Deep Thoughts By Noreen "Karate"

Get it?! SNL?

Anyway, I woke up at 5 am this morning and had many random thoughts running through my head.  I would like to share;)

First,
I had round 4 of chemo yesterday.  It was much easier with the port.  It hurt the first time when she "stabbed" me with the needle but they gave me a prescription for a Lidocaine cream to numb it up for next time.  I love medicine!  I had quite the entourage at my chemo session.  Minos took me to the hospital, where I was greeted by my handsome cousins, Issa, Feras, and Malik.  Then my buddy Andrea came by and Jenna my angel stopped by.  So much fun! I was pretty beat after chemo.  And am feeling tired today with an uneasy stomach.  Good thing for Zofran!

Second, what a wicked storm last night.  It woke me up and it was scary yet awesome.  At least the storms are happening at night and not during the day so we don't get stuck in it.  Although I love looking at lightning storms!

Third,  can you take a guess of what the cost is of all my medical bills?  Since April 1, 2011, my bills have added up to $132,000!  Whoa!  Thank goodness for health insurance.  I do have a portion that I have to pay out of pocket but its not too terrible.  Well maybe a little.  This doesn't include my pharmacy meds and wigs and parking.  But luckily I have awesome support.  I got one of my wigs covered by Amy's sister-in-law's foundation called For Mercy.  Super grateful for that and I will pay it forward!  My pharmacist, my legit pharmacists, over at CVS on Irving and Western have been nothing but fantastical!  Ali and Mark take such good care of me with their follow up phone calls, candy in my prescription bag, and working on my stupid insurance.  I am shocked that several of my meds aren't covered. They gave me a 25$ giftcard to help cover the cost of my last prescription. Awesome people!  Just in case you didn't know I take 3 meds minimum a day and can go up to 9 a day depending on symptoms, poop control, and my antibiotics that are taken 3 times a week.  All preventative meds to help when my counts are low to steer away any infections, colds, viruses, whatever.  And the parking (or barking as my fellow arabs would say because they have a hard time saying the "p"), about a month into my cancer world I learned that the American Cancer Society provides free parking vouchers for each visit related to the cancer at Northwestern.  That saves me about $40-80 a month.  Again so grateful for all of this support.

Fourth, I seriously think I have the whole world in my hands...My catholic school girl is coming out because all I hear is "he's got the whole world in his hands..." one of my favorite Jesus songs.  Ha.  I have people supporting me from all over the world.  I have family and friends everywhere,  It's amazing.  I have a load of my former athletes that have given me so much support and have reminded me how much I love being an athletic trainer. They have reminded me that the care I provided for them was appreciated and they would love to show their way of caring now.  I have had my Bear run a race in croatia for me, I have had one of my lovely softball girls send me a handmade quilt, which I absolutely love, I have received flowers and loving words from all of you.  All of you are so dear to me.  You made my years as an athletic trainer at UIC and DePaul memorable and heartwarming!

My coworkers!  You doves are the bomb!  I couldn't have a better team of co-workers with all the support and help you have provided.  Go NovaCare!

My dearest and closest friends.  Words can't express what I feel.  You have all done so much for me and supported me every step of the way.  To my Justin Bieber life size, to the "no." necklaces, to the numerous care packages with loads of goodies and Cosmo magazines and skin care products, to movie nights at my place or at the theater, to golfing and bollywood dance, and to the pure laughter you give me everyday that keep my spirits up and especially the love you pour out every single day.  I love you!!

My angel, Jenna.  You and I are truly Lymphoma Soul Sisters.  So grateful for you.  You have no clue!  I will get back to you in my sixth thought;)

Fifth, my family!  I have some amazing sisters (and bro in law) an incredible mom, a guardian angel above...my pops, and awesome aunts, uncles and cousins and a beautiful niece.  My family give me so much love it's disgusting (this means that it's a good thing). I, again, am at a loss of words to describe these feelings.  I am one of the luckiest girl to have such an amazing family.  And mom, you truly rock my world. I threw you a curve ball.  Your baby girl has cancer but I am a fighter just like you! I don't know how you do it but you just provide so much care and love that I hope one day I will do the same to my little noreens. I love you and all of you!

Sixth, my pops. Of course I think about him a lot.  I always wonder what he would have said the day I found out I had cancer. Perhaps he would say " Noreen, you will be fine.  Now eat mushrooms!" I find myself doing little things and I realize my dad used to do these things such as the way I wash dishes, or twiddle my toes (ha), my mannerisms, my smile, my caring heart.  It's him!  My dad would give the clothes off his back or our home if he could to a homeless person.  That was just the kind of person he was.  A man with a golden heart! He is my guardian angel from up above. Watching over me, my mom, my sisters, Layla, Elise, Anna, Tanja and Maya and my doggie Morgan.  He sent me a real life Angel, Jenna.  And I find it comical that he sent me a Jewish angel because we all know the debates my father has had about the Jewish community.  I mean my sister married a Jewish man and he is amazing! We all love Mark! Ok, don't read this the wrong way but again it just shows how we are all connected! Pops, you know how to make me laugh even from up above. Thanks pops!  I owe you a visit.  Love you Baba!

Finally, what states and countries do I have in my hands?  Here are the spots where all this positive chi is coming from:
Illinois *duh
Indiana
Michigan
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Missouri
Kentucky
Georgia
Florida
Pennsylvania
Connecticut
Massachusetts
NewYork
Texas
California
Nevada
Arizona
Colorado
Hawaii
Canada
Jordan
United Arab Emirates
Serbia
Croatia
Germany
Ireland
Australia
Japan
Netherlands
England

I seriously have the whole world in my hands.  Thank you to all of you!

Here are some world songs for you!

And this...

And for the grand finale...