I've taken the bar! All that studying and neglecting everyone and everything else in my life has paid off... for now. I got through the two day bar exam unscathed. I find out whether or not I passed in November. In the meantime, I was out of the city until this past week. Now that I'm back it's time to update that resume and look for a job. I've got my work cut out for me.
It feels good to finally accomplish what I was supposed to accomplish 3 years ago.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Raising the Bar
So May is almost over. I've finished law school and this coming Friday is our Graduation ceremony. I've started the bar review course and was told that this is our last weekend that we'll have free time so we should enjoy it. Scary but good to finally be moving forward.
You'll know where to find me from now until the end of July. I'll be sitting in front of my computer with my books studying! I apologize in advance if I don't get back to you until August!
You'll know where to find me from now until the end of July. I'll be sitting in front of my computer with my books studying! I apologize in advance if I don't get back to you until August!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
It's official...
...my hair is now so long that I need to put on a head band to wash my face.
'nuff said.
'nuff said.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
These days...
As you can see I've been too busy to update this blog and there's not much health stuff to report (thank G-d). I am still dealing with some side effects of who knows what (don't even get me started on what the doctors call hormone replacement therapy - that's a whole other update...) but i'm feeling good and my energy levels are higher than they've been in a while. I'm not 100% but i'm getting there!
I'm back at school this semester to finish up and graduate this May. I plan to sit for the NY bar July 29th and 30th. YAY This month I turn 28 (i made it!). I've been working with two fabulous cancer organizations: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and "i'm too young for this" (i2y). It's been keeping me on my toes!
I'm trying to keep my head above water and catch up with friends that I haven't seen. That's a job in itself! Speaking of job - NO, i haven't even started looking yet. One day at a time! After I take the bar I'll worry about employment (thank you mom and dad).
What I would like to do before I actually begin working is travel! Haven't figured out where and when yet either. =) I'll keep you updated...
I'm back at school this semester to finish up and graduate this May. I plan to sit for the NY bar July 29th and 30th. YAY This month I turn 28 (i made it!). I've been working with two fabulous cancer organizations: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and "i'm too young for this" (i2y). It's been keeping me on my toes!
I'm trying to keep my head above water and catch up with friends that I haven't seen. That's a job in itself! Speaking of job - NO, i haven't even started looking yet. One day at a time! After I take the bar I'll worry about employment (thank you mom and dad).
What I would like to do before I actually begin working is travel! Haven't figured out where and when yet either. =) I'll keep you updated...
Friday, February 1, 2008
A Must See!
Learn a little about the group I have been working with and some statistics about Young Adults with Cancer in this short video.
http://promo.i2y.com
http://promo.i2y.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
FUNDRAISER ALERT!!!!!
Black Tie and Black Jack to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
I already bought my ticket!
Saturday, March 15th 8PM - Midnight
BRIDGEWATERS
11 Fulton Street • New York , NY (at the South St. Seaport)
TICKET PACKAGES
Solitaire: $175/ticket & $15 in gaming chips
VIP: $250/ticket & $30 in gaming chips
VIP Royal Flush: $650: Includes 2 VIP tickets, $75 in gaming chips & 1/4 page ad in event program
A NIGHT NOT TO BE MISSED!
Guests will enjoy an open bar, dinner, dancing, raffles, a silent auction, games of chance, and a live auction featuring our guest emcee, Team In Training head coach, Ramon Bermo.
Test your luck and skill at roulette, black jack, craps and Texas Hold' Em Poker. Don't miss out on the chance to win items such as a Warren-Tricomi gift certificate, all-access passes to the Tribeca Film Festival, courtside New York Knicks seats & much more in our Silent Auction & Raffle Drawings!
FOR TICKET INFO
www.lls.org/nycblacktieblackjack
or call 800.838.3006
I already bought my ticket!
Saturday, March 15th 8PM - Midnight
BRIDGEWATERS
11 Fulton Street • New York , NY (at the South St. Seaport)
TICKET PACKAGES
Solitaire: $175/ticket & $15 in gaming chips
VIP: $250/ticket & $30 in gaming chips
VIP Royal Flush: $650: Includes 2 VIP tickets, $75 in gaming chips & 1/4 page ad in event program
A NIGHT NOT TO BE MISSED!
Guests will enjoy an open bar, dinner, dancing, raffles, a silent auction, games of chance, and a live auction featuring our guest emcee, Team In Training head coach, Ramon Bermo.
Test your luck and skill at roulette, black jack, craps and Texas Hold' Em Poker. Don't miss out on the chance to win items such as a Warren-Tricomi gift certificate, all-access passes to the Tribeca Film Festival, courtside New York Knicks seats & much more in our Silent Auction & Raffle Drawings!
FOR TICKET INFO
www.lls.org/nycblacktieblackjack
or call 800.838.3006
A Boring Update
The chicken pox are gone and the next virus has moved in. I'm currently getting over a respiratory virus. No medicine - doc says I just need to get rest and drink plenty of fluids. It could be worse. Hopefully next week won't be =)
I'm in my third week of school and it's actually going better than I expected (event though I don't know any of the other students). I did eat lunch by myself on the first day - but now i go home for lunch =)
So that's all the exciting news for now.
I'm in my third week of school and it's actually going better than I expected (event though I don't know any of the other students). I did eat lunch by myself on the first day - but now i go home for lunch =)
So that's all the exciting news for now.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy and Healthy 2008
So I started my re-immunizations. I got 5 shots the first time. I could barely move my arms!! That was fun. and for Christmas - Santa gave me chicken pox! Yes, I had them as a child but my immune system hasn't had them yet! Luckily they were juvenile chicken pox and not the adult version (shingles). I hear those are pretty painful. They kept me in the hospital for a few days because children's chicken pox can do some damage to an adult body (I think something in the brain and may make you sterile! like that would be a problem...). I also learned that chicken pox is one of the 8 types of Herpes viruses that affect humans. On the bright, non-itchy side, I should have lifelong protective immunity from further episodes of chickenpox.
What a way to start the new year! I hope yours started better!
What a way to start the new year! I hope yours started better!
Friday, December 7, 2007
It Ain't Easy, but so far so good
So I'm actually feeling better! We're working on my thyroid, my intestines, the fatigue, the "chemo brain" (which I think is actually brain stress related to hormone malfunctions in the body) and my overall hormonal problems. I'm realizing how delicate the balance of the body's inner-workings are. Getting back that balance has been harder than it sounds.
One of my main problems causing many imbalances is food allergies. I had been eating things that didn't make me vomit and my body was developing allergies because I was eating the same thing all the time. I had to avoid eating those foods to which I had grown so accustomed. It was hard to adjust, but I managed to tough it out long enough to "detox" (for lack of a better word). The less I ate those foods, the better I felt. Even better, it's not a permanent change. I can eventually introduce the foods back into my diet. To continue feeling better, I have to limit each food to three times a week. I can actually control the allergies. It's nice to have some control back.
In other news....
I had the port in my chest removed last week - I guess I won't be needing THAT! And guess who's going back to school! I've signed up for classes - I start January 15th and plan to sit for the July 08 NY Bar Exam.
One of my main problems causing many imbalances is food allergies. I had been eating things that didn't make me vomit and my body was developing allergies because I was eating the same thing all the time. I had to avoid eating those foods to which I had grown so accustomed. It was hard to adjust, but I managed to tough it out long enough to "detox" (for lack of a better word). The less I ate those foods, the better I felt. Even better, it's not a permanent change. I can eventually introduce the foods back into my diet. To continue feeling better, I have to limit each food to three times a week. I can actually control the allergies. It's nice to have some control back.
In other news....
I had the port in my chest removed last week - I guess I won't be needing THAT! And guess who's going back to school! I've signed up for classes - I start January 15th and plan to sit for the July 08 NY Bar Exam.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Survivorship
I think "integrative medicine" means different things to different people. When I was an in-patient at MSKCC they had Integrative Medicine, which included acupressure, reiki, (bed) yoga, reflexology, guided imagery, and meditation (and maybe more - i don't remember). Someone would come to your room and perform the aforementioned services. It was supposed to help with stress, anxiety, and pain and supplement your medical treatment.
What I'm doing now, post treatment, is very different than the above "Integrative Medicine". The doctors I am seeing now are medical doctors that treat the whole person and practice complementary medicine (as they like to call it). They don't believe in band-aid solutions (for example sleeping pills for sleep problems), instead they believe in getting to the root of the problem and supporting the body's natural system (like prescribing pills that support the neurotransmitters in the brain that help you relax, sleep, and stay asleep). Of course they run many, many (expensive) tests before they recommend anything for any symptom. We learned (through those tests) that: I have food allergies, I'm in menopause (my body is not producing hormones at normal levels - I am WAY below average - more like an 80 year old woman), I have thyroid problems, I'm leaking protein, I have osteopenia, and I'm deficient in many other ways (a lot to take in at once for me). Anyway, the point being that all the discomfort and problems I am experiencing post treatment can be fixed by giving the body a little help in regulating itself back to "normal" instead of prescribing creams and ointments for dry skin, Ambien for sleep issues, etc.
What I'm doing now, post treatment, is very different than the above "Integrative Medicine". The doctors I am seeing now are medical doctors that treat the whole person and practice complementary medicine (as they like to call it). They don't believe in band-aid solutions (for example sleeping pills for sleep problems), instead they believe in getting to the root of the problem and supporting the body's natural system (like prescribing pills that support the neurotransmitters in the brain that help you relax, sleep, and stay asleep). Of course they run many, many (expensive) tests before they recommend anything for any symptom. We learned (through those tests) that: I have food allergies, I'm in menopause (my body is not producing hormones at normal levels - I am WAY below average - more like an 80 year old woman), I have thyroid problems, I'm leaking protein, I have osteopenia, and I'm deficient in many other ways (a lot to take in at once for me). Anyway, the point being that all the discomfort and problems I am experiencing post treatment can be fixed by giving the body a little help in regulating itself back to "normal" instead of prescribing creams and ointments for dry skin, Ambien for sleep issues, etc.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Last Chemo
Well, my last chemo treatment was on Thursday, October 4, 2007. YAY If you're wondering what's next, keep reading.
NO, I haven't finished school yet, taken the bar or started working.
I think the reason it took me a while to blog about my last chemo is because I don't feel done. I'm still fatigued, having problems with my skin, can't think straight, concentrate or remember and (what the hell - I'll put it out there) I'm in menopause.
Many people seem to think that just because cancer treatment is over that your life can resume and you can pick up where you left off. I'm here to tell you that's not how it works. Not for me anyway. Yes, I have hair and I don't LOOK sick anymore but the after affects of chemotherapy, radiation, anti-biotics, anti-fungals, anti-virals, steroids, sleeping pills, hormones, etc. are apparent on the inner workings of my body. Things are very out of balance. Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining - I'm very happy to be alive and writing this blog, but non-cancer people must know: I did not just get over a cold. There is still work to be done on this whole person - not just my cancer.
I have started seeing new doctors to deal with the aftermath of cancer treatment. We started with blood tests, urine and stool samples, sonograms of my ovaries and thyroid and I am relieved. My next post will be about what they found.
If it will help someone else, I want to share some personal information (well more personal than I normally get on this blog). I've been keeping these updates pretty general but I think it's time to share what's going on with my body post treatment.
I will continue to post in the hopes of helping other post treatment SURVIVORS deal with their bodies post treatment.
NO, I haven't finished school yet, taken the bar or started working.
I think the reason it took me a while to blog about my last chemo is because I don't feel done. I'm still fatigued, having problems with my skin, can't think straight, concentrate or remember and (what the hell - I'll put it out there) I'm in menopause.
Many people seem to think that just because cancer treatment is over that your life can resume and you can pick up where you left off. I'm here to tell you that's not how it works. Not for me anyway. Yes, I have hair and I don't LOOK sick anymore but the after affects of chemotherapy, radiation, anti-biotics, anti-fungals, anti-virals, steroids, sleeping pills, hormones, etc. are apparent on the inner workings of my body. Things are very out of balance. Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining - I'm very happy to be alive and writing this blog, but non-cancer people must know: I did not just get over a cold. There is still work to be done on this whole person - not just my cancer.
I have started seeing new doctors to deal with the aftermath of cancer treatment. We started with blood tests, urine and stool samples, sonograms of my ovaries and thyroid and I am relieved. My next post will be about what they found.
If it will help someone else, I want to share some personal information (well more personal than I normally get on this blog). I've been keeping these updates pretty general but I think it's time to share what's going on with my body post treatment.
I will continue to post in the hopes of helping other post treatment SURVIVORS deal with their bodies post treatment.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
9 Down and 1 Left
So I just had my 9th chemo last week when we got back from Florida. It was pushed back because I had a cold before we left and they wouldn't give me chemo. I also had another bone marrow aspiration. Fun. The last chemo is set for October 2.
Now I just have to deal with the aftermath that this has done to my body. Not quite ready to get back to school yet. I'm easily overwhelmed and it's really hard to concentrate (still). My memory is still lacking... which would make it hard to take a test.
Anyway thanks for sticking with me - we're almost done. I couldn't have done it without you =)
Now I just have to deal with the aftermath that this has done to my body. Not quite ready to get back to school yet. I'm easily overwhelmed and it's really hard to concentrate (still). My memory is still lacking... which would make it hard to take a test.
Anyway thanks for sticking with me - we're almost done. I couldn't have done it without you =)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Stupid Comedy Show
When:
Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 8:00 PM
Description:
Get Busy Laughing at Cancer's Expense
Gotham Comedy Club
New York City
208 West 23rd St.
Between 7th and 8th Ave.
Admission $100/pp
open bar + show
VIP Admission $125/pp
cocktail reception w/ hors douvres @ 7pm
open bar + show
Virtual Angel $125/pp
sponsor attendance for a young survivor (in alliance with local support groups)
COMEDY SHOW STARTS AT 8pm
Tickets: 212-367-9000
StupidComedyShow.com
Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 8:00 PM
Description:
Get Busy Laughing at Cancer's Expense
Gotham Comedy Club
New York City
208 West 23rd St.
Between 7th and 8th Ave.
Admission $100/pp
open bar + show
VIP Admission $125/pp
cocktail reception w/ hors douvres @ 7pm
open bar + show
Virtual Angel $125/pp
sponsor attendance for a young survivor (in alliance with local support groups)
COMEDY SHOW STARTS AT 8pm
Tickets: 212-367-9000
StupidComedyShow.com
Good Report
My health is, as my favorite musicians say, Getting Better All the Time! I have my 9th chemo next week.
Even though I'll still have one treatment left in September, I'm going to Disneyland at the end of the month and then to visit grandmas again. =) Then it's finish law school time. One paper and two finals and I'm done! =D
Even though I'll still have one treatment left in September, I'm going to Disneyland at the end of the month and then to visit grandmas again. =) Then it's finish law school time. One paper and two finals and I'm done! =D
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Young Adults With Cancer Happy Hour!!
SAVE THE DATE!!
August 23rd
6pm-10pm
The Village PourHouse
64 3rd Avenue, at 11th Street
This is a great place to hang out - there's no cover and the food is good!
I'm trying to get an alcohol sponsor so we can have drink specials AND I'm trying to get a water company to donate bottled water.
JEN - DON'T MISS THIS ONE =)
August 23rd
6pm-10pm
The Village PourHouse
64 3rd Avenue, at 11th Street
This is a great place to hang out - there's no cover and the food is good!
I'm trying to get an alcohol sponsor so we can have drink specials AND I'm trying to get a water company to donate bottled water.
JEN - DON'T MISS THIS ONE =)
Another Treatment Behind Me
Well, I had another treatment directly into my spinal fluid on Thursday July 26th. I felt horrible until Saturday morning. It's the kind of treatment you just have to sleep off. It's honestly nothing compared to what I've already been through before. Other than that, I'm feeling really well and can't wait to be done! 8 down, 2 to go.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
FUNDRAISER ALERT!!
STUPID CANCER HAPPY HOUR!
Thursday, July 12th @7pm
TAJ LOUNGE
48 West 21st Street
New York NY 10010
(212) 620-3033
$15 Suggested Minimum donation at the door.
ALL proceeds benefit "I'm Too Young For This" .org
Hope to see you there!
Thursday, July 12th @7pm
TAJ LOUNGE
48 West 21st Street
New York NY 10010
(212) 620-3033
$15 Suggested Minimum donation at the door.
ALL proceeds benefit "I'm Too Young For This" .org
Hope to see you there!
7 Down, 3 To Go
I haven't written any sooner because there was no new cancer news to update my adoring fans. I have even been feeling well enough to travel. I visited Grandmas in Florida and college friends down in DC.
So I have the 8th chemo treatment in my head this month. Counting down to zero. Other than that, nothing to report on the health front.
So I have the 8th chemo treatment in my head this month. Counting down to zero. Other than that, nothing to report on the health front.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
New York Magazine
No autographs, PLEASE! If you haven't already seen the spread in NY MAG, you can see it online at http://nymag.com/news/features/2007/cancer/32123/index8.html
For those of you who know me, you know that the writer of my profile didn't capture my personality correctly. I was trying to convey the fact that the world around has moved on and I am stuck in the same place. You know I'm not boy crazy or trying to get preggers. I would also never say MY cancer is worse (not worst as the first line states) than others. Cancer sucks at any age, but little kids are very resiliant and older folks have already lived their lives. BUT for those of us in between, cancer comes at the a time in our lives when things are just getting started. Not to mention each experience with hospitals, drugs, side effects of chemo, etc. is different for everyone and each age group has there own issues (I could write a book about that alone - well I've considered many things while lying in a hospital bed). Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that I wanted readers to consider what it was like for me and others in my position (like they did in the other profiles) and I don't feel she captured it well at all.
And I could have used a whole spread just to talk about all the side effects and crap I dealt with. Her shopping list of ailments didn't convey half of the suffering. It almost sounded like no big deal. Just so you know, neutropenia and chemo brain are not the same thing. UGH!
WOW i guess this is why people have blogs... thanks for reading my rant =)
For those of you who know me, you know that the writer of my profile didn't capture my personality correctly. I was trying to convey the fact that the world around has moved on and I am stuck in the same place. You know I'm not boy crazy or trying to get preggers. I would also never say MY cancer is worse (not worst as the first line states) than others. Cancer sucks at any age, but little kids are very resiliant and older folks have already lived their lives. BUT for those of us in between, cancer comes at the a time in our lives when things are just getting started. Not to mention each experience with hospitals, drugs, side effects of chemo, etc. is different for everyone and each age group has there own issues (I could write a book about that alone - well I've considered many things while lying in a hospital bed). Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that I wanted readers to consider what it was like for me and others in my position (like they did in the other profiles) and I don't feel she captured it well at all.
And I could have used a whole spread just to talk about all the side effects and crap I dealt with. Her shopping list of ailments didn't convey half of the suffering. It almost sounded like no big deal. Just so you know, neutropenia and chemo brain are not the same thing. UGH!
WOW i guess this is why people have blogs... thanks for reading my rant =)
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