Support Group

A friend from college referred me to a friend of hers who has been going through something similar and she gave me the Yahoo address for a n online support group for Adults with the cancer I have. That has been very helpful, and I'm sure it will prove to be even more helpful in the future.

I found the above cartoon before I viewed the webpage, but I thought it was funny so I added it to my blog.

New Shows

There are some great shows out this fall. Desperate Housewives, despite all the Hollywood uproar, came out strong again this year with a new neighbor and some new twists. I would miss Private Practice if you can. The acting is good but you will cry during the whole hour long show. It's stories are too real and even if you don't have kids and don't want kids they will touch your hearts. Ugly Betty is my favorite so far. It's remarkably intelligent, and I almost have to watch it twice to understand what is going on. Pushing Daisies is as funny as promised and is definitely an hour escape from the real world.

Chemo Day 1

I went through my first day of chemo today and it wasn’t too bad. I am so glad that I had my new iPod Nano, complements of mom, equipped with all 773 of my songs, some free podcasts, photos and some games. Noureddin suggested that I look at the games, and I found that I could listen to music while playing Solitaire and iMusic. It was great! The TV in the Chemo room at HC didn’t have great reception on channel 7, so I couldn’t watch my favorite soap – General Hospital. I’m not experiencing any side effects yet, but I’m sure they will come. Noureddin cleaned the house again, and I’m following the recipes in Tonya’s book Beating Cancer with Nutrition.

Do you suggest any good free podcasts or iPod games? I’m, currently listening to The Economist week in review, Bill Maher on HBO, CNN, NPR, and 60 minutes.

Ramadan in Santa Ana

Note - The picture is from an earlier dinner, Dec. 31, 2006 taken at our house. Many of the same people were at the dinner last night.

I had a great time last night visiting friends in Santa Ana for Ramadan. Noureddin's friend and his wife hosted five Moroccan guys, 3 American wives and neighbors for a great feast starting at dusk with Harira (spicy lintil soup), boiled eggs, Empanadas, and yummy Moroccan sweets (too difficult to spell). The hosts have a 5 1/2 year old, and her 5 year old cousin came to play too. It was so great to be around them and to catch up with the girls again.

Psychic Reading

Stephanie, me and Genna at The Colony for Gig night.

My friend Steph went to a psychic and asked about me. I am hopeful at the psychic's response given that she knew very little about me. She said that after round two of chemo I would be alright. She also divulged that Noureddin is not from here. "Somewhere in the middle east" she said. Close enough for me. She claimed that he will continue to be a rock for me, and along with Steph and Tonya and my family, I would get through this.

I'll take hope wherever it may come now, so I appreciate her optimism.

Funny Saying 3 - Kaiser Permanente Thrive

The Kaiser commercials say: “Kaiser Permanente Thrive.” Who thrives? Certainly not the nurses, who after I witnessed 3 weeks at the Acute Rehab center at a local hospital, were complaining about their low wages and inconvenient schedules. Not the patients, unless they have a minor injury or illness and need quick medication. Not the doctors who are regulated with patient appointments and not allowed to spend sufficient enough time with them, leaving both parties unhappy. So, who thrives? The big pharma companies? Mr. Kaiser himself? No one you or I know gets to thrive because of Kaiser Permanente.

Funny saying 2 - Pucci's poo poo

A while ago we were watching Pucci: my grandparents dog. Pucci decided to go poo poo in the bathroom (on the floor, of course). Noureddin came out and asked me why I went poo poo on the floor. Pucci is a poodle and her poo is minature! I laughed really hard and asked him if he really thought my poo could be so small.

Funny Saying 1 - " A little sad."

A few weeks ago when I was in the middle of radiation, losing my hair and in the worst depression I’ve ever experienced, Noureddin my husband, told a friend from Spain that “I was a little sad.” I was nearly suicidal, and the worst he wanted to admit to was “a little sad.” His reality in this case is between actual and fantasy, and I love it. He’s continued with that optimism from day one and I so appreciate it.

The picture is of us on our 3rd anniversary and Poppy's Bday, June 29, 2006.

Lesson 1: Doctors are Humans too.

Lesson 1: Doctors are Humans too.

This is a tough lesson to learn when you are in a life and death situation, like I am, and your very life depends on the knowledge and skills of your physician. But, it’s very true. Do your homework. Ask questions. Don’t think that anyone is fighting as hard as you. To many you are just a name or a number.

I’ve always been very careful in who I chose to associate with. I’m sure now that the relationships I have are “life-long” relationships as we have seen the worst of worst in the last 7 months and we’re still standing.

At the end of the day, you are responsible for you and you must be accountable for your own actions. That's true for everyone, even doctors and lawyers: those that we hold with the highest esteem. That is the first lesson I learned.