July 26

I am writing this on July 26, 2010. I can’t help but think about this day, four years ago. I woke up feeling hopeful that my pain would soon be over. I had been feeling sick for months, and I had every reason to believe that my surgery would be successful.

My dad and step-mom, who were staying at a nearby hotel, picked me up at 6 AM for our trip to UCSF Medical Center. I was not scared of having brain surgery-I was just worried about the needles! I called my sister on the way to the hospital, just to let her know I was OK. That was the last time she would hear my “normal” voice.

When we arrived at the hospital, we parked, walked to the waiting room, and, well, waited. After a short time, I was called into a cubicle where I changed into a hospital gown and had the IV inserted. Every hospital employee I came in contact with asked me what procedure I was having.

LEFT RETROSIGMOID CRANIOTOMY LEFT RETROSIGMOID CRANIOTOMY LEFT RETROSIGMOID CRANIOTOMY LEFT RETROSIGMOID CRANIOTOMY

I said this to receptionists, technicians, nurses and doctors. They wanted to be sure to operate on the correct (not right) side of my head. Part of me wanted to tape a note to my head that said, “Cut here.”

I got through the insertion of needles, with my dad saying, “I don’t feel anything,” like always. Then, they gave me the “good” drugs and wheeled me off to surgery.

My brain tumor was successfully removed on that fateful day, but unforeseen complications have left me with lifelong difficulties.

This day, July 26, will always be a tough day for finding cranberries. My kids are always sensitive to my moods, and tonight was no exception. They brought home dinner and we watched trashy TV together!

While the past four years have been excruciatingly difficult, cranberries such as my kids, trashy TV, and chocolate balance out my life’s lemons.

I have shared my complete story in my book, When Life Throws You Lemons…Make Cranberry Juice! Signed copies of this book may now be purchased through the book’s website at http://www.wix.com/lemonsandcranberries/lemons, orthrough my publisher at www. Publishamerica.com.