Raise your hand

Raise your hand if you were bit by a dog last night
Raise your hand if you got home at 1:30 this morning
Raise your hand if you were made to feel uncomfortable by girls hitting each other's breasts
Raise your hand if you had dinner with a man who threatened to kill you
Raise your hand if you played rock band last night for the first time
Raise your hand if you barely posted your final before the deadline
Raise your hand if you would rather still be in bed than any where else
Raise your hand if you need a break from adventure

PhD in Horribleness

So remember yesterday when I said that my hair had been washed 4 times? Why would you? After I washed it in the evening post cut I put some über spikey gel in it to get it dirty. My sister was over and took this super flattering pic, which I LOVE!! All I was missing was goggles on my head and a white lab coat; I too could have had a PhD in Horribleness.


a post script: The title of this post is in reference to Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long blog and not in reference to my feelings on my hair. Dr. Horrible is on my shirt, he is who I am pointing to. Played masterfully by Neil Patrick Harris. Captain Hammer is played by my love Nathan Fillion. If you did not check it out when I posted the link a while ago, the video is still available online thanks to Hulu by clicking here and then click Watch it Right Now. It is good stuff and the bulk of most of my inside jokes right now! Most of the inside jokes, I say, with the exception of MMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Gutsy? Just wait...

When I was younger my hair would just change colors naturally every few years. My hair has been red, blonde, and brown. I have also made my hair red, blonde, and brown; but I have never had the guts to go black. Well you know what they say about going black...

So I made the choice when I was in Las Vegas with Megan and Candice that I wanted to do it. I was going to do it. I was standing in the potty waiting for the girls and this lady was in there with black hair and blue tips. I love that she did that, and I told her so.

So I called my hair lady Jenae and asked her if she would help me make a drastic change to my hair. She was all in, but we decided to wait a week in case I changed my mind. Well the transformtion is below:

This is what my hair looked like an hour before I went in yesterday

This was at her salon, not the most flattering angle...

On the way home, still a little unsure...

And this morning in my office. Have you ever noticed that when you get a cut it takes like a week before it is perfect? Well maybe it is just me. My hair was washed 4 times yesterday (in the morning, once before she cut it, once after she dyed it, and then when I got home because I can not stand the little hairs all over), too many if you ask me, so it will take a little while before it calms down from that. Oh and then I am going to buy some colored gel and tip it one day... I think I have the guts to do that since I know it will wash out.

So this is new hair style #1 of 2008. The next one is coming in October some time... stay tuned!

The War Chapters of Alma

The war chapters in Alma of the Book of Mormon are some of my favorites. Not because of the subject, but rather because of the lesson I can learn and apply in my life. Alma 50 talks about how Captain Moroni prepared his people for war; what he did to fortify the land. In verse 1 he dug heaps of earth, verse 2 he placed timbers around them to the height of a man, in verse 3 he caused pickets to be placed on top of those, in verse 4 he erected towers for look out, and in verse 10 he placed armies about to guard and protect.

In a secular sense in times of war I can apply this to me in this manner: 1- dig myself out of debt; 2- save money in case of economic hardship; 3- food storage, food storage, food storage; 4- gain an education and be informed about what is happening in the world; and 5- elect wise leaders for the nation.

In a spiritual sense in my personal war against Satan, I can apply it in this manner: 1- the dirt serves as a foundation which is my testimony and faith in my Lord; 2- the timbers are similar to the programs set up at church: Relief Society, Priesthood, Sunday School, Primary, and Youth programs; 3- the pickets are like barbed wire on top of a fence which is like the personal things I can do to keep myself ready: being in the world but not of the world, obeying the Word of Wisdom, paying my tithing, keeping the Law of Chastity, etc.; 4- the lookouts to me are like the words that to warn me about evil: The Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, the Ensign and Conference talks; and 5- the army is the Prophet and Apostles, my local leaders, and friends who teach me to do the right thing and help me when I need to be boosted up.

Swimming Lesson

I have loved swimming for a long time, I would live in the pool if I could. I did the swim leg of a sprint tri relay a few years ago and then just kind of gave it up. I think this year I might just get together with a runner and a biker and try one again.

Well I decided a few months ago that I was going to pick up swimming again but thought I should make sure I am doing it right. So today I had a 3 HOUR swim lesson with the wonderful Debbie.

My main concern has been that I never learned to hold my breath under water without plugging my nose. So she taught me how to do it. I could not believe I was doing it. Then we focused on the strokes that I would benefit from swimming the most. Back and forth, back and forth in the pool. She was so patient and great! I would get to the middle of the pool and swallow a large gulp of water and need to start over.

The last thing she did with me scared me to death!! She taught me to dive. Kneeling at first on the side of the pool, then standing with her holding my leg in the right position, then doing it all by myself. I was so scared, I am not a diver, never have been. Well guess what world? I did it and it was rather cool. Beats sitting in the office all day long!!

Then her kids came out and joined us in the pool for some fun and games. She dropped some things at the bottom and Garrett and I raced to pick them up. I did hand stands and flips in the water. Even though I lathered on the sun block I am rather red at the moment. Rather red!! I guess 3 hours in the pool requires more sun block than one is used to putting on. It is alright I need some extra color on my face for the BIG HAIR change I am about to make on Monday!!

Cancer Sucks Language Contest

My mother had an appointment with her cancer docs yesterday and they gave her a pin that says: Cancer Sucks

I have been trying to learn the phrase Cancer Sucks in a new languge each month since June. But now I am getting anxious to learn as many as I can in a short amount of time.

BLOG READERS UNITE!! Do you know how to say Cancer Sucks in a language other than English? I would love for you to comment on my blog with the following information:

Cancer Sucks spelled in a foreign language

The name of the language

The translation of the phrase in case it varies from Cancer Sucks (see below)

How to pronounce the words phonetically

The winner of the most unique language gets a prize from me... what is the prize? Good question, but it will be fun, I would have to be creative in case someone away from Utah wins! I understand that some languages might not have a direct translation for the word Sucks as I am using it, so be creative and use similar phrasing (Cancer is ugly or I hate Cancer, etc) Also if you might know it in a language that might not be similar enough to English that you can type it in, let me know. I am thinking of Asian languges here where I might need to see a jpeg or something.

On your mark, get set, GO!!

I craft, I am a crafter

Earlier this year I had a party with my good chum Peggy, she is an independent consultant with Heritage Makers, click here if you do not know who they are. Well I bought some books and family folds and then of course I earned some free stuff. I have not done anything with it, until now. I had a private lesson with Peggy and she taught me some great things. Then I went home and played, below is the result.
This is a family fold, which means it folds like 5 times. The pink side is just the girls. I am missing one picture in the middle of the two of them together, and then the red/black side is my family. We had these pictures taken a while ago before the girls were born, and I had longer hair. So now, when I get the middle pic of the girls, I just have these printed out!!

RIP My Nemesis

My brother's cat Harry died suddenly this weekend of unknown reasons. For those who know me, I am not a pet person, especially cats. I found I was oddly sad by his death this weekend, really shocked. Harry seemed to know I did not like cats and would srtike at me just to piss me off, and man that cat had a fast get away!! Once he pounced at my feet when I was standing at the top of the stairs and I reacted as I always did when taken my surprise with an animal and jerked my foot. Well I caught Harry with my foot and he went flying to the bottom of the steps in a kamikaze flying move. He landed, of course, on his feet at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at me with a "What the crap did you do that for?" look. LOL Out Loud. Needless to say it was the last time he pounced on my feet.
Rest in peace my nemesis!! I will actually miss you, and I know my brother really does too.

Money Savvy Advice Needed

So yesterday I was expressed my desire to save half of my bonus this year so that next year I can have money for a down payment on a house. Let me first say that I already have the house picked out, it is just the date that needs to be finalized for the sale. It is my Grams old house that my Aunts Colleen & Della live in now. I told Aunt Colleen years ago that when she was ready to sell I wanted to buy it, to keep it in the family. So there you have the back ground.

The price of the house is negotiable, but I still want to have a decent down payment ready for it. I have been putting away $100 from every paycheck to my savings account for a while now, and then this larger chunk of money will be nice as well. But my question is: Since this is a larger chunk of money (we are talking a few thousand dollars that I am putting in a savings account) I wonder if it is better to put in a straight savings account with my credit union (Mountain America) or should I invest it in something like a CD or Money Market thing. I am great at accounting things, but not so good with investment decisions, so I would love to know what the audience at large suggests. I do know that the CDs or Money Markets yield a higher interest rate if the money is not touched, which is what I want, but then how do I chose the right one? So tell me what you would do so I can learn more to make a good choice, I hope!!

Nothing to do

Today was an oddity at work... I had nothing to do. I cleaned my office and did a Sam's Club run... I can not believe how incredibly bored I am today. I am sure tomorrow is going to be busy (IT IS BONUS DAY!!) so that will be a chunk of my day I guess. Side bar, half of my bonus is going into a savings account so that next year if I get a bonus comparable to what I am getting this year I will be able to put a down payment on a house. My boss Mike or Steve hand out the bonus checks, although I process them. Steve is out of town this year and Mike just told me he is going to just not come it. I told him I would boycott work with him as well, but could I have my checks before we leave work today? LOL. That would be total pandemonium. (Life is pandemonium, yes it is) Every pay day this lady in our office comes in and asks me if she can have her check before she leaves for lunch. My whole thing is that it is pay DAY. So I have all day to give checks out. My thoughts are that as long as the checks are out before 5 I am alright. Well she does not see it that way. I have to be honest that one day I told her no; that I was not done with them and had another project to do (which was the truth, btw) and she could have it after lunch if I had them processed. She went in and told our boss that I was not going to pay anyone today (what are we in the 2nd grade? Kill me.) So Mike came in and asked why I was refusing to pay people (what the frak?), I told him what I was working on and that everyone would be paid by the end of the day. He was like, “Oh she told me you just told her she could not have her check.” Right, like I am not going to hand out paychecks. Oy vey! So the next pay day I left at like 11 just to spite her. The joke is on me, she made Mike get the checks out of my locked files and hand them out. What was I talking about? Oh being bored… Sometimes when I am bored I babble.

My new favorite inspirational political speech

I am a confessed political junkie. I love political speeches, especially the ones that are inspirational. I have a new favorite that has passed Martin Luther King, Jr's "I have a dream" speech, John F Kennedy's " Ask not what your country can do for you" speech, and anything by Bobby Kennedy. It is below. A little long, but I like it, the end is worth the read! Can you guess who it is from?

There is something happening when Americans who are young in age and in spirit – who have never before participated in politics – turn out in numbers we’ve never seen because they know in their hearts that this time must be different.

There is something happening when people vote not just for the party they belong to but the hopes they hold in common – that whether we are rich or poor; black or white; Latino or Asian; whether we hail from Iowa or New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina, we are ready to take this country in a fundamentally new direction. That is what’s happening in America right now. Change is what’s happening in America.

You can be the new majority who can lead this nation out of a long political darkness – Democrats, Independents and Republicans who are tired of the division and distraction that has clouded Washington; who know that we can disagree without being disagreeable; who understand that if we mobilize our voices to challenge the money and influence that’s stood in our way and challenge ourselves to reach for something better, there’s no problem we can’t solve – no destiny we cannot fulfill.

Our new American majority can end the outrage of unaffordable, unavailable health care in our time. We can bring doctors and patients; workers and businesses, Democrats and Republicans together; and we can tell the drug and insurance industry that while they’ll get a seat at the table, they don’t get to buy every chair. Not this time. Not now.

Our new majority can end the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas and put a middle-class tax cut into the pockets of the working Americans who deserve it.

We can stop sending our children to schools with corridors of shame and start putting them on a pathway to success. We can stop talking about how great teachers are and start rewarding them for their greatness. We can do this with our new majority.

We can harness the ingenuity of farmers and scientists; citizens and entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil and save our planet from a point of no return.

And when I am President, we will end this war in Iraq and bring our troops home; we will finish the job against al Qaeda in Afghanistan; we will care for our veterans; we will restore our moral standing in the world; and we will never use 9/11 as a way to scare up votes, because it is not a tactic to win an election, it is a challenge that should unite America and the world against the common threats of the twenty-first century: terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease.

All of the candidates in this race share these goals. All have good ideas. And all are patriots who serve this country honorably.

But the reason our campaign has always been different is because it’s not just about what I will do as President, it’s also about what you, the people who love this country, can do to change it.

That’s why tonight belongs to you. It belongs to the organizers and the volunteers and the staff who believed in our improbable journey and rallied so many others to join.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we’ve been told that we’re not ready, or that we shouldn’t try, or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.

Yes we can.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can.

And so tomorrow, as we take this campaign South and West; as we learn that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America’s story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea – Yes. We. Can.

Deep Thoughts... by Starbuck

How is it that a toothache can be more painful than other pains?

A reader?

So I was never much of a reader growing up. I did not like to read for school or pleasure. I did not understand it. In Elementary School we had to check out 2 books a week, one serious and one fun. I did like the Ramona Quimby books a bit so I usually got one of those, and then (as previously stated) would get my political junkie book: The Life of JFK. I was in love with President Kennedy, me being a Dem was not such a shock....

But now, as an adult, I AM A READER! I just can not get enough of books. I listen to them when I drive (I highly enjoyed The Professor and The Madman and am now listening to THe Minority Report and Other Short Stories) and I read books like they are going out of style. I just finished the Twilight series... (hm... is what I say about the Twilight series.... just hm....) and I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner. I wonder why the switch? My sister Colleen was always the reader (well her and Everett, but Everett is the kind where he will take a book to the movie and ready up until the movie starts... i.e. even during the previews. Everett can read many books in a day... not sure how he does this.) I think it started with, I hate to admit it, Harry Potter. I like the books now, but when I was a nanny I hated them. I did not know how to pronounce the names... like Hermione... and it was not until I had seen the movie that I like the book. Backwards, I know. So now I am a reader. I say it loud I say it proud. (One day I hope to be like Wretchel who can have 4 books going at once and not get lost... I have a hard time with one if I stop to watch a movie, it is a thing with me.)

So I open the comment discussion forum: Book tips?!?! Favorite series?? Thoughts on book clubs?? Favorite writer? Books to stay away from, those that you think I would hate... keep in mind I might just read it to spite you! Post ye faithful, and ye lurkers!

Parade Parade Parade

So little known fact about me: I hate parades. I had my fill of them when my sister was Miss Midvale and I was her chaperon for EVERY city's parade. I admit I liked it at the time, but now... not so much.

The exception, however, is the Midvale Harvest Days parade because I have been a parade announcer for the past 8 years. I love it. If you know me well you know I love the feel of a mic in my hand and the sound of my voice ... chills just thinking about it.

The Harvest Days parade is this Saturday, starting at 10:00 a.m. if anyone is interested. It is a good old fashioned town parade. Kids are encouraged to enter having decorated their bikes... though not many do... it is still the thought that is cool. My spot on the parade route is on the corner of Grant and Center Streets. Center is 7720 South and Grant is 3 blocks West of State Street. My besty Candice sits and gets her hand on the mic when I am not feeling selfish... just kidding we both announce together.

And the best part always is that we bring Otter Pops (frozen nonetheless) to share because it gets hot out there. So if you do not have plans this Saturday morning and have a hankering for a good frozen treat, pretty girls on floats, and an outrageous amount of campaigning politicians.... you know where I will be!

More Vegas Pics

So here were the pics I could not post earlier because I can not figure how to flip them using my Mac. I will convert fully to the Mac, oh yes I will!!

Right before I left to pick up the girls my niece Lottie was at my house, and frankly this is the first time I have seen her smile in person. I have seen pics of it, but she had never smiled at me. Not technically a pic in Vegas, but right before... and she is cute, and it is my blog...
A lizard at the Shark Reef
A waterfall from the Shark Reef
A shark. A Nose Shark. The kind of shark who you do not want to meet in a dark alley.
Part of the Shark Reef looks like a sunken ship, I just thought the detail was kind of cool.
If you look close behind Megan you can see the Borg Queen's skull and spine... she is rightly scared.
Megan sitting in the Captain's Lounge
Candice's frothy beverage at Quark's. I have a Quark's Bar Bowling Shirt, it is kind of cool. I am wearing it today, I feel like I could do well on Wii bowling today, even better than my mom! She has mad Wii bowling skills...
Love the shirt, love the pants, love the bag, love everything.

Arts Survey

As many of you might know I am involved in the arts program in my local community and today I received an email from two of the producers I have worked with recently encouraging me to take a survey for the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts. I took it in hopes to boost funding for local arts programs in my community. If you are like minded the email and link is below (I hope) I encourage you to take a minute to answer the questions honestly, even if you think too much money is given to the arts now as it is. I for one think community arts programs could do with a little more bank roll!

Salt Lake County Center for the Arts needs your input. How do you and your family participate in the arts and culture scene in Salt Lake County? Please tell us -- take a minute and fill out our survey. (http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/210780/9cb9/) The survey will close on August 20, and results will be incorporated into the Salt Lake County Cultural Facilities Master Plan, expected to be released in late September, 2008.

Sometimes

Sometimes I am sick, today is one of those days. I just do not feel good and have been running a fever for a few days of 102. Frankly I am bored too... But thanks to Kate's suggestion I have started to watch Arrested Developement. That is one funny show. Thanks for the suggestion Kate.

VACA #2, 2008

Sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip.

Megan, Candice, and I set out Thursday night for an adventure to Vegas. Since what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas I am breaking all of the rules to even tell you about it. Our flight left SLC shortly after 7 and was overbooked. So we offered to be bumped if needed, Adventure #1... it was not needed. Darn it. That later flight and $200 in Delta credits would have been cool. We got to Vegas no problem, got our car, checked into the Excalibur, and grabbed some late night chow.

Friday was Star Trek day. We slept in a bit, as one is want to do on vacation. I had just finished with my shower and put my clothes on and was getting ready to brush my teeth when the fire alarm went off. All three of us looked at each other, Candice said, "Shall we?" We grabbed our essential bag (purse) and walked out the door to the nearest exit and waited for the fire trucks to come... they never did. So we, along with the one other room that left the tower, walked to the front entrance and asked the concierge why no one else seemed concerned that the fire alarm was going off in Tower I? Apparently there was a fire alarm test and no one bothered to tell the visitors. Adventure #2! We ate breakfast and then returned to the room so I could brush my noxious breath. Then off to experience Star Trek.

As stated in a previous post I was raised by geeks and am 11% geek myself. I have to admit I love the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. We bought the normal pass along with a backstage tour (mostly for Megan who is the true fan) and off we went. First we walked through the museum a bit. Megan got a pic with a Ferengi, she would not touch his ears... such virtue! Then we encountered a Klingon who frankly was super funny! In the museum there are costumes from each of the series as well as a timeline that was really cool. It starts with factual dates and then adds in Star Trek dates (star dates if you will.) There are phasers even a photon torpedo (not the one that Spok was shot into space in.) There are more pictures and fun alien facts than one can read in one pass. We went on the rides next where the Borg tried to assimilate us and the Klingons tried to kidnap us so that Captain Picard would not be born. Apparently he is my progeny. It just was nice to know that I will have children one day… this is probably only funny if you were there with us… something about an inside joke because I know that Picard is not real… or is he?

After doing the rides and all we went on the back stage tour and we did raise our hands and promise to keep everything a secret, but I will tell you some of the little trivia things that are not so secret to fans of the show. GNDN, if you ever see in on a door, means Goes Nowhere, Does Nothing. The hallway in Start Trek: The Next Generation has little stickers that have fun little sayings like the theme from Gilligan’s Island, or “There is nothing behind this panel.” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” That was very cool. I would have liked to take a picture but copy right laws prevented me from doing so. Somewhere during this time we also had our pictures taken on the bridge of Enterprise D and also being assimilated by the Borg, Resistance is Futile, you know! The coolest part, to me, anyway was that we were able to be under one of the rides when it was actually happening to see how it works. Adventure #C. That was pretty cool!

After this we ate at Quark’s Bar and then went shopping. Megan was like a sexy geek magnet. I wondered if the Klingon was going to ever leave her alone of if the guy asking for her advice while shopping realized she was not interested in him. Oy Megs!! You need to stop being so cute! I got the best new shirt for me, a bowling shirt that says Quark’s Bar, and then got Ainsleigh a onesie that says: Star Fleet Academy and a jumper that says: Captain this diaper can’t take much more.

After Star Trek we drove back to change and then RACED, and I mean RACED (Adventure #4), to see Le Reve, a Cirque De Soleil show. This was my favorite part of the trip. It was my first Cirque show and I was in love with it. However, it was the most beautiful panic attack I have ever had. The beauty is great, but so are the stunts and I was a little worried from time to time that they would fall from such great heights. I would like to see another show very soon!

Saturday we packed up to come home… little did we know this was just a joke! In the morning we went to the Mandalay Bay and saw the sharks, grabbed a burger at In and Out, drank some nasty Coke from around the World (Adventure #5) and visited the M&M store (btw I found a very cool M&M Monopoly game!) After this we RACED again to return our car and make it to the airport in time to miss our flight. IDon’t get me started, don’t even get me started! We were there in plenty of time to make the flight; they just would not allow us to check in. Needless to say that $150 later (each) we had seats on the flight the next morning. Adventure #6. I tried to call a coworker to see if I could buy him dinner in return for allowing us to sleep in his spare room, but Adam did not get my message until we were back in our hotel and already had tickets to see another show that night. We went to see the jousting show that is put on and drank Dragon’s Blood Soup… it is tomato soup… they make me laugh. Actually the pain pill I was on that night made me laugh more than anything else. I was not feeling so great that day, although I can not tell you what was going on, my joints hurt.

The next morning at 4:15 (Adventure #The Last) my alarm woke us up (which is good because I was being rude in taking the covers from Candice… sorry, my bad.) We took a cab to the airport and made it there WAY early for our flight. We were home around 9. Did I mention that my church starts at 9 and I was supposed to teach Sunday School? Good thing I have a nice aunt who called the SS Pres and asked him to teach for me. I probably could have made it to Sacrament Meeting, but I went to bed instead and woke up sometime around 5 that night. The post below is full of pics, and this post is long enough.

Vegas Pics

Megan and a Ferengi... he offered to buy her blood later in the day, he was just putting it out there.

One of the Enterprise Star Ships, I want to say from TNG

A croc at the Shark Reef

Megan's food at Quarks, those are not chop sticks despite what one might think

Fish

An eel

Three friends, stuck in Vegas, seeing the men from Thunder Down Under but more wholesome, a little more wholesome but still yummy. By the way our Irish King was kind of lame.

Enterprise... one of them, from the original series.

So there is a great picture of Candice drinking a fruity bev, but for some reason I can not get it to work here... so instead of you get Megan and yours truly... that would be me... Picards grandmother.

Right so I know these pics are out of order, I am still getting used to playing with my Mac at home. I am so used to my PC at work where I know how to make things do what I want it to do... not so much here yet.

Update on Mom

Before I left for my three-hour tour in Vegas, I went with my mom to her first appointment with her bone marrow transplant team. She will be on schedule to have a transplant sometime in October. They feel that her cancer is such that she will be a great candidate for an autologous stem cell transplant. This means they try to harvest enough of her own stem cells to transplant back into her body instead of getting an outside donor (allogeneic transplant). She will finish this round of chemo and then have one more round (her third) and then they give her one-week off of chemo so she bounces back. After this they give her a shot to increase her own production of stem cells. When they feel her numbers are good, they will install a central line and do the harvest, this central line will be with her for a few months. Sometimes the harvest is done in one day; sometimes it takes a few weeks. It depends on how her body expunges her cells. The transplant team tries to extract or harvest enough for up to 3 cell transplants. When the have enough they put her stem cells in the freezer and give her a week to rest. Then she is in the hospital for 3-4 weeks. She will be admitted and they give her 2 days of intense chemo treatments. Then she gets 1-2 days off before she has the actual transplant. This is what they call day 0. All days before this are numbered in the negative (in other words she is admitted on day -4.) On or around day 6 (so 6 days after her transplant, 10 days after chemo) she will lose her hair and start feeling really shatty. Mom has already made us promise to shave her head before she goes in for transplant because she does not want it to come out in clumps. About day 14 they analyze how she is doing. If her body has started to produce stem cells again they will send her home. If she has not started they keep her in the hospital until she does. Worst-case scenario is that it does not work and they look for an allo transplant donor. This is so unlikely that they only mention it because it happens less than 1%, but it could happen. After she is released, she will be a homebody for a few weeks. She will have little to no immune system. The chemo eradicates it. My father and I are her primary care givers. Someone has to be with her 24 hours a day for the first bit. While she is not looking forward to a transplant she is happy that she is a candidate for it and that there is an option for her treatment. Best case scenario she will have 3-5 years symptom free. By that time who know what treatments will be available for her. She will be able to do another transplant at that time as well to give her another 3-5 years. We like these options and are hopeful for the best.

Deep Thoughts... by Starbuck

Sometimes Vegas kidnaps visitors for an extra day...