I was online and came across this Web site for gall bladder and bile duct cancer research at Johns Hopkins University.
There are so many appeals for breast and prostate cancer research funds, but so little is known about gall bladder cancer. As the end of the year comes and you or someone you know (or the company you work for) may be thinking about which organizations to make a tax-deductible donation to, consider donating to Johns Hopkins for researching this cancer. I know from experience with my Mom how quickly it can kill you -- my mom lasted nine weeks after her initial diagnosis.
There is a pink button on the left side of the screen where you can donate, and you can even donate in memory of someone (either my mom Maureen Frymark, or anyone you might know who has dealt with liver or bile duct cancer of any kind). My mom's birthday is coming up on Nov. 10, and I know for me this will be a great way to remember her and help other people.
Please pass this on to your friends, relatives, or anyone you think might be interested in helping out. Thanks!
31 October 2007
Urban Dictionary Word of the Day
(Editor's note: I get these great e-mails every day with slangish words that "the kids" are using. Some of them are not work appropriate, but I'm posting the ones that are, because some of them are pretty cute/funny. So here we go!)
Hallowthanksmas: The period of time starting in late October and ending on New Year's Eve, so named for the commercial tendency to put up Christmas displays before Halloween. See also Christmahanukwanzakah.
Hallowthanksmas: The period of time starting in late October and ending on New Year's Eve, so named for the commercial tendency to put up Christmas displays before Halloween. See also Christmahanukwanzakah.
30 October 2007
An Accident? Really?
Nurse suspended for giving out wrong pills to kindergartners
Part of me wonders if maybe she (or their teacher) just needed a little break. Fifteen kindergartners would be enough for me to break out the baby Tylenol.
(Editors note: I'm joking, I love kids -- just not 15 of them in one place, at one time. Welcome to my sarcastic sense of humor.)
Part of me wonders if maybe she (or their teacher) just needed a little break. Fifteen kindergartners would be enough for me to break out the baby Tylenol.
(Editors note: I'm joking, I love kids -- just not 15 of them in one place, at one time. Welcome to my sarcastic sense of humor.)
26 October 2007
You Spin Me Round
A friend is away from home (and her fall colors) working in another state, so her mom sent her a wonderful fall-themed care package to remind her of home. It was such a sweet story, and sounded just like something my mom would have done. (She died earlier this year of gall bladder cancer, for those of you new to the blog.)
Her post brought back a memory of my first year of college. I turned 18 my first full month at school, and was very homesick. My mom baked me a birthday cake, frosting and everything, and shipped it to me at school. I think she even wrote "Happy 18th Birthday Lisa" on it or something (the answer to that question will be left to the ages; I'm sure my Dad wouldn't even remember this if I asked him about it).
I'm sure you can tell how this ends. The box of course bounced around in the shipping process, and by the time it reached me, two-and-a-half hours away at college, the frosting was stuck to the inside of the lid, so we had to scrape it off and put it back on the cake as best we could. I called to tell her I got it, and she felt so bad that it had been ruined. I am trying to remember if I said "thank you," I sure hope I did.
That story epitomizes my mom perfectly. Her ideas weren't always the best, but the best and most wonderful intentions were always behind them. I miss her so, so much.
-------
Two nights in a row now I've gotten in these horrible, seemingly never-ending crying jags that leave me blowing my nose until it's bloody. I am sure it's normal to go through this, but all these feelings, at the times I'm feeling them, are firsts for me, so I'm not sure if I'm handling this all correctly. Part of me wonders if it will be easier when my Dad passes someday, because I will know what to expect.
For the last several days, the nagging feeling has returned that my Mom didn't get proper care (the doctors made her wait to long to have her gall bladder out; told her it was a slow-moving disease, and it was okay to wait for the "good" oncologist for her chemo/radiation to get back from vacation; etc.). I just wonder if we should consult an attorney. Negligence is negligence, whether accidental or criminal. While I know it won't bring my mother back, I wonder if investigating whether one or more of her doctors did something wrong (even back to her internist who maybe should have checked her over more carefully during appointments; pushed harder for her to lose weight when it didn't seem like she was, even though she was exercising and not eating as much; referred her to a specialist if he felt like there was some reason to) --- and then punishing him/them for it --- would ensure that this doesn't happen to someone else.
On the other side of the coin, gall bladder cancer is very rare and there are supposedly no symptoms until it's too late. To her surgeon's and oncologist's credit, they did research several treatments both in Madison and other parts of the country, and worked in conjunction with UW Madison teaching hospital to design her chemo treatment. Also, maybe my Mom didn't pay enough attention to potential symptoms that could have helped to catch the cancer in an earlier stage, or prompted the doctors to remove the gall bladder before cancer could even form. Maybe she should have pushed harder to go to a sleep clinic for her sleep apnea, which is now what I am doing for myself (she knew she had it -- anyone who heard her snore knew she had it -- but she told us the doctor wanted her to lose some weight first). Maybe she subconsciously knew something wasn't right, and was afraid they would tell her she was sick (she was -- and my Dad still is -- not one to go to the doctor at the drop of a hat, which always drove me crazy -- THAT'S WHAT INSURANCE IS FOR!!!).
Maybe, maybe, maybe. Way too many maybes.
Looking into supporting/getting increasing funding for research into gall bladder cancer is a noble cause (my Dad said it kills him how much you see about eradicating breast cancer, but not what my Mom had which, in fairness, affects a vastly smaller portion of the population), but when you really get down to the cynical meat and bones, nothing more will really be known about it until a celebrity or politician -- or a member of one of their families -- is afflicted with the disease. Until that time comes, I struggle with what I should do, whether I should pursue this particular avenue, one of anger, litigation and punishment.
The last two nights I've asked her to come to me in my dreams, to let me know if I should move forward or drop it. In a dream last night I saw her at a carnival; she gave me a hug, and said something to the effect of, "I gave it/the key/something like that to M----!" (a crush I had in college). M is currently an ADA in a nearby county. So do I grasp at straws and think that maybe this was her way of telling me to call a lawyer? Or do I believe that while my mother liked crosswords and word games, she wasn't a cryptic person, and if she really wanted me to know something she would have just come out and told me?
I talked to my Dad a little about it tonight, and we wavered back and forth, finally ending on the attitude that this all happened as it was supposed to happen, it won't bring her back, etc. (basically the argument I laid out in the paragraphs above). He said that if he had to decide now, he'd tell me to drop it, but he said he wants to think about it a little bit; she'll be gone six months
feels like six years
on Nov. 12
two days after her birthday
so there is obviously still time. So I continue to run around and around on my mental hamster wheel, feeling lost, missing my mother so much some days it physically hurts, and smiling when I hear her voice on my parents' answering machine when I call to talk to my Dad and he's not home. Basically, just trying to hold it together.
Her post brought back a memory of my first year of college. I turned 18 my first full month at school, and was very homesick. My mom baked me a birthday cake, frosting and everything, and shipped it to me at school. I think she even wrote "Happy 18th Birthday Lisa" on it or something (the answer to that question will be left to the ages; I'm sure my Dad wouldn't even remember this if I asked him about it).
I'm sure you can tell how this ends. The box of course bounced around in the shipping process, and by the time it reached me, two-and-a-half hours away at college, the frosting was stuck to the inside of the lid, so we had to scrape it off and put it back on the cake as best we could. I called to tell her I got it, and she felt so bad that it had been ruined. I am trying to remember if I said "thank you," I sure hope I did.
That story epitomizes my mom perfectly. Her ideas weren't always the best, but the best and most wonderful intentions were always behind them. I miss her so, so much.
-------
Two nights in a row now I've gotten in these horrible, seemingly never-ending crying jags that leave me blowing my nose until it's bloody. I am sure it's normal to go through this, but all these feelings, at the times I'm feeling them, are firsts for me, so I'm not sure if I'm handling this all correctly. Part of me wonders if it will be easier when my Dad passes someday, because I will know what to expect.
For the last several days, the nagging feeling has returned that my Mom didn't get proper care (the doctors made her wait to long to have her gall bladder out; told her it was a slow-moving disease, and it was okay to wait for the "good" oncologist for her chemo/radiation to get back from vacation; etc.). I just wonder if we should consult an attorney. Negligence is negligence, whether accidental or criminal. While I know it won't bring my mother back, I wonder if investigating whether one or more of her doctors did something wrong (even back to her internist who maybe should have checked her over more carefully during appointments; pushed harder for her to lose weight when it didn't seem like she was, even though she was exercising and not eating as much; referred her to a specialist if he felt like there was some reason to) --- and then punishing him/them for it --- would ensure that this doesn't happen to someone else.
On the other side of the coin, gall bladder cancer is very rare and there are supposedly no symptoms until it's too late. To her surgeon's and oncologist's credit, they did research several treatments both in Madison and other parts of the country, and worked in conjunction with UW Madison teaching hospital to design her chemo treatment. Also, maybe my Mom didn't pay enough attention to potential symptoms that could have helped to catch the cancer in an earlier stage, or prompted the doctors to remove the gall bladder before cancer could even form. Maybe she should have pushed harder to go to a sleep clinic for her sleep apnea, which is now what I am doing for myself (she knew she had it -- anyone who heard her snore knew she had it -- but she told us the doctor wanted her to lose some weight first). Maybe she subconsciously knew something wasn't right, and was afraid they would tell her she was sick (she was -- and my Dad still is -- not one to go to the doctor at the drop of a hat, which always drove me crazy -- THAT'S WHAT INSURANCE IS FOR!!!).
Maybe, maybe, maybe. Way too many maybes.
Looking into supporting/getting increasing funding for research into gall bladder cancer is a noble cause (my Dad said it kills him how much you see about eradicating breast cancer, but not what my Mom had which, in fairness, affects a vastly smaller portion of the population), but when you really get down to the cynical meat and bones, nothing more will really be known about it until a celebrity or politician -- or a member of one of their families -- is afflicted with the disease. Until that time comes, I struggle with what I should do, whether I should pursue this particular avenue, one of anger, litigation and punishment.
The last two nights I've asked her to come to me in my dreams, to let me know if I should move forward or drop it. In a dream last night I saw her at a carnival; she gave me a hug, and said something to the effect of, "I gave it/the key/something like that to M----!" (a crush I had in college). M is currently an ADA in a nearby county. So do I grasp at straws and think that maybe this was her way of telling me to call a lawyer? Or do I believe that while my mother liked crosswords and word games, she wasn't a cryptic person, and if she really wanted me to know something she would have just come out and told me?
I talked to my Dad a little about it tonight, and we wavered back and forth, finally ending on the attitude that this all happened as it was supposed to happen, it won't bring her back, etc. (basically the argument I laid out in the paragraphs above). He said that if he had to decide now, he'd tell me to drop it, but he said he wants to think about it a little bit; she'll be gone six months
feels like six years
on Nov. 12
two days after her birthday
so there is obviously still time. So I continue to run around and around on my mental hamster wheel, feeling lost, missing my mother so much some days it physically hurts, and smiling when I hear her voice on my parents' answering machine when I call to talk to my Dad and he's not home. Basically, just trying to hold it together.
25 October 2007
Boo!
It's Halloween here at the office, and I am all decked out in my bloody scrubs as Dr. Miranda Bailey from Grey's Anatomy. I have seen most of my other costume-teammates, but have not yet seen our "patient," but I heard he looks pretty good.
If I get some pictures I will post them. I will also post a little more about my trip (along with pics, as some of them turned out very good).
Happy (Early) Halloween!
If I get some pictures I will post them. I will also post a little more about my trip (along with pics, as some of them turned out very good).
Happy (Early) Halloween!
22 October 2007
The Party's Over
All good vacations must come to an end, as mine is today. I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my flight, which leaves at a little after 11. :-(
Apparently Kid Rock was arrested for fighting in a Waffle House Restaurant over the weekend. I wonder if it was one of the ones I passed on my journeys this week.
Apparently Kid Rock was arrested for fighting in a Waffle House Restaurant over the weekend. I wonder if it was one of the ones I passed on my journeys this week.
18 October 2007
PestWorld - Day Two
(These subjects really reel you in, don't they? I know, I should back off or the excitement could kill you.)
Another busy day is coming to a close at PestWorld 2007. We had a General Assembly this morning, at which we handed out Red Hots (trade show theme - "Red Hot PestWorld"). The keynote speaker was James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers. His father was one of the Marines hoisting the flag during the battle of Iwo Jima in the famous picture from World War II. He was a very dynamic speaker.
Then I interviewed a pest management professional for a testimonial about the product I represent -- the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System -- worked the booth, arranged a meeting for my client and edits from one of the pest management trade publications and attended two educational sessions, one on stretching advertising dollars and another about the future of termite control.
Then I went to dinner with four of my clients at a sushi/hibachi restaurant. The food was wonderful, and we had a great time.
I lolled around the room for a bit, bought some souvenir gifts for folks back home, and after I post this I'm packing so I can check out tomorrow morning, attend another general session, work the booth, and go to three educational sessions. Then I take the shuttle to the airport, get my car and drive to St. Pete! I'm so excited to see my friend. I bought her a cute "Nanny" coffee mug (because, well, she's a nanny) as a thank you for letting me stay with her. I hope she likes it.
Another busy day is coming to a close at PestWorld 2007. We had a General Assembly this morning, at which we handed out Red Hots (trade show theme - "Red Hot PestWorld"). The keynote speaker was James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers. His father was one of the Marines hoisting the flag during the battle of Iwo Jima in the famous picture from World War II. He was a very dynamic speaker.
Then I interviewed a pest management professional for a testimonial about the product I represent -- the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System -- worked the booth, arranged a meeting for my client and edits from one of the pest management trade publications and attended two educational sessions, one on stretching advertising dollars and another about the future of termite control.
Then I went to dinner with four of my clients at a sushi/hibachi restaurant. The food was wonderful, and we had a great time.
I lolled around the room for a bit, bought some souvenir gifts for folks back home, and after I post this I'm packing so I can check out tomorrow morning, attend another general session, work the booth, and go to three educational sessions. Then I take the shuttle to the airport, get my car and drive to St. Pete! I'm so excited to see my friend. I bought her a cute "Nanny" coffee mug (because, well, she's a nanny) as a thank you for letting me stay with her. I hope she likes it.
17 October 2007
PestWorld - Day One
(Probably not the greatest title to draw you in, huh?)
The actual convention portion of the event started today. I was on my feet from about 12:30 p.m. until almost 10 p.m. Tonight was our client reception - 300 pest management professionals and their families in one room, along with a mariachi band. These people are a hoot. I played Jimmy Olsen and snapped many photos. Afterwards I went back to my room, put on my swimsuit and took a quick dip in the pool. Ahhh..... :-) Too late did I see a whirlpool, which would have been nice on my tired feet and ankles. Sadly, I was almost dry and heading to my room to shower.
Strange things I saw today:
The actual convention portion of the event started today. I was on my feet from about 12:30 p.m. until almost 10 p.m. Tonight was our client reception - 300 pest management professionals and their families in one room, along with a mariachi band. These people are a hoot. I played Jimmy Olsen and snapped many photos. Afterwards I went back to my room, put on my swimsuit and took a quick dip in the pool. Ahhh..... :-) Too late did I see a whirlpool, which would have been nice on my tired feet and ankles. Sadly, I was almost dry and heading to my room to shower.
Strange things I saw today:
- A nearly 6-foot-tall termite mascot wandering around the convention center. He high-fived me. (I will not reveal the name of the termite's origin, because I will not give props to one of our competitors.)
- Juggling mimes. They also wandered and juggled (though not at the same time). Later in the afternoon I saw them come around the corner talking. Mimes aren't supposed to talk!
Tomorrow is the opening general session (which Dow AgroSciences sponsors), attending a couple of educational sessions, and working the booth. I don't know what's going on for dinner (hopefully nothing so I can spend the evening in my room).
Looking forward to St. Pete, where my friend and I will celebrate our birthdays (mine was on 10/4, hers was in June). Tomorrow is a long day, again most of it spent on my feet.
Is it bad that I don't want to go to bed? I love staying in hotels (particularly this one)! I have to go to bed though, I need to be down at our sponsored general session by 8 a.m. So, another exciting post comes to a close. :-)
Wasting Away in Margaritaville
I'm not really in Margaritaville, but I am in Orlando. I'm staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort for PestWorld 2007, the annual meeting of all things insects. The client account I work on is an exhibitor here, so I'm representing our agency at the event. This is the room I have to endure sleeping in this week.
Yes, my life is very hard.
This hotel is amazing. I wandered around playing tourist last night before my clients arrived, and snapped lots of pictures (I almost fell down the stairs trying to get some of the outdoor shots -- see what I do to entertain you?!). I'll post them when I get home, I can't download pictures from my camera here.
I spent all day yesterday flying. On my first flight from Milwaukee (home) to Detroit, I thought the man in my row was going to keel over. Through the whole flight he was making strange sounds and coughing a lot. Just before we landed, he told his female traveling companion that he was feeling sick to his stomach. He fished out the air sickness bag, but fortunately never used it. Then he took our his handkerchief and wiped down his face and head, as he was sweating profusely. I wracked my brain for CPR steps (and afterwards was worried that he'd fall out and I would miss my connecting flight -- I'm an only child, I'm selfish -- at least I thought of CPR first!). Luckily I didn't need them. We all got off the plane without incident.
Friday I am finished with PestWorld, and am renting a car to drive down to St. Petersburg to visit a friend. We'll have a fun extended weekend, and then I fly back home on Monday.
Yes, my life is very hard.
This hotel is amazing. I wandered around playing tourist last night before my clients arrived, and snapped lots of pictures (I almost fell down the stairs trying to get some of the outdoor shots -- see what I do to entertain you?!). I'll post them when I get home, I can't download pictures from my camera here.
I spent all day yesterday flying. On my first flight from Milwaukee (home) to Detroit, I thought the man in my row was going to keel over. Through the whole flight he was making strange sounds and coughing a lot. Just before we landed, he told his female traveling companion that he was feeling sick to his stomach. He fished out the air sickness bag, but fortunately never used it. Then he took our his handkerchief and wiped down his face and head, as he was sweating profusely. I wracked my brain for CPR steps (and afterwards was worried that he'd fall out and I would miss my connecting flight -- I'm an only child, I'm selfish -- at least I thought of CPR first!). Luckily I didn't need them. We all got off the plane without incident.
Friday I am finished with PestWorld, and am renting a car to drive down to St. Petersburg to visit a friend. We'll have a fun extended weekend, and then I fly back home on Monday.
12 October 2007
...Never a Bride
I'm currently in rural Alton, IL for my cousin's wedding. My Dad and I made the six-hour drive this morning. I need to get ready for the rehearsal dinner in a little while. My family are pretty big partiers, so I think I'll be pretty worn out by Sunday.
I'm not a "favorite" cousin, so fortunately was not asked to do anything in the wedding. I can just sit back and be my cheeky judgmental self.
I'm not a "favorite" cousin, so fortunately was not asked to do anything in the wedding. I can just sit back and be my cheeky judgmental self.
11 October 2007
First Post
First post here. I have another blog over at LiveJournal, but I thought it would be fun to have a second, more accessible one to record alternate thoughts.
A little about me. I just turned 34 on October 4; I'm an only child; I lost my Mom to gallbladder cancer in May of this year; I work in the PR industry at an advertising/marketing agency in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wis.; I have four godchildren, three of whom I don't see that often and one that I love as if he were my own; and I'm single (whether "happily" or not depends on the day).
And I love TV way too much.
A little about me. I just turned 34 on October 4; I'm an only child; I lost my Mom to gallbladder cancer in May of this year; I work in the PR industry at an advertising/marketing agency in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wis.; I have four godchildren, three of whom I don't see that often and one that I love as if he were my own; and I'm single (whether "happily" or not depends on the day).
And I love TV way too much.
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