teeny tiny dog on a teeter totter

Today's entry on Crazy Sexy Cancer on balance reminded me of watching little dogs doing dog agility on the teeter totter. The big dogs have it pretty easy, they just have to make sure to touch all the contact points. The little dogs have to know how to wait for the high end of the teeter totter to come down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_agility

Teeter-totter (or seesaw) A 10 to 12 foot (3 to 4 m) plank pivoting on a support, much like a child's seesaw. It is constructed slightly off-balance so that the same end always returns to the ground. This is done either by placing the support slightly off-center or else weighting one end of the board. This obstacle also has contact zones. However, unlike the other contact obstacles, the teeter-totter does not have slats. The balance point and the weight of the plank must be such that even a tiny dog, such as a Chihuahua, can cause the high end of the teeter-totter to descend to the ground within a reasonable amount of time, specified by the sanctioning organization's rules (usually about 2 seconds). Smaller dogs get more time to run a course, and this is one reason why it can take them longer than it takes larger dogs.

Right now, as I'm waiting to hear from various job applications, I feel like a teeny tiny dog on a teeter totter, waiting for that high end to lower down to the ground.

Follow up with Dr. B

I had my 3 month follow up with Dr. Butler this morning. Their computers were down and there was an agonizing wait. But the news is all good. I am healing nicely -- looks like I might not even have a hideous knife-fight scar! Just one smaller boob than the other. I believe I can get that remedied when I choose to. He scheduled me for a regular mammogram in August, and a six month follow up for September. Now all of this is contingent on my finding a job that has Kaiser as a provider. Keeping fingers crossed. I see Dr Porrazo on Wednesday. And I have a job interview that afternoon! And I am having a hoot on Kris Carr's forum.

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.

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.

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