welcome

Halloween parade in our town

2009-10-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

A chaotic affair, with a Mummer's string band and everything!

Halloween (and, an update, at last!)

2009-10-31T09:37:00.001-07:00

I can't imagine what we've been doing since February, which was the date of my last post on this site. After job hunting, packing, moving and getting settled in PA, I can finally post a little something on this site.

Here is a little video of the kiddos at their Halloween school show and parade. You can't really see them too well in the show, but you can see them much better at the end of the video in the parade.

More Halloweening to come!!

Award girls

2009-02-06T19:35:00.001-08:00

Award girls, originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

The girls' school had their "Spotlight Awards" today. Everyone gets one sooner or later during the year, but this didn't stop me from being super proud anyway.

Djuna is on the left; Dinah is on the right. Djuna's certificate says that she is being honored for "her kindness toward others and wonderful writing." Dinah's says she is being honored for "her sweet disposition and excellent work all around."

Holidays

2009-01-02T09:37:00.001-08:00

This year's Sierra Madre float, originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

This is a photo of this year's award-winning Sierra Madre Rose Parade float on its way to the parade on New Year's Eve. The tall parts of the float were folded down because the float has to go under bridges on its way to the parade route. It was a really beautiful float.

We've had a pretty fun holiday so far. Here's a link to our holiday letter: click [ here ].

My mom was here for a week over Christmas. While she was here, we visited friends for holiday meals, went Christmas shopping and had lots of down time at home, too. Christmas Day was rainy, so we stayed in the whole day and watched Dinah and Djuna play with their toys. My mom cooked a delicious African peanut soup recipe from my friend Lisa, and that was a perfect cozy finish to a peaceful, relaxing day.

My friend Lisa gave Dinah and Djuna snow boots and sleds for Christmas, so on Tuesday (after a fun morning playdate with a friend from the girls' school) we drove up the Angeles Crest Highway into the mountains and went sledding. What a great time! There are lots and lots of pictures, so I'll get those sorted soon.

Yesterday we went to the zoo with some friends to see the reindeer, which have been visiting the zoo for a few weeks. Today, we're going with friends to see the Rose Floats on display near our house.

Monday, of course, it's back to school and work for everyone. Actually, it will feel good to get back to our usual routine in a new, cancer-free year!

School Holiday Concert 08

2008-12-17T16:57:00.001-08:00

School Holiday Concert 08, originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

The quality of the previous video I posted was so horrible that I have been trying to figure out how to improve it. These clips are a little better, I think.

Here's the second clip:

Holiday Concert

2008-12-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

Dwayne and I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday show at Dinah's and Djuna's school. Here are a few video clips, just to give you an impression. The principal played the piano, the whole event was sweet and simple, and the kids seemed to be enjoying themselves. The funniest part was when the Kindergarteners came out and the parents all went wild, standing up and scooting around to get videos and photos. The principal said, "Ah, there's nothing like a Kindergarten parent. Turn around and look at yourselves." I did what she asked us to do and saw that there we were all standing, craning our bodies in awkward positions to get the best shots of our little sweeties.

5th Birthday Party pictures

2008-12-12T05:59:00.001-08:00

Balloon flower, originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

As promised, I am trying to update my online photos. So, at long last, here are photos from the girls' 5th birthday party (which was in July, though their birthday is in August). We had a great time at a lovely indoor playground called Amy's Playground. The theme was "Go Wild," and we had wild music, wild animal decorations, a pull-apart cupcake cake (in the shape of a lion), wild fun on the play equipment, and a wild balloon artist. Oh, and most importantly, a big bunch of happy, wild kids to enjoy it all.

Click [ here ] to see the pics.

Holidays

2008-12-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated in awhile -- I feel so bad about it! I'll have to catch up with picture posting over Winter Break.

We have been thoroughly enjoying the holidays so far. We had a very nice Thanksgiving with my cousin Alison and her boyfriend Gavin, and now we are rocketing toward Christmas with lots of excitement.

Dwayne and I bought one of those advent calendars that has a little door for each day, and Dinah and Djuna love to open those doors to see what little goodie is inside. It could be anything from a piece of chocolate to Christmas socks, so that is a fun moment each evening after dinner.

We got the house decorated and our tree up this past weekend. It's our first year with an artificial tree. Dinah in particular sniffled all last December while the tree was up, so we figured we'd try a fake tree. Artificial trees are so expensive that we went on Craigslist and found a very nice 7.5 foot one for a great price. It actually looks pretty good!

Soon, we'll do our annual trip to Travel Town (a part of Griffith Park that has been set aside as an interactive train museum) for a Train Ride to Santa. The park staff decorates the park with lights, and they blare Christmas music. We go at nighttime, ride the train, enjoy the lights, visit with Santa, get our pictures taken and then dash back to the car to warm our fingers. Yes, it actually does get pretty nippy at nighttime in the winter here in So. Cal.

I feel great and grateful to be able to move on with my life after cancer.

Now what?

2008-11-11T13:11:00.001-08:00

Today I had the last of about 6 weeks' worth of radiation treatments. After 8 rounds of chemo and then surgery, radiation was comparatively easy, but I'm still glad it's over. Sort of.

I have to admit that it's hard to give up being so carefully watched, particularly by the staff at the radiation oncology center, where everyone has been so kind and empathetic. During chemo, surgery and then radiation, there was always someone checking up on me. I do still have 5 years of Tamoxifen ahead, and then 5 years of another type of hormone drug after that, so technically, my treatments are far from over. And of course, there are lots of checkups. I have my first one in just two weeks, so that tells you that even though I'm done with the most invasive and disruptive treatments I'll still be monitored carefully.

I am not going to wax too philosophic right now because I'm feeling too numb and overwhelmed. Dwayne and the girls came by my work today (Dinah and Djuna are off from school for Veteran's Day) to bring me little gifts and to say congratulations.

Suffice it to say, being lucky enough to be here to see them (and knowing how lucky I am and being deeply grateful for it) is about as philosophic as I think I need to be for the immediate time being.

And I'm deeply grateful for the support that has carried me all along the way.

Thanks to everyone reading this blog, for your caring and for sending healing light for these past long months.

Since I've been remiss ...

2008-11-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

... and have neglected posting Halloween photos in a timely fashion, here is a link where you can see a few. There is a cool photographer in our town, and he lets folks come in his studio on Halloween to pose in their costumes. Then, he posts them online where people can purchase copies if they like.

Click [ here ] to go to the gallery. In the lower right hand corner you'll see numbers to click. Click on #5 and look for Dinah (pink bunny) and Djuna (black cat) posing with their friend from school. Then there are two pictures of the four of us (Dwayne looking tired and me sporting my quickly-growing hair!). You can click on the individual photos to see larger versions.

We had a busy but fun Halloween. I'll try to post a few photos this week, but in the meantime enjoy the ones taken by our Sierra Madre guy.

Halloween cookies

2008-10-23T10:05:00.001-07:00

We did it!, originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

Here are our ooey-gooey Halloween sugar cookies! (Djuna is on the left, Dinah is on the right.)

I can't believe we were successful because I've never made roll-out sugar cookies before. We colored the frosting, rolled out the dough, cut out the shapes, everything!

Because of decidedly unhygienic practices like finger licking, knife licking, sugar-sprinkles-container licking, (and one time when I caught Djuna rolling the rolling pin up and down over her clothes) we decided that we would not share this batch of cookies with anyone but ourselves.

I think you're probably thankful for that.

Am I glowing?

2008-10-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

My radiation treatments started this past Wednesday. Wednesday's appointment was long, but then all of the rest will only be fifteen minutes or so. The treatment is very easy and painless. The staff in the radiation oncology department is amazing, and I know I'm in great hands.

I arranged my daily appointments so that I can leave work and go straight over, have the treatment and then make my way home. Even though I have to do this for six weeks, I think it should be very manageable.

Dinah and Djuna are adjusting to Kindergarten, and Dwayne is busily cartooning his way through this crazy election season. I just went to Back to School night at the girls' school and was very impressed with the principal and teachers.

All is well.

Back to work

2008-09-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted here in awhile ... I've been busy getting back to work and to driving! I went back to work last Monday and got to drive as of last Thursday.

Last Friday Dwayne and I went to the radiation oncologist at Huntington Hospital. They seem like an amazing operation; I had heard great things about them, and I was duly impressed. They are exceedingly kind, empathetic, and the doctor was impressive.

I will start 6 weeks of radiation in about 2 weeks, when my surgery site has healed to the doctor's satisfaction. The radiation will probably make me very tired, and it could have uncomfortable skin side effects. They give you a cream that you are supposed to use liberally.

After 6 weeks of radiation, it's 5 years of Tamoxifen and onward to the rest of my life!

First day of Kindergarten

2008-09-04T21:02:00.001-07:00

In class, originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

The day finally arrived! Dinah and Djuna were off to Kindergarten this morning. After a teary departure, it seems like they had a nice day. When Djuna saw her teacher, she said, "Is that our teacher? She's beautiful."

I think that's a pretty good endorsement.

Click on the picture to go to Flickr, where there are more photos.

Still hanging in there

2008-08-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

I had another checkup with the surgeon today, and things are still going smoothly with my recuperation, thank goodness.

She gave me arm exercises to do and said that when I can get both arms up above my head, then I can drive again. Naturally, I am very motivated to accomplish this, although the exercises are pretty uncomfortable.

My great friend Nancy came the day my mom left and left Monday after taking wonderful care of us all. Then, another wonderful friend, Lisa, coordinated a group of folks to bring dinners for us this whole week. Judging from tonight and last night, I think we'll have enough for dinners and lunches for this week and next!

We are so thankful for everyone's help and generosity. Thank you so much.

~Diana

Out and about

2008-08-21T09:29:00.001-07:00

I had another checkup on Tuesday, and my surgeon said she's happy with how things are healing.

I have been getting out some, dropping and picking up the girls from camp, doing a few minor errands, etc. Yesterday I even walked to the farmer's market with my mom. I am still uncomfortable and very tired by the end of the day, but I feel pretty energized by morning. Every day I have a little more mobility and can do a few more things that I couldn't do the day before. This feels great, and I can see that it also reassures Dinah and Djuna to see me acting more naturally.

Today is my mom's last morning here, so we are going out again this morning.

My next checkup is on Friday, and I hope the doctor will say that I can drive again.

~Diana

Home sweet home

2008-08-18T16:25:00.001-07:00

It's been a week since surgery, and I appear to be recovering nicely. I went for one checkup last week and will go for another tomorrow.

The surgery went smoothly, with no surprises for my docs. There was less than 10 percent of the tumor remaining, and the surgeon got the clear margins she wanted. So, that is all good news.

My mom and Dwayne have been amazing, taking care of me and running the household, getting Dinah and Djuna to camp and swim lessons without a hitch.

I am still uncomfortable, but I don't really need painkillers to get through the day. I just take them at night to help me sleep.

Thanks to everyone for the calls, e-mails, prayers, etc. I appreciate it all so much.

I am so glad the surgery is behind me.

~Diana

Diana Day is a-okay

2008-08-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

The kind and immensely tall surgeon, Dr. Dawn Hills, said that the operation went smoothly and the patient will be fine. She is sleeping soundly now and will be doing so until tomorrow morning. Bless her heart - what a day.

Thanks to everybody for thinking sweet thoughts all day long today and over these past many months. Finally, mundane normalcy is peaking over the horizon and we'll soon be complaining about trivial bullshit again. Hurray for that.

The husband

Fast approaching

2008-08-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

Dinah and Djuna had a blast with their friends at their birthday party. Then, their birthday was a few days later, and they had even more presents to open, and more cake. Basically, they had a week-long birthday party. I had as much fun as they did. Eventually, I'll get pictures up on Flickr.

It's been a busy week of pre-op tests and appointments. So far, everything is on for surgery on Monday, August 11th.

I am nervous about it, but I guess that's normal. At the same time, I am looking forward to surgery so that one more major part of my treatment will be over.

I have asked Dwayne to post a brief update here as soon as he can after surgery. He might be able to get to it on Monday evening, but I doubt it because the surgery is long, and it doesn't even start until 10:30 am or so.

Thanks again to everyone for their support and prayers. On Monday, I will be in the capable hands of my doctors, and I know that they will take good care of me.

But, between now and Monday, there is more fun to have! Tomorrow, it's Dwayne's birthday, and my mom arrives on Saturday. She will watch the girls on Sunday morning so that Dwayne and I can go on a date!

~Diana

We're rumblin' and shakin' out here

2008-07-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

There was a 5.4 earthquake this morning at about 11:30 a.m. So far I haven't heard any reports of injuries or damages. Dwayne and I were getting into the car outside of a nearby cafe, and I wondered why the car was doing a little dance.

Here is a link where you can get more information about the quake if you like that kind of stuff: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/ci14383980/

~Diana

Super news

2008-07-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

My surgeon called this afternoon and said that yesterday's MRI results are in: the tumor had a very good response to chemo! It shrunk by a lot, more than half, and the surgeon said she thinks she'll be able to get the margins she wants.

This is very exciting! Thanks so much to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. I know, from a deep place in my heart, that it has helped.

Dinah's and Djuna's birthday party is tomorrow -- they'll be 5 years old on August 1. I am so thrilled to go into the weekend and to their party beaming with this good news.

And filled with gratitude, too.

~Diana

Next steps

2008-07-23T23:22:00.001-07:00

Two weeks after my last round of chemo, and I'm feeling pretty good. I exercise almost every day. I do get tired by the end of the day, but I guess that's to be expected.

I am scheduled for surgery on August 11 and will most likely be in the hospital three days, two nights, give or take. My mother is coming out to help, thank goodness.

I can't help feeling a little emotional as surgery approaches, but I guess that's also to be expected since it's the next big step in my treatment.

Dinah and Djuna will be five years old soon, and I'm having a great time planning their birthday party. Dwayne's birthday follows right on the heels of the girls' birthday, so there are fun distractions for me so that I don't sit around and mull things over too much.

Dinah and Djuna have been loving their swimming classes, and we are signing them up for more gymnastics classes at our local recreation center.

Life goes on.

This is me, last day of chemo, outside of the doctor's office, with 8 rounds of poison coursing through my tired veins.

2008-07-10T19:04:00.001-07:00

This is me, last day of chemo, outside of the doctor's office, with 8 rounds of poison coursing through my tired veins., originally uploaded by applesandcheeses.

I am alive.

At last, the last

2008-07-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

Chemo a go-go tomorrow!! My last treatment, finally.

In about two weeks, I'll have an MRI. Then, there will be a follow-up appointment with my surgeon to discuss the MRI and to plan surgery. Surgery will be about a month from now, but apparently we can't set a date until after the MRI results are in.

Naturally I am excited, but it's also scary to think that I won't be taking "medicine" for the cancer anymore. The next step is surgery, but that's not for another month. In preparation for my month without any Western treatment, I have been hitting bookstores and libraries and my own bookshelves for books on visualization, meditation, healing. I must bombard the cancer with just as much firepower on my own as the doctors did with chemo.

That's all fine and well, but frankly I am much more jazzed about how much fun we had over the 4th and how much fun we'll have next week at the circus. More about those in another post. For now, I'm off to the Farmer's Market to get some yummy fresh veggies to make my mom's gazpacho recipe.

~Diana

Down the rabbit hole

2008-06-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I got my next-to-last treatment. In a lot of ways, it feels like an adventure in Wonderland because you just never know what to expect from chemo. Hopefully the side effects will be mild, but ... who knows?

The best part is that I only have one treatment left. My doctor will give it to me in two weeks if my counts are OK, but based on the last go-round, he suspects that I will have to wait three weeks. I'd just as soon get things moving so I can put this all behind me and get on with my life. Even though I'm excited to finish chemo, I still have surgery and radiation ahead of me ... quite a bit of treatment left, actually.

I've learned, though, that there are some things you can control and some things you just can't. Even so, the doctor can't stop me from trying! Good food, happy times, exercise, all of that has got to help a little, I hope.

So, I hope.

~Diana