There are days you wake and by the time you lay your head back on the pillow you just want to call “DO OVER!” You have no idea of the shitstorm of events about to start just by brushing the sleep from your eyes. Instead of birds chirping. The smell of coffee brewing. Even the [...]
the “D” word
Douchebandit. That’s the “d” word I was thinking about. What were YOU thinking of? Douchebandits. Douchebag McGreggor. Douchemover. All good words to describe certain behavior. I would LOVE to justify it by saying that *I* have never acted that way. But I have. So has Pete. Out of anger. Confusion. Fear. Frustration. Hurt. Just because [...]
another frustrated photographer
Peyton had a project I helped her do. It was printing a picture for each year to build a timeline of PEYTON. We printed the pictures out. Peyton as a baby. Peyton as a toddler. Peyton with cancer. Peyton just before I had the strokes. The final picture was one of my favorites. One I [...]
first we have naps and then juice and cookies
It isn’t just that my body isn’t what it used to be in terms of size of my thighs, the color of my roots or the direction of my nipples, I am frustrated with what feels like weakness in my basic stamina. It gets on my nerves that I have to sleep every day. I [...]
i give free kittens!
Don’t punch me, but I need you to click over to Babble and vote for me with a Facebook “like”. I wouldn’t normally do it, but this is a really good reason. Mominations is your chance to shine a light of recognition on an incredible mom doing good work, and put her in the running [...]
the power of a word
I am a strong believer in the power of a word. Um. Duh?? But I have really strong feelings regarding people that use words to hide. I hear people who bury themselves behind things like. “I had a really rough childhood.” You know what? So did I. There was the adoption/abandonment issue. There was the [...]
talks with Dr Weight and tips that work for us
Dr. Weight called. The doctor’s who’s job it was to discuss any long-term body issues like bone density, growth or WEIGHT. We talked long and hard about what Peyton took from that conversation. We discussed how hard it is to make sure survivors are getting the care and SURVEILLANCE they need. We went over how [...]
…and then i ripped off her arm and beat her to death with it.
Not really. But I thought about it. Really hard. Yesterday, Peyton had her first appointment at the SURVIVORSHIP CLINIC. Oncology, Endocrinology, Psychology, Neurology, Research, and simple lab work. Peyton’s doing great, she’s wonderfully healthy and we talked about a few issues that I knew were over her head. Then one doctor got on a subject [...]
words can be a great thing
Dear Parents of Peyton Mayhew… I can’t tell you how many letters over the years have been news we didn’t want. But this was good. So good. Great. FABULOUS. Now this this only three years out of five until we can use the “cured” with confidence. And nothing is ever guaranteed. But these words made [...]
the bags are in the closet…for now
I can never forget what it feels like, I forgot how a thought can steal your breath away. I forgot what shower tiles look like through a cloud of tears. I forgot the strength it takes to pick up your phone when you’ve seen who it is. The doctor made a call that took me [...]
making a deal i can keep
It’s not very often that someone will ask a question and I know the answer to it. I’m usually asking the kids answers to questions about square roots and wind velocity. But I happen to know this inside out. Sort of depressing, but I do know it. Peyton’s cancer. She’s finished her second year post-treatment [...]
penny for penny…unless you don’t do math and then you’re screwed
I spent a lot of time waiting on doctors today. Something I’m pretty used to doing. Before I was the “coma mom” or the “wheelchair mom”, I was always the “cancer mom”. I had two healthy legs and two healthy arms and if THIS is the price I pay for my daughter’s healthy body, I’ll [...]
Happy First Anniversary, Peyton
It’s been a year. A year since I handed Peyton her last dose of chemotherapy medicine and she downed it like a champ. A year since the clock started ticking….the one that counts off the days to five years. She’s finally gotten to the age where she’s got more days off-chemo than on-chemo in her [...]
About Anissa
Erma Bombeck said something that pretty much defines my approach to life.... "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say, "I used everything you gave me." If you switch the word TALENT for LOVE or LAUGHTER or HAPPINESS....it still stands.
Read By Email
-
Dawn Tucker: Hope by the time you're reading this you have a b...
-
Maggie S.: I wish you were here to explain stuff to my husban...
-
Susan in the Boonies: Thinking of you today, and wishing you the best....
-
Anissa Mayhew: I remember you! Were you standing with a man by th...
-
Anissa Mayhew: I'll tell on you!!!...
- It’s never too early to teach your kids how to get thrown out of an establishment with STYLE August 6, 2009
- do people comment because they have things to say or they feel they have to? June 26, 2010
- well, here you go…. August 3, 2010
- we respect doctors because they’re terribly smart and have cool toys June 15, 2010
- my kids used to think i snored. now they shake me awake for comas. March 29, 2010
- Invisalign: using common day technology to get messages across May 22, 2012
- i wish i was on a beach somewhere May 21, 2012
- when you find out your friends are douches May 18, 2012
- i can tell you EXACTLY what you can do May 15, 2012
- “retarded” is never the right word May 13, 2012
Today at Aiming Low
- How to Squeeze into Shapewear. Or Not. Guest Writer
- While You Weren’t Sleeping: An Insomniac’s Diary The Woman Formerly Known As Beautiful
- How to Make a Photo Slideshow For Your WordPress Blog Anissa Mayhew













