The Pope of Greenwich Village

Michael and I are watching The Pope of Greenwich Village. It's my first time seeing it. Eric Roberts looks like a less-attractive Kirk Cameron. We're splitting a Cozy Shack chocolate pudding.

Sibel watched Sylvie tonight so we could see my friend's band, The Slewfoot Project, play at Cool Beans in Oradell. The band sounded great and we are truly appreciative of the fact that proceeds of their CD are going to the Tomorrows Children's Fund. We had a great time and ran into friends Dina and Dan who I haven't seen in a long time. They had read our wedding announcement in the New York Times from 5 years ago, and of course, any number of the articles on Strides For Sylvie.

The phone rang early today; it was Ellen from Tomorrow's Children calling with the results of Sylvie's AFP blood test. The AFP level is the "tumor marker" and to recap, back in February it was over 500,000 which indicated BAD F$&#^@& CANCER. The recent level is 12.7! This is GREAT NEWS.

AFP by itself is not diagnostic so Michael and I will not be getting AFP tests any time nor should our families or paranoid friends. Tumor markers are used primarily to monitor the result of a treatment (e.g. chemotherapy). If levels of AFP go down after treatment, the tumor is not growing. I tried to find a 'normal' AFP level-- I think 'normal' is under 8 but there are people with ranges nearing 20 who are also fine. Sylvie will have her AFP level checked monthly in the future.

I met up with my girlfriends who for one reason or another are not currently working and it was GREAT to share stories about our kids because it felt "normal." I know much of Sylvie's willful personality is just her being a three-year old. I found solace in hearing that some of her little friends who I think are perfectly angelic have their moments too! I felt a little left out hearing about all the activities that Sylvie used to participate in with her friends, but know that in no time she'll be running around again like crazy.

My parents came over this afternoon to give us back Lucky dog. They swore Lucky only had steak once :-). My mom, whose catch phrase used to be, "Got any gossip?" told me that I graduated high school with Dina Manzo (aka Claudine) from The Real Housewives of Bergen County! Just when I swore off my 20 year reunion which would be next year, there indeed is reason to attend!

Sylvie was in a pretty fragile mood all day. It was the first time in over 3 weeks that I had to give her a Neupogen shot and I felt just awful. Sylvie says several times a day, "No leg stickers!" and was trembling after I pushed the plunger on the syringe. Sylvie got as a present a puppy medical kit and ironically gave the tiny dalmation a shot this morning.

Michael and I went for a run at around 5 pm. it was my first long run since the Ridgewood Run and man, I need some more motivation to get through it! And new running shoes; I haven't bought a new pair in nearly 4 years. Michael is thinking about putting together a Strides For Sylvie/Tomorrows Children's Fund team to race in the New York City Marathon this November. If anyone is interested drop Michael a line. Um, I will not be on this team but his mom and I will be at our usual hangouts in Williamsburg and Harlem holding up signs and cheering on the runners.