54:59.038-04:00

My blogging mama friend, Katie Granju, is coming up on the first anniversary of the death of her son, Henry.  Thus far, the authorities have not given the circumstances surrounding his death a full and complete investigation. Please, in honor of all those struggling with addictions, for all the mamas, for the safety of all of our children, please sign the following petition. http://

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-31643381075326690062011-05-24T22:53:00.000-04:002011-05-24T22:53:05.545-04:00

http://www.thescarproject.org/gallery.html

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-28414788520407400012011-05-24T18:01:00.001-04:002011-05-24T21:12:17.286-04:00

As we all know, pink is the color of breast cancer.  Pink is a soft color.  A feminine color (in Western culture).  A gentle color.  A warm, welcoming color.  It's a baby color.  Pink represents romance, love, friendship, harmony.  It represents innocence and youth.  Pink is just so PINK. There's nothing wrong with the color pink.  It's not, though, typically thought of as a "power color."  No

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-52875622894684323212011-05-15T23:21:00.000-04:002011-05-15T23:21:26.606-04:00

Maybe I should make this entry pink, pink lettering on a pink background, totally unreadable, just a sea of pink.  Why would I want to put all this effort into writing a blog entry just to have it unreadable?  Why do people keep making breast cancer seem like a happy, fun, feminine, cool, trendy disease? The facts aren't that happy.  Sure, it's not the death sentence other forms of cancer are. 

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-81402336636344442862011-05-15T00:46:00.000-04:002011-05-15T00:46:17.631-04:00

To make a long story short, I asked on Facebook if anyone knew of a Relay team I could join this year.  The team I joined last year is defunct.  Somehow, my looking for a team became creating a team.... So, if anyone would like to donate to me or donate to my team or if anyone local would like to join our team, please feel free do do so.  Due to a technical glitch, I can't access my personal

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-64910105244491451702011-05-15T00:35:00.000-04:002011-05-15T00:35:04.086-04:00

Welp, one week of Tykerb is down.  Fifty-one more to go. So far, it's been OK.  I could tell you exactly how many episodes of diarrhea I've had, but that would be TMI, for certain.  It's not that bad, though, because it's not accompanied by the "traditional" discomforts of cramping and other intestinal discomfort.  All in all, it's been pretty ::meh:: in that regard.  Of course, I haven't had to

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-81814820599081071662011-05-09T23:05:00.000-04:002011-05-09T23:05:53.804-04:00

Day 1 with the Tykerb, and all is well.  Right this very minute, I'm feeling a little queasy; however, who isn't if they really focus on it?  Overall, it was a good day.  Technically, I accomplished little.  This is supposed to be the week that I deep clean all the public areas of our house.  Yeah, about that..... I did manage to make some phone calls and schedule some appointments, so all is

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-82299696909541172202011-05-09T00:30:00.002-04:002011-05-09T01:05:45.720-04:00

$3,000, give or take, of pills. Tonight I start taking Tykerb.  I've read it's better to take it at night for several reasons: (1) it can't be taken within an hour either way of eating; (2) one might sleep through the nausea; (3) it's easier to deal with diarrhea during sleeping hours than daytime hours. I told the younger two boys over dinner tonight.  The Middle was already aware, being

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-67148169869727670122011-05-08T23:28:00.000-04:002011-05-08T23:28:52.487-04:00

I love my boys.  We are not a touchy-feely, sentimental bunch.  Not by a long shot. OK, I'll admit that I have visions of sugar plums...erm...ideal days.  They rarely come to fruition.  It is what it is. This morning started off with my 15 year old, awake silly early for some reason--maybe one of his friends was stopping by to pick something up?  I was asleep so I don't really know why he was

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-46614199033963807172011-05-08T11:00:00.000-04:002011-05-08T11:00:32.303-04:00

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-17571871173318049932011-05-07T22:37:00.001-04:002011-05-07T23:04:43.544-04:00

...she doesn't understand reality. Apparently, last December a couple of girls wore bracelets to school that said "I (heart) boobies."  The bracelets come from the Keep Abreast Foundation.  The girls were suspended.  Their families filed lawsuits.  And this month, Judge Mary McLaughlin ruled, "The bracelets ... can reasonably be viewed as speech designed to raise awareness of breast cancer and

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-24544874308614912202011-05-07T02:34:00.000-04:002011-05-07T02:34:41.717-04:00

Anger is just a demand for change, a passionate wish for things to be different.           Rachel Naomi Remen Anger is a great force. If you control it, it can be transmuted into a power which can move the whole world.           Sri Swami Sivananda Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.           James Thurber Do not go gentle into that good nightRage, rage

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-30565260916115962262011-05-07T01:11:00.000-04:002011-05-07T01:11:54.765-04:00

I've been kicking around a lot of ideas lately, many concerning my blog, many concerning where I go now regarding life, treatment, the future.  I've composed numerous entries in my head; however, inertia and the end of the semester have really done a job on getting anything posted here. To start things off, for those of you not following along on Facebook, I'm doing much better psychologically.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-80925839453363711462011-03-27T19:17:00.000-04:002011-03-27T19:17:37.715-04:00

I'm doing better.  Still pretty blah, but overall better.  As far as the procedure goes, I have no more discomfort to speak of.  There's a tightness, almost like the feeling of a bra, but all in all, rarely do I have any real discomfort any more. Psychologically, I'm doing better.  I realized when it was refill time, that I had more Lexapro left than I should, so I guess I kind of forgot to take

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-24552780998740239082011-03-12T18:14:00.000-05:002011-03-12T18:14:42.676-05:00

I fully imagine and assume that the depression part is made worse by the fact that I'm not exercising right now plus the anesthesia and all of it is compounded by my 6 month check up coming up, which is more stressful than I'd thought.  It will involve a month or two of other tests...fun things like echo-cardiograms and MUGA scans, which for some reason I assume will show heart damage from

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-22230913742937149112011-03-12T16:15:00.001-05:002011-03-12T16:16:55.997-05:00

It's now been a week and two days since I had surgery.  For the most part, the slicing and stitching part is all fine and good, as long as I don't do something silly like try to scratch my back or lift or reach and lift (that last part is the worst). I've gotten the all clear to wait four weeks before doing much of anything physically, and then back to life as I want it. However. But. Yet.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-82593458797714171772011-03-06T13:32:00.000-05:002011-03-06T13:32:08.437-05:00

Last Spring, my friend, Katie Granju, lost her son, Henry, to a drug over-dose.  He was addicted to prescription opiates.  Abuse of these drugs is very common now.  In fact, in having conversations among my children and their friends as well as with my college freshmen, I've come to the conclusion that it's also very common here in NW Ohio.  It's common at the public schools, the private schools,

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-27616788306478397062011-03-04T23:27:00.000-05:002011-03-04T23:27:39.305-05:00

Yesterday I had a third surgery on my boobs.  A year ago December, I had a double mastectomy, which was clearly the most traumatic physically and emotionally.  At that time, my plastic surgeon, Dr. W, started phase one of my reconstruction, which involved placing tissue expanders behind my chest muscles.  Over a period of weeks, those were injected with saline solution and expanded to keep the

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-20861629202052842592011-02-25T18:25:00.001-05:002011-02-25T18:31:28.840-05:00

My very articulate writer friend, Theresa Williams, recently had this essay published.  It really speaks to me.  I relate very much to the metaphor of a coat of lead. Read it.  Enjoy.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-2533123039043046552011-02-25T17:06:00.001-05:002011-02-25T17:08:09.730-05:00

My "Crazy Cancer Club" is getting smaller.  It was a small club to start with, really just four of us.  Amy died in December after a 14 or so month fight with a relatively rare, very aggressive form of cancer.  Now, another member is making the transition, after a three year battle with ovarian cancer.  If I were to vocalize my gratitude for today, it would probably be "I'm grateful that I had

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-45571851774514603412011-02-24T23:13:00.001-05:002011-02-25T11:04:19.437-05:00

Here I sit, one week away from what I have been hoping is my last surgery.  It's not a significant surgery.  It's scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and I expect that I'll be home around lunch time.  It's a simple procedure that is mostly cosmetic, just a re-adjustment of my one implant, making the "normal" one match the abnormal radiated side.  The recovery is supposed to be on the painful side since the

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-11624051932487321952011-02-23T15:47:00.001-05:002011-02-24T22:22:24.295-05:00

A year or more ago, I wrote an entry with the same title.  In it I describe how my youngest son procured a very special necklace for me. This post, however, is about another of my sons. Yes, I'm proud of all three of my sons, one no more than the others.  However, at different times, they all step up to the plate in different and surprising ways.  Lately, it's been the middle one who has me

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-69457764559826288412011-02-18T22:24:00.000-05:002011-02-18T22:24:35.304-05:00

For the new year, I set some goals.  Some have been trashed due to my upcoming surgery.  There's no way, with having my boob stitched to my rib March 3rd that I'll be running a marathon in April, for instance.  For some reason, I'm incapable of losing weight these days.  On the non-physical front, I'm dropping the ball everywhere is seems, which includes dropping the two classes I was taking.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-91885515963206740862011-02-16T22:24:00.000-05:002011-02-16T22:24:27.655-05:00

I've not written much here lately, not because I I'm intentionally ignoring this blog, but because I'm wrestling with some demons, survivor guilt, and feeling overwhelmed by life. It's not fair to burden others with this, but I'm going to blather on about it for awhile now. Right before Christmas, one of the members of my Crazy Cancer club died, leaving behind a husband and three young children

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-70669188684579074082011-01-26T21:46:00.000-05:002011-01-26T21:46:27.041-05:00

...and it doesn't have to be.  If you haven't read this article, you should.  I have more to say about it--when am I ever not willing to say more about something?  But I don't really have time right now. We all know warriors who have not survived.  I have the same issues with the term "fighter" that I do with "survivor." And pink.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-44503788379477647632011-01-20T23:45:00.001-05:002011-01-20T23:56:17.175-05:00

Remember when I was freaking out, when I was afraid to sleep in my bed after my most recent surgery because I was afraid I'd roll onto my slide and one of my implants would slide out of place? Such silly worries. And that isn't what has happened at all, well not quite or exactly.  Yet, it amounts to the same thing. I've had continuous pain on my right side, very reminiscent to PMS-y breast

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-12107169290751635212010-12-26T23:03:00.005-05:002010-12-26T23:23:20.339-05:00

My chemo brain is pretty profound. Just dealing with the everyday basics of managing a family has become a real challenge. Therefore, I have to find a new way of doing what used to come easily and naturally. Dealing with with groceries and meals is the first order of business.The planning and executing of meals is challenging in ways it has never been before. I don't think to make meals until too

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-18005264630727036982010-12-14T23:11:00.003-05:002010-12-14T23:37:30.281-05:00

So, here's a sad and unfamiliar situation for me:Some friends and I have formed a little support group. Some call it "Strong Women" some (OK, me) call it "Crazy Cancer Club."One of our members is dying.She is leaving behind a husband and children, young children.As we do so darn well here in the Midwest USA (or maybe it's a Great Lakes thing), the community is doing its best to tend to the needs

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-40833587232720756182010-12-13T09:51:00.003-05:002010-12-13T10:36:20.675-05:00

I'm still dwelling on the Elizabeth Edwards story.I feel like I've really slacked in the realm of parenting for the past year and a half. In fact, I think that I've probably really slacked for the past 10 years when it comes to my feral third son.However, now, I'm dwelling on this letter that Elizabeth Edwards wrote for her children, in an attempt to provide for them the advice that she wouldn't

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-5058753407832575152010-12-09T18:31:00.003-05:002010-12-09T18:41:57.104-05:00

Some of you have probably seen this on Facebook already, but if not, here is today's most inspirational video, which is saying a lot given that it's the Season for Giving and all that and so many charities are going out of their way to solicit funds.This very much reminds me of the way my community has embraced my family, fed our bodies and our spirits, over the past 18 months.I think I'll choose

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-90761118738100478622010-12-09T00:31:00.003-05:002010-12-09T01:36:39.412-05:00

My good friend, Heather, herself a cancer endurer, posted this to Facebook yesterday:Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.Truer words were never written. At least nothing else resonates with more truth to me right now. If anything, I have a history of under-reacting to health issues. Yes, I am that mother. The one who made her son play soccer for several weeks with a

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-80597007826305444442010-12-08T15:49:00.004-05:002010-12-08T16:57:41.484-05:00

Of course, we've all had this conversation at one time or another. You know the one, "Would rather know the hour of your death or has it come as a surprise? Slow and lingering with time to make your peace or fast? Fire or ice?"But that isn't what I mean today when I ask, "How do you want to die?"I've been thinking a lot about Elizabeth Edwards this week. She knew years ago that her breast cancer

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-68453145832385087012010-11-20T03:01:00.002-05:002010-11-20T03:10:25.727-05:00

OK, so this isn't ME or MY SURGEON in this video and my scars run vertically as opposed to horizontally, but this IS a video of the procedure I had done today.Minus the altogether important port removal, of which I'm still in search of decent videos.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-46215631196016066202010-11-19T01:15:00.004-05:002010-11-19T01:49:07.122-05:00

Tomorrow, the "final" step on this whole sucky journey takes place....I'm having my reconstruction surgery. Even more exciting, my port will be removed at the same time. I am more excited about having my port removed than I am about getting my squishy boobs. I'm pretty much over breasts. If I had a different body type, I'm now certain I'd have not opted for any reconstruction. If I had this body

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-4358811838985144482010-11-05T20:34:00.005-04:002010-11-06T11:28:34.450-04:00

I've been really frustrated by my limitations lately.In general, I think I look pretty good, and that's what people have been telling me. All of my doctors think I'm doing really well. I'm in better physical condition than I have been in years.Like a lot of survivors of any sort, I think I've reprioritized a lot in my life. It's not unusual for people who have survived car accidents, severe

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-61895600428441664462010-10-31T20:55:00.001-04:002010-10-31T20:57:10.756-04:00

That's how many miles I ran-walked today.It took me nearly all afternoon, but I really only walked about 3-3.5 miles total.The rest was my version of running.I need a tshirt or jacket that says, "I'm not really a slow runner. I'm auditioning for Bay Watch."I'm tired and achy right now.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-28948310853871021202010-10-27T19:34:00.002-04:002010-10-27T19:46:36.222-04:00

No, not hard headed woman nor a soft hearted man, but a cold headed woman.Something I've noticed since the weather has started to change from summer to fall is that I hate, hate, hate cold air on my head.That seemed logical last winter, when I had no hair. In fact, kudos to bald people everywhere who live with that day in and day out, especially here in breezy NW Ohio.However, it still bothers me

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-13554634513268140372010-10-26T23:54:00.001-04:002010-10-26T23:54:36.656-04:00

Wednesday night, 7pm EST: please plan to watch this important half hour documentary about my friend Katie's son and his battle with drug addiction. You can watch online at WBIR.com.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-20070463721264622422010-10-25T09:52:00.003-04:002010-10-25T12:42:15.481-04:00

Today, 15 months to the day of my official diagnosis (that is, the day my pathology came back), I will sit for my last herceptin infusion. Hopefully, my last ever. However, upon contemplation, if I could continue herceptin in an effort to prevent recurrence, I would. If I do have a recurrence, I'll have to have herceptin for the rest of my life, or as long as my heart can tolerate it. It is

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-611770391263555892010-10-22T15:51:00.002-04:002010-10-22T15:58:27.838-04:00

So...wow...it's been so long since I've written anything here. However, this is the last weekend of the semester that I won't have a stack of essays to comment on. That means I'm giving a fair warning that this weekend, I shall endeavor to do my bestest to complete and post those posts that are partially finished and to finally compose the posts that have never made it out of my head.One

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-75190731319224438262010-10-15T10:38:00.002-04:002010-10-15T10:48:43.103-04:00

I have so much to write about and seem to have so little time in which to do it. Must remedy that. Next week. Oh, yes, I am the Queen of Procrastinators, in case you didn't know that already about me.Meanwhile, I think I might be suffering from post-cancer Post Traumatic Stress syndrome or something. Or, what is it people coming back from war zones talk about...reintegration issues? I'm sure

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-30795538520659480122010-10-06T13:17:00.000-04:002010-10-06T13:18:00.413-04:00

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=152180344820439

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-92098524854350579132010-09-24T10:17:00.002-04:002010-09-24T10:21:13.139-04:00

from Today's Daily Om:Letting the Curves Take YoucontrolTrying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own logic and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar. There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-21074477196389998162010-09-23T21:58:00.002-04:002010-09-23T22:04:34.729-04:00

Hey all, if you are in the area, after the Race for the Cure this coming Sunday, Sept. 26, my family is hosting a party to celebrate an end to the Year of Suck, at the Hoffman Shelter in BG city Park, at 12:30 or so, lasting until it's over or dark, whichever is first. I have no contingency plans for uncooperative weather.We will provide meats and table service. Please bring drinks and a dish

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-47673909746544007542010-09-13T21:00:00.003-04:002010-09-13T21:34:33.201-04:00

Two infusions left!!! I'm so psyched. October will be the last month of active treatments. It's about time!! I know a lot of people say herceptin is no big deal, and in comparison to active chemo, it really is a walk in the park; however, it's like a walk in a park that has fallen into ruin, where the swings are missing seats, where the grass is strewn with trash and has more bare patches

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-49125428443728139202010-09-12T21:30:00.003-04:002010-09-12T22:15:42.003-04:00

Another fantastic Black Swamp Arts Festival in the bag. What a wonderful weekend. Last year at this time, I was whipped. I had tried my best to enjoy the festival, but it was really the first time I'd spent much time in public without hair, and I spent a lot of time explaining to people what was going on, trying to not look as exhausted and sick as I felt, putting on a brave face. This year

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-17171785501431610552010-09-06T23:28:00.004-04:002010-09-06T23:57:05.877-04:00

So, I've been absent from here for a while. It's not that I haven't thought about blog posts. In fact, I regularly compose them in my head. It's not that I don't sit down at the computer any more. Those of you on facebook know that's certainly not true.I don't really know what it is that keeps me from blogging, other than it is harder and harder to sustain the intellectual energy required for

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-36272938507171217862010-08-17T20:36:00.001-04:002010-08-17T20:39:20.179-04:00

I found this in my friend Marti's blog today.I will not die an unlived lifeI will not die an unlived lifeI will not live in fearof falling or catching fireI choose to inhabit my days,to allow my living to open me,to make me less afraid,more accessible,to loosen my heartuntil it becomes a wing,a torch, a promise.I choose to risk my significance,to live so that which came to me as seedgoes to the

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-90303876658940047292010-08-15T20:27:00.004-04:002010-08-15T20:55:00.145-04:00

I dismantled the power alter in my bedroom today.I've kept one pink boxing glove and one pac-man oven mitt.The rest has been dispersed throughout the house.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-25614140134552864902010-08-15T01:31:00.003-04:002010-08-15T01:34:34.583-04:00

From today's Daily Om:"Beyond Counting Blessings"Often when we practice being thankful, we go through the process of counting our blessings, acknowledging the wonderful people, things and places that make up our reality. While it is fine to be grateful for the good fortune we have accumulated, true thankfulness stems from a powerful comprehension of the gift of simply being alive, and when we

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-12176627183401493972010-08-11T17:33:00.005-04:002010-08-11T17:49:24.954-04:00

I have emptied the bulletin board which was full to overflowing with all the cards and other small tokens of thought given and sent to me while I was in treatment. I have them all in a safe place, but it is now time to take another step away from that period. Thank you wonderful people for all the encouragement and love. I couldn't have done it without you. I will never forget.xoxoxxoxox

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-56362688588604425422010-08-10T21:15:00.004-04:002010-08-10T21:47:03.916-04:00

For the past week or so, I've had this insane "nesting" urge. It's very similar to the irrational urges I got when preparing for a new baby. I normally have the urge to tidy up and get things in order before starting a new school year. Sometimes it happens. Frequently it doesn't.However, for the past two weeks, I've felt compelled to get the house in order.Sometimes, I'm not all that quick.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-72389234318048766352010-08-10T14:02:00.004-04:002010-08-10T14:36:21.650-04:00

I'm not sure what this activity was really called...maybe an "Intention Journal" or something like that....maybe "journal" wasn't in the title at all; however, it's an activity we did at the yoga retreat.I'll just admit up front that I'm art opposed and artistically oppositional. I don't do crafts. However, one HUGE change that has come about over the past year is that I'm really super attracted

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-81493793839150869022010-08-10T11:01:00.002-04:002010-08-10T11:03:45.606-04:00

I'm newly returned from a wonderful yoga retreat and have lots I want to say, but I also need to get some things taken care of around the house so I can return to work (I guess technically my contract starts today, but I have no obligations until later this week).Meanwhile, this spoke to me this morning:‎"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-13160361617658862022010-08-06T13:26:00.001-04:002010-08-06T13:26:54.832-04:00

“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.”― Bill Watterson

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-26035487914635986812010-08-05T00:53:00.003-04:002010-08-05T01:18:19.336-04:00

...is that the word I want to use? Celebration? Maybe "honor" would work better.Anyway, to mark the beginning of the New Normal, I have sorted through all my chemo hats and scarves, kept some, donated some, giving some to others who are currently without hair due to chemo.I feel a little creepy keeping some, but I think I'm a little too pragmatic to get rid of things that worked super well,

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-60200496091421265302010-08-05T00:34:00.003-04:002010-08-05T00:42:49.869-04:00

Tomorrow I get to meet face to face with a long time internet friend and someone who has been quite helpful and supportive during this past Year of Suck: Gena Ram.Gena, having had breast cancer herself several years ago, just stepped right up to the plate and provided an awful lot of support to me, especially in the early days when it was just all so horrible. I'm not sure what I would have

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-80733707283323171482010-08-04T11:36:00.003-04:002010-08-04T11:40:42.054-04:00

My friend, Katie Granju, gets no second chances with her son, Henry.However, for those of us who are still in this world and have children, friends, family, spouses, lovers, neighbors, and acquaintances in this world, her recent blog post is a must read. Do it now. Don't procrastinate.We DO have second chances.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-22820610469804354552010-08-03T13:40:00.002-04:002010-08-03T14:13:09.952-04:00

So, a year ago, I was heavily in the head swirling, crazy ass early days of cancer crap. Those were certainly maybe the worst time of the whole year. I'm guessing, based on email records, that I first met with my onco on July 29th. I know I had my port put in on Aug. 10. So, on Aug 3, a year ago today, I was in a really weird place...looking at all of what was ahead of me as an unhappy, scary,

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-79924375134683419322010-08-03T10:31:00.001-04:002010-08-03T10:32:27.557-04:00

"You only lose what you cling to."--Buddha

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-27017922648255345762010-08-03T10:29:00.002-04:002010-08-03T10:31:32.394-04:00

How to tag this?"...cancer brings a profound sense of community. It's really the best thing that came out of my cancer. But by bringing connection, community also brings loss. It's inevitable and often painful.But that sense of community is so good and so strong. Harold Kushner captured its essence when he wrote, 'What cannot be achieved in one lifetime will happen when one lifetime is joined to

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-91026532375986919382010-08-01T10:18:00.005-04:002010-08-01T10:30:13.706-04:00

....I'm sort of overwhelmed with the emotions that have been surfacing as I hit anniversary after anniversary of the whole cancer journey. I didn't really expect this. I was told it might/would happen, but, like so much in life, until you visit that point, you just don't get it.I have so much I want to say, but I just don't know where to start. Meanwhile, I leave you with before and after

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-17440682666187540332010-07-26T11:49:00.002-04:002010-07-26T11:52:03.922-04:00

I'm enjoying having hair again. I"ll probably never have much more because I'm liking it short-short. One advantage is that I can change it up much more easily short-short. Meanwhile, since I must, must, must get off my doofus and accomplish something today, for your viewing pleasure, I leave you with

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-51660660967703528782010-07-25T21:07:00.003-04:002010-07-25T21:25:54.494-04:00

I got the results of my path report.It still makes my stomach clench to think about that day.In fact, that entire week was horrible.After a long, horrible week of no sleep, not eating, hoping for the best but expecting the worst, I got the phone call while at the BG/Otsego Soccer Tournament.This weekend was tourney weekend again. It was so much more enjoyable this year. In fact, I don't remember

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-87284657564516613352010-07-23T23:52:00.002-04:002010-07-23T23:56:04.854-04:00

I was just thinking the other day that I'd like to get a running shirt that says something along the lines of "I run for those who can't."Then tonight as I was looking for music to add to my ipod to listen to while I'm running, I stumbled across this song, which I hadn't known existed.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-20852132680504436872010-07-22T11:53:00.001-04:002010-07-22T11:54:09.857-04:00

"You can throw in the towel or you can use it to wipe the sweat from your face"--freely paraphrased from a Gatorade ad

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-62608445466149271972010-07-21T17:22:00.002-04:002010-07-21T17:40:15.712-04:00

Lymphedema is annoying. One's odds of having problems with lymphedema increase with lymphectomy and even more with radiation of the lymph nodes, both of which apply to me.However, there is no way to predict if or when symptoms of lymphedema will show up; furthermore, once one is symptomatic, damage is done and one is more likely to have future problems. Treatment is annoying and time consuming

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-91596664553585973362010-07-20T22:36:00.002-04:002010-07-20T22:40:02.970-04:00

...I first started down this path.I'm not even sure what to say beyond that.What a bummer of an annual exam that was!It's been a freaky week, flashing back to last year.Sort of makes me want to puke, just thinking about that week.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-37306501776371157922010-07-20T10:57:00.000-04:002010-07-20T10:59:01.668-04:00

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.~Henry Ward Beecher

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-15232226676193794482010-07-14T08:53:00.000-04:002010-07-14T08:55:37.399-04:00

Once you shift your focus from yourself to others and extend your concern to others, this will have the immediate effect of opening up your life and helping you to reach out. The practice of cultivating altruism has a beneficial effect not only from a religious point of view but also from a mundane point of view; not only for long-term spiritual development but even in terms of immediate rewards.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-66841964483744621582010-07-09T12:04:00.005-04:002010-07-09T13:12:50.071-04:00

Have you seen this book? My goodness! Had it been around when I was younger, my life would have been quite different, that's for sure. Who knew how many different types of ta-tas there were?!?! Or, even more shocking, pages 118-119 with 24 pictures of ho-has.I never knew about stretch marks and what cellulite really was when I was young.No, seriously, this book is a must have for anyone with

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-55209232990099097562010-07-08T22:14:00.002-04:002010-07-08T22:26:54.711-04:00

In celebration of my new normal, I have agreed to let Tynan try homeschooling again next year. It's not "pure" homeschooling, as he'll be enrolled in a public, online charter school; however, he won't be spending his days in a classroom "waiting patiently," which is how he has described his last school year.The plan right now is that his father will be nearly 100% in charge of his education

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-80247853722116685892010-07-05T23:54:00.004-04:002010-07-06T00:52:02.250-04:00

Today was girlio day with Sophie.While I can't say my teen years were terrible, I also can't say that I appreciated them for all they were worth. I mean, can any of us? Looking back, though, it does seem that at 13 girls are standing on the edge, ready to spring into life. I dunno, I can't really find a good metaphor. But they are so full of life, energy, hope, dreams....or maybe not quite. Maybe

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-38945090686264160442010-07-05T00:27:00.005-04:002010-07-05T02:07:42.572-04:00

I suppose on some level, this entry should be about how on this July 4th I'm free of cancer and regaining my independence. But to behonest, I haven't thought about that at all today. Instead, what I keep thinking about is what a wonderful community I live in. It well and truly is the absolute best in the nation. Hyperbole aside, I do live in a wonderful community. On the surface, it doesn't

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-65491732871010119842010-07-04T00:10:00.002-04:002010-07-04T00:12:34.401-04:00

Sophie is here. I wore a dress. We have already watched one chick flick and have two more cued up for tomorrow:)Monday: Eclipse, lunch, and shopping.Wonder if we can slide mani and pedis in there somehow.....More later, sweet peeps.

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-10567638165838960252010-07-03T10:37:00.000-04:002010-07-03T10:38:49.045-04:00

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."Saint Francis de Sales

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-92117252770856666732010-06-30T23:21:00.005-04:002010-06-30T23:52:07.914-04:00

...but...I just dropped my 14, nearly 15, year old son off at a bar so he can listen to his friend's band on "Loud and Local Wednesday."The deal is he has to be standing on the sidewalk at 1:00 a.m. so I can pick him up.If these ingrates don't grow up and say, "My mom was awesome..." I'll kill 'em.For those of you who have spent time in BG, here's something for old time's sake:On the bright side,

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-64480466351673774982010-06-29T22:30:00.002-04:002010-06-29T23:12:44.112-04:00

...for something; not sure what.........."To do good, you actually have to do something."It seems so obvious, but seems to be such a challenge at times."Doing good" varies, I suppose. For the most part, we all recognize "good," I do believe. It's the "doing something" that we bungle. I know that sometimes I don't want to stop my life to do what needs to be done. Or I don't want embarrass others

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971463662850186737.post-47568819251587540992010-06-29T10:09:00.003-04:002010-06-29T10:13:32.278-04:00

For those of you who have been following along with the story of Katie and Henry, here's a happy, uplifting post on her blog.It's true that life goes on, even when we feel like it should come to a screeching halt.I'm so happy for Katie, and normally, I'm pretty "meh" about new babies these days. I'm sure that the Granju-Hickman family is experiencing the emotional roller coaster ride of a life

dawn h-shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14497421656026576000noreply@blogger.com0