Funky Bahia

I watched a music video from Sergio Mendez today called Funky Bahia. It made me feel happy--and the headgear was inspirational. I've since learned that Bahia is another name for Salvador, which is known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless outdoor parties. I found the video and accompanying music to be uplifting, light, and fun: a great, natural antioxidant.


Speaking of headgear, I received a very thoughtful gift from my sister Jenny that I would like to share with all of you. Jenny wrote that if I ever found my wig to be hot and itchy on those sticky North Carolina summer nights, she thought I might want to slip into something more comfortable. Inside her carefully wrapped package I found four individually wrapped "Buffs", each chosen for a special occasion.



















































































































I loved them all and added them to the Buff collection that my friend Blair, another wise and thoughtful woman, started for me.
Blair is one of those kinds of people that know just the right gift to give at just the right moment. She has showered Vlad with all kinds of amazing plants, including the amazing ass cactus. Besides her infectious laughter, Blair is an amazing artist that can make a rock look like a diamond.














Vlad is also enjoying the buffs.

























In the same weekend I received a special gift from my friend Stephanie. Now Stephanie is not one to sit and watch life go by---and she won't let her friends either. When Stephanie walks into the room, the party starts. Always full of fun and joy, Stephanie pulls a group together with her contagious giggle and open heart. And have you ever heard Stephanie sing? Amazzinngg. . I would like Stephanie to sing KTunstall's "Big White Horse and a Cherry Tree" at my "In the Buff" party. How about it Stephanie?

Overall....I am feeling very good. Turns out the shots I've been taking each day to protect my white blood cell count backfired and caused my body to produce more than it should...but no worries..I should normalize in a couple of days. The good news is that my appetite has returned (with avengance!). I get winded easily, but other than that I feel almost normal.

Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers...they are obviously working!

Groovey New Style

Thanks to Terah, my trusted hairstylist and owner of Bottega, I am sporting a new funky ---very short--hairdo. Terah is not only a talented hairstylist, but one of the most beautiful women in Raleigh. Besides running her own salon she is training for a half marathon in October. Terah was kind enough to give her time and talent to give me a chance to have a little fun with my hair before it falls out. It's a new look for me and I plan to enjoy it as long as I can. Thanks, Terah, for making this part of my treatment easier to bare.

Besides adjusting to the idea of being bald, I am having a little trouble eating. I just need to experiment more...I have found that frozen fruit right out of the bag is refreshing and tasty. so today I bought a big bag of blueberries and peaches. What I don't eat out of the bag I plan to blend up in my juicer.


Vlad claims I've been an emotional roller coaster...who me? Nah! But I have to admit I thought the world would end when I couldn't login to work from home. I had a crying fit over that and promptly walked myself to the gym to get on the bike. On my way I called Vlad to tell him I was sad and blue and was going to the gym for an attitude adjustment. An hour later Vlad shows up at the gym (how did he get in?!) to surprise me with a little gift box. Inside I found a beautiful pair of earrings: the perfect gift hand delivered by an incredibly thoughtful man. Now who could be sad and blue after that?

Vlad with his new additions:

Mom checking in..........

Hi,

So you want to party, eat, drink and NCTEIFRAO! How did you get so wise at such a young age? I'm looking forward to following your adventures. Just don't give me more information than I need!

I like that positive approach to this glitch in the road. I am honored to be with you on this journey. I'll check in again soon.

Chemo Phase: Day 5

Day 5 of Chemo and hopefully those nasty cancer cells are choking!!! I am doing OK...no nausea...no vomiting...no teeth have fallen out.....Actually, besides loss of appetite, metal mouth, a general queasiness in my gut, and a lazy tired kind of feeling....I feel great! The wound from my drain is sealing up nicely, although it looks like someone stuck some wood putty in there. No fresh fruit or veges for the week....but come Saturday I plan to pull out my brand new juicer (gift from my great mom, of course) and whip up some cancer killing


green coconcoctions! Perhaps I'll come up with a fruity cocktail or two...it is summertime after all. While Mom kept me distracted with various shopping venues, Vlad had an eventful diving trip to Beaufort this weekend. Surprisingly, Vlad didn't have trouble with nausea either. Let's call it good karma! As always, he brought back some amazing photos ---some of the best compositions I've seen yet. The jellyfish shots are truly magical. Next cancer blast is June 24th so I have over two weeks to sit back, relax and get used to being bald. Maybe I'll be able to ride my bike next weekend! That would be great!

Other good news to report: HM is back up and running with a brand new water heater. The installers surprised Vlad this morning with a 930am appointment time. They worked steadily until 2pm. The new appliance is impressive. Vlad is a little concerned about a leaky valve, but he intends to get that taken care of with inspectors tomorrow. I'm happy because now I can flush the toilet, take a shower, and have a cold glass of water once again. Ahhh...the simple things in life are what make us the happiest...

Welcome to our Season Of Lost

Vlad and I chose to describe this Summer 2010 as our Season of "LOST"...not because we feel lost but because we have found that by becoming fans of the popular TV season series "LOST", we have found one way to relax, take a break, and keep things light and fun. We are watching the "LOST" episodes via Netflix online. Its been a great escape for both of us. Season 1 got us through the Diagnosis phase...Season 2 and 3 will get us through the Chemo Phase.

This is going to an extraordinary journey where there will be moments of feeling lost, but there will also be times of celebration and moving forward: Like Jan 1 when Vlad found the cancer. Like March 26th when Vlad finally forced me to do something about it. Like May 10th when I found out I don't have the mutated gene for breast and ovarian cancer. Like May 18th when I finally got the nausea medication after surgery (better late than never)! Like June 1 when I got the drain removed. Like June 3, when the battle call was blown and herceptin and chemo drugs were poured into my port so that they could get started killing that nasty cancer. And like today! It's day 3 after chemo treatment #1 and I am still feeling good: no nausea...no fevers, no mouth sores. My bones hurt a bit, but I think I can handle that. I'm ready for Day 13 with wigs, scarves, cool hats and a fun red turban. I can't wait until September for our "Get Lost In the Buff" party to celebrate the end of the Chemo Phase and the beginning of the next "LOST" season.

The other great news is that I convinenced Vlad to continue as planned with his diving trip to Beaufort this weekend. He has been the most wonderful, loving partner in this journey so far. From changing bandages, to unplugging drains, to doctor's visits, to taking documentary photopraphs.....to opening a blog for me. I am so fortunate to have him...I will never feel lost with Vlad. I hope when he returns on Sunday we can upload some of his underwater diving shots.

I also have to mention how supportive and helpful my Mom has been to me. She has been there right along the way, stepping in when needed, always lending a helping hand, and offering a thoughtful gift. She recently completed her own serious surgery and is moving rapidly through her own recovery, already dropping 20 pounds. Best of all: no more acid reflux.

And of course I can't name all of our many friends and other family members who are sending me good thoughts and energy. Keep it coming!

What I need most from all is as much normalcy and sense of humor as possible. We have not lost our way or our summer...we are just a little off track. But we will get right back on our preferred road of diving, chasing waterfalls, and enjoying the lighter side of living.

Christine's first post

Here is where Christine and I will post all the adventures of this summer