Chemo 4 - Tuesday, May 25th

Tomorrow will be chemo 4 (of 6)!  The last few weeks have been good, but the life of a cancer patient seems to be a busy one.  Teresa and Carolyn came over to cook some yummy food for me (magic mineral broth, almond muffins, and hummus - all from the Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook).   It was such a treat to have them here cooking in the kitchen with me.

Teresa and Carolyn with yummy almond muffins.

Teresa making magic in the kitchen.

Magic mineral broth ready to cook.

I have also enjoyed lots of great walks with friends - including Jenn who came to visit for a few days! My thanks to walking partners Yonie, Debbie, Gale, Jenn, Eric, and Sasha (who was here visiting me this weekend from Santa Cruz!).  Yesterday my dad arrived for a visit. We went on a 5 mile walk today to the beach which I am hoping helps me sleep tonight as I seem to have trouble sleeping these days.  It is crazy to go to bed so tired and to then not be able to sleep...it seems as unjust as getting wrinkles and still getting pimples!   But I suppose that it isn't totally unreasonable to have a lot of (often cancer related) stuff running through my mind when I go to bed.  

Sasha - trying on my wig! Wig twins...

My dad is here until Thursday and he happens to be a very good cook - lucky me! He made me dinner tonight - another real treat for me.  :)   He will be going to chemo with me tomorrow and we do have a bald photo planned while he is visiting (he is my bald buddy - so I thought it would be good to post a photo of the both of us with our bald heads - so stay posted for the previously promised photo of me bald!).

A typical lunch. It's not easy being green. :)

Thanks also to Matt and Marie-Anne for sending me the novel Pillars of the Earth which I am thoroughly enjoying!  I have also signed up for the Sunday New York Times (I figure that New York is a nice midway point between Santa Barbara and London).  All of these things will hopefully help me avoid chemo brain...

On the medical front, I will be having an MRI next week to see how much my tumor has shrunk. This will be interesting (please think VERY small tumor thoughts for me)! I also had a consultation last week with Dr. Cotter, the radiologist I will be using in Santa Barbara.  The appointment reminded me that I still have a long ways to go in treatment. My radiation treatment will be for 6.5 weeks - every day, Monday - Friday for 15-20 minutes a day.  Deep breath! I will start my radiation about 4 weeks after my surgery (another deep breath).  So please try and stay with me for the long haul - as I know that I will be facing some moments of medical treatment overload.  So remember, I love your silly photos, stories and jokes you send to me to help fill my smile and laughter prescription (seriously, they make me feel so happy!). 

Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts Sally!

Sally running the Race for the Cure in London!

Thanks again everyone for your love and support - see you on the other side of Chemo 4!

Hugs,

Jodi