May 31, 2015

Stay Focused.  Do What You Gotta Do.

When I prepare the blog on Sunday night, I use internet images to post pictures to go along with the week.  This is one of the fighters I found, and I think she is kind of cool.

The blog will pass over 15k views this week.  I appreciate the support of everyone over the past year.  I appreciate the sharing of this blog with those who think it may help cancer survivors or their families and friends.

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As I have done the past year, I have included readers of the blog with steps in my treatment.  Without going into great detail, I had outpatient surgery in order to begin a new medication to battle my disease.  It was a decision I made to give me a greater chance of responding to cancer treatment.  The recovery has been painful and emotional, which is standard for anyone going through this disease.  This last week was another battle in the war that I will continue to fight for as long as I live. 

I appreciate the support from everyone who checked in with me this week.  While I continue to be stubborn (I prefer "independent"), I may not need anything, but I appreciate hearing from you.  Thank you for the help, and the visits, and the ice cream.  Thank you for the emails, calls, and texts. Thank you for wearing your Team Sosa shirts and letting me know I am not alone.   

Love, Sosa

May 24, 2015

Hello Everyone and Welcome Back,

I am happy to report that I found time in a very busy schedule to find a solution to my computer issue. Apparently, five years is "old" for a laptop.  So, I found a good deal, and purchased a new one.  I would not have been able to have a good deal if friends hadn't provided me with sound advice and a portable hard drive. Thank you for that.

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I included the picture of the ribbons and the colors in today's blog because I am not sure if the readers were aware of some of them.  It is really interesting to learn there are designations out there for supporting different cancers.  Maybe you didn't know this, or maybe you did. Maybe you saw the magnet on a car or a ribbon on a lapel.  There is support for so many people that may not even know.  This might be a good conversation starter for families and friends who are facing cancer in all its forms.
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This week, I have been very busy with work and life. Its exhausting sometimes, and I realize I have to pay attention to my body and abilities.  Facing cancer is hard every day, because it facing the disease, and mortality, and everything that goes with it.  Going through treatment is a different kind of hard, because it is side effects, and trying to adjust to those side effects on a daily basis.  Its a new normal and I have to be aware of what I can say yes or no to doing.  And heed the advice of those who remind me not to do too much.  And only do what I can.  As time passes, I start to feel better and keep engaging in lots of activities.  But, then something happens and my body provides the slow and painful reminder.  But I keep my head up, and take the meds I need. And sleep.
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Lastly, lots of my friends are travelling the world this week.  Big things are happening to them in Spain, Italy, and Peru. I wish them well.

Love, Sosa

May 17, 2015
Due to technical difficulties, I do not have my normal blog entry.
So no pictures or images this week.

My laptop is now considered "very old," and must be fixed.

Luckily, it is a fixable problem.

......

I would like to say Thank You to everyone who contributed to the Two Week fundraiser for the Cancer Support Community. Your contributions raised $500 for the organization. Thanks to those who joined me for the walk on Saturday. Over 150 people walked and they raised $70,000.

Have a good week. Hope to be up and running soon.

Love, Sosa

May 10, 2015
Happy Mother's Day

This has been an incredibly busy week for me, and I am exhausted.

First, besides work, I spent a few days in Las Vegas, visiting with family and watching Fresno State softball win the Mountain West Championship.  Our girls played some great games and head to Oregon for the NCAA regional.  First game is Thursday versus North Dakota State.  I am very grateful to have met the players and their families this season. 

Second, I started some fundraising for the Hope Walk for Cancer Support Community on 5/16 in Walnut Creek.  This is a fundraiser for an organization that provides FREE support services to patients and their loved ones.  This includes support groups, exercise classes, therapies, and children's services.  The walk is on Saturday and you can pay $25 to support a good cause.  Tax deductible, of course.
Love the large, heavy bag of pennies a coworker produced from her desk for me last week.  Wonder what else I can find.................

And finally, the picture above is from today's Giants game versus the Marlins. Along with the other honorees, I was welcomed onto the field and they announced all of our names.  There was a video on the Jumbotron, and we were all very lucky to be part of it.  I am pictured with Lou Seal and his mother, Louisa.  I have a Team Sosa shirt in my pocket, which came with me onto the field.  I touched the dirt and took a thousand pictures.  Friends and family were in attendance all over the park.  I also saw the Honorary Batgirl winner. 

And they took us to the ninth inning, and won in walk-off fashion.  I would not have it any other way.

Love, Sosa

Very Early Monday, May 4, 2015................

I am just getting in from attending a concert in San Jose.  For the third time, in so many years, me and my godbabymama saw New Kids on the Block.
We keep getting closer and closer to the stage...  I was very happy to be able to attend this year, and stand for a majority of the show.  And scream, of course.
Looking back, there is absolutely no way I would have been able to see them last year.  Ironically, they did not come into the Bay Area last year.  As if they knew I was unavailable, of course....My ears are gonna be ringing for a few days.............
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This is a very busy week for me, as I head to Vegas to watch Fresno State Softball secure the first division championship in six years.  And, on Sunday, I will be on the field at AT&T Park as part of StrikeOut Cancer.  I am among honorees who were selected by the Cancer Support Community to participate in this cancer awareness event.  I would love to meet with you if you plan to attend on Mother's Day.  Its going to be an emotional day for everyone involved in the event.  And there will be a ballgame too.

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Last, but not least, I am fundraising until only May 15th for the Cancer Support Community.  There is a Hope Walk at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek on May 16.  I would love anyone and everyone and their dogs to come walk with me.  This is a fundraiser, so it costs $25 to walk.  If you can't make it, I will be around to collect donations of any amount.  Maybe you have some change in your car?

The Cancer Support Community has provided free services to patients and their loved ones for over 25 years, and not just in the Bay Area.  The organization is in most major cities.  I cannot stress how important support is to the journey that I have been on.  Cancer patients depend on the support of others, whether its family, friends, or medical professionals.  Some of the best support is from others who understand treatment because they survived it. 

You never think you need this service until you need this service.  Please help in any way you can.
http://www.cancersupportcommunity.net/events/hope-walk/