Trip to St John VI for my sister Tammy & Skip Busby's wedding on June 6, 2009. We stayed at the Maho Bay Camp in the Harmony Suites, sorta like a 1950's state park cabin built high up on the mountain/hill overlooking Mayo Bay. It's about a 30 minute drive up from Cruz Bay where the ferry from St Thomas comes in. They were married at 9 AM on Cinnamon Bay with sunset photos taken at Trunk Bay. Denny & I snorkeled at Maho Bay, went into Cruz Bay for dinner w/ Ian (Skip's son who he has custody of) Kevin & Ashley Glackmeyer from Troy Univ via a wild Taxi ride. We met Tammy & skip at Fishtrap. We had a very relaxing 3 days, hated to come home.
I ventured off my Jenny Craig program and must get back to program due to the amazing results I have been having. Finally, since treatments ended I have found a way to loose weight and not be hungry. I have gone down two sizes in pants over the past 3 months. Now that pool season I can swim and get in some activity that does not cause me to sweat anymore than I do from the Hot Flashes from the hormone blockers I must take for 3 more years.

I have been busy "Living" Not Cleaning House!!!

It's hard to believe it's been two years since I ended my chemo treatments and started the 36 radiation treatments. It's like giving birth, you do forget about much of the fear, emotional roller coaster, side effects and the overall sense of having no control over your body.

I have recovered much of my mental acuity and some of my energy and stamina. I am back to taking names and kicking @$$.

In January I was diagnosis with sleep apnea and now have a C pap machine. I was stopping breathing 43 times an hour at night. It has done wonders for me to once again have rem sleep and dream again.

I have been on the Jenny Craig program for 6 weeks and have lost 14.6 pounds and from my last measurement session over 11 inches . I admit I am not the most consistent participant, my crazy schedule with my volunteer activities often sidetrack me from eating all of the food that is outlined in the program. I am making healthier food choices, learning portion control, and eat 2 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, plus dairy (for me in the form of lite yogurt.) I find I am not hungry, I even resisted all of the festival food at Art in the Park last week end! Not one corn dog or even a bite of funnel cake for me. It's crazy but I loose more weight when I eat all of the recommended foods for the day instead of skipping servings.

I also have been using the Rodan & Fields Reverse skin regiment for about six weeks. Jamie is a consultant and I wanted to try something to reverse the dark spots on my face that came up during chemo. It was like the mask of pregnancy or when you are on Birth Control pills and go out in the sun. Well the Reverse Program has really started to make a difference, even Dr. Tan noticed that the dark spots were fading at my check up 2 weeks ago. That with my weight loss he said to keep on doing what I am doing. All of my test came back great, my mamo was clear, no redo's!

I have developed Lymphodema in my left arm, hand and upper left quadrant of my chest! It seems the upper quadrant of my chest has been swollen, tender and with fever for over a year and it was only after I started physical therapy for my fractured wrist in March that my arm & hand became extremely swollen and I sought help from the Cares Health Services in Daphne which is based in Mobile on Air Port at University Blvd in the Big Lots shopping center. In just 2 1/2 weeks they taught me how to do the manual drainage therapy and fitted me with the proper compression arm sleeve, glove and bras. Blue Cross & Blue Shield pays for all of it. It was a life altering experience. My quality of life rose by 25%. I just thought that since I had a lumpectomy that I would have to live the rest of my life with a painful, hot, hard swollen boob! Not so, thanks to Cares Health Services, I now have two matching 56 year old ones that are equally floppy. YEA!

I am blessed to have my family, and many friends that have supported me through the past two 1/2 years. Also the excellent health care provided by my physicans and their staff.

I never thought I would be one to stop by the Chemo room at oncology about once a month to just talk to the patients. I don't know if it makes any difference to them but it allows me to give a very small portion back to others as they fight their personal battle. As my mom said "we are all family" in that room.

Update March 14,08 On the Go! Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

Photos: Keeping my hair short & sassy, trip to Montgomery on Lobby Day, Trey w/ his crown & our trip to Disney in December.

I am feeling so much better these days with the reduction from 250 mg Effexor XR to 150 mg. I am feeling Feisty again! Also, the new drug Megace is positively affecting my hot flashes; however I constantly want to eat the paint of the woodwork. I seem to be getting back to my old passionate, inspired self, concerning life and issues.

A few weeks ago I received the monthly mail out from AstraZeneca the manufacture of Arimidex. I am always receiving some big color envelope filled with expensive, full color, marketing agency printed material. Telling me "They are in My Corner" and asking "What am I doing & How am I doing?" with this time with a large magnet that says "Laughter is a mini vacation" They always include a trifold questionnaire brochure with a postage paid return envelope. Well it just hit me the wrong way and I wrote across the front of the trifold color brochure questionnaire "F#@K YOU! You are not in my corner you are in my pocket for the next 5 years. You do not care how I am doing or you would ask on your questionnaire about the side effects women have from your medication. And “No” I am not exercising because every bone in my body aches some days! You need to STOP mailing out this high priced printed material and reduce the expense of your drug that women like me must take for 5 years! “I enclosed one of my pink "I Gave Boob" business cards and mailed it all back in the postage paid provided envelope. Well, last week I received a nice little form letter from some representative informing me that I had been removed from their mailing list. Score one for patient's rights.

Two weeks I went to Montgomery with the American Cancer Society and a few other survivors for Lobby Day concerning the Smoke Free Alabama Bill. After our meeting with Sen. Trip Pittman and his no vote against the bill in committee I wrote a pissed off letter to the editor. Could you believe that the same day the Cancer Society’s Photo w/ us Cancer Society people from last week with the non smiling Sen. Pittman (the lone nay vote for the bill) is printed the same day as my letter to the editor? http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1204625728260490.xml&coll=3&thispage=4
The Cancer Society said they had several calls and emails about the fact that the ACS photo and the fact that Sen. Pittman did not support the bill. The photo was taken before he told us he would not vote for the bill. I ask him to please just abstain in the vote. http://www.al.com/news/press-register/baldwin.ssf?/base/news/1204625766260490.xml&coll=3The folks that contacted the ACS office were not happy with his choice and said they felt like he was not representing his constituents. I think it is great that the photo has created a dialogue amongst people. If we had appeared in a smiling photo w/ a supporter there would not have been a ripple.
Pittman is a closet Libertarian he told us that if he could vote today he would not support the SEAT BELT LAW. God help us the next 6 years.
March 2, 2008
Dear Editor, I hope our elected officials will educate themselves to the fact that the Smoke Free Alabama bill is a chance to move Alabama into a new era. This is a health care issue, pure and simple. Government action is needed in the same way it was in the past to ban lead paint, DDT and asbestos, and to create seat belt laws. This bill will affect every single Alabamian from the womb to the grave.
Clearly, secondhand smoke is no longer something that people can shrug off. It’s been classified as a Class A carcinogen by the California EPA, and new research is constantly being published about how smoke-free laws protect public health and save lives.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of respiratory infections and irritations, and exposure to secondhand smoke increases the number and severity of asthma attacks in children and adults with asthma.
State Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, voted “no” in committee, saying that “from the health side, obviously smoking is terrible, but adding, “From a philosophical side, we need to provide these people with an option, where (if smoking is allowed) they can vote with their feet.
”Children do not have the option to “vote with their feet,” nor is it an option for most employees. We know that there’s no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. A statewide indoor-smoking ban will be perhaps the most profound decision our elected officials will make in their administration.
ZANA S. PRICE Foley
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1204280179205250.xml&coll=3State Senate panel approves indoor-smoking ban- al.com
Figures' bill passed the committee 7-1, with state Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, voting no. Pittman described himself as a smoking opponent who has seen family members suffer from its effects. "From the health side, obviously smoking is terrible," he said. But he added, "From a philosophical side, we need to provide these people with an option, where (if smoking is allowed) they can vote with their feet."
Please take 10 minutes and call your Senator so they’ll know that you want smoke-free put on the fast track. Tell them you want smoke-free on the Special Order Calendar!
Email him and tell him your personal opinion.
Trip.pittman@alsenate.gov

Soccer, Snake & Spinning Plates Oct. 18, 2007

Lana and I at Star Bucks in Maryland last month.



Trey, center, running after ball.

Baby Rat Snake!
It has been over two months since my last BLOG update. Life has been SO BUSY!

I am doing well! Regaining my strength, attempting to manage my time (NOT!) Delegating many jobs, receiving lots of help! Thank GOD! The NEW Concession Stand at the stadium is wonderful! Everyone has been so very helpful in getting the final touches taken care of, M & M Electric, ceiling fans, lights, City of Foley filling in the drive, Randy Harden w/ the shelves. And all of the willing volunteers who work each week before and during the games.

There have been 5 home games in a row, including the BIG ESPN2 Daphne game. The Foley Lions Varsity is undefeated and currently the region champs. Our last regular season game at home is Thursday, Nov. 1 vs. UMS-Wright.

SOCCER: Trey is playing his first team sports. He is on a soccer team with Isabel Acker (Vicki Cuellar's daughter) He turned 5 Oct. 5.

Over the past 6 weeks, lost a long time friend Peggy Kruger to her year long battle w/ cancer, was the GRAND MARSHALL in the FOLEY Homecoming Parade, had my purse stolen out of my unlocked car in my front yard w/ all credit cards, drivers license, checkbook, we have been to the Troy vs. FL game in Gainesville, I have been to Baltimore, MA w/ Tammy and Lana for 4 days, attended the Daphne Jubilee Art Show, Shrimp Festival, planned Trey's B'day party, cooked his B'day dinner of "Pa"sgetti. Had my annual GYN check up / ultra sound (all is well), Mammogram, all is well, flu shot, blood work with tumor markers, (good results) 3 month check up with Dr. Tan, my oncologist. He said I was doing GREAT!

That I should perhaps take the Ativan a bit more often and slow down.

Calendar of events: Halloween Up-Town Foley w/ Madame Zaazaa is next week, next month, my long time friend's brother from Maryland is stopping by on his way to Texas, Trim a Tree is coming, Heritage Harbor Days and Play off Games, then Dec. 1 we are going to Disney World for 5 days.

SNAKE: Back in Sept. I was taking the white clothes out of the washing machine and saw in the bottom some sort of cord I thought. I was very surprised when I scooped it up to see it was a DEAD snake. I must have put it in the washer with the towels that had been on the floor by the back door. YIKES!


SPINNING PLATES! If you’re old enough you probably remember this act on the Ed Sullivan Show.

A man would come on stage. He would spin a whole bunch of plates on the end of a series of sticks.

His main objective was to get as many plates spinning atop as many sticks as possible, and keep them that way.He would begin by spinning one plate atop one stick.

More and more plates were added to the spinning equation.When one of the plates started to wobble… the man would scurry over and set it spinning smoothly once again.

What started out as a scurry ended up in a chaotic, mad dash from one spinning plate to the next to make sure that they did not crash to the ground.

As the man attended to the “wobblers” he left all the other plates at risk. While all this action was taking place he would attempt to get even more plates spinning.The act combined entertainment value, excitement, and high drama.

In your daily life you are faced with situation after situation that calls for you to keep your plates spinning. You may even get caught up in the excitement and drama of keeping all of your “plates” spinning rather than concentrating on the most valuable of your projects and priorities.When so many expected and unexpected tasks are thrust upon you each day you have no choice but to handle these “projects” the best you know how.

The best you know how is usually less productive than you would like. As you get closer and closer to a state of overwhelm you fall back on the way you usually handle this bombardment. Humans have a tendency at this point to focus on the plate that gives off the “I need attention” sign. Unfortunately some of the “plates” in your lives are more important or valuable than others. Still, you have a tendency to tackle the task that is staring you in the face.

During these hectic moments when you sense that events are leaving your control, you revert to action-based habits that you acquired as you grew up. You scurry. You make mad dashes to protect or maintain a project. How you manage your responsibilities today is probably not that different from the way you handled your responsibilities when you were younger.

These action habits and the results they generate are directly tied to your productivity, or lack thereof.

I seem to be dropping more plates these days than I am keeping spinning!

Get your Mamo!

HOT and Bothered in August!

Here I am at the 3rd Annual "Fall Kick Off" Event for Foley Football August 10. Hair is about 1 in long. It's been since April 11 that I began to let it grow. I have had one snipping to even it out.
Finally more pepper than salt coming in. It does have a tiny bit of curl. Something new for me. With the daily dose of Arimidex hormone suppressant I have such horrid hot flashes, I may keep it this short.
I am doing really great. Only have energy issues. Trying to pace myself but the heat combined with my lack of stamina (plus 15 lbs of Taxol weight) is taking it's toll. I am definitely NOT in concession stand shape. Nor Trim A Tree. But hey! They will be here before you know it.


Here's Trey campaigning for our man Randy McKinney for Senate 32. The important Run Off Election is Tuesday, September 11. Please be sure to vote. I don't care how many bogus phone calls you receive.
Here is the ad I will be recording for WHEP 1310 AM Radio Baldwin starting the week of Aug. 22.

This is Zana Steadham Price of Foley;
I am a 5th generation Baldwin County resident.
I want to talk to you about the upcoming Special Run-Off Election
For State Senate District 32

I am asking you to please
VOTE for RANDY McKINNEY
For State Senate District 32
On Tuesday, September 11th.

In my informed opinion RANDY McKINNEY
is the by far the MORE QUALIFIED CANDIDATE in this race.
Baldwin County would be fortunate to have RANDY McKINNEY
as our State Senator.

Again, this is Zana Price asking you to
PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT to VOTE on September 11th
and VOTE for REPUBLICAN RANDY McKINNEY

I will have a DexiSan (Bone Scan) on Aug. 21. OOPs! I forgot to go. I must reschedule! One of the side effects to Arimidex is bone loss. This will be my base line. Also, side effect is joint and bone pain which has increased but hey! I am cancer free!

I have received several call about others sisters who have recently been diagnosis with breast cancer. I know everyone deals in their own way. However, I will be happy to talk to anyone about their concerns, questions or just to bitch and complain. Cancer does not define you, however, it certainly gets your attention.

First Foley Varsity Football game is Saturday Sept. 1. GO LIONS!!!

CANCER FREE!

OKAY the photo on the top left is NOT me but I wish it was. I posted it to represent how amazingly my skin has recovered from radiation a month ago.

close friend Lana and her daughter Kimbie each have tattoos like this on their ankles. This is Kimbie's foot. Lana is my dear close friend from 8th grade that lives in San Antonio. She and her daughter got the tattoos in Memory of her husband, Phil's sister who died from breast cancer and in Honor of me. The only tattoos I have are the six dots on my boob for radiation.

I finished with the 36 Radiation Treatments June 26. My dark crispy boob has fully recovered, It is back to smooth and non crispy, except a bit of redness when I get the water too hot in the shower. The wonderful lotions given to me by Susan Wells (Emu) and Susan Wilbourne have been instrumental in the healing of my skin.

I saw Dr. Hixson Monday, July 23. He said I was doing great. He will see me in 6 months.

I saw Dr. Tan July 17th for my every three month check up. I told him I saw a T-Shirt that said "My Oncologist is my Home Boy!" He said I was doing great!
I am Cancer Free!!! Pet Scan Clear!!!

My eggs are now officially powered. I am in complete hormone deprivation.

The super hot flashes have reduced to like 4-6 per day.
My energy level is much improved but I have a long way to go before it is consistent.

I will take Arimidex every day for the next 5 years to block the production of estrogen & pro estrogen.

I am scheduled to have my Medi Port removed as an out patient Thursday, July 26 at SBRMC.

Thank you for all of your prayers. I truly believe the many prayer lists I have been on lifted me up and allowed me to keep such a positive attitude and have such remarkable results. Thank you and the many churches. Labor Day it will be one year this all began.

Please Pray for Lisa Breckner Wood and her family as she continues her battle with cancer in Tijuana , Mexico. She and her husband Shane left last Wednesday for San Diego and on to the hospital. All conventional treatments available here had been tried to no avail. The Fish Fry/ Car Wash/Bake sale was a success Saturday.
Robert Breckner, Lisa's brother will be having a BBQ fundraiser soon at Legion Post 99 in Foley. If you can help him, give him a buzz at 251-223-BANG. It will also include raffles and such. So, if you have something to raffle off or want to bake a cake or whatever, just let him know.

I must be getting better because I am expending time and energy on politics. I am very concerned about the upcoming SENATE 32 Race . I implore you to please enlighten yourself of the qualifications of the candidates which are running. Please give special consideration to Randy McKinney my personal choice. If you have any questions or concerns please email or call me. Make sure you are registered in Baldwin County and GO VOTE! AUGUST 7th


check out his web site.


http://randymckinney.com/

Watch your Speeding in August!!!


During the Judges Conference last week, a representative of the Department of Public Safety spoke concerning an upcoming event I thought you would be interested in learning about. During the week of August 13-18, 2007, the Alabama Department of Public Safety will have every supervisor and eligible staff person in uniform and on the roads. This will add approximately 150 more troopers to the highways during this week.

It is my understanding that they will be maintaining a “zero tolerance” rule on speeding and other violations, meaning that if you are 1 mile over the speed limit, you will be ticketed. They will also be looking for other traffic violations, such as not wearing seat belts and reckless driving.

The purpose of this campaign is to emphasize public safety on the roads and hopefully save lives. While I hope you will always drive safely, please be aware of the special emphasis on road safety during this week.

Callie T. Dietz
Administrative Director of Courts
Administrative Office of Courts
300 Dexter Avenue

Have been Celebrating Since June 26th

Left to Right, Jamie, Denny, Zana w/ 3 mo hair, Trey age 4 ½, sister Tammy.

Last of 36 Radiations was Tuesday, June 26

All treatments finished!!! NOTE * the Extra brown Pork Skin photo!

Radiation does take a lot of you energy wise. The dark crispy fried skin is beginning to return to normal. I am getting better every day. I will get a burst of energy and then pay dearly for it the next day.

All hair is returning, head, eyelashes, eyebrows, leg hair. A great deal more Salt than Pepper but hair none the less.

The whole Famn Damily went to see "Little Shop of Horrors" in Gulf Shores the night before Jamie's birthday June 26. Trey loved it! I ordered him the VHS movie so he will learn the words and stop singing "Little Shop of Whores" over and over. He watched it 2 1/2 times yesterday.

The good lord was looking out for me the Thursday before my company came. Dalia Leyva a lovely young woman came into Underwood Printing to order some business cards for her House Cleaning Service. She asks me if I knew of anyone who needed their house cleaned? I thought…. DING! “I DO!!!” I made my to- do list on a legal pad page and a half. So, I had she and 2 other hardworking Mexican women came first thing Friday morning and they cleaned like crazy upstairs, both bedrooms & bathrooms from ceiling fans, A/C vents, furniture, base boards, floors, bed linens. Then came down stairs and cleaned the half bath, vacuumed & mopped the Hugh split brick nasty floor in the kitchen and back entry. All in three hours!!! If you are in need of help call her cell 251 504-6840 and tell her Zana recommended her highly. She has her own car and brings cleaning supplies. Even though I had plenty. I buy them but never use them. You know I don't just believe in miracles ... I count on them!

Lana, Phil and the kids came in Saturday July 2. Her daughter Valerie and her husband Keith and three children came too. We had not seen Valerie since she married Keith 7 years ago. Valerie, Keith & the two boys left the next day for Orlando until Thursday night. Lana, Phil and baby Mattie who turned 1 year old, July 3 stayed here.
Denny and my sister Tammy took a weeks vacation and we played tourist all week.

. We went to see the Fireworks in Summerdale Sunday evening,
2. beach two days,
3. swam in the pool,
4. visited the Foley Depot on Tuesday and saw all of the miniature trains working.
5. Went to The Wharf, ate at Johnny Rockets, shopped,
6. to Fairhope, shopped,
7. spent the 4th of July on Magnolia River.
8. Shopped at the Art Center , Stacey’s to get me a vanilla coke & Lana a chocolate Coke. 9. Took Lana by Hope Medical and Gulf Coast Cancer Center to meet my all of my Chemo/Radiation Peeps.
10. Shopped at the Tanger Outlet Mall, Love Me Two Times
11. Watched two videos, “I Walk the Line” and the 1985 video from their visit here and we took lots of video at Romar Beach (NO Condos) and Destin. Lana & I decided we were pretty Hot back then. Jamie & Tammy were 14, Valerie & my niece Shannon were 9 and Kimbie was 5. And Denny and Phil always had a beer in their hands.

It would not be vacation with Zana if we didn’t have Gumbo. We made 23 quarts of gumbo, w/ 15 Lbs. of shrimp and 2 dozen crabs from Billy’s Seafood. Everyone helped . Thursday and Friday night we ate until we were almost sick. I sent two qt back to San Antonio for Kimbie & Phil. Plus Kimbie some Bar-B-Q pulled pork butt.

I went to Mobile today to Doug Montgomery's mother's funeral. She was a great lady. It was a beautiful service. I went by Martha's Salon on the way back and Randy buzz cut my hair and trimmed the hair over my ears. First hair cut since last Thanksgiving.

I see Dr. Tan on July 17, and he will tell me what course of maintenance medication I will take to prevent the hormones from effecting the growth of tumors. I see him every three months for two years. My appointment with Dr. Gilmore is set for the end of August for my annual check up and Mammogram. By Labor it will have been a year since this all began.

I will continue to post every few weeks to my blog. Thank you for your thoughts and many prayers. I have been truly lifted up by the force of god. Your prayers are the reason I know that I have had such a wonderful treatment experience, combined with my loving supportive family and many dear friends. There were days that I wondered if I would ever feel better like I even do today. There is an end and a brighter tomorrow.