tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62418499011071016642024-03-04T23:07:58.515-08:003rd Time's a CharmAs many of you know, I was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor in 2009. My tumor was small and slow growing, and I did NOT have regular pancreatic cancer. You may also know that this was my third cancer diagnosis, therefore, the title of my blog. I am grateful that you are reading this. I'm quite certain that your support and prayers helped me survive.Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-90007238402021950372019-10-25T17:56:00.003-07:002019-10-26T12:47:20.840-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Celebration of Life for Edna Helmrich</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Jan. 22, 1927- Aug. 29, 2019</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">(October 20, 2019 - Wiltwyk Golf Club, Kingston, NY)</span></i></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Good morning and welcome to each and every one of you who made the trip and took the time to come to celebrate my mom, Edna Helmrich. I am so glad you are here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">She was born on January 22, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY and she left us on August 29, 2019. She lived for 92 ½ years…about 5 years longer than she probably would have liked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Edna, or mom, or Grandma or Nana or whatever you called her lived a wonderful life. Most of it spent with the love of her life, Billsy (William Helmrich), to whom she was married for 65 years. They adored one another….and while I often thought they were total opposites, I never once saw them fight and they totally understood one another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">My mom was truly my hero and my role model. She taught be how to be a mom, a wife, a friend and even a cancer survivor. She had breast cancer far too young, before it was OK to even say the word, and at a time when you really didn’t talk about it or tell anyone. I watched her handle her illness with such grace and strength that when I was diagnosed 10 years later, I knew exactly how I was supposed to handle it…the same way she did. With courage and dignity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">My mom was funny and smart. Smart about life and about people. She “got “ people. She understood everyone and for the most part, everyone loved Edna…she volunteered everywhere Weight Watchers, Boy Scouts, Brownies, PTA, synagogue, Sisterhood, Hadassah, B’nai Brith (which were all the same organization as far as I was concerned)….and she loved her work as a geriatric social worker. And she was the best bargain shopper around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">If you knew Edna, then you were familiar with her wisdom. In case you might have missed some of her “Ednaisms”, here are a few:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On health:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">“M” is for Milk you need to drink plenty, not tea or coffee before you are twenty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">You will catch a cold if you go out with a wet head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On life:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">A journey of a thousand miles starts with but a single step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">That’s why they make vanilla and chocolate… and throw in strawberry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Age is a number, hers was unlisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">It never hurts to ask! The worst that can happen is they will say no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On fashion:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Plain is shane. When in doubt, wear black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On Sex</span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">: from here up is all his, from here down is all yours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On Marriage:</span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">You should definitely try on the shoes before you buy them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On relationships:</span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Every pot has a cover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Always be nice to everyone. Every person is someone’s child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">On Ego:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">If you think you’re so great, can you make a hole in this glass of water?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">If you were embarrassed about something you did, Edna would tell you no one would remember it the next morning (and she was usually right!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">I miss my mom….a lot. When she was well….we talked on the phone every day, sometimes it was for just a minute, sometimes for an hour. When she told me a secret she would ask me to “kiss my pinky”. When she bought me a present, she told me she got me an “S” for surprise. Even during these past 5 years as her dementia worsened, she has been there for me in my mind and in my heart. I remember her strength, her zest for life, her sense of humor and her warmth. I recently read a Modern Love piece in the NYTimes about death and in it it said, "<i>Death ends a life, not a relationship.</i>" She is still my mother, I am still her daughter. <b>That will never change</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSrel4CxjW-s3S_TX6eLT8VAiccwI8U_q5Kmi0T7iMG_laiHS1pksa5W28_0DZTr64nOHgO3xv6ti0ocs1iw0HmJ3aFN3ZjSFjxDX-trNdFqphJWzDeyCp-wQNRmukiKE8WS8b2ajMDs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_101dd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSrel4CxjW-s3S_TX6eLT8VAiccwI8U_q5Kmi0T7iMG_laiHS1pksa5W28_0DZTr64nOHgO3xv6ti0ocs1iw0HmJ3aFN3ZjSFjxDX-trNdFqphJWzDeyCp-wQNRmukiKE8WS8b2ajMDs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_101dd.jpeg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP2q7C1vS1HC4LYNMnGZu0v48KgUV6vQt1I1cFuhVavzl6A5YwjFACsUeKOdEZkyfbfrYi8i6S_mJmBRcScKa9MB4jgasRrYGOw1f7mt7Gi26k3SIPahOqP2u8LvmFOd4Lv8B-OSD-zM/s1600/fullsizeoutput_100c6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP2q7C1vS1HC4LYNMnGZu0v48KgUV6vQt1I1cFuhVavzl6A5YwjFACsUeKOdEZkyfbfrYi8i6S_mJmBRcScKa9MB4jgasRrYGOw1f7mt7Gi26k3SIPahOqP2u8LvmFOd4Lv8B-OSD-zM/s1600/fullsizeoutput_100c6.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJne_bJtAg_o0cE8RDH83_4Q_eSIkd0b7aOMPDwK_AHn9hzQoQe7kcdkYfNzZnLlTHzMUJaoqx79rghxk4o6cgJbmutkFxMoG6PLqZzSUbKrHHXafV6tSn9542hPZvjLCjRvs1U8eda3M/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1014a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJne_bJtAg_o0cE8RDH83_4Q_eSIkd0b7aOMPDwK_AHn9hzQoQe7kcdkYfNzZnLlTHzMUJaoqx79rghxk4o6cgJbmutkFxMoG6PLqZzSUbKrHHXafV6tSn9542hPZvjLCjRvs1U8eda3M/s320/fullsizeoutput_1014a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7udiZX2QD27KGMxtgJ9PZB8xSfeknrKnjq-tMwVl9_nlsrGNCFnae2UhLKd08ZWkHzhasmiMt4tg3qAtvPl9fdsD_1HKzo52sewR1nr5dGuqq5A5fh6IyvG8exTvB2aljIMjjwPhzjs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_10103.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="449" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7udiZX2QD27KGMxtgJ9PZB8xSfeknrKnjq-tMwVl9_nlsrGNCFnae2UhLKd08ZWkHzhasmiMt4tg3qAtvPl9fdsD_1HKzo52sewR1nr5dGuqq5A5fh6IyvG8exTvB2aljIMjjwPhzjs/s320/fullsizeoutput_10103.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_6ixSjFwyV4OEbpNNf22Rdl2g9oXi_03AznsZErtfnvfPafHH9MOMW-qpuXxr9vMA8TiZDzravILi0yLmxcLEolty0eWuJaKt7ov05A5N7Q-SEpEbL5x7lzrN3JLFM11Ueimgj5GlWo/s1600/mom2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="589" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_6ixSjFwyV4OEbpNNf22Rdl2g9oXi_03AznsZErtfnvfPafHH9MOMW-qpuXxr9vMA8TiZDzravILi0yLmxcLEolty0eWuJaKt7ov05A5N7Q-SEpEbL5x7lzrN3JLFM11Ueimgj5GlWo/s320/mom2.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU-5F4xI8YLnw4gU4oPcwVDCXcoZbc6OxJ2FdRL7NEkk7gDjBNoMy83fUyGSgWj7r288rlEHEbswVF7TuNkqU8WcyWuyA7BFQv3ne88_2EvmDufMtWneophs9DAMXtq2LWL0bH3akog8/s1600/oYLfI%252BS4TDaOsWmsr1aRfg_thumb_c37e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU-5F4xI8YLnw4gU4oPcwVDCXcoZbc6OxJ2FdRL7NEkk7gDjBNoMy83fUyGSgWj7r288rlEHEbswVF7TuNkqU8WcyWuyA7BFQv3ne88_2EvmDufMtWneophs9DAMXtq2LWL0bH3akog8/s320/oYLfI%252BS4TDaOsWmsr1aRfg_thumb_c37e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SSOCSrNbjKsxMdWor1SShMlEEjwjRdxzv_QqIsnuXhzf1-ubxqUqaCk-wnJ0zjyaScjAUXSxWGEpl-2xNYsDe0MznTWaVzls-haINAJQI2HspMLTZrWsszVFkfLRJrGEJLlLZDPO_7M/s1600/Mom%2526MeOld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SSOCSrNbjKsxMdWor1SShMlEEjwjRdxzv_QqIsnuXhzf1-ubxqUqaCk-wnJ0zjyaScjAUXSxWGEpl-2xNYsDe0MznTWaVzls-haINAJQI2HspMLTZrWsszVFkfLRJrGEJLlLZDPO_7M/s320/Mom%2526MeOld.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtynMTT0pxwFZWSdrmokZr1nf8KMPr4wp0l3frCeqW4jNhX6_gdUspHoXgcwVPPvAOnIGqR_y67P2-1Qh7lSFmHGKAm8pPNsrxQgoOZtDvk9nADXI0N42Tm05Yd5fYif4uyvpGbcFLYLA/s1600/EH_0001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtynMTT0pxwFZWSdrmokZr1nf8KMPr4wp0l3frCeqW4jNhX6_gdUspHoXgcwVPPvAOnIGqR_y67P2-1Qh7lSFmHGKAm8pPNsrxQgoOZtDvk9nADXI0N42Tm05Yd5fYif4uyvpGbcFLYLA/s320/EH_0001a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EZDHKLkJtiWP5fgT2F5KxfQWFwu8UkTxPwWHrES-O9RfZ4exKdZ1mSeAwvyxoMWKfDtchxOQG_w6Hz6cGzYWvq1z9TpsuUniBJPg4PgOakZ-5_zCZ-HdB2vnpzXemLbs_vRr4H2QrLw/s1600/momadorable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EZDHKLkJtiWP5fgT2F5KxfQWFwu8UkTxPwWHrES-O9RfZ4exKdZ1mSeAwvyxoMWKfDtchxOQG_w6Hz6cGzYWvq1z9TpsuUniBJPg4PgOakZ-5_zCZ-HdB2vnpzXemLbs_vRr4H2QrLw/s320/momadorable.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA_ZpCcj-GHff3eolj8d80ZFwNxvgffRjco0E2srbWgvqAUY6gVdxGD0LRII0bfp9ikB_VFCPJdQ_wXCrHw6cqZmTyJKgG5Tc3IHUgonlUhpGQT03-w0ge_trxzBwpDKs36_20T5_NcM/s1600/photoofmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhGNFAYdMRY06o3r-j9xIeN-7VGY63vi4iDiQCifHraUjMD1F3MfpVIJC6hFqiCPKPgB6hOs2d9v_DDJnctvZgxyyI4LnyFoHVOEmJBcfqXAnWjs5seEINMhQGMcELh2jQnR0DeIU6Pc/s1600/photoofmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhGNFAYdMRY06o3r-j9xIeN-7VGY63vi4iDiQCifHraUjMD1F3MfpVIJC6hFqiCPKPgB6hOs2d9v_DDJnctvZgxyyI4LnyFoHVOEmJBcfqXAnWjs5seEINMhQGMcELh2jQnR0DeIU6Pc/s320/photoofmom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-12158141868226498762019-04-07T18:36:00.000-07:002019-04-07T18:49:13.224-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Preparing for Surgery #9...or is it #8? And...this is NOT cancer!</span></b><br />
It's hard to imagine that someone might not be able to remember how many surgeries they have had....but it's true. I'm preparing for #9, although it might be only #8. If you know anything about me, or my health history....I have had cancer 3 times. I was 21 when I had it the first time, 42 the second and 53 the third. In between there were bowel obstructions and many, many complications from all three cancer surgeries. So now, after suffering from excruciating sciatic pain for the past 10 years, I am giving in to the recommendation to have a nerve decompression surgery. This one should be minor, compared to the many MAJOR surgeries I have endured, but I'm terrified, nonetheless. I've put it off for so long, and if I don't have it, I might be facing some nerve damage down the road. I have tried EVERYTHING...and I mean everything in the past 10 years to alleviate the pain. During the past 8 months I have not had one pain-free day! Scary, huh? In fact, I wrote about my sciatica (in a piece called "MY SCIATICA) about 9 years ago, and quite surprisingly, everything I wrote then is basically still true today. I've shown this to many people, and most people have told me to publish it somewhere....so I'm self-publishing it here:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866666793823242px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">My Sciatica<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866666793823242px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I have survived 3 bouts of cancer, 8 surgeries, so many hospitalizations that I have lost track, but now, I truly believe that sciatica might actually kill me. I have been dealing with minor hip pain for several years, but it got significantly worse last year when I spent 23 days on my back at Stanford Hospital recovering from a huge Whipple surgery (feel free to Google it!) to treat neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis of this tumor took about 8 months and during that time I underwent octreatide scans, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, biopsies – you name it, I had it. During that time, I also got more medical advice than I ever thought I’d receive about what to do, where to go, who to see, etc. But, I have to say, that was absolutely NOTHING compared to what I have experienced dealing with an excruciating pain (did I say excruciating?) from my left buttocks shooting down to into my foot. I describe it as an electric volt shooting down my leg, or at times it feels like someone is taking a knife and slicing through the nerve running down my leg. This pain started out as a bit of an annoyance, but in the past 5 months it is gotten exponentially worse. The pain is so severe at times that I cannot walk, sit, stand or lie down, and I’m not kidding. OK, so what advice have I received? I need to write this in a list form so you can get the full effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Rest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t rest – move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Get a better chair for your desk (cost ~$700)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Move your computer screen higher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Have your legs at a 120 degree angle from your hips when you sit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Stretch (Just do these simple stretching exercises daily and the pain will go away)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t stretch – the nerve doesn’t want to be over-stretched<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Weight train (your muscles are too weak)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t weight train (your muscles are over-worked)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Your muscles are too tight <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Your muscles are too loose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">One leg is shorter than the other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">You have poor posture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Your abs are too weak<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Swim<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">If you do swim don’t wear fins, kick, do flip turns, or do breaststroke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t swim<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Use heat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Use ice (cryotherapy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">Combination of ice and heat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Tylenol and Ibuprofen </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Cook with turmeric, take turmeric but only curcumin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Use other dietary supplements including fish oils and SAM-E</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Use Arnica<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Take painkillers – but don’t get addicted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Take Gabapenten/Neurontin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Take Cymbalta/Duloxetine or other antidepressants</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don't take anything - nothing gets nerve pain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Do yoga, but only do Iyungar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Do yoga, but only therapeutic <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t do yoga – it can make things worse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">See an Ayurvedic doctor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Find out if you are Earth, Fire, Water, Air or Ether and treat accordingly</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Find out if your doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) are out of balance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Do Pilates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t dance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Dance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Acupuncture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Physical therapy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Massage therapy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">N.M.R. – neuromuscular reprogramming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A.R.T. – active release therapy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Osteopathy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Heller Body Work – but only 11 treatments at $200 each will work<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Cranio-sacral massage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Chiropractic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Cortisone injected into L4-L5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Cortisone injected into S1-S2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Cortisone injected into the hip, buttock, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Cortisone injected anywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Lidocaine injections into the piriformis <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Intravaginal pelvic floor manipulation (Not kidding! Cost $800 per visit including injections above)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Get a morphine pump inserted or an implanted drug infusion (Not kidding!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Get back surgery (see a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon - I saw both!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Stop drinking coffee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Drink coffee</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Stop drinking wine or any alcohol</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Drink wine or any alcohol</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Try medical marijuana (any form, CBD, THC, smoke it, eat it, use the cream)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Buy a new bed (We did. Cost $5,000)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Sleep on your side</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Don't sleep on your side </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Sleep on your back</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Never sleep on your stomach</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Buy an inversion device to hang from (Got one. Cost $350)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Have a spinal fusion/discectomy or micro discectomy/foraminectomy for my herniated discs <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Get a nerve block or a radiofrequency ablation of the nerve</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Do TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Do PENS (Peracutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Have a spinal cord stimulation implant</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Have bioelectric therapy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Meditate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Do biofeedback</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Have Reiki work</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Read Dr. John Sarno’s books: The Mindbody Prescription and Healing Back-Pain; the Mind-Body Connection (The premise: talk to your brain – tell it you won’t take it anymore!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Don’t do too many things at once<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">So, despite the advice about not doing too many things at once, I’ve tried just about everything on this list. (I’m not kidding!) And I believe I’ve spent approximately $100,000, some of it covered by insurance, most not. I’m sorry to report that NOTHING has worked. Yes, I’ve gotten some relief from some of the treatments, but it is generally temporary, or fleeting might be a better way to describe it. I’ve said several times to my amazingly patient, and need I say worried husband, Richard, that my diagnoses of cancer were much easier to deal with than this crazy diagnosis of sciatica. Well….maybe it’s sciatica. It could also be, but not necessarily …..(another list):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A very, very tight IT band<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">An impinged sciatic nerve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">An impinged obturator nerve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">An impinged sural nerve</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Piriformis syndrome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A very tight QL (Quadradus Lumborum)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A bulging, compressed, or herniated disc at L4, L5, S1 or S2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Lumbar spinal stenosis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Spondylolisthesis (when a bone in the lower part of the spine slips forward and onto a bone below it)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="color: black;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in;">Pudendal nerve entrapment</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Arthritis/bursitis</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Impingement/compression syndrome<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Trauma to my spine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A build-up of too much scar tissue from all of my previous surgeries</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A congenital condition (see next item)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Scoliosis (which I definitely do have)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Bone spurs in the lumbar spine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">A tumor pressing on the nerve (could you imagine?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">So, where do things stand? Early on in this process I saw an osteopath who tried very hard to tell me that I was mostly likely harboring some terrible thing in my life that I wasn’t dealing with. The energy she felt was just so blocked up – it had to be something. “What are you afraid of? not dealing with? not being honest with yourself about?….come on, there is <i>something </i>blocking your inner energy fields.” Honestly. If my internal coping mechanism of denial was causing this excruciating (did I mention that this pain is really, really severe?) pain, then maybe all I needed to do was to go see a shrink? The problem there is that I happen to live with one, and a really, really smart one, and I think he would be quick to acknowledge that I am not harboring any “inner demons” as the osteopath suggested, and I am certainly not crazy! Except for my cancers, I’ve had a pretty good life. Honestly. If bad things in one’s life cause a terrible pain down one’s left leg (whatever the diagnosis might be), then I would say most everyone in the world would have this….and they don’t. So much for me harboring something bad which might be causing this. So much for blaming the victim. (May I mention that before this osteopath started working on me, she sensed that there was a man in the room, a ghost or a demon, actually, and wanted to know if I had lost someone close to me who might be paying a visit? I had not.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">So, what’s next? I will continue on my quest to get rid of this pain. I swim every day, and that is the only time I am actually pain-free. There is something about being horizontal and being in the water. I refuse to let this get to me, but there is a limit to how much pain one person can take. Currently, I’m just seeing a physical therapist, and I have an amazing personal trainer – neither one blames me for the pain. I like that a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Postscript: I recently showed this piece to a friend who also suffers with sciatica. She had a few things to add to my list: (Some of these were also told to me, but I forgot to mention them!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Light therapy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Sleeping with a pillow between my legs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Sleep with legs elevated</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Gluten free diet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Weight loss<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Orthotics<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Strengthen core<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Strengthen hamstrings</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><b>UPDATE:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">So, after 10 very long years of dealing with this, I am going to having surgery. I do not have a choice, and I found a truly extraordinary neurosurgeon to do it, right here in Berkeley. Now, I can't wait!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">Just as there seem to be anti-vaxers out there in the world, there appear to be many anti-surgery folks around, and they are completely comfortable telling me that I should absolutely NOT have surgery, or if I do choose to have it, where I should have it and what surgeon should do it. Honestly, I don't know why I'm so amazed at people's reactions to our personal health-care decisions. Astonishing, really!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">I'm so excited now to have this operation. I am praying that all goes well and that there will be no complications or hiccups. The down-time should be minimal, and I will count the days until I will be able to swim. But, I've been here before, and I've recovered each time from surgeries way more complicated than this one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">Now all I need is some powerful thoughts and maybe some prayers. I'll get through this and come our the other side, hopefully pain-free. This is NOT cancer. I can't wait to have my life back!</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">Photos are from a beautiful pre-surgery healing ceremony performed by my wonderful friend, Rabbi Tsipi Gabai. I was surrounded by good friends and lots of love...and great food.</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinv5GfMD6D88JFXPgnX-eAqTd2faPTqsf8YzvUeZGjNCrZjiybP8L4NyziqigGWYC4D0pAB1g_TY6F9pky4x_IxNUcdBaA85Gbt2NZmIiQ1tyUY3IIVqEiIWblTGZflauGgjiF6_ms-Ts/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f3c3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixChSUUd9TNou2iT18IRQub6RHO9UtFUsB67VAxN9Ro15dsz75NlfsWMXl14bwI0U-ah6UZbup7E5tdIvUF4Q1VqVKqhDZm4c1Xa6tVQzxBPVUKFYcBHOTpxac-damqNGehKoWl_-tpCw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f3ce.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixChSUUd9TNou2iT18IRQub6RHO9UtFUsB67VAxN9Ro15dsz75NlfsWMXl14bwI0U-ah6UZbup7E5tdIvUF4Q1VqVKqhDZm4c1Xa6tVQzxBPVUKFYcBHOTpxac-damqNGehKoWl_-tpCw/s320/fullsizeoutput_f3ce.jpeg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1443" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinv5GfMD6D88JFXPgnX-eAqTd2faPTqsf8YzvUeZGjNCrZjiybP8L4NyziqigGWYC4D0pAB1g_TY6F9pky4x_IxNUcdBaA85Gbt2NZmIiQ1tyUY3IIVqEiIWblTGZflauGgjiF6_ms-Ts/s320/fullsizeoutput_f3c3.jpeg" width="288" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUopD0iH0FsYxUBhDvF6IdwuWFkzi4KxBragrMjJDZ8GmQc6y39GCd4PszE-qoYAPBixICbu_ubZSP0zeQ8h7z9HMPwKb9PhRRd0l7bf36BpBrikKcJDxqHLQQiBuqly18Rz3WDNQ_Wdk/s1600/YV7WN7tgTBiFq1zLaGfbSw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUopD0iH0FsYxUBhDvF6IdwuWFkzi4KxBragrMjJDZ8GmQc6y39GCd4PszE-qoYAPBixICbu_ubZSP0zeQ8h7z9HMPwKb9PhRRd0l7bf36BpBrikKcJDxqHLQQiBuqly18Rz3WDNQ_Wdk/s320/YV7WN7tgTBiFq1zLaGfbSw.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNbcdHaWHbwnLV51d6O1JGpG4VYjTVsOD-12UUwNy2pEOY6LURHIoMQThhd37yHZS1rPag4bu__8uF8dk5OtHt6MibHu7PMhg-bTyZy3s31WmsR6XrvRv4GwlUASXnFjuqpTc3wWrW0Q/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f3c7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1600" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNbcdHaWHbwnLV51d6O1JGpG4VYjTVsOD-12UUwNy2pEOY6LURHIoMQThhd37yHZS1rPag4bu__8uF8dk5OtHt6MibHu7PMhg-bTyZy3s31WmsR6XrvRv4GwlUASXnFjuqpTc3wWrW0Q/s320/fullsizeoutput_f3c7.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8p-Ep34IQQej2K7oA6gTG_ZniI6iGUF6fA63NGYETrXbvNxVa2syYDxLTOX0JQ61WODJPG5WiHR81iHKJFpF8CcYoc5FDtLEEM_cX5180PB5HtRu-BIol9kxan2hVjD1v61A7kAX0CE/s1600/fnWXRRRcQc6aR85qJqhF4A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8p-Ep34IQQej2K7oA6gTG_ZniI6iGUF6fA63NGYETrXbvNxVa2syYDxLTOX0JQ61WODJPG5WiHR81iHKJFpF8CcYoc5FDtLEEM_cX5180PB5HtRu-BIol9kxan2hVjD1v61A7kAX0CE/s320/fnWXRRRcQc6aR85qJqhF4A.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0qbvl8H3uBdpBg0L2LiHaOITgcZJBVYCkY5qgpEzDBx0c0aW3h9WEAlpyubfU4Wj4Fg9sQE-hnm04DEQAzB5nMM-k3ENMIJ5PsS7B6cbCM-IU778gr6TGWWLr53XOMb-GfjooDsfwWg/s1600/S%25257mgrXfQn%252BXiGWx3JaVkg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0qbvl8H3uBdpBg0L2LiHaOITgcZJBVYCkY5qgpEzDBx0c0aW3h9WEAlpyubfU4Wj4Fg9sQE-hnm04DEQAzB5nMM-k3ENMIJ5PsS7B6cbCM-IU778gr6TGWWLr53XOMb-GfjooDsfwWg/s320/S%25257mgrXfQn%252BXiGWx3JaVkg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw11tO9XhBXlYZ-zu2V-zks-61mEpapf86rgQe0zA65LsX9nG4YgclNIueP9Dw_4pxfcd9io1MlPvt8khSuyavMoe_w9xRWL10Q-ZD6XrVMGSaOCKBlS6X0yQXaUcxRCTu1w2kvWIMe-M/s1600/tXKprxHgRWyCcpel%252B8hr%2525Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw11tO9XhBXlYZ-zu2V-zks-61mEpapf86rgQe0zA65LsX9nG4YgclNIueP9Dw_4pxfcd9io1MlPvt8khSuyavMoe_w9xRWL10Q-ZD6XrVMGSaOCKBlS6X0yQXaUcxRCTu1w2kvWIMe-M/s320/tXKprxHgRWyCcpel%252B8hr%2525Q.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-65700241728589021632017-08-04T13:11:00.003-07:002017-08-04T13:11:56.161-07:00Reflections on Being a 40-Year Cancer Survivor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
might be a bit surprising to hear these words from someone who has had cancer 3
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First at age 21, then at 42 and
then again at 53.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First time it was
vaginal, then lung, then pancreatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, at age (almost) 62, I’m grateful and honestly feel lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky to be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have a loving and supportive husband and
two amazing children (both currently in medical school), and a brother who has
been there for me from the very beginning. I had the very best parents anyone
could have asked for, and I have the most extraordinary network of friends and
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not be more grateful,
and when I say, “every day is a gift”, I mean it with all my heart. When people
hear my story for the first time, they often say, “You need to write a book!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My response is that I really don’t have that
much to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I did write one, it
would be rather short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the
abbreviated version of what would be a very short book:</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cancer sucks!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is short…enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Focus on the things you have, not on what you don’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happiness is a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Choose to be happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forgive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is not fair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be grateful.<o:p></o:p><br />
Give back to your community, to your friends and to your family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exercise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eat healthy food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spend money on experiences, not things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get rid of things that are not useful, beautiful or joyful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cherish your friends and family, and tell people you love
them if you do. Tell them often.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It never hurts to ask. (My mother taught me that one!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take time to smell the roses. (My father always told me that
one!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I mention that cancer sucks?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK…here are a few more details.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was born in 1955 in Brooklyn, NY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother was given a completely useless and
ineffective drug called diethylstilbestrol, better known as DES. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was supposed to prevent miscarriage (a
completely natural and often a protective event for both mother and baby).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, this horrific drug, promoted heavily
by the pharmaceutical industry, wreaked havoc on the mothers who took the drug
and the children that were exposed to it in utero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our case, my mother had pre-menopausal
breast cancer at age 39, and I developed clear cell adenocarcinoma of the
vagina at age 21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine that?
And so it goes….I had a radical vaginectomy (yes, that is not a typo) and
hysterectomy at age 21, just after graduating from college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I somehow went on to graduate school at the Harvard
School of Public Health (Masters degree), met my amazing husband, moved to
California, got my Ph.D. in Epidemiology at the UC Berkeley School of Public
Health, published my dissertation in the New England Journal of Medicine, had
two children with the help of an amazing surrogate, got diagnosed with a
neuroendocrine lung tumor at the age of 42, went on to do a bunch of other
things (not in my original field of study), swam a lot, got involved with a
great organization called Swim Across America, became a Health and Wellness
Coach, got as healthy as I could get….then got diagnosed with a neuroendocrine
pancreatic tumor…yes, the very same one that killed Steve Jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was in 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a big surgery called a Whipple…google
it, you won’t believe it! I was 53 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, the past 8 years have been relatively uneventful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw both of my kids graduate college and
get into medical school, saw my dad (whom I adored) die, and I'm about to lose my
mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, except when I get
cancer, I’m pretty healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a
million (well not a million!) side effects from all the surgeries (8 in all,
and about 22 hospitalizations over the years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have to mention just a few: lymphedema, a neurogenic bladder, chronic
stomach pain, frequent bowel obstructions from all the scar tissue, have to be
very careful about what I eat, have to be scanned more often than I would like,
live with severe sciatica (which may or may not be related to my last surgery),
and, of course, I live with the constant fear that I will get cancer again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said that, I’m still thankful each and
every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes people ask me to
name all of the body parts that I’ve lost…..here goes: (in no particular
order!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vagina (reconstructed using my colon)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uterus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cervix<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ovaries<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fallopian tubes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Appendix<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upper superior lobe of left lung<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several pieces of my large bowel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ of my pancreas<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gallbladder <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Duodenum<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liver rewired</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…I think that’s it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, having lost all of these organs, most of which I believe
are either overrated or at the very least, not essential, I can, in all
honestly, say that I am grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grateful to still be on this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grateful that I have had the very best healthcare and excellent doctors
and nurses, benefitted from great research, and have had really good health insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(These are all things that I currently worry
about for our country!) I am grateful to my family and friends, especially to
my loving husband and kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure
where I’d be without them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you find my story at all inspiring, please watch these
two short videos to get a fuller picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If not, you just read the shortened, abbreviated, Cliff Note version of
my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you enjoyed it, and I
hope to be around so I can write about what it is like survive cancer 50 or even
60 years!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you were at all inspired by any of this…a donation to
Swim Across America in honor of my 40<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of surviving
cancer would be so greatly appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Help us Make Waves to Fight Cancer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives17">http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives17</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/226376037">https://vimeo.com/226376037</a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.growingbolder.com/beating-cancer-one-lap-at-a-time-0-737153/">https://www.growingbolder.com/beating-cancer-one-lap-at-a-time-0-737153/</a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Diagnosed with vaginal cancer just 2 months after my college
graduation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxeMKOpoXQHa9YBtqeMLL8qBOA34r_r7GdrIoer8StAUphv-_gzWZgEbvpPCW9sgZ6Rn2sUt9N04lNpXXNk8CGOA2JCoyFP8LIXgWYcb5n5VOgggrQZgQXwpAenwoNyNQS-oUh7Prdg8/s1600/Collegegrad.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxeMKOpoXQHa9YBtqeMLL8qBOA34r_r7GdrIoer8StAUphv-_gzWZgEbvpPCW9sgZ6Rn2sUt9N04lNpXXNk8CGOA2JCoyFP8LIXgWYcb5n5VOgggrQZgQXwpAenwoNyNQS-oUh7Prdg8/s320/Collegegrad.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was taken the day I got out of Sloan Kettering in
September 1977.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDm117xlqGPDU8n_eYhFg74-gm9I-3WqwjfuipuSWVvi-HHM3EkupoXn2mGET9PuCK4ACGYMP8KD2APXMZoBCBNpM2p8zf00zjh8v52_86q2zXRMNzEeQzNM9YRKwo0QuawvlI_LOWo0/s1600/40yrsago.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDm117xlqGPDU8n_eYhFg74-gm9I-3WqwjfuipuSWVvi-HHM3EkupoXn2mGET9PuCK4ACGYMP8KD2APXMZoBCBNpM2p8zf00zjh8v52_86q2zXRMNzEeQzNM9YRKwo0QuawvlI_LOWo0/s320/40yrsago.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taken about one-year post op. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wh7v93IR-dP6nMZWQKAsdm7AmianX4a9GdZBPCWvhEZQtdhqNT_VjsXUB5zJAOjExuqXw9kObIySx99g_WFQApo26eJqATH5dvnjrLyNX74pR6-fu0J3xQ92ChezncI7T3XHYZSop2Q/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wh7v93IR-dP6nMZWQKAsdm7AmianX4a9GdZBPCWvhEZQtdhqNT_VjsXUB5zJAOjExuqXw9kObIySx99g_WFQApo26eJqATH5dvnjrLyNX74pR6-fu0J3xQ92ChezncI7T3XHYZSop2Q/s320/IMG_3858.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My last (hopefully) cancer at Stanford Hospital, 2009.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sw5cBRYAjLHqE01rUvAu4U8ATrQ9GVsiWiLVK1AKg2Ss06PJjDPp5QRMgh0B72i7q1V03KjfsgIHdFGIor7DJbZ0QNNDpFMtZbV9kjTHcdEiMPVI3Op1SfZn1MeRtURKlCFrksHLK2M/s1600/hospital.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sw5cBRYAjLHqE01rUvAu4U8ATrQ9GVsiWiLVK1AKg2Ss06PJjDPp5QRMgh0B72i7q1V03KjfsgIHdFGIor7DJbZ0QNNDpFMtZbV9kjTHcdEiMPVI3Op1SfZn1MeRtURKlCFrksHLK2M/s320/hospital.jpeg" width="320" /></a></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just about 2 months ago!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taken in Grand Cayman Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feeling very lucky and very grateful!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzZLoKsKa0MHqnckEPSdxNCG55tz7hi4jBfvXWemNHfcb4n5t52cU91aqYib-w4V6blLOmoKkLm5dJumPgee2Frd8m1LzIWxFRMk2TmteC7F0TrxEWvZWYtEl_gpBEdke83PwY8DKzYs/s1600/P1000027.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzZLoKsKa0MHqnckEPSdxNCG55tz7hi4jBfvXWemNHfcb4n5t52cU91aqYib-w4V6blLOmoKkLm5dJumPgee2Frd8m1LzIWxFRMk2TmteC7F0TrxEWvZWYtEl_gpBEdke83PwY8DKzYs/s320/P1000027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-23188631935760790712017-01-22T12:56:00.001-08:002017-01-23T13:17:19.338-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM</span></b><br />
(This photo taken ~1980, the other one 2016)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlvVL8VtoMwTiXZMIMXh4F5AcwpmUchDl2O26fzbNUgkU5zNZyfhQhW81C0Z-2AV1VnkMp8iAk4WUWlv3uoPvCM1WNesPCo13TW8Db5dG9f-NOaZVesN7qhrnzhBZq83Xv2YF_tw9F7s/s1600/Mom%2526MeOld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlvVL8VtoMwTiXZMIMXh4F5AcwpmUchDl2O26fzbNUgkU5zNZyfhQhW81C0Z-2AV1VnkMp8iAk4WUWlv3uoPvCM1WNesPCo13TW8Db5dG9f-NOaZVesN7qhrnzhBZq83Xv2YF_tw9F7s/s320/Mom%2526MeOld.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbMOG2BmY3HYVvELMKypvvmycBV7txpwbI6cw8JijIt6yWdlUmsa0NQEQ4UcloBw3ws-lHEPfYle5ngjCEoTNvvFiRBi-qhcRHpzvR8pYyjysfZ2XiQFvg7w5si1gx-LtL7URMSgVyJM/s1600/EH_0001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbMOG2BmY3HYVvELMKypvvmycBV7txpwbI6cw8JijIt6yWdlUmsa0NQEQ4UcloBw3ws-lHEPfYle5ngjCEoTNvvFiRBi-qhcRHpzvR8pYyjysfZ2XiQFvg7w5si1gx-LtL7URMSgVyJM/s320/EH_0001a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Today is my mom’s 90<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much I want to tell her and
explain to her, but my mom has Alzheimer’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice I said she<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“has” this horrific disease, and I did not
say she “suffers” from it, because I do not believe she is suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her own quiet and very sweet way, she is
dealing with it and appears to be in a happy, or may I say, content place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure her condition might be harder
on me and those that love her than on her, but I also know that my mom would
have never wanted the final years of her life to be like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above all else, I want to thank and pay
tribute to my mom. She is unable to read this blog, nor is she even able to understand what I
want to tell her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She might not even
know who I am, but I want the world to know what a wonderful woman she was and
still is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
She taught me more than she
will ever know, particularly, how to be a survivor and a fighter. My mom is a
DES-mother, which made me her DES-daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We both had cancer at very young ages caused by the totally ineffective
drug given to my mom during her pregnancy with me….my mom had breast cancer 51
years ago at the young age of 39 in 1966. Treatment for cancer at that time was
nothing less than barbaric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom
underwent a radical mastectomy, which I am sure was quite painful…however, when
she came home from the hospital, she never once complained or ever acted sick
or played the “why me” or the "cancer" card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In fact, it was quite the opposite, and s</span>he was
back to being 100% mom in every sense of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
So,
where did I learn about survival? Who has always been my inspiration? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned from her that cancer did not
have to be a death sentence (although it could have been for both of us). What an experience for us back then in 1966 and 1977, when no one even said the word cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, just about 10 years after my mom’s
diagnosis, when I was diagnosed at age 21, I knew exactly what I had to do. I
wanted to live, and she was my role model and inspiration every step of the way.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To those of you who knew my mom, she was
the ultimate “Jewish mother”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
selfless to a fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cooked, cleaned,
car-pooled, volunteered everywhere, worked as a geriatric social worker, and
she did it all quite seamlessly. She was never a complainer, and seemed to love
everyone and everyone appeared to love Edna. <br />
And so today, on her 90<sup>th</sup>
birthday, I wish more than anything I could talk to “my old mom”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the one I laughed with, talked to every day,
shopped with and with whom I shared recipes and secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had so may little life lessons for
me….much of what I learned was unspoken, but I learned by watching her give to
her community, her friends and most importantly, her family, especially to my
dad, “her Billsy” with whom she was married to for 65 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could be half of the caregiver my mom
was. But, life doesn’t always turn out the way you think or expect it to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sad that I live so far from her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, she is in a good place, with wonderful
people taking care of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<b> Happy 90<sup>th</sup> Birthday, Mom</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You have lived a long and meaningful life. You were and still are the funniest person I know, and you are beautiful both inside and out. You have touched everyone you have ever met in the most wonderful and positive way. </span>I miss you and I love you more than you can imagine. Yesterday I marched for a better world for everyone....then I watched 20th Century Woman...a movie with a DES story line.....all I want to do is call you today to talk about the March and the movie. So sad that I can't, but I will call to wish you a very <b>HAPPY BIRTHDAY</b>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu6lyLhE4c8byjfufmyGHtqnXQoIXH2sS-6ggqZ-NPAGOR3A_0_J1BzTJJpBx-lfj2CzoTIHXTxVxQORYhcWYc797ocwupN-HjM0QflrnTf7Q7_V0BiLOG7lBJb3SMSYdw3CoHBEyEKc/s1600/photoofmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu6lyLhE4c8byjfufmyGHtqnXQoIXH2sS-6ggqZ-NPAGOR3A_0_J1BzTJJpBx-lfj2CzoTIHXTxVxQORYhcWYc797ocwupN-HjM0QflrnTf7Q7_V0BiLOG7lBJb3SMSYdw3CoHBEyEKc/s320/photoofmom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-74874389022485499992016-08-19T13:29:00.002-07:002016-08-19T13:29:31.736-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ9P6Tjk6kZDDuOkQdYrDGyXVQ6PwSx0P4_eXWQmKwj_xFursYNeLz4exZBzQRnrrRzrIcbIP0ZX9HHSMX2u6kzBcZXmOM_v4P90SJzj0HIpLRojH3ut2H0Si4DijIArXyVi3OJ-Xen0/s1600/hospital.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ9P6Tjk6kZDDuOkQdYrDGyXVQ6PwSx0P4_eXWQmKwj_xFursYNeLz4exZBzQRnrrRzrIcbIP0ZX9HHSMX2u6kzBcZXmOM_v4P90SJzj0HIpLRojH3ut2H0Si4DijIArXyVi3OJ-Xen0/s320/hospital.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVNF9jS0Rm0dP5uiTuBPq8MPpBg5Wubk7PqSYdSuWmaXcR6TVVCfY7Gy1J2lwMl7Tw8KZGQHpA_sY_ES91xLKFjoqNlQw7Wnz8DU2T8JiC6zKm7rd2RfeNXD1u-Phe-ypsL4SDRI3OiQ/s1600/IMG_3728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVNF9jS0Rm0dP5uiTuBPq8MPpBg5Wubk7PqSYdSuWmaXcR6TVVCfY7Gy1J2lwMl7Tw8KZGQHpA_sY_ES91xLKFjoqNlQw7Wnz8DU2T8JiC6zKm7rd2RfeNXD1u-Phe-ypsL4SDRI3OiQ/s320/IMG_3728.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><i><u>7 Years….Why I Swim…and work
for Swim Across America </u></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /> It has been a very long time since I posted on this blog, but since tomorrow is
an anniversary for me, I decided it was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So here goes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> Tomorrow, I will <b><i>“celebrate”</i></b>
seven years since my last surgery for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also 18 years since a tumor in my lung
was removed, and 39 years since I underwent a 10 ½ hour surgery for vaginal
cancer when I was just 21 years old. <b>That is why I swim.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>I swim because I can</b>,<b> and because so many
others cannot.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swim because I am one
of the lucky ones who has benefitted from extraordinary research and great
medical care which have both saved my life each time I had cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swim because I am so fortunate to have made
it through 3 different cancers, 8 major surgeries and way too many
hospitalizations to even count, and I have come out the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swim because just 7 years ago I spent 23
days at Stanford Hospital, unable to eat, and thought I would never swim or do
anything ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I swim
and why I work tirelessly for an organization I love, Swim Across America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the SF Bay Area Co-Event Director, my goal
is to help fund the scientists and physicians here in the Bay Area who are
working so hard find a cure and to hopefully, one day, cure all children
diagnosed with a pediatric cancer. I want to help bridge the gap between NIH
funding and what is really needed. I swim for so many people who have suffered
from and died of cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are far
too many to name, and I swim in their honor and in their memory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work for Swim Across America because it is
my small way of giving something back to the universe because for whatever
reason, <b>I am one of the lucky ones</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
my own small way, I hope to inspire, motivate and encourage others to keep
trying and to keep going even when it seems hopeless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my lifetime, I have personally seen how far
we have progressed in cancer treatment, and I am proud to contribute in any way
possible to the goal of successfully curing all children diagnosed with this
dreaded disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the least I can
do. Oh, one more thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>I swim because I
love to swim!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-76627995197852675602013-12-01T20:55:00.000-08:002013-12-01T21:20:25.311-08:00A Special Tribute to our "Little Daisy"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ICI-EGzFW2qd_MAN3G8Oume3aSDXBmQP3U1BCdhBN8QPHS1t_OrXFwZMYOWHx11A_46Gx8nwJ3-2qBAgqa6Z25RM94NXgCYAxvjVIPnBwNyrP3GhxfIHhQVHCAJvpyhOfGn3BqhgXiQ/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ICI-EGzFW2qd_MAN3G8Oume3aSDXBmQP3U1BCdhBN8QPHS1t_OrXFwZMYOWHx11A_46Gx8nwJ3-2qBAgqa6Z25RM94NXgCYAxvjVIPnBwNyrP3GhxfIHhQVHCAJvpyhOfGn3BqhgXiQ/s320/IMG_1120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGAe9BK5_daNGlAr-KViIGOwhAf2EOGrdsfMQZjxusK-_2WP9HR4O_4xv2b8UXIAVwoH1On42IOPmZ7Dpzs6bdIbvbCm7xto5_aOJIYEf9CTrHhwBs1GehHB1JoI-OEphT97OrXjPYb8/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGAe9BK5_daNGlAr-KViIGOwhAf2EOGrdsfMQZjxusK-_2WP9HR4O_4xv2b8UXIAVwoH1On42IOPmZ7Dpzs6bdIbvbCm7xto5_aOJIYEf9CTrHhwBs1GehHB1JoI-OEphT97OrXjPYb8/s320/IMG_1044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmBE8YSxS17jxD223SRnMp2NOVT0juaDgziYJNg1Uru8pKBl3VHBosfELn4D_T6VkB928ICr4wffGB2y1EhoEnoiuALuIS7mhImqxONb6NeQq7ZnS0i1KU0CueKJj1rYnNO4GfWtr7jU/s1600/Susan&Daisy_1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmBE8YSxS17jxD223SRnMp2NOVT0juaDgziYJNg1Uru8pKBl3VHBosfELn4D_T6VkB928ICr4wffGB2y1EhoEnoiuALuIS7mhImqxONb6NeQq7ZnS0i1KU0CueKJj1rYnNO4GfWtr7jU/s320/Susan&Daisy_1+copy.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6-waheHPD-Da2KlauV-51JI2AJkbaQBX4K1VKp961ZunPtvKNaNNDCZ4eIFmZGNt-72QRVeC7O26aqPet8plePTCSWCL7x0TbrjUq-cwV3B7lqyQjGf3ply3ywXcTVnufgbXdNmOYcY/s1600/IMG_1038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6-waheHPD-Da2KlauV-51JI2AJkbaQBX4K1VKp961ZunPtvKNaNNDCZ4eIFmZGNt-72QRVeC7O26aqPet8plePTCSWCL7x0TbrjUq-cwV3B7lqyQjGf3ply3ywXcTVnufgbXdNmOYcY/s320/IMG_1038.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5e-eGLz_njDrJHyivaNLnQtebq-c6caMQ0V0YeCSKriLod-tF77_P8MkqENEuIqWfZ1uxo_sPMsSQm_MlTVKg0fmhdwOKT8WZGUkiEkCAf2ybTiKxrtBkw1cr_WVw0JE_ko8duZa-cQ/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5e-eGLz_njDrJHyivaNLnQtebq-c6caMQ0V0YeCSKriLod-tF77_P8MkqENEuIqWfZ1uxo_sPMsSQm_MlTVKg0fmhdwOKT8WZGUkiEkCAf2ybTiKxrtBkw1cr_WVw0JE_ko8duZa-cQ/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTg8Dz-4SMdaD-STJgvV2B2L5-pQ_06jDrchsRXddQ0kpmr4awHMURozgpsFbGLCavEYKSBhyNh8mGF27GBUqtIo-PQdeh57H5mJDB3sFfC9w9Tc30iwpLp4IS0tB1K9OQw3CCBjO1jk/s1600/IMG_2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTg8Dz-4SMdaD-STJgvV2B2L5-pQ_06jDrchsRXddQ0kpmr4awHMURozgpsFbGLCavEYKSBhyNh8mGF27GBUqtIo-PQdeh57H5mJDB3sFfC9w9Tc30iwpLp4IS0tB1K9OQw3CCBjO1jk/s320/IMG_2708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATpzZWzbhgnqtXTKgLGJcxCJjtJor7FIDITQYj3uiUkMhwTXxikbHTK-KIUSZMdc3VJGQURy31MTRe2XmBsgf1_fDXTXNi3IcydvhW-geQ0vw2TnK5lb0w0nSJtbtPcpQzkif_UfWu7g/s1600/IMG_2662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATpzZWzbhgnqtXTKgLGJcxCJjtJor7FIDITQYj3uiUkMhwTXxikbHTK-KIUSZMdc3VJGQURy31MTRe2XmBsgf1_fDXTXNi3IcydvhW-geQ0vw2TnK5lb0w0nSJtbtPcpQzkif_UfWu7g/s320/IMG_2662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s7qdDaI1WRhvv0XbLw-r-GiLGalvvM2NJNPhGtU_DamAd4PXv7XuX3p8J29gP7IG3AZzAJTbrwlTgVYRXnmttyNRGLeQ7OU8ywnoZBzfSPMOxBXp-vJ2b-5IKRbo9y5We7ic7Xf-zuc/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s7qdDaI1WRhvv0XbLw-r-GiLGalvvM2NJNPhGtU_DamAd4PXv7XuX3p8J29gP7IG3AZzAJTbrwlTgVYRXnmttyNRGLeQ7OU8ywnoZBzfSPMOxBXp-vJ2b-5IKRbo9y5We7ic7Xf-zuc/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f1VnYfB6_c4GXl-1XPkjzy5pXmnIWdtOMi-iz7X0hFjsWKwsCxemJdlH7vZS8U2xjbdUaWn3WCPcXCxSFaNVN1Z8L5V_bAWNLm2tCeoSa351ToHe5X72e9-OEvcyjwaDjX28PdY-S1s/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f1VnYfB6_c4GXl-1XPkjzy5pXmnIWdtOMi-iz7X0hFjsWKwsCxemJdlH7vZS8U2xjbdUaWn3WCPcXCxSFaNVN1Z8L5V_bAWNLm2tCeoSa351ToHe5X72e9-OEvcyjwaDjX28PdY-S1s/s320/IMG_1849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much has been
written about what you can learn from your dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today, we put our little Daisy, a.k.a. Shmooshie, down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the saddest thing I have ever done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Daisy was diagnosed with cancer just about one year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vets, at the time, told us she had maybe
3-6 months, maybe a little longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
got almost a full year more with her, which, of course, wasn’t enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so sweet and loving, and she fought
like hell to stay with us right up until the very end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But today was the day; it was the right time
for her, but not for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved her
so, so much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, for one, learned so much
from our “Little Daisy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was almost
12, and we had her for almost 11 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was a rescue Tibetan Terrier/Poodle mix, and she most definitely helped
me raise David and Aly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daisy knew how
to live and how to teach, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and definitely
knew how to get her way all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
would look at us with her big black eyes and we would melt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was totally spoiled and we loved to spoil
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will miss her dearly, and never
forget all the joy she brought to our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This “poem” has been around for a long time, but every word
in it is so true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The author is unknown,
but anyone with a dog could have written it:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everything I Need to
Know I Learned from my Dog<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face
to be pure ecstasy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it’s in your interest, practice obedience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by
and nuzzle them gently.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take naps and stretch before rising.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you’re excited, speak up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you stare at someone long enough, eventually, you will get
what you want.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t go without ID.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Run, romp and play daily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
No matter how
often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout…run right back
and make friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you’ve had enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be loyal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never pretend to be something you’re not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it’s not wet and sloppy, it’s not a real kiss.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-62042881823502981882013-08-21T12:33:00.001-07:002013-08-21T16:08:46.543-07:00What a difference 4 years can make!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY9yi9DdlgQAzfK62MojVj3ijT9M1CPtdsQDSW0_Gniiq2BwldPX_1bkUjAx_PfXL9Sy_rx-WIRgpp3jIsNXnFi1zW-0oNmul5NbkvJKWxodYXzcCi0xKkKwV9EAQsvtitxsCRWM8h0g/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY9yi9DdlgQAzfK62MojVj3ijT9M1CPtdsQDSW0_Gniiq2BwldPX_1bkUjAx_PfXL9Sy_rx-WIRgpp3jIsNXnFi1zW-0oNmul5NbkvJKWxodYXzcCi0xKkKwV9EAQsvtitxsCRWM8h0g/s320/IMG_1814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabBSz8GoDYJpekeW1T6jBueHlCxspkD2bAFEw9AWbp5aOvwnUhFkt7CjxkPHeljvdNvs0uTLypTskOPqfsYUxzr8NSAqpijSdZ3M9iVT-QDkf30lWPbpqJ7VKg_QxgdgiMavyywKhPws/s1600/P1010094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabBSz8GoDYJpekeW1T6jBueHlCxspkD2bAFEw9AWbp5aOvwnUhFkt7CjxkPHeljvdNvs0uTLypTskOPqfsYUxzr8NSAqpijSdZ3M9iVT-QDkf30lWPbpqJ7VKg_QxgdgiMavyywKhPws/s320/P1010094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Four years ago yesterday, on Aug. 20,
2009, I had a grueling 6 ½ hour surgery called a Whipple procedure. I had a tumor in my pancreas, but I’m happy
to say that I had the “good kind of pancreatic cancer”. Mine was neuroendocrine, the same kind that
killed Steve Jobs, but it did not get me!
Here is what WebMD has to say about the Whipple procedure: <i>For some pancreatic patients, a complex
surgery known as the Whipple procedure may extend life and could be a potential
cure. Those who undergo the Whipple procedure have a five-year survival rate of
about 20%. The classic Whipple procedure
is named after Allen Whipple, MD, a Columbia University surgeon who was the
first American to perform the operation in 1935. Also known as
pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure involves removal of the
"head" (wide part) of the pancreas next to the first part of the
small intestine (duodenum). It also involves removal of the duodenum, a portion
of the common bile duct, gallbladder and sometimes part of the stomach.
Afterwards, surgeons reconnect the remaining intestine, bile duct, and
pancreas. <o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #424648; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The Mayo Clinic
website says: <i>The Whipple procedure is a
difficult and demanding operation for both the person undergoing surgery and the
surgeon.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #424648; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> If you have read
my blog, you know that that was my 3<sup>rd</sup> bout with cancer. The first when I was 21, the second at 42 and
this one when I was 53. I’m 57 now,
about to turn 58, and next week I’m heading to the East Coast to attend my 40<sup>th</sup>
high school reunion. Truly, I never
thought I would get this far!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #424648; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> But, back to this
anniversary - August 20<sup>th</sup>, 2009.
I often say that I have the worst memory of anyone I know. I blame it on all of the anesthesia I’ve had
(eight surgeries total). But there are
things I remember rather clearly – like the three times I’ve been
diagnosed. Just the words alone hit you
so hard, like being punched in the gut. Just three little words, but they carry
so much weight. ‘You. Have. Cancer.’
I’ve heard those words three times in my life, and I pray that I never
have to hear them again – to me or to anyone I know or love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #424648; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> So, four years
ago…I spent 23 days in the hospital at Stanford, or “The Spa” as we called it. It’s difficult to describe what it is like to
spend 23 days in a bed, basically, bound to the wall by a series of IV tubes,
spending the better part of most days vomiting.
I had an incisional pain, abdominal pain, pain in my throat and ears
from a naso-gastric tube, hip and back pain…you name the pain….I had it. But
then again, I was on a morphine drip…and so my pain was muted, and there is so
much I don’t remember. I had nothing to eat or drink for 23 days. I wanted to eat so badly. I spent many hours of each day watching the
Food Network. The doctors thought that
by doing so, it would wake up my digestive system, which was totally and
utterly unresponsive to anything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #424648; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> And
so, that is the condition I was in 4 years ago.
But now, 48 months later, I am a totally different person. I swim 7 days a week, dance, do yoga, work
with a personal trainer, have a busy Wellness Coaching business, and work for
an organization I love called Swim Across America. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>I’m alive and so, so grateful for each and every
day.</b> My goal in life is to try hard to
enjoy it…and I do! I’m grateful to my
wonderful husband, my two amazing children, my extended family, my network of
friends, my meaningful work, and exercise!
What more can I ask for? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I’m trying to make a difference through
my coaching work and through Swim Across America. If you feel so inspired by reading this blog,
please click on my link and donate. The
money raised goes directly to pediatric cancer treatment and research in the
Bay Area. My goal is to get 36 people on
my team (you can join as a swimmer, kayaker or volunteer), and to raise over
$36,000. I’m so glad you are in my life
and are taking the time to read my story. Thank you so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives">www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-61801734959457756162013-08-04T15:12:00.002-07:002013-08-06T13:09:03.418-07:0036 Years!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CC8ibh5uDuyloAOlv_GH_F9-cPalYQbH4EgDRwtBTdwkvBBd1MmelRHar6YLlcdwUnA-AHuUiySX4BpJ9eJyHwiQmHGDuopw7kGAxJW3LrXFG9wrWRI4wdw07w40ceHptAug8pdVsWo/s1600/P1010073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CC8ibh5uDuyloAOlv_GH_F9-cPalYQbH4EgDRwtBTdwkvBBd1MmelRHar6YLlcdwUnA-AHuUiySX4BpJ9eJyHwiQmHGDuopw7kGAxJW3LrXFG9wrWRI4wdw07w40ceHptAug8pdVsWo/s320/P1010073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is a very special day for me….and on some level a bit
weird. One that I’ve written about
before, and even though it comes around each year, I can’t quite believe that
what happened to me 36 years ago really happened. But it did.
Thirty-six years ago today I underwent a 10 ½ hour operation for clear
cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina. It
was caused by a drug (DES) that was given to my mom when she was pregnant with
me. I was 21 years old and I had cancer.
I had many organs removed. Now,
looking back, it seems surreal, yet I remember it as if it were yesterday. The diagnosis, the treatment, and the
recovery – which was extremely scary and very difficult. I had to learn how to live with a whole new
body and bodily systems that didn’t function as they did before the surgery. Quite frankly, I never really believed that
I would make it to 57! But I did, and
two more cancer diagnoses (one at age 42
(lung) and one at age 53 (pancreas)), eight surgeries, and at least 20
hospitalizations later, I am grateful and feel extremely lucky to be here. I am blessed with a wonderful and supportive
husband of 27 years, two amazing children who bring me so much pleasure and joy
as I watch them become interesting and enthusiastic adults, work that I love
and a very loyal network of friends and family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does
one celebrate such an auspicious anniversary?
The best way I know how…I’m about to go for a nice long swim and enjoy a
simple dinner with my family. Actually,
I try to celebrate my survival daily by living each day with intention, gratitude,
exercise and meaningful work. Right now,
I’m in the thick of planning for the 2013 Swim Across America San Francisco Bay
Swim. Swim Across America raises money
for cancer treatment and research through swimming events. I am the co-event
director in SF, and while this is supposed to be a part-time “job”, it seems to
take up most of my time as we get closer to the date which is October 5<sup>th</sup>. I am also the captain of Team Susan Survives
– and my goal this year is to get 36 people on my team – as swimmers, kayakers
or volunteers and hopefully raise over $36,000.
In the past 7 years, since I
became involved with this organization, Team Susan has raised over
$200,000. How does one celebrate
surviving cancer 36 years since my first cancer (and 15 since my lung and
almost 4 since my pancreatic)? By giving
back….and asking everyone I know to help.
No donation is too small. I thank
you in advance for helping me “make waves to fight cancer”. I also thank you for being in my life and
for playing some role, large or small in my survival journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>To find the Swim Across America page for Team Susan Survives, go to:</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives">www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>And remember: </o:p><br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxB_TemN1pc</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-80486527947209466682011-11-02T17:19:00.000-07:002011-11-05T15:37:17.528-07:00In Yiddish....Bashert!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><em><u><span style="color: #073763;">What are the chances?</span></u></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> Are there really any coincidences in life? Here is one that I feel compelled to write about. Last week, Richard (my husband) and I went to a fundraiser in San Francisco. It was for Maccabi USA which is a non-profit organization <em>“that endeavors, through sports, to perpetuate and preserve the America Jewish Community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity.” </em>Our son was a member of the 2009 USA team and competed in Israel in the triathlon and ½ marathon. Richard and I felt a slight obligation to go to support the cause. In addition, I am a fanatical swimmer, and Mark Spitz, Jason Lezak and Lenny Krayzelburg were going to be there and, quite frankly, I wanted to meet them! So we went, but somewhat unenthusiastically. Mostly because it meant getting dressed up for a dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in the city…and, as you might imagine, I had nothing to wear! In addition, we were certain that we would not know anyone there. Also, it was on a Tuesday night, and Richard and I are usually asleep by 10 so that we can wake up early to swim at 6:00 AM. Therefore, our reluctance. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> But, off we went. I found something in my closet to wear that was passable, not quite high fashion enough for SF, and clearly, my shoes were all wrong, but I’m quite sure no one noticed! We had paid a hefty price for the tickets, so at the very least we figured we would eat a good dinner at a fancy SF hotel! We were seated at Table 21 – way in the back, with a lovely group of strangers, all bonded together by our love of sports, Israel and things Jewish.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> Anyway, that is not the point of my story, and, as I said, I do have an unbelievable story to tell. First let me begin by giving you some background information. Well, some numbers actually. This will make my story even that much more mind-boggling! According to an article in the NYT about Steve Jobs, “neuroendocrine tumors account for only about 3 percent of the 44,000 cases of pancreatic cancer each year in the U.S.” I found some conflicting numbers on the incidence of neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer – one resource reported that per 1, 000 000, the crude annual incidence was 1.8 in females and 2.6 in males, another source says it is 3.2 cases/1,000,000!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> Anyway, whatever the actual numbers are, whatever the actual incidence rate of NE pancreatic cancer might be, we do know that it is a rare tumor. So much so, that it should be unlikely to meet someone randomly, with the same disease. (Although for full disclosure, in addition to Steve Jobs (whom I did not know personally), I do know 3 other people who have had this!) But, nonetheless, we have established that it is definitely <strong>RARE</strong>! And, the chance of meeting someone else with this is <strong>SLIM</strong>. But, let me go on with my story.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> So, there we were at the “Legends of the Maccabiah Gala Dinner”, at the Four Seasons Hotel in SF, seated at Table 21, next to the loveliest man I’ll call Dr. J., an anesthesiologist. Why he was there, I’m not totally sure, but I liked him immediately because at one point early in our conversation he guessed my age to be way younger than I actually am. I told him that I loved him, right off the bat. There is something about someone who thinks you look much younger than you are that makes you just want to hug them. (That comes a little later!) Anyway, there we were, chatting about sports and Jews and families and work….when it somehow came out that I was a cancer survivor. THEN….the conversation went like this:</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuBfvquhUK2xQWEVptcWXngnJS886gW44oVxq1CX1uarI1D6xntxShqQ_PUSa5B_XT4FRSJ3nGMz10Gn-IQPUSxhdmV81FMLHT-xoOwFfcC0UZQdUpwaX-6ZCR7PBDifBRkkJCPxXPvU/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuBfvquhUK2xQWEVptcWXngnJS886gW44oVxq1CX1uarI1D6xntxShqQ_PUSa5B_XT4FRSJ3nGMz10Gn-IQPUSxhdmV81FMLHT-xoOwFfcC0UZQdUpwaX-6ZCR7PBDifBRkkJCPxXPvU/s320/IMG_0719.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: I’m a cancer survivor</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Dr. J.: I’m a cancer survivor too.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: What kind did you have?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Dr. J.: Pancreas</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: Me too!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Dr. J.: But mine was neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: So was mine!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: Where were you treated?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Dr. J.: Stanford.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: Me too!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Dr. J.: Who was your doctor?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: Dr. Norton.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: Me too…..</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">OK….now for the spooky part…..Me: When were you there?</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Dr. J.: July and August 2009</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Me: Me too!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> OK…so what are the chances? We were both at Stanford Hospital in August of 2009. We had very similar surgeries, the same surgeon, and were on the same floor. Dr. J. was sitting right next to us…. in a crowded room with about 250 people….at a fundraiser we almost didn’t go to….what are the chances? </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> So, we hugged, exchanged emails and phone numbers and are planning to get together soon in Berkeley. And, I did get to meet Mark Spitz, Jason Lezak and Lenny Krayzelburg. I’d say the evening was totally “meant to be”. In yiddish....it was bashert!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC9PrjYxCpc17cZ5RaVcKrUlbS7SCsN-Q7rrsJ1kCnQyT_AZlOrmnyZ0BQFy08R2xHDrVUEMouj4NtFOXrIevou7xrDHEaFhybYdQATDz46pY-dHQqaoX5iOS9Ak3TYvM71GKeNp5y80/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC9PrjYxCpc17cZ5RaVcKrUlbS7SCsN-Q7rrsJ1kCnQyT_AZlOrmnyZ0BQFy08R2xHDrVUEMouj4NtFOXrIevou7xrDHEaFhybYdQATDz46pY-dHQqaoX5iOS9Ak3TYvM71GKeNp5y80/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVz7ivt9UrIZcDXXPUZQRGal3dLZt6dcYC9LkgkwH4eTxbC58ZtblJ_Rz0gRwOL7-pQBw7xQvSl5Eu3XNOOtDC_9Sp_PGEIGfU5Vy3WhfCSUsb8faPfQNc2GaC4IricKFYbYa8-ytY44/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVz7ivt9UrIZcDXXPUZQRGal3dLZt6dcYC9LkgkwH4eTxbC58ZtblJ_Rz0gRwOL7-pQBw7xQvSl5Eu3XNOOtDC_9Sp_PGEIGfU5Vy3WhfCSUsb8faPfQNc2GaC4IricKFYbYa8-ytY44/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2Dk21X-WcC8pPUfv1DTdIMRMHYQ5yaJJkqqA1ko85p4lcbypD_246oBU6uNviWVx0sJLMJ1rySGjskgUzvs58pfmVTv1oEGJD18dUP9CnEyL_0i9g12Kd03O40PRJ_YuU_UQdJoZCoc/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2Dk21X-WcC8pPUfv1DTdIMRMHYQ5yaJJkqqA1ko85p4lcbypD_246oBU6uNviWVx0sJLMJ1rySGjskgUzvs58pfmVTv1oEGJD18dUP9CnEyL_0i9g12Kd03O40PRJ_YuU_UQdJoZCoc/s320/IMG_0715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sqPGYzQkTeOkgVfaFh7Ipn2tqD-ACQpQ85OPSviZbXwIwcEpV_RLJtuWGwGKQ8SCgm3AkOOaYYE51Cbj1ac_sjXJGz4x-qCAB84p7NmrwOGlqgZWMS7wNMlBpfmvZtFAEptHzCx5j4A/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sqPGYzQkTeOkgVfaFh7Ipn2tqD-ACQpQ85OPSviZbXwIwcEpV_RLJtuWGwGKQ8SCgm3AkOOaYYE51Cbj1ac_sjXJGz4x-qCAB84p7NmrwOGlqgZWMS7wNMlBpfmvZtFAEptHzCx5j4A/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-78963033444703543022011-10-31T17:57:00.000-07:002013-12-01T21:27:45.713-08:00Healthy Advice article about me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0Sp7kQsHRjqD_hTdrtBNR7Wv6xugY1jui4tBUR6tBOKToThiSuQtyY54H3w5vNumrGtP4p3FlhJvA2keGA2Qa_a2aToXwQjLuVsZE2vbT_OaeLdJvWMtsyqDzgIQjJJkV5kGcu4lcnU/s1600/SusanHelmrichV3+%25281%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0Sp7kQsHRjqD_hTdrtBNR7Wv6xugY1jui4tBUR6tBOKToThiSuQtyY54H3w5vNumrGtP4p3FlhJvA2keGA2Qa_a2aToXwQjLuVsZE2vbT_OaeLdJvWMtsyqDzgIQjJJkV5kGcu4lcnU/s1600/SusanHelmrichV3+%25281%2529+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><em><strong>This article was recently in a magazine called Healthy Advice, in the Fall/Winter 2011. Thought I would throw it up on my blog.</strong></em></span></div>
Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-69029137261253277312011-10-23T20:51:00.000-07:002011-10-24T11:40:11.348-07:00My connection to Steve Jobs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> No, I had never met him, but he and I shared a great deal in common. In 2009, when I was first diagnosed with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, I said, “I <strong>have</strong> the same kind of cancer that Steve Jobs <strong>had</strong>.” (Since he was supposedly cured, and I had not yet been treated.) Not only was my diagnosis the same, but so was my surgeon, my surgery (as far as we could discern), and the hospital where we were both received our care. Soon after, the statement changed to “I <strong>had</strong> the same kind of cancer that Steve Jobs <strong>has</strong>” when he was looking badly and seemed like he wasn’t doing too well, and I had been treated. And now, I say, “I <strong>had </strong>the same kind of cancer that Steve Jobs <strong>had</strong>.” I hope beyond hope that whatever we once shared in common is now over. I pray that my path will be quite different from his. By now we have all read the reports that he put off treatment for 9 months and tried alternative therapies. Who will ever know if that made a difference in the course of his disease? Neuroendocrine pancreatic is not “the regular kind” of pancreatic cancer, but a much more curable and manageable disease. While my oncologist will not use the word “cured” for me, my surgeon will. I’ll take it. It’s just a word, but one that can completely change how you think about life. I now say, “I’m cured!” <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslJasQjFr9SBW3lWk5KNQExJ4PoKX-RCwERksIfc1womwQOKG-jQhzk_WBOz3iiKL16SE3uexMiWh586IwTWq2mZXcviy970nKz3VKeB5PK4VxB9fe0Aj7-KJYml_b_MgjXOP973C5po/s1600/images%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslJasQjFr9SBW3lWk5KNQExJ4PoKX-RCwERksIfc1womwQOKG-jQhzk_WBOz3iiKL16SE3uexMiWh586IwTWq2mZXcviy970nKz3VKeB5PK4VxB9fe0Aj7-KJYml_b_MgjXOP973C5po/s200/images%255B3%255D.jpg" width="159" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt6dDBoey1DVD8dpijZ2FdQHyAwb4laz7MHt_xLaSK0mcfHDcPH4dcD6lV2k1edr6GZ8P-s5jAfU6DBIShnnXmvRbFfo832MtVxN-sIjoWX_sTKQGnI6VYcIxDlO5pacmvkSkjGBHsUA/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt6dDBoey1DVD8dpijZ2FdQHyAwb4laz7MHt_xLaSK0mcfHDcPH4dcD6lV2k1edr6GZ8P-s5jAfU6DBIShnnXmvRbFfo832MtVxN-sIjoWX_sTKQGnI6VYcIxDlO5pacmvkSkjGBHsUA/s320/IMG_0796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Can you imagine what the past few weeks have been like for me? So many people have asked me how I handled his death. When Steve Jobs died, I was in Greece, on a trip of a lifetime where I was swimming from island to island. I was with my husband, and it was our 25th wedding anniversary gift to ourselves as well as a bit of a celebratory trip 2 years post Whipple surgery for my neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor. I was scared to go – afraid to travel so far from home in case something happened to me. I’ve had cancer 3 times, 8 surgeries and have been hospitalized more than 20 times. Many systems don’t work so well, and I get frequent bowel obstructions, which sometimes require me to be hospitalized. But I went, overcoming my greatest fears, and I did just fine. Except, of course, for the day that we heard the news about Steve Jobs. I had never cried so hard about the death of a person I had never met. Yet, how could I not overly identify with him, his cancer, his outcome? But I have to believe that I am cured, and my journey will not be the same as his was. It’s just a word, but it’s one that I’m holding on to. <strong>I’m cured</strong>.<br />
<br />
</div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-45472140040356656392011-08-04T12:47:00.000-07:002011-08-04T12:47:46.623-07:00Today is an anniversary - how to celebrate?Dear Blog Followers,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtonqo0lbjalcZcGFj16EWUK6c74leeEgyb-cJOq6tfBwTomobEbC57oDj1CTpGGwK99BC_XJv3t7PBm2pYH4P-C8jLXLeyVC85nTq5FP9QWcNA75iOUyXHk-3b44Tljg9n3qADUtF2Kw/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtonqo0lbjalcZcGFj16EWUK6c74leeEgyb-cJOq6tfBwTomobEbC57oDj1CTpGGwK99BC_XJv3t7PBm2pYH4P-C8jLXLeyVC85nTq5FP9QWcNA75iOUyXHk-3b44Tljg9n3qADUtF2Kw/s320/IMG_0319.JPG" t$="true" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Today is an anniversary – it’s not my wedding anniversary or anything quite like that….it’s the 34th anniversary since my first cancer surgery. I was 21 years old, had just graduated from college and underwent a 10 ½ hour surgery at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in NY. I was in the hospital one month, and little did I know that this would be the first of many surgeries and my first of 3 bouts with cancer. But August 4th is an important day for me and one that I will never forget – how does one celebrate such a milestone? How should one feel on a day like today? Happy that’s it all behind me? Lucky that I got such extraordinary medical care all along the way? Scared that I might get “it” again? Grateful that I have lived as long as I have, and that I have such an amazing family and so many supportive friends? Yes….I think all of the above and so much more….and very difficult to put into words.<br />
<br />
As I think about my life and my cancer experiences, I do, in many ways feel lucky. During the past few months there has been a video tape made of my journey, a radio interview and a magazine interview and photo shoot. I have in a very small way become a poster child for someone who has survived cancer. And yet, as I write this blog, I have way too many friends currently undergoing treatment for cancer, and I lost a very dear friend this month to a recurrence of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina – the type of cancer I had 34 years ago.<br />
<br />
What can I do to mark this occasion? How can I give back to the doctors and researchers who saved my life? While survival rates have improved for many cancers, we still need to find a cure. I suppose, raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment is the only way I know how to do something. So, in September, I’ll be jumping into the freezing cold water of the SF Bay and will help raise money for cancer research here in the Bay Area. Swim Across America raises money for world-renowned cancer centers across the United States, and here in the Bay Area the money raised goes to pediatric cancer research and treatment. Our two local beneficiaries are UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Oakland Children’s Hospital.<br />
<br />
If you haven’t already done so, please watch the video that Growing Bolder made about my cancer experiences and my love of swimming, and/or listen to the radio interview – both were made by a team of Emmy Award-winning TV and radio people who produce and license active-lifestyle and wellness content for the Web, TV and Radio. They like to tell stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.<br />
<br />
The link to the video: <a href="http://growingbolder.com/media/health/cancer/beating-cancer-one-lap-at-a-time-737153.html#content_tabs">http://growingbolder.com/media/health/cancer/beating-cancer-one-lap-at-a-time-737153.html#content_tabs</a> <br />
<br />
The link to the radio show: <a href="http://growingbolder.com/media/health/cancer/susan-helmrich-742140.html#content_tabs">http://growingbolder.com/media/health/cancer/susan-helmrich-742140.html#content_tabs</a> <br />
<br />
Visit the Swim Across America website <a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/">http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/</a> to see how thousands of people who love swimming are helping to make a difference in the cancer research, treatment and prevention arena. My team is Team Susan Survives and together a very small group has raised over $20,000! (<a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives">www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/teamsusansurvives</a> )<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading my blog, for following my story, and for being “out there” for me along the way. If nothing else, I believe my story has inspired and hopefully helped others going through difficult times, whether they be physical or emotional or both. I wish everyone reading this good health and a happy August. Hope to be in touch with you again soon.<br />
<br />
And of course…. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA</a> <br />
<br />
Love, <br />
SusanSusan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-58526622312388498832011-06-13T17:12:00.000-07:002011-08-04T12:35:16.630-07:00It's been almost 2 years - here's an update!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoIkcNburS2QKbu7J-jXZTx8ybIrUn667bpTW80pd-jlwRhjzzIEYdU28LSj3eDTY6QrmLu0a_jTa23gdUYWXsE4r0TLiBlxX1gTiXdW2ibOzcP2asJLbns5FckpJKP6ngvhiTlzpqy8/s1600/GrowingBolder.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="149" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618197891665517074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoIkcNburS2QKbu7J-jXZTx8ybIrUn667bpTW80pd-jlwRhjzzIEYdU28LSj3eDTY6QrmLu0a_jTa23gdUYWXsE4r0TLiBlxX1gTiXdW2ibOzcP2asJLbns5FckpJKP6ngvhiTlzpqy8/s200/GrowingBolder.jpg" style="display: block; height: 164px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;" width="200" /></a><br />
Dear Blog followers,<br />
<div>It has been a very long time since I've written anything for this blog. I recently sent an email to my family and friends who were following my surgery and recovery in 2009-2010, and a version of that letter is below. I am approaching the 2nd anniversary of my Whipple and the 23 days that I spent at Stanford Hospital. I'm happy to report that I'm doing better than I ever imagined at this point. Below is a copy of that email. I hope those of you following my blog will enjoy the video.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Susan<br />
<br />
Dear Friends and Family,<br />
<a href="http://growingbolder.com/737153.html#content_tabs">http://growingbolder.com/737153.html#content_tabs</a><br />
<br />
Taking a risk of completely embarrassing myself, and revealing way more than a person should about one’s self, I’m sending you a link (above) to a video that was recently produced by GrowingBolder.com. <em>These extraordinary film producers found me at the US Masters Swimming Nationals meet this past spring in Mesa, Arizona. Growing Bolder is produced by an Emmy award-winning team and delivers empowering stories that inspire audiences of all ages to believe that it's never too late to achieve their dreams. </em>I thought this video would be a great way to update you on how I’m doing almost 2 years (on August 20th) since my last surgery. As you will see, I’m doing well. I still struggle with some aches and pains (and digestive issues), and a terrible case of sciatica, but mostly, I’m doing way better than I ever imagined I’d be at this point. Many of you on Facebook (and a few others of you) may have already seen this, but if you haven’t, it’s about 6 and a half minutes long. For those of you who have known me forever, most of the story is not new to you, but to my “newer” friends, some of it might be a bit shocking. Nonetheless, this is my story and one that I can’t hide from. Those of you on this email list were with me every step of the way in 2009 and 2010, and your support was invaluable to me during that time. I suppose it’s nice to be able to give you such a positive update. Personally, I think some of the statements about me are just slightly "over-the-top"….but I guess that’s what makes for an inspiring video! So, if you choose, watch it with a grain of salt. I'm really just an ordinary person who happens to have had cancer 3 times.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Susan<br />
<br />
P.S. Many of you have asked about Swim Across America this year. Yes! It’s happening in the SF Bay on Saturday, September 24th ! If you live in the Bay Area, please come. Swim on my team (Team Susan Survives), kayak, volunteer or just donate. Money raised goes directly to UCSF Benioff Children’s and Oakland Children’s Hospitals for cancer research. <a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR/OpenWater/SanFrancisco?team_id=1059&pg=team&fr_id=1184">http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR/OpenWater/SanFrancisco?team_id=1059&pg=team&fr_id=1184</a></div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-23620344584431760502010-08-20T10:51:00.000-07:002011-12-25T16:55:44.781-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdN6GfNiooSzOgw2zAl8TpKTh2RvFVGgfMyGB5Cd3dzYQwTZAEbKOM5nM5YMUKP7Z_G_3cxCIEMsLY0eSV24zeslEZVjM8W6Voar3vonM4epNCbJj7j_iACGuZscCsYycIbt1kpY90rU/s1600/IMG_2775.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551882520970210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdN6GfNiooSzOgw2zAl8TpKTh2RvFVGgfMyGB5Cd3dzYQwTZAEbKOM5nM5YMUKP7Z_G_3cxCIEMsLY0eSV24zeslEZVjM8W6Voar3vonM4epNCbJj7j_iACGuZscCsYycIbt1kpY90rU/s320/IMG_2775.JPG" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcITreqYMu9-cd1fbFwTsXCLRwA17UMozflpazdTbSMnrHc74Xk1KDahJjgf75gMA5hmvmNp00xeggoG6I2vOaqWr4IUygw9JckNF5KdFV5znV8OM9y5Xf5by-rNjKfXQt0Tph59DylO8/s1600/IMG_2773.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551615275467746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcITreqYMu9-cd1fbFwTsXCLRwA17UMozflpazdTbSMnrHc74Xk1KDahJjgf75gMA5hmvmNp00xeggoG6I2vOaqWr4IUygw9JckNF5KdFV5znV8OM9y5Xf5by-rNjKfXQt0Tph59DylO8/s320/IMG_2773.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpHPvicsfO1m636wu5bYqBSmyOraCmzxa2n3NP6IuRms6vQMtdpjdIgMb7jY4sO7yR9v9-unf18IaofHGYTNlDvjcB2rKaoQts_FUpp-f84-IIVEW8_-HxoWhihrO2-tMzCJA8rZcPHg/s1600/IMG_2769.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551483245994786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpHPvicsfO1m636wu5bYqBSmyOraCmzxa2n3NP6IuRms6vQMtdpjdIgMb7jY4sO7yR9v9-unf18IaofHGYTNlDvjcB2rKaoQts_FUpp-f84-IIVEW8_-HxoWhihrO2-tMzCJA8rZcPHg/s320/IMG_2769.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Dear Friends, Family, and Blog followers,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Reflections on this past year.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">So much has changed for me in just one year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One year ago I was facing the scariest, and possibly most horrific of all my surgeries up to that point, and I had had some doozies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were hoping for the best (just getting rid of the neuroendocrine tumor on my pancreas) and a quick stay in the hospital, and preparing for the worst (a Whipple Procedure – removal of ½ of my pancreas, my gall bladder, my duodenum, and rewiring my digestive tract) and a lengthy hospital stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite our prayers and my private negotiations with g-d (or someone), I got to have the full-blown Whipple and 23 days at the Stanford Spa (as we liked to call it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole experience was awful, to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought my life would never return to normal – but it has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">This morning, on the 1- year anniversary of my surgery, our family did an early morning celebratory swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to celebrate and mark this occasion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One year ago, on the day of my surgery, I did the same thing – I believe it is important to mark a special date with a swim in honor of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so we did, and I must say, that it is much better being on this side of this past year!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Last year, the week before my surgery, Richard and I swam the length of Donner Lake near Lake Tahoe in the Sierras (for those of you non-Californians reading this).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was determined to prove that I was healthy – even though I did, in fact, have cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, just about one year after my Whipple, we did it again – and guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swam the race 7 minutes faster than I did last year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone asked me if I had done something special during this past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I change my diet and/or training program – well, yes, I did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I didn’t eat for 23 days, and then I mostly ate pureed and liquid foods for many weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, I was a little lighter this year, having lost those few organs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could that have been the secret to my swimming accomplishment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever is happening, I am really doing OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">To put it mildly, this past year has been a wild roller coaster ride for our family, but we seem to have all weathered the storm quite nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much has changed and will continue to do so for the next several years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both David and Aly will be leaving our nest, today, August 20<sup>th</sup>, 2010, exactly one year to the day after my surgery, we are flying east to get them both settled in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David will be a junior at Brown and Aly will be starting at Williams College.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we come back on September 2<sup>nd</sup>, we will officially be “empty nesters”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear it isn’t so bad!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">So, does surviving cancer 3 times teach you anything about life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly hope so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mentioned in earlier posts to this blog, the biggest and most important lesson that I’ve learned is that I am so grateful to have made it and to have my health back – for the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my days and moments when all I want is my old digestive system back (which wasn’t so great to begin with).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not one material thing that I want – only my health and that of my family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There seems to be nothing more important. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have read a lot of books this past year about happiness and wellness and they all seem to say the same things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, we should eat healthy foods, exercise daily, be mindful, de-clutter our physical and emotional lives, stay hydrated, do work that we love (either for pay or voluntary), feel connected to our friends and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>family and, most of all, be grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all seems rather simple, and I am trying hard to live my life this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I had more wisdom to impart, but I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I’ve read in all those books matches perfectly with what I’ve learned from surviving cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing it down makes it seem so obvious and easy, but I suppose life is much harder than most of these simplistic formulas and recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we can just keep trying to reach a goal of simplicity and contentment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, at least, is what I am striving for.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">So, one more thing before I say good-bye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you know, I am very involved with Swim Across America, a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for cancer research through swimming events in cities across the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, I couldn’t swim as I was recovering from my surgery, but the event raised $200,000 which was divided between UCSF Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Oakland – for cancer research and treatment right here in the Bay Area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, I’m jumping into the Bay and will be swimming for everyone I know who has died, is currently dealing with, or has survived cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">In particular, I will be swimming for my dear friend Andrea, who passed away last month from breast cancer, my old high school friend Kent, who is currently battling throat cancer, my friend Sarah, who has ovarian cancer, and my friend Jen, who has just finished a year of treatment for breast cancer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Sadly, I know that each and every one of you reading this has a list of your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much we want to do to help, and this is just one small way that we can try to make a difference. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">This year, jumping into that frigid water is really going to mean a lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can, and if you feel so inspired, please support my team, Team Susan Survives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Just go to <a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives2010">www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives2010</a> to donate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you have already given, and I am both honored and tremendously appreciative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot thank you enough for your generosity, your friendship and support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May this coming year be a good one for all of you, and for those of you who are suffering in any way, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have been for this entire past year, I am grateful to have you in my life, either in reality or virtually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Thank you for reading my blog and for staying connected.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Love,</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Susan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><a href="http://www.healthandwellnessmatters.com/">http://www.healthandwellnessmatters.com/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives2010">http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives2010</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"></span></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-57995572646074650002010-06-23T21:11:00.000-07:002010-06-24T11:37:30.527-07:00<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">10 Month Post-op Report/Update<br /></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFBkdJZUPYIqt1GGxJbcz-EsYzglLoFKsVqZM1M1QgurznW9w9BTsMIcF2Xulf1bwmpLlTn9umw7RGG_eBkt8gUYOo-UgHC5wA0qkO8XloOgLEvcJvZ4l6QCeSqXY5AnWYiLfurtgB2s/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486190643468389874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFBkdJZUPYIqt1GGxJbcz-EsYzglLoFKsVqZM1M1QgurznW9w9BTsMIcF2Xulf1bwmpLlTn9umw7RGG_eBkt8gUYOo-UgHC5wA0qkO8XloOgLEvcJvZ4l6QCeSqXY5AnWYiLfurtgB2s/s320/IMG_1814.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0du2tXiBf3u_U0UxFKIu3Jp1h-S5mWVMV10kmGbDtU7vdEHOV8l9M97ee9XU4gVoazRLnXJ2YtpuQQIqqWaAq65kGDrAneWYD-DhCNEgq45mVKE0G0WLZhBnCjEo63cy79x2X10G7o1w/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486190933181796034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0du2tXiBf3u_U0UxFKIu3Jp1h-S5mWVMV10kmGbDtU7vdEHOV8l9M97ee9XU4gVoazRLnXJ2YtpuQQIqqWaAq65kGDrAneWYD-DhCNEgq45mVKE0G0WLZhBnCjEo63cy79x2X10G7o1w/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This past Sunday was 10 months since my 6 ½ hour surgery for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, and I’m thrilled to report that I feel great - strong and healthy and pretty much back to normal. Ten months– wow! Time – it’s so strange – how long exactly is 10 months? Just about 40 weeks or 300 days (depending on how you count – from the day, from the date, etc)! Not that much time at all when you really think about it. On August 20th, I had a 6 ½ hour Whipple operation …and on June 20th I swam 2.7 miles and celebrated Aly’s high school graduation with about 80 friends for brunch! Amazing!<br /><br />Just about every day someone tells me that I should write a book. Of course, that sounds like a great idea, but honestly, I’m not so sure I have that much to say. I think about what I’ve been through all the time, and of course, I worry a lot about my future health. I have had a few minor bumps in the road since the surgery, but I have every reason to believe that I am fine, and am going to stay fine. Mostly, I feel grateful to have made it through the surgery and the 23 days in the hospital, which were a total nightmare.<br /><br />Right now, I am living without the following: a reproductive system, one lobe of my left lung, ½ of a pancreas, a duodenum, a gall bladder, parts of my large and small intestines, my appendix – and guess what? I’m OK! It really is amazing what we are capable of living without! Regaining my strength, getting used to my rewired digestive system, learning to live with a new body (both inside and out), seeing a pretty ugly scar the width of my entire abdomen every day, having to relearn how to eat solid food, figuring out how much food was too much, accepting the fact that I might never do a sit-up again, figuring out what it means to be a 3-time cancer survivor, and just putting it all in perspective have been my challenges during these 10 months.<br /><br />So much has happened in this time period – it’s rather difficult to imagine, and it’s scary to think how quickly time seems to pass, on the one hand, and how it feels like the surgery was just yesterday on the other! While I was in the hospital, my daughter, Aly turned 17, and my son, David left for his sophomore year in college. Since then, Aly applied and was accepted early to Williams College, the SF Swim Across America event took place in the Bay which raised $90,000 for both UCSF and Oakland Children’s Hospitals for cancer research, we watched David run in the NYC Marathon and he came in 7th in his age group, my website for my Wellness Coaching business was launched, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, Richard and I celebrated our 24th, I resumed fundraising for Berkeley High and then retired, Aly graduated from high school, David completed his sophomore year in college, and on and on. What is so strange about all of this is that life seemed to come to a screeching halt for a while. I got off the merry-go-round that we all seem to be on and thought my world was going to fall apart. But then, lo and behold, after it was all over with, I managed to get right back on the merry-go-round, almost as if nothing had happened! I saw that my world was intact, nothing much had changed, and most of the things that I put on hold were just waiting for me to pick up where I left off. It is so amazing. Life went on for everyone else – it was just temporarily on hold for me (and for Richard)!<br /><br />What have I learned from experiencing and getting though my 3rd bout with cancer, my 8th surgery and my umpteenth hospitalization? Quite a lot, actually, but nothing so profound that I didn’t already know it. Some of the lessons learned:<br />• To be grateful.<br />• Not to sweat the small stuff but to know how important the small stuff actually is – like a smile, a thank you, a phone call, a card, a gift, a meal – it all means so much and it came to me from people from all different parts of my life.<br />• To live one day at a time and enjoy each and every day because we have no idea what can happen tomorrow.<br />• To exercise a lot because it makes you feel so good – especially, as you all know – swimming is a must .<br />• To appreciate your friends….and your family - even if you sometimes don’t see the world the same way or agree on everything.<br /><br />So, these days, if I happen to have a bad one, I look around and I see that I have a wonderful husband, 2 fabulous kids, a beautiful home, both of my parents alive and well, work that I enjoy, am able to swim outside every single day, and I’ve just survived my 3rd bout with cancer. My thoughts generally turn to ones of thanks and gratitude for all the things I do have and for having “dodged a bullet” or as one friend pointed out, it was more like a missile! In any case, it is now all behind me, and I am looking forward to this next stage of my life. The empty nest is fast approaching, and while I am terrified on the one hand, I’m thrilled to have raised my kids to be engaged and happy individuals forging their own unique and exciting paths in the world.<br /><br />This next part is going to be fun for Richard and me, and we are thrilled for David and Aly. Quite frankly, I never thought I’d make it to my “mid-fifties” – but here I am. I’ve amassed a wonderful network of friends, family and acquaintances - both physically and virtually- and it is great knowing you are all out there. Thank you for the support and encouragement you have given me this past year and a half. As I have written many times before, I could never have made it without you.<br /><br />So, until the next time I get inspired to post on my blog, or find enough to write about that could fill up a book, I will say good-bye for now. I just wanted those of you who don’t see me regularly to know that I am doing well. I’m really fine. Please check out my website at <a href="http://www.healthandwellnessmatters.com/">http://www.healthandwellnessmatters.com/</a>.<br /><br />Also, yes, I will be swimming 1.5 miles in the SF Bay on September 25th to raise money for cancer research. If you are able to support my team, Team Susan Survives!, please do so by going to <a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives2010">http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives2010</a>, and I thank you in advance. And of course, don’t forget…..to Just Keep Swimming <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA</a><br /><br /><br />Much love and thanks,<br />SusanSusan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-74154031811271063422009-12-28T10:15:00.000-08:002009-12-28T10:25:17.418-08:00One more medical update.....some good news!Dear Friends and Family,<br /><br />Today (written on December 20th) is exactly four months since I had a Whipple procedure to remove a neuroendocrine tumor on my pancreas. While I said I was done writing mass emails, I cannot help myself from reporting to all of you (my supporters) the great news that I received on Friday. Last Monday I endured an MRI - this was not really for diagnostic purposes, but was done to get a post-operative baseline. In any case, I got a call from the oncologist’s nurse telling me that my MRI was totally fine, and there was no need to come back in until August! I must say those words were music to my ears! After one entire year of endless tests, invasive procedures and doctors’ visits, I am looking forward to 2010 to just live and enjoy life.<br /><br /><br />For those of you who are my “Facebook Friends” much of what I am telling you is not new, but for those of you who have not yet ventured into FB-land, I’ll fill you in. A lot has happened in these past four months. As you know, I spent 23 days in the Stanford Hospital. During those 23 days, my son David left Berkeley to start his 2nd year at Brown, and my daughter began the college application process. As you also know from my friend Susan Meadow’s incredible email updates, my time spent in the hospital did not go so well. However, when I was finally given permission to go home to see how I would do, I got dramatically better day by day. It was truly a miracle! There was something about being in my own home, sleeping in my own bed, and pureeing my own food that slowly but surely brought me back to life. It was a long haul, but I did it, with the help of so many of you who brought food and gifts and sent good wishes via mail, email and phone. I honestly believe I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the support I got from each and every one of you.<br /><br /><br />So, back to all the things that happened during the past four months….Gradually, I began to swim – little by little until I reached my pre-operative distance. After about 3 months, I was back to swimming 4000 yards at a time – not quite at the same speed that I was previously swimming, but I can now do flip turns again – so all in all, I’ve pretty much recovered most of what I lost. I’ve also returned to my exercise classes and getting personal training twice each week. I’m working on various projects and life seems to be pretty much back to normal. Also during this time, David trained for and ran the NY City Marathon on November 1st. Richard and I were there and were extremely proud (and somewhat emotional) parents as we watched him cross the finish line in Central Park. David finished 7th in his age-group (3 hours and 14 minutes) and ran with a sign on his back that said, “For my Mom”. I was so greatly touched.<br /><br />During this time, Aly turned 17 and was busy beginning her senior year at Berkeley High and figuring out the college application process. Mind you, I was not much help to her at all in this endeavor. On her own, she figured it all out. She was recruited by several schools and narrowed down her choices to Williams, Amherst and Brown. While her brother was lobbying strongly for her to join him, Aly fell in love with Williams during a recruiting trip there and applied Early Decision. And….just last week, on Tuesday, she was accepted. Again, I’m quite proud of how (during this very difficult time in our lives) she managed to bring complete sanity to a process that appears to be completely insane! So, now both of my children will be living on the east coast. Clearly, I see many trips crossing the country for our family in the next few years – let’s just hope the rumors that airlines might be dropping their frequent flier programs are not true!<br /><br /><br />During these past four months my sense of time became totally altered. The 23 days in the hospital felt like an eternity, yet the 3 months since I have been out seem to have flown by. Having survived cancer for the 3rd time does weird stuff to one’s brain, psyche, and emotions (not to mention one’s body!). I am so grateful to be here and am still processing what it all means and how to put it all in perspective. Last month I celebrated my 54th birthday – and now I look forward to living a long and productive life, missing many body parts, but with renewed motivation to learn from what I’ve been through, and to hopefully provide inspiration to others who might face life challenges similar to mine.<br /><br />I won’t bore you any longer with this email which is already much too long, but I do want to thank you one more time, from the bottom of my heart, for being my virtual and real community of supporters. To those of you struggling, particularly with cancer – you are in my thoughts and prayers every single day. I haven’t written in my blog for a while, but I am going to start up again in 2010. I will also be launching my Health and Wellness Matters website which I hope you will visit. Many of you have asked me for the Swim Across America website address, and if you can still donate to the 2009 swim - the answer is YES! and the website is listed below.<br /><br />To each and every one of you, I wish you a very happy holiday season and a peaceful, safe, and healthy New Year. Thank you for everything.<br /><br />Love,<br />Susan<br /><a href="http://www.susanhelmrich.blogspot.com/">www.susanhelmrich.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.healthandwellnessmatters.com/">www.healthandwellnessmatters.com</a> (not yet live, should be in about 2 weeks)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/">www.swimacrossamerica.org</a> (look for Team Susan Survives! or Richard or Aly Levine)<br /><br />and of course “Just Keep Swimming” <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA</a>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-54327265337254399702009-10-18T11:53:00.000-07:002009-12-07T16:34:36.633-08:00Letter of thanks to my virtual support system<span style="color:#330033;"><em>Dear Readers of my Blog,<br />Following is a letter that I sent out to my family and friends last week, 8 weeks since my surgery. I’m posting it for all of you to read and would like to thank those of you following my blog, and for being out there and supporting me during my latest leg of my cancer journey.<br />Fondly,<br />Susan</em><br /></span>Dear Friends and Family,<br /><br /><br />Tomorrow (Thursday, 11/15) will be exactly 8 weeks since my surgery. It’s hard to believe that I am on the other side of this ordeal, and I just want to tell you one last time how great it was having you all out there. Even if I haven’t heard a word from you, just having this big, long list of family members, friends and acquaintances was my lifeline and truly helped me get through it all. As you know, from my amazing friend Susan Meadows (those of you new to the list missed her updates), the surgery was big (6 ½ hours) and the recovery was grueling. For many days, I did not do well, and 23 days in the hospital felt like an eternity. So now, just 8 weeks later, I’m happy to tell you that I am doing well. My abdominal incision is healing (photo on my blog), I’m swimming (slowly, and have done up to 1 mile at once so far), walking, eating, and my body is doing what it’s supposed to be doing. For the most part, I feel OK. I am still very tired, at times, but I am back amongst the living, out of the hospital, and, once again, feeling incredibly grateful just to be here.<br /><br /><br />Beginning in December of 2008, when the doctors at UCSF suspected a tumor “someplace in my abdomen”, I lived with a tremendous amount of uncertainty. “Did I have cancer again or not?”, “Was I going to be OK or not?”, “How serious was this?”, and the list went on and on. It took 6 months to diagnose the tumor (a neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor which was slow growing). The diagnosis was confirmed in April. Then the uncertainty continued as we debated over whether or not it would be safe to go on our long-planned trip to Israel, which we did, and I’m so glad. Then we had to wait another 4 weeks for the surgery because the surgeon was on vacation. So, essentially, we lived with a dark cloud over our heads for about 9 months. And now, the uncertainty is gone, and it is all behind us. My prognosis is excellent, and the tumor is gone. No chemotherapy or radiation is needed. It has all been surreal, and I’m thrilled to report that I’m now on the other side of what felt like a nightmare. I’m making progress every day, and I can see that I’m approaching a “normal” life once again. We are even planning a trip to New York City at the end of this month to watch David (my son) run in the NYC Marathon!<br /><br /><br />And so, this will be my last email update. Thank you for putting up with the mass electronic messages, and for supporting me during the past few months. As I have said each time that I’ve written – THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART – just for being there. Your encouragement and kindness through this have been humbling. Your cards (about 300), emails, visits, phone calls, meals (yummy soups and wonderful homemade baked things), books and books on tape, DVDs, quilts, jewelry, works of art, gift certificates, prayers, thoughts and donations have been overwhelming. I really don’t know how to adequately thank each and every one of you. I (and my family) am eternally grateful to all of you. I have great confidence in the power of friendship because of all of you. I only hope that in a time of need for any of you, I can be there for you as you have been for me. From now on, I will not send mass emails, but will be posting on my blog periodically, when, and if I have something to say. I was going to say that my journey has ended, but in many ways it has actually only just begun. I hopefully have a long road ahead of me, and I am proud and lucky to have all of you out there in my life. Once again, I have learned what’s important in life, and what is important is all of you.<br /><br /><br />I hope you are well, and to those of you who are not, you are in my prayers. I’m particularly sending healing wishes to Jen, Andrea, Tamara, Bob, Sandy, Thea, Deanne, Darci, Rhonda, Carolyn, Tim, Tom, Jill and Len. (I hope I’m not forgetting anyone!)<br /><br /><br />Thank you for everything,<br />Love,<br />Susan<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.susanhelmrich.blogspot.com/">http://www.susanhelmrich.blogspot.com/</a> (my blog address –some new photos posted)<br /><a href="http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives">www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvives</a> (Team Susan Survives! raised over $58,000 and the total for the swim was over $200,000 – money raised goes to cancer research in the Bay Area.)<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA</a> (Just Keep Swimming)Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-42279081005600651882009-10-14T11:54:00.000-07:002009-10-14T11:58:53.637-07:00Cards and gifts - thank you all so much!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjUKuS1u-GbEnv8oHvS3hX5MRB_EhZ4fQIgMxEHwlHCXxq8JAwJsyVZ_kQf5sM7FrNTvShZj1JY0FMo0NJxtpn3W4ZW68YD8QYryj6U2oAPTYmk-Sm9XwgUeQIisJe-SHEDGxTY4h5QE/s1600-h/IMG_1884.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392531596930581010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjUKuS1u-GbEnv8oHvS3hX5MRB_EhZ4fQIgMxEHwlHCXxq8JAwJsyVZ_kQf5sM7FrNTvShZj1JY0FMo0NJxtpn3W4ZW68YD8QYryj6U2oAPTYmk-Sm9XwgUeQIisJe-SHEDGxTY4h5QE/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACpuCyg7UncrMumv6H8elUTZ1HdiooUWO-1JpYFAn9Y_3uqaR5NWJRuU8i2Dxvbi27TUW4oOmEW9AXigdRPT8QfBs5wxx6T5aZMmn6XMhdODHEV6yFyNxDRVB3vDmtGJDcDzUpG7G3mI/s1600-h/IMG_1883.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392531378412736882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACpuCyg7UncrMumv6H8elUTZ1HdiooUWO-1JpYFAn9Y_3uqaR5NWJRuU8i2Dxvbi27TUW4oOmEW9AXigdRPT8QfBs5wxx6T5aZMmn6XMhdODHEV6yFyNxDRVB3vDmtGJDcDzUpG7G3mI/s320/IMG_1883.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>How can I adequately say "THANK YOU" to all of you who sent cards, books, meals, gift certificates, and donations? Your generosity and support has been overwhelming. </div></div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-61150717535306163172009-10-12T20:14:00.000-07:002009-10-14T15:39:23.481-07:008 weeks post-op<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEXhIESjATFaWoGiEVhvoMxAvV6xPIfh9Z76FO25yrm6HFi-DFY8TO5CN8hbIFQrjEiO2VhWH4sSrMQDkV2xfBXYcg2pmJV2McgKxh3ld1W-yyjI4tw8PDPL9Wny5oC2Mll-ozxAvp9M/s1600-h/IMG_1885.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391928991586203362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEXhIESjATFaWoGiEVhvoMxAvV6xPIfh9Z76FO25yrm6HFi-DFY8TO5CN8hbIFQrjEiO2VhWH4sSrMQDkV2xfBXYcg2pmJV2McgKxh3ld1W-yyjI4tw8PDPL9Wny5oC2Mll-ozxAvp9M/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div>A picture tells a thousand words! Here it is folks. Eight weeks post-op (on Thursday, 10/15)and this is what the incision looks like - not too bad! Notice that it's in the shape of a wave, sort of! Can you believe I'm posting this for all the world to see? If any of you have been with me during the past few weeks, you know I'm not shy about showing off the wound from my battle with the surgeon! More photos and postings to follow. I'm just getting back to writing after a brief hiatus.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div></div></div></div></div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-29262714834509351592009-09-28T12:11:00.000-07:002009-09-28T16:28:19.643-07:00Yom Kippur - not fasting!Today is Yom Kippur. A day of fasting, reflection, and asking for forgiveness. I, however, am not fasting, although will eat lightly. I figure, I fasted for 23 days (more or less) during my stay in the hospital. I also had a lot of time for reflection, and did a lot of asking for forgiveness. I figured I must have done something wrong to have landed in the situation I was in. I know that is crazy, but given the number of hours I lied awake in the nights, this did cross my mind. So, anyway, on this quite and solemn day, I am reflecting a lot. Mostly, I am feeling incredibly GRATEFUL - to each and everyone of you receiving this email. I cannot tell you how much you have helped me get through these past 6 weeks. This internet thing is amazing. As I have said before, the outpouring of love and support overwhelms me. How can I thank you all enough? For everything. Thank you especially for the donations you have made in my honor to Swim Across America. Team Susan Survives! has raised over $40,000 so far - isn't that unbelievable?<br /><br />To those of you observing this day, may it be a good day for you in all ways, and if you are fasting, may you have an easy fast. And, may all of us (Jewish or not) be "inscribed in the Book of Life".<br /><br />Love,<br />SusanSusan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-50353560957256463432009-09-23T20:59:00.000-07:002009-09-23T21:13:18.491-07:00Getting StrongerThere seems to be a disconnect between my brain and my body. Nothing happened to my brain 5 weeks ago (except for a ridiculous amount of morphine getting to it, but once that went away, my brain was, once again, fully functioning). But a lot happened to my body. Six and a half hours of surgery, many tubes, drains, fed intravenously, a huge incision across my abdomen, rewiring of my entire digestive system, unable to do the simplest bodily functions, a lot of vomiting, 23 days in bed with a few walks here and there, and the list goes on. But these days, when I awake, drug-free, my brain goes into full gear. I think of the million things I need to do, and then I stop. Wait! My body is healing. I'm not going to do 1 or 2 of those things, let alone a million. My body needs to rest and my brain needs to learn that. This is the hardest thing about surgery. Learning to slow down so your body can heal fully.<br /><br /> But I am getting stronger every day. Today I swam 300 meters - in the warm pool at the Claremont (I never swim in that pool unless the cold pool is closed). It was wonderful. As difficult as it was, it felt heavenly. Much better than on Saturday, when I felt totally demoralized. I felt as if I could have swum more, but I heard all of the voices in my head, telling me "don't over do it". Everyone seems to be telling me that. The truth of the matter is that no one knows what "overdoing it" even is. My surgeon told me I could do anything except sit-ups! Duh!<br /><br /> I'm off to bed. I look forward to going to sleep every night because I know I will wake up a little bit stronger the next day. I have a lot to look forward to.Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-72580594399088940122009-09-19T18:16:00.000-07:002009-09-19T18:28:01.603-07:00Four laps!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0p5JtH6P_vfMlpYPpC4Gy5U8AaWCal1hj1CVdfbWAs-e0JxHcb6Lk-hgUgAok7_kzlpjGZS3YcV4nN4l13jMFlEaJZg3UhWmh2AFKZLaT2892ujrxN_Lj0ZG5BmXIpQ0aAkKG5qjFmQ/s1600-h/IMG_1852.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0p5JtH6P_vfMlpYPpC4Gy5U8AaWCal1hj1CVdfbWAs-e0JxHcb6Lk-hgUgAok7_kzlpjGZS3YcV4nN4l13jMFlEaJZg3UhWmh2AFKZLaT2892ujrxN_Lj0ZG5BmXIpQ0aAkKG5qjFmQ/s320/IMG_1852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383352824602509394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOxJtFcfybvaelAuWnlUke404Y8PgtlwCufq9d2ZJWgrwvRWLb6JSoCnJEl7ZpCFl8FGIewHXHSNS0kccQpWMh74oxdCju8vgi1xmiB-AkItBMDByS_uKi6FH-pv1a1EeFc2-WOvIpL0/s1600-h/IMG_1851.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOxJtFcfybvaelAuWnlUke404Y8PgtlwCufq9d2ZJWgrwvRWLb6JSoCnJEl7ZpCFl8FGIewHXHSNS0kccQpWMh74oxdCju8vgi1xmiB-AkItBMDByS_uKi6FH-pv1a1EeFc2-WOvIpL0/s320/IMG_1851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383352646844274418" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Today - one month and 2 days after my Whipple surgery - I did it. I was nervous and scared - but I did it. I got into that pool - thought I would just jump in and be like my pre-surgery old self - OMG - was I wrong! I will say that it felt GREAT to be in the water - but when I started to swim I felt like a little old lady - my body failed me - it would not stretch out the way I wanted it to. I swam 2 laps - Richard was waiting for me at the end of the pool and I burst into tears. (For those of you who remember, this is exactly what happened to me when I tried to swim after my lung surgery - only Richard tells me that it was even worse then, because I couldn't breathe or stretch!) This time, the breathing was no problem. </div><div><br /></div><div>After my 2 laps, I put on a pair of fins and swam 2 more for a grand total of 4 laps! I should feel good about this, but for some reason, I'm a bit demoralized.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, here I am. Not sure when or if I'll try again so quickly - but I wanted to share my first swim with all of you. I've got a long way to go, but I'll get there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best, </div><div>Susan</div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-78380271552862848912009-09-12T19:15:00.000-07:002009-09-12T19:26:56.555-07:00Out of the hospital!Good news! I'm out of there! I could not have lasted one more minute. I'm not great, and still feel nauseated, and all systems are not functioning 100% - but who cares? I'm home, and it feels wonderful to be here with Aly, Richard and Daisy. (Of course, I'm missing David!) If I went from the bed to the chair, from the chair to the bed, then strolled around the hospital corridor one more time, I think it would have been over for me. Now, I can go from my bedroom, to the kitchen, to the living room, to the family room and do it all over again. It's the simplest things in life! Thank you all for following my blog. More in a few days when I have some more strength.Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-12174291489798930152009-09-10T10:58:00.000-07:002009-09-10T13:22:16.902-07:0009-09-09 - a lucky day!Today is three weeks since my Whipple. Have any of you looked up just exactly what this operation entails? It is rather extraordinary. I can't believe I actually had this done to me. Although, given the way I feel now, I believe it. <div><a href="http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/HealthNotes/GIHeartburn/TheWhippleProcedure.aspx">www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/HealthNotes/GIHeartburn/TheWhippleProcedure.aspx</a></div><div><br /></div><div>But, today is a better day. Actually, yesterday, 09-09-09 was the day - my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NG</span> tube came out - for the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> time, but I think this time it is for good. They still aren't letting me eat yet, but I know that is the next step. Once I can eat, (and, of course, poop), I think I might actually be released. I feel like I have been here forever. You may all be asking, "What have you done for the past 3 weeks"? OK, this is a good exercise for my brain. Hmmmm, what have I done during my stay at Stanford University Hospital? Well, let's see:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I've spent many hours feeling very sorry for myself</li><li>I've counted my blessings</li><li>I've watched a ton of really stupid TV and a million infomercials</li><li>I've appreciated (so much), visits, cards, emails, phone calls and gifts</li><li>I've met about one hundred nurses</li><li>I've gotten about 8 accupuncture treatments</li><li>I've had a massage just about every day</li><li>I've had two sessions with ancient Tibetan "singing bowls" (amazing!)</li><li>I've had a Jin Shin Jitsui treatment</li><li>I've had a ton of foot reflexology</li><li>Richard, and my wonderful friend Susan Meadows have spent hours sitting with me here in my lovely room</li><li>I've heard from so many old, old friends on Facebook (many of whom have been incredibly generous by donating to my swim: <a href="http://swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvivies">www.swimacrossamerica.org/teamsusansurvivies</a></li><li>I've watched hours of programming on the FoodNetwork because the doctors told me that if my brain got stimulated by food it might inspire my gut to start working.....watch out, I just might become a gourmet cook after this!</li></ul><div>OK - that's all the psychic energy I can muster up for this blog. More will follow - with photos, I promise. I'm doing better, hour by hour, day by day. There is a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. Thank you for reading my blog and for your interest in my cancer journey.</div></div>Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6241849901107101664.post-86227410213958890752009-09-02T07:29:00.001-07:002009-09-02T07:35:06.234-07:0012 Days Post surgeryWhile things seemed to be going smoothly in the beginning, it seems that my recovery took a turn for the worse a few days ago. When they took out the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NG</span> tube initially, I did OK, and then proceeded to throw up continuously. I have since had 2 more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NG</span> tubes inserted (yes, while awake), and I'm not healing according to plan. It looks like I'll be in here at least until the weekend. I have so much to write about, but so little energy to work with. I know I'll get well soon and will out of this hospital with a renewed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">optimism</span> about my health and recovery. To be continued soon.Susan Helmrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722490693948827106noreply@blogger.com4