I have created a new blog, Movin' On, to chronicle my post-cancer life. There was a very interesting three part series on PBS two weeks ago which was based on the book, The Emperor of Maladies, a history of cancer and treatment. I had read the book several years ago in my book club, BC, before cancer.I wasn't sure if I could even watch the program but I did see two episodes.
It was fascinating to follow the first pioneers of cancer treatment and how they came to discoveries which have evolved to standard medical practices. There have been huge strides made in treating childhood leukemia as well as many other cancers. It seems like every day in the news there are promising clinical trials. Sixty Minutes had a segment on the use of the polio virus to activate the body's own immune system for treating certain cancers.
These days hearing and reading about cancer has become much more personal and this post treatment time is still delicate for me as I regain my strength and confidence in my return to good health. I try to follow recommendations in diet and exercise I have learned through UCSF classes and literature. Sometimes I laugh at the food I try to incorporate into my daily diet. I eat cruciferous vegetables because the nutritionist says they are important e.g.(broccoli, cauliflower, arugula.) I drink a cup of green tea for anti oxidants. I try to have some ground flax seed every day though I forget why, and I'm supposed to exercise 150 minutes a week both aerobic and weight bearing. You are probably thinking OY VEY...all these things. My theory is if I do some of them some of the time...it is better than not doing them ever and if they can keep me healthy then why not? Oh and don't worry, I haven't given up my favorite treat (ice cream) that doesn't appear on the list of cruciferous veggies.
The good news is I feel terrific. I had so much energy that I cooked Passover dinner for seventeen and loved doing it; two kinds of charoset, gefillte fish, matzoh ball soup, real chopped liver and vegetarian chopped liver, brisket, two kugels, homemade apple rhubarb sauce and several desserts including meringues with a lemon curd filling and rich chocolate brownies. Jeff couldn't believe that I did most of the cooking though with some help from my sister. I felt incredibly grateful to be able to gather the family and this was a Seder we will never forget.
Now for the trivial. My hair is growing in and is several intriguing shades of light and dark silver. At this point it has a mind of its own with strange waves and places where it is sticking up. My nephew calls me Annie Lennox. Who would believe that I would even contemplate leaving this silver concoction untouched and not coloring it. The amazing part is that it looks very contemporary at least for now. A hip young sales associate, Anthony helping me pick out some make up at the Macy's counter in San Francisco says I should keep it natural and rock it. If one day my silver hair will make me feel older than I want to feel, I might hit the "bottle" again but for now it is part of the "new" me.
One of the women on the PBS special, a cancer survivor, expressed a sentiment simply but eloquently with which I totally agree. Once you have been through cancer you are never the same. That is OK with me. I don't have to be the same person, but I can try to be a better one.
And I will close with the exciting news that we are heading on a cruise to the Western Caribbean in a few days stopping in Belize, Riotan, Honduras and Cozumel. We fly to Houston than pick up the ship in Galveston. Having never been to Houston or Galveston we will go to the Space Center and spend the weekend in Galveston checking out the beach and the historical areas. We are most looking forward to relaxing and re-charging.
You rock it!
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