Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes . . .

My boss promptly walked into my office at about 1:45pm today and closed the door . . . yeah, she never does that unless it's really serious . . . she proceeded to explain to me that her role as VP of Licensing and Marketing was beginning to take its toll on her and that she had finally decided that she could no longer hold up both pillars of the business with her own small shoulders.

So, we're going to re-organize our department a bit. She is going to be managing the licensing side of the business and will be turning over marketing responsibilities (and me in the process) to our VP in the London office. Our VP there, who has been handling marketing for Europe only, will now manage all international marketing. She will continue to have her director manage the Europe business and I will now report into her and manage the REST of the WORLD! Yes, apparently they like me so much around here, they're now going to give me the entire free (and non-free) world to manage outside Europe. Latin America and Asia will now report into me . . . yes, the woman who only speaks one language will now have multi-language and multi-regional responsibilities as well as 4 new team members reporting into her.

Well, congrats to me! While I am excited at this opportunity and the elevated exposure it's going to grant me in the company, my first reaction was, "well, there goes my exit strategy . . ." Apparently, NYC will continue to be my home for the next little while. Now how to ask for that raise I so rightly deserve?!

Run, Forrest, Run!

Monika, one of my partners in crime from 1515 Broadway, and I rose bright and early to greet the 40,000+ runners from around the world participating in the NYC Marathon. The late Fall morning was a little chilly, but we were glad we braved the elements to catch a glimpse of this fine NY tradition.

After riding the subway to Brooklyn (along with several late-night Halloween partiers embarking on their "walk of shame" home, complete with dis-sheveled hair, smeared makeup, and torn costumes from the night before), Monika and I were able to stake the perfect viewing location for up-close glimpses of Mayor Bloomberg leading the parade of joggers in the lead car, the determination of the parapalegic competitors, and the never-ending sea of runners.

We had hoped to spot Edward Norton and his team of runners in their race for the Massai Wilderness Conservation Trust, but with so many runners, we never did make contact. . . instead, we saw plenty of other characters. But, from the sea of clowns, roosters, Captain America, tutus, and samurai warriors, I was most partial to Forrest Gump . . . (not necesarily original, but it brought a smile to my face each of the five times I saw it in the crowd.)

Enjoying Night-time During the Day!

Master of Irony, M. Night Shymalan is in the building today to review our toy line for our upcoming movie, The Last Airbender (which you're all planning to see opening weekend -- July 2, 2010, right?). He's even more charming in person than he is on film! I think I am awfully close to convincing him to direct my life story!

I am a PC

The new computer arrived today! L-O-V-E it! I can surf, download, stream, and pretty much do everything faster with a brand spankin' new hard drive and HD compatible memory capacity! Look forward to more blogging, more often . . . it won't be so incredibly painful anymore, leaving me with no excuses.

The Clock is Ticking . . .

My sister-in-law Carla posted this note on my Facebook page today:

Hudson, on the way home from school today, "Mommy, why does Aunt Jessica have to live in New York?" Mommy, "because that's where she works honey". Hudson, "I don't want her to live there." Mommy, "where should she live?" Hudson, "in our house." .... I think he misses you!

Well, I definitely miss him . . . I think I may need to start drafting my exit strategy. . .

CA Dreamin'

After a brief business trip south of the border, I headed to CA for a long weekend to visit the fam and to see my nieces and nephews in action. Nicole (under my wise guidance and gentle nudging, I might add) made the high school volleyball team as a freshman and I couldn't be more proud!

She was feeling down and out this week due to a chest infection, but she played long enough on Saturday morning for me to get a peek at her serving skills. She made sure to introduce me to her coach, who is "my twin; I swear!". Erin is lovely and after shaking hands with her, all of Nicole's fellow teammates kept giggling back and forth, "they do look alike! Oh my gosh! They totally look the same!" I don't see the resemblance, personally. . .

Kyle's team tied their opponents during this week's soccer match. And, despite avoiding a potential team pile up on the field, the coach was pissed at their underperformance of the day. Apparently, the reigning national champions think they don't need to work for a win these days . . . well, I am sure that after some extra laps in practice this week, they'll secure a win next week.

Alison played great defense on Saturday morning and helped lead her team to a 4-0 win . . . she's doing great and is loving being a junior-high student.

I spent Saturday night with Hudson; we played outside with his neighbor friends, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and warm weather we were blessed to have all weekend. My nose even got a little sunburned at the playground. I loved it considering it's been a blustery and cold October in NYC!

My brother Bill took me to see his orthopaedic surgeon on Monday morning to get a second opinion regarding my ankle. After about 45 minutes of an onslaught of questions and a close examination of my MRI, Dr. Legome said very simply, "you have a lot of problems my dear, and I am sure you already know that." He continued by confirming everything I've been told, including the diagnosis of CMT and telling me that not only should I have the surgery, but that the quality of my life entirely depends on it. He then spent the next 15 minutes lecturing me on losing weight . . . as if I didn't already know that was an issue! I completely lost it then and there; I finally let all the fear, anxiety, and anger release from inside. . . I think I was still hanging onto a small sliver of hope or a medical miracle when Dr. Legome validated everything that I have been wanting to avoid. And, now that the right foot is hurting also, we asked if I should take the plunge and have both feet operated on at the same time. He thinks it would be far too traumatic for my body, so I have to make plans for how to address that foot sometime in the future. Thank goodness Bill was there to put his arm around me; I don't think I could have handled another doctor's appointment by myself.

I managed to board the plane Monday night with dry eyes. . . I joked to myself that I think I am finally moving past denial and straight into anger! I'm progressing . . . definitely progressing! That's good, right?

Sweet Arrival

Finally arrived in Mexico City tonight at midnight after a really long day . . . I originally had a 9:15am flight out of JFK, but couldn't board the plane without el passporto~! Si, that's right; I left my passport at home in its hiding place instead of bringing it with me to el aeropuerto . . . damn you Homeland Security!

What was so tragic about the situation is that there are only 2 flights every day between JFK and MEX. Hurriedly, I re-booked myself on the 6pm flight and decided to take the opportunity to get some work done at the office after stopping at home to grab my documentacion.

You can imagine my overhwhelming feeling of respite when I finally arrived at my executive suite at the Four Seasons . . . complete with an "electronic mirror" in my bathroom! That's right, I have a TV in my mirror! Love it and my job!

A 3D Sighting

Taking in the 3-D double feature of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 this weekend, I spotted Al Roker with his 2 kids in the theatre . . . he looked a little miffed when his son whined and begged to go home after only viewing the first movie. As you can imagine, he was not his usual smiling self . . .

Baby Steps, Baby Steps

After writing a teary-eyed post Monday night, hitting re-dial with what seemed like a bazillion times, and an ever-growing panic attack at the thought that my world as I knew it was falling apart, I finally reached Mom on the damn phone sometime late Tuesday afternoon to finally get that all-knowing "motherly advice" I desperately needed. We talked about my options for scheduling surgery, discussed how this diagnosis is now going to change my lifestyle, and tried to speculate why it has taken 32 years to finally get the answers to all the questions we have been asking since the day I took my first steps. (Yes, apparently there have been clues that a trained physician could have deciphered at any point before now . . . whodathunkit?)

We both agreed that I will probably have a much more enjoyable holiday season without a full cast, crutches, ice packs, and narcotics (although they might be more cheery with drugs and alcohol, I am sure). I also recognized that I was becoming increasingly overwhelmed at the idea of leaving the office and all my open projects in just three weeks (with one of those including a foreign business trip). Additionally, by delaying the surgery, I can afford some time finding another doctor to offer a second opinion.

After a few days of thoughtful consideration and a long talk with my boss, I've decided to schedule the surgery in January 2010. I figure I am already in constant pain, but the pain I will feel post-surgery will be much worse; and, I really want to be able to sit on the floor opening gifts under the tree on Christmas morning with my nieces and nephews. Plus, after having to endure my birthday with a broken foot three years ago, I would really like to spare myself a repeat of that agony.

So, here is my plea: Is there anyone who would like to volunteer to come spend a week in the Big Apple in January? You won't get to see much of the city since you'll be feeding me, doing my laundry and generally being my bed-nurse . . . but if you'd be kind enough to come help me with my recovery, I will promise to take long, drug enduced naps each and every afternoon, giving you the opportunity to take in a Broadway show, tour the MOMA, take photos from the top of the Empire State Building or to see any other sites that you've never had the chance to discover.

Sure, it'll be winter, but not to worry; we don't really get much snow and there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy! Besides, for those of you that are unemployed (or have an open calendar), when else are you going to have the opportunity to pick up and jet to the NYC? Volunteers welcome!

Crippling News

After nearly a full year of walking in pain along the streets of New York City; countless doctor's appointments; several MRIs, x-rays, and neurological tests trying to find the source of my pain, I finally met with a surgeon who today told me that he needs to completely "rebuild" my left foot and ankle.

I was prepared for the news that surgery was inevitable, but I was not ready to hear the extensive details of how he will have to break my foot, cut my achille's tendon, and re-anchor the tendons and ligaments on the exterior of my ankle. Getting the play-by-play, I nearly "lost it" in his office and I am definitely losing it now as I write this post.

I'm a cripple (for lack of a better term, really). Many of you have at least one, if not many, memories--I am sure--of me falling, tripping, or tumbling down stairs, slippery floors, or incredibly something as simple as my own two feet (yes, it's possible and I do it a lot, folks). And, after years of broken bones, sprains, and more, Dr. Weinfeld has finally confirmed what a few of New York's finest physician's have suspected for the last year--I am genetically pre-disposed to being "accident-prone." It seems funny, but only because I am making my best attempt at finding this diagnosis humorous right now . . .

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome is a hereditary neurological disorder that causes shortened calf muscles, extremely high arched feet, and weak ankles. The root of all these side effects is a syndrome that will slowly over the course of my life kill the nerve endings in my hands and feet, which will eventually atrophy all the muscles in my extremities. Much like muscular dystrophy, I will progressively lose most muscle strength in my feet and/or hands over my lifetime. . . The surgery that Dr. Weinfeld wants to perform will likely be the first of many that I will have to endure for years to come in order to maintain full use of my feet.

I am incredibly terrified, but at the same time calmed that I have found a surgeon that is so well-versed in this condition and is confident that I am going to recover well from the surgery. But, I can't help thinking what does this diagnosis mean for me and the rest of my life? What does this mean for the opportunity to have children some day? (I can't help thinking now that it's probably a blessing in disguise that I never married and had children in my 20s . . . )

Now, what to do? When to schedule my surgery? Should I do it now in the hopes that I will be in a walking boot in time to travel for the holidays? Or, do I wait until January when the officework is a little slower, but snow is on the ground and I am stumbling with crutches to get into a cab every morning to get to work ? How will I take care of myself in my little studio apartment; in this big city without a car? I really am losing it . . .