Most days (unless I am having a pity party) I feel lucky. No, I am lucky. Period.
However, you should see me now! At this moment, I have a huge boot on my left foot from surgery, am missing a right breast, have 2nd degree burns from radiation, and have scars down the left side of my body from thoracic surgery. This wonderful old joke comes to mind:
Now, since I an LUCKY, I get to brag about recent events in January.
Brag Highlights:
- January 23, 2016 Marriage Celebration for Mathis and me
- January 26, 2016 Great Cancer News – NED – Non-Evident Disease
- January 30, 2016 SAG Awards in Los Angeles
- January 31, 2016 Mom’s brunch celebrating our marriage
Marriage Party to celebrate such a happy occasion
The most fabulous result from the party is that we raised over $15,500 for the Virginia Mason Cancer Institute! My wish: If we all took our combined birthday, anniversary and other parties and said to our guests “absolutely, positively no gifts…just donations to…” imagine the impact we can make on any cause! A heartfelt thank you to all of you who donated from Mathis and me. It’s never too late to donate any amount at any time.
I’m lucky that I have Mathis who has been by my side for the last 10 years for all the ups (and the few downs). He shares his love in so many ways, not just to me, but to my entire family.
The life memory from this evening was seeing our amazing family and friends who came in from London, NYC, Chicago, Houston, L.A. and more. Naturally, enjoying this event with our 4 kids, Christina, Shane, Chad, and Leslie, was amazing.
Awesome Cancer News on January 26
In case you missed the good news, see this post.
Remember, I’m lucky. There are too many hundreds of thousands of men and women that are not as lucky, which is why we need to do what we can to help them.
Great Party – the SAG Awards in L.A. on January 30
Mathis was able to take his daughter, Leslie, to this year’s award ceremony, but he got an extra ticket for me at the last minute! What a great reason to get all dressed up, what a fun show, and it was so great to see Mathis’ friends and co-workers from the SAG-AFTRA union who have been so supportive to our sucky year in 2015.
Marriage celebration brunch, hosted by Mom (Ilse!)
Another fabulous celebration in L.A. on the morning after the SAG Awards with more family and wonderful friends. Lynn, my sister, flew in from Florida, and Leslie, Shane, Chad, and Milo were there, too!
Tidbits:
- My dear friend, Julie Manciagli, sent me this in a recent card:
“Life is 10% what happens to you
and 90% how you react to it.”
-Charles R. Swindoll
- As I mentioned at the beginning, I sometimes look in the mirror and want to laugh…or cry. Seriously, my meditations include positive affirmations, thanking my body for doing all it can do to be the best body for me. Humor is the best medicine so when Mathis isn’t around to laugh with me, I laugh with my friends, and share things like this!
- My foot surgery was very successful on February 3rd, thanks to Dr. Heit at Virginia Mason. I’m now sleeping in a boot and non-weight-bearing for 8 weeks then another 6 weeks in a walking boot. Well worth the long-term improvement in my quality of life and resulting golf game.
I’ll leave this blog post with a few of my favorite signs:
Love and hugs to everybody!
Dana's Cancer Conquest 
Hi Dana! I’ve been following your posts on FB.. you’re one incredible person!!
Such a positive and encouraging role model you are!!
Sorry I missed meeting you again and Mathis daughter!
She’s beautiful!!
I know you had a problem with your foot but dont know the reason why.
You’ve been through quite a lot and I hope your recovery will be speedy and you’re back to playing golf again soon!
Nice to see your photos of your loving family and friends
Mathis is the greatest!! Steve and I both agree as well!
He married a wonderful beautiful lady inside and out!
Thank you for sharing your personal journey with us.
Happy Valentines Day to you both!
Lorna xo
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Hi, Lorna, and thank you so much for your kind words. We’ll see you next year or, perhaps, some trip this year. Oh, my foot has been a problem for over 5 years and I finally did the huge surgery that was needed: fusing the big toe bone to the foot and removing a bad joint. So I’m eight weeks non-weight-bearing then another 8 in a walking boot but so worth it for quality of life! Not cancer related, either. We love sharing our life with you and Steve and huge hugs to both of you and your beautiful daughter! Love, Dana
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Love you so much! Can’t wait to see you in April. What a fantastic January you had – so blessed! XOXOXO
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We always love hearing from you. You are a great writer! Having a great outlook on life helps as a writer but you have a real flair–insightful, thoughtful, and inspirational. I hope your mirror is telling you that you are inspiring many people including us.
Love,
Kay and Bill
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Love you, too, Bill and Kate and it was so great seeing you at Mom’s brunch. We love you so much,
Dana and Mathis
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Dana,
From the first time I met you so many years ago, your energy and enhusiasm was contagious and marvelous. I was a manager for the second time in my very young career and I sincerely apologize for ALL the terrible mistakes I made and misery I caused you.
Hopefully I showed you many things to NOT do. I sincerely apologize for it all and more.
I know you became a great success as a woman, friend, Mom and in your career, but clearly in facing one of life’s hardest demons- fighting cancer daily to live!!
You do it brilliantly with dignity, courage, style, humor, heart and grace.
Much admiration and love, anne miller
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Love your blogs!
Sent from my iPhone
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You’re such a rock star Dana. You are such an inspiration. Love,Arden
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
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Great Post!
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Dana, it was great to see you on Sunday! Great post and lovely pictures of your wonderful family. Love your blogpost and love you. Hugs
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Oh, darling, you are so special. Wish we had time to get to know each other better. You and Matt are wonderful together and I’m so thrilled for you both.
Keep kicking butt, smiling that wonderful smile and feeling loved,
Hugs
Murray
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