Inspirational women's cancers research

I went to a Dana-Farber Women's Cancers fundraiser this morning. Learning about the variety of research projects focusing on breast and ovarian cancer really energized me.

I was thrilled to discover that Dr. David Frank is now spending part of his time on ovarian cancer research.

Dr. Frank has been a hero to my family for many years. He took care of my Grammie Lavidor for long time and also helped my Bobie Berman through her too brief battle with colon cancer. He is such a kind man.

I was also able to catch up with Dr. Matulonis, who took care of my mom. I really miss talking to her! I know it sounds a little bizarre, but when my mom was a healthy patient we both really enjoyed hanging out with her.

Dr. Matulonis is pushing so hard on ovarian cancer research and treatments. I feel like the public's general awareness of ovarian cancer - and treatment options - has grown leaps and bounds in the nearly four years since my mom died.

Knowing that Dr. Matulonis, Dr. Frank and so many others are on the case to finding a cure is comforting.

'It's not like when I'm 30 ....'

I hobbled into Anna's yesterday afternoon for a burrito and there was a huge line at 2:15 in the afternoon. I stood behind a teenage girl and her dad, who looked *just like* Gerard Depardieu. Big guy, crazy hair, the whole thing.

What else to do but evesdrop, right? They were very affectionate with each other, making me feel sentimental, until the girl said, "It's not like when I'm 30 and I won't care what I look like."

Oy.

Back pain

Here it is, President's Day Weekend, and I'm planning on spending it horizontal. I hurt my back in November and the pain keeps flaring up. I spend a good portion of each day flat on my back, watching Oprah.

I consider myself *very* health care savvy but have no idea which direction I should be headed in regarding physical therapy. I talked to one doctor at the New England Baptist hospital and she's recommending a very aggresive PT program in Chestnut Hill. Then I went to an osteopath in Arlington and he said I need to heal first and should do a more gradual progressive therapy program and recommends Spaulding PT in Medford. When I asked doc #1 about going to Spaulding instead of Chestnut Hill, she actually said it would be a waste of time!

What to do... What to do... Any ideas out there?