Good article on couples facing cancer together

Here's a great article from the NYTimes on couples facing cancer together.

Twenty-five down, three to go!

Nearing the end of my radiation/chemo phase. I've been really lucky not to have experienced most of the side effects. I'm still working and still active. These last three treatments will blast the area of the tumor.

Then surgery in early August. I'll try not to think about that while I can and enjoy spring/summer while I can!

P.S. - How do you like my ugly graphic?

Tattoos and graffiti

I don't really understand the extent that people go to now with their tattoos. And don't even talk to me about all of those piercings and ear plugs. Honestly people, what is it going to look like when you're over 50 years old? I'm dating myself, but growing up, the only people who had tattoos were ex-cons, bikers and sailors. Some tattoos I see are so elaborate, I don't know how any one could stay still for so long? I told David the only tattoo I could stand to get would be a dot. Well, guess what? I now have, not one, but three dot tattoos. They were placed on my lower hips and center belly so the technicians could line me up for my radiation. And every time I get x-rays or radiation, they make marks on me (sometimes threatening to make smiley faces but no one but David would see) like a graffiti tagger in the middle of the night.

Am I hip now or what?

(Don't answer that. I once asked David if I got a pierced nose if I would look younger. He said I'd look like an old lady with a nose piercing!)

Treats for the staff

I mentioned that when David was getting chemo I went into a baking frenzy Sunday afternoons. We had a rainy day on Sunday so I was able to whip something up for the oncology radiation staff. It's from this NYTimes recipe with a couple of changes. I used a combination of ginger thins and speculoos for the crust and pecans instead of walnuts. The crew was very appreciative! I'd say this recipe is a keeper! (David didn't want me to give any away if that is an indication!)

The last three...but now they are one!

Twenty down, eight more to go

I'm in the home stretch! Five more regular treatments and then three 'blasts' where they really target the growth. 
Up until now my energy has been good. That changed on Friday. I was having lunch with a friend from work and she mentioned that it looked like my treatment was starting to affect me. I replied, like a kid refusing a nap because they are tired, that I felt fine. We had dinner with friends and when I got home I thought I'd lie down for a bit. Three hours later I got up, washed my face and brushed my teeth and went back to bed. David said I still looked tired the next day - harumph! But he did predict that it would be a month before I started feeling the effects, and he was right. (Hear that David? You were right!)
I guess all of this exercise is paying off! I'm still pretty active - with practice tonight I will have played tennis four times this week! Plus my trainer on Monday night. I'm hoping my energy level stays high enough to play in one of my USTA teams last matches, but I'll have to make that decision at the last minute.

So peeps, get out and move! Here's what looks like quick routine in the NYTimes that looked good!

Exercise like you're running from cancer!

I saw this article on CNN today. Basically, your chances of not getting cancer (too late for that!) or for surviving it are boosted by exercise.

I have been a avid exerciser for much of my adult life - cardio, calisthenics, tennis, running. Now I work with a trainer, play tennis and walk (jog if my hip is not bothering me).

I've found some interesting news about tennis. It can help you prevent memory loss! OK, it's not the only sport but it's mentioned in this article! The other story is from RadioLab. Start at the 17:00 point - it's about a woman in a coma who plays tennis in her mind!

It's never too late to get out there and move things around. Just look at this grandma! You have to keep moving in order to live to the fullest!

Cooking and cancer

A more appropriate picture of chef David! Not sure what the occasion was but we were serving on the pheasant dinnerware that my mom gave me.

When David was getting his chemo everyday during the work week, I went into a baking frenzy on Sunday afternoons. It was the best way for me to handle my stress, and to give back to the nurses that took such good care of him. The NYTimes  published an article shortly afterwards that captured my feelings.

*This week, I have an appointment with a dietitian. Perhaps this is because I have had some GI sensitivity, or maybe it's a standard part of treatment. Both David and I are enthusiastic cooks. He learned to cook because his mother didn't, I learned to cook because my mother did. When we need to, we can follow a prescribed diet. After David's second surgery, he had to go on a Chyle leak diet - which is a very low fat diet. We cooked everything extremely low fat, I even made yogurt cheese out of non-fat yogurt so he had something else to spread on toast. I guess what I'm getting at is, what is she going to tell me beyond the BRAT diet? Yes, I know I have a bit of an attitude and everyone at SCCA is doing the best they can to help me through this process and keep me healthy.

We eat as healthy as people can (if not too much). We shop at the farmer's markets year round. By spring I am sick of kale and root vegetables! We get pasture raised beef, chickens, goat and pork. We will make any adjustments that are suggested, but we won't stop cooking! Here is another great article in the Washington Post about cooking and cancer.Warning: Tear jerker!

*Update: I met with the dietitian and we had a good conversation. She said our current eating habits of whole foods (not shopping there!) and cooking for ourselves has probably played a big factor in how well I have been doing with my treatment. For now, I need to avoid things with insoluble fibers - raw veggies, fruit with skin on, fried foods, spicy foods, nuts and seeds. She also cautioned against juicing and other dietary changes. And, I'm supposed to still play tennis! So, despite my attitude, I got some helpful information and shared some with her!