Monday, July 25, 2011

Scan

CT scan day. Waiting in the reception to drink my oral contrast solution. Woke up to thunder and clouds. Hmmm. Must be a good sign. My poet is accessed, love autocorrect, meant to say port but prefer poet. I have to drink the solution for an hour then a 5 minute scan. Cancer centers are not fun places to be. My appointment and results should be known today at 2pm. Wish me luck!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Reunited - Peaches & Herb

I had a wonderful trip to NC and VA, a reunion with my peace corps gals and families. This was my post chemo reward trip. I hadn't seen some of these ladies in ten years. The bonds we created in the peace corps were deep and real. We went through so much together. When we reunited it was like we were never apart. Our interactions were full of comfort and ease. We resumed our connections immediately and spent time just being together. This was just as I hoped it would be. So beautiful and so genuine.

The bonds we created I think stem from the challenges we lived through in Peace Corps. Being challenged by living in a developing country for 2 years pretty much kills any pretension or bullshit facade. We saw the best and the worst in each other. The beauty is we accepted each other for who we are best and worst, because we were all we had during those two years. In short, we became family. Unfortunately for me, the majority of my PC family lives on the other side of the country. My spirit was lifted from our visit and that adds to healing. So thank you ladies and families. We will reunite sooner than later next time.

I loved sitting on the porch and talking in the sweltering heat. The lighting bugs at dusk. The kids on the slip-n-slide trying to drink the dirty water pooled up at the end of the slide. Henry's laugh and Grey's passion for pirates. Southern fried chicken. Roxy chasing the goats and Ryder's enthusiasm. Isabelle's mindfulness and Elie's expressions. watching the thunderstorm, yelling Kaboom. Dance party in the entry. Going to the swimming hole, we did not sink, no worries Canyon. Stormy Fred's "he haw". front row seats for the fireworks. dinner outside every night. helpful husbands. the joy of being with people I love and love me for me. Thank you friends!

Now I digress back to the present:

Today, my energy is still challenged. This is not a surprise, but I still sometimes refuse to believe that it will take a year or longer to get my energy back. I am still fighting the cough and just worn out from travels, work and life. Today I returned to the medical world for an infusion of the medication, Avastin. This medication is supposed to help keep the tumors away. "Avastin, I greet you with open arms, please do your job very well." My labs looked pretty good this time around which is reassuring to me. The plan is to continue the Avastin every 3-4 weeks for how long I don't know. I am scheduled through the end of the year. This medication has little to no side effects so far. Hopefully just good side effects- extending life.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Normalcy strikes

I am still here. Just returned from my post chemo reward trip. I mostly kicked my never ending cold, thanks to antibiotics. I worked my first full 8 hour day since September. Can you say amazing. I was tearful with joy for the normalcy I felt yesterday. Never been more excited to work. So thankful to have the physical stamina. I will elaborate more on my trip, but life calls right now.

Sent from my iPhone