Sneak Peak II

I'm too tired tonight to fill you in on our entire weekend in S.F., but I will leave you with this photo:

We ate dinner at Koh Samui and the Monkey for dinner on Saturday night, and it was SO good! We each got one of these little monkeys served in our drinks. John's monkey decided to try to catch some waves on his limeboard.

We had a great weekend and the Giant's even won!

365 Days Sans a Thyroid

A year ago today I had my thyroid and his buddy, the tumor, removed. I can’t believe it’s been a whole year! I can finally go out in the sun and not worry about protecting my scar! I NEVER thought I’d be able to make it 12 months! (Ok I knew I could do it, but I just wanted to complain.) In fact I’m going out to buy one of those foil sun thingies right now! Just kidding. I will probably continue to protect my neck to help prevent sun damage…I would like to be sans wrinkles as well!

After all of my medical procedures to get rid of the cancer, the total bill was around $55,000. I think my surgery alone was about $40,000. Isn’t that outrageous? I don’t recall having to pay any of that, but near the end our insurance did change and we did have to pay $600. At least we didn’t have to pay more!

After my surgery my doctor started me on 150 mcg of Synthorid, and then proceeded to give me a higher doseage to see how my body reacted. After bout 4 different doses he brought me back down to 150. The pill is only a pain on the weekends. (Did I ever mention that I have to take the pill on an empty stomach and then wait an hour to eat after I take it?) If I wake up a few hours before I actually get up, and remember to take the pill, then it’s no prob. It’s just a pain on the days when I don’t wake up early, and then I have to wait to eat. John is nice enough to wait with me and not eat in front of me.

During my 9 month check up I was told that I won't have to take another radiation pill like they thought! New developments have already occurred in this medical field saying that I don’t need it. So that is good news! I will have to get some THS, (thyroid-stimulating hormone), shots in September and then they will test my thyroglobulin levels…a.k.a. get some blood work done. The hormones tell my body to produce thyroid cells, so hopefully when I get the blood work done there will be no sign of any left in my body. Should be pretty harmless, but I will have to go on the low-iodine diet again. It won't be too bad. I think after that I will just have to get blood work done yearly…not 100% sure though.

A few months ago I also attend the Thyroid Cancer Support Group here in SLO. It was really neat to meet other ladies who have gone through the same thing. One lady had recently had her surgery and was getting ready to get her radiation pill the following week. It was her first time at the meeting as well, so right after we introduced our selves, she said ‘so I suppose we should compare scars.’

‘Wow yours is BIG!’ I replied.

‘Well I had a full thyroidectomy,’ she said in a very defensive/polite voice.

‘Well so did I,‘ I said.

It wasn’t until later that John informed that it probably wasn’t the best thing to say to her, but I totally spoke without thinking!! I was just in total shock to see a scare that was almost twice the size of mine. However I should have realized that she was still self conscience about it since she was wearing a turtleneck in 85 degree weather!

One interesting thing I did find out is that they don’t administer the radiation pills in SLO anymore. Patients have to drive down to Santa Barbara to get them! Isn’t that terrible? The newbie had to go off her meds for two weeks before getting the pill, (when you do that you aren’t supposed to drive), so her husband had to drive her down to SB. On the way back she had to sit in the way back of their car on the ride home trying not to expose him to the radiation. So lame!

I have yet to make it back for another meeting, but I need to go. All the ladies were really nice, and it was nice to give helpful tips to the newer lady.

In other news…I’m growing my hair out to donate it to beautiful lengths! Last year I was feeling bad that I hadn’t done anything positive to support cancer research or cancer survivors. I thought I would be more motivated to do something as I was now part of the cancer survivor club, but nope…nothing. I had no desire to do anything until I saw Hilary Swank donate her hair on Oprah. I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment and knew that is how I was going to give back. I had already been growing out my hair for my sister’s wedding, so why not grow it out a few more inches? I think the last time my hair was this long I was in kindergarten. I am very excited to donate it and am also getting excited to have a new short do. I’ve been keeping my eye out for cute styles, but I hope the styles are still in by the time I decide to cut it. I’m thinking I only have a few more months to go. (Don’t worry…of course I will post before and after photos)!

You know I was really bummed that I didn’t write up an entry about my surgery. I had planned on it, but totally didn’t feel like it. I still kind of want to do it, but what can I really remember a year later? (I actually just checked my blog archive and found John's summary of the surgery, which I think was really good.)

One thing I do remember is all of the wonderful cards and flowers from you all. That meant/means so much to me even now. I’m sure I thanked most of you last year, but just in case I wanted to thank you again for all your kind words and prayers. It’s a great feeling to know what great family and friends I have even in the midst of a hard time.

I will leave you with a before and after scar photo. I really should have taken one every month to watch the progression of it healing. I totally blew it!

Here is a photo I posted about a month after surgery:

Here is a photo from 5 minutes ago:

I didn't even realize how good it looked until I put the photos side by side!

Side Note: I just started the BBQ and nothing caught on fire. I lit it with a lighter tonight, as it was obvious the the ignitor is not working. I did stand as far away from it as I could, but the sound of it igniting it did make me jump! This chicken better be worth it!

Seriously!

I seriously almost caught my face on fire tonight! I was starting the BBQ and I kept trying to light it...but for some reason the spark wasn't catching the propane. I thought that maybe the tank was out, as we know it's getting low...so I turned it up. I tried to light it a few more times and nothing happened, and then all of the sudden I saw this HUGE orange flash in my face! I closed my eyes and ducked and then felt my head to make sure my hair wasn't on fire! I guess it's a good thing I didn't put too much hair spray on today!

I kind of freaked out after it happened. The reality that I almost caught on fire set in. I started to think about what I would have done had I been in flames. John is down in LA this week so I probably would have had to run over to the neighbor's house for help. THEN I thought about outcome if I had in fact burned my face really bad. I could have totally been scared for life. What a reality check!

After all the times I've BBQed burgers I've never even come close to something like this happening. I was actually BBQing chicken tonight, (first time), and man does it take a long time to cook! I totally thought it would be quick like burgers are, but when I cut into it after about 5-10 mins the middle was still raw! I swear everyday is a learning experience.

Popcorn Time!

We saw two movies this past weekend. The first one was Shine the Light. John and I saw the preview for this movie a few months ago, and it looked great! It implied that the film was a documentary about a Rolling Stones concert filmed by Martin Scorsese. Sounds good right? Well I'm sure it would have been if that had been what they showed on the screen! John and I were both really disappointed to sit for two hours and watch an entire concert of the Stones. (No offense Stone fans). That was it. maybe the first 15 minutes were documentaryish, and in between every 2-3 songs they would show an old clip of the band being interviewed, but other than that it was Mick and the gang rockin' out. Since I am not the most hard core Stones fan, this really wasn't my type of movie. I really enjoyed the old footage from the 70's, but there wasn't really enough of that to carry the whole film.

Now obviously there were other people in the theater that new what to expect. Such as this one lady who bobbed her head to every song along with lip syncing each word. I'm not sure what the couple she was with thought as their heads were not bobbin'. I was waiting for her to jump up in the isle and start dancing like Mick.

So if you are a true fan then you will enjoy this movie...dad. Although I must warn you that the Clinton Clan makes an appearance, but I think that your love of the Stones will out weigh your hatred.

On Monday my company was given a half day, which was AWESOME, so John and I took advantage of the day by being very productive and going to see Iron Man. Now let me tell you that I was pretty skeptical about seeing this movie. For the most part I do like super hero movies, but let me tell you I have seen my fair share of bad ones...i.e. the first Hulk movie with Eric Bana, and that one where Ben Afflack is a blind super hero. L-A-M-E.

There are quite a few super hero movies coming out this summer, which I know John wants to see, and I've already tried to warn him that I will not want to see all of them. I think I will enjoy Batman, Indy, and maybe The Fresh Prince's new one, but I really do not want to see the new Hulk. I mean that last one was SO bad, and this one looks like it might be on the same level. All I had to see in the preview was Tim Roth saying "Let's level the playing field,' right before he gets injected with some super villain serum, so he will be able to take down The Hulk. Spare me!

Sorry...where was I? Oh right...so I wasn't too sure how Iron Man was going to be, and I thought it was just ok. Nothing too special. After all the buzz I heard about it, I thought it would have a little something extra, but it didn't. Robert Downey Jr. did a good job, and Gwyneth's hair was really cute, but that was about it. Oh! Jeff Bridges totally creeped me out with no hair and only a beard. I really prefer him as The Dude.

John actually felt the same as I did towards this movie, so at least we are still on the same wavelength. I also must say that the comic book crowd was definitely out in full force Monday afternoon. You know the type...imagine him with a hint of b.o. as well.

Feliz Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Above is a the cake I slaved on tonight for my work potluck tomorrow. After getting so many complements on my weak ass shamrock cake I made in March, I knew I had to kick it up a notch. Now if I receive compliments on this cake I won't be ashamed to accept them. I think it turned out pretty good, except for the cone part is a little too high. I just hope people will be able to tell what it is! Maybe I should have put it on someones head...oh well.

Here was my inspiration for the cake:

After the cake I then had to make some guacamole. We are having a salsa and guacamole contest as work as well. I really hope I win, although my guac isn't anything special. I mean it's good...but I'm not sure if it will stand out enough to win.

My weekend wasn't too eventful, except I did get a massage on Saturday and it was SO WONDERFUL! I think it had been like 4+ years since I had had one too! Let me say that I want to get one at least once a month now! I was so amazed at how the masseur could find knots in my back that I never knew were there! I really need to start playing the lotto.

Hold that Pose!

The other day my mom and I were chatting, via gmail, and she tells me how a Papillion breeder sent her a cute profile pic of one of her pups. I guess this pup is really hyper and she had been having the hardest time getting a good still photo of him.

My mom then pastes in the message from the breeder, who was more than willing to share her photographic tip:

Judy: Judy, I took a picture of him while he was taking a dump and cropped it down so only his head was left. Otherwise all photos are taken on the fly and come out blurry from the high speed. The nice thing about digital is you can take lots of pictures and then manipulate them so only the best parts of the photo are left.

me: are you kidding me???? That is so gross! What about holding a treat in front of the dogs nose and making them hold still for it?

Judy: This is a totally serious photo tip. I knew you would appreciate it.

me: yeah right! I mean any tip with the word 'dump' in it is totally serious.

Judy: REMEMBER. This pup has never had a good pic b/c he is always on the move.

me: what about when the pup is sleeping?

Judy: I knew that you, as a photographer, would appreciate this, since animals and babies are notoriously difficult to photograph. If you had seen previous photos, you would think this is a winner.

me: yeah I did take 200+ photos this past weekend and probably got 70 that I liked.

Judy: Now that I know he was pooping, the picture isn't so cute.
In fact, I think it is ruined for me

me: I know! It’s awful! Ask her for the un-cropped version.

Judy: Are you serious?
She is a really bad photographer. She was bragging about her new camera, etc, but we never got a photo for about 6 months, and they ALL were blurry when she finally sent them

me: no

Judy: Oh, you don't want the un-cropped version?
I think that would be a real winner for the blog

me: are you serious? I can't believe she was bragging about it

Judy: totally bragging

me: well I don't even know if I need the original photo. Just knowing that she is grunting one out, makes you know that it’s a legit look.

Judy: I can't get it out of my mind!

me: I had to get that off my screen!

Judy: So it might be the camera that is holding her back. She could be getting action shots, but, instead, she has to wait for someone to crap. It is a long wait.

me: ummmmm that might be part of it, but I’m sure if a photographer has to rely on his/her subjects dropping a deuce...it may be more than the camera, ya know?

Judy: LOL
I wish she hadn't told me

me: I know!
Did you ask her how she got the shot?

Judy: No, I just complimented her b/c it wasn't blurry
The first unblurry photo ever from her

me: oh geesh!
I can't believe she shared that info

Judy: Yeah. She just spilled her guts…it was more info than I needed

So here is the photo below… what do you think?

This could be a whole new revolution in photography…for pets and humans! You know I bet there is a website already out there that is dedicated to this subject. First one that finds it gets a steaming hot smelly bag delivered to their front door!

Did you feel that?

The other day we had a pretty good sized earthquake here on the central coast. It was located near Templeton and was a 3.9 on the rector (sp?) scale. I felt it here in San Luis and was not too pleased.

As some of you know I am quite terrified of earthquakes. It seems like the building I work in is always shaking…weather it be a big truck driving by, someone on the roof, or a really heavy footed person, I always think it is time to duck, cover and hold!

So on Tuesday when the shaking started I froze and observed. What I noticed was that my computer monitor was definitely shaking, and that had never happened before. The shaking went on for a few seconds, and I was just about ready to get in a doorway when it stopped. Then the scared/anxious feeling set in.

My boss was on the phone when it happened, and my other co-works were away from their desks, so I wasn't able to shout out 'IS THIS AN EARTHQUAKE?' After my boss got off the phone she came out and checked to see if I was ok. When I start any job I make sure to tell my new boss that I have a fear of earthquakes and that I get migraine headaches. It's my disclaimer. Anyway I was impressed she remembered since that was over two years ago. I think she noticed I was a bit shaken up and did what she could to calm my nerves.

Later that night I had told my mom about it, and then even later she sent me an email saying that there was a 5.4 earthquake near Willow Creek. She was totally trying to one up me! I really didn’t think a 5.4 sounded that big…(who knows why, I must have been high or something, because now that I think about it, the big quakes in Humboldt during the 90’s were over 6.0…5.4 is pretty dang close!).

So I decided to check out my favorite earthquake site, and found the following image:

Man did I feel like a dumbo! That square is GIGANTIC compared to the little puny square from the quake we had! You can barely even see that square anymore! No wonder my mom was making a big deal about it. Sorry mom! I now take back my unenthused attitude. You were right…again.