A Couple of Photos from the North Rim Last Night

Linda and Felicia on the North Rim veranda

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I made a quick trip to the other side of the canyon this weekend to see my dear friends - John , Felicia, and Julia. The sunset was beautiful over the canyon, the meal was yummy, and it was wonderful to see my friends and spend an evening laughing.

Some Photos from the President's Visit to the Grand Canyon

Air Force One Lands at the Grand Canyon Airport

Start of the motorcade at the airport


Look close - the President is in the picture somewhere

Hey look it's Greg driving the firetruck in the motorcade!!!

Click here for more pictures of Air Force One landing

or here for more pictures of the Grand Canyon presidential visit

Daisy Meets the Neighbors

Hey It Has Been Awhile

It has been over a year since I was diagnosed. 7-08-08. I meant to write a "what a difference a year makes" blog on the anniversary but I'm still in a state of denial that the whole cancer thing ever happened. I try not to think about it at all. I started reading some of the posts on this blog and I don't even remember writing some of it. If I do start to think about it I get all wigged out - did that really happen to me? What would my life be like if it never happened? Maybe it didn't really happen and it was all a bad dream? Surely it won't happen again? Right? Can I handle it if it happens again? How would I ever find the strength to walk into the chemo room and sit down in a chair ever again? Please please please never make me lose my hair again. And I don't ever want another of those nights of terror. Or the pain. Or another hated port. How will I ever survive? See - it is just best if I don't think about it at all. I digress down this thought path all to easily.

Here's a great Newsweek article about cancer patients who use humor to fight back.

Physically and mentally I feel better every day. I've still got some chemo side affects that seem to flair up from time to time. I can tell when I am going to have a bout of chemo brain when I start hearing the same song over and over in my head for a day or two. The weird thing about it is - no matter what song it is, it does not bother me. The next sign that chemo brain is starting - I see things out of the corner of my eye that aren't there. Over and over and over. I'll see that my message light is blinking on my office phone - I'll reach for the phone - and then notice it is not blinking - I'll see that my message light is blinking on my office phone - I'll reach for the phone - and then notice it is not blinking - I'll see that the message light............you get the picture. I can some days do that 50 or 60 times. And just like the repeating song in my head, reaching for my phone all day long does not bother me. Then chemo brain will start and I'll forget who people are, or where I parked, or how I got somewhere, or or or. I will also find it hard to think through things - the other day I had a chemo brain episode and I was in tears at the thought of unloading my groceries from the car. It just seemed such a daunting task - I had no idea how I was going to do it and I was in tears about it. I got home, carried the three bags of groceries into the house, put the items away, and almost sank to the floor in relief to have accomplished the task. The worst part of it is that there is a normal part of my brain totally aghast at what is happening. UNLOADING THE CAR IS NOT HARD!! Luckily my chemo brain sessions are getting further and further apart. Oh Oh - I'm hearing the theme from The Office.

Physically I feel pretty good. I seem to still have pain in my joints and numbness in my hands. I'm starting to get out hiking more and loosing the weight I gained in the past year. A year ago I was a tall thin long-haired blond. Now I'm a tall heavy short-haired brunette.

Both of my Grandparents died this spring.

Sales of my photography at http://www.zazzle.com/wanderlinarts have started to take off. I'm averaging a sale a day this last month or so.

I've also been spending most of my computer time writing for examiner.com. I just posted my 100th article. http://www.examiner.com/x-5374-Phoenix-Grand-Canyon-Insights-Examiner

Both dogs are doing well. Puppy has made Maddie young again. It is awesome to see her run again!

The president and first family will be at the Grand Canyon this weekend. Makes for a busy week and weekend. It will be exciting though.

All of my medical bills have been paid as of last week!

Any day that is not a chemo day is a great day-
Linda

Southern Utah Vacation Pictures

Greg Finds His Muse(s)

Valley of the Goblins

Spooky Slot Canyon

San Juan River Gooseneck

Tower Ruins - here there be rattlesnakes

Cool Double Decker Ruins

More Ruins

Rock Art

Devil's Garden

More Devil's Garden

Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk

Wow - it's only the beginning of April and I am half way to my mark of $2,300 in donations for the 3-Day Walk in November. Thank you so much all of you who have donated. For those of you interested in helping me reach the last half of my goal just click on the 3-Day picture on the left of this page. Every little bit helps an organization that has been a god send for me.

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I've started training for the walk by trying to walk three miles every day either outside on nice days or inside on the treadmill on the not so nice days. I took the puppy, Daisy Mae, this past weekend for the whole three miles and she did great. Unfortunately Maddie is only up for a half mile or so these days.

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It is fun though to watch the puppy and Maddie wrestle all the time. They are best buddies. It is great to see Maddie have so much fun and even greater to have the puppy tired out enough that in the evenings they are both sleeping on my feet right now. And they are both snoring which is pretty funny.

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My hair is still growing but oh so slowly. I am going to throw a huge party and you are all invited the day I can wear a ponytail again. Now it is just short and sloppy looking. Yes, Mom I am actually thinking about getting it cut so it at least has some shape as it grows out. :)

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I know a couple of people now that have had cancer recurrences lately. I must say it has me freaked out. I'm not sure I can do this again. It does remind me to enjoy my good health while I can - things can go downhill fast.

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I cry at the drop of a hat these days. Especially when I hear the word cancer. We are running tests on Maddie who might have lymphoma. When the vet first said it was a good possibility that she does have cancer, I could barely hold back the tears. Actually the tests are back but I'm avoiding calling our vet back just yet. I will tomorrow - it's just too hard to know.

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My grandfather died a few weeks ago. My heart is broken but it was so nice to reconnect with my Michigan family at the funeral. They are just the nicest bunch and I wish we got to see each other more often. It makes me sad though when I think about my Dad without his Dad. Grandpa was a great man and he will be missed terribly.

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I've been slowing down on doing original posts on my Grand Canyon blog. I hope to get a bunch of new ones written up this weekend.

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Go State!

We have a new addition to our Grand Canyon home

I have a new writing assignment!

As much as I have enjoyed this blog for the last eight months, its not been that easy for me to write. Its been cathartic at times for me to write down my thoughts and feeling and at other times its been a huge struggle. It has been a godsend for me to include my friends and family in treatments and I've been told it has been helpful for others struggling in their own cancer adventure. I've even learned along the way that I enjoy writing. I just don't enjoy writing so much about myself.

Which brings me to my newest writing adventure opportunity. I was recently asked to apply for an online writing position at Examiner.com. Launched in April 2008, Examiner.com serves 60 major markets across the country and is quickly becoming the premier online brand for local information and events. They are a division of the Clarity Media Group, owned by the Anschutz Company, one of the largest media companies in the country which is also the company that owns the company I work for with my day job, Xanterra South Rim LLC. After filling out the lengthy application and using this blog as an example of my writing style, I was chosen as the Phoenix Grand Canyon Insights Examiner. This gives me a great opportunity to write about something I love and not about myself. Not that I don't love myself but you know what I mean.

I've always said that my dream job is to be a travel writer. While I will never make as much $ as being an accountant - it is giving me a chance to spend a part of each week trying out what I have always wanted to do.

Please give me a visit at http://www.examiner.com/x-5374-Phoenix-Grand-Canyon-Insights-Examiner and let me know what you think. (I also get paid by page views so don't be shy!)

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk

It's official - I've signed up to participate in the walk this next November here in Arizona. Just like it says - it lasts three days and we will be walking 20 miles each of those days for a total of 60 miles. Eight five percent of the proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. According to the website every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. The remaining fifteen percent goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, which provides ongoing support to breast cancer initiatives, so that strides made today can continue to propel us toward the goal of a world without breast cancer. I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations. I know I can raise even more than that, and have set my team's goal at $3,000 per person. Here's the hard part for me I hate asking for $ in today's economy but I would appreciate any help you can give. Would you please consider making a donation of any amount? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can donate online at http://www.the3day.org/. Just click on Donate Now and search for my personal fundraising page. You can download a donation form and mail it to the address on the form. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. So, far I have a team of three - we are Team Grand Canyon. If anyone wants to join us on our walk we would love to have you join our team. Just let me know and I'll help you get signed up.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, more than 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That’s why I’m walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

During my breast cancer journey the Susan G. Komen organization was there for me every step of the way. The day I showed up for my first surgery consultation I was given a very informative breast cancer manual printed and paid for by them. They pay for a breast cancer support room at the cancer center. It is filled with all sorts of great helpful items they pay for and give out to patients at no cost. My personal favorite - they provided me with a weekly massage while I was in radiation. It was the most wonderful thing in such a trying time. Even last week I noticed a pink ribbon on the machine as I got my mammogram. Susan G. Komen had helped pay for the state of the art equipment. From personal experience I have seen what a great organization they are and I am proud to be able to participate in one of their big fund raiser events.

Short Hair