tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201169832010-04-24T21:34:40.834-07:00<i><p>Tales of my second go-round with breast cancer before the age of 40.</p> <p>A chronicle—sometimes raw, sometimes reflective, always irreverent—of a life upended by a long shot and of the daily indignities and tiny victories that comprise it.</p></i>Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.comBlogger567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-18362112775054128642010-04-19T22:13:00.000-07:002010-04-19T22:47:14.394-07:00

Changes are a-comin' to this here blog!Breach will be moving to new digs within a matter of days (or maybe weeks). We didn't want to go, as this space has treated us very well for 4+ years (and 600ish posts), but we don't have a choice—the technology we use to publish this blog will no longer be supported by Blogger as of May 1.So . . . stay tuned for a change of address and, in the process,

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-19611526511128386872010-04-14T23:10:00.000-07:002010-04-14T23:48:40.721-07:00

Thinking of you, Dad, on what should have been your 84th birthday. Many thanks to Neil for sending this photo of my Dad and me from the 1970s. (I love that my sweater almost matches his tie.)The picture is currently in a frame on my bedside table. It makes me smile every night.

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-35723881488697720942010-04-11T20:43:00.000-07:002010-04-11T20:59:49.751-07:00

But we've had sweet strawberries for a few weeks now, so I gave this recipe a try tonight:Mixed Green Salad with Strawberry DressingI have to say that the comments are key on Epicurious—if I hadn't read them, I wouldn't have known to cut way down on the olive oil in the dressing. It's a very pretty salad, although Zach and I agreed that it was a bit unbalanced—my version needed more bite to

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-59019247553511427322010-04-08T22:23:00.000-07:002010-04-08T22:52:44.210-07:00

Last month's 4.4 earthquake woke me up at 4AM. Last week's 7.2 earthquake hit Baja, Mexico, in the middle of the afternoon—a long, rolling quake that turned our hanging candleholder into a pendulum—but didn't register with me at all. I was in the shower and wouldn't have been the wiser if Zach hadn't shouted the news to me.It's really just the strangest phenomenon. One of my colleagues, who

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-71763081594562193562010-04-04T22:25:00.000-07:002010-04-04T23:00:03.423-07:00

This is me grilling baby artichokes—certainly the first time I've ever made artichokes (baby or otherwise) and one of the only times (quite possibly the first) I've used our grill in the nearly seven years we've had it.While my mom was here visiting, we took a day trip to Ojai (which I had previously known only as the hometown of the Bionic Woman). Turns out Ojai has a spectacular farmers'

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-61781101394497506052010-03-31T23:49:00.001-07:002010-03-31T23:54:12.479-07:00

. . . you can see Zach's episode of Grey's Anatomy online by clicking here.

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-555590407505897582010-03-21T20:25:00.000-07:002010-03-21T20:55:03.014-07:00

Last week passed without my trying a new recipe, so tonight I tried two. The first was inspired by the pomelo at our farmers' market and necessitated a couple of changes. Instead of Lobster, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad, I made Shrimp, Avocado, and Pomelo Salad:(The shrimp and avocado are hiding under the baby arugula in this photo.)The second was inspired by a ripe mango at Trader Joe's and

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-6562062039085907692010-03-17T21:58:00.000-07:002010-03-17T22:08:25.966-07:00

We didn't factor in March Madness when we guesstimated the date of Zach's appearance on Grey's Anatomy. It's now confirmed to be next Thursday, March 25, at 9PM on ABC.Tune in and enjoy!

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-5166051788450802662010-03-16T20:57:00.000-07:002010-03-16T21:08:32.905-07:00

I woke up to a 4.4 earthquake at 4:04 this morning. It's always very disorienting to wake up that way. It typically takes me a minute to figure out what happened. (Zach telling me there was an earthquake usually helps.) I'm shaken awake fairly frequently, given that I share a bed with a somnambulist, so earthquake isn't the first thing that pops into my mind—especially when I look up and see

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-46596565042718866382010-03-15T22:49:00.001-07:002010-03-15T22:49:55.531-07:00

I promised myself this weekend that I'd make sure to get enough sleep—a direct result of coming to the end of two incredibly busy months at work, which have left me more than a bit droopy.I didn't set an alarm on Sunday and ended up sleeping later than I expected, even factoring in the forward leap of the clocks.Not surprisingly, I wasn't especially tired last night when the clock struck the

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-42740108528187961202010-03-14T23:27:00.000-07:002010-03-14T23:54:57.228-07:00

Apparently, the CEO of Tribune Co. has issued a list of 119 words and phrases that are not to be uttered on the air of WGN, Tribune's flagship radio station. Say what you will about whether the CEO ought to be focused on bigger issues (the company's bankruptcy, for one). I still love the list, which includes:“Two to one margin” . . . “Two to one” is a ratio, not a margin. A margin is measured

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-48301694647321053792010-03-09T22:23:00.001-08:002010-03-09T22:34:06.941-08:00

Pea Dip with ParmesanThis sounded good but really wasn't. Zach, not a pea-eater, bravely gave it a go and had to be hurriedly supplied with a couple of pita chips to get the taste out of his mouth.The picture makes it look like guacamole, which would have been an infinitely better choice.It's in the fridge now, on the off chance that an overnight chill will work some kind of miracle.In case

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-52244242546065881752010-03-07T22:32:00.000-08:002010-03-07T22:51:00.086-08:00

Lately I've been feeling a pull toward doing more writing/editing/teaching, and I've begun to brainstorm a bit about what I might be able to do around my more-than-full-time job. I'm thinking about working on a couple of stories, taking on some editing projects, and doing some teaching and coaching—even on a volunteer basis.Starting slowly will be key—I know that I won't be able to do all three

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-38251258768725848132010-03-05T22:34:00.000-08:002010-03-05T22:44:06.347-08:00

I received my first diagnosis nine years ago today.At the time, I couldn't think nine minutes into the future. Nine years was unimaginable.It's a good reminder that life goes on—and on.I'm grateful for every day of those nine years—even the hardest and saddest among them, and there were many of those.And I'm grateful for all of you. In a few hours, I'll begin my 10th year as a cancer veteran.

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-1716126155971116932010-03-01T20:19:00.000-08:002010-03-01T20:32:07.715-08:00

I spent almost two hours at the Title Nine store in Berkeley on Saturday, where I tried on 14 different styles of bras, of which six fit well enough that I felt it was worth buying them.A couple fit so well that I even bought them in multiple colors!Now it's quite possible that something that looked and felt good during a test drive (aka in the dressing room) will look and feel not-so-good out on

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-79875537974018168732010-02-28T20:17:00.000-08:002010-02-28T20:36:49.135-08:00

I'm a big fan of recipes for which the ratio of effect (deliciousness, with bonus points for presentation) to effort (time, skill, and stress) is high. This one definitely qualifies:Three-Cheese Fondue with ChampagneIt was super-easy and pretty darn quick to make, yet absolutely delectable. (My presentation could use some work here, but our fondue pot is on the other coast, so I'm giving myself

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-35366520764712351752010-02-22T23:23:00.000-08:002010-02-23T00:06:47.030-08:00

It's been a fun week for my own private McDreamy, who wrapped up shooting today on an episode of Grey's Anatomy in which he guest-stars as a patient at Seattle Grace. He had a great time on the set, despite the fact that he spent most of that time either strapped to a gurney, stuck in a hospital bed, or in surgery. :)Air date is subject to change, but right now it's looking like March 18. Once

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-63039037015527912052010-02-21T17:27:00.000-08:002010-02-21T18:16:41.831-08:00

We bought some lovely carrots at our local farmers' market yesterday. With some fresh-ground spices from a new spice boutique that just opened up the street, I turned them into this:Indian Spiced Carrot Soup with GingerIf you try the recipe, read all the comments first. (I took the advice of many and doubled the spices, and I also doubled the lime juice.) Happily, there are leftovers!

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-69847242560927751332010-02-20T20:09:00.000-08:002010-02-20T21:33:20.791-08:00

This link, to a post on Etiquette Tips for Dealing with Cancer Patients and Survivors, comes courtesy of Zach, who sent it my way.It also comes at an opportune time, given my state of mind this week.Here's a quote that particularly resonated with me:We are no different from everybody else walking around in this world--no one knows their expiration date. The difference is that we're aware of it.I

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-80287495658816382002010-02-18T22:39:00.000-08:002010-02-18T23:12:47.692-08:00

I don't generally read the LA Times, but we've been living here long enough that I started scanning the online version recently.I'm still processing Tuesday's news, and so it was especially upsetting to see this today on the paper's homepage:Mary Susan Herczog, who wrote with poignancy and wit on having breast cancer, dies at 45I didn't know Mary, or her website, CancerChick.com. But she was

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-27642214182648890802010-02-16T20:43:00.000-08:002010-02-16T22:03:15.854-08:00

I received an e-mail this morning with the subject line "In Memory of Randi Rosenberg" and froze in shock.Randi was one of the founders of the Young Survival Coalition and a past president of the organization. I knew her slightly when I was active in the YSC, back in 2002. She was full of energy and determination, and a lovely person besides. This is the second time I've received word of the

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-18994861102467078322010-02-14T22:57:00.000-08:002010-02-14T23:21:22.367-08:00

My dad was incredibly sentimental, and he always observed Valentine's Day. He sent my mom, my sister, and me cards that featured fancy script, long poems, and lots of pink. You know those cards—the goopy kind.That's kind of how my dad was—goopy. He didn't need a special day to celebrate love. He just breathed love, all the time. He was grateful every day that he was with my mom, and every

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-67762818349576338832010-02-14T22:35:00.001-08:002010-02-14T23:15:49.862-08:00

The beets called out to me at our farmers' market yesterday. I'd never cooked with them before (and had only eaten them maybe half a dozen times), but I figured I'd follow my inspiration and find something cool to do with them.Here's the result:Beets and Caramelized Onions with FetaI made one obvious (and critical) adjustment to the recipe: I roasted fresh beets instead of using canned (the

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-53858067836110448952010-02-12T22:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T23:38:38.772-08:00

I was on the bus today and walked past a man carrying a full-size ironing board. It made me think of New York, where people are always lugging stuff like that around on public transportation.I have been feeling homesick this week, with all the talk of blizzards back East. In NY, a snowstorm was always a community event—it instantly unified the entire city. There's nothing like that here—no

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20116983.post-81964668533769233122010-02-10T23:00:00.000-08:002010-02-10T23:29:34.676-08:00

Two close friends' loved ones are out of the hospital, and a third got the best possible results on a couple of scary tests. I am counting blessings and giving thanks.

Jody Rosen Knowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638066371993482277noreply@blogger.com0