So this is an Echocardiogram of a normal functioning heart and guess what, that's what my heart looks like.
I went today to visit with my cardiologist and he said that the rest and stress echo I had a couple of weeks ago came out perfect. He actually said that my heart was functioning better then it did when he first saw me about 7 years ago.
All I have to say is WOO HOO!!! PEOPLE!!!! WOO HOO!!!
Some of you may know that I've had some lasting effects because of my cancer and one of those is that I have a mild case of Cardio Myopathy, which I take a little pink pill each day to make sure my heart works properly. Well today, my doctor said it was, it was working better then before. I am so thrilled and huge weight has been lifted.
Next is the Breathing Tests sooo much fun.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Normal Echo
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
My Beautiful Sister
Monday, February 19, 2007
In The Biz
Some of you may know that I have worked as a waitress, bartender and now a hostess on and off for the last 8 years or so. Right now I am hostessing at a restaurant for some extra money, this is not my main job which I will talk about another time.
Anyway, throughout my times as a waitress, bartender or hostess I have seen some interesting things and have experienced some of these first hand. It always amazes me how some people treat their server, how they think that because this person is serving them that they can justify being a complete dick to said server. Case in point, I was working this past week and I sat this couple who were probably in their late 70s. They weren't exactly the nicest people and I could tell already (just by being with them for all of 30 seconds) that they were going to be a handful. I felt bad having to give it to the server J, but I really had no choice.
They complained about how cool it was, complained that "only fat people must eat here" because the booths were far from the tables (our booths are not nailed down so my manager fixed that easily by moving the booths closer to the table). They bitched about their food being cold, (it would've been warm if they ate it when it was served to them instead of talking for 15 minutes to people that they knew who were leaving, which is fine to do but don't complain that your food was served cold). They bitched about everything and then of course barely left J. a tip. We did everything we were supposed to do and still they complained.
Then there was the man who brought his two young children in, I'd say they were about 8 and 10 years old. The boy (10) and girl (8) were very well behaved, but the father seemed to think that they were not, he yelled at them and treated them like dogs. Example, the little girl was talking to me (which I didn't mind) before I could sit them and she walked closer to me, the father snapped his fingers and pointed to her and said, "GET BACK HERE" like she was a dog. The girl had a look on her face of Ruh Roh, (now you might think no biggie as did I at first) but throughout the whole meal he just talked to his kids with such content and loathing in his voice. I guess this father is a regular and the staff were talking about how he "Disciplines" his kids constantly when really they don't do anything wrong, and how all he does is berate them everytime he comes in. He is divorced from their mother and only gets to see them a couple times a month or something like that. My question is, why wouldn't he just enjoy his kids instead of making them feel bad all the time (hmmm maybe that's because I have those same issues with my father and I'm 32, a story for another time). I just hope that someday these kids realize that they didn't do anything wrong.
Then there was the time when I was working many years ago as a waitress at a 50s style trailer diner in the city. This was my first waitressing job, and it came pretty natural to me, I'm a people person and I like to talk so it worked out well. This diner was open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As I got more comfortable waitressing the owners decided to try me out on the overnight shifts, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. I would either work 11pm to 7am or 1am to 9am. I loved those shifts and I made a ton of money. But one of my first nights working the overnight shift a friend came in with this girl that I knew but didn't really like. Shara was very self absorbed and so oblivious of other people.
So in comes my friend E and Shara (notice I name Shara because I could care less if people know her real name) anyway, and Shara is drunk off of her ass, and E is sober, trying to just get Shara to sit down and be quiet and get some food into her before going home. So I am their server, they order some food and Shara slurs, Where is the bathroom? I show her where the bathroom is and try to get out of her way (our diner at that time was filled with people) and before I could get out of her way the girl puked all over and down my back. Yup people she threw up on me, and ran into the bathroom to finish off. Needless to say I was not thrilled about that, luckily it wasn't chunks since she hadn't eaten yet and it was mostly liquid (so it was easy clean up) but still it came from her stomach. So I go downstairs to clean myself up and throw on a diner t-shirt come up and she is sitting at the table like nothing has happend. I say something to her and the bitch actually has the audacity to say to me in her little accent, "Melina don't worry it was only water" I look at her and scream in Greek to my friend who is also Greek, "If she can't hold her liquor she should not be drinking and I'm going to fucking kill her" The bitch never apoligized to me or said anything else, and if it wasn't for the fact that I was working I think I would've smacked her and dragged her outside. But I didn't because my co-workers calmed me down and said, "You have now been officially initiated, welcome" My thoughts were, "Great this happens often?"
These are just a few things that I have dealt with while being "in the biz" and have heard of some other crazy stories from others, but remember folks, treat your server with some respect (because they do handle your food, not that I EVER NEVER EVER did anything but I sooooo wanted to sometimes, it's just not in my nature), and that sometimes we are just overloaded and tired, but we are trying. Remember 18% is the norm, 20% if they are good and 22% if they are great, and if you can't afford to tip well then you shouldn't be going out (that's just my opinion).
Thursday, February 15, 2007
"You are NOT the father"
Everywhere you read right now there is some mention about Anna Nicole Smith. There are new reports daily that there could be another possible daddy for Dannielynn, I think the count is up to 5 now. Let's see we have Larry Birkhead, Howard K Stern, Prince Frederic Von Anhalt, her bodyguard, and from the sperm of her dead husband, J. Howard Marshall all of this sounds to me like an episode for Maury Povich show, where these girls come on the show to prove that so and so is the father of their baby, and 9 out of 10 times. He isn't nor are the other 5 guys she thought it might be.
Personally I feel sorry for this child that doesn't have a mother, whose brother died 3 days after she was born, that she could possibly have had some lasting effects that we don't know about yet because her mother was on Methadone and countless other drugs while she was pregnant. Then to top it all off no one knows for sure who the father is. (Personally I think its Larry Birkhead, and I also think he sounds like he'd make the best father for this little girl).
I think all the men that have claimed to be her daddy should go on Maury and do the paternity test there. I bet the ratings for that episode would be HUGE (hey if this happens we all know whose idea it was I want royalties) I know I would watch it.
Good luck little Dannielynn you are going to need it, because this is only just the beginning, now can we please talk about something else.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Dazed & Confused and not the good kind like in the movie
I have a 2nd job as a hostess at a family style restaurant a few nights a week to make extra money. I've only been working there a couple of weeks and so far it's been pretty good. Got my first paycheck last night and was happy with how much I should be bring home each week.
Anyway, one of my side jobs that I have is to wipe down the high chairs and booster seats. Well the booster seats are kept above where customers can hang their coats. So not realizing how slippery those damn booster seats are, I wipe them down and try to stack 2 at a time back up. (Can you see where this is going?). So, I turn my head for just a second to say something to a co-worker and all of a sudden POP, one of the damn booster seats falls right on my nose.
I swear I saw stars, thought Sylvester was chasing Tweety above me, my eyes started to water and I actually couldn't see for a second, my co-worker K was standing there and our manager A just came out of the bathroom and both were like "Are you okay, do you want to go in the bathroom?" I say, "I can't exactly move right now, it fucking hurts." I know that they were both concerned but I also know they wanted to laugh, so to beat them to the punch (no pun intended) I start to laugh. I check myself out in the bathroom once I get my bearings back and see that I have a small cut and already the bridge of my nose has a small bump and is turning black and blue. Luckily, I didn't break or chip my new glasses and that I have a good enough sense of myself to just laugh about it and make it into a joke. So everyone was asking what happened and I showed them. I tell K "Thank you for not laughing right there" and she replies "Oh I did but later" (in that fun kidding tone). "Hey it's okay to laugh, I know it was funny."
My other manager P got me some ice (could the bag be any bigger my nose isn't that big), and I say, "well, I've officially been initiated" HA HA!!!
I got my food, went home and had me some drinks. Today, it's sore but not too bad of a bump or black and blue, and my glasses pretty much cover it. So hopefully by Monday there won't be much left of it, and I refuse to wipe those booster seats again.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Echo Echo Echo
So, as I mentioned I am a cancer survivor and today I had to go and do a rest echo & a stress echo. I was very nervous today about these two tests. Normally my annual testing doesn't really bother me anymore. I don't worry about my cancer coming back like I used to. I don't worry about my lungs, my thyroid or hormonal problems, but when it comes to my heart I get nervous.
This last year has been a very crazy year. I have gone from a very hard, stressful life, to a good, fun, looking at the glass half full life. I am happy to say that I feel better about myself, and my health is better then it has been in a long time. But that doesn't mean I still don't freak out a bit (okay A LOT!!! I did mention I'm over-dramatic) about this test. So last night needless to say I did not get much sleep, my mind was not really at the things I needed to get done at work. I got most of everything done, but of course forgot to email the one document I needed to do before I left (sorry JM).
But now the echoes are done, and I feel better about doing them. The stress one was a new one and it is just like they show on TV, I was hooked up to a monitor and they made me get on a treadmill (Do they not know I hate to exercise) it was easy at first, slow speed, not too bad of incline but by the 3rd level I was completely out of breath. Not because of the speed but the incline was high, I felt like I was climbing a big hill, and unfortunately my lungs just can't hold that (I only have one that really works well for those that don't know). So I did the best I could and the techs said that they got what they needed, and then I did my rest echo, much easier.
I should get the results in a couple of days. I'm not as nervous now that it's over, I still worry that from my poor eating habits, the stress in my life and the possible side affects caused from chemo and radiation can do to my heart. So far 8 years later, its taken a lickin' but it keeps on tickin' and I am not limited with anything that I do. Next up, a breathing test, a mammogram (so looking forward to getting my boobs squished and turned) and a few other things. But it's all good, because I'd rather have to do my annuals then not because I didn't make it to my next birthday. TAKE THAT CANCER! 8 years and still counting. I will tell you more about my cancer and how, when and what I did when I was diagnosed and the treatments I went through.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Is there anybody out there?
Well I did it, I finally started my own blog, it is in the early stages so as I figure things out, I'm sure it will get better, (I hope). I am just excited to start writing about my life, past, present and future. I have always written in journals and now I am going to share with you the things that are happening in my life. The reason I started this blog is because I have started a new chapter in my life and wanted to share it with you, my friends, my family and anyone else that wants to share in my experiences, opinions (whether you agree or disagree I like a good debate) and my stories.
I guess I should tell you a little about myself, other then what is in my profile (which I will get to). Well, as my profile does mention I am 32, I am half Greek & half Finnish, both of my parents were not born in the US, so that makes me a 1st generation American. And also makes for an interesting upbringing in some ways. I am a cancer survivor almost 8 years now. I had non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and it was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through, but it made me realize that I am a strong person that can pretty much take anything and figure it out. Of course I could not have beaten it, if it wasn't for my friends and family that were absolutely amazing and a key factor in my recovery. I have 3 amazing siblings that are quite a few years younger then me and I feel like I'm not just their sister but also another parent.
I love to listen to music (thank God for my MP3 Player), watch movies (Netflix rocks) watch TV (I have to admit I'm a TV junkie TIVO the best invention ever), read (I like non-fiction the best) talk (not exactly shy over here), write (hey that's why I'm here), and so much more. You will get to know me and come to realize that even though I can be sometimes way over-dramatic, I have a big and kind heart and am always trying to keep two feet on the ground. I may be loud and sometimes a bit crude but it's all in fun and it is harmless. I would never try to hurt someone intentionally but I will be the first to stick up for the little guy because there have been so many people that have stuck up for me.
Welcome to my blog, my life and my journey. I hope you enjoy the trip, because I guarantee that it will be a bumpy, thrilling roller coaster of a ride. Please deposit your ticket, grab a seat, buckle up and away we go.
