i’m getting a new tattoo today. i am so excited!
not really. it will just be a little tiny dot on my shoulder to line up the lasers for radiation. we’re doing a practice run today and then the real radiation will start in about two weeks, after they’ve had a chance to make all the calculations and such.
you may be interested in revisiting my photos from my last round of treatment. at least i don’t have to use the clamshell this time…
that is how i feel when i pass a tanning salon. like i want to get a brick, and throw it through the window. there might as well be a banner that says COME AND PAY US TO GIVE YOU CANCER. PLUS ALSO YOU WILL LOOK LIKE A TANGERINE.
did you know that until 2007 tanning booths weren’t regulated, and didn’t come with warnings about skin cancer? it’s scary what can happen if tanning is left unchecked.
my oncology nurse rajni kannan is part of an effort to pass the tanning bed cancer control act, which would expand FDA regulation of tanning salons and limit the levels of UV rays that tanning beds emit along with the amount of time a tanner can spend there.
i guess i can put the brick away for now.
please don’t go to tanning salons.
i am on my way today to meet with my radiologist and discuss the scheduling of the next round of radiation treatment. this round should be much less invasive – the last treatment area went from above my left hip, into my intestines and groin and then all the way down to my left knee. this time, we should be able to focus on a much smaller area around the incision on my shoulder. now i just have to hope that i avoid the awful headaches i had last time.
i haven’t read them thoroughly (i couldn’t bring myself to do it) but there were two articles and some amazing graphics in the times last week about horrifying errors in radiation treatment. i’ve been assured that NYU has safeguards in place to avoid any of the terrible things that happened to the poor patients involved. whew!
i finally got my stitches out this morning. because of my trip, the removal was delayed and the surgeon really had to dig deep to get them out. but the incision looks good. i will take a picture of the new scar once the steri-strips come off.
i am so tired! i forget, you know, what it is like coming back from the west coast. that getting up at 7 is actually 4 in the freakin morning. at least there was some pretty snow on the trees.
also, i watched lost last night. i had never watched it before. you know what? that show makes no sense.
only once before have i burst into tears upon the words, we are now entering our final descent into the new york jfk area. the first was at end of the grueling 17 hour flight from johannesburg after six months on the continent. the second was last night.
california in january is all poppies, tropical trees in bloom, a wild-eyed slap in the face to a hardened winterer. fresh air, too, though, and much needed. i have always returned to california when i am in need of recharging. although the new york city water might be a cut above, hetch hetchy tastes like home. so thank you to all of you for helping with the recharge; for all the love underneath the redwood beams of the reborn sanctuary, for burritos and beatles in the mission, and for the everlasting dedication of family.
my grandfather, despite the circumstances, is doing well. he’s the strong midwestern type and i’ll leave the details of his decline to those who know him. on our final evening together, i asked him if we had any unfinished business to discuss. no, he said, and i agreed, and i know there are not many family members who can say goodbye to each other that way. as he begins his final descent, the only unfinished business i can imagine is if i will ever find anyone who will love me so unconditionally.
You guys! Kathryn’s piece Flights of Fancy (see below) won the winter follies dance competition at spoke the hub! That means she gets 50 hours of rehearsal time and a fall weekend of shows highlighting her work! She is super excited and I could not be more proud of her. Thanks to all our friends who made it out and for all the strangers whose second place votes made all the difference!
it is another wet, rainy day in california. but i hear they need the water out here, so that’s ok. it’s been a wonderful trip so far – nothing quite like going straight from the airport to the best burrito on the planet. i was so glad to be able to be present for the rededication of the sanctuary at the oakland church – so many faces from the past and memories of growing up in the falling down sanctuary. it looks absolutely gorgeous.
thanks to everyone who made it out for the performance of flights of fancy over the weekend! i think kathryn has a legitimate shot at winning the 50 hours of rehearsal space and a weekend of performances – we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
for those of you who missed the performance, here’s a slightly older version of the piece. it’s so much fun! enjoy.
i wouldn’t say i’m in the best shape to travel, but i’ve booked a last minute flight for sunday morning after getting the news that my grandfather has entered home hospice. his health has been in decline for some time and i’m hoping the hospice nurse can give him the help he needs. i’d love to have time to catch up with all you lovely west coasters out there but will in all likelihood be spending the majority of my time out in rossmoor. i’ll keep you all posted on my travels. hope to see all you new yorkers at the performances of flights of fancy this weekend!
hello friends! if you’re in new york, i humbly request your presence this friday and/or saturday evening at the performance of flights of fancy, a dance piece choreographed by my lovely partner kathryn. here’s her email with the information.
all quiet on the eastern front. hope you all enjoyed the long weekend! i am worn down and feeling like i just had back to back surgeries. oh wait! that’s right, i did.
i set up my first meeting with the radiology oncologist and it looks like we’ll start radiation in about two weeks. my doc keeps saying this round won’t be nearly as bad, which i hope is the case.
my arm and shoulder still hurt a lot so my writing time will be pretty minimal these days. check out some of the links below if you’d like some entertainment!