A great day!

Saw my surgeon today. Hard to believe I'm eight months post-surgery (of course in that time came the other aspects of treatment: chemo, radiation, and a whole lot of recovering).

I told him a feel terrific, and I really do. He did an exam and pronounced me in great shape for this point in treatment. I'm booked for a mammogram on July 9 and will see him immediately afterwards for a review of the films.

The July date is a year following an MRI that was done in 2007 between my two surgeries. The mammogram that detected the cancer was done in April '07, and I assumed I was coming up on over-due to have on this year.

But the doc assures me that the July MRI '07 date is the date we should work from, so I'll be patient until July 9.

Dave and I also had a long conversation with my doc's nurse. She confirmed our thoughts that I should be free and clear from cancer concerns for at least five years. That's based on the effects of chemo and radiation, plus the drug I'm taking (Aromasin).

Of course there are no guarantees. Even mammo films and MRIs can fail to reveal something important. But I'm not taking my head in that direction.

I'm celebrating with my new favorite beverage, Allagash White. Cheers!

Read More......

Mmmm, fruity!

Here's another one of those silly quizzes: What type of fruit are you?

I am a Strawberry!

I am friendly, outgoing, and well liked by many people. I am popular, but there's nothing ordinary or average about me. I'm a very interesting person, and have many facets to my personality. Sometimes I feel very conflicted. Different sides of my personality pull at me. I'm a very sensual and passionate person, fiery... I can't help it. In general, I keep my passionate side under wraps. I'm only wild in private.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Read More......

31 Days

Last night Dave asked me if I was counting down the days until I leave for Switzerland. I said I wasn't; it seems too far away. This morning I took the calendar off the side of the refrigerator and counted. 31 days. I can't wait!

It's a rainy, dreary Saturday, a perfect day to do yard work. The whiskey barrel planter we put in some 20 years ago finally collapsed under the weight of all the snow we had this winter--hence today's scheduled adventure to Lowes Garden Center, to replace the planter and see what else they have that we can't live without. The rain should quit in a couple of hours and leave a good opportunity to rake out the gardens and plant some bulbs. The crocuses are already up (searching for sunshine, poor things), and the day lily and hosta shoots have pushed through the soil. A kind person would get the dead leaves out of their way so they can blossom and bloom in style.

That is today's mission. Tomorrow I'm driving to Sanford. My Swiss traveling companion and I have to read the travel guide and map out our plan of tourist-attack on the host nation.

Read More......

What makes it a good weekend?

An excellent "new find" for dinner (the Friday night Italian buffet at the Colonial Hilton in Wakefield; Saturday night it's prime rib). Sleeping until almost 10 a.m. on both days. Spending time with an old friend (even if it was at a funeral). Beers at the '99' in Wilmington on Sunday afternoon--practically sinful!

Read More......

My bad hair day

I've been waiting a good long time to have a bad hair day. Today was that day! Got out of the shower and fluffed my little curls with some Suave Curl Enhancing Spray Gel. If I do say so myself, I was looking pretty fine.

In short order I was ready to head out the door, and I walked outside into a cold, icy rain. So much for great hair. But you know what? It's only hair. It grows back (I'm living proof), and tomorrow brings another styling opportunity.

Speaking of fluff...

I've started stocking up on containers of the stuff to take to my friend Laura in Switzerland. It's one of a small handful of things she has me packing in my suitcases . Apparently Marshmallow Fluff is a New England tradition and just unheard of over there. It's something she misses so I'm happy to bring it to her. Small favor the kindness she and her Monica are extending with their kind invitation to visit. Good thing my mother is coming on this adventure, I can fill her suitcases as well!

Read More......

Switzerland, baby!

I bought my ticket! I'm on a Swiss Air flight on May 6 and back on the 14th! If you're very good I'll bring you back some chocolate!

Read More......

How to complain and get away with it

You might not need a lesson, but there's an art to complaining and walking away feeling like you've been heard, listened to, and respected for voicing your concerns.

Today I expressed a series of complaints about the way I've been treated--or not treated as the case may be--by a number of people who work for one of my doctors. The problems surround communication (the lack of it, and some of it unprofessional in nature), and the less that full attention that was given to an important request. At no time was my health in jeopardy. So, nothing dramatic, just irritating.

I think I have a pretty long fuse. I'm prone to giving an inch and letting someone take a yard (don't hold back if you disagree). But over these three incidents, I'd had enough by the time this morning rolled around, and when I arrived at the doctor's office I was ready to tango.

I asked to speak to someone with a bit of authority. Dave and I were ushered into a private office and I put my concerns on the table. Within a few moments my comments were being turned into action points. The person we talked to agreed that some changes need to be made and she thanked me for bringing it all to her attention.

I moved on to my medical appointment and spoke briefly about it to the doctor (so she would be aware of my concerns). Before I left the building I found the person I spoke to originally reviewing my concerns with the office manager.

I have every confidence that they will take a good look at processes and procedures and do some fine-tuning to make things better.

I knew I needed to say something, even if just to make myself feel better. Speaking up is never a bad thing, as long as you do it the right way. The trick to speaking up in cases like this is to create an opportunity for someone to take up your cause and make some changes.

So, here is the lesson for the day:

If you're going to complain, do so about issues that management can change. Don't just run off at the mouth for the sake of hearing your own voice. Make a list of your complaints so you are sure to hit every point.

Ask to speak to someone in authority. Let them know you have matters of concern that you'd like to discuss and ask if this is the right time and place to have a conversation.

Keep a normal tone of voice and maintaining a level, calm tone throughout the discussion.

Don't accuse anyone of anything unless you have solid, irrefutable proof.

Rather than accuse, let the person you are talking to know what you are concerned about.

If you can, acknowledge that staff is busy and obviously juggling a lot of responsibilities. If possible, say that they are generally helpful, professional, or whatever (but don't gush, pick one trait you can compliment).

Acknowledge that this may be an isolated incident, but it happened to you and that you hope it doesn't happen again.

Don't ask for action. You should haven't to ask for anything at this point. With luck, the person you are talking to has already apologized and promised to look into the matter.

Making a complaint doesn't have to be about nailing someone's ass to the wall or causing someone to lose their job. It should be about making a situation better for the next time you or another customer-patient-person walks through the door.

Remember: The person who ticks you off may be having a terrible day. Maybe their dog died. Maybe they drove over a curb and blew out a tire on the way to work. Maybe the school principal called and their kid is being expelled. You have no idea.

Keep your cool. It works. You'll feel good about standing up for yourself and behaving like an adult when what you really wanted to do was throttle someone.

Then celebrate! I'm having a Blueberry Ale. It's wicked yummy.

Here endeth the lesson.

Read More......

Saw my doc today....

... and all is well. Oncology doc is pleased with the results of Sunday's blood work. No major complaints about my new prescription (the five-year post BC drug Aromasin). A good visit with good results.

Dave treated me to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory in Burlington (actually I have to thank our friends Chuck and Gail for the gift certificates they gave Dave on his birthday). What a nice place! If you've never been, go for lunch or an early dinner. We hear the wait can be long if you're trying for seats for dinner.

Otherwise, not much is new. I'm loving the sunshine and waiting impatiently for the day when I can open the windows and let the fresh air drift through the house.

Read More......

Another mini-milestone

I renewed my friendship with a hair product this morning. Yup, that's Garnier Fructis Style XXX Volume Thickening Mousse in my hair. You'll notice it's giving me and my new curls a bit of styling capability (I'm trying not to go with the damp poodle look).

And Happy Day After Easter (Easter Monday to your southerners). Pj and I spent the afternoon with my cousin Kathy, her kids Lauren and Connor, her parents and my best aunt and uncle Nancy and Mike, Mike's sister Mary, my sister-in-law Cindy and nephew Ted (brother Ted begged off with the flu) and a trio of puppies (Bailey, Maddie, and Pat). Dave had to work (but Kathy was kind and sent along a hefty helping of ham, we'll make a meal of it tonight!) Yes, the E.B. visited our house. We still believe.

Enjoy Monday.

Read More......

Happy Friday!

Yea! It's the weekend! I'm very excited about the prospects of a couple of days off. This was a rather extraordinary work week, but lately they all see to be that way. I think I need a break from work. Don't we all?

Here's your Easter smile...

Read More......