Cheers to Lifetime Friends

On Saturday, I am flying out to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and then to Philadelphia to visit two of my lifetime BFFs, Katherine Shaner and Felicia (Fowler) Caviezel.

Thirty years ago, I met my friend, Felicia. We were Lincoln Youth Track Club teammates, and we went to junior high and high school with each other. I practically lived at the Fowler house, where I was subjected to fish dinners (I had to eat there and go to the church in the morning, in order to spend the night, but it was worth it); I got goosed by their giant dogs (we all miss you, Piper and Monte); and I watched the movie Twins a million times (because they had a Beta machine instead of a VHS player). Amazingly, despite our crazy--the statute of limitations are probably not up--adventures, we managed to live through high school.

My first memories of Katherine also involve Felicia. The three of us were in junior high orchestra together. Kat moved to Lincoln from Alliance the summer before her 9th grade year, and Kat and I both played clarinet. At first, Felicia and I didn't really like Katherine. She would always try to outplay me for first chair (my mom made me practice everyday, so I always beat her). Felicia and I would hide Kat's clarinet in random places around the band room, and, at one point, Kat made fun of us, so, for some reason, Felicia and I pinned Kat under a chair. I still have no idea why Kat even became my friend. Our hate turned into love when we learned we shared a common bond--track.

While Felicia and I met Kat at the same time, and we shared some experiences together in high school, most of my memories keep these two separate, but both have made such an impact on my life.

All three of us are currently dealing with ridiculous, chronic health issues, but we've all found ways to not let our afflictions define our lives.

I am anxious to spend more time with my lifetime friends. As I flipped back through my old photos, I thought about many trips I have gone on with Felicia and Kat. Both Katherine and Felicia have lived all over the country, and, for Kat, the world. I did my best to get out to see them in their different locations. Fil and I also traveled with each other's families for summer vacations or cross country/track related trips, and Kat and I have gone on some exotic international journeys together. Off the top of my head, here is my travel list with Felicia:

• Missoula, Montana
• Phoenix
• Philadelphia
• Breckenridge, Colorado
• Winter Park, Colorado
• Track Nationals North Carolina
• Maryland and Washington, D.C.
• Track Road Trips in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
• High School Cross Country and Track Road Trips

Here is my travel list with Kat:

• Cross Country Nationals in Boston
• Denver and Breckenridge, Colorado
• Boston (Multiple Times)
• New Hampshire
• Chicago
• New York City (Multiple Times)
• Turkey and Greece
• Italy
• High School Cross Country and Track Road Trips
• Track Nationals Road Trip to Minnesota
• College Cross Country and Track Competitions

Many of my pictures with Felicia are still at my parents' house in my childhood albums. These are the random photographs that I found here this evening: 

Felicia's daughter, Ruby, and I share the love of animal hats.

Right before I had my stem cell transplant in 2011, Brian and I were able to go on a quick vacation to Philadelphia and New York City. We stayed with Felicia, and before we got to her house, we stopped at the Rocky statue. As you can see, she made me a sign, and she gave me Frank's boxing gloves--a gift he received while also battling cancer.

Olivia (Fowler), Felicia, and Kat at Dana's wedding reception in 1999.

Kat and I spent two weeks in Turkey and Greece (the summer of 2010). We went in a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey. We are with our balloon pilot.

Kat and I spent two weeks in Italy in 2005. We went in a romantic gondola in Venice, learned how to cook Italian in a 14th century Tuscan villa, and we climbed the cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre.

Random photos from various events over the years...

Thanks to Frequent Flier miles, my plane ticket only cost me $16 to travel to North Carolina and Philadelphia; however, my experiences with these two women are priceless. I can't wait to make more memories over spring break!

Better Than

Although walking doesn’t quite have the same calming effect for me as running, my stroll on the bike trail—my life’s soundtrack reverberating out of my iPhone—still made me more reflective. This afternoon, a familiar song came on rotation, and the music’s associations brought me back to an unforgettable summer traveling in a coach bus, snaking down the eastern coast of Australia, singing along with 40 high school People to People delegates.

I suppose its purpose is to set the tone for the day—we always have a “morning song”—it becomes our group’s anthem. At first, we are tentatively mouthing the words to the designated tune (chosen by our local leader), and at the end of the three-week journey, we are belting out the lyrics like we’re on stage at the Sydney Opera House (thankfully, we are not).

At the bottom of the hill today, our morning song, “Better Than,” from that summer came on, and John Butler’s words ransacked my thoughts.

All you want is
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back and relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life and only see tragic

I’m not sure I have ever taken John’s advice to “sit back and relax.” In fact, I’m fairly certain that my modus operandi is the polar opposite; however, the last two lines of the first stanza speak to it.

Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better

I’m all about using the power of positive thinking, but, despite my “shiny, happy people” exterior, I, too, am not immune to the occasional pessimistic thought. I do think I am good at turning off that negative switch, whether it is through the circuit of humor or through the charge of a simple affirmative phrase. I get it, John Butler. “Don’t let [cancer] get the better of you/What could be better than now.”

An Interview with Mrs. Kabourek

My Journalism students are currently learning interviewing techniques. After a practice interview with a classmate, I had them write down questions to ask me, and then I had them interview me—press conference style—for an entire class period.

I have included excerpts from their notes they turned in (they didn’t have to actually write the story). While I do my best to be inspiring, often, it is my students who inspire me:

“I’ve always lived my life where if I wanted to do something, I did it,” she said. The second time she was diagnosed, ‘Life happenings’ seemed to speed up. Her quirky sense of humor allowed even the darkest moments lighter. Through it all, Ms. Kabourek made the resolution to live everyday to the fullest, make that day important, and to not waste time.

When the doctors gave her an approximate 2 months to live, she said she was a little intimidated. “When you’re given ‘the window’ you get scared, but you have to figure out how to make that time the best you can.”

Mrs. Kabourek said her cancer diagnosis made her more reflective about everything. She began blogs and writings detailing her thoughts about it. It seems that her diagnosis put things in clearer perspective. Now she’s determined to inspire others to look at all the positive aspects in life.

She had fun with all the head designs…she [likes to] mess with people when she’s out and about.

Obligation is what it comes down to. Ms. Kabourek stated that she feels like it’s her job to come everyday and make people laugh and inspire everyone she comes in contact with. She really enjoys the support system at East, from the t-shirts to all the population that support her even in the smallest way. Ms. K. strives to make everyone comfortable in their situations, and wants to teach all to make everyday important.

This summer Mr. and Mrs. Kabourek plan to cross off South Africa from the Bucket List, along with being up close and very personal with Great White sharks whom I’m sure would very much enjoy a tasty snack…just saying.

Her quirky sense of humor gave her this thought while jumping out of an airplane: “It would be way cooler to die from jumping off an airplane than it would be to kick it from cancer.” Myself, I’d definitely stay in the safety of the plane.

Her high school mantra allows her think about overcoming this obstacle, it calms her, and allows positively to flow.

“I can, I will” gives a sense of tranquility.

Find yourself a mantra, and face life.

“Take advantage of things.”

“Have fun with it.”

“Can’t worry because you are wasting time.”

“That better not be a cat.”

“Enjoy everything.”

“Make light of the situation.” (I got a 94%. I got an A?)

“Take advantage of more opportunities.”

“It’s just hair. Make it fun.”

It’s easy to be inspired by the students.

She knows other people have other obstacles.

“Can I still go to China this summer?”

“What’s the point if you can’t have fun with life?”

“You get that window.  That kind of freaks you out a little.”

“Been appreciating conversations more…”

“Don’t wait around for things.”

“I can. I will.” has been her “driving force.”

She has just tried to make the absolute best out of her life. She wants to help others take challenges that they don’t want to do. Influence is a big part.

“Live every single day.”

* * *

Making the most of my Friday--post chemo--with my former student/athlete (Sebastian's Table manager) and "East" friends.

Playing with the Pandas: Willa and Carson

I started my panda day having Julie Harder draw a red panda on my head. Despite having multiple rounds of head art, one student asked, "Is that a tattoo?" People who don't know Julie said, "She must be an art teacher." The panda is awesome, and I'll be sporting him at the basketball game tonight...

My mom picked me up after second period, and we went to the Lincoln Children's Zoo. After my parents traveled to Tanzania with John Chapo in 2011, John has helped me get my animal fixes. I have previously fed the penguins and met Apollo the Bobcat; today I got to meet Willa and Carson, the two red pandas. My mom and I enjoyed being in the panda enclosure, and the red pandas were quite social and playful. I will be adding more photographs from my mom's camera later.

After the pandas, Mom and I went to Whole Foods for lunch. Despite heading to chemo, we both felt like we were skipping school (even though we had "excused absences", since we were right next to district office. 

We were early to the cancer center, so we watched all of Kayla's footage in the panda enclosure (Kayla always helps set up my animal experiences). Our new video camera will be awesome for our South Africa trip. The staff at the cancer center enjoyed seeing the panda videos, and they were jealous of my experience. 

As for my PET scan results, a few of the SUV numbers dropped, which is positive, despite not getting the full two-day dose of treatment a few weeks ago. We are sticking with the same drug, just lowering the dosage, so I can get through both days of the treatment without my white cells tanking. There's a place at the top of the symptoms sheet to write down my questions to ask the doctor. Today, I wrote down "malaria pills." 

My dad is skiing in California (where there is terrible snow), so I'm eating dinner at my mom's, and then I'm going to East to watch Alexis Altmaier receive her Star City Sports Athlete of the Year award (North Star's Jeralyn Poe shared this honor).