Linda's Blog

Wow, wow and WOW! I cannot believe how life has changed in one short year. Last April as we touched down from Paris with 50 viewers, I was whisked away to have my "port" implanted in my upper chest and then it was on to my first chemotherapy session. Needless to say, I wasn't feeling too well. That routine for me lasted for 3 months. When I was strong enough for my next surgery, I had my thyroid removed and suffered the WORST side effect for any broadcaster- Loss of my voice for 3 months! Now, one short year later, my name is called to win the Trailblazer Award at the fist annuall Buffalo Excellence in Media Awards ceremony! It was such an awesome moment! Surrounded by my co-workers and co-nominees, the room filled with all the broadcasters in town. It meant sooo much to me! In my delight I forgot to mention my co-nominees, Jackie Albarella and Lauren Fixx, both deserving talented women. You can be sure that award is resting front and center on my mantle at home. It may be making persal appearances though! I cannot thank everyone for "getting me there" at the awards ceremony. All the prayers and efforts everyone went through so I could stay home and get better. Now I'm back to work, we have a wonderful talented new producer and the show has a new energy. Thank you all!!! xxme

Well, despite the apocalypse fans and the Mayan calandar..we made it to the new year! What's amazing to me is that December 23rd was what they call my "cancerversary". The first day and time I heard "cancer" and "me" in the same sentence. What a year 2011 turned out to be ! But that was then and this is now. My docs say it's all behind me now and to make sure, I'll get a full body screening every 3 months. My next one is scheduled for February. The biggest changes for me happened inside "between my ears"..but outside I'm a bit thinner as is my hair--and it's stayed a bit curlier too. I still plan on ending every show with a reminder for us all to think about our health in the new year and stay current with medical tests like mammograms and stress tests. We'll also be addressing thyroid cancer in the new year, since I've learned how high the levels are here in Western New York. Be watching for that. In the meantime..I've loving this mild winter! Happy New Year everyone and keep in touch.

Happy Holidays everyone! Can't believe it's this weekend! Our son Brett came home from college yesterday and although he's all grown now, it's still cool to see his eyes light up when he first saw the Christmas tree! Can't wait to catch up with him about this past semester at Pitt.
It sure has been an eventful year. It was this month a year ago that I was diagnosed with first breast cancer then thyroid cancer. WIth all that's happened, my hair is growing back and I'm all done with treatments. Now I will go for scans every 3-4 months to make sure there's nothing new. That's it! Isn't modern medicine miraculous? I was also blessed this year with many wonderful doctors, nurses and medical staff who I've come to know by first name. But perhaps my biggest blessing was all the prayers I received from all of you. I truly felt them and feel that all the good energy you sent my way is why I feel terrific today. So let's pay it forward and keep those good thoughts coming for others into the new year.
I promise I'll keep you posted..and as I say on the show..girls, give the gift of good health to yourself with a timely mammogram appointment. Have a wonderful New Year! Linda P.

Happy November everyone! ..But I must say, October was not a bad month. I was able to return to work full-time and my voice is luckily much better. I thank EVERYONE who was patient-listening to me me on the air. I guess I'm a miracle of modern medicine. My right vocal cord is still paralyzed but my left is acting like the energizer bunny overcompensating like crazy. Thus, I sound MUCH better.
Thanks going out to the Woman's Board at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital! Those gals raised $125,000 at their fashion show last Sunday at Salvatore's Italian Gardens! I had the honor of co-emceeing the event. That money will be used to purchase a brand new 3-D Mammography machine. Not only was the show a great fund-raiser, it was fun! I told them I'd be happy to help out next year if they need me.
Apologies to the lone trick-or-treater at my house last night. Due to my new healthy eating regimen..he walked away with a lousy bag of vegetable chips. (No, we didn't get egged..but we could have!) Have a great day!! me

I'm BACK!! And it feels soooo good! Last week I was taking one of my final treatments, a radioactive iodine treatment that is supposed to kill off any thyroid cells not removed by the surgery. The only thing was that I had to stay in isolation for a few days as not to contaminate anyone around me. My husband understood, but not my dog! He was not a happy camper for those few days. Anyway, while I was scanned after that treatment, I was given the good news that my scan showed no other trace of cancer in my body. HOORAY! It's been a long 10 months but the good news was worth it. Now I'll have scans every few months to stay on top of things. This way if anything does reappear, we'll catch it in it's early stage. My voice is getting stronger but it still is weaker than I'm used to. The other things about this situation is that my breathing is irregular. Since my vocal cords do not close all the way, much more air is used when I speak, so you run out of breath faster. (Not good if you are in the "voice" business.) Also, swallowing liquids is still a challenge. If I don't consciously think before I swallow, it's liable to go down the wrong way and I cough for 5 minutes. So...I'm still taking vocal therapy and I'm planning to see a specialist who does a procedure to fix it. We'll see what it's all about. In the meantime, it's great to be back, great that the Bills are winning and great that the Sabres season is underway! I'll write again soon..but in the meantime..ladies, make that mammo appointment! me

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