Final Chemo is Approaching: March 9th!

Dear Friends,

Walking across the Common to Chemo no. 15!

I have been a very bad blogger over the past 2 months!  Somehow settling back into London, starting at a new cancer center and going back to work seems to have taken every spare moment - and a lot of energy!  But life in London is good and every day I continue to feel stronger and more myself.  Looking back to late November, when I first returned to London, I can honestly say that I am feeling much stronger and more energetic.  I just have to sometimes remind myself that it takes a bit of time to cleanse one's self of chemo drugs and recover from radiotherapy (I still  have my therapy "tan lines", but they are nearly gone!).

St. Sulpice in Paris.

Lunch in Paris!

I had the one year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis on February 27th.  It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since finding out that I had cancer.  I can vividly remember the sense of disbelief and thinking, maybe this is a bad dream that I will wake up from!  I think I celebrated this one year milestone rather in style - I was in Paris working.  We had a Global Forum (a series of events - which I help coordinate for UCLA in Europe).  The UCLA Chancellor Gene Block gave a talk on circadian rhythms - very relevant for those who travel frequently in different time zones!  It was a lovely evening and then Chris and I had dinner with my fabulous colleagues - Matthew and Deborah, the UCLA Chancellor and the Dean of the UCLA Anderson Business School.  So it was this wonderful sense, of being on the other side of cancer treatment, feeling back in the game, and getting on with life!

Happy One Year Diagnosis Anniversary!

Beautiful flower display in Paris.

The weekend before Paris, we were in Geneva (again for a UCLA Global Forum).  Chris and I were able to spend a day sightseeing on the Saturday before heading back to London. It was my first trip outside of the UK since returning home and it felt so good to see a new city!

Fun in Geneva with my handsome husband!

Next week - I have two big events - my birthday and my last chemo (no. 17)!  Last year, since I was diagnosed with cancer just before my birthday, I joked with people that "this is the crappiest birthday present ever!",  But this year I can say that finishing chemo and having my health back is the best birthday present ever (yes, even better than a red velvet cupcake...)! Thank you to my friends and family for giving me so much to be thankful for - and for having so much to look forward to!

My lovely friend Kerryn - my buddy for chemo no. 16!

Still trying to eat healthy!