It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day!

Well hello kids its been a long time! Have I said lately how much it sucks to be 34 and single? Its time for a miracle my friends cause if somethin doesn't come along soon my panties may very well catch fire, or worse, I may spontaneously combust! Send me some good vibes (pun intended) girls cause its been too fucking long.

I now feel like part of the rest of the world...i can post shit from my cell! woohoo! to all my friends I luv and miss u!

I got this by email at work today, and feel that the info is so important that I'm posting it here in my journal for all to read.  Love you girls!

 

SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries)

THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END

An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about. A few years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.

KATHY’S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West

As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer. Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the “tumour marker” CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove the primary tumour and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.

Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same fate. That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print it and give it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know. One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the dentist at least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year. When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ cancers. LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don’t have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when they were removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, isn’t it?

These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never t ell us: ONE out of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER. The “CLASSIC” symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or DIARRHEA. I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these symptoms seemed to be “abdominal”, I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests. They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was again assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my scheduled month-long trip to Europe. I couldn’t wear any of my slacks or shorts because I couldn’t get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean by “taking charge of our own health care.” The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of fluid drawn off at the hospital (not a pleasant experience I assure you), but NOTHING compared to what was ahead of me.

Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test, and I was properly diagnosed. I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual physical exam and not when I was symptomatic.

This is an inexpensive and simple blood test! PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS. Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, saying, “IT ISN’T NECESSARY.” Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DO NOT take “NO” for an answer! The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. MINE WAS 754. (That’s right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you can have another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumours or when men have a slightly elevated PSA test (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer. Having the CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that’s the goal in diagnosing any type of cancer - catching it early.

Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life. And forward this message to every woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and friends. Though the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I’m exactly 56), women as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor.

A NOTE FROM AN RN:

Well, after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 test is an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man’s PSA test prostate screen (which my husband’s  Doctor automatically gives him in his physical each year and insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner’s office about having the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she doubted that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance Co, and got the same response. Never heard of it - it won’t be covered. I explained that it was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. After conferring with whomever they confer with, she told me that the CA-125 would be covered. It is $75 in a GP’s office and $125 at the GYN’s. This is a screening test that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear cannot detect problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance company pay for it.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS PART 63585432

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP TODAY? 7:00 am

2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Pearl necklace all the way, baby!                               

3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? Fools Gold                       

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Lost

5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? fruit & yogurt or oatmeal

6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Lea

7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Liver                               

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? the kind that plays music

9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Kia Sportage

10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? Turkey Club on rye                               

11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? dishonesty

12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? my brown short-sleeved ruffled satin top

13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU 

                GO? Around the world

14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? White, black, grey, blue, green

15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? H&M

16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Ireland

17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? 30

18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Hockey                               

19. FARTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? around the world(wide web lol)

20. FAVORITE SAYING? fuck it  

21. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? October 1st

22. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? night

23. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 10 1/2                               

24. PETS?  cat

25. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? same shit different day                               

26. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? a mom 

27. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? irritated, lonely, tired

28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? anything w/ chocolate and peanut butter

29. YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Calla Lily

30. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? May 3rd - Bamboozle Festival!!

31. WHAT WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD NICKNAME? LuLu or Demanda

32. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Food Network on tv

 33     WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? granola bar                               

34. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? Yes

35. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? silver

36. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Nice but cool

37. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? coca-cola                               

38. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Carrabba's

39. SIBLINGS? 2 sisters and 1 brother

40. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas Day

41. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?  Strawberry Shortcake

    doll that blew strawberry kisses

42. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!

43. HUGS OR KISSES? Both

44. COFFEE OR TEA? tea

45. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? chocolate

46. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? a month ago I think

47. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? the boogeyman?

48. WHO ARE THE FRIENDS YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Tonia, Christin

49. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? took Tristan to Boy Scouts

50. FAVORITE SMELL? swimming pool (a clean one)

51. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? being alone

52. SALTY OR SWEET?  sweet

53. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 7 years

54. LEAST FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE? washing dishes - yuck!

55. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Sunday

56. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 9

57. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? sometimes

58. WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR? ice melt, engine treatment, 

    windshield wiper fluid, x-rays, umbrella, folding chair

59. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL YOU SEND THIS TO? none - did this for myself!

60. HOW MANY WILL RESPOND? HUH?                                                  

Death From Above

a little hunger
a little wonder of
death from above

death from above

oh mary mary
what are we askin of
death from above

yes love im sinkin
i wonder just how far
what was i thinkin
of when i fell apart

i see the moon move
cover me under the spell
i see the few souls
cover me hungry and cold

i know the first thing
running up under your path
i know this can't last
death from above

shoot here comes
death from above

a little reject
a simple conjure of
death from above

you rock n rollers
you sudden victims of
death from above

oh death from above

yes love im sinkin
i hunger where you are
whats left but notice
to notice just how far

i see the moon light
cover me under the spell
i see the few souls
beggin bury us now

i know the valleys
running up under my path
i know the (spare leaves ?)
death from above

oh here comes death from above

oh lord im sinking
i just dont know how far
its death from above

yes love im sinking
i hunger where you are
death from above

death from above

yes lord im thinking of
death from above

yes lord im thinking of
death from above

One Step Closer

I cannot take this anymore
I'm saying everything I've said before
All these words they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Less I hear the less you'll say
But you'll find that out anyway
Just like before...

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I find the answers aren't so clear
Wish I could find a way to disappear
All these thoughts they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Nothing seems to go away
Over and over again
Just like before...

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
Break break break break break

shut up when I'm talking to you
shut up shut up shut up
shut up when I'm talking to you
shut up shut up shut up shut up
I’m about to break

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
Break break break break break break

shut up when I'm talking to you
shut up shut up shut up
shut up when I'm talking to you
shut up shut up shut up shut up
I’m about to break

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

In some respects
I suspect you've got a respectable side
When pushed and pulled and pressured
You seldom run and hide
But it's for someone elses benefit
Not for what you wanna do
Until I realize that you've realized
I'm gonna say these words to you

You don't know what love is
You do as you're told
Just as a child at ten might act
But you're far too old
You're not hopeless or helpless
And I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is...
You just do as you're told

I can see your man
Cant help but win
Any problems that may arise

But in his mind there can be no sin
If you never criticize
You just keep on repeating
All those empty "I love you's"
Until you say you deserve better
I'm gonna lay right into you

You don't know what love is
You just do as you're told
Just as a child of ten might act
But you're far too old
Your not hopeless or helpless
And I hate to sound cold
But you don't know what love is
No you don't know what love is
No you don't know what love is

You just do as you're told
You do as you're told
Yeah

~The White Stripes

I believe that we don't have to change friends if we understand that
friends change.

I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt
you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.

I believe that true friendship continues to grow, even over the
longest distance—and the same goes for true love.

I believe it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I believe that you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe that sometimes there are no words to describe what you are feeling.

I believe that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at
first, the passion fades, and there had better be something else to
take its place.

I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when
it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe that my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and
have the best time.

I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're
down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want
them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others;
sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but that we are responsible for who we become.

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see
something totally different.

I believe that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people
who don't even know you.

I believe that even when you think you have no more to give, when a
friend cries out to you, you can find the strength to help.

-author unknown

Bitchology

those I love,
they call me a
bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts
or do things my own way, they call me a
bitch.

Being a bitch
means I won't
compromise what's
in my heart.
It means I live my life
MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to
tolerate injustice and
speak against it, I am
defined as a
bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who

I am outspoken,
opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So try to stomp on me,
try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch ,
so be it.
I embrace the title and
am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual

T = That
C =Can

H = Handle anything

(I didn't write this - not sure who did, but I lover her for it!)

born of love
no time
expressed of hate
sin erupts like a volcano
tastes like bile
all bitter and vile
yet
smells like teen spirit

in a rut
could be a slut
nowhere to strut
plastic explosives nowhere to be found
inner beauty - fact or fiction?
wishing for an out-of-body experience

 

For those of you who don't know already, I've broken down and joined Fall Out Boy's fanclub Overcast Kids.  While doing so goes against everything Amanda (that's me), I did it to give myself more opportunities for everything FOB.  I ordered my WYT concert tickets the moment they went onsale through OCK, which really was great.  I just found out that the presale tickets are only for OCK members - in other words, you can't use the tickets unless everyone you bought tickets for is an ock.  Unfortunately, I purchased two tickets...I don't know anyone else who is an ock in my area (not to mention the fact that I doubt there are any ocks in my area over the age of 14, which is fine but if I wanted to go to a concert with a kid, I'd take my 11 year old son).  I'm going to email ock admin because that is just total bullshit in my opinion.

My second, most important bitch session is about another post on the OCK website.  They are looking for Fall Out Boy fans to appear on TRL as well as FUSE on September 11th.  There's only one catch...the age limit is 16-24.  WTF?!?!  I can understand an age limit when it comes to admitting minors to such functions, but since when is there a cutoff for being too OLD?  It's fucking descrimination in my opinion!!!!  I know Jenn (MrsStumph) emailed Pete a couple of months ago about being turned away from an FOB appearance because of her age.  He even fucking responded saying that she wasn't too old to be a fan.  I can't begin to put into words how pissed off the age restriction thing gets me...I'M SO FUCKING SICK AND TIRED OF BEING TREATED AS A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN IN FALL OUT BOY LAND BECAUSE OF MY AGE!!!!!!!!!!  These are the times when I realize that there really are things FOB could do to turn me from a diehard fan to a hater...and they're well on their way to making that happen.  I definitely want to address this issue with Fall Out Boy, but I don't even know where to begin.  Not to mention the fact that I'm so angry, I'm afraid of what I might say to them right now (ha ha, like anything I think or say really matters to any of them anyhow).

Here are the rules:

---

1) Only list 8 facts.

2) You must then list 8 TAGS at the end of the post. This means you must name 8 people on Buzznet who now must do the same blog.

3) Go comment on their profile and tell them to come read yours! I want participation.

---

8 Random Facts About Me:

1.) I am a very sarcastic person, but not in a mean way (usually).

2.) I am still a big fan of Michael Jacksons even after all of the child molestation accusations (which I don't believe, by the way).

3.) When I was in High School I wanted to be an opera singer.

4.) I am very shy around people I don't know (unless alcohol is involved LOL)

5.) I never learned to read music or play any instruments, but have always wanted to.

6.) I'm in love with being in love, but I just haven't found the right guy!

7.) If I could do whatever I wanted with my life (regardless of the expense), I'd quit working in the Real Estate/Financial Services industry, and would make traveling the world my job.

8.) I believe that GLOBAL WARMING is a very SERIOUS issue, and that most people don't give a shit about it at all. ( I plan to get involved in a very big way to bring awareness to my community, though I'm not sure how yet).

Well, (the majority of) those of you that know me are aware that my sister-in-law Agnieszka (my brother John's wife) and I went to the New York "Live Earth" concert on Saturday 7-7-07. I have to admit that I was slightly delirious in anticipation of the event for an entire week prior. I even woke up at 6:50am that lovely Saturday morning without the aid of my (dreadful) alarm clock. In attempt at keeping with the "Go Green" theme of the event, I decided that we would make our trek from Upper Darby, PA to Giants' Stadium by using public transit. We began our journey to "Live Earth" by catching the El at 69th Street Terminal at 8:40am. We got off at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to catch the 9:09am R7 Train to Trenton, NJ. We should have missed the train (due to my "ass"umption that I knew where we were going) but got lucky that it was running late, and got there about a minute before it pulled up. The R7 was the slowest! train I have EVER taken! It was a very bumpy (and sometimes scary) ride. The scenery along this turn was depressing to say the least, but we finally made it safely to Trenton Station. Since the R7 train was so slow, and was running late to begin with, we got off and had to get right on the 10:08 7824 (New York Line) train to Secaucus Junction. There were no ticket machines along our short walk to our train, but the nice attendant guys let us buy our tickets right on the train at regular price. The ride to Secaucus Junction was much more pleasant than the El and R7. We just kicked back and listened to my iPod during the hour and a half ride. We made it to Secaucus Junction around 11:30am and made a beeline for the ladies room. I wondered how many people would be taking public transportation to the concert, and was very pleasantly surprised. There were people wearing green everywhere! As always, there was a line for the ladies toilets, but everyone was so excited about the concert that nobody cared. After that, we made a hurried stop at the newspaper stand for a drink and a snack and then rushed to follow the signs for the "Live Earth" shuttle to Giants' Stadium. We were totally unprepared for the huge line of people we found waiting for the shuttle. There had to be at least 300 people in line before us. It was hot and smelly waiting in that line, but once again, everyone was excited about the concert and didn't seem to care too much. We watched as bus after bus came and loaded up with people and headed to the concert arena. We were relieved to see that the busses were the relatively comfortable ones that had a/c. After about an hour of waiting in line, our chariot arrived. Wouldn't you know, it was a freaking yellow school bus! No a/c and I had to squeeze into a seat with two (fortunately skinny) ladies that I'm pretty sure didn't speak english. I can only imagine what they must've been saying about me since I couldn't understand what they were talking about! The bus ride wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been - the windows were all open, so there was somewhat of a breeze to keep us all from smothering to death in the heat. It didn't hurt there was a hottie with some pretty awesome tattos accross the aisle from me, so I was perfectly content stealing glances at him for the duration of our 10 minute ride. As we pulled up to Giants' Stadium at about 12:50pm it was an awesome sight - tailgating in the parking lots and people wearing green everywhere! We hopped off the bus and headed to Gate B where the people with Floor tickets had to enter the stadium. Since they wouldn't open the gates to let people in until 1:00, there was another line for us to wait in. While we were waiting to get into the stadium, we noticed a lot of people wearing these really cool Live Earth bandanas, but we couldn't figure out where they bought them. We decided to wait until we got inside to buy them when we got our t-shirts. (We later found out that they were passing them out to people in line, and we missed it. ) At 1:00 they opened the gates and people slowly started filing into Giants' Stadium. They did a quick bag/purse/backpack search and we were on our way in. I saw one lucky guy get a patdown on his way in, but that was about the height of our excitement at the front gate. Ok...so I didn't realize that this was going to turn into a novel. I will write more, about the actual event, eventually. In the mean time, answer the call! www.liveearth.org