Happy Halloween!

It's official. I've become that crazy dog lady. 

Happy Halloween everyone!

What do a full week of pajamas + trash TV + naps on the couch equal? Too much of a good thing, that's what! So after the roads were cleared from hurricane Sandy (our neighbor had a tree go down, fortunately the only thing it took out was another neighbor's mailbox and the exit from our neighborhood)... I put on real clothes... and left. the. house!

That's right, an over-sized cable knit sweater can hide a multitude of figure flaws. Even tissue expanders and surgical drains.

Somehow I don't think these are the lovely lady lumps Fergie had in mind, but they'll have to do for now.

Happy, happy birthday...

...from all of us to you! I've never worked for TGIFridays or anywhere else that subjects its birthday celebrants to a ridiculous song. So for this post we'll just keep it simple and say...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

In addition to that milestone, there are a few others worth celebrating on this, my 6th day post-op. Taking my first unassisted shower, going up and down the stairs on my own, and wearing a pull-over shirt. I know, now I'm just showing off. Oh! And I bid adieu to my On-Q today. While I'm sure it was doing me a world of wonder in the pain management department, it's one accessory I'm more than happy to get rid of. And you know what Coco Chanel always said, always take off one accessory before leaving the house. Now if I could just get rid of this drain belt...

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for all of the texts, emails, calls and visits. Monday turned out to be a really long day - particularly for those of you in the lobby...

And I'm really sorry that I didn't get to see everyone after you'd been waiting all that time...

But all of your flowers and gifts were the perfect pick-me-up. Thank you...

After much insistence on my part, they finally released me at about 7:30 last night...

And now I'm home-sweet-home with some new accessories...

So feel free to stop by and pay a visit.

Yesterday went pretty much like this...

Photo credit: The Bloggess

So today we went here...

See more photos from our Skyline Drive adventure HERE

And tomorrow will be a lot like this...

Have a great night everyone!

Went to the doctor and the doctor said...

I will have a warm, cozy bed waiting for me at Fairfax Hospital this Monday. Between both surgeons, I should be under for about 6 hours. "Coming to" just in time for dinner... how convenient.

If you're in the area and want to stop by and pay a visit (who wouldn't? hospital food is delicious), follow signs for the Grey entrance to the Surgery Center. 

Parking in the Grey garage is $5. Or you can be all fancy and use the valet... which is still $5. A small price to pay to see me in all of my just-coming-out-of-anesthesia glory.

Seriously, that is well worth the cost of admission. If you think I'm funny now, just wait until I'm under the influence. Maybe not as funny as this girl... but pretty close.

God is in my mouth? I love god.

Amen to that, sister. If hospitals aren't really your thang - there are so many sick people there - feel free to come on by the house. And bring lunch. Or dinner. No, seriously.

In the meantime, I'll try to keep you updated. But Rob and Mom are going to be your best points of contact early in the week. Email me if you need their contact info.

Have a great weekend!

Time flies when you're having...fun?

And by fun, I mean cancer... which isn't fun at all. It's the exact opposite of fun. Seriously, cancer sucks. But time does fly. That occurred to me as Rob and I were driving home from my pre-op appointment with the reconstructive surgeon and I realized that today is my six month cancerversary. That's right, I was diagnosed 6 months ago today.

In honor of that, and in honor of all of you who have kept truckin' right along with me, this milestone calls for a little Dead. 

What a looooooong strange trip, indeed. I'll have more for you tomorrow about what the surgeon said and next week's day o' surgery. For tonight? It's time for me to go eat this and watch Up All Night.

Maybe I'll share some of this with Rob. Maybe.

Today was brought to you by the number FOUR

That's right, if you've been playing along at home, you may notice that tomorrow marks my FOUR week final-chemo-versary. So what have I been doing with the luxury that not going to chemo has granted me? 

First I had to recover from #6 - that sneaky little bastard. Bouncing back took a little bit longer than I expected. And the nurses are seriously not kidding when they say chemo effects are cumulative. Random side effect of this round? Bruising underneath the nail of my big toe on my left foot (aka fat foot). I'll spare you a photograph here. Pedicures are a no-no during chemo (high risk of infection) and these little piggies are not ready for their close-up, Mr. Demille. 

Anyway... weird bruised toenail aside, Rob and I spent Sunday cheering for the 'Skins.

What's that? You do your cheering from the stands? Don't be silly, the endzone is where it's at. Click HERE for more football goodness.

As if that wasn't enough excitement, I've also been growing a little bit of hair. Sort of. See?

Okay, so it kinda looks like a weird shadow here. But I promise you, that is actual hair you see there.

Next up in the power of four? Yoga on the Steps is just FOUR very short - and very chilly - days away. Whose idea was it to set the thermostat to Fall, anyway? Fortunately the weather in DC is supposed to be beautiful on Sunday. And... fortunately YOU still have FOUR days to join the Young Survival Coalition team.

Click HERE to join my team!

Thanks to your generosity, my fundraising goal has been blown out of the water. If you haven't had the opportunity to donate to a fantastic organization that helps those diagnosed with breast cancer... lucky for you here's another chance! My brother Dave is walking the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Click HERE for Dave's fundraising page and to make a donation. 

That's all I've got for you today. It's time to go watch Animal Practice. Hey...isn't that on channel FOUR? Okay, now I'm just creeping myself out. 

Honestly, what's funnier than a monkey wearing scrubs? Nothing, that's what.

Redskins All-Star Survivors Celebration

First things first. To everyone on Facebook, I apologize for jamming up your newsfeed with all things Washington Redskins for the last two days.

For anyone not on Facebook and have no idea what I'm talking about... here's what you missed.

The American Cancer Society and the Washington Redskins hosted an event at Redskins Park called the All-Star Survivors Celebration. The fifth-annual, to be exact. Right here is where I'd normally take the time to describe the event in great detail, along with 27 8x10 color glossy photographs. But... since WJLA and WTOP already went through the trouble, I'll let them tell you all about it.

Click HERE for the news story that aired on ABC News 7

HERE for the WTOP article,  

More than pink cleats: Redskins take breast cancer tribute personally

HERE for the redskins.com article,  

Cooley Returns For All-Star Survivor Event (be sure to watch the video, too)

And HERE for the Redskins blog post,  

Survivors Celebration Fun Time For All 

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day. You can check out the rest of my album HERE. 

Alyssa was my "care taker" for the day. And by "care taker" I mean she helped me carry all the great stuff they gave us, volunteered me for interviews with local media, and talked to the players about their shoes and their favorite fast food restaurants. Here we are with #92 Chris Baker, #90 Doug Worthington (and you think Rob is tall), and #46 Alfred Morris.

Doug - we're on a first name basis now, I can call him Doug - anyway, Doug gave us a tour of the facilities. Including the locker room. And let us try on his gear.

Alyssa opted for holding the helmet - ponytails and helmets do not work well together (non-bald people problems). And Mrs. Daniel Snyder (you can call her Tanya) joined us for a photo.

 Now if you'll excuse me... I've got a whole lotta thank you notes to write.