Stickit2Stage4

It’s the last week of September and there is no denying that Summer is definitely over. I’ve been in a deep denial over it. Deep. I could ignore it with the temps still tickling the 80’s but that’s changing now and it’s getting serious with helping Adam get college applications and necessary paperwork in before the end of October.

There were no big vacations this summer. Instead, Adam and I went on a few college visits that included a trip to NYC  where we killed two birds with one stone with an appointment at Sloan Kettering for me and a tour of NYU for him. The other college visits included University of Buffalo and University of Rochester, although since we live in Rochester I don’t know if you can technically consider it a ‘visit’.

The high-light of the summer was absolutely our trip to NYC. We packed a lot in those 2 days. I even managed to squeeze in something from my bucket list: Serendipity 3!  If you don’t know, Serendipity is this tiny, eclectic restaurant that is most noted for their desserts, specifically the Frozen Hot Chocolate. Reservations usually need to be made weeks in advance BUT if you are willing and able you can take a chance at walking in and waiting for a table. Adam and I went by what Google said were their slow vs. busy times of day and decided to just go and see what would happen. It was 4:30pm so a little bit of a wait wouldn’t be THAT tragic. At 6:20pm we FINALLY got a table! Our waiter told us that the table we were seated at happened to be Marilyn Monroe’s favorite table. Sure – I bet he says that to everyone he serves! We intentionally didn’t get stuffed on dinner so we could enjoy a decadent desert. Let me warn you now – they do not skimp on the dessert portions – AT ALL. The ice cream creations are served on top of a separate plate because they are literally overflowing and spilling everywhere. Let’s just say that experience didn’t do me any favors. I was absolutely miserable the rest of the night but it was totally worth it.

Serendipity3 NYC

Optimistic about finishing dessert

The next day we toured NYU. Wow. I absolutely understand why Adam wants to go to school here. Besides the obvious – being in Manhattan – the ‘campus’ includes buildings all around Washington Square Park. It’s a very different college experience but one that also affords so many more opportunities to do and see things not accessible or available anywhere else.

NYU Catalogue

Impressive NYU Library

Before the Official Presentation

I’ve tried to pin Adam down on where his heart is with regard to his first choice. He won’t give me a straight answer. I guess we will just have to wait and see when the acceptance letters come and he has to make a decision.

I’m hoping that he and I can still squeeze in one last trip before he goes off to ‘wherever he’s going off to’ after graduation. A lot depends on how far away he’s going to be. If we don’t, he does have a class trip to Italy in April so that will just have to do!

This week I’m headed back to Sloan to meet with a GI Doc to see if we can start to figure out what is causing my ongoing weight loss and nausea. I’ve stopped one of my Cancer meds – Ibrance. I’ve weaned myself off the Gabapentin I was taking for pain and most recently I cut my dose of Topimax (anti-seizure med for migraines) in half. I’m basically down Faslodex for the Cancer and the bare minimum for everything else. The next person who tries to tell me this is a ‘med issue’ is going to get a black eye because so far – I still feel pretty gross and the weight is still coming off. At my Dr appointment on Thursday I was down another 6lbs.

And finally – stay tuned for October. I’ll be headed back to DC to join my fellow advocates on October 13th – Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day to March and participate in the 2nd Annual Die-In for Metastatic Research. I promise you, this year will be epic. I’ll have more information soon but we hope to be able to stream live!!

I invite you to check out a new endeavor I’m part of that I’m wildly proud of: