Survivor

Late last year my sister Diane was diagnosed with Stage 2A breast cancer. While I was recovering from surgery of my own my sister was having a double mastectomy.

Thankfully she is going to be okay. She still has 6 more weeks of chemo and some more surgeries scheduled for later this year.

So this year it’s been hard for me to focus on my diabetes as being such a burden. I felt like I should make efforts to spread awareness about breast cancer and get back to diabetes when she is done with it.

I told Diane when she was diagnosed how I could empathize with the feeling like something is wrong with you. She said, “yeah but after my surgeries and chemo I will be done. It’s not like what you have every day.”

That is a great example of her personality. Thinking about me before herself is how she always has been. And so strong. One of the strongest people I know. She sees this as a life speed bump and a lesson to make sure she always knows what is happening in her body. A good lesson for all of us.

When she called a while back and said she wanted to come out for the annual Revlon Run Walk for Women I was ecstatic. Every chance I get to see her is awesome but I wanted to walk with her and hear the word “Survivor” in reference to her.

Survivor

I love that.

So this weekend we have a small team walking in support of Diane! My mom is also a survivor which makes it a double special walk. We have done it before with mom and now both Mom and Diane will be strolling through Los Angeles showing the world that they will not be beat! So awesome.

If you are willing and able, please consider donating to our team, “Diane’s Double D’s – Divas and Dudes!”

Those of us who live with diabetes are survivors every day but this year I want to shine the light on my sister because she is one of my favorite people on the planet.

And the best wheel barrow race partner ever!

Thank you SO much for your support!

No Soup For Me!

Sundried Tomato Soup. That was all I wanted and how this whole thing began.

My good friend and BFAM (brother from another mother) Anthony texted me last week to see if him and his partner Mark could Jasmine and I to dinner at a restaurant called Sundried Tomato. Now we ended up at this restaurant by accident one night and loved it, especially their EPIC tomato soup. Which any other time I have had it have not liked it one bit. This one I crave!

His partner had been out of town back in March and they wanted to take us out for a belated birthday dinner. After to checking with my wife to make sure the schedule was clear we set the time. Saturday at 6PM. Perfect.

It was about 5:40 that I get a call from my good friend and BFAM Mark (a different one BTW) and he sounded really upset.

“I hate to ask this of you but there is an event happening at church tonight and I was asked to set up the portable sound system. When I plugged it all in the lights came on and then just shut off. Could you please come by church really quick to check it out? Are you home?” He sounded really concerned and I was not going to let him go down like that.

“We are just getting ready to head to dinner but we will stop by on our way out. We can find something else for them to use if we need too. Don’t worry.” I told Jasmine that we would have to stop by church on our way out. When Mark and Anthony got to the house I let them know that we would need to stop by church quickly to help Mark. Everyone was cool with it since our Reservations were not until 8PM. We had plenty of time.

When I pulled up to church I saw the parking lot was packed. “I thought this thing didn’t start until 7PM? I hope people aren’t upset!”

I parked far away from the hall where the event was being held so as to not take a parking spot that a guest might need.

“I see Mark pacing out front. I’ll be right back guys.” I thought it was weird that they all just got out and said, “We are just gonna wait out here.

Whatever.

I walked up to the door and saw Mark. He said, “I don’t what the deal is, I have tried everything.”

He motioned for me to head into the hall and I could hear all kinds of commotion.

And then this…

That was the DOC’s very own Jaimie in the house! I love the moment when I spot her. So cool.

I was completely shocked and surprised! It was amazing. Everything was Hollywood themed and one of the highlights of the night was the awards ceremony.

My Sister Jennifer, Cousin Alyssa, and SFAM (sister from another Mister)Jenny awarded me with a “Tony” for plays I had been in and my directorial debut, Cinderella, which they were all in.

My DOC Sister Jaimie awarded me with an “Emmy” for my episode of dLife about diabetes and smoking.

My oldest sister Anna awarded me an “Oscar” for my portrayal of “audience member at a basketball game” in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

My BIL Paul, BFAM Dave, and BFAM Jeremy awarded me with a “Grammy” for my hit single “Not By Choice.”

And then my daughter Gillian awarded me with an EGOT for winning all 4 trophies.

Each one had some really nice things to say that made me laugh and cry.

A slideshow of course made me well up but as soon as it ended and I saw my sister Diane on the screen with my BIL Frank I really fell apart. With her being in New Mexico and still undergoing chemo treatment I knew she could not easily take off for the party but to see them on the screen in a video they made wishing me happy birthday was just awesome. Then my nieces came on to shout a big, “We love you Uncle George!” I love that and them so very much.

A photo booth, DJ, Taco Bar, Dessert Table, and the most unique guest book I have ever seen added to the perfect night.

My Star on the Walk of Fame cake

All I wanted for my birthday was to have a room filled with people I love and that what was I got. My speech wasn’t too great because I started to blubber. Looking around that room I had a story and memory with every one of those people. Like actual funny or meaningful memories! That is a HUGE gift and am spoiled rotten! Spoiled rotten with love.

Such a perfect night and a perfect surprise.

I still can’t believe it happened! 

Konnichiwa

Hola!

Bonjoir!

Zdravstvujte!

Those words are how you would say "hello" in Japan, Mexico, France, and Russia. And that took me probably 10 minutes to figure out and make sure I was spelling correctly.

 So when I heard that Lilly Diabetes and Disney are making the "Coco" book they debuted two years ago available in 18 different languages to be distributed around the world, there was no question as to why it took a few years to make happen.

I wrote about Coco before and still I talk about the character whenever I can. She is important in the push to get real, accurate information out there to dispell myths about what PWD's can and cannot do. The cannot's by the way are join the military and levitate.

Check out these images...

Que bueno! Me pone contento que Lilly está haciendo esto. Los niños en todas partes necesitan entienda la diabetes mejor. Y los padres también!

English translation: So great! It makes me happy that Lilly is doing this. Kids everywhere need to understand diabetes better. And parents too!

This was just one thing I wanted to share with you about the Lilly Diabetes Blogger Summit I just returned from. More to come but this was too good not to share first.

Adios!

**Check out the official press release from Lilly here.