Darn Good Lemonade

Asking For Help and Buying Houses

Mandi — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:10:31 +0000

I have spent the last two years making a serious point of avoiding reading about Tamoxifen side effects and complaints about Tamoxifen (trust me, there are many out there). You could almost call me a professional Tamoxifen-reader-avoider. While I was in treatment, I just didn’t want to know what I was in for for the [...]

Tingling Spidey Senses

Mandi — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:06:21 +0000

I don’t know why this stuff stresses me out so much (I lie, I actually know why, but I sometimes wish that this wasn’t a roller coaster I had to ride, but that is life after cancer treatment. Watching, waiting, worrying and being thankful for every moment). I didn’t sleep at all last night, I [...]

My Pessimist and My Optimist Are Fighting

Mandi — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 05:01:50 +0000

I got a phone call this week reminding me about my appointment the next day with my surgical oncologist (Valentine’s Day appointment anyone?). Appointment!? I admit that I had not added the appointment to my Outlook calendar. If it isn’t in my calendar, it doesn’t exist (my calendar is kind of scary these days, I [...]

Team Awesome

Mandi — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 04:56:27 +0000

Wow, what an adventure going to Huntsman! By the way, I think my favorite nurse may read my blog. Hi Vicki! When I stopped by Huntsman she seemed to know I had been having a tough-er time this weekend, I couldn’t figure out why she might know until I thought about it later… My surgeons [...]

Operation Mandi’s Birthday Wish

Mandi — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 01:44:09 +0000

I have been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster this week. Last year I was occupied with surgery and still building up strength. This year I have had a deep gnawing feeling in the bottom of my gut. My birthday and the New Year is now tied to cancer in my brain and [...]

Dear 14 Year Old Me

Mandi — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 06:14:52 +0000

Kristi Harrison is 22 years old and from the UK. She wrote me and told me about a project that she is working on for her friend who is battling stage IV breast cancer. She set up a foundation called Life Changes Foundation, they are starting fundraising in January 2013 (they are currently working on [...]

The Moments and The Adventures

Mandi — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:54:38 +0000

It has been a whirlwind of a month! I had another trip scheduled to New York City just a week after hurricane Sandy hit. They managed to get the conference center ready in time and the conference wasn’t cancelled so we opted to go ahead and go on the trip (also hopefully helping the NYC [...]

Exercise and Books

Mandi — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:10:46 +0000

Exercise So.. I have been pretty good about sticking to a routine of doing yoga or pilates for 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Which has been great. It has elevated my mood and I feel much stronger. The part that has made me sad is that I put on FOUR POUNDS. I [...]

Time Keeps on Slippin’ Into the Future

Mandi — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:18:23 +0000

So here it is! I am one year “out” of acute breast cancer treatment. September 19th, 2011 marks my final radiation appointment. The big stuff is now a year behind me and I could even volunteer at the hospital now if I want to (apparently they won’t let you volunteer unless you are a year [...]

A Woman Needs Her Hobbies

Mandi — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:08:35 +0000

I have been thinking a lot lately about where I focus my energy. Work is always a main focus, but beyond work a woman needs her hobbies. Hobbies change with interest, age and ability. Once upon a time I was an avid rock climber and I spent 5+ days a week working my way up [...]