Friends in the Workplace

After spending the day at the annual Alvin Community College Workshop, I can only say how blessed I am to work at such a wonderful place, with such caring people. You know who you are.....thank you for everything you are doing for me!

Rock for a Cure

Okay, get out yor calendar and mark October 8th NOW! "Rock for a Cure" will be a marvelous event, for more than the obvious reason. Have you seen the beginning list of who will be there? I am always so impressed at how the different (and competitive!) media outlets in town unite together when they need to. Each of the celebrity "hosts" not only represents their business, but also show their commitment to education. That is SO important to the future of the media business...and the country! Remember, of course, that each and every person that decides to come that night is also a celebrity in his/her own right...and we look forward to seeing you there!

We are Family

Have you seen my brother's cartoon about me (daybydaycartoon.com)? It's so cool to be related to someone with artistic talent. I was always the kid who colored strictly inside the lines of the coloring books, while my brother was light years beyond them. For those readers who are visiting this website as a courtesy to my brother, thank you for doing it. He is a wonderfully witty, smart, eccentric guy who reads incredibly dry books (zzzz) and has the most acerbic tongue and cynical wit I've ever experienced.

(and if he reads this, there's a chance I'll get a really good Christmas gift this year....)

Paying it Foward

I was driving to work today and went by a teenager walking by the side of the road, away from a car with its hood up and steam coming out of the radiator. It was about a zillion degrees, and he reminded me of my son, so I stopped and asked if he needed a ride. He smiled at said “No Ma’am, I live right there” and he gestured to a house about a block away. And then he looked me straight in the eye and said “but bless you for asking”. While I don’t advocate picking up folks on the side of the road, I felt better as I drove away. Hopefully, if my son ever needs a ride, someone will pick him up. It’s that concept of “paying it forward”.

The Latest

I know this part of the website is supposed to be cancer free, but so many folks use it to keep up! Here's my news...I just finished having two small tumors ablated on one side of my lungs. I will be returning to Alabama at the end of the month to take care of the other side, but there's a catch. These two tumors (one new, one old) both are so close to my heart that ablation is not really an option; rather, they will be injected with chemotherapy.The down side is that I also need to go back on systemic chemotherapy....the really bad stuff for about 6 months. It complements the injected stuff, and increases its power. So, for 6 months, I will probably lose my hair (finally!) and develop a rash on my face (and that IS unfair.....why doesn't it develop on, say my ankle? But NOOOOOO). I definitely will not be looking my best, but it should do the trick. And that's the important part, right?

Back from Alabama

Here's the latest....my trip to Alabama showed that in the last two months, I have developed two brand new tumors to deal with, along with one that was previously ablated and is trying to re-grow (is that a word?). And the tumor near my heart is just sitting there...not smaller, but not bigger either. Not great news, but it could be much worse! So, I am headed back to Alabama this coming weekend to do another ablation procedure, and going back on chemotherapy. I've been off chemo for a month--the first time in about 2 years. It was heaven, but obviously, it doesn't work for me. The doctor told me that my goal is to remain proactive and stay as healthy as I can, and keep "putting out fires" (his words) until gene therapy can be used in this country. So that's the plan! Thanks for all the calls and notes....keep 'em coming! I need all of you......