WELCOME TO MY BLOG- in Revamp Mode

Hello readers, interlopers, etc. I started this blog in February 2011 as an outlet to talk about my health issues caused by Neurofibromatosis (NF) Type 1.

But since 2016, I decided to significantly revamp my blog (when I can even write in it!!!!)

This blog will be about many things:

1. To continue writing about NF as an outlet for myself, but also to spread awareness. Not just awareness that NF exists, but also the realities of living with NF.
2. To write about my health as a Stomach Cancer Survivor. NF isn't the only health issue I deal with! I aim to write about awareness for THAT type of cancer as well as the realities of recovery but also for HOPE that you CAN survive this ordeal.
3. My funny life as a wife and mom. I need to write more about every day things, lighter things, musings, and more. I had my son in 2014, despite cancer, despite NF, and life is great. I am lucky.

Therefore, I not only want to spread awareness and information that sometimes medical websites can't answer, but I also want to put a smile on your face. I hope that's possible!

I changed my blog name from i-have-nf-1 to fingertipfrenzy because I just want to write about life. I want to write a LOT. Writing is therapeutic. I miss writing.

I am more than someone with Neurofibromatosis. So maybe I'll find time to write more if I don't have to only write about my health.

Sooo ...about your author

The Main Players in my life:

The Hub, sometimes called Hubster, otherwise known as John.

My Son, sometimes called Little O, otherwise known as Oliver.

The cats: Chaucer and Dante. ((will keep this here for posterity purposes but they died in the winter of 2017 )) :(

We have lived in several places since moving up here:
2007-2012 Allston
2012-2013 Brighton
2013-2017 Quincy
August 2017-- Present: Brookline

I work in the medical education (residency/fellowship education) field. My husband is the senior manager of faculty affairs at another hospital.

I am a huge Dr. Who fan.
I am a white chocolate mocha/ green tea matcha lattee-holic
I play lots of games on my phone. Cryptograms are my favorite but my Sims game is my biggest timesuck.
I also like playing RPGs on the computer. Since COVID I finally got a new laptop and I have been enjoying all the old games I played as a kid -- new ones, too!
I have attained Elite Status on Yelp. 5 years in a row now. Exciting.
I am a Chapter Leader and Mentor for Debbie's Dream Foundation.

Happy reading! Any questions? Email me at wordsbeneathmyfingertips@gmail.com

On Death and Surviving Survivor's Guilt: One Decade Without Zellie

Late August /early September 2010 was a huge milestone for me. I had survived one year being cancer free after a huge struggle to recover from my cancer-curative-partial gastrectomy surgery (as you all know, I had the rest of my stomach removed in 2019) . My partial gastrectomy recovery was ROUGH. I spent 5 months essentially starving as my esophagus did not work. My face spent more time in the toilet than with friends if the visit had anything to do with food. Meanwhile, though, I still somehow got into grad school. But as I recovered, my friend suddenly deteriorated. And then she was diagnosed with lung cancer. And then she died. Her name was Jennifer Wille, but after college, she went by her pen name Zellie Blake. She was 27 years young. Zellie was a free spirit. She was funny. She was creative. She was happy. She was silly. She was tall 😊 (approximately a foot taller than me- in college I called her my “Foot Taller JenTwin). She had a child-like innocence. She never stopped pl

A Rage Email to a GI That I'll Never Send (but want to)

It's been a long time since I've blogged. I finally have a reason now. I, again, had a bad experience with a GI (link to that entry on the word 'again'- note I was in pain and 10 years younger, so forgive my angrybadgrammar and fightingwords). Fast forward to 2022. Complainblogging! My favorite thing to do when I feel wronged. Just look at some of my earlier blog history, particularly in 2011 :) or maybe not. :-X For context: Throughout the spring and summer of 2021, I had excruciating pain from my head down to my throat (right side) that affected my ear and my tongue. Talking was difficult without pain. I had a lot of tests done with zero answers. My onc thought it could be trigeminal neuralgia, my neurologist didn't (and doesn't) think so but treats me for it anyway (usually does this to prove him right if it doesn't work- he's that kind of doctor). The medication he prescribed over the summer was an XR nerve pain medication. A couple of months la

4 Months Post Stomach Eviction

I can't believe it's been 4 months since surgery (and 101 days since being discharged!) How has my life changed? 1. I lost 10 pounds. Gained 5. But I still look like I lost 10. I can still wear my work pants but with a braided belt as tight as it can go. And I now buy XXXSP shirts and dresses instead of XXSP :) I can probably fit in 000P pants instead of 00P but trying to hold off :X 2. I eat better than I ever had before. This is because I don't suffer with reflux anymore 3. I am actually hungry now. I had to force myself to eat one meal before. I have several alarms throughout the day to remind myself to eat (I get busy at work!). I take in more calories now than I ever did before. I am also less cold because I take in more calories. HA. 4. Since my trip to the ICU (lung collapse on left lung, clot on right lung), I now give myself daily lovenox (blood thinning) injections. I continue this until September. 5. I have fewer dietary restrictions now than before comp

The Words Beneath My Fingertips

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