a life changing week

I really didn't think I would continue this blog.  I mean, my fight is over, right?  Yet I participated in something recently that helped me realize the life of a cancer fighter/survivor doesn't have to be all about fighting/surviving but rather living and I wanted to write about it.

A couple weeks ago I went on a kayak trip with a group called First Descents.  How to describe FD?  I think their mission statement from their website is pretty adequate, "FIRST DESCENTS offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same."


How beautiful is that?  An outdoor experience "designed to empower them".  Wow.  And for free! Before my trip I read somewhere that a First Descents experience would change my life.  Did I really expect this to happen? Certainly not, but I was willing to at least go and have fun and see how I could grow from it.

I was never one for support groups.  I'm still not one to go to support groups.  I know it is really therapeutic for some and, well, supports them through the trials they are going through, but that's not me.  All I can picture is the beginning of Fight Club where Edward Norton's character goes to these groups to cry so he can sleep.  Chairs in a circle, people getting up, saying their name, "hi (insert name)", cry sesh, sit down, go home, sleep.  Not my thing.  And so FD, being the opposite of that situation, was extremely therapeutic for me.

I think the rest of this blog post is just going to be littered with pictures I stole from our First Descents facebook page and a bit about this amazing week kayaking on the Potomac river in DC.

Sunday.  Fly into Baltimore.  Get picked up by one of the camp directors named McStillin.  Get to know a few of my fellow campers, Firefly, Shadow, Quiz, Aloha and Gumbo.  I get my name of 8 Mile and we proceed to where we're staying for the week.  We meet everyone else, namely Patch the other director, Drift, Daizy, Stitches, Turbo, Persimmon, Anonymous, Black Swan, and all the others who helped make the week possible.

Monday. First day kayaking.  I sucked.  I could not go straight.  But only like 3 of us really could so I didn't feel too bad.  Kayaking hurt more than I expected because of my neck surgery.  It's a good thing everyone had plenty of medicine to share.

Tuesday.  We did a little stand up paddle board yoga in the morning.  More kayaking.  I was not as bad as I was the day before.  And it was so much fun.  Also, Patch and our kayaking director, Outlaw, went down a waterfall called Great Falls.  A waterfall! It was pretty nuts.  Some other guy watching from the same outlook we were asked in admiration, "You know those guys?" Yes, yes we do.  To round out the night we had a little dance party on the school bus we used the next day to go to DC.

Wednesday.  We went to DC in the morning.  I have never been this far east before let alone to Washington DC, and it was terrific.  And hot.  So I was glad when we went back on the bus.  We played on the stand up paddle boards all afternoon and just had fun.

Thursday.  Our last day on the water.  We did more advanced rapids than we had before and did our "graduation rapid" by ourself.  We played around at this one rapid just trying to stay up, but we all eventually got flipped over.  There were people there to flip you back so you were just supposed to stay in your boat upside down.  I bailed.  Immediately.  Maybe I should trust more.

Friday.  Goodbye.  Which was a lot sadder than I expected for people I had known less than a week.  We made a little stop by the Washington DC temple and then got some Chick-fil-A on the way to the airport and then I was home in the mitten once more.

If there was not money put into cancer research I would probably still have cancer.  I am so appreciative of the billions of dollars spent to find treatments/cures for cancer.  But it is easy to forget that those that have cancer are people too.  We aren't just a diagnosis.  My name is Katie, not female with a high-grade myxofibrosarcoma.  And that is one of the reasons I love First Descents.  I am Katie and I am alive and really trying to live after cancer! Well actually I guess I should be saying "I am 8 Mile and I am alive.. etc."  But really, it feels so good to not be forgotten after my treatment is over.  First Descents, this beautiful non-profit group, helped to help me to realize how strong I am.  It helped me to know what more I want out of life.  I want to truly be "out living it" not just being alive.  It helped me connect with people that actually know what I went through and what I'm still going through.

So, did my FD trip change my life?  It did.  It really did.
If you'd like to donate to First Descents to help make trips like this possible for other young adult cancer fighters and survivors just click here!

another mri and some good updates

It seems crazy to me but tonight I had my baseline MRI done.  This is the MRI the doctors will compare all my future MRI's to.  It's kind of surreal to me that I am this far out from when my surgeries were done.  And nearly 2 months since my radiation ended.  Crazy!

This past Sunday my mom and I went to Dr. Ward's home for a dinner with his family.  The dinner was so yummy and a lot of it came from their backyard.  They have a big, beautiful garden.  I hope to have a garden one day like that.  We had such a good night and spectacular conversation.  His family is wonderful and so sweet.  Really, at the end of the night I realized more than ever how much Dr. Ward was meant to be my surgeon.  The Lord aligned our paths.

I recently acquired pictures from my surgery.  Gruesome pictures of my open neck where you can see my skull and spine.  Unfortunately (or possibly very fortunately) I am not allowed to post these online.  Something about "property of the hospital", "patient's rights", "hipaa"... whateves.  So, you want to see these?  You'll have to check them out on my computer sometime.

I'm going to Washington D.C. this August!  There is a group called First Descents and it's mission is to provide a free outdoor adventure experience for young adults who are fighting cancer or are survivors.  It's pretty hard to get into because it is so in demand but I was accepted and am super pumped.  It is completely free because of donations.  I am so excited!  So, from August 18-23 I will be kayaking in that area.

By the way... totally loving the book 'A Game of Thrones'.  I'm officially an uber geek.

Here's a picture of me accidentally hitting One Direction with my grandfather's car.

the benefit luncheon

Last Friday was the benefit luncheon my family threw for me at Outback Steakhouse.  It went so well!  We got there a bit early with all the raffle prizes and helped set up the restaurant.  As guests arrived I stood by the door to greet everyone and then passed them off to my family.  

So many people came.  So many amazing, wonderful people.

My grandparents drove up from Texas to attend and a few of their friends from the area came.    

Old friends from high school and their families came.  

Nearly every member of the Harris family found their way there: aunts, uncles, cousins.  

My sister in law Lauren invited her parents, who invited their neighbors and friends from their church who came as well.  

Many people from my church came even though it was on a busy weekend and during the middle of the day.  Even both sets of missionaries from my ward managed ways there.  

My first grade teacher, Mrs. Prine, who taught Tom, Patrick and I came.  

Many people from the DQ came.  My boss and his boss, even Nikki who hired me when I was 16.

Dr. Ward came!  My surgeon, Dr. Ward, was there the whole time.  My mom had a ton of fun showing him off to people.

Outpourings of love like this make me almost grateful I got cancer.  I have never before seen so many people act so selflessly and give so much.  And for me to be the recipient of this love is pretty astounding.  

The food was so yummy.  Steak and chicken and ribs.  I'm sure there were some vegetables in there as well... but do those really matter?  There were over a dozen raffle prizes donated by local businesses.  

Dairy Queen.  Your Michigan Connection in downtown Northville.  Home Depot.  The Marquis Theatre.  Stingers Bar & Grill.  Salon Unity.  Tubby's.  Tilt & Sons Landscape.

As I was drawing the winners of the raffle prizes I kept drawing the same names.  I was worried people would think that it was rigged.  It wasn't, I promise.

Thank you everyone!  All those that read this blog, thank you, for being a part of this journey.  Thank you for your prayers, they have helped more than I'll ever be able to fully realize.  Thank you for helping me with this financial burden obligate with having cancer.  Thank you to all those that stepped in so selflessly to insure that I don't have to handle this weight alone.  

And finally some pictures from the event....

Th Outback Steakhouse in West Bloomfield where it was held

My cousin Ryan and his wife Lainie, who hosted the luncheon

My Papa Don and Tobias

A picture my grandma took of me greeting people that my mom totally photo bombed

My brother Patrick and his family

Patrick, Lauren and Tobias

My cousin Randy who helped greatly with everything

My brothers and I with Mrs. Prine, our 1st grade teacher

My Aunt Kim and Uncle Jim

My brothers with Tobias and Tori

Erica, me, Matt and Jordan

Tom and Jennifer

My Uncle Randy and cousin Ryan

My Aunt Julie and I

My cousin Alex and Aunt Nancy

This is the hawaiian shirt my dad picked out.  Lovely, right?

I guess I am 'cancer free'.  It's incredible how short this journey was.  6 months!  Only 6 months from finding that pesky bump on my neck, being diagnosed with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, being re-diagnosed with a high-grade myxofibrosarcoma, a couple surgeries, 6 1/2 weeks of radiation and a benefit luncheon to cap it all off.  All that's left are checkups.  1 MRI every 3 months, 1 chest x-ray every 3 months (we want to insure it still isn't in my lungs) for about a year.  Then every 6 months.  Then every year.  

So once again.  Thank you all.  I can't imagine doing this on my own and I'm so grateful I didn't have to.

P.S.  I got a call from my genetic counselor and my cancer is not genetically caused.  I don't have Li-Fraumeni syndrome!

done done done

Today was my last day of radiation.  Can you believe it?  6 weeks are done.  I am done with radiation!

When I first began radiation it was pretty difficult because I wasn't too friendly.  I would go, lay there for the radiation, and leave.  I wouldn't really talk to my techs.  A couple weeks in I changed my attitude and got friendlier and then actually started enjoying my radiation.  Really, those radiation therapists deserve an award because of how they positively changed my life.  I saw them everyday and we would banter and tease one another and what not.  Is it weird that I'm going to miss going to radiation?  Although I'm sure I will be fine soon enough because of the 2 hours I have back everyday.

This morning I woke up to go running and decided to make cookies for my radiation therapists instead. Ian Cookies.  You know the ones I'm talking about?  Oatmeal chocolate chip.  Really yummy.  Well, it took longer than expected so mom and I took the last batch out of the oven, threw them on a plate and rushed to Ann Arbor.

Got changed, went to the waiting room with my cookies, and heard my name called one last time.  My cute therapist stopped by to say goodbye before a meeting and we all got a picture.

It's too bad he had his hair in a ponytail...

Had my session and would you know it, the last song that came on was 'Casimir Pulaski Day'.  Hopefully the story in that song remains the opposite of my story.

When I was fitted for my mask the radiation therapists told me a few things to reassure me... some of those were not true.  Like as they strapped my mask to the table they told me to not worry, if I really wanted I could pull up on my mask and it would detach from the table.  Lie.  I tried this today.  My therapists knew it was coming so they first lowered the table and then let me try.  All I did was increase the noticeability of the waffle marks on my face from pushing on the TARDIS so hard.  I gave up pretty quickly.  Oh well.  They gave me my TARDIS mask to take home.  I don't know what to do with it.  Run over it with a car?  Hang it up on my wall as a piece of art?  I am open to suggestions.

I said goodbye to my therapists and told them that I hope I never see them again.  Had an appointment with Dr. Eisbruch.  Told him how much I enjoyed my radiation experience and he offered me more radiation... I politely declined.  Left University of Michigan Hospital for a long time...

Driving away from the hospital.

Well.. only until Monday when I have an appointment with Dr. Ward.  You can't win everything, right?

a genuine redneck

Today I had my first 3 month follow up appointment with Dr. Chugh, my medical oncologist.  I got an x-ray of my chest and my lungs are still clear!  So relieving.  She's going to set me up with an oncologist in Salt Lake for when I am back at school because I will have to be checked every 3 months for quite a while.  Dr. Chugh is pretty amazing and is going beyond what is expected to make sure the care I get is the best.

After my appointment with Dr. Chugh I had radiation.  This is my sixth week of radiation.  I can't believe it has gone by so quickly.  I mostly see the same radiation therapists everyday and have become friends of sorts with them.  Today we bantered back and forth, talked about the music I have on, my new shoes... They made fun of me for said new shoes.  They asked me to explain hashtags.  Let's be honest, they aren't that much older than me, just a couple of years.  They should know what hashtags are.  One of my therapists is only 29 and he has long, flowing dark hair and rides a motorcycle.  Basically he's a total babe.  Today I was going to ask him if he could take me on a ride on this motorcycle... and I noticed the ring on his left hand just in time.  That could have been embarrassing.  I thought it was only at BYU that I had to be so conscious of married men.

I met with Dr. Eisbruch, my radiation oncologist, and he asked me about my symptoms and neck and what not.  I told him my neck was getting super red.  He looked at it and responded, 'oh, yeah, that's a bit red.'  Not as dramatic as I thought.  But really, I am a genuine redneck.  I may be lacking a car parked in my front yard and a first cousin as a boyfriend, but my neck is very red.  Apparently it will get worse until a couple days after my radiation therapy ends, and then it will decrease in redness.  It doesn't bother me too much because my hair mostly hides it and I'm numb there anyways so I can't feel the burn.

Such a distinctive red line

Dr. Eisbruch's resident, Dr. Shumway, is a BYU grad.  Dr. Eisbruch mentioned today that I am studying microbiology at BYU, and of course Dr. Shumway has taken many of the same classes as I have.  He mentioned in particular Dr. Bridgewater and Dr. Evans having a great impact on him.  So cool that he remembers them and their teaching so long after the fact.

a bit over... half way there

I'm not the biggest Bon Jovi fan, so I couldn't post this when I was exactly half way there.

Radiation is going well!  4 weeks down, 3 to go.  Every Monday I meet with Dr. Eisbruch and this past Monday he asked me if I was losing any hair yet.  I responded 'no' as I reached up to touch the buzzed part of my hair from my surgery and brought my hand back with a clump of hair in it.  I change my answer to yes.  Yes, I am definitely losing hair.  I recalled seeing little hairs on my jacket and thinking it was dog hair.  I don't have a dog.  It was my hair.  Whoops.  I haven't lost much yet, and hopefully I won't lose much more.  Any hair loss will be localized to where they are doing the radiation, so just the hair that is struggling to grow after being shaved twice.
I expected to have more side effects at this point but I hardly have any.  I have the slight hair loss and then a sunburn/tan in the area where the radiation hits my skin.  So I have a circular tan that covers a bit of my cheek and then most of my neck.  It's so obvious to me, but I don't think anyone else will notice it.
This past week I was babysitting and one of the little girls asked me what happened to my neck.  I told her I had surgery and she asked why and if I was okay and whatnot.  It was so innocent and really quite cute.  Kids are so curious and so accepting of the things they find out.  She just wanted to make sure that I was okay.  It was starkly different from the day I was on BYU campus after my surgery to withdraw from all my classes and take care of other business.  The day a random girl stood behind me and asked "What is wrong with your neck?"  Not so innocent and non-judgmental and cute.  If only we could have the innocence of little children for longer.

a glimpse into my future?

Ever since I declared myself as a microbiology major my sophomore year of college I have been unsure as to what I would do with my degree.  Should I be a dentist?  Should I pursue research?  While I'm still unsure as to exactly what I want to do, I have more ideas.  As of late I have been interested in genetic counseling.  I first learned about it last semester in a careers class and it sounded interesting.

I met with a genetic counselor today.  Victoria.  Because of my age and my type of cancer my oncologist thought it was prudent to check for any genetic conditions that would have caused my cancer.  Victoria was pretty wonderful.  She first explained that only about 10% of cancers are caused by genetic mutations... but they are checking me just in case.  Victoria asked about my family history and constructed my family tree as my mom and I tried to recall all the health issues the dear old Harris family has experienced.  She said if I have a genetic condition it is most likely something called Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which is a mutation in gene p53, a tumor suppressor gene.  It is a dominant gene so if I have it my siblings and other family members will have to be checked as well.  Li-Fraumeni syndrome puts one at a much higher risk to develop cancer.  If this is something I have then I will have to be checked for other types of cancer earlier than most people.  I most likely don't have this mutation, like I'm nearly 100% sure that I do not, but it is better to be safe and sure.  My blood sample is being shipped to California to be tested and hopefully I'll have results in the next month or so. :)

Meeting with Victoria has helped me realize how cool genetic counseling is.  You help people and still have to be smart and scientific in your thinking.  So... who knows?  Perhaps that is where my future lies...

waffle face

I think my mask has gotten a lot tighter since they made it... or my face has gotten a lot fatter in the last few weeks.  I am hoping it is the former, but who really knows?

I just started my third week of radiation.  Radiation is... okay... not that bad... a lot better than chemo... but let's be honest, it's no fun.

Everyday I make the 40 minute drive to Ann Arbor.  A friend from church has set up a drive schedule for me so most of the days someone from church drives me.  Except on Monday, that's when my brother Patrick takes me there.  It's been really great thus far because everyday I have the chance to have a good conversation with someone new.  It's quite lovely actually.

I get to radiation, sign in, and go get changed.  I only have to wear a gown on top so I still get to wear my pants and shoes.  There is a waiting room where all the gowned patients wait.  My first day I chatted with a couple other people waiting for radiation.  I find myself not being very reserved when it comes to cancer.  In the waiting room I just asked the various people what kind of cancer they have.  I found that as time has gone by I have become less and less coy about it.  When I was first at school and getting all those tests done to figure out what was wrong with me I never really said the word 'cancer'.  Or if someone asked me how I was I always said fine, even though I was very not fine.  As time went by I kind of got tired of trying to protect others, so I just started saying exactly what I was thinking and exactly how I was feeling.  I know the exact moment when I lost all coyness.  In the bookstore I ran into a friend I used to work with and we chatted for a moment.  He asked how I was and I said I'm good, but I have cancer.  Whoops.  Probably wasn't necessary to tell him like that.  Oh well.  Since then I have been unabashed with this illness.  So nobody else needs to be shy or coy about it with me either.

The radiation techs come fetch me from the waiting room and we go to the treatment room.  I lie down on a table and they secure me by putting my mask on and attaching it to the table.  They have to secure my shoulders as well.  If you can imagine a swing, how it has a board and two chains coming up.. that is similar to what I have to hold.  There is a board that my feet are on and the two ropes coming up have handles on them that I hold.  It pulls my shoulders down.  When my treatment began it was incredibly uncomfortable.  I would whine and complain about it acting in general like a big wimp.  But now it doesn't bother me so much.

Everyday thus far they have scanned me with a CT scan to make sure I am in the correct positioning... and then the radiation starts.  It's really just a couple minutes long, two maximum.  Two beeps indicating the radiation is happening, and I'm done.  Home until the next day when it starts all over again.

I have been meeting the most incredible people.  People who have beaten the most staggering odds.  Those that have the greatest outlook on life.  It's kind of strange but... it makes me grateful for my own problems, for my own cancer.  It's amazing what a bit of perspective can do.

2 done.  5 to go.  Then I'm done... at least for a bit.

The tardis gives me a waffle face whenever I wear it.

unpublished tumor photos

As I wrote in my first post... I didn't know about the bump behind my ear until a doctor pointed it out to me.  Which is kind of pitiful because it was a very large bump.  

Here are a couple old pictures of my pesky bump that have not graced the blogging world.

These two were taken before my surgery in Utah.  The 'yes' is there so the surgeons knew they were operating on the correct thing.  It would have been pretty disappointing to wake up with a tumor and no tonsils.

I initially got a CT scan.  I looked at the disc of the images in my lab and we were all trying to figure out where the tumor was.  We concluded it was the white circle on the left side of this picture.  We got it wrong... 

We weren't even in the correct slice of my head.  I don't know how we missed the tumor on the right side of this next image.  Apparently CT scans and MRI images are backwards.  The right side of the image is actually the left side of the head.

After I got my MRI I remember sitting in my Bacterial Pathogenesis class and staring at the pictures of my tumor on my laptop.  I couldn't stop thinking, "What are you?" "What effect are you going to have on my life?"  The MRI images were a lot clearer than the CT scans.

This is a view from behind.  I'm so muscular.

Well the tumor is gone... and much of the muscle in my neck.  On Monday I start radiation for only 7 weeks!  Almost there.

the mask

If only this post were about this mask...

Instead it is about my blue mask.  Today I was fitted for the mask I am going to wear during radiation.  You can't move at all during radiation because many beams are being shot through you and they need to hit very specified areas.  For some cases, in order in insure accuracy, the patient is tattooed at the point where the beam will hit.  My father had cancer when I was a senior in high school and this is what they did for him.  He still has little dot tattoos from when he had radiation.  I never expected to get any tattoos, ever.  Alas, I will not have to.  Instead I get a mask.  Today was just my radiation simulation, not the actual radiation, so I am a little foggy on the exact details of the process... Apparently I will lay on a table and my mask will be placed on my face and shoulders, and they will sort of "screw" it into place in the table... so I really can't move at all.  Then I will get radiation for like 5-10 minutes.  They'll unscrew the mask and I am off on my way.  I will do this everyday Monday-Friday for 6-7 weeks.  Could be worse.
Today they had me change into a gown and they laid me on a table to get a CT scan.  It was unlike any other CT scan I have had before.  They taped wire around my flap on my neck so it was clear in the CT scan.

The flap looks really good... right?

I had to hold on tight to some handles to pull my shoulders down so they had a better shot at my neck.  Then they took this warmed blue plastic to mold the mask out of.  I had to stay very still while they molded it around my face.  It is very tight fitting.  Apparently even facial hair messes it up and men have to shave before they can be fitted for their mask.

After the mask hardened they fixed me down, did a quick CT scan, took it off and gave me a tour of the radiation center.  Should all be very simple next time I am there.

By the way... I named my mask.  It is called 'The Tardis'.

a way to help...

This is a really hard blogpost to write.
It's hard to forgo my pride and address this.

Many want to know how to help me.  It's difficult because other than the couple weeks after my surgeries I haven't been ill.  I wish it were as easy as chicken noodle soup.

Having and beating cancer is really expensive.  I have started working at Dairy Queen again to fund as much as I can... but minimum wage doesn't get you too far.

So, my family is running a fundraiser for me.  My cousin owns an Outback Steakhouse and on June 21 we are doing a luncheon to raise money where all the proceeds will go towards my medical bills.  My cousin is taking a big hit here, but that doesn't matter to him.  The meal will be delicious and it will be so much fun to all be together and what not.  There will be items up for raffle and it will be a good reason to take a long lunch.  Just make sure to RSVP to my mom.  My aunt made a flyer with the details of the event and it is at the bottom of this post.

I also realize that many of the people that love me and want to help don't live in the area.  That's why this blog exists, right?  So, if you'd like to help, you're welcome to donate to help me pay for my medical bills.

You can send any donation to our home:
20125 Silver Spring Dr.
Northville, MI 48167

Or we set up a PayPal account.  If you set up a PayPal account you can click the 'Send Money' tab and enter in my email address, kharri12@yahoo.com .  It is probably easier and more secure.


Thank you all so much for your support and love.  Thank you for reading this and being a part of this odyssey. (I was going to write journey, but I didn't like it.  So I looked up synonyms and odyssey came up.  Kind of fitting, right?)  So come to the luncheon!  If you can't come and you'd still like to help then make a donation.  Thank you thank you.

Also, this is the note attached that my Aunt Kim wrote about the event:

Please come and join us to help celebrate that 'Katie is kicking cancer's keister'!

This very special woman has been a joy to so many of us and we need your help to lighten the financial burden that she has incurred since her fight against cancer.  Katie just had her second surgery and is doing very well.

As most of you know Katie is a student attending a college in Utah.  Funds are very limited.  We are fortunate enough to have Outback Steakhouse host a luncheon on Katie's behalf.  The donation price for a ticket is $20.00 to enjoy a great meal and support our beautiful girl, Katie.  There will be raffle gifts that have been generously donated to help generate more money for Katie.  100% of the proceeds will be donated to Katie.

The date for this event will be June 21, 2013 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

RSVP no later than 6/1/2013.  You must call Trish Harris at 248-347-1778 to reserve your seat (seating in the restaurant is limited).

We do realize that this is a work day for most of us but, lets all BLOW it OFF and do something wonderful for a very special person.
(Let's face it, we all take sick days for less of a reason!)
If you cannot attend the luncheon please consider a monetary donation to Katie.  Make checks payable to Katie Harris.

Outback Steakhouse
6203 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322

it's getting better all the time

Nothing significant has happened recently... things are just getting better.

My aunt is in the hospital after getting surgery yesterday.  My dad and I went and visited her today.  It's nice not being the one in the hospital for once.  It was good to be the one sitting in the chair rather than laying in the bed.  It was good to finally be able to serve someone else by visiting them.

I've been frustrated lately trying to figure out how to get better.  Do I exercise?  Do I lay in bed or sit on the couch?  How tired is too tired for someone a couple weeks post surgery?  What kind of exercises can I possibly do with my neck and back so disheveled?  Today I couldn't take it any longer.  Mom and I went to the gym so I could walk.  I need exercise!  I need movement!  I walked on the treadmill for like 45 minutes watching Dr. Who on my phone.  I wasn't power walking or anything, but I wasn't sitting on the couch.  Little victory of the day.

I feel like I should end this post with something super inspirational.  Hm... Don't take life for granted!  Or more applicably... Don't take your sturdy neck and back and ability to move freely for granted!  Not so catchy though... Probably won't be seeing that saying on bumper stickers anytime soon.

Picture of the day:

Tori and I playing piano before church

P.S. Can you name the song the title of this post comes from?