Grandmothers

Today I met my friend's grandma. She invited me over to meet her mom and grandma and to share a meal with them. This friend has turned out to be a God-send but that is another blog

When I walked in and met "Granny", I felt like I was looking in my grandmother's face. Granny was feisty and fun and didn't bite her tongue in any way. She was loving and demanding; the type of demanding that comes with age and wisdom. I felt like I was talking to my grandmother.

Talking with Granny made me realize all grandmothers are they same, no matter what the race. They all think they know what is best for you, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. They feel they can say ANYTHING to you about you and your life. It isn't important if your feelings are hurt or not; they are telling you because it is for "your own good, M'ija!". Those are universal words.

So give your grandmother a big hug today and tell her you love her!

It's Over for Now

Well I had my surgery on Friday. I survived. I am at home and doing quite well. They took out a 4 pound tumor from my body, 10 centimenters around and they did it laproscopically. The wonders of medicine. It was a benign tumor that started out on my kidney and spread to the muscles on the right side of my back. He was able to keep my kidney and prevent me from being paralyzed. It wasn't cancerous so that is good news, but I still have to have chemotherapy for 3 months. I still hate the fact that I have to have chemo, but it is better than getting a death sentance.

I have to say my oncology surgeon is a hottie. He came from Houston just to do my surgery. He told me that I sent Hurricane Rita to Houston just to make sure he showed up for the surgery. This type of humor put me at ease. The fact that he is GUAPO had absolutely nothing to do with it. I love him! He made me no promises, but gave me hope when I thought there was none.

My boo came from Miami to the hospital and has not left my side. He is always the type to put his job before anything. So let's just say it was a surprise, a VERY pleasant, surprise for me nonetheless. He has been like a rock; my champion when I was having difficulty after the surgery. I thought he wasn't the type I could depend on, but he proved me wrong. Hey Karla, I think the DR men are better!

So it is on to chemotherapy next week. So it is on to hair loss, puking, diarrhea and fatigue. Ain't life WONDERFUL!

Music

Okay...have you ever just LOVED a song so much but you DO NOT know the name of it? Well, I am loving this one reggaeton song, but I can't figure out the name of it. And of course they play it on a brand new station here that doesn't have a DJ yet. I have become obsessed with this song. The only part I know is "Mejor que yo". That is ALL I know. It has a fast beat and then it slows down.

I am appealing to all my Latino people out there...WHAT IS THE NAME OF THAT DAYUM SONG?!

Response to Reese about New Orleans

I wanted to respond to my girl Reese regarding her comments on New Orleans. Reese, have you ever lived there? Have you ever been there when there wasn't a festival or some major convention happening? I have. I lived there for 2 years, so I know what it is like to be there day after day. If you haven't, then you don't KNOW the real New Orleans. You CANNOT go by what you have seen on TV the past few weeks.

New Orleans has survived hundreds of hurricanes since it has been in existance and there was no reason to believe it wouldn't survive this one. The government for whatever reason decided not to spend the needed money to reinforce the levees that surround the city, but that is neither here nor there. It is where it is and I hope it stays. I just hope they decide to build the levees stronger. Every city has poverty and crime and New Orleans isn't any different. In my previous post, I was mourning for the city that I know/knew and love, not discussing the socioeconmics of the city. I could go into the politics of the city, but I won't. It is difficult for someone from the "North" to understand the thoughts and outlook of the people from the "South". We may seem oppressed and out of touch with the progressive ways of the "North", but we like it that way. "Seem" being the operational word.

Reese, yes I hope New Orleans is able to rebuild and be a better city, but I hope in the process that it doesn't lose its "essence" and if that includes poverty and crime then so be it. Washington, DC has the highest division of socio-economic differences, with very little "middle ground", so you should look in your own backyard first for changes. By the way, Miami has a HIGH crime rate too, but you were willing to move there, so you need to give New Orleans a break.

I love New Orleans the way it was and I am mourning for my city that I love and KNOW very well!

New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina from space

It has taken me a while to talk about what has happened in New Orleans. I have truly been in shock and dismayed by what has happened there. My grandparents used to live there and my grandmother still owns the house there, so New Orleans has very special meaning for me. I have been deeply saddened and upset by it all. I think the media showed too much of what was going on there, but me, like many other people, was glued to the TV. I would sob every time they would show the streets where I played with my cousins as a kid, the streets where I watched my first Mardi Gras Parades, the place where I got married to young, had my first job as a nurse at Charity Hospital, and the streets where I had my first alcoholic drink. Yes, I rank my first alcoholic beverage right up there with all my significant firsts! I remember every Sunday was brunch, beignets, hot chocolate and cafe au laits after Mass. Cafe du Monde, a sidewalk cafe reminisant of a Parisian cafe, has survived many a hurricane. Will it survive this one? My heart breaks everytime I think about it. The memories running through my head like a movie. I can't stop them and I don't really want to because that might be all I have left of the city I love so much.

What happened to the city that held so much joy for me? Right after Hurricane Katrina, I was worried about my family members that are still there. Some had left town on Saturday, but most stayed behind because they thought they could "ride" it out. No word from them for days. What scary moments those were. My grand uncle, who is 76 years old, walked the 80 miles from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, with his family. He refused to go to the Superdome, which I am so glad he refused, after hearing all the vicious things that occurred there. He said that if he survived World War II, he was going to be damned if he died in a Hurricane. He always kept 5 or 6 backpacks filled with MREs, water, flashlights, and first aid kits. Everyone laughed at him, but who is laughing now?! He survived, he and his family. No one really thought this hurricane would be a bad one. They thought it would be like all the hurricanes before. But Katrina surprised us all.

All of my family survived and are in safe places, but I think about those that didn't. I have some disappointment with the response of the government, but not overwhelming anger. I am pissed that they didn't carry out the disaster plan they created, specifically with New Orleans in mind. Why didn't they?! It was all outlined what needed to happen. Isn't it better to be safe than sorry, like we all are now? What was the point of doing all those exercises and drills? Was it a waste of tax payer money and volunteer time? I am beginning to think so. It makes me wonder are we safe from the so called terrorists. All that planning, will it be a waste of time should another September 11 occur?
Here are some pictures of my favorite places in New Orleans, that hold my fondest memories.

Bourbon Street

Natchez Riverboat on the Mississippi River

St.Louis Cathedral in the Vieux Carre

Super Dome

I pray that it can get back to it's former glory and distinction. I have plenty more Mardi Gras Parades, Jazz Festivals and Bayou Classics to attention. I LOVE YOU NEW ORLEANS!!

It will be okay!

My surgery has been rescheduled for Friday, September 23rd. The pain is killing me. The tumor on my kidney has attached itself on the nerves and muscles in my back. So, I have the possibility of being paralyzed also. Supposedly it is a day surgery with an overnight hospital stay. Then the next week will be the beginning of chemotherapy. It is a bit scary...well hell... a lot scary! I am trying REALLY hard to believe it will all be okay. It really isn't the surgery that scares me; it is AFTER surgery. I HATE chemo. To me, it is worse than the disease. The puking, the hair falling out, the dry, crazy looking skin, looking like death walking. I HATE being sick, feeling bad all the time. Is it worth it? It is all crappy! Then I am told I may have to do radiation therapy too. What da F?? Oh man, that in itself is enough to make me say forget it. I will take my chances. But I know I have to do everything I can to make it. I have a kid to finish raising, so I have to face my fears and do what I have to do.
It will be okay!

Miami Pics

Here are some of the pics from my Miami trip back in August. I had so much fun. It was so relaxing and refreshing. I am trying to plan the next trip. October/November is looking good to me.


Sailing This picture makes me wish I could be on that boat sailing away


Ocean Breezes My beach chair and umbrella kept the breezes coming


Grouchy's Pretend Baby This was the cutest little girl ever


View from my hotel room Fountainbleu Hotel...I will be back soon


Grouchy in a smiley moment No she isn't topless!















Me taking a nip of Mango Rum on the Beach...The good stuff...Cruzan














Our pretend house in Miami...I will have one of those for real one day!

I'M BACK...AGAIN!!

Okay. I finally broke down and purchased a new desktop computer. My laptop is still messed up, but I needed something to get online!

I am doing good. I am staying positive and trying to be hopeful. Houston wasn't so bad. I am going to have to have surgery to remove the tumor. Then it is chemo again. I wasn't given much hope, but at least this doctor is willing to try.

All of this is going to take place the first week in October. So be thinking about me on October 5th.