Hi everyone,
Two posts already this month - yeah, I clearly need more to do. When I think about the amount of work I did in the last six months and what I am doing now, it seems like I have nothing to do. I went from teaching five classes and five preps, helping host the relay for life, planning comm day for my dept, mentoring in the brother sister program to teaching two classes, one prep, and coaching a speech team. My life seems so much more peaceful not - wait until tournament season starts.
For those of you who are academically excitable, I would like to tell you about my new research project. I am doing an analysis of messages aimed at young cancer survivors and how they need to to differ compared to messages that are aimed at older adults. I got my inspiration from a few different places. One was from a pastor that stopped by my hospital room last April and asked me what was my sickness. I explained it to him and he commented that his wife was also having her thyroid out and it became apparent that facing this issue at 27 is much different than 67. I have also been listening to a podcast from a website called "I'm too young for this" that talks about the dirty little secrets of being young and dealing with issues such as dating, fertility, hair loss, body image, etc. I am excited to be working on this project and hope to help others who have dealt with issues related to their age and cancer.
Have a nice weekend everybody! Good luck to my little brother as he will be playing football this week and also to Jason who is training for the Twin Cities marathon!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Happy September
Happy September and completion of the first week of the new academic year! Summer is (almost) over and school is back in session. It is so refreshing to have an actual schedule again after being in change for so long. I missed having a dept to belong to and a working office (piles of books at home) and being unpacked.
Work is fabulous and I love teaching at a private institution. While I will admit to having been pretty anti -private school up to this point, I have changed my tune. I enjoy my students, my office (double the size with awesome furniture) the culture and everything else. The dining center is pretty amazing also. I am only teaching two classes, which is a significant change from the 5 I taught last spring, I am also back coaching forensics, which I love. I missed every aspect of it, from the coaching to the literature and topics to the people you meet. I am very glad to be back and am looking forward to travel.
Healthwise (since it was the original purpose of this blog, things are going well. We almost have med levels figured out and I feel 100 times better than i did before. In fact, I am often confused when I know longer need to sleep for 12 hours and just get up early and feel fine. I am in the process of picking a new doctor ( I have it narrowed down to three) and just need to make some calls. Two speacialize specifically in thyroid cancer so I am hoping to work with one of them. I know I am nearing my first six month check (ok, November, but still - it's been four months already!) and need to find somebody I am comfortable with. I guess this is one of the benfits of living in a city, rather than going to the one person around, you get to choose who is best for you.
speaking of the city, I am finally getting used to not living in Mankato. I have realized that sitting in traffic is not a choice but a way of life and it is easier to just accept than to get frustrated. I went to the statefair last weekend wit my brothers and karie and had a great time! I am still disgusted by the amount of food we all consumed (nothing on a stick for me, ironically) but it was well worth it the one time a year it happens. Looking towards teh rennasance festival and a play in the next couple weeks.
tata for now, it's time to get back to work.
Work is fabulous and I love teaching at a private institution. While I will admit to having been pretty anti -private school up to this point, I have changed my tune. I enjoy my students, my office (double the size with awesome furniture) the culture and everything else. The dining center is pretty amazing also. I am only teaching two classes, which is a significant change from the 5 I taught last spring, I am also back coaching forensics, which I love. I missed every aspect of it, from the coaching to the literature and topics to the people you meet. I am very glad to be back and am looking forward to travel.
Healthwise (since it was the original purpose of this blog, things are going well. We almost have med levels figured out and I feel 100 times better than i did before. In fact, I am often confused when I know longer need to sleep for 12 hours and just get up early and feel fine. I am in the process of picking a new doctor ( I have it narrowed down to three) and just need to make some calls. Two speacialize specifically in thyroid cancer so I am hoping to work with one of them. I know I am nearing my first six month check (ok, November, but still - it's been four months already!) and need to find somebody I am comfortable with. I guess this is one of the benfits of living in a city, rather than going to the one person around, you get to choose who is best for you.
speaking of the city, I am finally getting used to not living in Mankato. I have realized that sitting in traffic is not a choice but a way of life and it is easier to just accept than to get frustrated. I went to the statefair last weekend wit my brothers and karie and had a great time! I am still disgusted by the amount of food we all consumed (nothing on a stick for me, ironically) but it was well worth it the one time a year it happens. Looking towards teh rennasance festival and a play in the next couple weeks.
tata for now, it's time to get back to work.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
It's been a busy month...
Hey all,
The month of July and now half of August has flown by, and lots have changed, I have moved, worked at Le Cordon Bleu, tomorrow start a new job, you know, the basics.
First, I moved to Minneapolis about three weeks ago - it's been great, just busy. have not finished unpacking, which is not a suprise. But you know, we will get there.
I work a two week stint at Le Cordon Bleu for a friend. It was fabulous - I ate a lot of cake, taught some public speaking, and had a pretty great time.
Monday the 17th I start orientaiton at Bethel. Starting two new jobs in a two week period is a bit stressful, but I enjoy change, so it has been fun.
On a health note, we are getting closer. My doctor upped my dosage again, which is a good thing. The bad news is I am also in the process of having to change doctors before we get everything settled, which is tough. However, I am clearly in a place where good healthcare is abundant, so I will be able to find someone good.
good night for now,
jessica
The month of July and now half of August has flown by, and lots have changed, I have moved, worked at Le Cordon Bleu, tomorrow start a new job, you know, the basics.
First, I moved to Minneapolis about three weeks ago - it's been great, just busy. have not finished unpacking, which is not a suprise. But you know, we will get there.
I work a two week stint at Le Cordon Bleu for a friend. It was fabulous - I ate a lot of cake, taught some public speaking, and had a pretty great time.
Monday the 17th I start orientaiton at Bethel. Starting two new jobs in a two week period is a bit stressful, but I enjoy change, so it has been fun.
On a health note, we are getting closer. My doctor upped my dosage again, which is a good thing. The bad news is I am also in the process of having to change doctors before we get everything settled, which is tough. However, I am clearly in a place where good healthcare is abundant, so I will be able to find someone good.
good night for now,
jessica
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Just another July day
Hi everyone, it's just another July day, spend grading papers and speeches and getting ready for my move to Minneapolis. I had a couple of thoughts strike me today, which have all been keeping me thinking.
Cancer came up in my class today - I had never intended to share this information, but I was talking with another student about health issues and felt like since she had confided in me, I needed to reciprocate back and share with her. As other students filed in, they heard bits and pieces and started asking about it. It was actually a great talk, as we often dont talk about this and as young adults, dont often find ourselves facing this problem. Ialso feel like I have a duty as a "survivor story" to share, especially since the sad truth is that cancer doens't have nearly as many of those as they should.
Since cancer seemed to be the topic of the day, it only seemed fitting that while watching the first 5 mintues of CSI New York they discovered the victim had thyroid cancer. This has been the second television show to bring this up in the last few months (the other was Grey's Anatomy). I find it interesting since it is not one of the more common cancers. I am guessing it is because the survival rate is so high, but who knows.
This Friday is the Relay for Life of Blue Earth County. Some of us MSU folks are going to go and help "Rock the Relay" and scope out new ideas for next year. It breaks my heart to know I will not be able to help with next years relay, but I am so proud of the group and confident in their abilities they will do nothing less than shine and put on a fantastic night for everyone. I am so excited to go back and check it out! Hopefully we will get great pictures next week to post!
Cancer came up in my class today - I had never intended to share this information, but I was talking with another student about health issues and felt like since she had confided in me, I needed to reciprocate back and share with her. As other students filed in, they heard bits and pieces and started asking about it. It was actually a great talk, as we often dont talk about this and as young adults, dont often find ourselves facing this problem. Ialso feel like I have a duty as a "survivor story" to share, especially since the sad truth is that cancer doens't have nearly as many of those as they should.
Since cancer seemed to be the topic of the day, it only seemed fitting that while watching the first 5 mintues of CSI New York they discovered the victim had thyroid cancer. This has been the second television show to bring this up in the last few months (the other was Grey's Anatomy). I find it interesting since it is not one of the more common cancers. I am guessing it is because the survival rate is so high, but who knows.
This Friday is the Relay for Life of Blue Earth County. Some of us MSU folks are going to go and help "Rock the Relay" and scope out new ideas for next year. It breaks my heart to know I will not be able to help with next years relay, but I am so proud of the group and confident in their abilities they will do nothing less than shine and put on a fantastic night for everyone. I am so excited to go back and check it out! Hopefully we will get great pictures next week to post!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
round 2
well folks, just a quick cancer update - I guess it is important to do those once in awhile also! It's really not a cancer update, more of a medication update. I went in for my first 6 week bloodtest to see if my meds are right. Turns out, i have a good reason for taking naps, being tired, and not losing wieght. I was still hypo, which is what we dont want to be. My dr. needs me to stay hyperthyoridic so that the thyroid cells dont grow back (which can increase the return of the cancer). So we wait and see once again! I was hoping to have this all figured out before I left Mankato, but it looks like I will be making a trip back for stuff early in august. Not a huge deal, but i was looking forward to putting everything in the past until the first 6 month check. Not to mention I apparenlty have stubborn veins, it only took three times to get blood before they tried the front of my hand. Ouch!
On another note, I attended the St Peter Relay for the free survivor t-shirt and the need to expose myself to those positive messages. It was a little awkward after I registered, they were asking people how long they had been survivors for. I had a bunch of older woman in front of me, most of them surviving some sort of breast cancer for 5 or more years. When I was asked, my response was 6 weeks. The lady looked at me a bit funny, but did not ask questions (for which I was thankful) I often forget how much people dont expect young people to be going through this (since the percentage is much lower if you are under 40, only 6% of all cancer cases). I left before the actual survivor lap (it was a little harder than I anticipated) but am still glad I got to enjoy the speakers and donate to the cause.
I can't believe it is July 1! I wore a sweathshirt, socks, long pants and taught in a sweater today. You know when you are in MN when..... Now I just need to keep motivated and get packing for the big move in a few weeks! I cant believe I will be leaving Mankato so soon!
On another note, I attended the St Peter Relay for the free survivor t-shirt and the need to expose myself to those positive messages. It was a little awkward after I registered, they were asking people how long they had been survivors for. I had a bunch of older woman in front of me, most of them surviving some sort of breast cancer for 5 or more years. When I was asked, my response was 6 weeks. The lady looked at me a bit funny, but did not ask questions (for which I was thankful) I often forget how much people dont expect young people to be going through this (since the percentage is much lower if you are under 40, only 6% of all cancer cases). I left before the actual survivor lap (it was a little harder than I anticipated) but am still glad I got to enjoy the speakers and donate to the cause.
I can't believe it is July 1! I wore a sweathshirt, socks, long pants and taught in a sweater today. You know when you are in MN when..... Now I just need to keep motivated and get packing for the big move in a few weeks! I cant believe I will be leaving Mankato so soon!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Summer Skool 101
As the weather is hopefully getting nicer, I am going back to school. Summer school that is. It's time to gear up and get abck to work. I am actually looking forward to this, (not the 7am part) but having a normal schedule of sorts. It's amazing how lazy you can get when the phrase "I can just do it next week" enters your head. I am looking forward to assignments and teaching, as it is truly what I love to do.
As for other big announcements, I have a new job! I will be starting in the Fall teaching at Bethel University in St Paul as an instructor and Assistant Director of Forensics. I am excited to be getting back into forensics, I didnt realize how much I missed it until I started applying for jobs. I have been literature and topic searching to get a head start. I love reading with a purpose.
Cancer wise, all is well. I go back for my second round of blood tests to see how meds are working. I feel like we may need a slight adjustment, but so far I can tell a difference, having more energy and such! My side effects haven't been to bad, though I have noticed an increase in anxiety and slight hair loss. Pretty mild as far as all goes.
Happy Summer! If it ever quits raining, I might be able to enjoy some time outside. Oh well, back to packing (so much stuff) and working on summer classes!
Love you all!
As for other big announcements, I have a new job! I will be starting in the Fall teaching at Bethel University in St Paul as an instructor and Assistant Director of Forensics. I am excited to be getting back into forensics, I didnt realize how much I missed it until I started applying for jobs. I have been literature and topic searching to get a head start. I love reading with a purpose.
Cancer wise, all is well. I go back for my second round of blood tests to see how meds are working. I feel like we may need a slight adjustment, but so far I can tell a difference, having more energy and such! My side effects haven't been to bad, though I have noticed an increase in anxiety and slight hair loss. Pretty mild as far as all goes.
Happy Summer! If it ever quits raining, I might be able to enjoy some time outside. Oh well, back to packing (so much stuff) and working on summer classes!
Love you all!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Great News!
Monday I had my first appt with my specialist, who is an amazing dr. not only did he answer all my questions, he asked all the ones i didnt think to ask! It's nice to leave an appt feeling better about everything that when i got there. Basically, all I have is good news. Because of the stage and earlyness of catching everything, we are not opting not to do any treatments and just doing frequent bloodwork and a 6 month check, which we will do every 6 months from here on out. The chance of return is 1%, which is awesome!
Now I am off to Vegas! I mean, where else does one go to celebrate! I am meeting my friend Brittany who has been dedicating her time to the peace corp there, we are set for an excellent few days! Brit, I can't wait - it's hard to believe I haven't seen you since August! Next week I had out to San Diego to see James and go to the Cubs/Padres series! It's gearing up to be a great summer!
Now I am off to Vegas! I mean, where else does one go to celebrate! I am meeting my friend Brittany who has been dedicating her time to the peace corp there, we are set for an excellent few days! Brit, I can't wait - it's hard to believe I haven't seen you since August! Next week I had out to San Diego to see James and go to the Cubs/Padres series! It's gearing up to be a great summer!
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