Quick little blog

Rick and I went to dinner tonight with a group of farmers who he does business with in Skagit County. They always treat us so nice that it's one of those events I look forward to attending.

I got a great night of sleep last night so I felt very rested today. After my shower, I met Pam for lunch and we visited a little shop in downtown Stanwood (during Pam's lunch break). I've seen my work friends nearly every day this week and I'm reminded how much I miss being around them.

When I think of returning to work, I'm excited to be able to see my friends on a regular basis, but when I think of the work load...ugh, I'm not sure I have it in me. I'm sure I can still do the job, but my way of working always involved a little extra... and that's the part I'm not sure I have. I have a scan on Tuesday and the results on Wednesday. Hopefully, these results will come back without much change, and I'll return to work after the holidays. If not, we'll re-adjust and make a new plan.

Tomorrow I'm going to spend the day (or a portion of it) with my buddy Val. I love her company and for as close as we live to one another, you'd think we would visit on a regular basis. No such luck. I plan on savoring my time with her, and hopefully we'll meet up with our honeys (Dave and Rick) for a movie and dinner tomorrow night.

My cough is much better. I don't know if it's better internally, but the medicines have definitely made the coughing subside. Rick had a great day today. He hasn't had to take chemo drugs since Monday and it's starting to show. He always feels much better without them. Who wouldn't.

I'm going to bed now to watch my TIVO'd version of Grey's Anatomy. Without commercials, we can get through it in 40 minutes.

Love you more than all the Christmas lights I saw on our way to dinner. :)

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Long Day

I got up early this morning to make breakfast for the ladies at work. We have a birthday breakfast once a month (we haven't had one since September so we're way behind) and this month Pam and I were the hostesses. It was nice to see all my friends from the office, but my stomach still hurts from laughing all morning. I took a long nap when I got home so I finally feel rested. Now if I could just get a good nights sleep...I might be caught up.

My dad was in "jail" this afternoon to raise money for the MDA foundation. I brought him some money to help him reach is goal (bail) but I think he liked being held against his will.

As I lay here on the couch writing this blog, I can't help but smile as I look at our decorated Christmas tree, my display of snowmen and and the flicker of candles burning throughout the house.

We just got an e-mail that our cousin Jennifer and her husband Scott had a baby boy yesterday afternoon. They've named this 10 lb. 2 oz. bundle of joy, Charles Scott McEwen. I can't wait to see him. His is joined by his 2 sisters, Savannah and Scarlett. What a beautiful little family they have. Congratulations!

I'm signing off now so I can go look for the Christmas cards I bought. I seem to have this problem regularly...buy something, then forget where I put it. :)

Dream Big,
Dor

Taco Tuesday for Dor

I spent the evening at Mom and Dad's house tonight. It is always nice to catch up with them and I am guaranteed to get a yummy dinner as a bonus. I have been bugging Mom for over a week to cut and color my hair and tonight she finally did it. I think she got tired of listening to me tell her that I was going to go to Hair Masters. It looks great Mom, thanks!

Mom went to work this morning for an hour or so, then met her buddies at Taco Time for lunch. Their lives get so busy sometimes that they forget about the events that really bring them joy...Like Taco Tuesday :) I am happy to know that she got out of the house and did something fun for a change.

Dad seems to be moving slowly tonight. I am not sure if it is his feet that hurt or if he is just feeling sore all over but it certainly shows. If I were to ask him how he feels, he would give his typical answer, "Pretty good". He never complains so I wouldn't expect him to start now.

I hope you have all found a way to educate others about Lung Cancer Awareness Month. If not, you still have the rest of the week to make it happen!

Dreaming Big and Loving Life...

Angie

Monday Memo~

I stayed home all day and visited with my dear friend Kim who is home from Palm Springs. We talked and laughed (and cried) for hours. ( I also showed her how to Wii) It was really nice to get together with her again since it had been so long. She is a sweetheart and I'm glad to be her friend.

Rick has been awfully quiet lately. That usually happens at the end of his chemo round. Hopefully, he'll be his old self again by next week. I think I'm on the mend from this bronchitis. However, by 8:00 every night, I'm exhausted (even if I haven't done anything). Oh well. Rest is good for the soul.

Jake is getting ready to finish up with his student teaching...(he has parent/teacher conferences this week). Then, he can start looking for a real job that pays :) Most people don't realize that when people are doing their student teaching, they don't get paid and they have to pay the college they are getting their degree from to be advised during this time. It's all worth it in the end.

Angie officiated her first high school girls basketball game of the year tonight. She always seems so excited when she gets back in the swing of things. Rick and I usually try to catch her in action (proud referee parents) during the season.

Amy stopped by tonight for Monday night football, to give her dad a foot rub and to tell me how much she loved me.

I'm going into the office tomorrow morning (because they need me...or so they say) then to lunch with my Taco Tuesday Buddies. Even though my week looks pretty open, I'm going to stay close to home and try to work on getting healthy.

Gotta go now. Dishes to do before I go to bed :(

Dreaming Big,
Dor

I'm in trouble

Amy stopped by the house this morning to "remind" me that she is NOT a traitor but rather a grateful friend who got tickets from a Husky season ticket holder. She was also provided the husky gear she wore, the backpack she carried, and the husky blanket that was wrapped around her the whole game. She also "reminded" me that neither her or her sister went to WSU so it's ok if they root for other teams. Amy is also extending the offer to anyone else...if you have a ticket to any sporting event and you would like to provide her with team gear and a seat, she would join you as an active fan as well.

I guess the word TRAITOR was a little harsh. Sorry baby bear.

Love Momma Bear

Weekend Update

I didn't have a lot of free time to keep you updated, so I thought I'd do it all at once. We went to the Apple Cup game yesterday (Go Cougs) and had a great time. The whole family went (though we all didn't sit together) One of the sisters was even a traitor and wore purple (but we still love her - Her loyalties are at Eastern) As you probably know, WSU beat UW in a great game of back and forth leads. You didn't even have to like football to know this was a great game.

I forgot to mention that I got a gift from our dear "cousin" Erik. He has made us a couple of other really unique (one of a kind) bird houses, but on Friday night he sent a new one for us. It is a little birdhouse church with a sign that says "Wii little Church". We love it! I'll try to take a photo and post it later.

This morning I was planning on fixing breakfast for Bob, Dy, Dave and Val, but instead ~ we went to the Stanwood Cafe. We had wonderful food, lots of laughs and our usual photo sessions in the parking lot. It's always so good to see them, but so sad to have them leave.

After I got back from breakfast, I started decorating for Christmas. I put up the tree (no ornaments yet) then put out other random items. I still haven't put any ornaments on the tree as of tonight and honestly, I don't even mind just all white lights twinkling in the living room with candles burning and all the other light out. I'm not playing any holiday music yet, (I'm waiting until December 1st.)

I'm getting very groggy and I need to get some sleep now. So, good night...sleep tight...don't let the bedbugs bite.

Dreaming Big,
Dor
My brother-in-law Jeff came over and helped Rick put up a new track light so the quilt really shows up beautifully in the hallways. After the job was complete, we played wii and had dinner.

Wii are having a great time with Bobby & Dy

Bob and Dy arrived around 3:30 ( just in time for me to put away the few gifts I'd purchased this morning on my Black Thursday shopping with Amy). We didn't leave until after 9:00 and only went to a few stores. Just enough to get the things on our list, then wait in the lines to pay for it. All in all, I think it took 20 minutes to find our items, and 3 hours in line.

Since Bob and Dy have been here we've been playing wii and having appetizers for dinner. They don't seem to mind. It's really all about the love and friendship. As long as I win every once in a while I like to play. :) So far, so good. I'm going to pass on the Golf game. :(

Thanksgiving was very nice at Jeff and Dawn's. I wish I would have felt better because I slept for a good portion of the day and didn't even join in the fun. I'm sure no one cared, but I felt bad about it.

Today I'm feeling a little better but I've been nauseous every time I take my coughing medicine. Sounds kind of silly, but one pill makes my cough lighten and makes me nauseous, the other one takes the nauseousness away but makes me drowsy. Rick has been feeling pretty good, but is starting to get some of those side effects he doesn't look forward to. Hopefully, they will be a little lighter than before.

I'd better get back to my company. They might be looking for mii.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a fun day of shopping.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Happy Turkey Day~

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family... Every DAY is important, but holidays seem to hold an even stronger importance for me. They are days when we all get together and eat wonderful food, enjoy each others company and make new memories. Those days should happen more often than a few days a year. Enjoy yourself today and remember to be thankful for your wonderful lives. I am :)

I had a very nice day yesterday with my parents. I'm so glad I took them with me to my doctor's appointment. They feel much more at ease now that they've met my docs, seen the Cancer Care Alliance, and know my routine when I get there. I took my new meds last night and they made me so groggy that I laid down after dinner and never got up again, until now.

Dr. Eaton says my lungs still sound ok, but we're trying a new medication to see if we can get the coughing to stop. I'm also taking an antibiotic (in case their is a little infection laying around), and he's scheduled a CT scan on the 4th of December. I'm sure everything will be just fine.

Until tomorrow, have your best Thanksgiving ever. Don't eat too much (you need to save enough for leftovers...), if you love someone...let them know, and never eat pumpkin pie without whipped cream (there are other places you can save calories...this isn't it!)

Dream Big, Be Thankful and Love Life,
Dor

Meltdown Mama....

After I signed off last night, I attempted to fall asleep. No such luck. At 5:00am I was still wide awake. So a couple of hours later, after a few lame attempts to get some shut-eye, I got out of bed. Then, I had what I'd like to call Mama's Meltdown. I cried. And cried. No real reason. I cried because I'm not working and my house is dirty. It should be spotless. But, it's not. I cried, because I was tired. But, I couldn't sleep. The holidays are coming. I'm very thankful for that. So I don't know why I was crying about that. It's now almost 6:00pm, I'm still exhausted (no sleep for the weary), I've done a little house cleaning, no idea what we're having for dinner (but you can bet it will be something easy) and my eyes are still teary. Is there a full moon?

Tomorrow is my doctor's appointment and I'm taking my folks along. Mom said she's buying lunch. That's what I love about taking my mom places with me. She always has lunch plans figured out before our original task is even complete.

Time to buck up and get tough. I'd better go now, I've got some work to do.

Love you more than all the Christmas music playing in stores already. I can't get jingle bells out of my head from my last visit to Costco.

Dreaming with big, wet eyes~
Dor

Just returned from the benefit concert

We just returned from Noah Wick's Benefit Concert in Seattle. The venue was awesome (it was held at the Triple Door), the food was delicious, we enjoyed the music of 2 different bands, and we had front row seats. The money raised went to the Shelby Webster Testicular Cancer Foundation. What a great event! It was nice to spend some time with my girls doing something other than traveling or watching football. Angie's friend Shannon (from Portland) and Amy's friend Jessie (from Virginia) joined us as well. Janeen and I had not seen each other in a while, so it was good to spend some time with her, too! We all had a great time.

I have another doctor appointment on Wednesday (my regular monthly visit...last week didn't count). Rick won't let me go alone, so this time I'm taking my mom and dad with me. I think they need to see how beautiful Seattle Cancer Care is and how nice the people are who take care of us. I know my parents are sad when we talk about the "C" word, but maybe this little journey will puts their hearts at ease. If nothing else, I'll get to spend a little quality time with them. I don't do it often enough.

Our friends Bob and Dy are coming over on Friday for a post Thanksgiving weekend visit. We haven't seen them in a couple of months and I sure miss them. I can't wait!

I'd better get to bed now. You know how much I need my beauty sleep...

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Sunday thoughts

Another successful Seahawk Sunday came and went. Angie got to go to the game in Seattle so it was just the four of us enjoying the game in the warm living room (Angie will remind me that she watched the game from the sideline and from a suite with her friend Burley....). I guess Angie got the better deal. :)

We just finished dinner (cranberry chicken with orzo and green beans...) Whenever I wear my chef's jacket, I tend to get more creative with my cooking. I really do wear a chef's jacket that I got from Megan and her parents. I'm sure they had no idea it would get so much use.

I'm really hoping that my cough gets remarkably better by tomorrow night. Janeen and I are going to the benefit concert for Noah (Amy's Air force buddy with testicular cancer). The girls are also going but they'll be joining other friends, so Janeen and I are going together. I love to spend quality time with my good friends. It's always fun to meet them for taco Tuesday but it's just not the same as one on one time.

My sister-in-law Dawn, is having us all over for Thanksgiving this year. She inherited her Grandma's huge dining room table that seats about 20 people. She's been wanting to re-cover the dining room chairs and I told her I knew how to do it, so we set out to do them by Thursday. She brought two of them over the other night for me to show her how to do it, then she went home to take all the old covers and pads off the seats. She only made it through about 2 of them before she punctured her hand with a screwdriver. Jake went over to her house yesterday and brought all the old seats to our house so we could take the covers off for her (which Rick did while watching college football), then I covered them all last night. She was so excited (I know she wanted to help but with 2 little girls, a husband who has been hunting for a couple of weeks and a punctured hand I thought it would be better if I gave them back finished). She was thrilled. After she came and picked them up, she went straight home and put the chairs all back together. She says it looks like a new dining room set. I can't wait to see the finished product. I've always prided myself in knowing a little bit about a lot of things. Luckily, that was one of the things I know about.

I guess it's time for me to get off the computer, clean up the kitchen, then get my jammies on.

Love you more than all the turkeys purchased this month...

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Happy Autumn Morning...

The wind is blowing leaves everywhere, it's raining, the sky is gloomy, BUT... we have a fire going, college football is on TV, I'm getting ready to make a pot of soup, and we're alive and laughing. I love days like this.

My cough is ridiculous in the mornings. It's sounds like I have a lung caught in my throat. I'm feeling much better in the afternoons (especially yesterday afternoon when I got a massage ~ oh, yeah). I really think massage should be offered in our health care plan as preventative medicine. If you have a massage regularly, you're nicer (heart attack reduction), you feel relaxed (stress level goes down), your muscles are rejuvenated (no need to work out...ok, I just made that up...you still need to exercise), and you feel rested (who couldn't use more rest?). My insurance covers massage (with pre-approval) so I justify it at a medical necessity. You should do the same. You can thank me later.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Does it get any better than turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberries? I think not!

Enough rambling, I'm off to start my soup, finish knitting a scarf I started on the way to San Francisco, and snuggle on the couch with Rick while watching football.

Have a wonderful weekend and Dream Big,
Doreen

More photos...

When I'm not feeling well, I find myself challenging my abilities. Today for instance, I woke up with the intent to rest all day. Instead, I thought, what a waste of valuable time, so I set up the ironing board in the living room and ironed all morning. Rick has enough shirts to last him until Christmas (and I'm not kidding...) He thinks I bought him new shirts since it's been so long since he's seen some of them. :) After I was done ironing, I thought I would whip up a little meal, which turned into a big meal with lots of dishes to do. When will I learn? When will it be ok to just do NOTHING? I will say my cough doesn't seem to be so violent. Perhaps it's about to leave my lungs.

Rick is still feeling well since his chemo treatment (not even too fatigued like usual). I'm doing my best not to spread any of my germs on him. So far, so good.

Angie cut her finger last night on a broken bottle. She thought she had it under control, but this morning when she woke up it was still bleeding, so before she went to work, she got 3 stitches, a tetanus shot, a flu shot and some antibiotics for her cough so she didn't infect her parents. What a great way to start a day. I've hardly seen Amy since we got home from San Francisco. She's had lots of work to catch up on and she's been in Seattle for meetings the past few days. Jake has had his nose in the middle of correcting papers and getting ready for report cards all week so we've seen very little of him as well. I swear, we need to go on vacation just to spend quality time with our family.

Tomorrow I'll finally make it out of the house for a little bit (I have a massage scheduled). Thank goodness massage tables have a little hole where my face goes, otherwise I'd be coughing in my own face. And believe me...I don't want my germs.

I'm attaching a few more photos from our San Francisco trip. I've photo shopped them so we all look good :)

Love you more than all my blog entries (this is #476....)
Dream Big~
Doreenica

I'm here...coughing

I've really been slacking on the blog lately, Sorry :(

Monday night Rick and I stayed in Seattle so in case I could get in to see Dr. Eaton before Rick's appointment, we would be close by. It worked out perfectly. We got up early, got a call from the nurse and had an appointment for blood work at 10:15, a chest x-ray at 10:30 and an appointment with Dr. Eaton and Dr. Anderson at 11:30. The good news is I don't have pneumonia. I'm still coughing terribly, but it is due to a bad case of bronchitis. No infection, nothing new in my lungs. I have to watch this carefully and take it easy for a few days so it doesn't turn into something worse. Rick and I were both very relieved. I have an appointment next Wednesday as well. Hopefully, I'll be my old self again with just a case of lung cancer and nothing else.

Rick's chemo and tests all went well yesterday afternoon. It turned into a long day so we went to bed early last night. We both needed a good night's sleep. The next couple of days will show how his body likes this round of chemo, but until then, we'll just keep positive and stay happy (oh, and I'll probably cough every now and then).

When I close my eyes and think back on all the things I've done these past few weeks, I realize why I'm so tired and perhaps why I got sick. If someone had told me that I would get sick if I took all these adventures and opportunities I've been given...I would have done them anyway. If you can't LIVE. Why live?

I've got a pot of chicken noodle soup cooking on the stove. I'm not sure what the medical field would say about it's healing power, but I think it's very powerful. The love I put in it is worth about 2 bottles of Tarceva ~ and you know the value of that!

I'm going to attach some photos taken from our San Francisco trip. I hope you enjoy them.
The first one is of our family at the Gala, then it's Bonnie and Tony, then our day at the wharf with Michelle Stafford (from Young and the Restless) and Nancy Lee Grahn (General Hospital) and her daughter Kate. I have a lot more to share.

Dreaming (cough, cough) Big,
Dor

Happy Veteran's Day

Let's take the time today to thank a Veteran for our freedom. We don't have to like war, but we need to love our soldiers. I sure love mine.

I've been laying low today. It's almost 7:00pm and I still have my bathrobe on from this morning. This cough is kicking my behind so I've promised the family I'll meet up with Dr. Eaton or one of his colleagues tomorrow. I think I need to slow down a little bit. I've enjoyed all my little journeys, but perhaps home is where I need to be for a while.

We've been really lucky around here lately with the way Rick has been feeling. Tomorrow, we go back to reality and the next round of chemo. We're hoping that he does better with this round than the last 2. I think his body needed that 6 week rest. Now that he has more strength and is feeling so good, I believe he will tolerate this new batch of toxins better. Good thoughts...great results!

I'm going to get a bag packed (at the request of the kids) so...just in case one of us has to stay in the hospital, we'll have a change of clothes all ready to go. Who would help me get ready if not for these kids?

I haven't downloaded my camera yet so I don't have any photos to post. Hopefully, I'll have my act together by tomorrow night so you can enjoy our event. If you go on abreathawayfromthecure.org website you can see a copy of the program from the Gala. It's really nice.

Love you more than all the times I've said "I love you more"...

Dream Big,
Dor

Good Morning World

Have you ever just been so busy enjoying life that you forget about everything else? We've been trying to do that for the past few days...and I think it's working. I have so much to share about this adventure (and lots of photos)

The "Simply the Best, Lung Cancer Gala II" was spectacular. We met so many wonderful people. Influential people. People who are working on a cure. Ones with incredible humor and laughter surrounding them. The generosity of these folks will certainly help the cause. The 2 day Summit contained some of the brightest and best doctors and researchers working together to eradicate lung cancer. It's assuring to know that it's being viewed as an epidemic.

As usual, Bonnie, Tony and the kids were fabulous. They really do treat us like family. My guess is, they're like this with everyone they meet but while we're with them, we feel very special. Not only is their family incredible, but their friends are wonderful too. Then there is Sheila (the world's best personal assistant), words can't describe her. Let's just say, she knows our love for her is immeasurable.

I can't tell you how many people came up to us and said "oh, I read the blog all the time. I feel like I know your family". To all of you, thanks for making us feel like we're making a difference. I met a fellow lung cancer patient and her husband, who learned about Bonnie from me. We've been e-mailing each other for close to a year, so it was great to meet her in person. She lives in the Midwest. Keep doing what you're doing Denise...you looked fabulous.

At the Gala, special awards were given. One of the awards was something Bonnie made up. It was called the "Unsung Hero" award. She gave this award to the survivors in the audience who are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I received a beautiful bracelet she had designed, with "A Breath Away" inscribed on it. When we arrived at the Grand Ballroom at the Fairmont hotel, we were greeted with displays of survivors. It was a powerful message...This is why we were all at the event.

Our table of 10 consisted of our family, including Megan, Nancy Lee Grahn (from General Hospital), her daughter Kate, Michelle Stafford (from Young and the Restless) and Dr. Adler (an oncologist and his daughter from the San Francisco area). We were honored to be there. We danced, laughed, cried, visited and were given some new hope where we often find there is none.

Saturday afternoon, our family, Nancy, Kate and Michelle, went to Fisherman's Wharf for soup in sourdough bread bowls. We sat among these beautiful famous women who I'm sure had plenty of other things they could be doing, but instead chose to eat lunch with us on the pier. The rest of our day was just lazy until we celebrated Tony's birthday. These people don't play around when it comes to celebrations.

Rick has been feeling great, Amy still has a bit of a cold and is not feeling like herself yet, and my cough is getting worse by the day. I'm going to give Dr. Eaton a call on Tuesday morning before we head down for Rick's chemo to see if he can listen to my chest. I probably just have what the rest of the world has right now. A chest cold. I just know I can't mess around with it.

Amy and Angie left for the airport around 5:00 this morning. Jake, Megan, Rick and I don't leave until this evening, so we're going to explore San Francisco a little deeper today. I'd better put this computer away and rest a little more before it's time to pack up and head back to the "real world".

I want to give a special thanks to everyone who gave to this amazing organization. I feel like the Schmitt family is always asking for your help for something...but please know, the things we feel passionate about are things that will hopefully change the world.

Love you more than all the pasta in Italy (We had Italian food last night...yum)

Dreaming Big,
Doreen

We made it to San Franciso...

The girls flight was delayed for a couple of hours this morning then they circled San Francisco til the fog cleared up. It was a long day for them. Then Rick, Jake and I got to the airport and found out our flight had been completely canceled (this is becoming to be a pattern for my travel arrangements). They couldn't guarantee us a flight until late tomorrow afternoon. I begged, pleaded and used my "cancer card"...and said we really needed to be in San Fran for a big Event that I would be speaking at. I didn't mention that I would just be speaking to my friends. None the less, I needed to get here and begin the celebration of life with my friends and family.
We ended up on a flight that was scheduled to leave earlier than ours that was held up until 8:30 and we finally made it to San Fran around 10:45. We're here and that's the most important part.

Amy still sounds terrible, so I'm hoping with a little rest and relaxation tomorrow, she'll be feeling great for the event.

Now for our room. Photos will not describe it. It's actually about 1,800 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, marble soaking tubs, beautiful linens, marble floors and kitchen counters, stainless appliances, washer and dryer, beautiful dining room set and plasma tv's in each of our rooms. I could get used to this kind of living. Perhaps I'll need to find a job that pays more than a school secretary. I feel so honored to be one of the chosen ones who get to share this beautiful Ritz Carlton Club/Residence with all my friends and family. The staff was amazing from the moment we walked in the door. Our room had been filled with goodies from Bonnie and her family or staff. We sure love these people. Reason number 14,596 to live. I need to make it up to Bonnie.

I'd better hit the sack. Tomorrow will come early and I don't want to miss a thing.

Please don't hate me cuz I'm beautiful, hate me because we're living on top of the world.

Dreaming up here with a birds eye view,
Dor

Another late night at the computer

It's just been one busy day after another here at the Schmitt house. We're all getting ready for the Lung Cancer Gala in San Francisco and we can't wait. Though there are many things planned for us while we're in the city, we'll also have some free time to explore the beautiful scenery. Last year the weather was perfect. I'm hoping for that again.

The living room is covered in clothes (ready to go in suitcases and garment bags), but like usual...I have to count them out then iron everything (twice). I'll be ready for a vacation once we get back from this vacation. You all know what I'm talking about. Sometimes we work so hard in the preparation, that by the time the trip arrives....we're exhausted. Thank goodness we'll have a little break before the big event.

I'd better go fold a load of laundry then head to bed. It's another busy day tomorrow.

Happy 50th Birthday Cindy Lou! I'll be there soon :)

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Late Blog

This was on the Davis Carlson Memorial Foundation Sign starting on the 31st of October. Thanks, Carlson Family for making lung cancer matter too!

I know I'm writing this very late, but around 2:00 today Rick decided we should go to Desert Aire to get the house ready for the winter. We darted over there, drained the hot tub, blew out the sprinklers, had dinner at the little Sandtrap Restaurant (while the tub was draining) then headed back home. Whirlwind Day.

I'm not ready for the trip to San Francisco. Surprise, Surprise. I will be by the time we leave. Otherwise, I'll have to buy whatever I forgot. (Don't let Rick read this. He thinks I do it on purpose).

When I got back from Eastern Washington this evening I checked my e-mails and I had 19 in my box. That's a lot for me since I check them regularly. Tonight they were very different than usual. I had some wonderful, touching letters from people who had been effected by the blog.

In the mail today I received a check (for the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation) from a woman I met last year while I sitting in front of Haggen's with my "Breath Away From the Cure" paraphernalia and knitting a scarf. She has been reading the blog since the big newspaper article this year and has now joined a Relay for life team for 2008.

Another girl who Amy and Angie met in May, wrote a story about our family for her work newsletter. She works for a company that does clinical cancer trials. She sent us a copy of her article and of course...I cried. If I get her permission, I'll post it. (You already know the story if you've been reading this blog, but it's nice to get someone else's take on it)

I got a great e-mail from a gal on Bonnie's Advisory Board who had very nice things to say and is looking forward to meeting me on Friday. With all these people I'm going to be meeting in San Francisco, I'd better start that diet I was going to work on. Can I lose 20 pounds by Friday? Oh, forget about it. I'm just going to bring my sense of humor and smile. They might not even notice my extra flab. :)

Angie's friend (and mine) Shannon, from Portland, made up flyers for us to distribute this month for lung cancer awareness. I'll post that later this month too. After "networking" with her while we were in Portland last weekend, she jumped on board to help with our Relay for Life endeavors as well. Thanks, Shannon!

Lauren Amundson, a high school classmate of Jake's, is coaching volleyball while attending college in Rhode Island. Below is the e-mail I got from her today:

I am hoping to raise money for the American Lung Association, in honor of you (and of course the many others affected by Lung Cancer). On December 1st, they are sponsoring an event in Providence called "Wind Up the Westin" where we'll climb 26 flights of stairs! I just found out about it, and started a team in hopes of getting the staff within our Athletic Department to join. If you would be willing to pass the word along, here is my fundraising page. I know you have the ability to reach so many people who would be willing to donate & fight!! Thanks so much. Love you, Lauren....

http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?rid=720082&id=1633&acct=1183085414&mid=0

If you're interested...please help her reach her goal as she climbs those stairs in Providence. I'm winded just thinking about it. Thank you Lauren for thinking of us.

Ok, that's about it for today...oh wait, this is a health blog isn't it? So, about that...Rick is feeling much better. I'm coughing a bunch. Oh, for goodness sake, stop worrying about it. I have lung cancer. I think that's a common symptom. I'm going to bed now for beauty sleep. I'll wake up on Thursday. I hope that will be enough time. :)

Love you more than all the hunters getting ready for opening season,
(I'm so happy I don't have any hunters...what if they brought "stuff" home?)

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Sunday was a blur

Hello friends. Yesterday was a complete blur to me, hence...no blog. Angie and I got up very early to get to the Portland airport. We got on our little 40 seater airplane then waited for 45 minutes on the tarmac while they filled the plane with people on standby. We finally arrived in Seattle in time for Angie's referee meeting. While Angie was at her meeting at Seattle Pacific University, walked around the Fremont Farmer's Market. It's a funky little neighborhood, but I enjoyed my time looking around.

I didn't complete anything on my to do list today except make a pot of chicken noodle soup. Rick's appetite is getting better but his favorite thing still seems to be soup. With the weather getting cold, who doesn't like a pot of soup to warm you up? I might get wife of the year if I keep up the good work.

We are getting geared up for the Lung Cancer Association Simply the Best Gala II in San Francisco. Last year Rick and I went alone then met our friends in Reno. This year, it's going to be the whole family (including Megan). We will be meeting Debra Morossini (Dana Reeves) sister and hopefully some of her family (as they will receiving an award in her honor). I'll also get to see Nancy Lee Grahn (my friend from General Hospital soap opera) as well as a myriad of other amazing people who are working to change the lung cancer world. I can't wait. This year Bonnie and her gang are holding a Summit on Friday and Saturday as well. Doctor's and specialists from all over the country will be attending (as will the Schmitt family...we may need an interpreter to sit with us in case we don't understand any of the medical jargon...)

I'm going to call it a night. With daylight savings time in effect, I could be in bed by 6:00pm if I didn't work hard to stay awake for my favorite shows.

Love you more than all the Seahawks fans who are still crazy about yesterday's game...Ugh!

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Lives were touched...

Lives were touched today. Ours. Sometimes you're asked to do a favor for someone, and it ends up that you get the better deal out of it. That was the case for us today. Angie and I met some incredible people who treated us like royalty. It still feels strange to meet someone for the first time and find out they already know everything about you. I guess that's what happens when you write a daily blog. I'll eventually get used to it!

After the event was over the we went to dinner with 6 other people (They're our new best friends) I've received some really nice e-mails from people in Oregon and now I can put a face to their names. Hello new friends :) I'm not sure if they'll invite us back, I showed them my crazy side. Oh wait, I only have a crazy side. I guess they saw the real me.

Though we've had a wonderful time down here and we plan on coming back for some of their relays, I'm ready to get back home to my honey. I'm sure he did fine without me, but I'd like to think he needs me.

Thanks again to everyone we met at the Portland Relay University. It's obvious that you have a strong passion for a great cause. Best of luck on your individual relays and we hope to see you soon.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back

Dream Big,
Doreen

We're in Portland

Yesterday Angie and I flew to Portland (and boy...our arms are tired) to speak at Portland's Relay University today. I intended to write yesterday but once we got to the airport, we couldn't get wireless internet, and our flight was canceled (not just delayed), so we spent the next couple of hours waiting on stand-by. Luckily we got the 2nd or 3 flight out and made it to Portland in time to meet the committee from the Portland Relay and go out for dinner with Angie's friend, Shannon and an old friend and college basketball teammate, Martha. The 4 of us had a great time, but the girls brought me back to the hotel to get some much needed sleep before our big day today.

I know this blog has made it's way across the country, but I didn't realize how many people from the Portland area have been reading it. Everyone we met last night felt like they knew us already. I hope it's doing the job of keeping people smiling and dreaming big.

I'm going to spend my morning laying low then join the committee for some of their sessions.
I guess I'd better get up and start getting ready. It will be time to give my speech before I know it.

I'm missing one of my oldest and dearest friends 50th birthday party tonight. I double booked myself, but we're going to spend some special time together after I get home. But until then, HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY CINDY LOU!

Health wise... Rick is still mending but feeling pretty good, I'm just doing a little extra coughing, but we're coming into cold season so that's to be expected, Amy is at her drill weekend in Spokane and she sounds terrible. She woke up Friday morning with a sore throat and terrible head cold. When I called her last night, she sounded terrible. I' hope she's feeling better this morning.

Until later, keep dreaming big and have a wonderful weekend.

Dor

Public Service Announcement (you'll love it)

Here is a special message from the lung cancer awareness Queen. Please turn up your volume and click the link below.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/Default.aspx?mid=24170645&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=e624f1204b7b4227b5d287c9a1560695-247254772-JA-5

Enjoy,
Doreen