So I am currently in a town, outside Columbia, MO. I stop at a subway to eat and notice a gentleman across the way. Something about him doesn't feel right. I knew he was watching me and I wanted to stay there to eat. So I picked my table accordingly...back to him, far enough forward that he couldn't really see me. I am just about done eating and he's standing right next to me. Let's just say, I tried to stay cool. He says "I wanted to come over to introduce myself. My name is Mike." And he reaches out his hand. I shook it and said it was nice to meet him. He then walks away. I couldn't see where he went, from my strategic seat choice...
To me, he appeared to be a lonely guy, mid thirties, glasses, tad dis-shoveled, about 5'5" and 180 lbs. I am sure it took a lot for him to come over, but I started thinking about scenes from Criminal Minds. I started looking around, after he left, to see if he did leave. Is he going to follow me? Was it an act of kindness or is this someone I need to be concerned about? It's hard to say.
I travel 70% of my job and just about all of it I am traveling alone. I am always aware of what is going on around me...trying to be one step ahead...and always plan for the unexpected.
Its just sad that because of society, I think the worst in this guy...instead of taking it as a complement (potentially).
All I know for sure is that I wasn't followed and didn't see him again.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Health Update
Alright, it's about time I actually updated people on how I am doing.
I tried to see Dr. Chen a week or so ago, but he had just come back from vacation and was SOOOO behind. I was there for an hour and still wasn't seen and I was about to get on plane. So I had to leave without beings seen. I was finally able to get a new appointment yesterday, so here is the update (finally)......
All my blood work came back good. We are all happy about that. I have a full body scan next month. Dr. Chen said I am not completely out of the woods yet, but he is really happy with my progress. We will continue scans about every 6 months this first few years.
I have been working out a lot more and I am finally feeling like I can push myself and not "hurt" myself. Brent and I started swimming again and P90x...all I can say about P90x is it feels great, but boy I am NOT a coordinated person. Dr. Chen asked about my heart rate and lungs and I told him I was feeling a lot better. He asked what I did...I just told him I decided to be patient and wait. I waited longer before I really started working out again. I waited until I felt better physically and was emotionally ready for what was to come.
I can't say I don't think about it coming back. I do my best not to. I get stressed easily and working out more has helped me manage that a lot more. As I am getting stronger working out, the reality of the cancer being gone becomes more real. It's a much better place to be, that's for sure!
I tried to see Dr. Chen a week or so ago, but he had just come back from vacation and was SOOOO behind. I was there for an hour and still wasn't seen and I was about to get on plane. So I had to leave without beings seen. I was finally able to get a new appointment yesterday, so here is the update (finally)......
All my blood work came back good. We are all happy about that. I have a full body scan next month. Dr. Chen said I am not completely out of the woods yet, but he is really happy with my progress. We will continue scans about every 6 months this first few years.
I have been working out a lot more and I am finally feeling like I can push myself and not "hurt" myself. Brent and I started swimming again and P90x...all I can say about P90x is it feels great, but boy I am NOT a coordinated person. Dr. Chen asked about my heart rate and lungs and I told him I was feeling a lot better. He asked what I did...I just told him I decided to be patient and wait. I waited longer before I really started working out again. I waited until I felt better physically and was emotionally ready for what was to come.
I can't say I don't think about it coming back. I do my best not to. I get stressed easily and working out more has helped me manage that a lot more. As I am getting stronger working out, the reality of the cancer being gone becomes more real. It's a much better place to be, that's for sure!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The story......
Yesterday was my 31st birthday. I can't believe another year has gone by and so much has changed in these last two years. On my way into work, I was thinking How did I get here? I am a believer that everything in life happens for a reason. There have been many paths, before college; which college will I attend....to grad school and my career paths. Some jobs I turned down and others I didn't get. Why did all those things happen? Am I suppose to be right here where I am right now? I just find it oddly ironic, because yesterday turned out to be the next chapter in my life.
Let me start off by saying I was dropping hints. Okay, maybe not hints, more "hey, lets get married" kinda hints. Brent did a really good job of hiding it, that's for sure....especially with his detective fiance' (wow, that's weird to say!) He had just gone to Hawaii and his sister sells jewelry there; engagement rings! I had an idea he might do this, BUT when he got home, he had a bracelet and earrings for me. He definitely threw me off. Then, a week or so goes by and at this point I gave up on the idea that now was the time. Because, if I were him, it would burn a hole in my pocket and I couldn't wait.
Sooooo, Brent asked what I wanted to do for my birthday and I really wanted to go to dinner. He had me pick out a location, Tantalum in Long Beach. Two of our friends Chasity and Dave were thinking about joining us - so that was the first sign, for me, that it wasn't going to happen tonight.
Guess what, they weren't able to join us. (Not sure if that was planned or not, ha).
We were just sitting there, drinking a bottle of wine and just enjoying each others company. I was babbling about some up coming trips I have for work, about he and I wanting to go east in April and just trying to figure out what trips we want to take. I starting talking about a friend's wedding and that just opened the window for him to step in there......
Backing it up a second, Brent wasn't listening at all (so he tells me after). He was just trying to get me to stop talking, so he can find a way to ask me. He had the ring box hidden in his pant leg and my foot was right there by his leg. He was thinking I was going to blow it for him!
Moving on....
The door was opened when I brought up the wedding topic and he said "speaking of weddings....I have something for you". It was so cute. He pushed his chair out... got down on one knee and asked. He was nervous, cute and excited all at the same time. It wasn't something that he drew a lot attention to, because that's not me. He kept it intimate and personal, exactly what I wanted. I was just so happy (no there weren't tears) but all I could do was smile. Our waitress took a few pictures for us, brought us champagne and just allowed us to enjoy the moment.
No, we don't have a date....no, we don't know any details yet. We are just trying to enjoy the ride. Shoot, it took us six and a half years to get to here, don't rush us :)
Let me start off by saying I was dropping hints. Okay, maybe not hints, more "hey, lets get married" kinda hints. Brent did a really good job of hiding it, that's for sure....especially with his detective fiance' (wow, that's weird to say!) He had just gone to Hawaii and his sister sells jewelry there; engagement rings! I had an idea he might do this, BUT when he got home, he had a bracelet and earrings for me. He definitely threw me off. Then, a week or so goes by and at this point I gave up on the idea that now was the time. Because, if I were him, it would burn a hole in my pocket and I couldn't wait.
Sooooo, Brent asked what I wanted to do for my birthday and I really wanted to go to dinner. He had me pick out a location, Tantalum in Long Beach. Two of our friends Chasity and Dave were thinking about joining us - so that was the first sign, for me, that it wasn't going to happen tonight.
Guess what, they weren't able to join us. (Not sure if that was planned or not, ha).
We were just sitting there, drinking a bottle of wine and just enjoying each others company. I was babbling about some up coming trips I have for work, about he and I wanting to go east in April and just trying to figure out what trips we want to take. I starting talking about a friend's wedding and that just opened the window for him to step in there......
Backing it up a second, Brent wasn't listening at all (so he tells me after). He was just trying to get me to stop talking, so he can find a way to ask me. He had the ring box hidden in his pant leg and my foot was right there by his leg. He was thinking I was going to blow it for him!
Moving on....
The door was opened when I brought up the wedding topic and he said "speaking of weddings....I have something for you". It was so cute. He pushed his chair out... got down on one knee and asked. He was nervous, cute and excited all at the same time. It wasn't something that he drew a lot attention to, because that's not me. He kept it intimate and personal, exactly what I wanted. I was just so happy (no there weren't tears) but all I could do was smile. Our waitress took a few pictures for us, brought us champagne and just allowed us to enjoy the moment.
No, we don't have a date....no, we don't know any details yet. We are just trying to enjoy the ride. Shoot, it took us six and a half years to get to here, don't rush us :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Christmas/New Years/BCS Game
Where have I been? Lets start at the beginning....Berkeley was great. Nothing like experiencing true "firsts" in someones life. Katherine was full of energy and lots of fun to be around.
Jonny and I took K to her first swim lesson, along with her cousin Allison, and they did fantastic! We had a great crowd with us - Monica, Nancy and Brent...all taking photos and cheering the kids on. It took K a little more time to become comfortable in the water, but about 15 minutes in, she was slapping the water and kicking her feet = priceless.
K's first birthday is coming up and I will do everything I can to be there!
For New Years, Brent and I had some friends over to our place. We have been dog sitting and we aren't really into the going "out" thing anymore. It was much more fun being in our own home, less stressful and we knew our friends could crash if needed. It all turned out great. This is Brent taking Betty (the dog we are sitting) for a run along the bike...good times.
The BCS game....let's just say it didn't turn out like we hoped. Poor Colt McCoy. We had a great time, winning would have been better, but regardless we made some excellent memories. Lara and Greg stayed with us for a few days, of course that was a lot of laughing. Hopefully I will get my butt to Austin in March.
For the first time all treatment, I missed a date. I guess that is what happens when you try to put your life back together. I was suppose to go in for blood work in December and see Dr. Chen. I have scheduled everything for this month, so that will be a good milestone for me. I will get all those results the last week in January. Overall, I have been feeling good. Work has been super stressful, so managing that has been quite a challenge for me. Brent and I started swimming again. It's been great to find a routine and to have an outlet (even if I can only swim ONE speed).
Jonny and I took K to her first swim lesson, along with her cousin Allison, and they did fantastic! We had a great crowd with us - Monica, Nancy and Brent...all taking photos and cheering the kids on. It took K a little more time to become comfortable in the water, but about 15 minutes in, she was slapping the water and kicking her feet = priceless.
K's first birthday is coming up and I will do everything I can to be there!
For New Years, Brent and I had some friends over to our place. We have been dog sitting and we aren't really into the going "out" thing anymore. It was much more fun being in our own home, less stressful and we knew our friends could crash if needed. It all turned out great. This is Brent taking Betty (the dog we are sitting) for a run along the bike...good times.
The BCS game....let's just say it didn't turn out like we hoped. Poor Colt McCoy. We had a great time, winning would have been better, but regardless we made some excellent memories. Lara and Greg stayed with us for a few days, of course that was a lot of laughing. Hopefully I will get my butt to Austin in March.
For the first time all treatment, I missed a date. I guess that is what happens when you try to put your life back together. I was suppose to go in for blood work in December and see Dr. Chen. I have scheduled everything for this month, so that will be a good milestone for me. I will get all those results the last week in January. Overall, I have been feeling good. Work has been super stressful, so managing that has been quite a challenge for me. Brent and I started swimming again. It's been great to find a routine and to have an outlet (even if I can only swim ONE speed).
Thursday, December 17, 2009
update
I feel like the title of my blog isn't appropriate anymore...haven't been good about the DAILY updates. But then again, not sure if I have that much to talk about.
A few weeks back now I had my swine flu shot. Finally made the cut. That all went well, but can't help but read all the news around pros and cons of getting the shot. If my Drs say I should, those are the people I trust! About a week later, I came down with a hefty cold. Took me out for a day or so. No fever, luckily.
On the tail end of the cold I was off to Seattle for work. Was definitely worried traveling would prolong the cold, but thankfully I went to bed at a responsible hour every night. I flew out there on a Tuesday, back Saturday night. I then got on another plan two days later to head to Ohio! Who picks cold states in the winter months, ugh. I got back Saturday.
In those two days between trips, Brent and I got our first Christmas tree! Was great - he was even into it too (very rare). So coming home from Ohio really made the "home" feel like a true home.
Next week we are headed up to Berkeley. Can't wait for some down time, some swim lessons for my niece and some time to read my new Dan Brown book. This is much needed for me.
Just one more meet to get through between now and Tuesday. Good thing its in Long Beach!
A few weeks back now I had my swine flu shot. Finally made the cut. That all went well, but can't help but read all the news around pros and cons of getting the shot. If my Drs say I should, those are the people I trust! About a week later, I came down with a hefty cold. Took me out for a day or so. No fever, luckily.
On the tail end of the cold I was off to Seattle for work. Was definitely worried traveling would prolong the cold, but thankfully I went to bed at a responsible hour every night. I flew out there on a Tuesday, back Saturday night. I then got on another plan two days later to head to Ohio! Who picks cold states in the winter months, ugh. I got back Saturday.
In those two days between trips, Brent and I got our first Christmas tree! Was great - he was even into it too (very rare). So coming home from Ohio really made the "home" feel like a true home.
Next week we are headed up to Berkeley. Can't wait for some down time, some swim lessons for my niece and some time to read my new Dan Brown book. This is much needed for me.
Just one more meet to get through between now and Tuesday. Good thing its in Long Beach!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Blog
I am not sure if anyone reads this anymore, but I am setting some security settings on my account. If you would like to continue to read my blog, or have someone who is benefiting from reading this, please leave a note with your email address and I will add you to the list.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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