Rest in peace, Kathi

On Friday, I was home watching the KOMO 4 evening news (my station of choice) and Dan Lewis reported that Kathi Goertzen was in the ICU.  I started crying at his announcement, and he said that her family asked everyone at 7:15pm that night to pray for her.  Now, I'm not a praying type of girl, but if I've ever prayed in my life, it was Friday at 7:15pm.

As you probably know, Kathi Goertzen was a longtime anchor on KOMO and I've followed her story for quite a while.  She's a Coug, like me.  She was in Alpha Chi Omega at WSU, like me.  (We used to look at her picture on our composites and feel a sense of pride for our chapter "celebrity.")  And she's been battling brain tumors, like me.  Well, I'm lucky to not have to battle mine; it's more like living with mine.  She's been battling hers for 14 years, with 9 surgeries, radiation, and alternate treatments.  Her tumors weren't even cancerous, just benign tumors that continued to grow.  They took the movement of half of her face, her ability to eat, her ability to talk, and more.

RIP, Kathi

So I was very sad today to take a quick break at work to check the headlines only to see that she passed away, at the age of 54.  I immediately teared up at work and started sniffling, trying to not break into tears at my (borrowed) desk (at Hotwire).  I didn't know Kathi personally, but I felt like I could relate to her so closely and was rooting for her sooo much.  I'm crying as I type this, as we've lost a really inspirational fighter and a tumor-dominating friend and Coug. 

There's a really great video tribute from her longtime co-anchor Dan Lewis on KOMO's site, and I'd recommend watching it.  Get your tissues though.  It's a sad day for all of us.  Rest in peace, Kathi.

Welcome to the club, Sheryl

Wah wahhh...  My friend Karrie sent me a link to an article today, which talks about Sheryl Crow and her new brain tumor.  Yup, another member of my VIP club has arrived.  She disclosed in an interview for the first time that she discovered that she has a benign brain tumor.  Oh, and let's not forget she's already a breast cancer survivor.  It sounds like the tumor shouldn't cause her too much trouble, and she seems like she's one tough lady, so I'm optimistic that she'll be fine and stay healthy.  It's sad though.  Finding out about people with brain tumors makes me feel a little less alone in this, but it's an awful thing to have happen to someone and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Sheryl and her ex Lance Armstrong, both kickass brain tumor dominators

So now she joins my list of all stars, including Kathi Goertzen (whose story I've followed for a long time, and was in my sorority at Wazzu), Mary Tyler Moore (had surgery right when I did), Ryan Leaf (had surgery right when I did, and fellow Coug), Jerome Harrison (fellow Coug, recently diagnosed during an NFL physical), Lance Armstrong (the ultimate tumor and cancer dominator, whose book helped me get ready for this adventure), and my real-life friends Jess, Krystal, and Sara.  It's TOO MANY.  How wonderful would it be if we could say, "We've reached capacity in the brain tumor club.  No more people can be admitted.  No more brain tumors!"  I know that's cheesy, but how wonderful would that be, truly?!?  Stinking brain tumors!

Ugh, Ryan Leaf, you are killing me...

One of my fellow brain tumor dominators and Coug alumni, Ryan Leaf, is acting like that friend you want to root for but just creates situations for themselves that cause them to stumble and fail and make poor decisions and generally not be good in life.  Ryan, as you may recall, had brain surgery to remove a tumor 2 days after I did last May.  He was sober, had surgery WITHOUT pain meds, had turned his life around, was doing good things, and had a great outlook on the future.

And then a week ago he goes and relapses on prescription opiates, breaks into a house to steal pills, gets out on bail, and 4 days later does the same thing.  He's now in jail in Montana, charged with handful of felonies, with no bail, and in (likely) violation of his probation in Texas from years past when he did this same thing.  I think/assume this means prison time.  It makes me sad.  I just shake my head.

I know people, and one in particular (and some of you who read this blog will know who I'm talking about), who talk a lot of smack about Ryan Leaf and doubted his new outlook on life and how he'd changed things, and I would defend him when they said these things.  "Having a brain tumor turns things upside down," I'd say.  "You should give him the benefit of the doubt.  It's changed my perspective, for sure.  It's probably done the same for him."  Plus, who are we to know?!

But now, it makes it hard.  I can't defend him.  His addiction has taken over his life again, and made him do really stupid, careless, harmful things to himself and to the people whose houses he broke into and stole from.  Again.  So many people were giving him a 2nd chance, and rooting for him, and for what.  It's the same old story.  It really makes me sad for him.  (Although, if that one particular person mentions a lick about Ryan Leaf, I will perhaps still punch them in the face.*  It will just be harder to justify.)  Sigh.

Now, back to focusing positive energy on myself and my (other) fellow brain tumor dominators out there.  :)


*I wouldn't actually punch anyone in the face.  I just talk a big game, plus it would hurt my hand...  ;)

Amsterdam observations

I made it back home and have been enjoying my bed, my electric toothbrush, and getting back to normal life.  Still recovering from the Dutch flu/cold I caught, but feeling much better.  At this time last week, I was in Amsterdam, hanging out with friends and helping to celebrate one of their birthdays!  I had a great time, and love Amsterdam a ton.  It was my 3rd visit there, and I am always so happy to get back to the city.  It is perhaps my favorite city.  Here's what I noticed:

• In case you don't know this already, the Dutch are TALL.  Like, the world's tallest (seriously).  I get my own height from my Dutch heritage on my mom's side.  And I blend in there!  I love it.  These are my people.  We did spend some time at a bar though that seemed to be the anti-height headquarters in Amsterdam.  We went to a bar on Saturday night where I was the tallest person there for almost the entire time.  It was very confusing.  I kept waiting for my tall Dutch man friends to show up, yet they didn't.  I'm still confused.  (They did show up everywhere else, though.  WHEW.)

With my friend and fellow Coug Ryan, at the notorious short height bar

• I stayed with my friends Courtney and Karl for the weekend, and the apartment they live in (besides being really cute and much larger than I expected) was built for tall people!  The bathroom alone blew my mind.  The toilet was so high that my heels dangled off the floor.  No joke.  The countertop was tall.  The giant rain showerhead would have fit someone 7'0" under it. I even think the doorknobs may have been higher.  Reason #435 why I need to live in Amsterdam.

With the birthday girl Courtney in the "Secret Garden"

• One new thing I learned this trip is that a ton of shops and restaurants have a resident cat.  The cat hangs out, wanders around, is fluffy.  Once Courtney and Karl mentioned it to me, I feel like we saw cats everywhere.  And not stray cats, but cats that live in stores.  It was kind of awesome.
• I've been keeping an eye out to the fashion trends in each European city I've been to, as the residents all dress a little differently in each city.  In Amsterdam, I couldn't help but notice colorful sneakers everywhere.  Everywhere!  Bright, neon, so fun.  If I lived there, I'd definitely take my sneakers up a notch.  Courtney was already sporting some sweet turquoise ones (as seen in the pic above).
• One of Amsterdam's somewhat famous foods is their pancakes.  They are GOOD.  They make pancakes that are sweet or savory or both and you can put just about anything in them.  I had mine with cheese, bacon, and apple.  Court's had a huge piece of goat cheese and herbs.  And it totally hit the spot!  Mmmm.  Get some pancakes if you go to Amsterdam.

I wish I had one of these RIGHT NOW

• The Dutch also love fruit smoothies.  They were on most menus.  They were really good!
• When I asked at the short bar if they had cider, the bartender looked very confused and said, "Cider?  Like apple cider?"  I think that Amsterdam may be one of the few European cities that doesn't serve cider.  Bummer.  I think this is the first reason I've uncovered to NOT live there.
• As you may have already heard, the Dutch ride bikes everywhere.  Amsterdam is a city with more bike lanes than roads for cars it seems, and literally everyone is on a bike.  Everyone rides old cruisers, as owning a new bike is the fast way to get it stolen.  Courtney and Karl borrowed an extra bike from a friend that I got to ride, and it was fantastic!!!  I felt so Dutch.  Although my butt did not love it as much as the rest of me did; I was a little sore for a while.  We rode to dinner and the bars on Saturday night, and then rode home again afterwards (which was one of the more fun bike rides I've been on) and to and from breakfast on Sunday.

Court and I, riding home from her birthday party

I had a fun time hanging out in Amsterdam with Courtney, Karl, Ryan, and new friends!  I hope to get back there again someday soon (for more than just a weekend visit).

Taking care of business

I'm almost a week in to my zombie sleep project, and it's surprisingly quite un-zombielike!  I suppose I'm so used to not enough sleep that the 6 hours I'm allowed to be in bed each night seems about normal.  I'm tired, yes, but no more tired than normal.  I've forced myself to stay up till midnight each night and gotten out of bed at 6am when my alarm goes off (minus over the weekend... really, let's not be ridiculous with this whole thing).  And I feel normal!  Very tired normal, but still.  And the sleep I am getting feels a little better.  Most nights I fall asleep relatively quickly by my standards and am getting decent quality sleep.  I meet with Dr. D on Tuesday to update him with my progress.  We'll see what he says.

I got the confirmation from Pantene Beautiful Lengths about my hair donation!  I think it's being put to very good use for some woman out there who needs it.

Nice mail to receive

My fellow Alpha Chi alum from Wazzu and KOMO regular Kathi Goertzen is having another brain surgery this Wednesday.  When recently asked how many she's had, she couldn't remember, there've been so many.  Her tumor is causing her some serious problems, as she's lost control of part of her face and has issues swallowing and must use a feeding tube.  She also has difficulty talking.  Please keep her in your thoughts this week for a successful surgery!

Back in October, amidst word that fellow tumor dominator Ryan Leaf was starting radiation soon, I *may have* stalked him on FB and sent him a message of support.  You know, why not.  :)  Well, guess who got a response today?!  Me!  Ha!  He says he'd love to be a part of my brain tumor dominating troupe and thanked me for my message and thoughts, and that he'd keep me in his thoughts and prayers as well.  Cougs helping Cougs, 3.5 months later.  :)

On Friday, I met up for happy hour at Zig Zag with a friend who is a breast cancer survivor.  I hadn't had a chance to talk to her much about her experience before, and she was curious about mine as well, so we enjoyed adult beverages, calamari, and margharita pizza and talked.  And it was GREAT!  It is so nice when I get the chance to talk to someone who has been through a similar situation and can really relate to the feelings and emotions and fears and changes.  She is doing really well and it made me so happy to catch up with her!

It's almost Valentine's Day, which is everyone's favorite holiday (especially my single lady friends and myself, duh).  I will have a lovely holiday, thankyouverymuch, filled with sugar.  I received my annual V day care package from my mom that included a special guest.  I also got one of Johnny's famous V day candy jars, filled with tasty treats (Johnny is my friend Syd's dad, and he's made these for Syd and friends as long as I've known her).

YES.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!  Wah wahhh...  ;)

San Francisco! Woo!

I got away this last weekend with a semi-last minute plane ticket to San Francisco.  I went to visit my good friends Lynn and David and their kitty Lola.  It was sooo nice to get out of Seattle!  Although I did take the rain with me, but it didn't affect our fun too much.

We enjoyed a fancy dinner at Maverik on Friday night, then on Saturday Lynn had to work (ahh, the glamorous life of an accountant) so I met up with my friends Jacqui and Richard to go to the Wazzu football game against Cal.  I didn't know there was a game when I booked my plane ticket, but it ended up working out perfectly!  They played at AT&T Park (aka where the SF Giants play) so it was a little different watching football in a baseball stadium, but we had a good time.  We went to a pretty fantastic WSU tailgate (complete with the giant WSU flag that gets flown atop the Space Needle flying at the tailgate, no joke) and then tried to enjoy some Cougar football.  It POURED and the Cougs sucked but we had a good time, as evidenced by these lovely photos.

E-Drid (as in "say go, say Cougs"), yours truly, Jacqui, and half of Richard

Lurking in pics is even more fun than being the subject of the photo!

With the terrible score and ridiculous rain, we peaced out at halftime and watched the rest of the game from the comfort of 21st Amendment.  Still a really fun day though, I LOVE away games!!  And I made it all the way home on the Muni all by myself.  Take that, poor sense of direction and disorientation!

On Sunday, Lynn and I had breakfast at Chow and headed downtown for some shopping.  And oh, it did not disappoint.  I did a little damage, BUT everything I got was on my short list of things I wanted to find and have been looking for a while: an army green, parka-like winter coat with faux fur trimmed hood and a fun and special shirt to wear for my birthday (details to come).  Check and check!!  We also had a tasty lunch at Lynn's old friend Tom Colicchio's restaurant 'Wichcraft.  One bonus of visiting Lynn and David is that they always know the delicious places to eat!

Lynn and I didn't get any pics together, so here's an oldie but a goodie from our previous lives where we audited Holland America cruise ships.  It was a rough life.  ;)

Aboard the ms Oosterdam, October 2006... So young!  Pre-braces!

It was a great weekend, as it's always great seeing longtime friends again.  I hadn't seen Lynn and David since before surgery, or Jacqui and Richard since this summer, and I miss all of them.  Perhaps you should all move back to Seattle...?!  Okay, okay...  Can't wait to visit again!!

My hair is a-growin'!

This may seem like an odd pic, but I wanted to show how well my hair has been growing since the big shave 5 months ago.  It's a little hard to tell, but my hand is up against my head and all that lovely hair shooting out is fresh, flowing (I wish!), shiny hair, almost ready for the big chop.  (It's like the big shave, but more stylish, not performed by a neurosurgeon, and I get to pick how it looks.)

Hair and Dexter, fun Sunday night combo

This week has Barre3 classes, a dentist appointment, a possible hang-out with my new friend Jess, and then a flight to San Francisco to visit Lynn and David and attend a Coug football game with Jacqui and Richard over the weekend.  Should be a good one!

What is in the water?!

Okay, so I know this blog is about me, but I have to include info about my fellow tumor dominators, especially when they grew up in God's country (Pullman, that is) too.  Just tonight the news outlets announced that Jerome Harrison, a 28-YO former Cougar football stud and current Detroit Lions running back, found a brain tumor during a routine NFL physical.  No tumor details yet (obviously, as you need surgery or a biopsy to really find anything out), but scary nonetheless.  They found it early and hopefully he'll be in a similar boat to me; that is, watching and waiting.  (Thanks for the heads up on this, Karrie D.)

I'm telling you...  Be careful with your health, be aware of your health, investigate things that seem weird with your body (without being a hypochondriac), and be SO THANKFUL when you are healthy and happy.  Really, they're what matter the most in life.  TRUST ME.  Health and happiness, people!!!!!

Team Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf announced that he'll be undergoing 6 weeks of radiation starting next month to treat his brain tumor.  I've been quite interested in his story, as we have a lot in common:

• Both Cougs!  Woop woop woo hoo!
• Both are dominating brain tumors
• Both had surgery in May 2011
• Both quite tall
• Both developing a better, different outlook on life and what is important
• Both generally awesome (although some say it's debatable, for him)

Here's a brief article for more info.  If my tumor decides to misbehave someday, radiation is likely my next step as well.  I'm wishing him lots of luck and sending positive vibes for treatment!

A very happy day

My BFF Carl married his bride Maria on Saturday, and it was a fun, lovely event!  Hair and makeup started nice and early (my appointment was at 8am, and I was in the 3rd heat, if you will, so it really started earlier than that).  We lounged in the suites at Hotel 1000, and I moved back and forth from the girls' and guys' suites, since I was (technically) on both teams.  We had lunch, did pics near Pike Place Market and the Olympic Sculpture Park, then headed to the church.  After a short ceremony, we jumped back in the party bus to let loose at Hotel 1000.  Carl and Maria surprised us all with a fun choreographed number right after their 1st dance (Carl actually kept it a secret!!!) and we ate and danced the night away.  It was fantastic.  :)

Some pics, in time order:

Hanging out in the ladies' suite with Gloria, Carl's adorable mom

My best hairdo EVER!!  You can't even tell there's half a head of hair there

Doing some scoping

Doing our classic "Carl is tall, Sara is short" pose

My fellow groomsmen (minus Molly): Shawn, Aaron, Eric, lurker, Carl's dad, and Katie

The groomsmen, plus George (Molly's BF), during photos near Pike Place Market

Professional pics by Carol Harrold

Professional pics by Carol Harrold

Another classic Carl-Sara shot, at the reception

With my new friend Megan (we have a TON of mutual friends, we're very popular like that)

Katie planking, or perhaps just lounging leisurely, it's hard to tell

My bouquet (5 days later): gorgeous!!  White, blush, and peach roses, frosty green foliage, and gray feathers.  So dramatic and so on-trend.  Makes my apartment smell nice too.  :)

Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are enjoying a few days in London before heading to their private ocean hut in the Maldives.  Sure beats this gray Seattle weather.  CONGRATS!!!!  Welcome to the family, Maria!!  ;)

Mr. and (soon) Mrs. Fulton!

I am SO excited for my BFF Carl and his fiancee Maria, who are getting married this weekend!  Yours truly is a "groom's attendant" that will be sporting a cute black dress and standing on Carl's side during the wedding.  Tomorrow has mani/pedis (ladies only, sorry Carl), rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner at Black Bottle on the agenda, and Saturday has hair, makeup, pictures, and all the festivities, including the reception at Hotel 1000.  It's going to be such a wonderful (and fun!) celebration!!!

Carl made THE cutest video of all time, with a pretty awesome song!  Congrats (soon!!!) to the Fultons!!

All the cool kids

Did you know that all the cool kids are getting brain tumors and having surgeries, not just yours truly and my tumor-dominating lady friends?  We all know about our favorite Alpha Chi Omega/Wazzu alum Kathi Goertzen from KOMO, and America's sweetheart Mary Tyler Moore had surgery right around the time I did.  But did you also know about former Wazzu star and San Diego Charger nightmare Ryan Leaf?  He had surgery right around the time I did.  There's a short article and video on him today, interviewed by Kathi, with an update.  I like it.  As much flack as he's gotten since he left WSU, I have to say, I am on Team Ryan Leaf.  Maybe I'll invite him to join my team in the Brain Tumor Walk next year?!

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130406623.html

Don't worry, you can still be a cool kid, even if you're brain tumor free.  ;)

And GO COUGS!

Lady of leisure

Now that I'm on my tumor vacation (alright, short-term disability, sheesh), I've been making the most of my time before The Big Day.  I met up with some of my favorite ladies from college a couple nights ago at Brave Horse Tavern for happy hour, one of the newest hot spots from my Seattle celebrity chef crush Tom Douglas.

Some of my kickass sisters - Karrie, Heather L., Heather M., Denise, Carly

The ladies were all very sweet and thoughtful and brought me scarves and other fun accessories.  We chowed on very tasty fresh pretzels and oversized pear ciders.  I think I'll get the most use out of one of the hats that Heather L. brought for me:

Arrrrggghhh, mateys

It was really great to catch up with them!!  (Steph and Kelly, we missed you....)

I've also been treating myself to the finer things in life.  Girls, you know what I'm talking about.  I had a haircut/consultation with my hair guy Eric yesterday.  Today I enjoyed a luxurious 90-minute signature massage at Gene Juarez, courtesy of the lovely ladies who run my apartment building.  And I am talking LUXURIOUS.  Robe; foot soak; awesome massage with scented oils, heated pillowy massage table, gentle music, and talented masseuse; fancy rain shower with eucalyptus steam... you get my drift.  It was unlike any massage I've had before.  Tomorrow, I have a mani/pedi appointment (thank you, LivingSocial).  I was also treated to a surprise dinner at Barking Frog that was soooo good.  I highly recommend their scallop beignets!

Today my mom came into town and we got dinner and took Fred Meyer by storm.  I think I have enough cereal to last me until July.  Yum.  Tomorrow is a day of cleaning and laundry and vacuuming and scrubbing my bathroom and fun stuff like that.  And mani/pedis.  Let's not forget the important stuff.