Work, Working, Working out, Working it out.

Holy hell summer is over. Almost. 2 of 4 monkeys are in middle school. We are back to kids in 3 schools instead of 4.

Bella started 7th grade. After a summer of luxuriating on the couch to many delights of vines- video montage stupidity and sometimes hilarity for those(like me) not in the know- Bella could use some structure again. She did do band over the summer and I've failed at providing much more than that. The deal was- pick up her flipping room and she could paint her wall. Well finally last week, under Kiera's OCD supervision- they made it happen. She was given free reign- added some design and quite a few speckles of paint to the carpet. The carpet matches her in age, I wasn't too bothered. It's seen chemo med vomit, too high g-tube setting vomit regular vomit, and many other fluids both human and canine. She needed something of hers in a joint space. Ah. Parenting. It can be work, you just have decide at which end you want to put the work in.

Lily spent the first part of summer going to cancer camp then participating in the Leadership program at school. Despite having the makings of a GREAT leader- they get to wear purple shirts- enuf said. Leadership is kinda like what we know as student council. sort of.  She then had her MRI and jetted off the next morning to Cali to spend some quality time with her Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins. Bonus time was spent with Grandma and Grandpa Allen and Great Grandparents Bourne! When she wasn't reading and playing with the cousins, she got to explore all the culinary delights of the mainland. I told her to send pics- pics of food I got! It was so nice to facetime her and get to see the cousins. She had great experiences learning about her aunt and uncle's work- even getting a spin in a flight simulator! She got home and it's right back to routine- she's excited to catch up with friends, Leadership and is really helpful around the house. We have a couple more scans to look at some spots. Of course I am nervous- we are at her 10 year survivorship point- but I also know that this is WHY we scan- it could be nothing it could be something we can deal with. We won't know either if we don't check it out. Ah Parenting, it'll work out. Working on being positive and know we will handle whatever comes our way.

Kiera loves summer and to wear regular clothes. She jumped into a lot of activities at the beginning of summer- hiking, beach days, jumping off of rocks and waterfalls. Many details of these excursions, I did not know until later and was glad to have her in one piece excitedly telling me about them. She worked a lot at i-trampoline and has been great about putting money away, at Starbucks. Seriously, she has a plan, she works hard and did all the IB summer homework. Phil and I can both attest- we NEVER did that! After her back injury and ankle, she's shied away from dance. She misses it more than she says- every art piece features a dancer. Her community service project is a dance club, the dance is strong with her and I hope she finds a way to nurture it on her terms. I see so much of myself in her. It's bittersweet. I'm so proud and want to save her from so much all at the same time. Ah parenting, she's working and finding what's worth the work.

Phillip. The man-child. I wish he knew how proud of him we are so he wouldn't find every question to be an attack. Ah, parenting. It is just plain work. He is working at Safeway, promoted to cashier. Switching to UH Manoa this fall for more math/physics/whatever classes. Phil and I have many discussions about how to approach this phase of family and life. He is pragmatic, knows the man-child needs independence. I do too. There's a whole year that is a blur and huge chunks of others. He's been a great kid. He will do great things. He is a good human. He cares deeply. He's gifted in music. He's 18 (yeah parents of 18 year old hear me!) I personally am happy to have him here but do not want to be nanny, chef, maid to a man-child. And man-child has my number. So we invest time and thought and energy into figuring this road out, knowing we will find what works for us in our strange mix of normal under abnormal circumstances. I am trusting the foundation, remembering course correction is not failure but a way forward. I hug him whenever I can, I tell him I am proud of him and where I am coming from. Where his dad is coming from. I go with him to his scans yet make him fill out the paperwork despite every fiber in me wanting to just do it for times sake. It's just nice to be mutual support. And the good news is that everything is stable. Nothing to look into right now. That works.

Phil. commander. Best Friend. Outstanding Dad. He works. a lot. I am so proud of the person and leader he is.  He keeps reciting the need to remain "relevant".  Despite my advice on relevance being relevant and that just because he's only doing 2 jobs instead of 3 in the air force, 3 could be family. I understand the fear- after 5 years of wondering healthwise, friends come, and go, and go. For the short while til they find job 3- trust me it wont be long. He arrives home asking why women are so mean to each other in the work place- cue any variation of our female offspring bickering....Dude when you find that out- we will be set. My very best women friends have all been the kind who help raise each other up. They make me want to be better because they are supportive. I shut down, especially now with the petty bullshit. There are certain social constructs that we fight for over and over and there are just as many that oppose them over and over.  We work hard at being the best we can be, we work out one problem at a time and put a helluva lot of faith in it all working out. it might just surprise us.

So, Kiera comes home from work the other night, tears brimming.
I am resigning and I don't want to talk about it. 

Phil and I had been rather emotionally discussing the other childrens and other partnership type things as we closed up the house- I could tell he wanted to yank her down and demand an explanation. I just shook my head. Give her a minute to process and get settled.

I walk into her room, computer perched on her lap.
Funny- they tell you how to apply for a job but there isn't anything about resigning.

Perhaps if you tell me what happened, I can help. 

Long story short- another employee bounced a golf ball off her head. No she does not work at a golf course. He did apologize in a snarky- dude I'm so proud I schwacked you in the head with my mad skills- way. She went to the manager and asked to leave early. Like her mom, she needs to process.

I let her know under no circumstances is someone chucking a hard ball at her head ok- that she could have called the police. The only thing maybe to be done differently would have been to talk to her manager right then. Part of me thought; he probably likes her. WHAT THE FUCK? That. That. That is why we shouldn't spew all of our thoughts and all thoughts aren't gospel. NOT OK, Under any circumstances.

I just wanted to get away. If they look at the video they will see it all. 

And I got it. That environment was not safe. She did not trust management enough to discuss it then. She resigned without naming names but because of unacceptable work conditions and inappropriate acts by a fellow employee. I told Phil and and his eyes got big- "He DIDN'T..."   "She wasn't.." words drifting.

No bud. You have 3 daughters. We can teach them all the tools in the book and shit can still happen. It will happen. We also have to give them the tools to deal. Before, during, after. And hope the tools never need to be used. Right now, we are mid tool dispensing but she's got the basics and I hate that. She's doing the right thing. He makes a point to tell her eye to eye- under no circumstances was that employee's behavior ok. She wasn't alone, we were there every step if she wanted or needed us.

She went in the next day and had to explain. The manager checked the video then commented how Kiera wasn't lying, it was all on the video. Well no shit sherlock. Way to work out that mystery. First the doubt, Kiera offended her integrity had been questioned. The first reaction should be benefit of doubt not just doubt. And of course the other employees were bustling about the negative comments already on social media.

And here's where we are still failing. She felt bad because he got fired. Phil corrected her- he got himself fired. As for the other employees, I'm sure many of them have their own tales to tell- but his girlfriend who was fired a few months ago probably shouldn't be throwing social media shade and regardless- unfollow, unfriend, dislike ,block. Not our kinda people. This friendship is not gonna work out.

I look at the normals we face. I hate that something like this is categorized as "normal" and that we are still working it out. But this is life, the good, the bad, the work. Sometimes it works, Sometimes WE have to work it out.

Just Exploring Every Possibility

When I was little, we'd head out to visit the grandmas. They lived in Toledo, off Willys Parkway. The exit marked by the huge JEEP plant complete with tall smokestacks bearing the letters OVERLAND.
In high school, I dated a guy who went to Overland High School, I always thought of that exit. JEEP was a big deal, for the community for the world. My grandfather drove the generals around in Jeeps during the War. That exit always struck me as a little piece of history.

You'd turn left onto Berdan, go under the I-75 overpass and head down the tree lined Willys Parkway until you hit Marcos Pizza and the Library off of Sylvania. We visited both quite a bunch during my childhood in Ohio. We even stopped for a potty break in 2012 when I took the kids on a tour of where the grandparents grew up.

As my brother Bob and I got older, we knew neither one of us would be able to afford a car. The summer yard/kool-ade sales were just not cutting it. We decided that although we could not agree on anything, ever, we would but our first car together. He could pick the car, but I got to pick the color. He decided it would be a JEEP. I picked blue. That partnership dissolved as the giant tumor in his head took over.

My parents got him a beater to drive around with what funds they could scrape together despite hospital bills, lost wages from caring for a sick kid and well, life. I refused to drive with him. He had a flipping brain tumor. I don't even know what happened to it- the car not the tumor, I know what happened to the tumor. I was a teen and really pretty involved in attempts at normal. Even I knew tumors weren't normal.

When my turn to drive came. I learned on dad's van. Mom's Accord was stick shift and I just couldn't master it. I would drive my dad to the airport on travel weeks in exchange for use of the van. I was responsible for gas. Eventually dad upgraded me to my own 198o something accord. It was oldish, it had quirks, but ran and was generally reliable. And it was mine. I almost crashed it once- a story Phil loves to tell- in a time where I was 17, invincible and just trying to cope with death around me.

When dad died, I got college tuition and a 1992 Saturn. I got to pick the color. It was blue. That little car ran back and forth between Boulder and C.Springs more times than I can count- in every variation of weather.  I was a bit of a speed demon, sat through driving school to remove points for insurance purposes and paid hefty sums in speeding tickets. When Kiera came home with her first speeding ticket last month- I shrugged- pay it or go to court- your choice. She just wanted to pay it- worked some extra hours at work and based on my ride with her last night- the price was not quite high enough. I issued understanding and warnings. The choices are hers. May the odds be in her favor.

She has a plan. She went and took the driver's test the first day she could, she took driver's ed, she got her probationary license and then her full license when she turned 17. Phillip got his license just so he would have one before her. He was interested in driving for freedom, he was not interested in the family car olympics.

College started for Phillip last year, we thought he should stay near. We are in a time of Just Exploring Every Possibility, while managing health that is relatively quite(ish). Phil and I reminisce how we could not wait to get out and drive- rides with parents, were a last resort.  I would give Phillip rides every so often. He didn't seem bothered.  Kiera got car usage because she transported the littles to school and activities. He tried the bus. It was a fairly epic failure. He worked out a carpool with friends, schedules change. He tried the college shuttle(they have one of those!) but it's reliability was not great. Especially when you call 15 minutes before you need it. He tried biking it. Great for physical workout, but bike maintenance became a limiting factor. Yes we took this opportunity to talk about the expense of maintaining vehicles as he started looking for a car. Kiera gave up looking for a car when she realized she wanted a ticket off this island for college- a car would be an added hassle. The deal is - you buy it, you register it, and take care of everything.  Just Explore Every Possibility.

One night, he asks if he can buy a car. Not either of the 2 he's been exploring. I said standard requirements are still in place.
Boy child:Can I write a check?
Sure, DO you HAVE checks?
 No.
Well that's kinda a problem. You will need to figure out the best way to transfer the money. Do not forget about registration and insurance and gas.
Yeah yeah mom I got it. Can I use the car to go get it tomorrow?
Would you like me to go with you?
No, I got it. How will you get 2 cars home? Ryan's going with me.
Allright. Good luck. Make sure you check everything and everything works. May the force be with you.

Somewhere around noon, he knocks on the door with the biggest grin. The girls and I pile in his brand new 2009 JEEP Laredo. The interior is filthy but in good condition, everything seems to be in decent order except the air conditioning. He says he likes to ride with the windows down. I take the crew to Starbucks drive through to celebrate. I have no idea how this will play out but I'm very proud of this step. I also like that Laredo is the name of the middle school where Phil and I met. The road may be bumpy, but sometimes you just gotta jump in and explore. Anything's Possible.

So Bella and I are at Ross, Looking for new curtains fo her side of the room, and this. this calls to me. A sign. A  sale. whatever. A possibility. We are never further from home than we think we are. 

Survival of the Yeah-buts, Yeah-but holes and Relevance.

Age 12- the super nasty precursor to the teen years. They figure as a parent, you have it figured out by now, how to adapt to your child. Don't know who they are, but they suck.

Survival of the fittest is NOT THE CROSSFIT WINNER. Survival of the fittest has to do with an organism's ability to adapt.  Ironically, for our family and many other families like ours- we are chronically trying to learn how to adapt and live with cancer.

The preteen years- where they test the bounds of reasoning and arguing. You watch one child push another out of the way. Hey- watch it!   It was an accident.

It is not an accident because you got caught. Yeah-But....

You know where yeah- buts live?

resigned.....yeah-but holes.

The littles laugh hysterically. You said but hole! And that is why just a few months ago, the youngest thought she was hysterical- she would randomly yell penis. Until it got a reaction. It did not. Because well we are inappropriate like that in the yeah but hole. The deal is to know your audience, know the boundaries and for the love of all the yeah-buts do not embarrass in public.

We struggled with Bella this year, helping her find her place, her way, her. Phil consistently reminded me, we've done this before with each child. Yeah-but each child is their own being, we have to adapt our parenting to their Wiley ways. I am tired. I am tired of adapting, but their survival depends on me, on us. I try the other tactics that worked with the others. Not a shred of improvement. Like even DURING the process. We've always been pretty good at creative discipline- punishment fitting the crime in unique ways. I have met my match in the stubborn department. Well played Karma, well played.

Bella has a reason for everything. She is so smart. She does not know when to shut up and color. I assign her random tasks, Phil looks confused- like How in the f#@! does this help us- well IF she does it, it keeps her busy. Things like dismantling light up cups to replace batteries, only I have no intention of replacing batteries, those bad boys are going to good will...but a half an hour later, she's broken 2 cups and found a 3rd to be rusted through. No loss on my end. Explore, play, figure it out. Learn. We tried Tinker boxes- monthly subscriptions of activities- the problem is, she'd just do it, never look at instructions- but she learns through destructions.....keeping this in mind.

When Kiera was little, Phil struggled to find common ground. As a military brat- he felt parent-child relationships went a certain way. And that's lesson 1 in parenting/life- rarely does anything go the way we envision it. Somewhere after the nasty 12 year point- they found they had the same sense of humor. Kiera would usually talk at dinner, (breakfast and lunch being her favorite meals) and all of a sudden they would be laughing through tears at something none of us got in the slightest. This was also around the time I got perma-cancer. Bella found attention through being quirky in the most inappropriate ways, Kiera took on the little mama role.

For many years between when Bob and Dad died and hopping back in the cancer saddle, I felt the urgency. Because you just don't know if or when. Or what. Or why. The choice is: learn to live despite the gaping, burning heartache and threatening clouds or sit miserably waiting. My dad and brother died in relatively short order. There was much cancering in my family, my cousin dealt with it for years. Others had "littler" cancers, pretty regularly. I learned to adapt. For me, cancer mean swift end, not prolonged managing. I learned To live in the moment, to find the beauty whenever I could and to help others. Fill my karma punch card if you will. Leave an impression as a friend, as a wife, as a mother. When the kids were younger, it was so hard, but easier to justify. This was the biggest thing on my bucket list- being mom. I cooked, I cleaned, I sewed, I did social clubs, redecorated, saved, the whole shebang. When a friend was in need- I jumped to help. karma punch card. For many reasons. I knew the lonely pain and despair of loss. Friends don't let friends go through that alone. Being a military wife gave me a different opportunity on different levels. A group who understood the urgency of setting up a network and the heartache of goodbyes.

I've said since the beginning- accept help when you can, because when you really need it, it may not be there. I said often, wait till I really need it. I've needed.   Go to social events, or you will be forgotten. I stopped going.  It happens. Reach out to others. If you've gotten this far, thank you. You are one of my tribe. I know you are there and even if we have chatted recently- send me a message however we usually chat- all it has to say is " yeah but holes". I tell myself Do not get bitter. When others who have more, get more. When the days are hard and others need more of you. At least if they need you, you are still relevant, right?

Phil came home from work, questioning his relevance. Oh bud- we are all replaceable. Our hearts are not. Our memories are not. But we can build on them. He's worked his ass off despite a wife with stage IV cancer, 4 mini mutants, and well life- to make sure we have a home and healthcare. And usually he gets shit for it on my end, because I miss him, I miss feeling good, I miss the normalish life. This is the normalish life.  He could have retired this year. But he is making sure all the bases are covered. He too wants to fix, help, be his best and leave the world better than he had it because it's hard-wired in him as a decent human. Our adaptation to the challenges may make them appear easier. Just as the cancer patient who dances through chemo and is beautiful despite being bald is revered. Sometimes we dance slower, there are days that even the best make-up can't cover the wear and tear BUT if adapt to the way it is, not the way you thought it could be- you could decorate the shit out of that yeah-but hole!

I've traveled, some.

I've gotten an education.

I've had my heart broken.

I've been told I wasn't good enough.

I've felt I wasn't good enough.

Then I did better.

Then I did more.

I created 4 humans. 4. humans.

I've kept them alive until now. NO small feat.

I've given my heart to another and had it completely broken.

I've had someone help me put the pieces together.

I've put many pieces back myself.

I've been told to just shove the pieces in, enough is enough.

I've had many close friends who listened over and over while each piece was put back.

I've done my best.

I've learned sometimes your best just isn't good enough.

And then I've had someone hug me so not only all the pieces stuck back together,

And In that moment it was all good enough.

More than that, it is the best.

April with Team Mallory

I thought I'd do a quick picture update, then 150+ pictures...2 iphone slideshow failed attempts and a computer crash later- here we are. 

April was amazing, busy, wonderful. I can not express how proud I am of my minis. From donating birthday money to St. Baldrick's, to Lily giving almost every class at school presentations on Childhood Cancer and the need to fund research, to the actual bald. Most days I feel like I'm failing miserably- then these bald heads remind me we are doing something right. We can't control circumstances, we can control how we respond to them. 

I am humbled, honored and speechless at the tremendous support we've received this month. From donations, to fundraisers, to sharing all the posts, to wonderful t-shirts, lovingly made by friends(Snarky Cancer is the best), I so appreciate every little and BIG contribution to Team Mallory. I am so grateful for your friendship, love and time. Friends are family that you've chosen, thank you for choosing us. 

Phil and I ventured to Toronto for a long weekend LFS conference. It was the most mutant bang for our buck! There were lots of friends, old friends, new friends, it did my heart good to reconnect in human form. There were so many people I needed to hug, repeatedly. So many who don't like to be touched, who put up with me. I was not on my normal scientific fangirl game, but it was so encouraging to see the LFS community together- hashing away at this mutant p53 problem.  And there were so many pictures I didn't take, friends I didn't get to hug. Plans will be made to rectify this. ***Phil cringes and considers who will employ stage 4 cancer mom to finance this***

As for Phil. He is my lobstah. My best friend. It's been a long haul and he's always supported my need to be a professional volunteer. Which often means his being a professional volunteer and best friend, husband, dad status. None of this would be possible without him. Read that as you will....He is the best person I know. Now on to May- May the odds ever be in our favor!

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The Meaning of Mutant.

I am a MUTANT. But guess what? So are YOU! neener neener neener.

mu·tant  ˈmyo͞otnt/

dictionary.com

adjective

1. 1.
resulting from or showing the effect of mutation.

noun

1. 1.
a mutant form.

Merriam Webster Dictionary

NOUN

: of, relating to, or produced by mutation

OXFORD Dictionary

ADJECTIVE

Resulting from or showing the effect of mutation.
‘a mutant gene’

NOUN

A mutant form.
‘frequently only a small percentage of the offspring of mutants resemble their parents’

Cambridge Dictionary

NOUN

an organism that is different from others of its type because of a permanent change in its genes:

These mutants lack a vital protein which gives them immunity to the disease.

This mutant gene is thought to cause cancer.

figurative humorous I'm convinced he's a mutant - he's not at all like the rest of our family!

disapproving an unpleasant and frightening thing:

The result of these experiments will be a nightmarish world filled with two-headed monsters and other mutants.

So. Well those are the definitions of mutant from, you know, reliable sources. Because I'm just Jen. Me. The culmination of my experiences(many "highly associated" with my mutation in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene). AKA- LFS- Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. 

My family deals with hardship through laughter. Dark. Morbid. Hysterical. It's an acquired taste. It took Phil awhile. Many of my close girlfriends are forever scarred(remember scars are BEAUTIFUL- they show the battles you've won) by interacting with my extended family. Those who choose to keep me around- well are now family. Friends are family you choose. My mutant family is my collection of weirdos who happen to share the same mutation and snarky need to swear, I mean live life to the fullest. 

Words are precious. A single word can change the meaning of a sentence, the light in someone's dreams, how you perceive the world. Words like: cancer, scars, mutant. 

You have: CANCER. Your scars are HORRIBLE. I AM A MUTANT!

Newsflash- we are all mutants. Our DNA mutates over time to adapt to changes. Not all mutations are BAD. SO declaring I AM MUTANT, HEAR ME ROAR- is kinda like saying- hey check it out, the sky is blue. When your precious offspring toddles over and asks you WHY the sky is blue- well that's where shit gets real. My kids are not offended by the word, but I am also kinda shocked by what does or doesn't offend kids these days. Get off my lawn???

There are many many many mutations. Caused by many many many things. Not all are bad. Some are very very bad and contraindicated for this whole living thing we seem to enjoy- mostly. There are so so so many p53 mutations. There are so so so many OTHER mutations. We cannot predict the pattern of cancer or if these superior(in my opinion) mutants, will get cancer at all. The data pretty much says we will. I used to crave data. Now I say fuck it- I am not a number. BUT- do not interpret this to mean data collection is not important- because it IS. Research is so very important. Yet so many times, the researchers find solutions in the rare- the zebras, the unicorns. We are the rare of cancers. Half of all cancers have p53 mutations. We just happen to have one of these mutations in ALL of our cells. We are the key to solving over HALF of the cancer riddle. If we can LIVE long enough to get there. We are living LFS. 

There has been some dissent over the use of MUTANT. Someone compared it to using the N-word. As the less spectacular and whiter half of an interracial relationship providing interracial offspring- I cannot even go there. Because guess what- when I type- N-word, you know what word I mean. Now if I call a human that word- well that's rude and awful and despicable and sets decency back decades. Now if Oprah, Jay-Z, or Kevin Hart use the N word, well that is up to them. I can't get my kids to do dishes- I cannot possibly solve an issue like this in my blog. BUT that being said- no comparison- a lively band of mutants to generations of oppression. It's a word. You can or cannot use it to identify yourself if you feel it may or may not identify you. I've found that the merry band of mutants who identify with this M- word are my tribe. Their approach to cancering and life in general are very similar to mine. 

So- I polled my mutant friends and non p53 mutant friends on their associations of the word MUTANT. Mind you- I am an acquired taste and this is completely absolutely and totally biased. These are my people. And this is their voice. Words are what they mean to you. If they are empowering, embrace them. If they offend some, respect that. But always, always, always BE YOU. Mutations and all. 

What does the word MUTANT mean to you? 

-   Super awesome

• PURE FUCKING AWESOME BADASSNESS!!!!
• A family that I love and adore
• Not wild type
• Containing novel genetic information not inherited from parents
• The X-men  x 10
• someone who has a mutation
• Pure love
• Baddest form of badassery ever. 
• I am of course familiar with the word (Teenager Mutant Ninja Turtles!!). I guess I would say it is a being (animal, human) that has developed abnormally as a result of an external influence. But I don't think I have ever used the word. It seems like a very 80s word used in fiction.
• I am in a family of mutants so family reunion to me.
• Love
• Before i used to think X Men 😂... now I think mutant means some of the kindest, most compassionate, loving, admirable people I’ve ever met! Beautiful souls that’s what it means ❤️
• Inner Strength, resilience, friendship and understanding
• Dont want to crush into your positive vibes. Anyway...most time being a mutant means separation for me, and loneliness. The 10 Minutes a day virtually in Facebook for sure make a difference! But in real life, it makes me feel very lonely...
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• I kind of think of "mutant" as normal, but the word tends to shock people. It's more acceptable to discuss genetic abnormalities by saying, "I have this mutation," rather than to say, "I am a mutant." Maybe it just sounds kind of aggressive or attention-seeking - something people say for the shock or laugh value? Mutation happens all the time, and I would guess that most people have at least some form of genetic mutation. I know I do... #ProthrombinGeneMutation
• Courageous badass super hero
• The key to the future of humanity 
• Friendship, connections, scans, fear, love, science, hopefully awesome super powers!
• A tribe trying to withstand this p53 mutation shit storm through love, friendship and a little humor.

Investments

When Phil and I got married and had Phillip, we didn't have a lot. We had love and family. Generous family that helped us get settled, gave us what they could and friends that became family and showed us the ropes. We agreed I would work if I could, if I wanted to. Mostly I am a career mom. I've had a job here and there, most of my "work" is entirely volunteer. I invest in the things I am passionate about. I am most passionate about my children.

I invest in the future.

There are days my investments may kill me.

There are days my investments make me cry. sad tears. happy tears. tears of agony. tears of pride.

My investments are expensive.

I have no idea what the interest rate is on my investments. So far it seems variable.

My investments are stressful.

My investments are helpful.

My investments have unlimited potential, they just have to realize it.

I have put so much into my investments, I wonder how I have anything left to share.

When I feel depleted. I remember my investments.

Sometimes I get lucky with investments.

Sometimes I have to rely on luck to get me through my investments.

Sometimes I wonder how I could be so lucky.

My investments are ALWAYS worth it.

There are times I ignore my investments. Let them accrue. Let them diversify.

At times my investments are volatile. It is then I rely most on mutual funds.

Investments are more than fiduciary duty or yields. It is about bonds.

Investments are my best assets.

Most days, through the daily trudge, I don't give a lot of thought to my investments. We have our routine, I tend to daily needs. I forget to look at the big picture, like anyone else. There are sometimes I just want to be free of my investments. Take a vacation. Then I remember that my investments are my future. They are the future. They are the best and sometimes the worst of me.

My children are the best investments I have ever made.

Team Mallory Takes on St. Baldrick's

There is that spot in my heart that aches when I think of what Lily went through druring chemo. It leaves marks that aren't polite to talk about at parties, but They are there, always. I think of what we all went through. The unknowns. The fear of losing her. The helplessness. The gracious help from family and friends.  We were learning more details about Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a risk we all carry. I had only met a couple others online at this point who "got it". The Ramers just lost their son Brent last year, after YEARS of cancering. And our hearts hurt. This shouldn't happen. Organizations like St. Baldrick's are making a difference.

Oh monkey. 

Bella Boo- by Lily's side most of chemo

Phillip and Lily's special bond and ELEPHANT!!

sisters. first. forever. 

This is how we feel about Childhood cancer. 

SO in 2014, when Lily said she wanted to shave her curls, well that achey spot lit on fire. By now- I had a mutant posse of friends- each one fighting cancer in their own hell. Ah LFS- we got 53 problems but obviously a tumor suppressor ain't one of them. I had a tight knit group of sistahs, who became my life line as I navigated chemo for the first time. We told our kids about their kids. The Ramers(aka Ramernation) were going through the delights of everything LFS had to throw at them- multiple cancers in multiple children and NO clear path. Their momma Ann is one of few who I would go to to clarify science questions- she knew it all and if she didn't she'd find out. Somewhere in the middle of all of it, we formed living LFS, because we didn't want other families to be without the support we had found. She is one of the fiercest advocates I have ever met.

Living LFS mutant sistahs. 

When Lily shaved her head for St. Baldrick's the first time- all those burning spots of PTSD flared up but mostly we all became empowered to see her - her strength. I was extremely honored that she wanted to honor me, but I have had a beautiful life. My heart aches for our little warriors, through no fault of their own, have their years cut short by cancer.

https://lilykaymonkey.blogspot.com/2014/04/finding-something-she-can-do.html

 I don't always trust odds, numbers, risks. They are guidelines. There is just so much we don't know- so much just plain old LUCK. No one wants to beat cancer more than someone else- we don't want cancer to win.  Yet as we wait yearly for scans, we try to make healthy choices, we try to live. We check in with our LFS friends - Brent and Lauren Ramer who seemed to be wholloped with one rare unicorn cancer or condition after another. The entire time we've known Brent, he'd been in chemo or dealing with a new cancer. Lauren has tumors pop up, they deal, and just keep living, she just finished chemo to have yet another tumor removed. . The odds are an analysis after the fact. We try to make a difference by sharing our stories, our experiences. Maybe one of our weirdisms will help someone else. If not, then there is research. Organizations like St. Baldrick's who fund severely under funded childhood cancer research and treatment protocols.

https://www.stbaldricks.org/blog/post/the-girl-who-beat-the-odds-lilys-story


In 2016, I had just been diagnosed with brain metastasis. The clock ticked loudly. We hunkered down. Just like Phil had the overwhelming need to take Lily to football games and disney, we needed to go to Europe. We never had a honeymoon, we are always day to day. That trip gave us so many memories and completely recharged us. We facetimed Lily fo her shave. It was not about me- it was about her doing what she could to help. She lost friends too, Haley, Abriana, Elikia. So many more were still fighting cancer, like Brent. Years of chemo and fighting and nonstop cancering. living cancer LFS style. but kicking ass and taking names- Chuck Norris style.

Lily rocking it after shave 2.
Photo credit:Debbie Leanne. 

http://lilykaymonkey.blogspot.com/2016/03/lilys-second-shave-for-brave-st.html

So here we are - 2018. Lily signs up for her 3rd Shave. Not phased that she's now 13, that middle school crowd is kinda tough.  Yet she is a force to be reckoned with. The little ginger haired toddler who napped almost exclusively in hospital rooms, is now almost a teen and last week says- I'm gonna shave for St. Baldrick's! Ok, why. For Lily. Ok then. We can all shave. Ok, see if Phillip and Kiera will. And of course when the youngest asks- the eldest teens say- yeah- that's a great idea and it suddenly becomes a competition as to who can raise the most money. They all set up their own pages and have told their friends. I had many many happy proud tears and big hugs of my mini mutants.

So I realize we ask a lot for help with fundraising. I appreciate our friends' and family's generosity. If this is a cause near to your heart- please pick a monkey and donate. If you can't decide, we've all agreed that Lily can be the default! All money goes to St. Baldricks!If you would be so kind as to share this blog, any of the kids' pages wide and far-we'd appreciate it!  If you would like to join us (no shaving required) the event is April 22, 2018.  If you'd like to hire out kids to do cleaning or lawn work or whatnot for donation- Mallory kids are at the ready. Bella already is helping make leis for me to earn $ for the shave.

Thank You for continuing to support Team Mallory and our Many Adventures, Especially adventures that Fight Childhood Cancer!

Lily's Page

Bella's Page

Phillip's Page

Kiera's Page

Jen's Page

Cycles.

I have 3 girls.

Enough said.

Karma. Payback. I was NOT that tough a kid. THREE girls.

Phil is oldest of 6 boys. One sister. This karma is on him. And where is he? Bali.

I'm actually happy for him. He keeps sending me these glorious pictures of seafood(gag.) and beautiful scenery. Ambassador, goodwill, whatever the mission- he's earned some good food and star treatment. For the love of God- he works 3 jobs(he would disagree- but, well seriously) and takes care of US. 

I'm still trying to get a handle on my "cycles". The girls are still getting a handle on theirs. Bella technically does not have one yet. Hell, I don't have a uterus or ovaries- but apparently we are all in this together. Dobby ate a quarter stick of butter today- I guess we'll see how it goes.

We are all just trying to find our way through this crazy thing called life. We are living. It's messy. It's hard. And it is fucking beautiful. Sometimes I cry uncontrollably.  Sometimes I laugh. I text friends, I drink. Sometimes it's tea. Sometimes it's vodka.  What else can you do? The ups. The downs. The cycles.

I'm trying 4 week cycles of chemo instead of 3 week cycles. Literature says....standard of care says... well, we are used to going off map. My platelets held steady this month. That's good. My onc is concerned about the bone mets- scans are ordered- fingers crossed. Haven't taken a gander at the ol brain in awhile. Need to do that. I get a couple more good days each cycle now. That is good.  One shark at a time.

Kiera has a stress reaction- aka-almost break, could someday be a break-aka owie on her spine. Most likely from her competitive lil self (despite adamancy that she does not want to compete..)contorting herself in all kinds of ballerina craziness. She is resting from dance and healing. It breaks my heart. It's not huge, but she is such a beautiful dancer. She will find her zen. I have no doubt. She reminds me so much of me sometimes and god damn it I want better for her. She asks to stay home from school more often. Mom and I used to call them me days- then mental health days. My counselor friend says it's ok- one a month is reasonable. Kiera's now coincide with my tough weeks. It's her way of helping. I love it. I HATE it. Don't get me wrong- it's not all bad- just the growing pains. She's got to do it. For both of us. I want her to fly. She will.

Phillip has a brain. Seriously- he's 18- we were all kinda wondering. Research says something about male brain formation not complete until 25- IF. I . HEAR. THAT. ONE. MORE. TIME. I might form a brain and develop it up someone's... well anyhoow. He has a cyst- it's been there- and another one resolved- yeah us...and a smattering of lymphnodes that aren't concerning, but we will check on, because well we are tumorific. Hopefully its just allergies and well gross teen boy crap. I honestly love our mornings together. I missed him so much last year. He will do great things. He needs to take care of himself as much as he takes care of his friends...that sounds familiar. He just has to trust himself. He's got the wings, he just has to focus on using them. He will.

Lily. Almost 13. THIRTEEN!!! I can not, NOT cry just thinking about it. It could have gone so many different ways. It hasn't been easy. BUT it is ALWAYS worth it. It's not perfect. We are not perfect. But she is HOPE. She is my hope. She is my strength. She drives me out of my ever loving mind. I would not have it any other way. Before Lily, I did not know living with cancer. Cancer came, ravaged and left me to carry on, living after cancer. Well sort of, kind of. Each time is so different. I am thankful. For her spirit, the reminder. To Persist. To appreciate. To pray, even just for a little luck. She is my luck and I wish nothing but good luck for her. She can do so much. The glass ceiling- breakable. She will.

Oh dear Bella. I love her. May strangle her. God may not give us more than we can handle- well we are certainly testing boundaries with this one. I just think- if she was my first, second or third child- I would be at a complete loss. As the youngest- well- life. Cycles. Humans. Luck. She's gonna move mountains in the most random hysterical way. Or if it's easier to just fly over them.  She will.

Parenting- not for the weak. I may post the smiles and the good, we have our fair share of ugly. Everyone does. Marriage. Wow. And I married my best friend. The person I love more than anyone. The person I like more than anyone. Most days. Hell- tried to reproduce and carry on the gene pool. Need a few more floaties- but we keep swimming. Genes and humans- not perfect. Quite frankly a big hot mutated mess. Yet we love, we live, we pass on the cycle. Always trying to leave it a little better and prettier than we got it. Nailed it. Mic drop. *

*"better" and "prettier" are entirely subjective. Still nailed it.

Big Dreams

Sleep is an elusive thing. Between the stress, the steroids and other factors- my brain does not want to shut off. Unless of course someone is asking me a question or I have to remember a schedule- blank city. We forgot not one but 2 of Bella's tap classes last week. By we I mean her. We are to the point they know mom's memory bites and they are responsible for remembering. In her defense, she did have a cold and truly benefitted from the down time and not infecting others.

After brain surgery- I had wild dreams. Narcotics will do that- hallucinations really- auditory, visual. I'd wake myself up talking to someone and see they were not there. I am not a fan and was relieved to get off the crazy meds. Maybe once or twice a week do I sleep deep enough to dream. It's like visiting an old friend, sleep and dreams- oh how nice.

https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/940469/2018

We are on the cusp of March. Lily is my calendar girl. She is a planner. For 2 years, she's been planning to shave her head again for St. Baldrick's. Once again, I wait and see what time will bring. It brings Lily with even more conviction and desire to help. The girl has dreams. She loves people. She loves raising money for cancer research. As she is turning lucky 13 this year, I gave her the password to the St. Baldrick's account and helped her get her page for this year set up. I showed her how to check for donations and to send Thank yous. She has been practicing lettering and had some incredibly generous donations- so she spent one weekend making thank you cards.

2017 was a rough year for loss. We lost some very special friends and it feels like everyone we know is facing tough battles. Lily watches me intently and asks- how is your heart? She knows some days it hurts a lot more than others as we wade through the feelings. Complete gratitude she and I are here together, shock and anger that wonderful humans are not. She sings. She reads. She feels. She plans her shave, she shares her dreams at school and her teachers have been incredibly supportive.

The first year she shaved, she did it for me. The second year in honor of sweet angel friends we had during treatment. This year she wanted to shave in honor of her mutant buddies. Li-Fraumeni Syndrome gives us faulty tumor suppression, but truly incomparable friends.  This year she shaves in honor of Ramernation, specifically Brent and Lauren Ramer. Lauren is about to finish chemo for her 4th cancer, 2 of which were brain tumors.  Brent passed away December 30 at the age of 18, after many years of battling different cancers. Yet it is important to Lily to shave in honor of all her mini mutant buddies. Kids like her, Brent and Lauren whose genes may be faulty yet they leave an exceptional impact on everyone they know. She shaves so we can find better treatment and cures so kids can realize and live their dreams. A million dreams.

Please Join Us on April 22, 2018 for the Shave! No shaving required! Show your support for Lily, her mini mutant buddies and all kids who deserve the chance to live their dreams!! You can donate , you can share her link, and there even may be an event near you!

St. Baldrick's HAWAII