Chemotherapy Day Two!

Okay so maybe yesterday's post was a bit premature about not feeling too bad. Overnight got very rough with severe body aches. While a heating pad helped a bit I will be hitting the painkillers tonight to try and get better sleep. The actual office visit today went smoothly and I've taken one pain killer so far tonight to try and stave off the aches so I'm hoping for the best to get some rest.

I'm ok'd to go to the farmers market on Saturday if I am feeling up for it so that's exciting. So everybody should come out early in the morning to the Irvine Farmers Market to get the best prices on bunches of organic goodies. I've been telling all my fellow patients about the place so hopefully I will see some of you there on Saturday. If you see me out be sure to say HI! Click the link above for address and details about the farmers market.

Chemo Day One! Thanks to Knots of Love!

Well all the fear and apprehension was not deserved, or at least not at this point. Day one of chemotherapy was actually quite a bit easier than I expected. Long and boring, yes. But I met some really nice people to trade war stories with and at this point don't yet feel particularly bad although rumor has it I may feel like crap by the weekend.

I was able to pick a cozy and awesome hat to help keep my ears warm that had been donated by local charity Knots of Love. Be sure to check out their website and find a way to get involved in the good work they do. It's amazing how comforting something as simple as a knit cap can be when you are facing something as intimidating as chemo to try and help save your life. As people say, the little things so often mean the most.

A Magical Day at Sea World

With Mother's Day, my birthday, and the start of chemo all coming at me at once, we decided to head to Sea World yesterday to celebrate. What I did not know is that the amazing Ashlei had arranged a couple of special surprises. While any day at Sea World is a special treat, my first surprise was a private meeting with a baby sea otter named Pumpkin. While I was surprised to learn that sea otters are not friendly creatures, and are in fact close relatives of the wolverine, it was interesting to see how similar they are in physical behaviors and inquisitiveness to puppies.

Surprise number two came as a visit to the

Humboldt Penguins. Now, I don't know about you, but I have always wanted to meet a penguin so imagine my shock and awe when not only did we get to meet a penguin, but I got to hold it on my lap and pet it while posing for pictures. This shot is me with Popcorn.

Thanks to Keith for all of your generosity. It was truly a day I will remember forever.

You've Got a Sven!

Yesterday's excitement consisted of a follow up oncology appointment to prep for chemo which officially is set to start next Wednesday. I brought Sven (from Frozen) along for moral support, cause as you may know, reindeer and excellent at moral support. I have an ongoing Pinterest board documenting the adventures of Olaf and Sven that I would love to have you all check out.






So apparently chemo is not going to be four days as I had previously

expected, but rather three days, four different times. So next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I will spend most of the day getting pumped full of chemicals that will supposedly help reduce the risk that my cancer will spread. It is a bit alarming, not knowing what side effects may occur, but after a great deal of consideration I chose this path and hope it will all go relatively smoothly. Rumor has it that the first round is the worst, so if I don't post anything around those days it probably means I am too out of it and will return to posting the next time I feel human.

Becoming a cyborg!

Ok, so maybe not really becoming a cyborg, but getting stuff installed into your body does seem kinda cyborg-like to me. Today's big excitement was a trip back to the hospital to get the port installed for chemotherapy. While this is obviously minor surgery compared to what I have already been through all surgery is terrifying and don't let anyone tell you different. It was somewhat comforting that each nurse I spoke with laughed about how minor this one would be in comparison, and one even called it 'cake'. It was definitely much shorter, and I woke up feeling alert, not dizzy or nauseous, and my only real problem was a desperate desire to go to the restroom, which I was not allowed to do for thirty minutes (I know, TMI, but for those of you going through similar circumstances I just thought I'd share).

Home now and resting, though getting comfortable is not coming easily. One more hour until I'm allowed more pain killers so hopefully I'll be able to sleep after that.

To The Farmers Market We Go

Yesterday we trekked out to the LA Farmers Market for fun and adventure before today's surgery to put in my chemo port. For the unfamiliar, the LA Farmers Market is a cultural landmark in LA. Unlike the temporary farmers markets that spring up in various cities on given mornings, the LA Farmers Market is a series of permanent stalls adjacent to The Grove off of Fairfax.

While it is ironic that I'm writing about food on a day I am fasting (as required for surgery), if you are looking for a fun foodie experience in LA, this is the place. While there is a fruit and vegetable stall, this farmers market has multiple stalls to buy meats, as well as a charming french market and food and gift stalls galore. While there is both a Starbucks and a Coffee Bean at this location, for a unique coffee experience I would encourage you to try The Gumbo Pot who serves a delectable coffee with chickory. For food, my number one recommendation is The French Crepe Company who serve a wide range of both savory and sweet crepes to please everyone.

Luckily, for people like me who can't walk very far without getting exhausted, this market packs a lot of excitement into a small and contained space. It also features a lot of seating scattered throughout for whenever you need a rest break. Well, time to get ready to head to the hospital so wish me luck!

Go Fund Me Campaign

Even with medical insurance, trying to fight a catastrophic illness like cancer is insanely expensive. While I worked through the diagnosis stages, this has all gone quickly dramatic since my hospital admission in early March. Having contracted pneumonia after my first biopsy I spent nearly a month in the hospital, first for a second biopsy and then for a thoracotomy, which is widely considered one of the most difficult surgeries to recover from and during which they removed an entire lobe of my lung.

While I have been home for a few weeks now on disability, trying to recover from the surgery and working with a physical therapist, chemo is looming in the near future. Currently I am just waiting on insurance approvals to get the port surgically installed.

I have recently been informed that my daughter has started a Go Fund Me campaign to try and help cover some of my medical expenses. I am profoundly grateful to all who have donated so far. You have no idea how much your support means to me.