52 books in a year - Week two - Bel Canto

This week the book is Bel Canto, by Ann Pachett. This was our April book club choice, and an excellent boot to have ready. My thoughts?

I really, really, loved this book - while you assume from the beginning there will be tragedy - the simple premise is that there is a dinner party for a birthday celebration which is interrupted by a militia group seeking to find the president -this book presents a sense of hope that not all evil is truly evil and that everybody has some good in them. While the book has a very slow pace to it, I would highly recommend all it has to offer. I found myself becoming very attached to the characters and really become excited to see how they would all end up.

52 books in a year - Week one - Little Bee

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

* This book was chosen by my book club as our May 2010 read. My book club is really impressive and chooses book I would never have chosen but overwhelmingly always seem to love. Here is my review

My favorite part of this story was the back of the book, which said it wasn't going to give anything away except that it was about two woman and a choice. This may be the biggest understatement I have ever heard. This story brings up many choices and reflects that these choices are not only ours but they effect everybody who is involved. The story had just enough twists and turns to where every time I become comfortable with the story, it changed my course of thinking. Without giving too much away and respecting the author's wishes, the story had a great way of incorporating culture and privilege into the story as well. I would recommend this story to anyone who appreciates a story about the nature of humans and the internal struggles we face. It makes us think about what we would be willing to give of ourselves in order to help others.

Happy Memorial Day

While I am totally fine with the fact that this blog is mostly boring and useless, I thought I would try to find away to make it exciting and useful again. An update with a much different purpose than before. While I will still use it to make health updates (which won't come again for another three months) I thought I would use it to make good on the one New Year's Resolution I made.

When I was a kid, I loved to read. I devoured every book I could get my hands on, reading two or three at a time, reading books over and over, etc. I was a fast reader and loved (though sometimes terrible) literature. I find this to be one of the saddest things that has changed about me. Maybe it was becoming and academic and finding reading to be work rather than pleasure (i am much more or a teacher than a researcher, though that is starting to change).

So, what was my one resolution? To read a book a week. 52 books by the end of the year. While most of my friends have already completed this task, I thought i should probably get in gear. I have been keeping track on facebook, but thought this would be a better outlet in case the facebook application ever gets cancelled. So, I will start today reposting what I have accomplished this far. If somebody does decide to read this, they can take my advice or advise about other books i should read.

One year!

I felt it would be appropriate to reflect on the last year of my life - while, and least the stuff that has occured in many ways. today marks one year since I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer - while I enjoy that I am doing fine and feeling great, I know that I still can't ignore the mental struggle I have experienced. I remember sitting in my office and coming from a dept meeting and seeing a missed call from my dr - as soon as i heard his voice, i knew there was an ominous message for me - dr's never call patients back, right - two classes and numerous phone calls I had my answer.

But that is the past. Today, I am very healthy and happy. I love my new job, my new location, and all of the people I know get to interact with. They are a constant inspiration and model for all!

Live from Vegas!

Hello from sunny and HOTTT Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps and neither do I when I am there! I am out visiting with friends and am having a great great time. One of the best perks about my job - the fact that I still get to enjoy Spring Break - and sometimes, a break is exactly what you need.

As for a health update, I just got the results of my last three month ultrasound - I still have swollen lymph nodes, which sucks, but they didnt get any bigger or worse, which is good. I was hoping for better news, but am content with this. As we are coming up on one year since my diagnosis (march 25), it seems right to celebrate the good things that have happened in the last year once again!

love you all,

j

Happy 2010

So I clearly have decided to neglect this blog - you know, now that life is actually good for a change. I thought about doing a recap for the past year, but just thinking of it is kinda exhausting. Relay, Cancer, new job, moving, cancer - haha - ok i think that is enough already. oh, and the torn cornea, which is actually kinda cool - who does that! anyway, rather than making new years resolutions, i think i just need to let this year happen - who knows what will come, and it seems like after so much change, the goal of this year is taking care of myself and fun. pretty sure it is going to go just fine.

Did you know you have between 500-600 lymph nodes in your body?

And it only takes one to mess everything up - and in my case, the answer truly is one. I had my six month and first ultrasound since my surgery - the hope was that all lymph nodes, which are shaped like kidney beans would come back clean. However, I have one rogue node that decided to look more like a pancake. I would like to thank my Dr. for the fabulous food analogies.

What does this mean - I dont know, I have to see my dr. on thursday. It most likely means that i will soon be starting radioactive iodine treatments, which will be not fun, but, hey, it could be worse. The biggest frustration is that we have spend the last 6 months getting my medication correct and now we will have to start all of this over after the treatments. I will keep you all updated, as of now i really dont know much, but wanted to give everybody a heads up. Enjoy the warm November weather,

jess