Phase II (T-H) Round 7 and 8 Yoga?

Phase II: Round 7 and 8

Well, I did it.  I’ve signed up for Yoga.  A mere 3 yoga sessions ago I might have considered this somewhat of a failure, despite the fact that I have always believed yoga to be a good idea for other people.   My first session, just prior to the panic attack that did ensue after the 3^rd or 4^th Gong (which I believed must signify the letting out of class) I have to admit that I did actually achieve a more relaxed feeling (while being still, and outside of sleeping) than I can remember experiencing in years.  It took me a few weeks, a few mind games, and that one drop of water from my friend Cindy S. to get me back to that second class.  The mind games included convincing me that I can count this yoga once a week as my 5^th day of exercise -even though I do not really consider it exercise.  A “Bonus” if you will.  Now, after the third session, which was a more advanced class, I’ve regained my ability to do a headstand, which is pretty exciting for me.  You, and my good friend Chuck, may be thinking that that is just silly, unnecessary, and bordering on dangerous at this time in my life.  I would actually agree, again, for other people.  But, if you know me and my genetic makeup, you might be aware there are a few things that I am simply compelled to do.   These are: to be suspended in air, like with jumping very high and flying, and to be upside down.   As a kid I spent hours laying upside down on the stairwell, and as a teenager, upside down in a handstand often during basketball practice, and in the locker room before games.  I remember many times the coach getting on to me for that, because it just seemed odd to him, and I’m sure others.   I believe that the desire to fly is one reason I love trail running.  Running down those hills is very much like flying.  

As you can probably tell from my rambling about Yoga, this week was a better week for me.   I got that “5^th”day of exercise, I was able to run almost 8 miles this morning, (which is the most I’ve done for a few months) and the chemo side effects have seemed a bit less this week.  I’ve almost organized my medical bills from 2010 and I’ve almost mastered the ability to format a blog page BallotableRecords.blogspot.com.  Still a work in progress. 

 One of my trail running buddies completed his first 50 miler this past weekend, which I love hearing. Thanks David J. for your help with the blog, and for completing that 50 miler! Our good friends Chad and Eve (and Jason) completed their EP and CD release while also raising a 15 month old-impressive.  A new friend of Derek’s (my Stepfather), found out his brain tumor was benign, soon after Derek himself found out that he did NOT have prostate Cancer, even though it does run in his family.  And, we were able to have a Super bowl Party with friends, to celebrate the end of that season, John and Jenn’s Superversiary, and the perfection that is a football shaped cake ball with yellow cake and chocolate icing, dipped in chocolate and placed on a stick.  J

 I’ve learned a bit more about breast re-construction plastic surgery and I’m getting closer to choosing a surgeon.  After today, I have only 4 rounds of this Taxol-Herceptin left.  Then, I get a 2-3 week break, to get blood counts back up, and then surgery.  The great news is that there is a new procedure that actually takes…. get this……FAT from the abdomen…YES, MY ABDOMEN, and uses that to mold a breast mound! GENIOUS! So Richie, WE just MIGHT be looking at Ds again!!

Also, the day that I’m sure many of you, and even myself, were somewhat expecting, did come today.  That being the day that I would pull the cancer card/comment inappropriately. Fortunately, it was not too painful or too difficult to recover.  Here’s how it went.  The nice young nurse technician, after weighing me, began talking about weight.  She mentioned that if she could just get all of the stuff off the front, she would be doing alright.   I, as you might suspect, said; “well, you could just get breast cancer and then that would take care of that”.  She went on to tell me that her likelihood of getting breast cancer was very good because her grandmother died from it, and her mother who is in her 40s is currently on hospice.  I did immediately let her know that I was sorry to hear that, and recommended that she get checked often and routinely. She stated that she was BRCA (-)…The genetic test for Breast cancer.   But, then again, so was her mother.  I again let her know that I was sorry to hear that and hoped the best for her.  She said that she did not really know her mother well, so it was not too difficult for her to deal with, and on the positive side of things, she has gained the ability to feel free to live her life to the fullest every day due to her family history. I said, “As we all should”, and I put my card away.

                                                                                    

Emily

2/8/11

Phase II (T-H) Round 2 Giddy?

> Phase II: Round 2
>
> Done.
>
> Easy.  Even Great.
>
> Best week I’ve had in 3 months.  Christmas was good, but this week even better, due to the loss of the bone pain! Yeah!  Some mouth pain, but doable.
>
> As i mentioned in the last quick email, my blood counts were great.  Kinda funny though, because, when i was at the appointment, when the nurse was about to stick the needle into my port to check the levels, i freaked for just a moment (which i do every time they are about to stick that thing) and said, "if the blood levels are too low, then we'll have stuck this thing for nothing, right?"   The nurse replied, "yes", and "we can go thru the arm (which is usually not very painful) in case".  She also mentioned.. on the side,,,that every time we access the port it is a risk for infection...great.  So we went thru the arm for the first blood draw.  Most of the other lab people there are pretty good at that.  This girl was pretty good at something else, i'm sure.  Anyway, i was so excited about the huge rise in the blood counts, and a few other things, that i didn't even notice the bruise until yesterday.   The eventual stick into the port was not too bad, and despite the unexpected 1 hour wait to start the chemo, everything went pretty smoothly.  It was nice having Lisa there for entertainment and emotional support, for sure.  They gave me only 1/2 the amout of benadryl this time, so i was still a semi? functional human.  Able to walk myself to the bathroom, etc.
>
> One of the "other" things included the fact that i felt so good even on the day of the chemo, after 2 naps, that i was able to go out that evening from 6:30 to 8:30 to see Richie's new band Downtube Shifter play their first official gig!  It was awesome. 

The place was packed with people i haven't seen in ages, some i hadn't seen since The Knievels days, and also with people that the other bands had brought. The band rocked, and it was quite exciting and emotional for me to see Richie back at what he does best.  Even in the face of all this crap.  I often liken Richie to Gristle.  So tough, yet nutritious, and even enjoyable to the experienced.  Joints...they're what hold things together... like "The Glue" as he is known in some circles.   Richie is the person you want along when times get tough, I tell you.   The excitement of seeing John and Richie harmonizing again with the excellent additions of our old Rockin' drummer friend Hugh, and new friend Kevin on keys, along with seeing old friends, AND feeling great, was thrilling.  Wierd, for me also, in that i did not have a drop to drink and i was probably higher than anyone in the place.
>
> I thought i might be worn out the rest of the week, but not so.  As my friend Cindy said to her husband about me, it was like i was almost even "Giddy".  I like that description, because it is pretty much how i've felt this week.  It is odd.   I have even felt well enough to exercise 5 times this week!  1 elliptical, 3 easy jogs and one easy bike ride!  Oh yeah, and a few Squish Ups :).  Don't worry.  i never exercise to the point of feeling worn out.  I usually feel just barely tired at the end when i stop.  I do a lot of walking during the jogging too.  Due to my inherent skepticism, however, i am preparing myself for possible return of the downs.  But, i'll take these ups any day!
>
> Round 3 is on Tuesday 1/4/11.  I think i'll drive myself this time. :)
>
>
> Emily
> 1/2/11