Where Is Yippee

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2010-05-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

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Yippee is ready to head back out!

2010-02-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid with everything that's been going on here these past few months, Yippee's "short" trip home to drop off some of her belongings turned into an extended stay for a few months! We've enjoyed having her stay longer and visit but, she tells me it's time for her to head back out again on her mission to promote breast cancer awareness. In order to do that, Yippee needs your help! Would you like Yippee to come and visit you? All that is required is: Once you get Yippee, email me and let me know she has arrived. After that you are allowed to keep her for up to a week if you would like. She doesn't have to stay that long though if you don't want her to. You can take her anywhere you like, to work with you, your favorite places, some landmarks in your city, a local park, or she can just hang out with you and tell us more about your life and what you do. You need to have a digital camera so that you can take pictures of Yippee during her visit with you to send back to me to post on the blog, as well as internet access so you can email me little notes about what you and Yippee are doing, so that I can post them on the website. Once Yippee is done visiting with you, I will send you her next location where she is to be sent, and you will send her on there with a tracking number so that she is sure not to get lost....and that's it! Pretty simple and it's been a lot of fun for everyone who's been involved so far! Yippee can't continue her journey unless she has destinations she can go to so, if you'd like Yippee to come and visit you, please send me an email at: thefourlittlemunchkins@yahoo.com, stating your name and address and if there's any specific time you'd like Yippee to come and visit you.
Thanks for helping Yippee with her mission and hopefully she'll have more adventures to share with you all very soon!

Yippee...I'm in Columbia, South Carolina!

2009-08-18T21:13:00.001-07:00

Yippee! I'm in Columbia, South Carolina!
I just had to take a quick trip back to my home state of South Carolina so I could go with my Grandma for her cancer check up since I am her only traveling grand-furchild! My Grandma is the reason my Mom has sent me on this trip. Her Mom, and my Grandma has now battled with breast cancer two times and it means a lot to my Mom that other people know about breast cancer and learn what they can to do to help find a cure! Here we are arriving at the South Carolina Oncology Association

(I'm wearing a very special outfit that Grandma made for me with breast cancer awareness ribbons on it!)

It's a nice, newer building with lots of windows!

The older place in the hospital was down in the lower levels with no sunshine at all. Having the sun shine in sure makes you feel better! Plus, they keep lots of pretty flowers around and bird feeders hanging from the windows so you can watch nature all around you. We think it's great! If you'd like to take a virtual tour of the place and get some better views of the building, you can visit here: www.sconcology.net

There are other lovely sites around the building, but we saved that for after our appointment! We had to hurry up or we would be late!!
We started off by checking in and then going for our blood draw. Ouch! I thought I better be checked too! Just to see what it was like for Grandma...

Then we were sent over to Imaging.

They took a scan of Grandma and I think it blurred my photo!! I opted to skip the scan. There was only room for one on the table there.
After the scan we go back to our doctor's area and they called us back. First stop was with nurse Pat. She always makes us smile.
She takes our weight and blood pressure. I weigh almost one whole pound!

Thank goodness they did not put that blood pressure cuff on me!! Grandma did it all by herself. I was just there for support.

After they check the stats we are taken back to the exam room.
I thought I could just sit there and show off my "Bark For A Cure" outfit.

However.... they make you put on a paper gown!

It is not nearly as pretty as my outfit was!! But you do what you have to do!
The doctors here are just the best! We think we have the best doctors in the whole building! We feel very blessed that God allowed us to have Dr. Nicole Hendry and Dr. Robert Smith! They take great care of us!

Our check up went well, so we moved on to our next stop, which is to have Grandma's port flushed. Our nurse is shy and only wanted her hands in the photo, so that is just what we did!

We always enjoy hearing how her family is doing as they serve our country in the military and we also enjoy hearing stories about her goats that she raises. She is a good nurse and gets the port flushed as quickly as possible.Grandma has to have it flushed every 3 months when she is not using it for chemotherapy! We are thankful she is not having to have chemo right now. After a full year of treatments, we are glad to just get that port flushed out!

This is what the port looks like, only it's under her skin now:

The needle goes into that silicone center there and the chemo or saline flush, runs through the wires which are in her veins. This helps keeps keep her blood vessels healthier. We are thankful for ports! She did not have one the first time she got cancer and the chemo burned the vessels in her arm and made them hard.

Our last stop in the building is normally to set up our next appointment.

We love their "Bat phone". Everyone needs a little superhero help now and then. :)
But, before we left we went down to the chemotherapy unit. We have spent a lot of time here and wanted to be sure to say hello to our two best nurses, Pam and Gwen!

This is the second time Pam has gotten to be Grandma's nurse! That sure made it easier this time. And this was our first time with Gwen. She became very dear to us as well. We really love our nurses and appreciate all they do to help make chemotherapy as comfortable as they possibly can. They would bring Grandma warm blankets or extra pillows, or go get her a snack or a drink whenever she wanted one. They are very busy, but they really care and that makes all the difference in the world!

On the way out we stopped by the Serenity Garden. I liked looking over at the Koi Ponds. They have two! If you look out the windows of the chemotherapy unit, you can see the ponds down below.

I just had to get a closer look!

On the way out of the gardens, the little garden girl wanted a snuggle, so I shared some love. Sometimes you just need a hug!

All in all, it was a great day and I really enjoyed going with Grandma for her check up! I hope one day, when I grow up, I can be as brave and strong as she is!

Until next time....

Yippee

La Vida Loca!

2009-07-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

This place is pretty different and very hot. Today is the 7th day in a row we have had temperatures of over 100. But, it isn't too bad, so far every day I have been near water. Wait until you see me in my life jacket! :)

I went to see the new house that the twins are going to spend summers in. There was a big machine and so that I didn't get my head hurt, I had to wear a hard hat...
I got to be the boss there and tell them where to dig...

After having lunch, we drove to South Padre Island.

You can see the light house in Port Isabel, some painted porpoise, the long long bridge we drove across, a sand sculpture, some very big turtles (They even gave me a turtle charm for my collar). You can also see a statue blessing the fishing fleet and the Gulf of Mexico. Pretty cool stuff!!

Tomorrow we are going to Mexico for some shopping and have lunch there. Goodness most of the people Betty runs into talk both English and Spanish....she even speaks both...good thing too since there are lots here that don't speak any English.
Betty has even taught me a little spanish "Hola, Como Esta'?" That means, "hello, how are you?"

Betty even picked out a special outfit for me to wear tomorrow, what do you guys think?

Betty is helping me write some stuff in my journal and will put some pictures in my picture book. Who knows what we will do in Mexico...this lady is go, go, crazy!

Until then...

Yippee

Yippee...I'm in McAllen, Texas!

2009-07-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I have arrived in McAllen, Texas with Betty and The Texas Trio!

Boy is it hot here...Betty, said it was 108 today. I get carried around a lot here so I don't hurt my feet.

When we went outside, she made me wear a life jacket cause her pool is so big she was afraid if I fell in, I couldn't get out by myself. She even made me wear it when I wanted to look at the fish in the pond. There is one big fish called a koi that I wanted to catch but it is bigger than I am.

Today was the 4th of July. We didn't want to get hurt by the fireworks so we drove to a parking lot where we could see real good but were out of the way.

They were pretty but, much too loud. Gidget and I tried to hide under the seat of the car.

So far I like Gidget best...she shares her beds with me.
Trinket tries to carry me where ever she goes and Betty fusses at her but she isn't minding very well.
I'm not sure about Panda yet...she is very bossy and doesn't want me being close to Betty. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Betty says not to worry about Panda ...if she isn't nice we will just spend the week with Gidget.

Well, it is pretty late and I'm pooped so off to bed for me!

Until then...

Yippee

Worlds Of Fun And More!

2009-06-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought Kansas City couldn't possibly be any more fun....Carol, my kind hostess took me to "Worlds Of Fun"!

I was so excited the night before I could hardly sleep! When we got there, I was so thrilled I had to let out a little "Yippeeeeeee!!"

Carol made me put on my sunblock first so I wouldn't get a sunburn while we were out having fun. She brought her bag along too so I could ride in it whenever I was tired of walking...
Once we got in the park, boy, you should've seen all the crazy rides they had!!
Some took people up in the sky and flipped them around and others would spin people round and round and round again! I had never been on rides like those before so I wasn't too sure what to think but once I tried them, I had a blast!!

When we were tired of riding rides we went to the other side of the park called "Oceans Of Fun". They have lots of rides there where you can get really wet and a bunch of cool shows with sea animals too!

Luckily the gift shop there had a bathing suit in my size so I was able to take a dip in the pool with everyone else :)

There were tons of people there but, I was the only Yorkie, I felt very special!! :)

The next day Carol decided to take me to some of the beautiful fountains in KC (that's how people here say Kansas City!) Did you know KC is known as the "City of fountains"? Kansas city's has more fountains than any other city in the world...except for maybe Rome! Carol showed me some of the most famous fountains there, here are some pictures of me, Carol and Boo-Boo in front of the Nicholas Fountain!

One of the fountains Carol took me to is at Union Station, here's a picture of us outside!

And here is one of us in front of the fountains there!

Union Station was built in 1914 and encompasses 850,000 square feet and originally featured 900 rooms. In its prime as a working train station it accommodated tens of thousands of passengers every year. At its peak during WWII, an estimated one million travelers passed through the Station!
Closed in the 1980s, the Station sat empty and neglected, escaping demolition on several occasions. In 1996, a historic bi-state initiative was passed to fund the Station's renovation, which was completed in 1999.
The Station is now once again a popular destination for the surrounding community just stopping by for lunch or to mail a letter from the post office in the west end of the Grand Hall. The station also draws tourists from ALL over the world who marvel at the Grand Hall's 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the six-foot wide clock hanging in the Station's central arch!

After we went to Union Station, Carol took me to the Nelson Atkins Museum Of Art to show me the GIANT Shuttlecock sculpture! Here's a picture of us in front of it:

The Shuttlecock was built and designed by a husband and wife team, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. They were commissioned in 1994 to design a sculpture for The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. They responded to the formality of the original neoclassical building and the green expanse of its lawn by imagining the Museum as a badminton net and the lawn as a playing field. The pair designed a shuttlecocks that was placed as though it had just landed on the opposite side of a net. The shuttlecock weighs 5,500 pounds, stands nearly 18 feet tall and has a diameter of some 16 feet!

After we visited the Museum, Carol, Boo-Boo and I were ALL "dog-gone" tired and headed back home for a warm shower and meal. Carol tucked me in bed and read me a story and reminded me that I had to get up extra early tomorrow to head off to my next stop...

I've had so much fun on my journey so far, I can't imagine what could possibly be next....

Until then!

Yippee

Yippee....I'm in Kansas City, Missouri!

2009-06-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

What a trip! Who knew Missouri was so far away from Ohio! I encountered some turbulence on my "flight" there and it was a slightly crowded air plane....
It actually felt more like I was in a box than an air craft! I guess given the economy they are making planes smaller now :)
Once I got off the plane I was able to take a better look at the city I will be staying in this week, Kansas City! Wow! What a beautiful place!! I'm so excited to be here!

I had the nicest hostess pick me up from the airport, her name is Carol.
She was very sweet and helped me unpack all of my luggage and introduced me to the family. She has a Yorkie named Booboo that I became fast friends with! I'll share some pictures of us together a little bit later...

Today Carol had a Dentist appointment and I insisted that she take me along with her. I haven't been to the dentist in a while and I thought I might need a check up as well. Carol brought me to this building with a big sign....I thought it was so cool I wanted to take my picture in front of it to show you guys!

Once we got inside, Carol showed me how everything works and where I was supposed to sit for my dental check up :)

After that I was able to meet Carol's dentist, Kim, and she was SO nice! She told me my teeth are looking G-R-E-A-T and to keep up the good work with my daily brushing and flossing! Yippee for me!! :)

After I got my checkup, Carol had to get her checkup and I was feeling a little exhausted from my trip so I took a quick nap....

When I woke up, it was time for us to go home and call it a day.
Carol says she has a lot more adventures planned for me and I can't wait to see what they are....

Until then....
Yippee

I'm headed off tomorrow morning...

2009-06-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have had the bestest time here in Chillicothe, Ohio with my new friends, Tom, Beth and Dashi! We have been so busy....

I attended a Look Good ...Feel Better session for ladies that are having chemotherapy treatment.
Look Good... Feel Better is a free program that teaches cancer patients hands-on cosmetic techniques to help them cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments.
The program talks about wig care, scarf and hat use, skin care and nail care. All participants of the program receive free goodie bags filled with makeup and beauty supplies. Look Good... Feel Better is a free, supportive, informative and enjoyable first step toward renewed self-esteem, self-confidence and emotional recovery for cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.

After I attended the Look Good....Feel Better session I had to run off to another Relay For Life and then some Church activities.

I was able to go to the beautiful downtown park and rode in Dashi's pink stroller.

Dashi is blind so I really did help her while I was here. I went to work with Tom at the Chillicothe Telephone Company and got to see just how the phones work-what a big switch room!

Oh, Dashi and I went outside last night and took a nap in a nice bed of purple and white flowers-they smelled so good.

I loved sleeping really close to Dashi in her bed and I will miss her, Beth and Tom.

Well, I am off tomorrow morning to my next stop....am I coming to YOUR house??
I guess we will see...

Until then.....

Yippee :)

PS Here are a few more pictures of the beautiful town I've spent my past week in, I hope you enjoy them!

The County Court House

The City Park

Downtown Chillicothe

If you are interested in learning even more about the town I stayed in you can visit this link HERE

Yippee....I'm in Chillicothe, Ohio!

2009-05-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

I have safely arrived here in Chillicothe, Ohio!

I flew in early this morning and guess I should have taken a later flight...
I did not know that my hostess was going to have a full day scheduled for me!
First thing we left and went to an American Cancer Society, Reach to Recovery training in Portsmouth, Ohio (about an hour away). This is a program to train women that have gone through breast cancer and want to help newly diagnosed women. Of course I was excited to attend and learn all I could since I am so interested in helping on this project. There were 11 ladies there and we had so much fun. They loved me....of course :)

We then came home and changed our clothes and we hopped back in the car and went to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Vinton County (about 40 minutes away). What a wonderful place to be! I think the whole town was there!

There was a band playing really loud music, people were walking around a track, visiting different tents and buying luminaries.
Well I could not stand it anymore; I just had to get my picture taken here and send it to you all.

We ate some really good food there too and I am stuffed. :)
I am having a great time here in Chillicothe; my hostess has many more adventures planned for me before my stay is over.

Until next time....

Yippee

Meet Yippee...

2009-05-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'd like you all to meet Yippee the traveling Yorkshire Terrier.
Yippee has set off for her very first journey today,where will she be going..when, where and who...could it be you? I guess you all will have to wait and see...

For the next six months she is going to be traveling all across the USA and abroad. Going from city to city, taking pictures of her adventures and keeping her online journal here, for us to follow :) Yippee is dressed in pink, with a pink bow and a pink breast cancer awareness charm around her neck in the hopes of sharing the cause of breast cancer awareness with many people as she travels on her journey.
My family has personally been touched and affected by cancer. My Mother is currently recovering from her second battle with breast cancer, this blog is dedicated to her and the many others who have battled with this terrible disease...may we one day find a cure and live in a world where the battle against cancer will no longer exist.

J.A.