These next two weeks are biggies for me; as a cancer survivor, I look upon mammograms with trepidation, while trying my best to maintain a positive attitude. This is the month of mammogram, follow-up visit to the breast surgeon, and then the oncologist for blood work.

So far, so good. I let out a loooong exhale, literally and figuratively after having the mammogram this past Thursday. It’s been this way since this time of year in 2004 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the world spun out of control for me.

But today was a happy day, a joyous one. And I am still here.

The annual Cancer Survivors’ Day Celebration was held today, and it was the second that I attended. Though the day was hot (as it was last year) I took a friend (my husband was at his school’s graduation) and off we went to the grounds of North Shore University Hospital/Long Island Jewish Hospital, to be at this auspicious event.

Last year there were 3,000 attendees listening to Fran Drescher deliver her keynote speech (click here to see the photos and video clips) and there were at least as many this year; the keynote speaker was Julia Sweeney. You might know her from Saturday Night Live where she played the androgynous character, “Pat.”

autographed invitation

Though Sweeney started out as an accountant, she met her calling as an actress and writer, and I might add, she is an excellent speaker. She meets life head-on with humor and strength, and survived uterine cancer; simultaneously her brother was fighting his own cancer.

Her career includes:

1. The Smurfs (2009) (pre-production) (rumored)
2. “The War at Home” …. Jamie Mandelbaum (1 episode, 2007)     – The War of the Golds (2007)  TV episode     …. Jamie Mandelbaum
3. “Joey” …. Tracy (1 episode, 2006)     – Joey and the Holding Hands (2006)  TV episode     …. Tracy
4. Don’t Come Knocking (2005)      …. Producer 2
5. “Father of the Pride” …. Britney (1 episode, 2004)     – Road Trip (2004)  TV episode  (voice)   …. Britney
6. “Sex and the City” …. Sister Anne Marie (1 episode, 2004)     – Catch-38 (2004)  TV episode     …. Sister Anne Marie
7. “Frasier” …. Ann (2 episodes, 2003-2004)     – The Ann Who Came to Dinner (2004)  TV episode     …. Ann     – The Placeholder (2003)  TV episode     …. Ann
8. “According to Jim” …. Bobbi Coker (1 episode, 2002)     – Thanksgiving Confidential (2002)  TV episode     …. Bobbi Coker
9. “What’s New, Scooby-Doo?” …. Aunt Meg (1 episode, 2002)     – A Scooby Doo Halloween (2002)  TV episode  (voice)   …. Aunt Meg
10. “Maybe It’s Me” …. Mary Krupp-Stage (22 episodes, 2001-2002)     – The Prom Episode: Part 2 (2002)  TV episode     …. Mary Krupp-Stage     – The Prom Episode: Part 1 (2002)  TV episode     …. Mary Krupp-Stage     – The Quahog Festival Episode (2002)  TV episode     …. Mary Krupp-Stage     – The Rick’s in Love Episode (2002)  TV episode     …. Mary Krupp-Stage     – The Lab Partner Episode (2002)  TV episode     …. Mary Krupp-Stage       (17 more)
11. Clockstoppers (2002)      …. Jenny Gibbs
12. A Baby Blues Christmas Special (2002) (TV)   (voice)   …. Wanda MacPherson
13. “Baby Blues” …. Wanda MacPherson / … (2 episodes, 2000-2002)     – Wanda Proof (2002)  TV episode  (voice)   …. Wanda MacPherson     – Rodney Moves In (2000)  TV episode  (voice)   …. Wanda MacPherson/Various Characters
14. “Teamo Supremo” (2002) TV series …. Crandall’s Mom (unknown episodes) … aka Disney’s Teamo Supremo (USA: complete title)
15. Beethoven’s 4th (2001) (V)      …. Beth Newton
16. “Clerks” …. Mother (1 episode, 2001) … aka Clerks: The Cartoon (Australia) … aka Clerks: Uncensored (USA: DVD title)     – The Last Episode Ever (2001)  TV episode     …. Mother
17. Ain’t It Cool News (2001) (TV)      …. Pizza eater at Geek Headquarters round table discussion
18. “Sammy” (2000) TV series   (voice)   …. Marie
19. Beethoven’s 3rd (2000) (V)      …. Beth Newton
20. “Family Guy” …. Woman in Bar (1 episode, 2000) … aka Padre de familia (USA: Spanish title)     – Wasted Talent (2000)  TV episode  (voice)   …. Woman in Bar
21. Whatever It Takes (2000)      …. Kate Woodman
22. My Funny Valentine (2000) (TV)
23. “Suddenly Susan” …. Rachel Fishman (1 episode, 1999)     – The Birthday Party (1999)  TV episode     …. Rachel Fishman
24. Stuart Little (1999)      …. Mrs. Keeper, the Orphanage Owner
25. “George & Leo” …. Alice (4 episodes, 1998)     – The Bongos (1998)  TV episode     …. Alice     – The Massage: Part 2 (1998)  TV episode     …. Alice     – The Massage: Part 1 (1998)  TV episode     …. Alice     – The Nanny (1998)  TV episode     …. Alice
26. Thick as Thieves (1998)      …. Sarah
27. “3rd Rock from the Sun” …. Patty (1 episode, 1997) … aka 3rd Rock (USA: promotional abbreviation) … aka Life As We Know It      – Moby Dick (1997)  TV episode     …. Patty
28. Courting Courtney (1997)      …. Group Therapy Member
29. Vegas Vacation (1997)      …. Mirage Reception Person … aka National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation
30. Meet Wally Sparks (1997)      …. Mrs. Martha Karp
31. “Mr. Show with Bob and David” …. Vernice in ‘Second Wind’ (1 episode, 1996) … aka Mr. Show (USA: short title)     – Operation Hell on Earth (1996)  TV episode     …. Vernice in ‘Second Wind’
32. “Hope & Gloria” …. Charity (1 episode, 1995)     – Listen, Sister (1995)  TV episode     …. Charity
33. The Barefoot Executive (1995) (TV)
34. Stuart Saves His Family (1995)      …. Mea C. – Chicago Public Access … aka Stuart Stupid – Eine Familie zum Kotzen (Germany)
35. It’s Pat (1994)      …. Pat Riley … aka It’s Pat: The Movie (USA: poster title)
36. Pulp Fiction (1994)      …. Raquel
37. “Saturday Night Live” …. Various (80 episodes, 1990-1994) … aka NBC’s Saturday Night (USA: first season title) … aka SNL (USA: informal title) … aka SNL 25 (USA: alternative title) … aka Saturday Night (USA: second season title) … aka Saturday Night Live ’80 (USA: sixth season title)     – Heather Locklear/Janet Jackson (1994)  TV episode     …. Various     – John Goodman/The Pretenders (1994)  TV episode     …. Various     – Emilio Estevez/Pearl Jam (1994)  TV episode     …. Various     – Kelsey Grammer/Dwight Yoakam (1994)  TV episode     …. Various     – Helen Hunt/Snoop Doggy Dogg (1994)  TV episode     …. Various       (75 more)
38. “Mad About You” …. French Professor (1 episode, 1994)     – Disorientation (1994)  TV episode     …. French Professor
39. Coneheads (1993)      …. Principal
40. Honey I Blew Up the Kid (1992)      …. Nosey Neighbor
41. Toonces, the Cat Who Could Drive a Car (1992) (TV)      …. Mary Tood Lincoln
42. “Riders in the Sky” …. Tunga Tujunga (1 episode, 1991)     – Sourdough’s Surprise (1991)  TV episode     …. Tunga Tujunga
43. Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)      …. Peggy
44. “On the Television” …. Various (8 episodes, 1990)     – Babe Watch (1990)  TV episode     …. Various     – 4-1-1 Info Line (????)  TV episode     …. Various     – My Five Dads (????)  TV episode     …. Various     – Our Maid Imelda (????)  TV episode     …. Various     – Real Life Dramas (????)  TV episode     …. Various       (3 more)
45. Dinner at Eight (1989) (TV)      …. Miss Wendell
46. “Hard Time on Planet Earth” …. Gladys (1 episode, 1989)     – Jesse’s Fifteen Minutes (1989)  TV episode     …. Gladys

Archive Footage:

1. Saturday Night Live: The Best of David Spade (2005) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Elderly Woman
2. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Alec Baldwin (2005) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Helen De Santo
3. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Commercial Parodies (2005) (TV)                (uncredited)     …. Hibernol Wife
4. Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash 2004 (2004) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Jane Pauley
5. 101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments (2004) (TV)                   …. Herself
6. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Christopher Walken (2004) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Office Worker
7. Saturday Night Live: Game Show Parodies (2000) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Stacey Tarreri
8. SNL: 25 Years of Music (1999) (TV)                   …. Various
9. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler (1999) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Connie
10. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Rock (1999) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Herself/Various Characters
11. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Steve Martin (1999) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Herself/Various
12. The Bad Boys of Saturday Night Live (1998) (TV)                (uncredited)     …. Various
13. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley (1998) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Various Characters
14. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Mike Myers (1998) (V)                (uncredited)    …. Various characters
15. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Phil Hartman (1998) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Herself/Various characters
16. Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash (1992) (TV)                (uncredited)    …. Jane Pauley
17. Best of Saturday Night Live: Special Edition (1992) (V)                   …. Herself

Information on career and bio are here.
More here.
Official website is here.
Photos and clips by Sans Souci
On to Part 18

lauritasita wrote on Jun 7, ’08 I’m glad you had a wonderful day ! Congratulations that you’ve made it this far !

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 7, ’08 lauritasita said I’m glad you had a wonderful day ! Congratulations that you’ve made it this far ! Thanks, sis!

brian51 wrote on Jun 7, ’08 How great is that event, held all over!! I have a dear friend who is coming up on the big year 5, she walked with her son last night. What a difference from when I was a child, folks were afraid to even talk about cancer, now we celebrate the journey people take with that illness, and keep it all in the forefront. It is something that touches everybody’s lives. More  awareness and education bring the research needed to confront cancer, rather than just giving in. Good on you, and keep those positive thoughts coming!!

belita747 wrote on Jun 7, ’08 Nice to know you had a nice day! Nice to know you are confident and with positive thinking, two very very important ‘ingredients’! I can easily figure out your anxiety when June comes and you have to undergo all those medical exams.  Keep being as you have been so far and all will always go fine on your side…Hugs from Lisbon

hurricanekate wrote on Jun 7, ’08 You rock, you know that? I’m proud of you………….. xo

lonewolfwithin wrote on Jun 7, ’08 agrees with hurricanekate… you truly are an inspiration in many different ways! be well and may you stay forever blessed! ^..^

 

nemo4sun wrote on Jun 7, ’08 please keep up with it please please PLEASE! 🙂

 

philsgal7759 wrote on Jun 7, ’08 Way to go girl Keep it up

aladybug wrote on Jun 7, ’08 I’ve always thought you have this passion for life, you know?  You’re retired, but you’re into things, I always imagine you busy, busy as a squirrell (ahem… not only at the squirrell machine).  Doing things, writing, creating, learning stuff (puters, you have this collection of tinypic “cartoons” you make us laugh with… You seem like so excited to me, and I really LOVE that. I imagine you live differently, more joyously… in a deeper, fuller appreciation of LIFE ever since you found out about the cancer. I am very glad you are well. You have more things to do, to share, to spread out to the world!  Yes!   🙂

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 7, ’08 aladybug said I’ve always thought you have this passion for life, you know?  You’re retired, but you’re into things, I always imagine you busy, busy as a squirrell (ahem… not only at the squirrell machine).  Doing things, writing, creating, learning stuff (puters, you have this collection of tinypic “cartoons” you make us laugh with… You seem like so excited to me, and I really LOVE that. I imagine you live differently, more joyously… in a deeper, fuller appreciation of LIFE ever since you found out about the cancer. I am very glad you are well. You have more things to do, to share, to spread out to the world!  Yes!   🙂    Yeaaaaaaaaah! Giving you the biggest hug evah!!

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 7, ’08 You are so sweet, Nemo! I’m  on top of everything! xoxo

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 7, ’08 Big mwahs and hugs to everyone…GROUP HUG!!!

vickieann wrote on Jun 7, ’08 I’m glad you were able to celebrate! My, you have been busy lately haven’t you?

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 7, ’08 vickieann said I’m glad you were able to celebrate! My, you have been busy lately haven’t you? Yes! Mentally and emotionally busy! I am exhausted! So glad you came by!

strongwilledwoman wrote on Jun 7, ’08 I am forever grateful for your recovery, you brighten my life as well as the life of so many others.

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 8, ’08 strongwilledwoman said I am forever grateful for your recovery, you brighten my life as well as the life of so many others. And you brighten mine!!!

papahere wrote on Jun 8, ’08 Sue…I can remember last year’s anniversary with the same great news…its anniversaries like this that makes life worth living…and may they continue for a very,very long time. ~ Papa

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 8, ’08 Thanks dear Papa! We’ve come a long way, baby smurf.

arcamun wrote on Jun 8, ’08 My Dear Sooz. Frida is right, you are such a giver…just watching the things you do for others here makes me fall over with fatigue. You have been courageous and focussed in your battle, and you are the finest of warriors for the cause. I am blessed to know you and to have been touched by your style and generosity of spirit. Big hugs Sooz.

luluone wrote on Jun 8, ’08 Nice to know you had a nice day! keep on bringing the positive energy in you. I am proud of how you are able to handle your battle   WIsh you all the best Sue, warm greeting always from Indonesia

aimlessjoys wrote on Jun 8, ’08 I’m SO glad you are a SURVIVOR!! Hooray! Have a Wonderful Day Every Day!

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 8, ’08 Another group hug!!!

vickiecollins wrote on Jun 8, ’08 First of all, I am glad things are going well on the cancer front for you.  I saw a preformance by Julie Sweeney a few months ago,and she was great.  Very funny while dealing with some really serious subjects, like cancer, first of her brother and then herself.  But more than that what it caused to happen in her home life..very poignant,funny, and happy-sad at the same time. She is great.

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 8, ’08 Hi, Vickie, she did a reading from her book; it was terrific, mesmerizing, a great story teller. Thanks so much for your wishes and comments.

velvet3000 wrote on Jun 22, ’08 Bravo again – and again 🙂

7jewel wrote on Jul 26, ’08 You’re a heroine Sans Souci dear friend xxx

sanssouciblogs wrote on Jul 26, ’08 7jewel said You’re a heroine Sans Souci dear friend xxx Thank you my dear friend!

sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 18, ’08 Bumpin’ up dis blog!