Thursday, May 19, 2011

What now? What next?

A week has gone by since my last chemo and now I'm finishing 10 days of Neupogen injections. As soon as those are done I'll start getting my life back. I'll go on a 5 week body rebuilding project so that when I get off the plane in Venice on July 14th I'll be buff, better and beautiful! Not to mention 50!!! There will be a video camera with me and this time I"ll be sharing my favorite Venetian dining and foodie finds.

Many of my friends have been asking me if I'll be writing a book about what I'm going through. I have been taking all my journaling and organizing. There has to be a story in all those ramblings and if my journey helps just one woman discover her cancer early I've served a purpose on this Earth. If there is a little humour involved and I lighten someones burden with their cancer I"ve succeeded as well. SO, that being said. I have a couple of possible titles kicking around my head. The top winner being "What now, what next?"

The cancer treatment really is the easy part of the disease. It's the living with the rest of your life that's the challenge. How do you get through the days, weeks, months, and years without losing your mind?


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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Finally finished my chemo today!!!

Well, finally it's time to celebrate! Spring, life, love everything there is under the sun. It was time to put on a pretty dress, some bling, pop a bottle of bubble and light a sparkler!!
All I can say is that the future is bright and healthy. Time to start living again. You'll be seeing a lot more of me. Chin, chin!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Finished treatment number 5

This has been quite a rocky ride, but I can't believe I'm almost through and can get back into the stream of life. There will be a new normal. It will consist of blood tests, CT scans and PET scans, worrying about every new pain and ache and just knowing that the chances of a recurrence are pretty strong with Ovarian cancer.  5 down and one to go. That's what's keeping me focused and on track.

As soon as treatment 6 is done I'll be back in the kitchen with a vengeance! I have a lot of catching up to do. I really need to start changing my diet habits and create recipies that I love with foods I really don't. When I can't sleep, food combinations and flavours spin through my mind. Trying out the combinations may prove successful. I've been following Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Life and while I hate juiced greens, there is so much benefit against disease. If only I could make it taste good! http://crazysexylife.com/ Kris has really managed to subdue her cancer through diet, wellness and an unbelievable attitude towards life. She's my hero! Check her out, she'll be one of yours too.

I did have a houseguest this week. An old colleague from Talbots stopped by and we opened a bottle of Maculan  Pino I Toi. http://www.maculan.net/SITE/MAIN/index.asp  I did have a small taste and what a yummy delight. My taste buds are off, but I really enjoyed savouring every little drop. Piano, piano, piano! It's really wonderful to just drink a glass slowly and let the liquid coat your tongue, mouth and throat. How much more I enjoyed it. Even with my taste being so far off it was fresh, Springy and tart, complementing a spicy quacamole perfectly.

A new updated photo, sans hair was needed here. Howard School in Carpinteria California had a benefit art show at Farmer's West a few weeks ago. I got a presentation together and made it through a very chilly evening reception and a really chilly long Saturday. Sold some beautiful pieces, made some new friends and reconnected with many familiar faces. Now if only I could get cracking and produce some more work. Inventory is incredibly low, but that does go with my energy level.

Life is changing every minute and I'm not slowing down to miss anything.

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Villa under construction


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Prosecco!!!!

The vines of Nino Franco
http://www.ninofranco.it/
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The hills of Valdobiaddene

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Ok, so chemo drained my brain cells, killed my appetite and cooking ability!

I know this was supposed to be a monthly thing, but there's no way. This blasted disease has knocked me down, but not out.
There have been some memorable moments with great food and friends but the chemo brain has drained them from my brain.  Maybe even worse, no vino! Just a glass once in a while to lift my spirits and bring me into the normal world. Mexican food and hamburgers  and  icecream are what make my taste buds sing right now.
I wouldn't be able to survive without a bean and cheese burrito from Delgado's in Carpinteria, or the Nuggett in Summerland! I also know that the man at the local 711 thinks I'm nuts. I run in and grab the Dreyers Touchdown icecream. It's seasonal, and won't come back till football season! I'll have to make my own, but I probably won't want any when this is through.