Now what?!

 

 

My kids started school this week and it's always bittersweet.  I love having them home for the summer, but I also look forward to the "routine" that school brings.  I will admit, starting school this year was more "bitter" than "sweet" because my baby went to first grade!  I have long dreaded this day and boy, was I a mess!!  It's a huge milestone to have all your kids in school all day!

 

 

Many moms look forward to this day and I'm hoping I will feel that way eventually, but for now, I'm mourning having my youngest in school all day and not to myself anymore.  Plus, kids seem to grow up so much when they go to school all day. :(

 

 

So, I've been thinking, now what?! Do I go back to work?  What do I with myself now that I have all this time while the kids are in school?  First things first though, it's not like I'm going to be BORED and have NOTHING to do.  There's always things to do--clean the house, grocery shop, pay bills, run errands, volunteer in the class, help friends, attend to my church responsibilities, the list goes on. Oh, and then there's always the non-profit responsibilities too.  So, it's not like I don't have plenty to do.  I guess I just feel like now is the time to be productive in the world again, help out with finances, and well, reinvent myself.

 

 

For now, I'm going to try to get used to being all by myself during the day, but stay tuned, I have a feeling that big changes are on the horizon!!

Hot off the press!

 

Another treatment was approved for metastatic melanoma!  This drug, otherwise known as Anti-PD1 is similar to Yervoy, in that it enhances your immune system to kill off the cancerous cells (to put it simply).  What's great about this treatment is it is showing better efficacy with less severe side effects.

 

You can read the complete article here.



How the sun sees you

 

This is a very powerful message about the importance of sunscreen and how damaging the sun really is.  You will be blown away!!!

Surgeon general issues skin cancer warning

This is great news!  The surgeon general speaks out about the epidemic that skin cancer is becoming across the U.S.  Here's a few quotes from the article:

 

 

 

"Until today, the surgeon general has never said, 'UV radiation is bad for you; protect your skin,' " acting Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak said.

 

"We have to change the social norms about tanning," he said. "Tanned skin is damaged skin, and we need to shatter the myth that tanned skin is a sign of health."

 

"We know that the risk level for skin cancer decreases with more skin pigmentation," he said. "But no one is immune. All races are still diagnosed and still affected by UV rays."

 

To read the complete story, or watch the video click here.

4 years!!!

 

I am happy to report that today I celebrate 4 years in remission!  Yesterday was my scans and doctor appointment (I met my new doctor, Dr. Kevin Kim), and am so happy and relieved to get the good news that scans were clear and I can come back in 6 months!

 

Keep fighting because the treatment that you need might be around the corner!  I have hope that there is something for everyone!  We will beat this monster!

 

Now off to some celebrating!!!