Cleaning out the Cobwebs

I must admit, I have been neglectful of late and it’s gotten a bit dusty around here. As it is wont to do, life took over. The cobwebs aren’t just virtual, though – they are metaphorical as well; it’s pretty dang dusty inside me head of late! So here’s a quick update of what’s been keeping me busy:

To get the sad stuff out of the way, I’ve been delving into the world of two new conditions on behalf of two VERY dear people. First is  pneumomediastinum, which as I understand it an air bubble in the chest cavity between the lungs. Air doesn’t belong there! And so we’re talking pain when breathing which limits activity and makes a certain someone frustrated and cranky. While just diagnosed last week, near as I can recall this started at the end of October, so who could blame him for being fed up?!?!? The other diagnosis is one of lymphoma. As well as I know breast cancer, this is a whole new world… I’m trying to do what I do: collect information, ascertain its value, digest it and share it. It has also served as an important reminder of what those early days of wading through any cancer diagnosis is like. Not wanting to out anyone publicly, my love and prayers are constant for both of you, and I will be at your side every step of the way! XOXOX

My day job has also shifted to some new and exciting projects, which is wonderful but  I find it taxing to maintain clarity sometimes. While I know I will be told I am doing too much (read on for the rest of the update; it’s a fair argument), I also know that juggling these tasks was not nearly the same challenge before I returned to treatment (and ditched the ADD meds which may be contraindicated given the tamoxifen). Which is all to say, I’ll be revisiting this decision with my docs.

In the wonderful world of breast cancer advocacy, I have shifted my focus to three incredible efforts. The are all in the early stages of development, so I don’t know what they will look like, but these are groups that I care about passionately, mostly because they care about US passionately!

#BCSM – New, exciting things are coming. I’m not privy to details, and I’d never spill the beans, but suffice to say you’ll want to keep watching! For anyone who doesn’t know, #BCSM is a Twitter community extraordinaire. “Breast Cancer Social Media” doesn’t really begin to describe who or what we are. We “meet” on tweetchat.com Monday evenings 6 PM Pacific Time. If you’ve never done a tweetchat I would encourage you to check it out. Tips for newbies: at the appointed time go to tweetchat.com, type BCSM in the box at the top, and watch it roll. Don’t worry – you’re going to miss a lot. I MEAN A LOT. But you’ll get some of it, and most important you’ll discover a warm, welcoming, generous community of people interested in breast cancer and living fully.

BREAST CANCER ACTION – If you don’t know them already, YOU SHOULD! About six months ago BC Action launched a new Speaker’s Bureau and I am beyond honored to have been asked to participate! (Note to local folks: PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A BREAST CANCER SPEAKER!)

METAVIVOR – Another AWESOME organization, METAVivor is the only national organization with an exclusive focus on allocating funds to metastatic breast cancer research. A remarkable 100% of their funds go to research, which means an ALL volunteer effort. I’m honored to work with them in reaching out to every corner of the country!

FAMILY – Most important of all, I’ve really been working hard at ensuring we have time together. From losing backgammon against Zach (yes, I AM trying to beat him!), so more frequent dinners with John (despite his trial schedule), we are very clear that our time together is the only thing that really matters! As is true with our extended family, including our friends (you know, the family you choose…).

I am also writing and have some other ideas of projects kicking around in my head. Did I mention I may be over-programmed? Yeah, I know. But I wouldn’t be me if I weren’t, now would I?

And with that…back to work!