Date Nights - June

Chris and I found a good mix of new entertainment and old favorite restaurants this month. It was fun to try something new, but also have something reliable to depend on.

Chris found an independent comedy show that was quite a trip. It was a little more exotic than we anticipated, but we definitely had some solid laughs. Not sure if we were laughing with them or at them, but we laughed. We ate dinner at one of our Hell's Kitchen favorites, Bangkok House. I love their pineapple chicken fried rice - so good!

I was super excited for us to go see The End of Longing - written by and starring Matthew Perry. If you haven't read my post about the time I met Chandler (aka Matthew Perry), check it out here. It was certainly a night to remember! I wasn't quite as extreme this time, but I did let him know that I love his work. There was a talk back after the show so we enjoyed hearing more about how and why he wrote this show. Honestly, his answers and demeanor were exactly like what you see from Chandler on Friends reruns. It was awesome. Of course, I waited (in the rain) to meet him and get my playbill signed. He was friendly enough, but kind of just kept it moving. Definitely not Tom Hanks or Bryan Cranston level, but I was happy to meet him in a more traditional manner. Pommes Frites was simply the exclamation point on an already fantastic night. You can't really go wrong with fries by the cone full!

Do you have any go to restaurants for date night?

Andrea :)

Sunscreen - Always Worth It!

"Well, it looks like the report indicated it was malignant melanoma."

I'll never forget the moment Dr. Virgil Hatcher said those words to me. In fact, I don't remember much of anything after he said those words. I immediately began to panic and think the worst even as he assured me that it had been caught at the very earliest stages and there wouldn't be a need for any type of chemo or radiation.

I was completely caught off guard. I mean, yes, I had been the one to notice the mole looked a little different than others and suggested to my primary physician that I have it looked at by a dermatologist, but seriously, I never even fathomed it would be melanoma.

At the initial dermatology appointment, the doctor agreed my mole was a tad odd shaped and the coloring might be off a bit. He definitely wanted to test it, but didn't give me any indication that it might be skin cancer. Besides, it was in such an odd place - my left shoulder blade. While the initial procedure was a tad burdensome in itself, I had no idea I was looking at a second procedure that would involve seven stitches and a permanent label.

When I returned for that follow up visit in late May, I was stunned by the result - malignant melanoma. What?!?!? Totally unprepared to hear that news, I immediately began to tear up even though I knew it was silly to get so worked up when the doctor was so clear about the favorable early diagnosis. The second procedure would simply be to remove more tissue in the margins of the cancerous wound. Granted it would extend deep and wide enough that seven stitches would be involved, but it was mostly precautionary. The main culprit had already been removed.

It was a long week's wait between that fateful appointment and the procedure itself, but on June 6, it was done. Before we left the doctor's office after the out patient procedure, Chris learned all about the care this area would require over the next few weeks. He was a real trooper being the sole person responsible for all the bandaging since I could barely see it in the mirror let alone reach it.

The morale of this story is simply to wear sunscreen and protect your skin. I don't even really like being in the sun and try to avoid it as much as possible, but it still found a way to sink itself into my fair skin. I am certainly more conscious now of the importance of regular skin exams and being as protective as possible. I hope you do the same.

Andrea :)

Photo A Day - June

June was full of lots of races, an unexpected medical procedure, and fun shows and outings!

Chris and I ran in our 2nd annual Long Island City 5k - so fun! I found some time to catch up with my longtime friend, Vanya, in Central Park. Always great to spend time with an old friend. I took some photos of our apartment all laid out before we started packing. Finally, I experienced an unexpected procedure requiring seven stitches to remove melanoma from my left shoulder on June 6. Beware of the dangers of the sun...and that's coming from someone who avoids it all together if at all possible.

I completed my 6th consecutive NYRR New York Mini even though I had to walk the whole time because of my stitches. I never felt more proud to complete a race! I enjoyed some fun treats - a Black Tap cotton candy strawberry milkshake and Levain chocolate chip cookies. I stood in line for rush tickets to Come From Away which turned out to be amazing - loved every moment!

I took a one day memoir writing course. Chris and I saw Matthew Perry in The End of Longing complete with a talkback and autographs after the show. My NYC Matthew Perry story came full circle. Mary and I enjoyed our annual birthday show - Anastasia. And I found myself in a completely empty subway car one night - incredibly rare!

We finished the month off with another race - a four miler in Central Park. Our friend, Omar, made his stand-up comedy debut. Baked by Melissa went out on a limb with some ice cream - not great. I highly recommend The Moth if you love reading short, true stories - very neat!

Andrea :)