October Baby

So, my youngest son, Joshua, turned 17 today!  Occasionally, I call him, "pumpkin" just because he is an October baby.

Happy Birthday, Josh!

He's very active in the Whitney High School Marching Band and has been for all 4 years of high school.

Josh is the first one on the right playing the tenor drums.

Last night was some kind of school rally and this is what he looked like as he played the drums.

Two weeks ago at the football game, the whole band wore pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Saturday I was in Dallas last month, Sept 14th, Josh participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life  Thanks to those who supported his efforts!

Scott and I are proud of Josh.  He has over a 4.0 GPA.  I think he wants to go to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for college.  Love ya Josh!

The American Cancer Society's website is chock full of information regarding breast cancer and all cancers. Here is a link to info on early breast cancer detection. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003165-pdf.pdf

I read somewhere that tomorrow is Mammogram Day (10/18).  Any day can be Mammogram Day.  Just don't forget to get yours!

I'm still feeling good and doing great!  This week I went to a Zumba class that started at church. I'm not overly excited about exercise but I try! Thanks for those who continue to pray for me.  God is good!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month?  I certainly am aware now!  Please please have your yearly mammogram if you are a woman over the age of 40.  Younger if you are at high risk.  It could save your life! . . Or at least detect an early tumor. (I know it did for me!)

Yes the cartoon is funny!  It is good to laugh!

I ran across the following video series explaining much of the process a woman goes through when she first discovers there is something abnormal going on in her breast.  I went through many of these same things or became familiar with the terms and information it talks about.  I recommend viewing this video series, especially if you are at high risk, or know someone going through breast cancer.  It explains a bit about breast cancer, the diagnosis, types and stages and treatment options. The whole series takes over an hour to view, but it is broken up into 1 to 3 minute segments, so you can watch bits of it at a time.  It is very informative.  (I hope my sisters take a look.) To go to the original site, click on this link: http://beyondtheshock.com/learn/1/1#1/1

 

Beyond The Shock is a collaborative breast cancer guide created by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) with the support of the finest medical experts, doctors, and researchers in the world. NBCF utilized ground-breaking technology and the resources of the global medical community to create an accessible platform for understanding a diagnosis of breast cancer.

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I've been taking my hormone therapy medicine, Arimidex,  for 4 weeks now and I feel Ok.  I don't think I'm having any extreme side affects.  

Remember to schedule your mammogram!
Pam

A Family Affair

I was very privileged to attend a family reunion in Texas for my Dad's side of the family last weekend - The Soper Family Reunion!  I think the reunions started back in 1986, a year or so after I was married and before I had kids.  (I could have my dates wrong.  Life gets blurry after a while.)  The first one was at a community center in Castro Valley, CA.  We've had them every two years except one time I was told, it was stretched to 3 years.

Every other year for a reunion seems plenty often, except that not everybody can go every 2 years. The venue rotates between California, Dallas, and Spokane Washington.  I've only been to the ones held in California before this one.  I missed "California 92" when we were in Africa.  Including this year I think I've gone to 5.

Over a period of 27 years, there have been many changes. Loved ones have departed, children have grown up, babies have been born.

Something I discovered this year in Dallas is now Rosemary goes by Rose or Rosie; Marcus doesn't mind being called Marc; Suzie is now Suzanne (or it is Susan?); and Mary Grace will answer to Mary. Wow! It's hard to keep up!

Cousin Rosemary

Gordon, cousin Charlene and cousin Marc

Suzanne

Cousin Mary Grace

I met relatives I had never met.

My cousin, Mary Grace's daughter, Marla's family

Mary Grace's son, David's, daughters, Carly and Jenneh
(My sister, Jan in between.)

I met the non relatives who were there.

Some guys that live at Sheldon and Suzies

I enjoyed talking to my cousins...

My cousin Evan and his wife Dorathy

...and uncle.

Me and Uncle Len

My grandparents, Kirk and Virginia Soper  had 5 children - Ray, Reva, Edith, Rosemay, Kirk Jr. and Leonard.  My dad, Kirk and his brother, Len are the 2 remaining children .

If I counted correctly, there are 14 cousins, ages 43 to 78, and 10 of us were there!  I enjoyed catching up with them. I'm not sure about all the cousin's children...and their children.  It gets too complicated!

At some point during the reunion, the patriarchs of the family reminisced about the "old days." They told us things about the past and laughed...or maybe even cried a little when talking about those that have gone before us. We listen to stories we've heard many times before . . . or maybe for the first time.

 Kirk and Len

Of course no reunion is complete without food.  We had lots!  Friday night, we ate barbecued ribs and tri-tip with all the side dishes at Suzanne and Sheldon's.  Though they are recent California transplants, they did well to live up to the Texas reputation of doing things bigger.  Saturday, Mary Grace prepared beef brisket, chicken and ham and all the fixins. Thanks so much to our host and hostesses!  It was such a pleasure to be with you!

Suzie and Sheldon

Me and my cousin Mary Grace

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I am feeling well, except I do get tired.  I heard this may be a side effect of the Arimidex I am taking or a side effect of just living!

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