Kicking Cancer

So Ends a Fabulous Week

I am due for chemotherapy tomorrow morning at nine o’clock so figured I’d get a post in while I am feeling chipper!

This past week has been fantastic.  The “up” week or “off” week, as I have come to call it.  I have been receiving chemotherapy infusions of adriamycin and cytoxin every other Monday since May 21st.   Tomorrow will be my fourth and final infusion of that particular “cocktail”(then twelve of taxol/herceptin, weekly starting on July 16).   The week where I do not recieve an infusion I have felt completely fine.  Cancer, what cancer?  The week “on”  is another story….a bit of nausea, a bit of fatigue, and just not feeling myself.  Not too bad, but bad enough.

A lot of people have been asking…did Taylor get to celebrate her sixth birthday party?  Yes, she did!  We were all feeling well enough just in the nick of time.  Phew.  Special thanks to my friend Carla who helped by picking up the balloons, hand rolling sushi, and washing lots of dishes so we  could come home to a clean house.    The party was fun and manageable.  Small.  The first year where we did not invite the world, but instead let Taylor pick a handful of friends.  We roller skated to a mix that Taylor and her daddy made.  Special songs from over the years.  Everything went smooth until right after the birthday song when I could not find the cupcakes, the knife, the ice cream scooper or Garrett (he had gone to retrieve the cupcakes from the car!) The kids want their cake after the birthday song…..it is just the way it is.  Everything was found, cake devoured, and peace and order resumed.  Also special thanks to all the thoughtful and efficient parents who helped clean up–the roller skating rink gives you about twenty minutes to clean the party room and get out of there – no small feat.  It definitely takes community.

Birthday Girl

Presents!

Pedaling Each Day the past week and a half was mostly uneventful.  Mostly early evening rides.  The days I am a bit off I like to ride solo to not have the extra weight.  The week I felt good I mostly took a kid or two.  Two of the evenings Taylor scootered along on her brand new birthday scooter while Asher rode in the trailer!  Those nights were extra special, as I am so proud of my big girl. One funny night I turned around and saw that Asher fell asleep in the trailer. I was so happy because he had been a tired boy.  But, ten minutes later I hear, “Hey mommy!  I am in water!”  He had fallen asleep with his open water bottle that poured a swimming pool into his seat.  We rode home with a completely naked Asher sitting on top of a big fleece blankie, as his pants and undies, shirt and slippers had become soaked.  And now, of course, he was wide awake.

On our way south to Marin Friday and on Taylor’s actual birthday, we hit the Kate Wolf Music Festival.  Garrett and his brother, Eric (flew up from Laguna) joined us for Friday night camping and Saturday, and my sister, Melinda and my niece Samantha joined us for Saturday music and fun.  The festival is a tribute to Kate Wolf and is intimate as far as festivals go…..about 4000 people in an oak woodland setting of Laytonville. CA.  I absolutely fell in love with the style, stories, and music of  Rita Hosking while sitting on a hay bale under the oaks with my kids late afternoon Friday.  Other favorites included Tim and Nicki Bluhm and Blushin Roulettes.  The line up was great, but with small kids at the festival I did not get to catch everything.  We spent some time in the family camp, kids play zone, doing crafts, and down at the river a bit.

Hoola Hoopin’ Asher

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Some of the “rules” for chemotherapy…..stay away from sick people and don’t hang out with large crowds.  Some may frown about my festival going, but the open air festival atmosphere makes it easy to take precautions.  A lot of hand washing and keeping to myself.  No partying of course, just drinking a lot of water, lazing about in the shade in my festival chair and groovin’ to the tunes.  I had a lot of help with the kids so didn’t wipe myself out.  It was great to see so many friends and Arcatans who were happy to see me out and about, feeling healthy and enjoying the good vibes.

With cousin Samantha enjoying the festival

Sisters

Brothers

Too much hoopin’

Most importantly it feeds the soul just like my daily bicycle riding!  I think soul feeding is another chemotherapy rule, and if it is not, then it should be.

Now we are in Marin at our fabulous house sitting situation.  Highlight of the day?  ”Rafting” in the swimming pool, riding bikes and scooters around the patio, and playing with other kids’ super fun bath toys.

First dinner in our ‘home away from home’

Signing off before chemo number four…..I’ll post when I am up for it!  Thanks for reading, and all your love and support.