Thursday, February 21, 2008

Valentine's Day 2008

For my valentine, I got my first prescription for Tamoxifene. Through Kaiser I will pay $10 a month for it. I have been taking it for a week now and so far have no noticeable side effects.

Certificate of Merit & Appreciation


The text reads" Be it declared that (Dianne) has completed the prescribed course of radiation therapy with the highest degree of courage, determination, and good nature. We appreciate the confidence placed in us and the opportunity to serve you.

Last radiology treatment February 11, 2008

I had my last treatment on Monday February 11th. The last five treatments were to the "scar" area only. Here is what it looked like:


The cloud-like outline in light blue is where the scar is. I now have two tones of radiation - a kind of pinky brown area over the whole breast and a bright pink area where the tumor and margins were removed.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

From Crazy Sexy Cancer

This was addressed to me on Kris Carr's website. Any number of folks have expressed these same sentiments:


I am a firm believer in affirmations and I know the universe is bringing you something better than you ever dreamed. So don't dread leaving the house -- bound out into your new world and conquer it. I for one cannot wait to see what comes back to you.. the good and many blessings that are waiting. Just value yourself. let the past go and get to dancing. It is a new song and life is good. I will be praying the best job ever comes your way. I am like Kris though miracles are 10 percent faith and 90 percent hard work. So shake it baby. And be joyful. The old is gone and the best is yet to come.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Volunteering at WARL

It’s official – my position has been eliminated and I am now unemployed. Yesterday I sent in my application to become a volunteer at the Washington Animal Rescue League (as well as five resumes to IT type jobs).
Today the volunteer manager called to let me know there were some openings for today’s orientation.

This is the orientation video. If you are interested in the next generation of shelters, this is it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZFuBQ99MLE

They also work with other shelters in a 13 state area, taking in animals that may need more TLC or medical care than they can get where they are.
They took in over 100 dogs from the puppy mill seizure last year, and they have all found homes. They currently have puppies of the dogs from the puppy mill. I noticed a lot of them all ready have adoptions pending. In the cat area, I didn’t see anything that looked like a Bengal, but I did see a gorgeous silvery tabby cat. I noted that a lot of the cat condos were empty and I asked and they are empty because they are empty!

While you are on Youtube, you will see a series of videos on WARL’s trips to help post Katrina. The Executive Director Scotlund Haisley has now been hired by HSUS to be their head of disaster
Recovery. As I suspected, administratively things are a mess there so I will probably be helping in the office of the volunteer manager and others.

But isn’t this better than going in every morning and being zapped to kill my breast cancer? I have six treatments left!

Love to all, Dianne