March 31, 2014

Welcome to My Blog: "HeySosaTeamSosa"

"I have breast cancer. I am 37 years old."  I wrote this sentence in an email for my department and in a post on Facebook.  These are short sentences, however, the relevance is in their simplicity.

I am happy to welcome you to this blog.  It will be the best way to provide information, as well as to allow others to respond to me personally.  Its so important to hear from each person; your overwhelming support will get me through the many battles I am about to face.

As for the blog name, "Hey Sosa," is usually how people have greeted me for the past 15 years. My first name is usually mispronounced: Aundrea, Anndreeaa, etc.  But people from home still call me Andie, and there is nothing wrong with that at all.  "Team Sosa," has been seen before, but not in this context.  Upon learning the news, my beautiful and creative friends/coworkers joined together for a fundraiser, and are selling shirts with this phrase. I joined the two phrases, because I could never fight this war without my people.

First, let me thank everyone who encouraged me to write this blog.  I understand people are concerned about my well being, but may be afraid to ask.  This blog can give some answers, but I can only respond to you personally when you ask, because, "Closed mouths don't get fed." I hope to clarify any rumors or questions for my community.

Second, I will post at least once a week, and I will post more often as things happen.  This isn't just for my friends and family; it helps me to write about what is happening and share with you all.  I will be writing about a variety of experiences as well as how my health is progressing.  I plan to share my impressions of not only how cancer has changed my life, but also how my diagnosis has affected the lives of the people I care about, which, as most people know, is most everyone.

I actually considered writing the blog right away after the diagnosis, but I was battling an influx of terrible information and updates, as well as a barrage of intense emotions, not limited to sorrow, guilt, and fear.  Rather, I kept short notes on the dates and what happened each day, and use them to recall each conversation with a loved one, when I informed him or her or them of my disease.  I can tell you where I was, and probably, what I was wearing.  Each memory is so vivid with the reactions of my friends and family, and my reactions to them.  I wish I had the time or the strength to speak with everyone personally........

This blog seemed to be the best avenue to communicate with everyone, especially my coworkers, people who are not on Facebook, and my people back home in the Madera /Fresno area.  I plan on including updates on my physical condition and intensive treatment, as well as acknowledging the efforts of my supporters, who are intent on my survival.

Sooooooooooooo...........to clarify................

I am not on my deathbed.  I am the same person I was two, six, eight months ago.

I have not lost all my hair.  But it is very likely I will, and within the first month or two.  This Wednesday, 4/3/14, I will be cutting off 10 inches or more and donating it to Locks of Love.  Expect a blog entry about that for sure....

I AM NOT ALONE.  My parents will be traveling to the Bay Area and helping me during the first few weeks. And I am fortunate to live close to the workplaces of my probation family, who have been incredibly generous in daily offers to help with anything and everything, even if its just a funny story or some company. Facebook has been an incredible reminder of the power of social media and communicating with people everywhere. 

Next week, I begin six months of chemotherapy. It won't be fun. I have spent the past month accepting the diagnosis, and the last two weeks "getting ready for war," but I don't think anyone can ever be ready....

And finally............

I need humor.  I need bad jokes and optimism.  I need reminders of what's good in life, and what's really good in life.  More than one friend told me this news helped them prioritize, and put things in perspective. Nearly everyone has told me that I am strong and we will defeat this.  I believe that wholeheartedly, and like I told my doctor: "I'm in if you're in."


Love,
Your Sosa



from Liz...."God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers."